Drew's canoeing high adventure

BOUNDARY WATERS, Minn. - Rod Millett is an elementary teacher in Ashwaubenon by trade, which leaves his summers open for another of his true passions, the outdoors.

"I love the solitude, the beauty of it, the tranquility," said Millett, "the opportunity to be out in nature, away from noise."

Millett's wilderness of choice, the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, thousands of acres of lakes and wilderness that enthusiasts crave. However, while pitctoresque and inviting, this isn't a sunday paddle.

 "Be prepared for anything," said Millett.  "Rain, waves, animals other people, be prepared. "

"It's a two-edged sword," said Ranger Tom, a US Forest Ranger stationed in the Boundary Waters about the tranquility of the area.  "Sometimes people tend to get blasé about it, and nature can come back to bite you"

With bears and other dangerous wildlife, precautions have to be taken, like keeping your food tethered in a tree to keep it out of reach off nosy critters.

Out in the Wilderness, you also learn fast that canoeing isn't the only thing you do when on a canoe trip.

However, the trip is not just paddling, but also portaging, carrying things from lake to lake. The canoes weigh about 75 pounds, and the packs the same, so if you bring it in, you have be able to take it from lake to lake.

For young people who make the rugged trip into the land of no cell towers, it is an eye opener, leaving their electronics behind for the call of loons, and video games for really living.

"You forget it.  Once you are out there and see the beauty, you forget everything, the wants and nice things of the modern day," said 18 year old Steven Vanderheyden of Green Bay.

For the nature lover, feeling at one with the land is an important part of the experience, and the quiet of the canoe is a perfect way to feel that connection.

To see Drew Smith's video blog of his trip to the Boundary Waters, click here.