BY JON HELLER
The famed annual Canadian Canoe trip is
the highlight of tripping at Camp Timberlane. The trip begins in a
small, lazy town in Minnesota called Ely. In Ely, the three trips eat
their ‘last dinner’ and tour various places of interest.
The townsfolk are not very friendly because of all the trippers that
pass through. The standard of living is very high and the townspeople
get back at the trippers they don’t like by calling them
‘swampies’.
After dinner, the trip moves onward to a bunkhouse approximately 20
miles from Ely. In the bunkhouse there are triple bunk beds; these
make it very difficult to jump from the top on down. Duluth packs are
then handed out all trippers, to hold their personal belongings.
Bright and early the next morning, all three trips go to Bill
Rom’s Boat Landing and get their canoes packed up for the
trip.
The first lake is traveled by everyone, this is Moose Lake. From
Moose, the trip moves on to Newfound Lake and then to Sucker Lake.
After Sucker, the trips portage to Birch Lake which connects to the
final destination, Kinfe Lake. At Knife, the group finds a campsite
and sets up camp. As soon as it is ready, the boys are free to do as
they wish, Some swim, others like to explore the surroundings. Still
others like to go to a very unique island nearby (not
Gilligan’s) called Dorothy’s Root Beer Isle. The island,
run by an old Minnesota Northstar woman, is a favorite rest stop for
all tired canoers and trippers. Dorothy comes up to her visitors and
greets them warmly, and encourages them to try her world-famous root
beer (well, almost). She also carries energy boosters in the form of
candy and nuts. The trip spends 4 days at Knife Lake and proceeds
onward.
As the fifth day arises, the trip wakes up very early and gets their
Duluth packs ready. All the tents are packed away, and the trippers
prepare for their journey into Canada. After two hours of joyous
paddling, the trip finally arrives at the American-Canandian border.
Here at the customs station, the staff (John Meissner, Bernie
Schachter, Maury Hecht, Scott Shovers, Jory Cahn, and myself) hands
over the necessary papers to the men stationed there; we are then
officially let into Canada! The trip eats lunch and then prepares to
canoe the roughest lake in the area. This is Bailey Bay, which is a
section of Basswood Lake. After canoeing, this trip takes the
Northern portage, which is a road 128 rods long (one-third of a
mile). The portage takes you to your final destination, Sunday
Lake.
Here, there are three very daring cliffs looking at you straight in
the eye. The trip sets up camp here, and all are then free to do as
they please.
Cliff-diving is the most popular activity, in addition to catching
rays while laying on the rocks.
As far as food goes, it is indeed better than that at camp, and
tastes great when cooked over an open fire. Some of the fresh food
brought includes two-inch thick steaks, fresh ham, bacon, and fresh
eggs.
On Tuesday, July 25th, the trips commence their journey back to Bill
Rom’s Boat Landing. Again, we would be staying here. When all
three trips meet, they discuss the events of the past week, and all
agree that this was their best trip, the Canadian Canoe trip of
1979!