Perhaps you’ll arrive to Ely this morning or have landed the night before.

In the afternoon, we’ll meet our wonderful guide Lynne Anne, from Piragis Outfitters.

Lynn Anne will guide us through our trip prep logistics like looking at the map, sorting thru food (including deciding how much coffee and what kind of teas we’ll bring!) and distribute the gear so that we can wake up the next day ready to get out on the water.

Rest well in your room at Canoe-On-Inn, a quaint mom and pop motel in Ely, Minnesota — the “gateway to the Boundary Waters”.

Wake up around 7am and walk to a local cafe to grab your coffee or tea and breakfast.

We’ll catch our 30-minute shuttle from town at 9am and be on the water before lunch!

Gently step into the canoes and begin to acclimate to this meditative way of travel with your canoe-mates.

We will find our way on the water and with our first portaging, ensuring we take breaks along the way to appreciate the beauty and majesty of these sacred lands and waters.

Arrive to our first backcountry site, set up camp (it gets easier every time!), join for our first council around the fire before resting into the dreamtime.

Morning meditation & stretching anyone?

Pack up camp & head out onto the water around 10am for 3-5 hours of paddling with breaks for snacks, lunch & community check-ins along the way.

This will be our first full day in the backcountry and we will begin to orient more towards your intention for coming on the retreat.

Journaling and deep listening practices woven in throughout the day.

This time, set up camp knowing it will be home for 2 nights.

Rest your bones and soul in the natural hot springs alongside a desert palm oasis.

Morning meditation. 1:1 check in’s and time to just be.

As the evening approaches you will begin to prepare for solo, 24 hours of noble silence.

Wake up with the sun & begin your solo, often one of peoples favorite days.

Although still together, we will spend the day paddling in noble silence. No need to make conversation or entertain, simply drop in and commune with the animals, nature, and yourself.

Paddle 3-5 hours, with breaks for snacks, lunch & maybe a swim along the way.

Set up camp and give your body what it needs, maybe rest, a stretch, or inner contemplation.

Supported by your wild sisters, you will be invited to share your experience of solo around the fire before resting into the dreamtime.

Another opportunity to start the day with functional movement and meditation.

Pack up camp & paddle 3-5 hours with breaks for snacks, lunch & community check-ins along the way.

Whew! Set up camp and celebrate another full day in the wilderness and on the water! Share a final council in the backcountry together.

At this point you’ll know the morning rhythm!

Perhaps our biggest paddling day yet!

Plan to paddle closer to 5 hours as we make our way toward our shuttle pick-up location where we’ll be scooped up by our lovely outfitters around 3 or 4pm.

Take a breath, savoring the wilds within and without as we prepare to cross the threshold back into modernity.

Sort through gear before loading up for the 30-minute drive back to town where we’ll land back at our motel for the evening.

Indulge in a shower and the amenities of the “front country”! You did it! Well done!

Say goodbyes and head home or perhaps choose to stay an extra day or two to soak up the small-town charm of northern Minnesota!!