Loon's Echo Wilderness Retreat
by Carla J. Eskew-Erickson (a65)
ORR - In the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, the red pines grow tall, the lakes sparkle, wild animals roam and the crisp air is fresh. Society has yet to spoil this part of the country by dotting it with gas stations, restaurants and shopping malls. Many would love to spend a few days enjoying God's Country without becoming pioneers. And, Loon's Echo Wilderness Retreat is the perfect place to do so. The Northern Minnesota forest hides six authentic log cabins along the Vermillion River. The hand-hewed log cabins, originally built in 1920s, were moved log by log from Tanglewood Resort on Moose Lake to the banks of the river five years ago. Now the owners, Maggie and Pete Jung, offer these cabins as an escape from the world. Each is decorated with quilts, oil lamps, braided rugs and bits of Minnesota life-canoe photo frames and statues of loons. They also feature electricity and indoor plumbing.
The Jung's 20 acres is nestled on the edge of Superior National Forest. But its not like parks in the Midwest where people are plentiful. Not many have discovered this beautiful countryside. The most people one sees on a journey up north is on the lakes while canoeing or fishing. Wildlife is more common.
The river is filled with northern pike, walleye and bass, some weighing in at 20 pounds. Timber wolves, black bear, moose and bald eagles also call the woods "home."
The closest restaurant and grocery store to Loon's Echo is about 20 miles away in Buyck. The closest gas station is 40 miles away in Orr. This is not a resort. It is truly a wilderness retreat. "I love the idea that you're in such a wilderness area. You are completely secluded but at the same time you have the comfort of a log cabin," Maggie Jung said. "You kind of feel like you're in the movies."
The Jung's knew immediately when they first saw the property that it was perfect. They purchased Loon's Echo, formerly a bed and breakfast known as North Country Retreat, in fall 1998. The couple grew up in the Chicago suburbs but always vacationed in the Boundary Waters, which offered the Jungs and their two sons the chance to camp, canoe and simply enjoy the 'great outdoors. The Jungs only regret is that they did not discover the property 20 years ago and make Northern Minnesota home. But their loss is everyone else's gain. The Jungs want to share their piece of the wild with all nature lovers.
No one should miss the opportunity to drive down Echo Trail, which truly must be the last wilderness road in the lower 48 states. It is not uncommon to see a timber wolf with her pups or a black bear meandering along the old road. Moose tracks often are seen between the paths of the cabins. Visitors to the retreat can enjoy the use of the Jungs' canoes and bikes. In the canoes, the 'water highway' connects many lakes making each bend a new adventure. The Canadian border is just 30 miles away by water. The Vermilion River is more like a lake near Loon's Echo. Minnesota natives call the stretch of the river, 'Eight-Mile Lake.' The cabins, secluded in the woods, are situated on a 100 foot cliff that overlooks the water. The largest cabin, Wild Loon, has seven rooms and three stone fireplaces. The living room has a vaulted ceiling with log rafters. The combination of quiet music playing on the CD player, a soft glowing fire in the hearth and the log furniture will convince even the most ardent city lover that the wilderness is a place all can enjoy.
A stay in the wild at Loon's Echo does not have to be filled with stereotypical camping entrees. The Wild Loon kitchen is a chef's dream with a six burner stove. For couples looking for a romantic getaway or a young family wanting to enjoy the wilderness, Loon's Echo offers smaller one- and two-room cabins down the shore. All five cabins can be rented. A group of friends, a family reunion, a corporate retreat can own their own piece of the wilderness for a week. More than 1,300 feet of shoreline and miles of canoeing, hiking and biking trails await. But for those who ache for a bit of civilization, the quaint resort town of Ely is just 50 miles from the retreat. Ely features restaurants, specialty shops and outfitters. International Falls, a Canadian Border town, is about 90 miles away. Voyager National Park features boat tours of the lake, as well as motor boat and house boat rentals. After a day out, it is nice to return to Loon's Echo to play cards, fish and watch the sun set over the lake.
It is difficult to believe that a piece of truly rugged wilderness still exists. But moments after arriving, one realizes they have escaped the ringing telephones, noisy traffic and aggravation of everyday life. The sounds of the trees rustling in the wind, water lapping at the shore and the loon's echo quickly erase daily tensions. A visit to Loon's Echo Wilderness Retreat will be an expedition the family will not soon forget. The memories of towering pines, bright blue lakes and wild animals will bring you back time and time again.
