Archives for September 2016

Its interesting that the hardest part about leaving the wilderness hasn’t been the over stimulation that comes from all the lights, cars, crowds. We are having a hard time being closed off from the outside world. We don’t see the sunrise and sunset, feel the temperature change through the day, or hear the wind. Wall form a barrier for our bodies and our senses. We find ourselves missing the deep connection with nature that Wilderness provides. We miss watching the light change as day turns into night like it we did on Isabella Lake when I took this photo almost exactly a year ago. We can’t quantify the intangible value of Wilderness, but we must fight for it so that future generations reap the rewards that places like the Boundary Waters bestow on everyone it touches.
Now that we are back in Minnesota we are starting to sift through all our images, journals, and memories. We look forward to sharing the journey with you as we unpack and reflect on our #wildernessyear to @savetheBWCA . Please sign the petition at http://ift.tt/1x2erSX and continue to speak loudly to the Wilderness.

#savetheBWCA #sunset #water #OnlyinMN #ourwild #boundarywaters #BWCA #wilderness

It has been really great meeting with our elected officials over the last few days. We’ve been sharing our #wildernessyear to @savetheBWCA with them. The floatilla of 60 to 70 boats and 300 people who welcomed us at River Point Resort when we exited the Wilderness– as well as all the people who brought in supplies and helped us– have been an important part of our story out here in DC. Thank you!

Keep speaking loudly for the Boundary Waters! http://ift.tt/1x2erSX Photo by Steve Piragis #WildernessYear #SavetheBWCA

We are excited to announce that we are writing a book with Minneapolis’ Milkweed Editions! Many people have encouraged us to write a book over the last year. Your encouragement has spurred us to take on this project and we look forward to sharing a narrative nonfiction book that captures our experiences during our Year in the Wilderness. Read about it online from @startribune Books and sign up for info about on our book here: http://ift.tt/2dpOWaJ #wildernessyear #savethebwca #bwca #boundarywaters #book #nonfiction

Today in DC we met with @repbettymccollum to talk about our love of the #BoundaryWaters, our #WildernessYear, and to thank her for everything she’s doing to help protect these waters for future generations. Sign the petition and help us continue to speak loudly for this quiet place. #bwca #bwcaw

We woke to the sound of garbage trucks and horns rather than the wind rustling leaves in the trees. North, south, east, west, I have no clue which way we’re facing because the wall of another building is all that’s visible out our window. As Amy rubbed sleep out of her eyes she said,”I had all these dreams about camping? I hardly ever dream about camping.” Our minds and bodies are in Washington D.C., but our souls remain in the Wilderness. How easily we become disconnected. If only I could walk to the edge of a pristine lake to gather water. I would see the fog burning off the as the sun crests the tall pines on the ridge to the east.

Luckily Wilderness’s intangible values have forever changed us. We carry the loon’s haunting call, smell of wild rice ripening in the sun, tired muscles, and pure water with us no matter where we go. It’s harder to hear over the din of traffic and the buzz of our phones, but the land still speaks to us when we listen hard enough.

Remember, we always need to speak loudly for quiet places like the Boundary Waters no matter where we are. Visit http://ift.tt/1x2erSX and take action today.
#SavetheBWCA #ourwild #canoe #BWCA #BoundaryWaters #WildernessYear #wilderness

We woke to the sound of garbage trucks and horns rather than the wind rustling leaves in the trees. North, south, east, west, I have no clue which way we’re facing because the wall of another building is all that’s visible out our window. As Amy rubbed sleep out of her eyes she said,”I had all these dreams about camping? I hardly ever dream about camping.” Our minds and bodies are in Washington D.C., but our souls remain in the Wilderness. How easily we become disconnected. If only I could walk to the edge of a pristine lake to gather water. I would see the fog burning off the as the sun crests the tall pines on the ridge to the east.

Luckily Wilderness’s intangible values have forever changed us. We carry the loon’s haunting call, smell of wild rice ripening in the sun, tired muscles, and pure water with us no matter where we go. It’s harder to hear over the din of traffic and the buzz of our phones, but the land still speaks to us when we listen hard enough.

Remember, we always need to speak loudly for quiet places like the Boundary Waters no matter where we are. Visit http://ift.tt/1x2erSX and take action today.
#SavetheBWCA #ourwild #canoe #BWCA #BoundaryWaters #WildernessYear #wilderness

We are boarding the plane on our way to DC. Were did all the trees and lakes go? We aren’t in the Wilderness anymore! They are closing the door! Here we go! #SavetheBWCA

Look at all these amazing people who LOVE the BWCA Wilderness! Wow! What a day. Thank you to all who paddled in the 60+ boat flotilla, attended the Exit Party, signed the petition, commented and shared on social media, donated to the Campaign, baked brownies, dehydrated vegetables and delivered resupplies. We are humbled by your support and love of this place.

We may be out of the Wilderness, but we are not done working to protect it. There is still a lot to do, which is why we are now moving at 70 mph in our car. It’s a big change from the 3 mph of the canoe, but we’re on our way to the airport to head to Washington D.C. to share our story– and your love of the BWCAW with our elected representatives. Don’t worry Amy’s driving while I type!

Let your voice be heard! Sign the petition and take action at http://ift.tt/1x2erSX

#WildernessYear #SavetheBWCA

This morning we packed up camp for the last time and loaded the canoe. In a few hours we will exit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and re-enter as some call it “the real world.” I would like to set the record straight on this concept. It is the other way around. We are re-entering a civilized world, a fast-paced world filled with cars, cell phones, air planes and indoor plumbing. But don’t for one second think that is what’s real. We are leaving the real world for a little while– the world where Mother Nature rules, where wolf packs roam freely, where wild rice grows, where mosquitos hatch, where loon chicks ride on their parents’ backs, where the sun rises and sets over the forest and lakes that are untrammeled– where no sign of this civilized world exists (except for latrines and fire grates). Your actions, support and steady resolve to protect the Boundary Waters have made us laugh and cry; we are humbled by the thousands of actions you have taken to help protect this very special place. We leave the Wilderness, after 367 days, confident that if we all continue speaking loudly for this quiet place our goal of permanently protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining will be achieved.

There is still a lot of work to do. Please keep the wilderness in your hearts, minds and voices no matter where your path takes you.
Learn more, sign the petition and take action today at http://ift.tt/1x2erSX (link in bio)! #wilderness #savetheBWCA #BoundaryWaters #BWCA #canoe #ourwild

At 9:21 AM the sun appeared to be right above the equator. The equinox signals that fall has officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. We paddled up the Kawishiwi River 366 days ago to bear witness through every season as the Earth completed its annual pilgrimage around our sun. We find ourselves on the Kawishiwi River once again, but now we’re about to paddle out of the Wilderness. The Wilderness has remained largely the same as it was a year ago, changing leaves, crisp and foggy fall mornings, loons’ elegant summer plummage fading, moose rutting– all like a clock tuned to the Earth’s rythms. A year is a blink of an eye for the Wilderness, but for us this year has been transformative.
We have been forever changed by the Wilderness and will leave it knowing that we must speak loudly for this quite place, and that our collected voices have the power to effect change, ensuring that wild places like the Boundary Waters remain for future generations. After all, Wilderness belongs to all of us, those living now and generations from now.

We must all keep the Wilderness in our hearts and minds and continue to act. Please visit http://ift.tt/1x2erSX to learn more, sign the petition, and take action today. #wilderness #savetheBWCA #BoundaryWaters #BWCA #onlyinMN #CaptureMN #getoutstayout #canoe #ourwild