Sunrise on Caribou Lake. Photos by Heaven Walker.

The crystal clear waters splashed against the pebbled shore as we gathered up our gear. Conifers of every size crowded the distant banks, beckoning us into the wilderness.

Our group was full of excited chatter as we piled gear onto picnic tables near the water, our anticipation for the adventure ahead growing with every breath. But our excitement wasn’t the only thing growing.
With each strong gust of wind, my nerves also began to grow. The winds were already high and growing stronger with every hour. We needed to get on the water now if we were going to make it to our campsite. Otherwise, the winds could become too strong to paddle in, and we would be locked out of the Boundary Waters by mother nature. 

With our packs as waterproof as we could get them, we set off in our canoes and into the wind. Angling against the wind, we paddled as fast and carefully as we could, aiming for the safety of the bank across the lake.

The gusts of wind thrashed at our boat, threatening to dump us in the lake if we made a mistake. With skill, and maybe some luck, we made it across. Now the wind was mostly at our backs, pushing us along as we made our way to the first portage. 

A beautiful but slippery portage path.

The effort of portaging our heavy packs and canoes was completely nullified by the beautiful scenery that we portaged through, and again by reaching the lake entrance.

It didn’t matter if the pack straps or yoke of the canoe was digging into my shoulders, making them ache. I paid no mind to the hilly, rocky trails that were sometimes hazardous, long and difficult to walk.
The emerald greens of the trees, dazzling blue waters and sunny skies took all the discomfort away. It may have helped that there were no mosquitoes in sight either.  

As we arrived at the final lake, our eyes fell on a prime campsite just across the water. However, the wind was determined to give us one last battle in crossing the short distance to the campsite.

Angling into the wind once again, we paddled hard across the lake as the wind pushed us back. Luckily for us, the wind pushed us right to where we wanted to go, the protected cove where we could pull up our canoes at the campsite.

With everyone across, we set up camp on the rocky lake ledge, our tents tucked back into the trees and protected from the wind that continued to ramp up, barring us from anymore canoeing that day. 
Our second day arrived with steam rising off a glassy lake and a breathtaking sunrise. The day was full of calm breezes, canoes easily gliding across brilliantly blue waters, and many portages through pristine forest paths.

It was beautiful. It was exhausting. It was life changing.

To come to this place of pristine wilderness and experience the beauty in the calm days, but also the torrent and power that mother nature has in this place, is magical. The challenges can be high, both mentally and physically.

Canoe ready to be packed with gear.

The strenuous portages, temperamental weather and remote locations are intimidating, but overcoming those obstacles and showing yourself that you can do it is highly rewarding. 
Sitting around the campfire that night, I couldn’t help but reflect on how special the Boundary Waters are.

Generations upon generations have taken to exploring the Boundary Waters. But no matter how many times one has been to the Boundary Waters, we are all transient in this place.

For just a blip in time, we call these waters home. Our tents are staked into its dirt, our tarp strung on the trees for shelter, our canoes docked on its shores. The memories we make here are ours to hold and to keep. But once we are gone, someone else will make new memories in this campground, in these waters. Each memory, a special connection to the Boundary Waters, and ties that will last a lifetime and beyond. 

For more than 50 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. The museum’s new exhibit, The Wetland Way is now open! Discover how life thrives at the intersection of soil and water, and why we must care for these special places as they care for us.
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