New product - Darn Tough Socks

We have been looking for a high quality sock that is comfortable to wear, has a great fit and looks good.  Darn Tough socks is a good choice. I have been wearing them for the past two month (Yes, I do change into clean ones) and they have lived up to everything the manufacturer claims. 

Darn Socks comes with a manufacturer unconditional lifetime guarantee..."If you can wear these socks out, we will replace them. Free of charge. No questions asked. For life. When you're really serious about something you make it yourself."

According to the manufacturer website:

Made in Vermont   We live and work in Vermont. Our backyard is the perfect testing ground to make the finest Premium All Weather Performance Socks. We ski, snowboard, hike, bike and run in the most unforgiving climate in the lower 48. It is under these conditions that we design, test and manufacture our socks.
High Density Knitting   More knit stitches per inch equates to durability and cushioning without bulk.
Performance Fit  From form fitting toe boxes to sculpted heel pockets and knit-in elastic support at the arch, our knitting techniques produce the finest fitting performance sock available.
Merino Wool Our custom count, shrink treated Merino wool enhances the comfort and durability that outdoor enthusiasts have come to expect from this fiber.
Coolmax®  Because wool is not for everyone. We use an exclusive Coolmax® blend to create a sock with exceptional softness, durability and superior moisture management.
Full Cushion  Full Cushion socks have dense terry loops that surround the entire foot creating maximum cushioning and warmth without bulk.
Cushion  For those who prefer a sock with less cushioning. Our cushion socks have dense terry loops on the bottom of the foot producing cushioning and warmth without bulk.
Ultra-light  Flat jersey construction to meet the demands of both the shell-fit customer and the Nordic athlete.
Mesh  Open knit mesh construction is lightweight and extremely breathable. It's one fast sock.
Ribbed Knit  Form fitting to the contours of your calf, shin and ankle ensuring a custom fit.
Ribbed Ankle Support  No Slipping. No Bunching. Helps prevent blisters.
Elastic Arch Support   Knit into the arch of all of our socks to provide added endurance.
Ring Toe Construction  Terry loops surrounding the toe create a comfortable invisible seam.

Spirit of the Wilderness Outdoor store and Outfitters, Ely, MN carries a wide selection of Darn Socks and other outdoor clothing and camping gear for you wilderness adventure. Open 6am-9pm daily for you convenience.

BWCA in the Fall

What a great time to visit the Boundary Waters! This October has been great so far. Sure, you can get a rainy and cold day in the fall, but the beautiful warm sunny days really help make up for the chance of rain. The weekends are the busy time of the fall. Pick a start date mid-week and you may not see many people.

We have had some great color change in the leaves. It's a little past peak, but still looking pretty good. The next few days the forecast is calling for sunny and 70 to 77 degrees. There is nothing better than walking through the wood and hearing the crunch of leaves on the ground and smelling the pine trees. A warm fall day is something to cherish.

Signs of Moose on Big Moose Hiking Trail

I ventured out to the Big Moose Lake hiking trail, located about 28 miles North of Ely on the Echo Trail. The 2.5 mile walk to the lake starts out very smooth and easy, but eventually gets a little more rugged. There are spots that can be rather rocky and a couple of stretches in the low areas were very wet and boggy. The trail winds through multiple Aspen and Jack pine stands of trees before emerging at the lake shore, which is in a sheltered bay. To the left of the landing was a campsite on a point that looks like it would be a nice place to camp. There were big tent pads right on the shoreline and decent fishing from shore. While we rested at the lake I witnessed a fisherman trolling the bay in his canoe. He caught a number of Small Mouth Bass.

One great thing about this area is that the terrain and vegetation are prime habitat for moose. While hiking I found signs of moose everywhere I looked. There were piles of scat (poop) and tracks. One of the neatest things was looking six feet up into the Aspen and Maples and seeing all the spots the moose had been browsing (nipping tree buds off and eating them during winter). Along the trail we also found evidence of wolves, pine martins, and owls (again from scat and tracks). Some of the local flora has started to bloom such as the Large Leaf Aster with their tiny white flowers and the bright red berries on the June Berry Bushes.