Bears and Wolves

Monday we got in, set up and just relaxed, having set up camp by 4pm.  Then the rains came which were predicted.  Tuesday was a downpour so I did laundry while Dave worked on some things inside the RV.  Lazy day.  Wednesday started out raining but cleared (cloudy) by noon so we drove to Ely which is a town that is the major outfitting town for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota.  Our goal was to visit the International Bear Center and the International Wolfe Center, both located within 5 miles of each other in the town of Ely.  We had visited these places 8 years ago and just wanted to see what has changed.  And something to do on a rainy day.

Love the weather vane above entrance

Sculptures outside of entrance, girls playing on them

New wing, very well done

We were stunned, should I say that we did not remember, the outfitting companies that line the street through Ely.  Wow.  Big business and small window to do it.  Our camp hosts told us that when they arrived April 28 to start this season's work, Lake Kabetogama (pronounced Kab-tow-gma with the emphasis on tow) still had ice on it from the shore out about 200 feet. By September it is very chilly, freezing at night and high of only 50 during the day.  Colder here than in Alaska.

Tasha came into viewing area for her treats

Sad story but has happy ending, sorta

Lots of people visiting the wolf center.  New displays explained the history of the wolf, how they live, where they roam, etc.  Did not learn anything new but did get to see 2 wolves as they were called into the viewing area.  Big things.

Next we drove to the bear center where again, lots of people visiting.  That center had not changed much other than upgrading their displays a bit.  Did get to see Tasha the bear who came to the viewing area when called.  She has been at the center since 2016, cannot be reintroduced to the wild since she was raised the first year of her life by a man.  But she seems to be enjoying the good life in captivity.