"I really enjoyed
that fact that we could do all the work with the dogs --
harnessing them, interacting with them, I even got to drive a
team solo!" KG 2007, Chicago, IL
"I can now howl
roughly like a wolf!" PH 2007, Washington DC
Highlights:
- Learning all about
timber wolves from experts at the International Wolf
Center
- Mushing a team of
sled dogs through pristine winter wilderness
- Exploring
Minnesota's Northwoods on cross country skis and
snowshoes
- Relaxing in a
sauna at the end of an active day of being outdoors
- Gazing at a sky
full of brilliant stars (maybe even the Northern
Lights)
Start the New Year with an
active and fun-filled week of immersion in Minnesota’s
Northwoods and two of its most fascinating inhabitants: timber
wolves and sled dogs! No one does a better job of helping the
public learn about timber wolves than the folks at the
International Wolf Center. Equally fascinating is their close
cousin, the sled dog. Mushing a sled through winter wilderness
is exciting, exhilarating, and will take you further from your
daily life than you can imagine. In addition there will be time
to snowshoe and cross country ski, relax in front of the fire in
our comfortable cabin, and soothe tired muscles in a traditional
Finnish sauna.
This trip is for: any
woman who wants to learn about wolves and go to the dogs.
While a high degree of fitness is unnecessary, you will be
outdoors and active most of the day. No prior
experience is necessary - we teach you all the outdoor
skills you want, as well as everything you need to know to
stay warm in this winter paradise.
Accommodations:
- six nights at
Silver
Rapids Lodge, about two miles outside
of Ely. We’ll stay in the Retreat
House. The house has 8 bedrooms (so everyone has
her own room), four bathrooms, wood fireplace, two
kitchens, two dining areas, and a private indoor sauna
and library area with a bear skin rug. This family-run
Lodge is known for its Northwoods hospitality and the
beauty of its location.
Maximum group size:
8 / Women Exclusive
Trip price: $1959-2070
--- (there is a $50 deduction for registration prior
to 9/30/08 and 3% of the trip fee if the balance is paid
by check). $300 deposit. E-mail Travlgrrl@aol.com
for more info.
Trip price includes:
- guide
services and instruction
- six
nights lodging in private rooms
- meals
from dinner on Sunday thru breakfast on Saturday
- skis
and snowshoes
- round
trip transportation from Minneapolis,
MN to Ely
- all
programs on the itinerary including the aerial flight
- three full days of
dogsledding with two women per sled
Trip starts: at
8:00 am in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 28
Trip ends: at
5:30 pm at the airport in Minneapolis on January 3.
To
learn more about
the place we're staying, visit the web site of Silver
Rapids Lodge.
You might also want to visit the web site of the
International
Wolf Center
Itinerary
December 28: The trip
begins when we meet you at 8:00 am in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After driving to Ely, We’ll settle into our cabin and then
either go hiking or cross country skiing on one of the nearby
trails or White Iron Lake. That evening we'll visit with one of
the knowledgeable staff from the International Wolf Center to
learn the hows and whys of wolf communication and even try our
hand at howling to a local wolf pack.
December 29:After
learning about the past, present, and future of wolf research,
we try our hand at locating a wild radio-collared wolf through
the use of radio telemetry. We’ll first try tracking on the
ground and then take to the air for a bird’s eye view of the
Superior National Forest and learn how wolves are tracked from
the air.
December 30: There are
excellent cross country ski trails as well as endless
snowshoeing options in the area and that's what we'll spend the
first day of the New Year doing. It's also an excellent day for
taking a little down time or spending some extra time in the
sauna, but only if you choose. That evening you'll start
learning about sled dogs, dog sleds, and what you can anticipate
over the next three days.
December 31 - January 2: Having learned about wolves, we
spend our next three days with their close cousins, the sled
dog. Although wolves and sled dogs look similar, their
personalities are completely different: where wolves are aloof,
sled dogs love people and love to pull sleds, and their unique
and quirky personalities will quickly make you fall in love with
them.
These three days are full
days of mushing. With two women in every sled, you have the
opportunity to switch between the very vigorous activity of
driving the sled (contrary to popular notions you do not just
stand on the end of the sled and yell "Mush!") and a
more relaxing time of sitting cozily bundled in the sled and
watching the spectacular winter scenery go by. On calm days
we'll head into the wilderness of the Boundary Waters, the
frozen lakes and rivers serving as our highways. On windy days
we'll explore the miles of beautiful birch and pine forests
surrounding Ely, where we will see ample signs of wildlife and
few signs of people. We'll stop for a hot lunch every day,
sometimes making a fire and sometimes sipping hot soup from a
thermos.
January 3: After
spending time in some of the great shops in Ely, we leave there
about 11 a.m. and you can plan to be back in Minneapolis at the
airport not later than 5:30 pm
E-mail Travlgrrl@aol.com
or Call 1-800-842-4753
http://www.GAYTRAVELPROS.com
E-mail: Travlgrrl@aol.com or Call
Toll-Free 1-800-842-4753
