But the trip did not begin August 11 at Lake One. Oh no, we reserved our permit in late March just a week after I accepted an internship at Andersen Windows. The Lake One entry point is so popular that Sunday August 12 was booked 4 months early.

Pretrip Adventures

Gooseberry Falls

To begin the trip Nathan and I drove the scenic route going through Duluth and continuing up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Stopping at Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse, we received an appetizer of Minnesota’s luscious scenery. Soon, the road turned north and the thick forest replaced Lake Superior. Enjoying the empty roads, we were startled to see “DETOUR NEXT 25 MILES”. The logging road we detoured along took us through the parts of Minnesota hardly seen.

Once we arrived in Ely, we eventually found our canoe outfitter. As a side note, Red River Outfitters did a great job providing us with an amazing canoe at a fair price. Their store also has very competitive prices (MSR 33 oz fuel bottle for $11 vs. $15+ at REI). Finally, the night ended with the two of us restlessly attempting to sleep in the back of the Explorer.

Related posts:

1. The King and I
2. Hiking the North Shore
3. Northern Adventures, Week 3

After driving 200+ miles to Silver Bay, MN, we setup camp at the trailhead parking lot. In the morning, we broke it down and had our packs loaded by 7:15 AM. Impressive.

Matt, Abbey, Danesh, Chen, Kristin, and I at the trailhead

Once on the trail, we maintained a hearty pace for several miles before we soon reached a large boulder. With great teamwork everyone scaled the rock. Tired of climbing rocks, we tested our hill climbing (and endurance) by hiking out of Sawtooth Valley. The vista at the top was refreshing.

Kristin and Abbey

Marching down the hill, the trail popped out along Hwy 1. From there, it was another difficult ascent. The hills in the region are challenging, not because of the elevation gain, but rather the absence of switchbacks. You might climb only 500 feet, but there’s no place to catch your breath. It’s just up, up, and up. So as soon as we reached level ground we took a lunch break.

The prolonged sitting tightened our muscles, but we pushed on through the discomfort. Quickly, the trees cleared, and we sat perched on a rock, enjoying the panorama.

One of first views at Lake Superior

After our break, it was an easy 1.5 mile stroll to our campsite. Upon arriving we talked to the previous night’s trip leader, and he informed us of a lake just off the trail. Excited to wash the dirt from our skin, we scurried up the water’s edge. Wasting no time, three us jumped right in, but within a few minutes Chen screamed, “Oh my god, get this leech off of me!!” Screams erupted and those in the water leaped out.

Later that evening we ate chicken and rice with a pineapples and cashews. The rest of the evening I ventured out to a overlook just 0.2 miles up the trail. After 1.5 hours of enjoying the goodness of God’s creation, I heard footsteps. Moments later, Abbey (terrified) and Chen (laughing) came out to where I was sitting. Apparently, my stories about the dangers of hiking alone and finding my map lying in the middle of the trail was enough cause for concern.

Chen watching Danesh drink the pineapple juice prior to dinner

Once the sun began her nightly slumber, the three of us returned home. But not without a little joke. Just before camp, I hid in the bushes and told Abbey and Chen to pretend that I was injured. Soon a convinced Kristin led a skeptic Matt and Danesh right into our trap. My sudden appearance caused Kristin to jump out of her skin and shriek. It was a comical end to a fantastic day.

Related posts:

1. Boundary Waters
2. Gila Wilderness
3. Never Hike Alone

This weekend marks the end of the third week in Minnesota, and as great as these last 21 days has been, the last couple have been extra delightful.  Friday, I shared dinner with James and Heather Rahbany-to-be.  Has James ever told you the story of his family’s name? 

While somewhere in the middle of the conversation, our waitress asked us if we were ready to order, and we bashfully said that we hadn’t even looked at the menu.  She cheerfully replied, “Y’all must be from Texas.”  Stunned, we asked how she knew.  Apparently, Midwesterns are more hurried than we Southerners.  Our waitress, Robin, proceed to tell us that she had migrated to Minnesota, but still called Texas her home.  Soon we realized that Robin and I had actually attended the same high school.  Small world.  To follow dinner we watched Ocean’s 13… and I really liked it.  Yes, I had a good time at the movies, even after paying $8.75 for a ticket.

The Chain of Lakes

Kristin, Danesh, and Matt

This was the highlight of the weekend.  Most of the out-of-state interns headed for the Chain of Lakes for a day in the sun.  Armed with frisbees, softballs, and beach towels, we raided Lake Calhoun.  Once the beach was secure, we took to the high waters in canoes to explore the other islands.  But before we made it 5 feet from shore, Chumma and I capsized.  Let’s just say you should avoid pointing a canoe perpendicular to large waves.

Paddling toward a bridge still used by trains

After righting our canoe, we explored as much of the lakes as our rental would allow.  Our trip looked like this:

For dinner we shared  six family-size portions of novelties like mahi-mahi with some green sauce and a pulled pork tostada at a hip Uptown restaurant, and ate .  To cap off the night, we played Hmm -  a game Heather made up (I think) similar to Catch Phrase.  I haven’t laughed as hard all summer as I did that night.

Today a few of us went to Bethlehem Baptist to hear Pastor John preach about marriage and raising godly children.  Like I said, it was a wonderful weekend that reminds me of so many equally memorable ones I’ve shared with y’all over the last four years.

Related posts:

1. A Lone Star in a Land of 10,000 Lakes
2. Driving to Minnesota
3. Hiking the North Shore

Andersen Windows & Doors (AW) hired me to work in their Logistics group to buy my supervisors’ lunches and donate my paycheck to those who presence I have the privilege of working in.  Or so I’m told.  In all actuality, my job for the next month is to put things in boxes!  Let me elaborate. 

All finished products from AW’s three manufacturing sites come to Menomonie, WI to be either cross-docked or placed in inventory.  Eventually they are loaded on outbound trucks headed to regional distribution centers or directly major distributors like Home Depot.  When a truck reaches a distribution center, it takes a long time to unload, and people are hypothesizing it has to do with the unloading of accessories like door handles (really any metal part).  Currently, these accessories are scattered throughout the truck to help fill up the truck.  My bosses think there might cost savings if we put the door handles and window trim in a separate container.  Like I said, I’m just putting things in boxes.

Honestly, I’ve had a great time working here in Stillwater;well, when I’m in Stillwater.  I’ve been to Wisconsin twice, two visits to the main production facility, and a field trip to a distribution center in Minneapolis.

As for the other 31 interns, I think they are all having a great time.  18 of us live in four different townhomes in the same retirement community.  Last weekend our elderly neighbor walked through our garage thinking that it was his house, despite the fact that he and his wife share one compact car, not the truck and SUV he walked past.   We’re a grab bag of Big 10 schools with a couple rebellious Big 12-ers.  The Midwest is the major contributor with a few from New England and we have three other foreigners from California, Florida, and Georgia.

If the job and the people aren’t enough justification for spending the summer in Minnesota, then the gorgeous weather and geography will surely win you over.  But to do that requires a visit to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  So until then, you’ll just have to keep taking my word.

Related posts:

1. Driving to Minnesota
2. Northern Adventures, Week 3
3. Hiking the North Shore

Related posts:

1. Crow Pass
2. Spring Break 2007
3. A Lone Star in a Land of 10,000 Lakes