Voyageurs National Park: Paddle to Round Bear Island Day Use Site

Grandpa is in town. Yesterday we took him on a trip to Bemidji. Today, he went for a motorcycle ride up to the Northwest Angle and so Noelle, Sierra and I headed out for a paddle on Kabetogama Lake. We drove down to Ash River, put in at the paddle access there and hit the lake. It was a bit breezy as we paddled west. Sierra, with her good eyes, observed a ring anchored into the rock at one point

(I'm guessing it's left over from logging) and a snapping turtle sunning itself on a rock. We pulled up to the beach at the Round Bear Island Day Use Site

and started our picnic lunch. We had a very nice view as we ate sandwiches and watermelon.

 After lunch it was time to get in the water.

At first Sierra was content to wade in only to her ankles.

We looked to see what we could find and explore.

Noelle found an interesting damselfly

and a walking stick in the water.

I found a chunk of tree branch that had been chewed into a small nub by a beaver

and a strange looking beetle.

Eventually the skies cleared and Sierra started to swim in earnest.

I pondered the map for a bit

before we returned to the canoe for the return paddle.

We returned to the paddle access under brilliant blue sky.

We explored some of the small islands scattered along this section of lake from the boat.

We did land the canoe at a small island near the access point that I had heard referred to as "Blueberry Island".

There was a nice view from the exposed rock on the north side of the island,

and sure enough there were quite a few blueberries, though they have a few weeks before they will be ripe.

It was a fun afternoon on the water.