“We simply need that wild country available to us, even if
we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of
reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of
hope." - Wallace Stegner
What does the Boundary Waters mean to me? The West Coast has
Yosemite, Olympic and the Redwoods, the Rockies have Yellowstone, the southwest
has the Grand Canyon, Zion and Arches, the southeast has the Everglades and the
Smokies, the northeast has Acadia and Niagara Falls. But what does the Midwest
have? Sure we have our local favorites, but what resonates on a national level?
Isle Royale is one of the least visited National Parks; the Apostle Islands had
their moment of fame when the Ice Caves went viral in 2014. Their brethren on
either coast overshadow even the two National Scenic Trails in the Midwest.
What we do have though, is the most visited Wilderness area in the country.
Mother Nature is an afterthought in most civilized countries
except for the errant storm. Hell, we build domed stadiums to better control
the weather so not to affect our sports. We’re afraid of what we cannot
control, but we are our most free when we have no control.
I love the Boundary Waters because all that my dad asked for
when graduating high school was to spend a couple weeks in the Wilderness. I
love it because he trekked up there for over 20 years in a row. I love it
because my dad knew Dorothy Moeller, the Root Beer Lady, and she wanted to hire
him to be a guide. I love it because my first trip involved my dad AND getting
out of my 7th grade finals. I love it because every season brings a
new perspective (and mode of travel). I love it because I can travel for days
and not see anyone. I love it because every whiff of spruce imbued in the wind
reminds me of the words of Sigurd Olson. I love it because you don’t need top
of the line equipment to enjoy it. I love it because it’s easy to enjoy, yet
difficult to understand. I love it because of the joy on my face and in my soul
when I pass the sign letting me know I’m not in civilization any more. I love
it because it’s bigger than my lifetime. I love it because I’ve taken three
trips there…in January. I love it because of the Rose Lake cliffs and the North
Hegman pictographs. I love it because the portages, the paths between lakes,
are measured in rods (which are 16.5 feet). I love it because I’m from
Wisconsin and it’s my Yellowstone, my Yosemite, my Smoky Mountains, my place of worship.
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| Rose Lake Cliffs |
We all have special places we hold in our hearts. The place
where every time we return to is like a Peter Pan experience – a return to a
time when we weren’t so cynical and easier to please. We spend too much time
being serious. Running data, writing reports, paying bills, doing laundry, being adults, that we forget
how to have fun, let go and revert to simpler times.
I haven’t devoted myself to much in my life. I’m not a
fighter. I’ve never fought for anything. I am fighting for the Boundary Waters.
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