Greetings Packsack Friends! We hope this letter finds you all in good health, holiday spirits, and also finds you longing for the next open water season!
As we wrap up the year 2021, we look back on another unusual year. 2021 was meet with another busy May, June, and July, only to have the season come to a screaming halt, come mid-August. Due to forest fires in the area. The Forest Service decided to close the park for 2 weeks, reopening Labor Day Weekend. Our area was so plagued with drought and low water levels that it also was great challenge for boat and motor users. However, with all of the challenges the summer brought, we still find ourselves VERY blessed and VERY thankful for all of the customers who make every day at Packsack enjoyable!
Another reason to feel blessed, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl Adilee Hazel into this world this last January 6th. She is happy and healthy, and at 11 months she is ready to take on the world (or so she thinks)! With the help of Nana Jane, she was able to spend the entire summer with us and meet many new friendly faces. We were also blessed to have the help of Ryan Senne and Joey Rova this summer. We could not have asked for a better team!
Along with our amazing return clients, we also met many new faces this past summer! Wilderness vacations are becoming more and more popular and the Boundary Waters again saw record numbers before the closure. Due to the increase in visitors the past couple of summers, the Forest Service recently made a decision that could possibly have a negative impact on our community and economy by reducing numbers of permits available at certain entry points. Due to this reduction, it has never been more important to begin planning for future adventures as soon as possible! This year’s permit “go live” date is Wednesday January 26th at 9:00 am. Permits will again be sold on a first come, first serve basis on the Forest Service website: www.recreation.gov. If you are planning a trip this coming summer, please contact us ASAP to discuss options regarding obtaining your permit. We will have more information on permits including a complete list of the permit reductions soon on our website: www.packsackcanoetrips.com, under the “Our News” page.
We are always attempting to introduce the new to Packsack while also maintaining the old charm. Last season, we added some new Alumicraft boats to the fleet, as well as the new “Party Pontoon”, some new motors, and canoes. Also, with the help of our employee Ryan, Gene, and our neighbor Darren Peterson there is a new look to our shoreline…we rebuilt our seawall and managed to keep the beach as well!
Packsack will be attending a few sport shows this coming winter. As long as COVID does not change our plans, we will be attending the following shows:
· Chicagoland Sports Show. Schaumburg, IL January 27th-30th
· Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show. Indianapolis, IN February 18th-27th
· Red River Valley Sportsman’s Boat, Camping & Vacation show. Fargo, ND March 3rd-6th
· Northwest Sports Show. Minneapolis, MN March 11th-13th
· Eastern Iowa Sports Show. Cedar Falls, IA March 11th-13th
We would love to visit with you at these shows! If you can’t make it…just give us a call or send an email and we can start planning your 2022 adventure with you.
We cannot express enough how much we appreciate your business and friendship. We hope that your Holiday season is being spent with loved ones, and doing the holiday traditions that make you feel happy and loved! Best of luck paddling through another year of life, and we will see you next year!
-Nick, Danielle, and Adilee Ott
Packsack Canoe Trips & Log Cabins
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