Читать книгу Minnesota Day Trips by Theme - Mary M. Bauer - Страница 53

Voyageurs National Park: www.nps.gov/voya. Approximately 300 miles north of the Twin Cities, about a 5-hour drive.

Do you want to get away from it all? Then head to Voyageurs National Park. Located in the heart of the North Woods, Voyageurs is definitely in the “north country”; it shares a common boundary with Canada. More than 500 islands and over 30 lakes establishes it as the park with the most water. At 2.7 billion years old, Voyageurs’ plentiful, gray-colored Canadian Shield is among the oldest rock in the world. Hunt, fish, canoe or pick blueberries to your heart’s content. Visit old gold mines, a primitive sculpture garden or the historic Kettle Falls Hotel—reported as haunted! Hike trails to waterfalls, island hop or skinny-dip (if you’re so inclined), because it’s only you and miles of scenic, untamed nature.

There are four points of entry into Voyageurs besides International Falls: Crane Lake, Ash River, Lake Kabetogama and Rainy Lake. The following is a list of local houseboat rental firms:

Dougherty’s Rainy Lake Houseboats, 2031 County Road 102, International Falls; 800-554-9188; www.rainylakehouseboats.com

Ebel’s Voyageur Houseboats, 10326 Ash River Trail, Orr; 888-883-2357; www.ebels.com

Northernaire Houseboats, 2690 County 94, International Falls; 800-854-7958; www.northernairehouseboats.com

Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats, 7576 Goldcoast Road, Crane Lake; 800-882-6287; www.voyagaire.com

Boats are furnished with kitchen equipment, dishes and bedding. Linens, towels and hot tubs available for rent. Some firms include fishing boats. Extensive instructions given to inexperienced boaters. Season: Mid-May to mid-Oct. Rates vary.

Before heading into the wilderness, make a stop at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary to learn a thing or two about Black Bears. From an observation deck, watch trained naturalists interpret bear behavior as it happens. But a word of caution—you enter the grounds at your own risk. Bears are wild animals and are not fenced in. Read the signs and follow all directions. The Sanctuary is also excellent for birding, so don’t forget your binoculars! The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is 1 mile south of Orr on Pelican Lake. From Highway 53, turn west on County 23; drive 13 miles, sanctuary is on the right. Open Memorial Day–Labor Day, 5 p.m. until dusk. Closed Mondays and during heavy rainfall. Fee charged. For tour information, call 218-757-0172; www.americanbear.org. • The Orr Bog Walk is a half-mile jaunt with wildlife and pelicans galore! Boardwalk begins at the Information Center parking lot located just south of Orr on Highway 53. Call 218-757-3932 (Orr Tourist Information Center) for more information. Wheelchair accessible.