Silver Rapids Lodge Ely

... 8217;s RV directory) was actually a marina where boats were parked. The whole area was concrete (no grass or trees anywhere). We had full service and a picnic table so it was adequate for a two-night stay. As it turned out, the location was excellent – within walking distance of the downtown area. I was impressed with Leif Erickson Park. It was built above the freeway and had a huge rose garden that contained ...

... that I will find a gas station when I need it. Within a half hour I find an Esso station. The station owner drove into the station from the opposite direction just as I was driving in. He starts filling up the truck and we start chatting. He states that it's about 40 minutes shorter going through the USA and Minnesota then heading north towards Kenora and staying in Canada. With my trailer there's a good chance the US border agents could delay me and then at the ...

... but we did get a bit smelly (despite swimming every day) and our beards a bit stubbly.....can't blame the grey on the wilderness, though. And the sunsets were phenomenal! Well, I survived and even enjoyed our wilderness experience. Now, it's back to reality. We have a flight out tomorrow afternoon and should be in Taos in time to sleep in our own bed! Happy Labor Day and end of the summer to all of you!

Lo and Hello!  Well, we survived our dog sledding adventure . . . nay, we thrived this week in temperatures that got to more than 40 below zero at night in Ely, Minnesota.  What a wonderful time we had despite (or because of?) the verrrrrry cold temps.  Parts of the success of the trip were our guide, Jason and vacationing with our dear friends Rowena and Tim.  We had such a great time that we're planning for a return trip next year.  Paul and I may even come back in ...

... the crackling of campfires and that 'pfssst sound beer cans make when their opened. Lake vermillion is in the region of waterways and lakes that separate northern Minnesota and Canada. Pristine and much of it still untouched it is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise.

... fabulous dinner at the Burnside Lodge. If your travels should take you there you just must pop in. We had a tasty sextet of appetizers: Tuscan green olives; black nicoise olives from France; Mustafa olive oil from Morroco; a carpaccio of dried Italian ham; Leicester cheese from England; "piece de resistance" was the Tasmanian honey. WOW! It was all worth it just for the honey....I kid you ...

It's been awhile but turns out we need to reopen the travelogue. Summer in Minnesota has been really good--the weather has been gorgeous, only a few weeks of extreme heat, otherwise pretty comfortable. It's been so awesome to not have to wear a jacket and a hat. Ron and I have managed a few trips into the Boundary Waters, into Wisconsin and even a boat trip to the Apostle Islands. We have ended up working a little more than we both would prefer and are excited for our next ...

... a little longer. I really haven't missed sleeping in a bed as much as I thought I would. Although there were a few 6am rain showers in Wisconsin which sent me scrambling to put the fly on the tent. I've been leaving it off so I could see the stars through the top of the tent. It has been in the low to mid 80s during the day and 55-60 at night, plenty warm enough with my sleeping bag. Thanks for all the notes, can't wait to share my boundary waters experience. Cheers, Brian

... work makes the world go round. One job I had was to stand out in the road holding a gigantic sign for "Quizno's Subs" and dance. Boy, was that a stupid job! My other work was to sweep the halls and keep tidy the bathrooms at Minnesota Twins' baseball games. It was fun working with other (mostly black) janitors, and after the games we liked to sneak ourselves some beers from the luxury suites. Second things second: I joined friends Cory "Johnny" Anderson, Lucas ...

... higher; The flames just soared, and the furnace roared-such a blaze you seldom see; And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee. Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so; And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow. It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why; And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky. I ...