A Summer, Deep In the Woods

The on-going job search has taken in interesting turn this last month.  It oddly enough will be taking me back to an old, familiar vacationing destination where my family used to spend our summer holidays.

The Boundary Waters National Park is a vast waterway that allows outdoor enthusiasts access across the Canadian -

American border via canoes.  The lakes are deep, clear, abundant with fish and other wildlife, and provide the weary paddler with numerous ledge rocks that function as make-shift outdoor cafes, or listening points at the end of a long traveling day.

The Finnish and the Swedes settled in this area during the late 1800's, building their log cabins and establishing a distinctly Scandinavian culture for generations to follow.

                                                            Photo by: Nancy Jo Tubbs / Camp Van Vac, cabin 25

The North American Bear Center and Wildlife Research Institute is located at the Boundary Waters central hub, and for the next few months, this area will be 'home.'   It is an educational and research center that was started by Dr. Lynn Rogers and his wife, Donna  - the latter being likened to the "Jane Goodall of black bears."  What attracted me most to the institute is that Dr. Rogers is an advocate of 'trust based research,' which simply requires the researcher to develop a relationship with the animal -rather than relying on dart guns, traps, or restraining methods to gather data.  The animal always has a choice in the level of participation.  I have felt the benefits of this approach both when dealing with  abused horses as well as when working with the European Wildcats.  Developing a trusting relationship may take more time in the initial stages, but in the long run, your further ahead.

                                                         Photo by: Dr. Lynn Rogers

So, soon I will be off to the great north woods. My activities over the next few weeks involve breaking-in serious hiking boots, understanding the mechanical workings of a compass, and researching odorless bug repellent.   Such topics for discussion! ...but I wouldn't trade this new life for any other!

Lessons learned:

Don't try to break in new boots all at once...ouch!

Don't position your nose too close to the spraying device when testing the olfactory strength of bug repellents!