The Boundary Waters - a land of water & sky
Morning light filtered through the thin nylon as I zipped open my sleeping bag. Outside, the faint sounds of water lapping against the shore drifted through the walls of my tent. Deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, I dressed quickly, went outside, and grabbed a canoe pack. Then, I snatched up the water bag and headed down to the lakeshore. At the water's edge, I paused as I gazed down into the dark, endless blue of the deep. A fish darted beneath the surface and between a jumble of rocks. Farther out, I spotted a swan gracefully feeding in the reedy shallows. As the sun stretched its warming rays above the pines, the quiet world around me began to stir to life.
I dipped the water bag into the lake, letting the cool, clean water wash over my hands. The day promised to be warm, and I imagined we’d take a swim in the bay later. Hanging the water bag in a tree to filter, I filled a pot and carried it back to our makeshift kitchen. The camp stove sputtered as I lit the flame, staring as the blue light grew steady beneath the pot.
I’m a wilderness guide in northern Minnesota, spending over 100 days a year in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Every day, I see firsthand how vulnerable this pristine, wilderness is to the potential impact of mining pollution.
Our campsite was tucked in a small corner of the lake, our front views dominated by a pine-clad island. A large eagle’s nest rested precariously high in a towering white pine. It was home to a young juvenile who had been serenading us for the past couple of days. The fluffy brown bird got particularly vocal when its parents returned with food. The parents spent much of the day somewhere along the shore, searching for fish and small reptiles.
My focus shifted back to the pot, the water now at a boil. Grabbing a tea bag, I dropped it in the mug before pouring the slightly tannin-stained water into the cup.
Every sip I take reminds me just how precious that water is.
Time to go and greet the morning. I stepped out onto a flat slab of rock—a smooth, gray hunk of the Canadian Shield—and sat, waiting for the water to cool. The lake shimmered, its surface dancing with ripples of gold, yellow, and blue as sunlight filtered through the trees.
A short while later, I began to prepare for the day's paddling journey. I turned to the filtered water hanging from the tree and filled my bottle. I always have the same instinct: to take a sip right away. The cool, pure water awakens my body. There was no chemical flavor, no metallic aftertaste, just simple, sweet clarity.
The water. This land—this Wilderness—is a place unbound by water and sky. We travel and live because of the water. With every stroke of the paddle, I’m reminded of this liquid landscape and how deeply it resonates with me.
The animals know it too; they trust that it will always be here for them. Those of us who have spent time in places like this understand it deeply. But with that knowledge comes a responsibility. We are stewards of this wilderness, of this water. To protect these lakes and rivers is to protect all of life and future generations.
These pure waters flow downstream into tributaries and eventually into Canada (after all the watershed of the Boundary Waters is unique in that it flows north!). Every drop matters. And every decision we make, big or small, ripples through this land, for better or worse. And every decision we make, big or small, ripples through this land, for better or worse. It’s up to us to protect this wild place, for ourselves and for the generations to come.
That’s where you can make a direct and positive impact - today! Join me in making a gift to the organization that is leading the fight to speak loudly for this quiet place, Save the Boundary Waters. Plus, every dollar you give before midnight on December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Help ensure that Save the Boundary Waters has the resources to preserve the Boundary Waters for generations to come.
For the Wilderness,
Pam Wright
Pam Wright is a journalist, owner of Soka Outdoors, and a winter camping and summer canoe guide in the BWCAW.
