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2025 Upper Midwest
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2025 Upper Midwest

Summer of 2025 will be spent exploring the areas of the Upper Mid-West... Read more
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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Beth spots a modern-day VoyageurAnybody know what this device is? 😂

    Voyageurs’ Final Marker

    July 6, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Final Stop: Ash River Visitor Center

    Accessible by both road and water, the Ash River Visitor Center is the only one in Voyageurs National Park where the sign simply reads: Voyageurs National Park. Open seasonally from late May to late September, it’s closed during the long northern winters.

    The center is located in the historic Meadwood Lodge—a rustic old building with plenty of character. We took a few minutes to wander through and soak in the history. Aside the from Visitor Center and a picnic area the site was quiet and simple—a peaceful place to pause before heading on.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Small island with a cabinCloser look at the cabinDuck Bay private cabinAnother private cabin/home on Duck BayOne more cabin on Duck BayOur campground

    Cruising to a Close

    July 6, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    As our day-long cruise winds down, we find ourselves meandering back to camp, hearts full and eyes still scanning the horizon. We loved drifting past islands both petite and proud—each one like a character in a watery fairy tale.

    Voyageurs National Park has six cozy island cabins and three tucked away inland, all only accessible by water. We floated by a few of them on our tour—each looking like the perfect hideaway for a quiet adventure.

    We glided back through Duck Bay, caught a glimpse at a few lucky folks with lakefront homes, and made our final turn toward camp on Kabetogama Lake.

    Now it’s time to settle in and let the wildlife come to us—evening breezes, curious critters 🦌, and maybe the soft call of a loon saying goodnight.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Vintage 1964 Arctic Cat w/top speed of 20mph. A 1st production model built in Thief River Falls, MNGreat Gray OwlCanada Lynx

    Moose Sighting & Lake Views

    July 7, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    New day, new adventure! We headed to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to explore the northwestern edge of Voyageurs National Park.

    This is the largest of the park’s four visitor centers, perched on the northwest shore of Black Bay. It offers beautiful views of the Kabetogama Peninsula and, more importantly, a very cooperative (and very still) moose inside the exhibit area. Don was thrilled to finally “spot” one—and even more thrilled that this one didn’t run off before he could snap a picture.

    We also scoped out the public boat launch, which is free and gives access to Rainy Lake during the warmer months. In winter, it transforms into the start of the Rainy Lake Ice Road. Yes, an actual road on the lake. Ice is serious business up here.

    Stay tuned… we might not be launching a boat or a snowmobile today, but you never know where our the trail will lead today.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Lookout TowerMerganser hen with her broodPoint Park

    International Falls… Literally

    July 7, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We were welcomed not just by Minnesota and International Falls—but by Canada too! Perfect day for a bike ride across the border and along the Rainy River to Point Park. 🇺🇸🚲🇨🇦. A true first for us riding our bike across a US boundary!

    All was smooth until Beth heard a seaplane and raced to catch it on video… without seeing the wire fence in her path. 😱 Let’s just say she really took off. The bike flew, the camera missed the take-off, and her big toe took the hit (sandals + fences = bad combo).

    All’s well—just a scraped toe and a slightly bruised ego. 🩹✈️📹

    Stay tuned… with both feet on the pedals this time.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    1

    Yeti Spotted at Checkout

    July 7, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 64 °F

    Good night and goodbye, Voyageurs! What a great campground—highly recommend it—and a fabulous time all around.

    Don even found his spirit animal on the way out… and naturally, had to strike a pose. 🐾😂

    Until next time, wild one. 👋🌲✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Where the Road Took Us

    July 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Duluth, MN 🚐💨
    Back through Duluth—this time with the RV winding through hills, dodging construction cones, and cruising by one of Don’s beloved breweries. The RV’s earning its badge today!

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Landing in Style ✨

    July 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We made it!! Visiting our friends Mark and Maura in Mercer, WI. 🧡

    They own an impeccably maintained RV and manufactured home park—seriously top-notch! It even has two pickleball courts 🏓🏓… love the convenience.

    We landed, got hooked up, and were invited to stay in their guest house. 🏡✨ How cool is that?!    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler
    Slow down Don!! 😳Weeeeeeee... this is so much fun!

    Trail to Table to Tranquility

    July 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Let the Fun Begin! 🎉

    After checking out our digs for the stay, we hopped in the SxS and cruised into town. The entire area is laced with ATV and snowmobile trails, making it super easy (and fun!) to get around.

    We grabbed a bite at the local watering hole 🍔🍻 before heading to Mark and Maura’s lake house for a sunset show 🌅. So peaceful—we watched an otter playing in the water and an eagle soaring by on the hunt 🦦🦅.

    Something tells us this is going to be a great stay! ✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Courts, Trails & Pure Fun

    July 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Pickleball to Pedal Adventures 🏓🚴‍♀️

    We kicked off the day with some competitive pickleball (no mercy on the courts! 😉), then traded paddles for pedals and hit the Mercer Trail with Mark and Maura leading the way.

    What an afternoon—twisting trails, sparkling streams, gorgeous lakes, and charming towns to roll through. Absolutely fabulous! ✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Skiing Skeeters… Wowza!! 💦

    July 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Waterski Show? Heck Yea! 💦🎉

    No trip up north would be complete without one… so we had to check out the Manitowish Waters Skiing Skeeters—the oldest waterski club in America! 🇺🇸✨

    And wow—what a show! These kids were absolutely amazing, pulling off stunts and pyramids that left us cheering nonstop. 👏👏    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Pickleball Showdown! 🏓😆

    July 10, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Another morning of competitive pickleball—and this time we’ve got the pictures to prove it!

    Mark and Beth are strategizing hard to claim victory over Don and Maura… but that mosquito racket Maura’s wielding? Looks like it’s ready to pack quite the zinger… or should we say zap! ⚡😂Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Boating the Chain of Lakes 🚤💦

    July 10, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    After a couple of rounds of pickleball, we hopped on the boat and hit the lake! We couldn’t pass up the chance to see Manitowish Waters and the Chain of Lakes from the water.

    So we spent the day cruising, then beached for lunch and a refreshing swim. The water was perfect—clear, crisp, and so inviting!

    Beautiful scenery all around, with friendly dragonflies adding a little extra charm 🐉✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestTraveler

    Don… Hand Over the SxS! 😆

    July 11, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We squeezed in a little pickleball and a quick shower before packing up. Today’s a short driving day, so we’re glad we got one more game in!

    Farewell, Mark & Maura—what a fantastic time! And yes, Don… you do have to give the SxS back!! 😆Read more

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