JOURNEYS WILL RETURN SUMMER 2025

We will be nourishing our bodies with organic, plant-based foods and herbs intended to support each member in connecting deeper with the world around you and within you.

One of my favorite ways to share love is through food – especially food cooked over an open campfire! Traveling in this way does require us to use specific kinds of foods that will be conducive to our circumstances – foods that can be well preserved, kept for a long period of time without refrigeration, are light, easy to eat on the go, and nothing in a can or glass bottle will be what we bring along. Past journeyers have shared that the food was a highlight of the trip. You will be well nourished, we have great fun with this!

We will absolutely accommodate food sensitivities and allergies.

A component of this journey is physical, and can be physically challenging for some. This does not mean that this trip is only for those who have experience in the outdoors – it. is. for. everyone.

Each trip is constructed to support the physical intentions of the group and the individual. Being so remote, the environment of the Boundary Waters requires a new level of engagement with the natural world, which sometimes can look like traveling or canoeing for longer periods of time. Essentially, if you’re looking for a plushy retreat, this may not be the trip for you. There will absolutely be time for rest in a cozy hammock in the arms of mother nature overlooking a pristine body of water. If this sounds interesting to you, you’re ready to join us. All you need is a calling.

Roughly, each day we will travel 3-7 miles by canoe and by foot. When we reach a portage (a trail connecting lakes) we will carry our gear to the next lake. On the routes we journey on, portage length ranges from 1/2 mile to 20 feet. You will sleep in tents. Some days we rise, early – other days we sleep in. We practice restorative yoga daily. Typically, there are one to two rest days in each journey.

There are many entry point locations to access the boundary waters – we go through Ely, Minnesota which is about 4 hours north of Minneapolis. This space is off the grid – there are designated campsites, we travel and orient with a map, cell phone service and electricity are not available, there are minimal people, and no access to a flushable toilet or shower. Most of the time we cook our food over a fire, sleep in tents, travel by foot and canoe, filter lake water to drink, bathe with lake water (away from the lake), and used designated latrines.

The conditions may stretch you – all of this is a part of the process in stripping away – the invitation is to move past the discomfort that may arise being in a space without modern conveniences and fully immerse oneself in the unique opportunity that exists in this space: to be interconnected with nature in a truly intimate way.

Being in the woods presents opportunities to see wildlife, of all kinds – including bear and moose. Although rare, I will make sure to support you with enough information beforehand in case of an encounter. We will be accompanied by our very trusty and loving canoe dog and animal guardian, Abby, who is very good at keeping unwanted visitors away.

It remains a mystery what kind of weather we are to expect – this is part of the fun. What could be expected are sun, rain, wind, hail, thunderstorms, clouds. One of the most beautiful parts of our journey is surrendering to the present moment, a thunder storm or a windy day holds great opportunity to rest with what is and explore our relationship to changes in weather.

We function under the guise that the weather is the weather – it is not good nor bad – it is our relationship to what is happening that creates preferences and limitations. All weather is a gift and divinely delivered. At the same time as your guide, my priority is to act in consideration of safety during all weather occurrences.

The trips are intentionally set Saturday to Saturday or Friday to Friday. In many journeys, the most important part is not the trip, but the preparation before and integration afterwards. Please make sure you have ample time to rest and prepare both before and after the trip. I highly suggest to set aside time to be outside in the days, weeks, and months preceding and following our journey together. To foster a holistic experience, included in our journey curriculum is in depth pre and post trip support.

In my 20 years of time spent in the boundary waters and the last 10 years as a wilderness instructor – working with all ages, backgrounds, and varying levels of experience – I have never had or witnessed a medical emergency. Accidents and injury, although rare – can occur and therefore safety is our number one priority for various reasons. My responsibility is to ensure your safety and care as each one of you rest into this beautiful experience – emotionally, spiritually, and physically. With this in mind, in addition to experience I have received education and certifications in wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, lifeguarding, and paddle sports. As a member of the group, it is important to keep in mind the remoteness of this experience in everything that we take part in. The invitation is for all to be free, playful, and adventurous while remaining aware of the environment and circumstances we find ourselves in.

NO!!! You do not need to have prior camping experience, all you need is a calling to join us. I have hosted complete beginners all the way to advanced campers of all ages and backgrounds on our journeys – there is something for everyone. In the end, we each approach every new journey together as a beginner.

Personal items: clothing, shoes, toiletries, and reading material. Upon joining a journey you will receive a welcome handbook with all the information you need, including a detailed packing list. In addition, Julia will check in with each member at various times prior to the trip to ensure each person is prepared equipment wise.

Yes, you will share a spacious tent home with one or two fellow journeyers.

No, the BWCAW is electricity and cell phone service free. Julia carries a satellite phone on her in case of emergencies.

We gather drinking water from the pure lakes that we venture through. Water is filtered through a gravity filtration equipment.

Each group is carefully and intentionally crafted to support a potent, expansive journey together.

If interested, please schedule a 30 minute introductory call with Julia. Once you have determined this is the journey for you, an intake will be sent and deposit collected.

JOURNEYS WILL RETURN 2025

Our journeys generally fill within 24 hours of trip announcement – to stay up to date please sign up for our emails and join our waitlist. Waitlist members are the first to know.