Piragis Northwoods Company
 105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565
www.piragis.com
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Greetings from Ely, Minnesota and the Boundary Waters!
Mid Summer Night Dreams in Quetico:
by Steve Piragis
There’s really nothing like crawling into the tent after a good hard day of canoe camping and dropping off to sleep with the calls of loons on the lake. I managed to stay up most nights last week until the sun was gone but the sky was far from darkness. It seems like sunsets in the Quetico last for hours. Our seasoned group of 6 paddle campers managed to squeeze in 5 days on the shield rocks of the Quetico again this year around the 4th of July. Each day was so filled with everything that makes a canoe trip both work and fun it is the sunset and the end of the day that seems so memorable. That first moment of complete relaxation when my head hits the pillow is just so pleasant and so ephemeral. Sleep is not a hard place to find on a wilderness canoe trip.
As delicious as sleep is, I think I have my most fun in the morning on a Quetico trip. Alone on the water in the early light of a new day everything feels fresh and alive. The water is a mirror of the shore, smooth and soft and warm to the touch in the cool air. If the lake is not too big I like to paddle every inch of the shore before the sun adds harshness and shadow. I can stare down into the depths and find the places where land bails quickly into the depths or find the shallows where boulders are scattered and old logs still litter. It’s a meditation of the most profound type to observe deeply the land and water in the quiet of early morning. To be there without a camera or distraction just listening to loons call, watching the light change, smelling the balsams in moist morning air and feeling the paddle and the canoe move so softly is living.
In the sunrise of the fourth of July last week on a wilderness lake in Quetico the thrill was there in the subtleties. It was a covey of wild iris so blue and deep green as I glided past that I focused on. It was the perfection of the massive log lodge submerged against the shore, a lodge not for tourists but for a family of beaver. Beyond the details there were the textures and the patterns in soft morning light to catch my eye. Bright greens of cedar and deeper blue greens of spruce dabbled the pallet of light along the east facing shore. At one point that morning I was transported back to my native New England by a white birch overhanging the water in a small cove, sun gleaming off the white bark and the whole image reproduced in detail like a carpet on the water. At one end of the lake on the shadow side a forest fire had stripped the soil to the pink bedrock and pines were left standing with brown dead needles. Ugly perhaps, but below the blackened skin of the forest, fire weed is already blooming and green is taking hold again just months after the smoke and flames. Somewhere on that scorched slope a least flycatcher is singing his simple che bek song making no judgments about fire in the ecosystem, he just goes about living.
With a circumnavigation nearly complete the morning soon changed to full daylight and a breeze blurred out the lakes mirror images. Back at camp someone has the fire going and the water heating and coffee was soon be served. The best part of the day for me was over but the rest of the day was just as busy and just as much fun. That night on another lonely lake the sun set brilliantly again and stars shone and I fell off to sleep again to the sounds of the loons.
Steve Piragis
Piragis Northwoods Company
105 N. Central Ave
Ely, Mn 55731
1 800 223-6565
To reserve canoes or trip and route planning for this summer please email us, Bert Heep or Drew Brockett or call us at 1-800-223-6565. We can set you up with canoes, permits, gear, whatever you need, including full outfitting for 1 person or for a large group and any size in between.
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The Weather as of now...
My Grandpa used to say... and probably many other people, "if you don't like the weather in Minnesota, just wait a few minutes and it'll change." That's the way the last week has gone and it looks like more of the same on the horizon. We've needed some more rain as it was drying up pretty quickly around here. We've been getting it. Our days have been a mix of Sun, Rain and Wind with no discernible patterns. We've had cool nights to compliment this variety. All of this adds up to usual packing requirements when you visit Ely and the Boundary Waters in the Summer: Bring warm clothing, rain gear, xtra fleece, and a good tarp. Nothing spoils a trip like not having a tarp. If you have a rain-free trip, you can always use it for shade. We sell and rent fantastic tarps for the Boundary Waters!
Tim Stouffer
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Find out the Bear Facts when you visit the NEW NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER in ELY...
The North American Bear Center is now open in Ely. Check out their website, and plan on visiting the live resident bears when you come to town for your vacation! They've just recently acquired a Black Bear Cub from Wisconsin. This six month old is a "rescue bear" and weighs about 20 lbs. You can visit him inside the center currently.
Their hours are:
Spring (May 5 - June 14)
9am - 6pm daily, Sat till 8pm
Summer (June 15 - Sept 3)
9am- 6pm daily, Fri-Sun till 8pm
Fall (Sept 4 - Oct 14)
9am - 6pm Wed-Sun
Winter (beginning Oct 15)
10am - 4pm Sat & Sun
Winter Holiday Hours (Dec 22-23, 27-30)
10am – 4pm
Phone: 218-365-7879
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To Hang a Food Pack? or Hide a Food Pack?
It is recommended by the Forest Service that you hang your Food Pack in a tree while camping in the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Cliff Jacobson recommends you hide your food pack away from camp. (100 yards is a good distance... BUT make sure you can find it!) These practices poise some controversial questions. Here's a few pictures that show just how well Black Bears can climb... and some words of advice from our good friend Cliff Jacobson on why it might not be such a good idea to hang your pack...
from Cliff Jacobson,
"BEARS CLIMB TREES. AND THEY CLIMB EXTREMELY WELL. When danger threatens, mama bear sends her cubs up a nearby tree. Then she hides in the woods until danger has passed. Black bear cubs can climb a 50 foot trunk in about five seconds. Mama might need half a minute! So why do Federal authorities insist that campers store food in trees? It’s simple, really: if a bear gets your food, it’s no big deal. If it gets you, it’s a very big deal! Solution: separate campers from their food. Safety must come first."
Learn more about bears by doing research online and at your local library. Of course, visit the Bear Center while you're in town.
No matter how you decide to manage your food while you are camping in the Boundary Waters, you must have a plan. You need a comfortable and sturdy food pack or barrel. Whether you use our Food Pack Hanger or a rope/pulley hanger system of your own or keep your food hidden on the ground away from camp, it needs to be buttoned up and cleaned up. No food should be in the tent with you or left open in your "camp kitchen" area near the fire. Keep it secure, packed up in odor free bags in your food pack and away from people and tents when you are sleeping or away from camp. Remember not to throw garbage in the latrines and if you do keep your food packs on the ground away from camp, you can stack pots and pans on top of the pack as an alarm system. Bears don't care for noise and if they do discover your pack they'll likely be scared away when the pans hit the ground and each other. You'll also be alerted to their presence.
If you do choose to hang your food pack, also make sure you've sealed everything tight inside and done your best to keep the food smells tight inside.
Black Bears are part of the Boundary Waters. They are a wonderful animal to learn about and study, but it is to our advantage and theirs to keep our food away from them.
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BEER and Medicine by Cliff Jacobson...
BEER AND MEDICINE
If you want spectacular scenery, challenging rapids and great fishing, canoe the Pipestone River from where it crosses highway 599 north of Pickle Lake, Ontario, to the Winisk River and on into Hudson's Bay. Or, end your trip upstream at the Indian settlement of Wunnuman Lake or any place a float plane can land.
Friend Tom Schwinghamer did just that in 1989: I followed suit with a crew of my own the following year. Tom's paddling companion, George Loban shared this very funny story with me.
"It was God awful hot, recalls George. For days, my pocket thermometer registered 100 in the shade. In the sun, the mercury was off the scale. Not even a breeze to ripple the water. It was calm. Dead calm. And like I said, God awful hot. We changed our routine and began paddling at sunrise when it was relatively cool (80 degrees!). By ten it would be 90o, 100o by noon. We'd rig a shade tarp for lunch, have a swim, drink some Kool-Aid, have another swim, drink some more Kool-Aid and have another swim. On the third day, heat monotony set in and we renamed the Pipestone the Gobi River. We carried around desert falls and lined heat stroke ledge. We nearly died horsing our canoes between the trees on re-fried brains portage. Each night we'd all face west and reverently pray for rain!
Mid-afternoon on the fourth day, the temperature hit a record high of 103. "Give anything for a cold beer," muttered Tom, sweat pouring down his face. "How much is anything?" I teased.
"Look there," said Tom. "A dock, ain't it?" "Sure enough, it was. And sitting dolefully on the end of it was a huge pot-bellied man with his head in his hands and his eyes hypnotically transfixed upon the water. "Looks like the guy's sick" I said. "Nyah, fat Phil probably had too much beer and dropped his wallet in the lake. Let's sneak up on him," whispered Tom. "So using our quiet Indian underwater stroke, we paddled right up to the dock without him noticing us at all."
"Boo!" yelled Tom, and the guy darn near leapt into the drink. Then he jumped up and like a broken record repeated, "any of you guys a doctor? Any of you guys a doctor?
"That depends on how much beer ya got!" said Tom dryly.
"Quick, Doc, quick, you gotta help my friend. He's got diabetes and he keeps falling asleep. Plane won't come till Thursday (it was Monday). I think he's gonna die."
"Okay, relax, said Schwing. Let's have a look at your friend.
Tom and George followed the man, whom they continued to call "Phil" even after he told them his real name was Bill, into the tiny fishing cabin. There, speechless and half awake was his friend.
"Got any sugar? asked Doc.
"No'.
"Maple syrup or Karo?"
"Yeah."
"Get it and start feedin' him some," ordered Tom. "Don't stop till he says he wants to drink beer again."
"Okay, said Phil, I mean Bill.
Minutes later, the guy came to and told us his name was Brian, and that he and buddy Bill flew in for a few days of fishing. "I shoulda told Bill to feed me sugar if this happened," said Brian. Then, with grand gestures he thanked Doc for saving his life and asked how he could show his gratitude.
"Got any cold beer?" smiled Schwing.
"You bet," said Brian, and he ordered Phil, er Bill to get Doc one. Bill pulled a cold LaBatt's Blue from the cooler and handed it to Tom who instantly whipped off the cap and downed the contents in a single swig. Meantime, Harry and I looked on wishfully.
"How's about another beer?" grinned Tom, expectantly. "Sure, sure Doc, said Bill and he handed him another "Blue" which Tom articulated on for the better part of a minute.
"Got one for my buddies?" asked Tom.
"Hmmm, gee, I dunno, said Phil, only got half a case left and we got three more days here."
"Right then, Brian rose from the cot like a ghost from the grave and in a half rage bellowed: "Cripes man, the guy just saved my life and all you can give him are two measly beers. Hell, man, give him all the beer!"
After that, all I remember is that the six of us downed the remaining 12 bottles right on the dock, and we didn't even offer one to Bill. I mean Phil!"
CLIFF
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SEND US YOUR STORIES, Pictures, Feedback, Requests.
Bert Heep.........................Drew Brockett
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Paddling the Rivers of France:
From the Desk of Steve Piragis.
I recently spent a couple weeks in southern France paddling amazing rivers. From the ripe fruity and alcoholic reds of the Chateauneuf de Pape region to the bright bubbly roses of the Drome valley it was a really great trip! The paddling was great too. As always with group trips the people I’m with are just as important to my enjoyment as the landscape, the paddling and the food and of course the wines. This group made a wonderful adventure even better. I usually send out one last email to all my clients when I guide trips around the world and the theme is; have fun no matter what. On adventure trips it can rain, planes can be grounded, rivers can be too turbulent and oceans can rock with white caps leaving us high and dry. My hope is that everyone comes with the same can do, have fun attitude and I think that we got an A+ for our attitude in France. Here’s a photo for our happy group. I hope some day you can join one of the wonderful trips that I have the privilege to guide. Check out all the paddling trips that we offer at www.worldwidepaddlingadventures.com and call today to book a vacation of great paddling, great food, wines and most of all great camaraderie.
Cheers,
Steve
Steve Piragis
steve@piragis.com
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Click the LINKS Below for more information about gear mentioned in this newsletter:
Food Barrels and Accessories:
Boundary Waters Tarps:
Food Pack Hanging Kit:
Our Ultimate Boundary Waters Food Packs:
Odor Barrier Bag:
Click here to see all of the NEW items online:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/new.htm
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Greece Trip Has OPENINGS:
From the Desk of Kim McCluskey.
We will meet our guide , Nikos, in Athens and travel by bus across Greece to the Ionian Sea. As we paddle from island to island in the clear turquoise waters we will stop at beautiful beaches, snorkel hidden coves and explore the whitewashed villages hidden in the hilly terrain. Our nights will be split between staying in small quaint hotels and camping on deserted beaches. In the evenings we will eat at outside tavernas with the sound of the Ionian Sea crashing at our feet as we sample the homemade feta cheeses, olives, and local wines that each village is so proud of. This is a relaxing journey into a land filled with colorful fables, powerful gods and a happy people that still know the meaning of hospitality.
We are looking for three more people to go on this wonderful adventure. The dates are September 10 – 21. Call Kim at 1-800-6474 or 218- 365-4297 for more information.
Cost $2950 from Athens.
Kim McCluskey
Owner/Explorer
Worldwide Paddling Adventures
www.worldwidepaddlingadventures.com
14054 Fall Lake Rd
Ely, Mn 55731
800-957-6474
kim@worldwidepaddlingadventures.com
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Piragis Northwoods Company, Ely Minnesota, 1-800-223-6565
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