Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is about 13 miles from the Canadian border, but a long way from Madison County Iowa. Therefore, I had to stop for the night in Minnesota at Moose Lake State Park, but ended up staying for two nights instead. The parks’ setting is picturesque, but also rugged, and I wanted a few days to just enjoy it. The leaves were turning in Minnesota and with cool evenings, I found my stay to be very enjoyable and relaxing. I also found the howling of a wolf to be just a little bit scary but more so fascinating. That was the first time I heard a wolf, and I can tell you it was quite unnerving, but very cool at the same time. I knew I had more awaiting me at Voyageurs National Park and Lake Kabetogama State Park. Lake Kabetogama, even though a state park, is part of the National Park system, because there is no way into Voyageurs unless you boat in. I did not have that ability, so I camped on the lake. I fished, hiked and kayaked with my camping neighbors Kay and Doug, and enjoyed the Northern Minnesota hospitality. My five night stay was “on the state”, so to speak, because after September 25tt the camp basically is left to anyone who wished to use it without charge, or so it appeared, as there was no one there to collect so I just enjoyed the freebee.
As has been my good fortune in the past with other campers, Kay and Doug became good camping friends. We shared Doug’s veggie cheese soup for dinner one night and I reciprocated the next morning with blueberry pancakes. You have no idea how good pancakes taste on a cool Minnesota morning with hot coffee to wash it down or hot soup on a cool evening ,especially when it is amazing soup. There is something about your appetite and how good food tastes when you are camping. I’d have to use the word voracious.
When Kay and Doug left, I was the only camper in the extremely woodsy park. I must admit, even with the campfire glowing, it was a little spooky at times, but, alls well that ends well and so on.
All in all, Minnesota has been fun, enjoyable and interesting. By the way the kayaking pictures that Kay took will be emailed to me and I will enter those as a post script. Doug gave me a quick lesson and we headed out on the lake. I loved it, and once again, just may have another new hobby.
For now enjoy some photos. TC…

Entering the park.

Closed for the winter.

 

Winter colors.