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                 Gilbert Lodge Blog
         The life and times of Mark and Paula Persons

Saturday, June 15, 2013:

It was the annual Crow Wing Canoe Days and Fur Trade Encampment weekend.  The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Mississippi Headwaters Board.  It started with putting canoes and kayaks in at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd on the east bank of the Mississippi River. 

Dave Simpkins of Minnesota Trails was there with his canoe too.  A jolly guy, he was able to offload his canoe without problems.

About thirty craft set out including this man who did some fishing along the way.

Yes, there were donuts to fortify participants before the ten-mile, two-hour or so run down the river.
Fur traders were at Crow Wing State Park waiting for the watercraft to arrive.

This part of the event was hosted by the Crow Wing County Muzzleloaders group.
Ray Nelson of Ironton, MN, is a retired park ranger. 

He loves telling stories about flintlock guns and history. 

Ray hand-crafts muzzleloading firearms. 

What would a powder horn be without scrimshaw on it?

Lots of time is spent making this happen.
Plenty of craftsmanship including wood working using a draw knife.
Rob "Doc" Watson was there carving wooden bowls. 

He also showed off his Swamp Dweller Art including fingers made from mastodon tusks.
There is a group of people dedicated to preserving the history of frontiersmen.

They enjoy sharing their knowledge with everyone interested in listening.
Then the canoeists and kayakers arrived....none the worse for the wear.

Mosquito spray was used in liberal quantities that day because recent rains brought the bugs out.

Mark and Paula had done this several times in past years, but not this year because Paula was scuba diving.

They were happy to celebrate a successful run down the river.

Give them a cup of hot coffee!
Quote of the day:  A fun annual event.   Mark    < Back to previous story Ahead to next story >

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page last edited 06/23/2013