Images of Grand Portage National Monument – Northern Minnesota, taken in August 2017.

Known to the Ojibwe Indians as Kitchi Onigaming – The Great Carrying Place, Grand Portage National Monument preserves the Northwest Company depot on the shores of Lake Superior which was the gateway to the 8.5 mile overland portage bypassing a treacherous stretch of the Pigeon River.

Timing can be everything and I was lucky enough to be visiting this monument on the weekend of the “Rendezvous” a yearly gathering of late 18th and early 19th century enthusiasts re-enacting the annual gathering of Voyageurs, Ojibwe Indians, North West Company officials and French Canadian Soldiers celebrating the trading success of the previous year.

All participants are required to be in and use authentic period clothing, tools and camp utensils and show no signs of modern technology of any kind. There were workshops, games and programs scheduled throughout the day and visitors were allowed to roam through the encampments and interact with the re-enactors who were well versed in the history of the period. It all made visiting this site much more interesting and engaging.

Finally I was also able to see Isle Royal, 22 miles from Grand Portage, the site of Isle Royal National Park; my destination on Sunday and the 59th and my last National Park to be visited.