My husband and I are back from our vacation in the Boundary Waters area and Lake Superior. I had such a good time. The Boundary Waters area has some remote places in it; we didn't have cell service or internet service unless we went into Ely (which we didn't). It was strange to spend a week with very little contact with the outside world. We did some kayaking in some awesome lakes. To get to one lake we had to portage our kayaks 81 rods (a quarter of a mile). The lakes in this area are so crystal clear and quiet. We were able to paddle for several miles without seeing another person or man-made structures! I can't think of a better way to relieve the stress of every day living. It was thrilling to me to also view ancient pictographs while paddling on one lake. If you want to be a bit more adventurous, you can choose to paddle in with camping gear and camp for a night or two. We didn't do that, but I can imagine the spectacular celestial view you would get at night; you might even see the northern lights! I feel fortunate that I live within a 4 hour drive of an area that still retains its natural wildness and beauty. From the Boundary Waters we traveled 2 hours to Lake Superior. This is another gem that is thankfully, close to my home. Lake Superior is like a small ocean except with fresh water. We spent time walking the shores in search of Lake Superior agates, sitting and watching the waves come in, and even kayaking the lake. The water is so clear we could see the boulders that were at the bottom. This is also the area with the Superior Hiking Trail. My husband and I did several hikes on this trail, following large rushing rivers up into the high "mountains" that are in this area. We got plenty of fresh air and exercise during our week's vacation! I can always tell if a vacation has been great by how tired I am when I come home, and I was exhausted after this trip!