"When we went to Alaska two years ago, we learned that quite of bit of the forest up there was Boreal. That is a fancy word that just means Northern. But when you see Boreal woods, you will know them. They look very, very different."
Today was our last full day of vacation before heading back to the hacienda to get ready for the BIG EVENT we are hosting on August 1st. After last night's storms (yes, it did storm up here also), the day stated out cloudy and then turned pretty darn nice. A bit warm for this time of year in this part of the woods, but never the less, nice.
We left about 9:30 and headed to Grand Marais. The trail to the Gunflint actually starts right as soon as you enter town. From there, it was getting on a very nice road which turned more and more rustic the further north we went.
When we were younger, my wife and I would venture up to Ely, Minnesota. However, we had never been on the Gunflint. Please don't ask why, as I have no answer. Today was the first. And all I can say is this - it is drop dead gorgeous! Plain and simple, those are the facts.
One of the first things we noticed as travel further north into the BWCA area, was the that forest turned Boreal. Now before you think I am just throwing around names, let me explain. When we went to Alaska two years ago, we learned that quite of bit of the forest up there was Boreal. That is a fancy word that just means Northern. But when you see Boreal woods, you will know them. They look very, very different.
By one lake, we ran into some folks that came from of the Carolina states. They had never been here before. They had heard about it, but never visited here before they retired. Coming from a vacation land from where they lived, they could not understand why there were not more people visiting here. It is after all, July in Minnesota. They had traveled to Maine, the Maritime Providences of Canada, and yet the Gunflint Trail matched them in majesty (in their view).
I know. It is a bit of a drive. About 300 miles from the Twin Cities. However if you don't want to drive into Western Canada or take a cruise to Alaska, here is your chance to see some real Boreal forests. They are not pristine - but they are unique. Go see and enjoy them before the word gets out.
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