Family Fun - Day 2.2

It was a gorgeous day! 

Matt trying his luck at fishing; Pancho looking on. 

Todd relaxing and fishing. 

A cool looking fungus. 

 Didn't think it could happen but after running around, non-stop for over an hour, Pancho finally took a rest.

Misty knows the beach towel wasn't for Josie and Gretchen, it was put out for her to sun bathe.

Family Fun - Day 2.1

 Lunch time.

 Sandwiches just taste better outside, on a rock, near the lake with family.

 Our family is so lucky, we have great cooks. Here's one of them, Matt.

 Ann and Gretchen (Misty in the background).

It's always fun playing with Aunty Ann.

Family Fun - Day 2

We rented a pontoon boat for half a day and decided to have a picnic on a very small island. 

 Dad checking out the driver's seat and mom looking on.

 Pancho's first boat ride.

 Ann looking oh-so-cool in her shades and ready to take some photos.

It's a lot of effort getting on the boat so as soon as we embarked, Gretchen and Josie needed a snack.  Matt, of course, was prepared.

Family Fun - Day 1

 We had our summer gathering of the Wellnitz clan. We rented two cabins on Big Lake in northern MN, not far from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). I look forward to this annual event because it's the only time I get to see my wonderful nephew who lives abroad. Guillermo will be a senior in high school.

Tried to fish, but didn't catch anything. No surprise there because we went out in the middle of the day. Regardless, I think someone had fun steering the boat.

 Tried our luck in the evening. This is looking back at one of the cabins; the picture doesn't do it justice but it reminded us of a classic Thomas Kincaid picture.

Sunset, we learned rather quickly this meant the skeeters would soon come out in force. Those dang insects bit me through my thick, wool socks.

GNP - Day 5

 Last day and happy July 4.  Today = 7.9 miles, 445 ft. up, 1300 ft. down in elevation.  Made it to the first trail  sign and I'm thinking, "YES! only 3.3 miles to go."

 Saw lots of tent caterpillars.

 Saw several grouse along the trail, each of them had 2 -3 little ones with them.

Made it, 7.9 miles to the road. Little did I know, we still had about a mile more to go.  Had a great lunch along the Swiftcurrent Lake then onto a modern campsite where most people had huge RVs.  Paid $2.50 for an 8 minute hot shower (didn't even use the 8 mins.) and it felt so good. For dinner we ate at the restaurant next to the campsite and I had a vegetarian wrap that sure hit the spot. Thanks GNP for an awesome trip - we'll be back again because Todd still needs to see a bear.

GNP - Day 4.3

Although we got an early start, by the time we made it down the other side it was about 1:00 pm and HOT.  Of course, the last mile seemed endless. Along the trail, on the east side of Poia Lake, we saw an area that looked as if it was plundered under by a rototiller.  That's what a bear did digging around for stuff to eat; hence the worried look on my face.  

At the top right of this photo you can see the cool bridge we crossed to get over to the camp site. We hung out at the water's edge that afternoon, enjoying the breeze, the view of the lake and no skeeters. After dinner we hiked up the hill to look at the falls.  

Looking northward, where we were hiking from earlier in the day; this would be our last night in the backcountry.

GNP - Day 4.2

Resting on the other side of the pass. Successfully climbed the 2718 feet up, now to do the 1815 feet down. It's simply amazing where your own two feet can take you.

More alpine flowers next to a red rock. 

Got to cross this waterfall on the way down. 

Looking up......

.... looking down.

GNP - Day 4.1

 Beautiful alpine flowers. The photo doesn't do it justice; the colors are so rich and darker than what you see here.

 Gettin' closer to the top and it's blustery.

 Up, up, up.... can you see the switchbacks behind me? It was so windy I wasn't sure if the heavy pack was helping to weigh me down or causing me to sway with the wind. Whichever it was, I leaned into the mountainside so I wouldn't tumble down.

 Check it out..... mountain goats.

 They were oh-so-cute, especially the babies because they were curious and came closer to see us. It may have also been because I started talking and singing to them.

11:00 am and we made it to the top of Red Gap Pass. It was so windy we continued down the other side and saw this beautiful mountain lake. I'm certain the water in that lake must have been extremely cold.

GNP - Day 4

Take a look at this sign, guess which route we were doing?  The longest one = Day #4: 10.2 miles, 2718 feet up in elevation, 1815 feet down. There was no sign about the bears so it was a go. This day was the "test" for me. Got an early start to beat the heat, especially because we learned there wasn't access to water until you were above tree line.

Going up, up, up & treated to beautiful views. Great way to start the day! 

 Stopping because I needed to get some air in my lungs, but it's good to pause and admire your surroundings.

 Made it to the 2 mile mark, only 8.2 more to the campground.

 This was one of several ice fields we had to cross. Todd did it, no problem. I on the other hand was more careful and cautious.  Todd went across, dumped his pack, then came back to get my pack for me.

 On the train ride we read about a man from Seattle who slipped on an ice patch and died. He was on a trail that was closed so he shouldn't have even been there in the first place, but still, this is what was going through my mind when I was crossing. So I looked for a pointed rock that I could stick into the ice for some stability. This would have been a good time to have hiking poles.

It was only 9 am but we took a rest on a rock overlooking this green field. I kept thinking, this is the time you want to see a bear, way on the other side of the field, but no such luck. It sure was windy, Todd got his hat and sunglasses blown off his head; I got cold and had to put on another shirt. 

Happy, happy after eating a big snack and re-hydrating.

GNP - Day 3.1

 A patch of beautiful flowers.

Dawn Mist Falls 

 The falls were pretty loud and the mist felt so good on a hot, sunny day.

 Looking south at Elizabeth Lake

 Elizabeth Lake campsite had a lot of little residents.  Here's one right by the sign marking a campsite. This campsite also had flying red squirrels, so instead of hanging your food, you stored it in a metal food locker.

 Beautiful, tiny flowers growing amongst the rocks.

 Bear poop!  After arriving at this campsite, Todd saw and began talking to a volunteer ranger who had gone up to Red Gap Pass because people at the campsite on the other side of the pass reported bears very near to the camp.  A while later, 2 hikers who stayed at that campsite recounted their sleepless night due to the bears. Some of us at Elizabeth Lake were going to make the trek over the pass the next day but began wondering if it was good idea.  The volunteer ranger said they sent other rangers up to investigate and if its not safe, we'd see a sign posted the next morning to let us know.

After dinner we sat along the shore of the lake; I had fun sifting through the colorful rocks and finding different shapes. These rocks were smooth and thin, probably good for skipping on the surface of the water, but I didn't try it.