The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-02-19
TALL timber
TALES
Nv II TT
BY A. <. u.

How did canoe travel in the border
country last year compare with the
preceding one?
The United States Forest Service
conservatively estimates it at 20 pei
cent greater. That is, for every loo
parties that went out in 1910, there
were 100 in 1941.
The Forest Service keeps accurate
records of travel in the Superior Ma
tional Forest, and its figures can be
accepted as the best available.
Actually the increase may have been
considerably more, but the very lowest
figure was given out.
Moreover, canoe travel has shown a
gradual increase for many years, and
it is not on the decline.
Two of the largest canoe outfitters
in the Minnesota Arrowhead together
send out about 1000 vacation-bound
paddlers yearly. They are located right
here, logically enough, at the gateway
to the canoe country.
They are the Border Lakes Quitting
company operated by Sig Olson, and
the wilderness Outftters, managed by
Bob Watts.
During the height of the season in
August it is not uncommon that their
warehouses are entirely stripped of
canoes, which total nearly ITS.
And uniformed statements and
opinions to the contrary, the canoeists
use the time-honored and acceptable
wilderness method of locomotion, the
lowly paddle.
Incidentally these two firms are
probably among the worlds greatest
canoe outf1tters, for right here is the
globes most extensive and widely used
canoe country.
They estimate that 5000 canoeists
yearly use Ely as jumping off place.
What the present summer holds in
store for the outfitters remains to be
seen, but, humanity enough, they fear
their business will suffer, while at the
same time see a rosy picture for the
resort operators. 1t is safe to say,
without inquiring, that the resorters
view the situation the other way
around.
Crux of the problem is the restric-
ton on the use of automobiles. But
there are several questions to be an
swered regarding the trek of nature
lovers into the North Country.
Will persons who have the means
travel by train, and refuse to let the
car restrictions keep them from their
annual vacation?
Will persons of lesser wealth "saVe
up" for a vacation by eliminating all
unnecessary auto travel?
wilderness lovers who have been
accustomed to coming here once or
twice a summer will let nothing short
of wild horses stop them from coming
again, car restrictions or no car re-
strictions. Local residents who have
been here for years lose sight of this
compelling force that drives city folks
to the solitude of the Lakes and tall
timber
This force can be compared with
that which drives waterfowl on their
flights.
Americas tires are not worn out yet
by any means, and with care and
careful driving they'll last for many
thousands of miles.
Merle Moltrup, forest service pilot
who is on "leave of absence" with
Douglass Aircraft corporation, Santa
Monica, Calf, as test pilot, is look
ing forward to spending another sum-
mer here, and apparently is so anxious
to return that it is foremost in his
mind (not to mention the problems in
volved in testing four-motor bombers0
In a letter received by friends here,
Moltrup mentioned spending another
summer in the wilderness no less than
10 or IL times. Moltrup, whose air
achievements rank him among the
nations most experienced pilots, has
called Ely "home" ever since he came
here as the forests service initial flyer.
n,,1 fI1n fod-