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High Temp.
20 F
Low Temp.
5 F
Wind
NW 10-20 MPH
Miles
Traveled
200
Hours
Traveling 4
New
Snow 5
Inch
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Posted: Sunday, 2/2/03 11PM Grand Rapids, Manitoba
| The Bimaadagaako Adventure
has finally arrived! That's not to say that the past few days haven't
been adventurous, however, we are both feeling anxious, ready, and
excited to hit the trail. We left Chicago over a week ago in our trusty
expedition vehicle, which has served as our tent, kitchen, dog kennel,
and bed. It seems like nobody we've passed has failed to stare at
us, and we've grown quite used to causing a scene wherever we go.
We drove up to northern Minnesota and were happily reunited with
Saylix
and Lichen.
They jumped right into the back of the car, laid down, and have
been well-behaved ever since. While we're driving all day long for
days on end, I often wonder what Lichen
or Saylix
is thinking of all this travel. They are further from home than
they have ever been. In fact, they hadn't ridden in a car more than
a few times before we picked them up. They must know that they're
getting ready for an epic adventure, but I wonder if they feel the
same sort of nervous excitement as I do.
Can you figure out how many miles it is from Chicago to Cumberland
House?
|
Click on photo to enlarge
If that's not a fine looking expedition vehicle, I don't know
what is! Now try to picture the inside with Dave, Frosty, Lichen,
Saylix, and 200 pounds of extra food and equipment that didn't
fit on the roof. Riding in the Civic for the last 4 days has redefined
the word "snug" in my Dictionary.
Click on photo to enlarge
Working out the kinks in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe
Area wilderness
last Wednesday before we headed north.
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Click on photo to enlarge
After a long day with his knees pressed against
the dashboard in the expedition vehicle Dave stretches out and watches
a little TV.
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The first time we traveled with Saylix and Lichen
was during a trip over New Year's in northern Minnesota's Boundary
Waters Canoe Area wilderness.
Dave and I headed up north to meet the Hyde family in late December.
The Hydes, who have been kind enough to allow us to borrow Saylix
and Lichen
for the Bimaadagaako Adventure, live well outside Ely, Minnesota,
where they care for 12 Polar Huskies.
|
Their cabin is situated deep in the woods, and the lake
and surrounding trails and roads are the perfect area to run their team
of dogs. Bert is a wilderness ranger in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
He spends his winters bringing trail and campsite supplies deep into the
wilderness, and then uses the materials to build and maintain portage
trails and campsites during the summer months. However raising the dogs
is a family affair, and everyone takes part in it. Watch today's video
clip to see what it's like to own a team of Polar Huskies.
Click on photo to enlarge
These guys stopped to admire our dogs and jumped at the chance
to be in a photo exclaiming, "Maybe we will be in National
Geographic!"
|
We have been making our way
further north with each passing day. Today we woke up in Grand Rapids,
Manitoba.
Grand Rapids is the town located where the Saskatchewan
River meets the mighty Lake
Winnipeg. It's funny to think that in a few weeks we will
be traveling back through Grand Rapids, but under much different circumstances
and via a very different mode of transportation. |
We stopped to take a photo at the north end of Lake Winnipeg. A few curious
men came over to ask what on earth we were doing out there. Wintertime
is not usually known for tourists in Grand Rapids. After telling them
the adventure we were getting ready to embark upon, they were full of
questions. "Where will you stay at night? How will you stay warm?
Are you crazy?" After chatting for a few minutes we parted ways,
but I'm sure that we will get to meet up with them when we pass through
again.
| Tomorrow we will complete the last of our driving as
we make our way to Cumberland House. We have been in contact with
Clifford and Lily Carriere who live and work in Cumberland House.
Clifford is a fur trapper who has offered to help us navigate the
intricate winter trails from Cumberland House to La Pas. From just
talking with him on the phone I can tell that he has an immense knowledge
of the northern Boreal
Forest and will have plenty of stories to keep Dave and
I entertained. |
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The Wilderness Classroom Organization
4605 Grand Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
(630) 204-0420
info@wildernessclassroom.com
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