Ely Minnesota Trip Inspired Me

Ely Beach Nymph, Sand Sculpture

I just returned from an incredible week in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern Minnesota. I stayed with my family at Timber Trail Resort near Ely Minnesota. If you want a relaxing, wilderness experience at a family friendly resort, I highly recommend this one. They have many options for accommodations including cabins, motel rooms, and even a bunk house for folks needing a place to sleep before heading into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for an extended wilderness adventure. The resort is a full outfitter and entry point into the BWCA, and they were equipping groups constantly as they arrived.

For those of you that aren't familiar, the BWCA is located in Northeastern Minnesota. It consists of over a million acres of wilderness, with over 1,000 pristine lakes, rivers and streams, and over 1500 miles of canoe routes. It is considered by some as the most beautiful wilderness they have ever seen. National Geographic named it one of the 50 Destinations of a Lifetime. In other words, a vacation you do not want to miss.

My kayak parking spot

The BWCA is a true wilderness experience, without motors, no electricity, no phone lines, and no roads to inner lakes. Timber Trail Resort is located at the edge of this wilderness, so one can enjoy the escape from all modern luxuries by easy access to the wilderness, while at the same time returning to the resort where electricity, and other conveniences exist. As a lover of the outdoors and as an artist, I find the BWCA to be incredibly inspiring. Even if you're not a landscape painter or photographer, the experience of being immersed in the pristine natural beauty of this area will recharge your creative batteries. And, it's a perfect escape for the whole family!

Kayakers on the Kawishi river

We spent hours kayaking and canoeing the waters near the Timber Trail Resort, and I enjoyed the beauty of the pine trees, the rugged granite outcroppings and cliffs, the sounds and sites of Loon families, eagles and the beautiful clear water. We were blessed with incredibly warm, sunny weather which enhanced our enjoyment of the lakes and rivers.

We enjoyed plenty of time swimming at the resort beach and playing in the sand. The photo at the beginning of this posting shows one of the sculptures I created with my niece and some of the other kids at the resort. Oh, and there was plenty of fishing going on, too, and some tasty fried fish was on the menu more than once.

Boundary Waters shoreline

 All of my kayak and canoe trips were short, partial day trips, and I was able to create many excellent photo references for future paintings. My paints and easel made the trip with me, as I had thought I might set up and produce a couple of paintings plein air during our stay, but my it turned out my camera  became the creative outlet of choice. Time spent focusing on photography was well spent, since I have many beautiful images from which I'll be able to produce several paintings, hopefully over the next several months.

Sunset on Farm Lake