Goin' Up North

There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.

-Linda Hogan

I can't stand quotes like this. It's not that the quote isn't beautiful or compelling. I just don't need additional reminders that I'm too busy and not paying enough attention to the important things in life. I've got my mother for that, thank you very much.

Added to the everyday pressures of life is this simple quote murmuring in the back of my mind that watching the sun rise is more important than listening to messages on my voice mail. At some point, the whisper becomes a roar, and I am truly grateful that an escape to Minnesota's North Shore is just a few hours' drive from the Twin Cities. The fact that I can take my dogs is even better.

Little Ollie Lake Cabin

If you're searching for dog-friendly lodging that allows you to get close to nature, but still able to flush a toilet, then Little Ollie Lake Cabin is for you. Surrounded by trees and overlooking Little Ollie Lake, the cabin is completely secluded. Open year-round and located on the Gunflint Trail, the two-bedroom cabin accommodates up to six people and has been a quiet retreat for guests since 1989. The cabin has a full kitchen, fireplace, electric heat and sauna. Although equipped with running water, drinking water is supplied for guests.

Nature at your doorstep

Ted and Barbara Young operate Little Ollie Lake Cabin as well as the Poplar Creek Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast. Guests staying at either location are completely separate from one another. In fact, we didn't see or hear another person during the length of our stay. The B&B offers plush amenities, including a room with a hot tub and a complete breakfast each morning. If you want to bring your pet, however, you'll be staying at the cabin, as the B&B doesn't allow pets. Dogs accrue a $20 fee per night, per dog, with a $50 maximum charge per dog.

Canoeing in the BWCA

Simply the best attribute of Little Ollie Cabin is its direct access to the BWCA. Grabbing life jackets, sunscreen, bug spray and oars, we loaded the onsite canoe and glided into the BWCA. Little Ollie Lake is very peaceful and, as its name implies, small. It connects with the larger Poplar Lake, a veritable artery to an endless chain of lakes. Canoeing with two 60-plus-pound dogs aboard has it challenges, especially if one dog keeps snapping at dragonflies as they buzz past. Not being a great swimmer, and opting to use my life jacket as a cushion instead of a preserver, my tolerance for dogs lunging at flying insects, was, at best, limited. Both dogs suddenly deciding to lean over the same side of the canoe for a drink and nearly dumping us caused me to scream like a little girl. I can only imagine the look on some poor fisherman's face as my echoing screams reverberated off his secret fishing hole. In time, the inhabitants of our canoe, canine and human alike, settled in and enjoyed themselves.

Rain, loons and a good night's sleep

On our last evening at Little Ollie's, a gray mist enveloped our cabin and blotted out the summer stars. Dakota and Meadow, exhausted from running amuck, twitched and barked faintly while sleeping. I often wonder of what they are dreaming. I can only guess of the fleeting images of trees and leaves rushing past them on their many journeys into the forest. Switching off the light, the haunting cry of loons rose out of the mist and the sound of raindrops gently falling on the forest floor lulled us to sleep.