Wolfing down the North Country

We spent much of the day in and around Ely. Since we neglected to pack the cables that let us download photos from any of our cameras to our laptop, and we're too lazy to email ourselves some photos, new pictures will be available during the upcoming week.

Our visit to the International Wolf Center didn't disappoint. Although we arrived about mid-day, not the best time for viewing the wolves, most of the members of the resident pack presented themselves for observation and photos. Local ravens added alternative subjects and acted as expected when members of the pack approached them. (We've got our fingers crossed that our lens' troubles with focus through a window were minimal or nonexistent. Time, and access to the proper cables, will tell.)

can you guess where in Minnesota, and in which month, this was taken?

Photo by J. Harrington

We also visited Piragis Northwoods Company and after inspecting their other departments (camping, canoeing, hiking, gifts, etc.) made a pleasant discovery that their entire second floor is a book store. Yes, we bought more books, but only a few, just part of our efforts to support local businesses and local economies, you know. (We now wonder if Amazon will ever find it advantageous to try drone delivery in Minnesota's North Woods.)

Another aspect of support to local businesses involved an extended stay at a table in Northern Grounds. The cappuccino was delicious, once it cooled enough to taste, and nicely accompanied the ghost-frosted sugar cookie we munched our way through.

 Meeting Wolf 

by Mary Oliver

There are no words

inside his mouth,

inside his golden eyes.

So we stand, silent,

both of us tense

under the speechless but faithful trees.

And this is what I think:

I have given him

intrusion.

He has given me

a glimpse into a better but now broken world.

Not his doing, but ours.

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