Today we hit the road back to Brainerd and say goodbye to Ely. As I type this blog at the Front Porch coffee shop, I wonder if I’m leaving a day (or week) too early. This part of the state has always held something special for me and I’ll be sad to leave it. That just means I’ll have to come back.
The people at Veterans on the Lake Resort took great care of me. Please visit their website and try to find a way to help them out.
Jim Riley and I were able to get out and chase walleyes and smallies again and while the weather was starting to stabilize, the fish were still not cooperating. We put a few small ones in the boat, but nothing to write home about. “You should have been here last week.” The famous phrase was heard a few times while I was in town.
If you’re in the Ely area, you can stop into the Front Porch to pick up our latest issue of Minnesota Sporting Journal magazine. You can also pick it up at Voyager North Outfitters.
People are constantly surprising me. Just when I start to give up hope on humanity after reading the stories from all over the world, I run into Jill and Dave Olmstead from Savage, MN. After telling them about Veterans on the Lake Resort, they offered a donation to the resort and subscribed to MNSJ Magazine. They run a Veteran-friendly campground, Town and Country RV Park and Campground in Savage and discussed working together with the Wounded Warriors Guide Service.
Once again, Minnesota Nice makes an appearance.
Here are some photos from yesterday:






