The kids and I took a roadtrip up the Echo Trail to Crane Lake & Lac La Croix to pick Jim and his customers up from a 6 day guided canoe trip. We arranged it so that we could go with on the speed boat tow (just about a 2 hour ride one-way) to the actual 'pick-up' point out on Lac La Croix. For this to happen, we did have to get up early to be up there at 7am (1 hour and 45 minute drive from Ely). We arrived at the boat and there were two groups going out with us (to be dropped off on the start of their canoe trips). For one couple, it was their 51st canoe trip and the've been married 55 years - so yes, they are in their 70's! We were all impressed and hoped we would be as active as the two of them when we got their age. Also, to show what a small world it is, the other group were actually past resort guests of ours. The last time they were at our resort I was pregnant with Claire, so their first time to meet her and now she is almost 3! They said they might be bringing their grandkids up to Ely late summer, if so...playmates for Gavin & Claire for a day or two.
The boats have 250hp motors that make it easy to 'zip' around Lac La Croix and the Loon River (you have to check out a map to have the 'full picture' of what it's like to be going just about full power in the boat and taking a curve on the river). It was sprinkling when we left the dock with dark clouds over us, but it did manage to clear up and give us sunny skies for the trip back to base after the Jim's group pick-up.
During the trip we also experienced 2 motorized portages, where you have to get off the boat, the boat is drive up on a trolley and then it goes up and then down the hill as we walk along a short portage to get to the other side ourselves.
After the morning canoe group drop-offs, the driver asked if the kids and I wanted to stop by some pictographs before heading over for the final pick-up (Jim's group). Check out how vivid this one was and the driver said some of them were over 1000 years old.
If you are looking for an adventure, this will definitely add it to any canoe trip!
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