Tripometer – 2717 mi
Gas Gauge – 200.724
Location – Fall Lake Campground, Ely, MN
Lodging – $26
Cans of OFF – 2
Much to Kelly’s delight our campsite for the week is about six miles from the International Wolf Center, just this side of Ely. At lunchtime today we went and saw the wolves having their lunch. The Wolf Center has a pack of about 7 wolves of different types, currently Northwestern Gray, Plains Gray, and Arctic Gray (neutered).
Every day at noon, the center has what they call a “Wolf Enrichment” program. Sometimes the wolves get a strange or oddly prepared food, sometimes a new object is added to their exhibit, etc. Kelly has had a blast going to watch these events as what she calls “the best lunch hour ever”.
That evening we decided to treat ourselves to a meal in town and went to the Ely Steakhouse for dinner. We had wild rice and cheese soup (a Minnesota staple) and steaks with all the trimmings. The service was great, the food was okay, and the ambiance was authentic 1981, complete with an electronic foosball-in-a-bubble table!
Special Note: We monitor the level of the trailer water tank with a push button gauge that tells us if the tank is empty, 1/3, 2/3 or full. When you’re filling a 26 gallon tank (plus six gallon water heater) with 3.75 gallon collapsible rubber bags you rarely see the 1/3 full light go on. There have been more than a few nights after Paul (the water boy) climbs in bed before Kelly fills the coffee pot for morning. There is always a holding of breath and big sigh of relief when water pot finishes filling.
I’d love to hear more about “Wolf Enrichment”, what are some of the strange additions and foods? Looks like fun to watch!
I think I’m going to need to find some time to get out to Ely in the next couple years – it looks and sounds perfect.