The Allure of Wild

Ranger Jenna on a backpacking trip.

Bridget Byrne

A boat ride to a destination out of sight.
A plunge in Lake Superior after days on the trail.
A lullaby of loons at a lakeside campsite.
A moose impeding the path to the privy.
A chance howling of wolves under a starlit sky.

The desire to know “wild” unites many who have spent time on Minong, which is the Ojibwe word for Isle Royale, meaning “the Good Place.” The Ojibwe, who have visited Minong from time immemorial, know this wild as a place of sustenance, tradition, and abundance. Others are drawn to the peace, freedom, and serenity Minong has to offer. While immersed in wilderness, many take lessons from the island.

The first of my many lessons was one of self-reliance. This initiation involved removing 12 leeches from my feet after soaking bloody blisters in Chickenbone Lake on my inaugural solo backpacking trip. My stamina for enduring discomfort grew with each leech I dislodged. It was this wilderness immersion that allowed me to realize the power of my own self-reliance. This became my favorite wild teaching so far – learning who I was when no one could bear witness, alone under nature’s gaze.

Jenna Behnke, Park Ranger