Читать книгу Minnesota Day Trips by Theme - Mary M. Bauer - Страница 54

1101 Ring Rock Road, Ely; 877-SLEDFUN (877-753-3386) or 218-365-6022; www.dogsledding.com. Approximately 260 miles from the Twin Cities, about a 4-hour drive.

NOTE: Flying in? A few 45-minute trips are offered daily from the Twin Cities to Hibbing’s full-service airport. Take the Ely Shuttle, which travels to Hibbing and Duluth airports, to the resort. Reserve ahead when you reserve your flight.

In 1986, Paul Schurke and Will Steger successfully completed an amazing 57-day journey to the North Pole. This launched new careers for them as best-selling authors and speakers with an award-winning television special. Outside Magazine named Paul the “Outdoorsman of the Year.” This vacation gives you a chance to go exploring with real-life Arctic adventurer Paul Schurke. For the past couple of decades, Paul has conducted complete hands-on mushing tours from his Wintergreen Lodge on White Iron Lake.

Wintergreen provides gear, food and lodging. It also has the world’s largest working kennel of Canadian Eskimo freight dogs. The dogs range from 60–80 pounds and can pull twice their weight. If you don’t know what to wear, Paul’s wife, Sue, can hook you up with fleece anoraks or pants or whatever you need to keep toasty warm. Sue Schurke is the owner of Wintergreen Design and sewed all the clothing for Paul’s 1986 North Pole expedition, launching her extremely successful business from the kitchen table. Rent or buy the clothing at a special guest discount.

Wintergreen also has a French chef on staff. The Schurke family lives nearby on the grounds and often eats with the guests. Paul takes time to personally visit with the guests and share his Arctic adventures. Physical requirements vary for each trip, with a recommended age of 8 years or older. Group size is 6–8. Book in advance, as trips fill by November.