No worries and no offense taken, Bob's explanation is exactly correct. I completely understand your situation coming from a family of 6 myself. I am happy you guys are able to get to the island period, it will be a wonderful experience. Single payer groups have always been a concern of mine with reg...

and the boat transportation costs SO much more ( several hundred dollars more than from either Copper Harbor or Houghton). Unfortunately, that scraps our McCargoe Cove -> Chippewa Harbor plans, and I've been starting from close to scratch. I felt compelled to respond this. I actively participate on...

The park service repealed the alcohol restrictions for those camping areas and docks last year, for whatever reason it got limited publicity, (superintendents compendium). It was confirmed to me last year when I questioned them about it, so worry not.

I've never heard of that, and would have if it had been proposed to the park. That would have to be a very spendy travel option. Duluth is an international airport, I wonder how the TSA deals with backpacks? Even Park Point would'nt be feasible, too many weather variables and too great a distance.

I'm sure the woman that gave you that info meant well, however, she was most likely a band member and the rules are very different for members of the Grand Portage Band (it's their land). The official policy on camping on the reservation is "camping on reservation land is allowed only at the ca...

Backcountry experience or not, steno pads present or not, I feel a little self-restraint is called for. I agree shelters, outhouses, flush bathrooms at each end, no matter, they are not the places for artistic expression of any kind. No matter what the quality, the question should be asked... would ...

Wow, that's some dated footage, Fritz left the Vista Fleet in '08. Have kinda lost touch with Fritz, too bad, he's a good guy.

No, I can't do him justice, maybe I'll have to grow some of those Paul Bunyan sideburns, I've had both of my labs in the truck one trip (never again), and I'm sure he made a lot more for that trip than I'll make in a career. RIP, Jerry Reed. This is mine from Feb. loading grass seed in Oregon. and l...

Indeed we are, it just happens to be a long way down on the list of priorities. By the time it goes through the DOC center and all it would be next season before its on anyway.

Greener, you need to make a reservation with the drop off and pickup, a couple reasons for this, one is the park user fee is calculated at that time so we need to know the number of days on the island, sencondly, as Tom stated we only go to Windigo and Rock Harbor unless we have reservations for the...

Right you are Tom, it only happens once or twice a season, sometimes not even that. Rafiki, as for the phones and reservations, I am in and out of the office a lot during the off season. Contrary to popular belief I am not on vacation all winter, rather I am looking at the world through the windshie...

Thanks, but I must admit that I seldom get more than 4 or 5 trips on the boats with office work and such. All the accolades must go to the "official" Captains, Mike on the Voyageur II and Tim on the Seahunter. I couldn't make this work without those two and their crews, they are truly dedi...

Sleeping bags, packs, tents all no problem. What we frown on and try to eliminate are things that are attached to the pack in a loose fashion, things like boots/shoes, water bottles, pots and pans, BBQ forks, and ski poles a.k.a. walking sticks, (it really hurts when the point burys itself in the pa...

Hi folks, I just spent an hour writing a detailed report on the new boat, clicked on preview to proof read and it prompted me log back in, anyway, that lost it. Me and computers have our issues. So here is a brief synopsis. The boat is 62'x16' with a 4.5' draft, very similar dimensions to the VII, b...

My remarks about guns on the boats was somewhat tongue in cheek for those who don''t know me. And our policy pertains to passengers only, not crew, we are heavily armed at all times with everything from handguns to .50 BMGs and consider ourselves something like sky marshals, only on the water, oh wa...