Voyageurs National Park, in Minnesota, was established in 1975, to preserve the waterways that were one of the most important segments of the fur trade route used to open the “Great Northwest”.
We stayed by Lake Kabetogama. Our RV spot overlooked the lake, with wonderful sunset views. The view was due to our remote location up a hill, but the resort provided a golf cart to get to the resort facilities.
Knowing most of the park was on the lake, we rented a boat for some fishing and exploring.
We tried our hand at fishing in the morning, but despite the fish finder showing multiple fish targets, they did not go for our bait. In the afternoon, we went cruising through the islands.
Between 1944 and 1965, a Chicago building contractor, Jack Ellsworth, created a personal grotto. Flower beds, rock statuary and creative use of natural rock features dot the landscape. We learned from the locals that the National Park Service had dismantled the house and allowed the garden go wild, but they had a change of heart and are now working to restore the gardens to Ellsworth’s design.
The next day, our fishing guide, Frank, showed us the ropes and lake fishing techniques (go for the windy side, get up near the weeds). After a few hours, we had multiple hits and plenty of fish.
We had plenty to eat, and we gifted some to our RV neighbors. They were so thankful, they gave us a bottle of wine. What a deal!