Erik Simula. Photo courtesy of Cameron Norman from "Superior Artisans: In Praise of Hands" http://buttermoonarts.org/
Erik Simula is a Duluth, Minnesota-born, Finnish-American artist specializing in building traditional birch bark canoes of the Lake Superior Ojibwe and Fur Trade forms. Erik is a former seasonal park ranger and canoe builder at Grand Portage National Monument, and employed as an instructor at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, and as a wilderness guide and musher at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. Erik lives in the bush, subsisting largely on harvesting wild rice, netting fish, hunting, and gathering. Erik keeps a 10-dog team of Alaskan Huskies for hauling firewood, freight, and wilderness guiding.
I wish you well Erik!
My “hat” goes off to you!
Ken Espersen
By: Ken Espersen on July 6, 2009
at 12:46 pm
What an adventure of a lifetime? Many people would think your crazy, but they have never paddle the north woods. I wish you good luck, smooth paddling and fair weather.
Hol-ry
By: Bill Pummell on June 22, 2009
at 3:27 pm
Erik – great to see the news on the trip. Who would have thought it would lead to all of this? Maybe I can bring you some cigars at one of your stops in “civilization” along the route – lol…
Till then, here is wishing you favorable winds and good paddling.
Pat Cox
By: Patrick Cox on June 18, 2009
at 7:35 pm
Hey Erik, Aunt Elvi told me about your trip and I envy your spirit on this amazing journey. Knowing you, I know you’ll succeed and teach us all about dedication and “stick to it tivness”. It’s so heartening to see a “dreamer” make a dream come true.
All our best wishes and love from the Landstrom half of the family.
‘Sis’
By: Myrt (Landstrom) Koen on May 19, 2009
at 10:24 am
Erik,
I have never met you but I now am interested in your journey. You met my husband (Robin) on Sunday, May 17, 2009 in Cloquet. He was on his way to church and saw you down by the water (he was late to have his picture taken with our Godson). Then later on during the day he was curious and jumped in his kayak to see how far you made it up the river. We wish you well.
Karrie and Robin Osvold
Cloquet, MN
By: Karrie Osvold on May 18, 2009
at 8:28 am
Good luck my friend! I wish you clear skies and calm winds and many great adventures along the way.
By: Fred Trappe on May 13, 2009
at 10:03 am
Whoa, great trip. Can’t imagine the portages.
By: Ryan Rodgers on May 8, 2009
at 12:42 am
Stay safe Erik. I learned so much from you –on believing in myself and abilities with my sled dogs.
Thank you for being you.
Have a safe trip and the Prairie Isle will be thinking positive thoughts for you.
By: Helen Corlew on May 2, 2009
at 9:47 am
Erik,
Been thinking of you these days. How quiet the
birch bark is on the water. Such a natural vessel
to travel in. Keep me posted on whereabouts so my lens can visit.
layne
By: Layne Kennedy on April 27, 2009
at 3:34 pm
[...] I’m not done yet! According to his bio: Erik lives in the bush, subsisting largely on harvesting wild rice, netting fish, hunting, and [...]
By: Follow This Trip: Erik Simula’s Arrowhead Journey :: UpNorthica on April 24, 2009
at 10:01 am
Safe travels sweet man.
By: Sarah Hamilton on April 23, 2009
at 8:32 am
Thank you, Erik! Your fully-realized dream to embark on this voyage, has now become a dream for *all* of us.
Watching with great interest…!
By: UpNorthica on April 23, 2009
at 7:18 am
You will love Lake of the Clouds!! Good luck on the portage up to it!! I was there in the early 90′s and I’ll never forget it.
By: Julie Collman on April 22, 2009
at 6:03 pm
Bon Voyage Erik!
You are embarking on something that so many of us would like to experience. I will be imagining you along the way during my daydreams, that will bring a smile to the day. How rewarding for you and impressive for us to think of you in your hand built craft following the old route. If there is a way to meet you along the way I would love to know. Meanwhile, safe travels
Jim Brandenburg
By: Jim Brandenburg on April 21, 2009
at 9:43 am