Help the North American Bear Center

Are you aware of Give To The Max Day today? Right now the North American Bear Center is in #1 but they need to maintain our lead until midnight when it ends. It will mean an extra $20,000 and donations can be as small as $10. So if you know anyone that you can send this link to please do.
Thanks, here’s the link:
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/North-American-Bear-Center

Update, looks like they TOOK SECOND PLACE, $10,000, thanx to everyone who helped!!!!!

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Gear?

Hi fellow paddlers,

At the end of every canoe trip that Diane and I take there are certain conversations that always take place. We talk about how we wish the trip could have been longer. Even if we are out for two weeks, we always wish for longer trips. We talk about how we will take those longer trips once we are retired and do not have the constraints of a job. We talk about the fact that we are glad that we live in Ely and do not have to drive for a day or two to get back home. And invariably, we ask the question...How can we take less stuff next time?

Now don't get me wrong, we have done this for a while and we have refined our gear needs pretty well, but we still wonder if we take too much. I suppose this conversation comes up because we are both getting older and the portages are a bit tougher on us than they were 15 years ago. I used to carry a canoe and pack on the portage, now it is just the canoe and a waist pack. It takes us a bit longer than it used to as well. Now, for lots of reasons, this is all OK; but we still find ourselves wanting to trim down on what we take.

I once heard the advice that after every trip one should make three piles of gear. Pile one has all the stuff you used all the time. Pile two has stuff that you used maybe once or twice. Pile three has stuff that you never used at all. The admonition concludes...on your next trip take only the stuff you had in pile one.

This seems a bit severe and certainly even though the need for a first aid kit never arose does not mean that you should not bring one. A very important part of any wilderness trip is anticipating all sorts of contingencies and being prepared for them. This means that you may bring some things that you never need, but if the need arose, you sure would be glad you had them.

So...let's get some discussion going. What do you feel is absolutely necessary for a canoe trip in the BWCAW or Quetico? What are some of the things you would never leave behind? What are some of the things that are borderline? And if you were ruthless...what kinds of things could you do without?

I will start the ball rolling with this one. There is one thing that I would never consider leaving behind...a TARP. I have often told my clients that if I had to choose between taking a tent and tarp, the tent would stay at home. You can sleep under a tarp and stay dry. You can sit under a tarp and huddle by a fire for warmth and comfort. You can function under a tarp in all kinds of weather and stay dry and comfortable. You can cook and eat your meals under a tarp no matter the weather.

What do you think? I look forward to hearing some responses. Maybe you will have some ideas that Diane and I can put into practice on our next trip.

Bert

First Snow in Ely

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, Ely got its first significant snow last night. The biggest part of the storm went south and east of us, which seems to be a continuing pattern for the past several years. We always get excited when the weather people start talking about a big storm coming our way, but so often it bypasses us on the way to Duluth and beyond. It seems like a long time ago since we have had a genuine winter blizzard where everything just shuts down for a few days. Maybe this winter.

It certainly seems different to look out and see the blanket of white, knowing that it will be with us until sometime next April. The change of seasons! Most of us who live here in Ely love it for just that reason. We had a wonderful and extended fall, but we are ready for winter. The wood is piled up, the garden hose is disconnected and rolled up, the gardens are all harvested, the leaves are all down, and white tail deer hunters are in the woods, and the canoes are put away for another season. So...we will break out the snowshoes, the cross country skis and get ready for exercise winter style.

I told Diane last night that I am sort of happy that we did not get a lot of snow yet. I am not quite ready to get the snowplow and snowblower out just yet.

Here a few photos I took this morning from the roof of our store to show you Ely as it is on Sunday, November 14th.

Have a good day wherever you are

Bert

Incredible Video of the Boundary Waters in Fall

Just discovered a fantastic video from Alex Horner.  Great shots of Autumnal Boundary Waters Days.  You'll want to show it to friends.  Hey, if you like this, I mean if it really pulls something inside of you North, why not call Drew Brockett today and talk about a canoe trip for next year.  We can outfit you with everything from a permit to a canoe, paddles and packs to all the food, gear and maps you need for a week or more in the Boundary Waters or Quetico.  All you've got to do is get to Ely. 1-800-223-6565

P.S. it really is this beautiful!!

Hey, we want to here from you!  What do you like to have for your first nights meal in the wilderness and why?  Thanks for your comments!

Boundary Waters Part 2 from Alex Horner on Vimeo.

Beautiful Autumn Days bring Warmth to Ely, Minnesota

Monday, Tuesday and this morning have been wonderful days to be outside here in Ely.  Indeed, last weekend, while probably too warm for deer hunter's taste, was fabulous as well.  It feels good to be out in your shirt sleeves or a light jacket, to have the sun feel warm on your back and neck as you walk.  Over Shagawa Lake and Miner's Lake it hangs this morning like an oversized ornament, dripping sparkles and splashing our town with welcome warmth.

It is a great day for a paddle and to troll a line behind for walleyes as it looks to maybe cloud over later.  The outlook for next week seems to be suggesting days that will have highs in the 30s -- sigh! That's 30 degrees below and more from what we've just happily sat in our lawn chairs enjoying the past week.

Outfitting clients keep sending in pictures of fish caught and fun had on trips they took this year and I'm finding it hard to not think about wetting a line.  I think I've missed the window for one last taste of summer on a camping trip.  (Yesterday we rented a Wenonah Champlain for two days -- hard to believe -- but that's what sunshine will do for you!)  I'm beginning to plan my first winter camping trip of the season.  We'll see how fast the snow comes and if the turn around in temperatures really does come quickly.

Ely's changes are special and they make living here interesting and unique.  The fact that they are unpredictable and untimely only make it more interesting.  In a matter of weeks, the blue in the water behind the Shagawa Lake sign below will have turned clear and hard with a blanket of white over the top.  Instead of paddles, we'll be walking, skiing and snowshoeing on it, not to mention driving.  :)

Just another gorgeous day in Ely, Minnesota.  Glad I could share it!