Spring is in the air and we have entered a glorious, yet fleeting time in the north woods; when grouse are drumming and the fish are biting, but the black flies and mosquitoes have yet to make their debut. Dave and I often find ourselves thinking about what we were doing during this time of year, ten years ago. That is when we spent a year in the BWCAW. During that time we didn’t leave the wilderness, we didn’t even cross a road or enter a building for an entire year.
Gearing up to hit the trail in our Boundary Waters Hooded Windshirts.
The ice had just recently gone out. That transitional period of time had been particularly fun (and challenging) for us. Did you know that as lake ice melts, it melts along shore faster? We had spent about a week finding creative solutions for travel on foot, walking on the ice, towing our canoe, but then hopping in the canoe to cross a moat of water to get from the ice to shore. We named our newly invented sport Boundary Waters bobsledding, due to the way we would run, sliding the canoe across thin ice, and hop into the canoe just before it broke under our weight.
We relished the ease of travel once all the lakes were completely liquid again, appreciating the simple rhythm of paddling and portaging. Camp chores were cut in half as we no longer needed to process firewood to heat our tent. The open water and ease of travel meant more visitors to the Wilderness, and to us, bringing eagerly anticipated resupplies of food and a switch of gear. But, even more enjoyable than the food and equipment, was the company. We welcomed old and new friends into our camp, eager for conversation and news.
Our senses were constantly being stimulated by the wonderful transition of springtime. As the ground thawed, we remembered what duff and pine needles smelled like. We were awoken every morning by bright sunlight and birdsong. The land had come alive again and what a joy it was to witness it. As this same annual event occurs again, we are surrounded by little reminders of that magical time when we were fully immersed in nature; we still marvel as the daylight increases, the trees bud, and plants emerge from the soil.
Thankfully, we don’t need to spend a whole year outside to reap the rewards. We hope you will join us in carving time out of our busy lives for a walk in the woods, an afternoon paddle, or an hour spent listening to the wind and feeling the sun on your skin. Spring is fleeting, so be sure and savor it while you can.
- Amy Freeman, Explorer & Wintergreen Ambassador
