As planned, the alarm went off at 7 am and we pulled away from our campsite by 8am. We headed out of Michigan, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota. My only requirement for stopping in Wisconsin was to buy some squeaky cheese. We found a little shop (Beth’s Cheese Shop) along the way and picked up some yummy flavored cheeses and some wild lake rice. Wisconsin may be known for their great cheese, but where the heck are all the cows? We didn’t see a single dairy farm the whole time we were in the state. Weird. When we were about 2 hours away from the park, we called to make sure there would be a vacancy at the Waters Edge RV Park in Crane Lake.
Voyageurs NP is not exactly the place to bring your Belgian Sheepdog with a water phobia and your 31 foot travel trailer. We knew this going in, but Voyageurs was on the National Park Life List so it had to be done. We arrived late afternoon and were assigned a nice spot with a water view. There were seaplanes taking off and landing and several boats with anglers who no doubt were waiting to tell exaggerated stories of the size of their catch. We took the Boys for a walk and spoke to some retired RVers who were visiting for the week. We spoke of trips and dogs and RV tales and had a very pleasant time with them.
We drove a short distance to the Visitor Center only to find it closed and checked out the dock where the seaplanes control tower (?) directed the seaplanes’ arrivals and departures. Because the Canadian border is just a mile away, there is a customs office that requires all seaplanes to be checked every time they depart and arrive. Knowing that the park wouldn’t hold much for us, we didn’t make plans to stay any longer than one night.
We did take a short hike to Vermilion Falls – which of course Merlin had no interest in viewing.
I picked some wild raspberries and blueberries to munch on along the trail and we headed back to the camp site for a simple dinner. We walked the Boys and then headed to the beach area to swing on the Adirondack style swing and watch the sunset.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that this private RV park was as quiet and peaceful as it was. We pretty much expected to be annoyed by screaming children and barking dogs. Sometimes, I like it when I’m wrong. :)
(Bill's Perspective)
Sitting very near the water at Crane Lake MN. The place is called Water's Edge RV Park. Nice but there's not much here for us so we move on tomorrow. Voyageurs National Park is a boater's park. We don't have a boat. Nuff said.
Here's a little sample of what we look for in a place to hang out and why. This is from Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise MI a couple days ago. Happy dogs and happy people. Not a happy truck. More on that later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cCX9ffstog
No comments:
Post a Comment