The week/weekend of August 23rd Matt and I took a trip up North to do some camping at Bear Head Lake State Park. It had been a few years since I had been there, and it was Matt's first time there.
YES!!! VACATION!! On the drive up.
Setting up camp.
Time to relax!
Us at the campsite.
We decided to go for a stroll down to the beach to cool our feet off in the lake. Matt enjoying the water.
Refreshing!
By the dock
The boat dock along the campground.
Massive White Pine. The breeze sounded wonderful when it passed through these!
Kayaks along Bear Head Lake
We took a partial hike along the Lake Norberg trail before dusk. Bear Head Lake in the background.
Kayak and boat reflections
On Friday, 8/24, we rented two kayaks for the day. This was both of our first tries at kayaking! There was only one incident of falling into the water; luckily it was still on the shore. :)
View from the kayak
Matt kayaking up to a large beaver dam.
Lily pads on the lake. Only a few were blooming.
The painted turtles were out sunning on logs in the water. We also viewed other wildlife from the shorelines, including 3 beavers.
Matt enjoying the kayaking experience.
Docked by a group campsite for a quick rest.
View from the group campsite's dock.
We also encountered some loons while kayaking.
Checking out the canoe in campsite
More views from the kayak
We kayaked through many areas that were full of lily pads like this.
On Saturday, 8/25, we took a trip into Ely to visit the International Wolf Center. The center introduces two new pups to the pack every four years. This is one of the pups, Boltz. We visited the center twice that day; since the afternoon was hot, the wolves were not active or out to view. On Saturday nights the center holds a special admission after hours to view a feeding; it was then I was able to capture these shots. It was near dusk and I didn't have my tripod with, so my photos suffered a little camera shake from the longer exposures.
Boltz waiting for the feeding. That night's menu - Beavers!
Sculptures outside of the wolf center. Matt trying to "run with the pack".
In between visits to the Wolf Center, we took a hike along the Becky Lake trail in the state park.
We stopped at this little shelter along the trail to quick take a pic of us together.
Lots of ferns and pine
Instead of encountering bears, moose, or deer along the trails, we found this young snapping turtle. It seemed strange to us to find him so far from the water.
A caterpillar munching on some foliage along the hike.
Our last day, Sunday, 8/26 we took a quick hike early morning down to Norberg Lake. Unfortunately we didn't see any wildlife to photograph, but still enjoyed the peaceful lake and beautiful scenery.
Last stop; Eagle's Nest Lake on the way out of the park.
