July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010

This morning we are up early to catch a boat to Isle Royale National Park. This national park is one of the least visited in the lower 48. It is an island in Lake Superior that is not easy to get to. It does have a small lodge but most people camp. Being isolated it has a closed ecosystem that scientists like to study. Aimee agreed to go because this is one of the few wildernesses with no bears. It does have moose and wolves whose populations fluctuate in relationship to each other. More wolves means less moose and vice a versa.

I feel like we took a barge to the island. Our ship is very slow. It takes us three hours to go the 21 miles to the west end of the island. Good thing Lake Superior is very calm today! Otherwise my weak stomach might cause me problems. On dry land, we get our backcountry permit and set off for our campground. It is only five miles but feels like twenty with our heavy packs. Once we arrive Aimee is very pleased to find we are camping on a tiny bay off Lake Superior. It is beautiful! Plus the cold water keeps us cooler and the mosquitoes away. I give Aimee the night off. I make her a delicious dinner of Lasagna with Ice Cream for desert. I even did the dishes! She would be in heaven, if it wasn’t for that tiny tent.