Canoeing in the Boundary Waters, MN
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN / Below Right: Loon
I got on board the canoe and paddled north to the tip of Sea Gull River, where the river joins Saganaga Lake and the mouth of the water opens up to 150 miles of pristine, majestic wilderness. The landscape is filled with over 1,100 lakes, in various sizes, some quite small and others that span numerous miles across and appear more like giant seas than modest lakes. Bald eagles and hawks soar through the endless skies above, basking in the glow of the sun. Loons float along the gentle waves on the surface of the water and beavers swim by as you canoe along.
Located in northern Minnesota and Canada, the Boundary Waters is a true great outdoors paradise. The sheer enormity of this water world is incredibly humbling and I felt like a drop in the ocean of God, fully immersed in a spectacular display of nature in its finest glory.
The further out you travel, the more majestic the place becomes. You see fewer and fewer people and the serene peace of nature sets in. The heart of the Boundary Waters is located hours away from civilization, accessible only by non-motorized small vessels such as canoes and kayaks. The day is spent traveling from one lake to the next, visiting the islands and peninsulas along the way where resident forest dwellers, such as chipmunks and rabbits, come out to see you.
After a long day of exploring, the sun begins to set. A magnificent light show expands across the sky as the setting rays illuminate the clouds and brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple fill the atmosphere. You can canoe to an open campsite, pitch a tent, and spend the night sleeping under the stars. In the morning, adventure calls and you can do it all over again.
“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;
And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?”
Job 12:7-10
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN
