In the morning we said farewell to Gary, then Chuck and I packed up and headed out of town. Chuck and Gary knew of a major Boy Scout facility a few miles outside of Ely, called Northern Tier. Its purpose was to provide guided BWCA wilderness experiences to Boy Scout troops from all over the U.S. Chuck and I pulled in, not really knowing where to park or where to go to sign in. We knew enough to know that you don't just walk around a Boy Scout facility without an escort, but there didn't seem to be anyone out and about at 9 am on a Sunday morning.
We finally ran into someone who escorted us to the main office to be signed in, and given an escort. They radioed someone from the guide barracks who happily came down and walked us all over the camp, explaining everything as he went. This young man was near the top of leadership at the camp, but he was very relaxed and in no hurry for us - very pleasant guy! John was from Tennessee, and had spent a few summers here. He explained that it was so quiet because a) every BSA group here was out in the wilderness, and b) the summer rush hadn't really started yet. Schools were just getting out, and some troops had many miles to travel to get here. He explained that in the height of the season, the place was a zoo of activity, as we could well imagine! Groups would arrive one day, being assigned gear, training and packing, and the next morning they were sent out on their route with their BSA wilderness guide. When they returned, they would turn in all their gear, be treated to a big dinner and a classic evening campfire program, spend the night, and be sent on their way the next morning. They had it all down to a science! Chuck and I were really impressed with the facilities there.
After this it was time to head down to the North Shore via Highway 1 out of Ely to Tettegouche State Park, where I had a 12:30 pm rendezvous with Claudia. Both parties arrived at the new visitor's center right on time. I greeted my beautiful bride with a clean shaven face (me, not her), pulled out my gear from Chuck's vehicle, bid him farewell, and sent him on his way up the shore and back into Canada. Meanwhile, Claudia and I took time to enjoy the new visitor's center and all the beauty that Tettegouche has to offer.
Over the next 4 days Claudia and I explored up and down the North Shore, from Naniboujou to Duluth, and all points (and breweries!) in between. But that, my friends, is a story for another day...
