I never saw the ranger - I must have been out for a day hike - but one did come through Chippewa Harbor at least once while I was there last fall. I know because there were check marks on my itinerary changes and my permit was turned upside down in the plastic bag that comes with it.

Senior Packer - I'll be staying in McCargoe Cove for a few nights, by myself, since my wife still works for a living. I'd like her to retire, too. Then she could come along and carry my gear. :lol: I'm driving up to Grand Portage tomorrow, out to McC on Monday (rain, they say). Have a good trip north.

I've been aprehensive when I meet boaters while I'm backpacking because the gestalt is so different. It's a bit like backpacking into a state park filled with RVs & car campers. Their expectations and gear are quite different from mine. That said, I had good experiences last fall at Chippewa Har...

I've been eating almost nothing but Freeze-Dried on all my trips to IR, except for oatmeal and my trip last fall. Never had a problem.

Last fall, I even pricked packages to release extra air. I don't recommend it - the flavor suffered & didn't gain that much space-wise, but they all cooked.

Now that a buddy turned me on to Hungry Jack Hash Browns, I don't waste my time trying to dehydrate them. These are good! IMHO

I'll be making the trip to Grand Portage early next month - hope I reach the North Shore before sunset. Enticing picture in that link.

Jeffrey, thanks for the link to Ryden's. They haven't updated the site in a while - it still lists [strikeout]motel[/strikeout] restaurant (corrected 8/29) as one of their services.

zims wrote:I would have probably come unglued on them.

Same here.
I wish I knew how to help people learn instead of feeling like I should lecture them.
As others have, thank you Tom. Lake Ritchie is beautiful.

Look me up when you're in McCargoe Cove on the 10th.
Take some time to enjoy the view from Mt. Franklin - it seems to show every eco system on the island. I hope you have good weather that day.
I'd love to hear what you think of IR.

I could be wrong, but I believe there is an "official" position that NO alcoholic beverages are allowed on the boat and do believe it states this somewhere in the rules. Page 11 (Transportation Services) of the Greenstone 2013 Newsletter does say "No alcohol consumption on passenger ...

Just an update on the Marine Traffic site. This link includes the color legend for boats: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/defaul ... level0=100.

At this moment, the Coast Guard tender Alder is moored in Siskiwit Bay, midway between Hay Bay CG and Malone Bay CG/Ranger Station.

Midwest Ed wrote:

Ingo wrote:The Windigo Marina services are listed on their "Gifts and Supplies" link:
http://www.rockharborlodge.com/gift-shop

Excellent, thanks, Midwest Ed. Maybe we'll get there late in the season.

Don't know if this is a cottage industry, but if you sew you might also like Quest Outfitters - Tyvek, Cuben Fiber, Silnylon and much much more. http://www.questoutfitters.com/index.html They have links to a number of make it or do it yourself sites. ---- A small place in Winona, MN makes lightweigh...

Thanks for the info about satellite imagery.
Yow, bring snow shoes, sleds, skis. Handwarmers.

This is wandering away from the topic "Ranger III 1st trip", but here's more about the website that tracks vessel locations (on Lake Superior and at places around the world). It's based on (a link to?) http://www.marinetraffic.org/ which is a project of the Greek University of Aegean. The ...