I am sure my comments will irritate some people- so be it.
I grew up in northern Wisconsin, with many tourists coming into our small town (Boulder Jct) and claiming it as their own for 3 months of the year. Obviously much empathy developed, and still exists, as our lakes have been decayed by development wrought by read real estate brokers and city folk (read Milwaukee and Chicago) looking for their "summer home" away from their real home. As a result, I have searched everywhere for the solitude of my youth, and found it back in the 70's in Quetico. I have been there many many times with friends, my wife, my kids and alone. Last summer we went in through Beaverhouse and I was sickend by the number of people sent through by outfitters (many 3 to a canoe), and the poor condition of the campsites. I can honestly say that I experienced this place in the good old days. Now it has become another piece of land that the human race will literally love to death! If we truly love Quetico, then we should put forth the effort to protect it from the commercial operations
that only see dollar signs instead of the beauty of its facets. This is the differance from the BWCA- there are no "power portages", no waiting in line, no searching for open camp areas, and until recently everyone paddled a different type and color of canoe. There still are some secret places, but they are becoming less secret all the time. The majority calls this progress. The people that truly know Quetico call it rape. We need to protect this resource for following generations at all costs. How can a non-resident of Canada become involved in protecting a provincial park? I certainly hope it does not go the direction of the BWCA. I do realize that the native people have to make a living, but some restrictions need to be maintained regarding this resource.
Randy, if you have not been there, then go now. Soon it will be no different than the BWCA.

Posted by Gimpy on October 31, 2000 at 01:46