Canoes

In the "warehouse" outside the stockade at Grand Portage National Monument in northern Minnesota. These are (real) birch canoes, and the larger ones are in the fashion of those used by the Voyageurs to navigate the Great Lakes. One of the canoes is sixty years old, which is apparently ancient for this technology. Not sure how often it gets used, though evidently these all get into the water occasionally.

The park interpreter in this building was discussing the Voyageurs, and the portage, and Alexander Mackenzie's discovery of a route to the Pacific. Although the post was not in Canada, it was staffed by Canadians and the interpreters tend to have Canadian viewpoints. Refreshing, really, in an American National Park.