Honeymoon at Isle Royale (Trip Report)

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It was a year in the making. 365 days to be exact. On August 5, 2010 I proposed to my girlfriend, Gretchen, and we were married on August 5, 2011.

If some of you will remember, that proposal took place on top of Boulder Peak in Glacier National Park, which was http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=36103 well documented in a previous trip report. It was one of those days that you couldn’t order up to be more perfect. Sapphire blue skies, golden sunshine, views that outlasted infinity, and a gentle breeze that brought nothing but pure mountain joy to the moment.

Since the proposal, backpacking, along with many other things, took a backseat to planning the wedding and getting a new life in order. But what about the honeymoon? Where to go? We had contemplated Europe. Ah, the exhilaration of taking a nine-hour plane ride over the Atlantic and stepping onto foreign soil was quite tempting...and expensive.

What about a backpacking honeymoon? Well, yes, but we wanted something a bit more ‘exotic’ to us. Gretchen loved kayaking on the small lakes and streams in our beloved Wisconsin Northwoods, and I had been eyeing the Alpacka packraft fleet for some time. The decision was made. We would get two Alpacka rafts and plan a packrafting trip for our honeymoon. Was it cheaper than a week in Europe? Well, after all was said and done, maybe not, but we’ll have the packrafts for a very, very long time, and the memories that accompanied our trip will be ours forever.

I don’t quite remember exactly how the decision was made to packraft Isle Royale National Park, but I do know that BackpackingLight was a factor. I corresponded with BPL members including David Chenault, Roman Dial, and Sam Haraldson about packrafting and about Isle Royale. I’d like to thank them and the BPL community for all their invaluable help.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Itinerary: August 10-18, 2011
Introduction
Departing for Isle Royale
Arrival upon Isle Royale
Hiking and Packrafting Isle Royale
Travis's Gear List
Gretchen's Gear List

# WORDS: 8000
# PHOTOS: 41

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Viewing 24 posts - 1 through 24 (of 24 total)

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Posts
Jun 19, 2012 at 7:32 pm #1291194

Stephanie Jordan
Spectator

@maia
Locale: Rocky Mountains

Companion forum thread to:

Honeymoon at Isle Royale (Trip Report)

Jun 19, 2012 at 8:19 pm #1888477

Anne Flueckiger
BPL Member

@annefluke
Locale: Northern Minnesota

Thanks for the report (and too bad about the unfriendly ranger). Isle Royale was my first backpacking trip (1990), and I'm buying a packraft this summer to expand my options for travel. Best wishes for your future adventures together!

Jun 19, 2012 at 8:19 pm #1888478

Dan @ Durston Gear
BPL Member

@dandydan
Locale: Canadian Rockies

Awesome trip. Thanks for writing this up.

Jun 19, 2012 at 8:36 pm #1888485

David Chenault
BPL Member

@davec
Locale: Queen City, MT

I approve of the purple tie.

Nice article, too. ;)

Jun 19, 2012 at 8:43 pm #1888488

Ken Thompson
BPL Member

@here
Locale: Right there

Wow! A really fantastic report there Travis. Thanks so much for putting that together. I'm going to go back and read it again.

Jun 19, 2012 at 10:51 pm #1888523

Tad Englund
BPL Member

@bestbuilder
Locale: Pacific Northwest

What a great report- and thank you for putting the last picture in-

BTW Travis, I think you really married above your pay scale- Gretchen is a gem (not to many females would be willing to take this adventure as a honeymoon and really enjoy it)

Jun 19, 2012 at 11:08 pm #1888527

Steven Paris
BPL Member

@saparisor
Locale: Pacific Northwest

Well, it's no "Penthouse Forum" story . . . but I guess it will do.

Seriously, congratulations and what an excellent start to a life being there for each other.

You have some amazing pictures to share. And, like so many other trip reports about places I probably won't get to in the near future, I immediately open a new tab with Google Maps to follow the story as best I can.

Jun 20, 2012 at 7:37 am #1888601

Jerry Adams
BPL Member

@retiredjerry
Locale: Oregon and Washington

Great report! Great trip!

Funny story about the ranger. Some people just have a bad attitude. Good that his negative energy didn't infect you : )

Jun 20, 2012 at 8:15 am #1888610

BER —
BPL Member

@ber
Locale: Wisconsin

Congratulations Travis and Gretchen!
An excellent start to what will hopefully be a lifetime of happiness.
Wonderfully written report as well, and some awesome photos.

Jun 20, 2012 at 8:16 am #1888611

Mark Ries
Spectator

@mtmnmark
Locale: IOWAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Sniff Sniff that was beautiful man Sniff. Your a lucky man Travis very nice trip. Next time bring some water wings and write cost guard approved on them with a sharpie, the look on that rangers face when he asks to see a life jacket… priceless.

Jun 20, 2012 at 9:14 am #1888634

Corey Downing
BPL Member

@hardcorey
Locale: Denver

Just a month after your honeymoon is when I proposed to my soon-to-be wife! Was great to see all of the pictures that bring back the memories. A packraft is definitely on my list of future gear acquisitions and this report makes me want one even more!

Jun 20, 2012 at 10:11 am #1888658

Kenneth Knight
BPL Member

@kenknight
Locale: SE Michigan

I took my Alpacka llama to Isle Royale some 5 hers ago and had a pretty good trip. I'm glad others are doing it. I have always intended to return to visit more of the interior lakes like you did. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 20, 2012 at 12:18 pm #1888704

Sam Haraldson
BPL Member

@sharalds
Locale: Gallatin Range

Another fine trip report from you, Travis. Isle Royale is a pretty dang special place – glad you two went for it!

ps – this is one of my favorite stats to add to conversations:

Ryan Island is the largest island in the largest lake on the largest island in the largest freshwater lake in the world

Jun 20, 2012 at 1:00 pm #1888720

Steve Meier
BPL Member

@smeier
Locale: Midwest

Thanks for the write up. I was at Isle Royle a few years ago with my teenage boys with the intention to hike a loop along the shoreline and then back down the spine. We found the shore so beautiful that we changed our plans on the spot and never left the coast. We watched the kayakers and canoers with envy (and packrafters had we seen any), wishing we could visit the islands unreachable by foot. A great way to honeymoon!

Jun 20, 2012 at 1:30 pm #1888731

Ike Jutkowitz
BPL Member

@ike
Locale: Central Michigan

Awesome. A perfect blend of stunning photography and lucid prose.
And congratulations- You two look perfect for each other.

Jun 20, 2012 at 1:36 pm #1888733

MFR
Spectator

@bigriverangler
Locale: West

Excellent trip report, Travis, and even more beautiful pictures. You make me want to buy packrafts (well–I already wanted to do that) and head up to the waters to give it a try. Stunning.

Jun 20, 2012 at 1:43 pm #1888735

Tim Drescher
BPL Member

@timdcy
Locale: Gore Range

Despite living in Northern Minnesota for a few years I never got up to the Royale. Thanks for giving me inspiration to do so!

With the constant pestering/belittling, that ranger would have had to kick me off the island. Good on you for keeping your cool and taking the higher ground!

Jun 20, 2012 at 10:03 pm #1888872

Paul Backus
Member

@backuspaul
Locale: Bellingham, WA

Isle Royale was my first serious backpacking trip when I graduated from high school (2006). We went back again in 2008. I haven't been back yet but it's always been special to me, and I hope to visit again! I wanted to kayak, but it sounds like a packraft might be the way to go, especially after portaging on the last canoe trip I did.

Jun 20, 2012 at 11:17 pm #1888884

Travis Leanna
BPL Member

@t-l
Locale: Wisconsin

Hi all,
I just want to thank you all for your kind words! I also want to thank Addie and Daniel for working through the publication process with me. They were graciously patient!

I've not been on BPL for a while but it is solely due to a very busy schedule right now, and not for a lack of interest. I'll do my best to keep an eye on this thread and answer any questions and participate in discussion.

Enjoy!

Jun 21, 2012 at 8:24 am #1888933

Philip Poirier
Member

@adventureseeker

Wow! Thanks for taking us with you. (Almost) Very well written and great photos. I must say I'm a bit envious of the pack rafts. I have a trip planned for the end of August this year and now, being an avid paddler, I wish I had one for this trip. I guess I just need to make plans for a second exploration! Again thanks for the report and congratulations.

Jun 22, 2012 at 2:53 pm #1889322

Kristin Tennessen
BPL Member

@ktenness
Locale: Bay Area

I agree- the Double Rainbow is one of the most romantic accommodations in existence.

Jun 23, 2012 at 9:49 am #1889493

Tim Zen
Spectator

@asdzxc57
Locale: MI

Awesome trip report. And you are coming up to your one year anniversary.

Travis, I like how your tie compliments Gretchen's shoes. Very nice.

Jun 26, 2012 at 10:30 am #1890255

Rob Daly
BPL Member

@rdaly-2
Locale: outdoors amap

Great story. Thanks for sharing. Isle royale is my favorite place to backpack. I've been there 4 times now and it never gets old.

Jun 26, 2012 at 1:48 pm #1890310

Gary Dunckel
BPL Member

@zia-grill-guy
Locale: Boulder

Thanks so much for sharing this story with us, Travis. Great writing, superb photos, and seasoned by a crappy ranger. We've missed you on the forums, but your trip report makes up for that. Good luck to you and Gretchen!
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