Lake of the Woods, MN — June 13, 2012
There are 14,000 islands in Lake of the Woods. In the distance, they shimmer like a mirage and seem to float across the water as I paddle. Close, they form mazes of channels and bays that twist together to match a hundred places on my map.
Sometimes it feels like an ocean, sometimes a river, sometimes a lake.
Alone, floating in 17 feet of plastic, it is a game of wind and space.
I feel the shadow of islands, the way the water calms behind the broken wind. I feel the space open up and the waves grow tall and sharp. I feel the quiet lulls and first drops of rain. I hide. I rush. I pick my way, rising and falling with the waves.
As the wind shifts, so does the game, but I keep playing, moving across 14,000 islands one-by-one.
Predictably Lost 
I would never have known what this area is like until you explored and shared it with us so poetically. Now I have gone there. Ahhhh. Thank you, Daniel.
After reading your blog, I read where this is one of the largest freshwater lakes in North America. It’s like an inland sea. Thanks for letting us follow along!
It felt a lot like paddling the keys out there. An ocean for sure. I can’t wait to see what Superior has to say about “little” Lake of the Woods!
Daniel, I am one of the fishing buddies that gave you a ride to the angle. So glad the weather changed and you could get on. I might see you again as I live in central MN and know a lot of the places you will travel. Enjoy the BWCA !
Thanks Thomas! You all saved me on the side of the road there. If there is a middle of nowhere, that was it! Hope to see you down the route somewhere!