This morning, I'm blogging from Grand Ely Lodge on Shagawa Lake. It's 7:30AM, the lake is glass, the sun is shining, it must be 70 degrees already, and there are no bugs. That's correct, I'm at the edge of the BWCA and there isn't a mosquito or black fly in sight. Got plans this weekend? Ely may be just the ticket for a three day getaway. Truth in reporting, this is my first visit to northern Minnesota past Duluth. I'm here with "The Captain" Bill Hildebrand and his son Chad for two FAN Outdoors radio programs on www.KFAN.com. What I've found is a place reminiscent of my Upper Peninsula homeland - with the addition of rocks. The forest mixture of conifers, maple, birch, and poplar looks just like my yard back home and the beautiful little inland lakes littered across the landscape remind me of Highway 13 between Lake Michigan's Garden Peninsula and Lake Superior's Pictured Rocks. My intent is not to compare this beautiful and beloved purely Minnesotan treasure to my own beloved U.P. Rather, my point to the comparison is that I feel at home here. I have fallen head-over-heels for this part of the state. And all this beauty is a mere four hours from my home in the Twin Cities. Here's the plan for the visit: Today: I'm going to wander around downtown, while my traveling companions meet with the tourism folks to discuss this evening's live radio show. After that, we'll launch at Shagawa Lake in search of smallies. Tonight: Catch FAN Outdoors live from 7 to 9PM on AM1130 or www.KFAN.com. Friday: We're heading in. That's right; it's my first trip into the BWCA and we're going to spend it all day in search of the hot bite.
Saturday: Catch FAN Outdoors live from 6 to 8AM on AM1130 or www.KFAN.com I am already making plans for my second visit and searching the calendar for an open autumn weekend to chase grouse with my pup up here as well. Like I said, it's only 4 hours from the Twin Cities. See you in Ely!
