Ely, MN Oct. 13th, 2004

I made it to my destination of Ely on my birthday and my goal was to stop at Piragis and buy my first kevlar canoe and kayak. I took the kayak and would later pick up my canoe in Winona when I got home. I also stopped at my favorite photographer's gallery in Ely. Jim Brandenburg lives in Ely and just so happened to stop in as I was there. I was fortunate enough for the chance to meet him as I was looking for some of his work to display on my walls at home. I found plenty and got a picture with him and some autographed issues of National Geographic with his articles in it. He worked for NG in the past.

It was a great birthday to spend in Ely and at Bearskin lodge.