MINNESOTA, USA — It's lauded for its pristine beauty, and yet many Minnesotans have never ventured into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Tony Jones, of the Twin Cities, and his son Aidan, traveled there this past summer, and it was quite the experience.
"Oh my gosh, every Minnesotan has got to go to the Boundary Waters," said Jones.
Jones is a regular contributing writer for the Star Tribune, so he wrote about this journey in a five-part series.
Star Tribune photographer Aaron Lavinksy traveled with the group and shot photos and video of the experience.
"I'm constantly trying to figure out where people are going to be next, trying to work my way in front of them," he said.
Lavinsky got some breathtaking shots of sunsets, cliffs, a moose and the tired moments among the group.
It was a grueling trip at times. The team was gone for five days, paddling for miles on lakes and carrying their packs and canoes in between the bodies of water. The team went on the Voyageur's Highway, along the Minnesota-Ontario border. They dealt with storms, mud, mosquitoes, but after a while it didn't bother them. They focused on taking in the beautiful scenery.
"It's just kind of a right of passage to carry a canoe in that place. To have no cell phone coverage, to be bitten by bugs, to have a downpour right when you're starting the fire to cook your dinner," said Jones.
Jones is encouraging everyone to take a trip to the BWCA. In the meantime, he's thinking about taking his whole family there next summer.
"When I look back on that trip I will remember a few moments with my son and my dog. Seeing my son carry a canoe and calling for the dog and they're in front of me and our yellow lab circling him and following him on the path, that image I'll hang onto for the rest of my life," said Jones.
"The boundary waters is a magical place, that entire region, and we should do what we can to conserve and leave no trace. Go out there, be responsible but enjoy it, it's ours it's the public's and take advantage of that," said Lavinsky.
The Star Tribune wants to hear from you about which place they should feature next summer. You can email Bob Timmons, the Weekend Outdoors section Editor. The five-part series can be read here.