"That's a great idea and I know just the place" I gushed. "It's called Isle Royale and is a magnificent national park, in Michigan, where wolves, moose, and all sorts of wildlife roam free."

"Um…well…that isn't quite what I had in mind and I really don't think…."

"Oh, come on, Cindy. You'll love it. We'll commune with nature and hike tens of miles and stay in a very rustic lodge and…."

"Gary, you are not in shape for such an outing. I can imagine you hiking a few feet, but tens of miles? I don't think so. You spend the next year getting yourself in shape and then we'll plan a visit to Isle Royale."

"Please, Cindy," I begged, "I desperately want the opportunity to see wolves, deer, and other animals in their natural environment. It's very important to me and I know that you'd love to do the same." I took a tremendous breath, sucked in my stomach and flexed a few very underdeveloped muscles. "Look at this! My body is in great shape and…."

"Forget it!" Cindy ordered as she watched my stomach quickly sag back into its normal place in my body. "But, I've got another idea. Let's go on a long drive through the state of Michigan and then, for a night or two, we can travel into northern Canada. That's where you were born and I know that you'd love to revisit the area. I'm certain that we'll have a chance to view many wild animals during our trip. We'll have a great time and you probably won't suffer a heart attack along the way!"

Visions of my prone body lying on a stretcher, constructed of tree branches, while being towed, by Cindy, through the wilderness of Isle Royale convinced me to agree to her plan. "Okay," I replied, "that sounds terrific."

Two weeks later, on a beautiful sunshine kissed 'morn, we left our home in a Chicago suburb and headed for the Michigan state border. I was filled with a sense of discovery and great anticipation regarding the magnificent wildlife that surely, over the next seven days, awaited my viewing.

Within four hours, Cindy and I were happily ensconced in Sharma and Dean Krauskopf's (Sharma is the editor of Scottish Radiance) gorgeous bed and breakfast inn that is located outside of Parma, Michigan.

Following the always delightful experience of dining on one of Sharma and Dean's exquisite culinary offerings, our hostess said to me, "Gary, I know how dearly you'd love to see some wildlife during your vacation. There are always great numbers of animals running through our fields. Perhaps you'll be fortunate enough to see some of them before you leave in the morning!"

The next day, after bidding farewell to our gracious hosts and pulling out onto the highway, I said to Cindy, "Well, I loved renewing my acquaintance with the Krauskopf's dog, Kiri, and their guinea pig, Jenny. But, those fine animals aren't quite what I had in mind.

I admit that I was too tired, last night, to go walking through the fields, but you'd think that an errant fox or even a chipmunk might have had the common decency to put its nose against the window of Sharma and Dean's living room. I mean, would that have been too much to ask? Oh well, now it's on to the wilds of upstate Michigan and just a wee bit of Ontario. Okay, wolves, moose, etc. Here we come!"

Three days and seven hundred miles later, I turned to Cindy as we, on our way into Canada, were waiting in line at a border crossing. I whined, "You know, I really wanted to see some wildlife during our vacation. However, to date, the only close encounter I've had has been with one seagull named Harvey. He was a decent sort of fellow and allowed me to take a slew of pictures of him. And…well, for a moment, he did seem kind of wild, especially when I inadvertently set off the flashbulb of my camera, but he just wasn't what I'm looking for."

"Gary, I know you are disappointed, but we're about to enter Canada. Surely you'll happen upon some wild animals while we're in the country. Come on, get your spirits up and let's set off on an adventure!"

Over the next few hours, as we drove north of Sault Ste. Marie, we gazed at the most stunning scenery one could imagine possible. Ah yes, the natural delights offered by this part of Ontario are truly awe inspiring and miraculous to behold.

Alas, however, the only wildlife I viewed was in the form of a poster of a moose that adorned the wall of a gas station. It was a nice looking moose, but…well.

Cindy and I spent a great deal of time, that evening, looking for an inn where we might rest for the night. We weren't interested in just staying in any place that offered a comfortable bed, free HBO, or even mints placed on pillows. What we were searching for was a quaint and utterly charming cabin that would afford us a view of the pristine waters of Batchawana Bay (fed by the bounties of Lake Superior).

It took a very long time to locate such an oasis of scenery, but the search eventually resulted in our happening upon a delightful lodge named The Salzburger Hof Resort. And what a find it was! The inn is nestled on the shores of a gorgeous body of water that is surely the cleanest and purest I've ever seen in the outdoors. The gifts of the bay sparkle with a brilliant beauty that would bring tears of wonder to the eyes of the most hardened soul. They are truly, truly extraordinary.

Our room, for the night, was lovely and was obviously built to reflect the passion for warmth, coziness, and simplicity that the owner of the inn cherishes. I do not know her name, but can tell you that the proprietor of The Salzburger Hof Resort is one of the most charming women whom I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. As an added bonus, the innkeeper's daughter, who operates the resort's exceptional restaurant, is a joy all on her own.

After Cindy and I had enjoyed a tantalizing meal, we strolled toward the shores of Batchawana Bay where the dazzling reflection of an almost full moon was painting swirls of golden magnificence on the waters. As we approached the lawn chairs that were situated along the shore, two very pleasant people said to us, "Oh, you've just missed seeing the loons. They were so beautiful and their voices wonderfully haunting. (Hear the Loons) It is a pity that you missed them!"

"Oh no," I retorted with an great sigh of disappointment, "I've been wanting to see some wildlife and haven't been lucky at all! Agh! And now I've missed the loons! Nuts! Nuts! Nuts!"

"Don't fret, perhaps they'll come back."

Over the next two hours, as Cindy and I sat in front of the waters of the bay, the only sounds we heard were the gentle waves that were caressing the shores of the inlet. They were, of course, so very soothing and precious and I don’t think that I've ever felt more peaceful and happy with life than during those few hours. Mind you, I would have loved to also hear the sounds of the loons, but success was not to be realized.

The next morning, as we prepared to depart the area, the innkeeper's dog came rushing up to me. As I looked at the animal, I whispered, "Please, can't you just bare your teeth, just for a minute? Be wild, be free, be…well…wild. Remember your roots! Remember your proud ancestor, the wolf! Come on, act tough!" The outrageously affectionate creature laid her head against my knee and sweetly gazed into my eyes. I stroked her neck and then got into the car.

Eight hundred miles and four days later, Cindy and I were sitting on our deck, while indulging in a very pleasant wine, and reflecting on what had been a joyous and memorable vacation. We had been blessed with a safe trip and one that had awarded us with countless scenes of the luxurious natural beauty that is the state of Michigan and the province of Ontario.

At one point, I heard a stirring about ten feet from our patio table. Cindy's ears had picked up the same sound. She said, "Look! Look at the raccoons!"

As I focused on two pairs of eyes belonging to the most adorable examples of wildlife I had seen in a very long time, I said, "Home, Cindy, home is where the critters are."

We watched, for a time, the two animals playfully cavort with each other and then head off into the night. Sadly, I knew that our two visitors would probably lead more rewarding natural lives if they were not running around the yards of Lisle, Illinois, but were enjoying the vistas of where Cindy and I had spent the past seven days. That is where wildlife is supposed to be.

I also knew that the reason why we hadn't, during our vacation, seen wild animals is that they, unlike the two raccoons who now live under our deck, are able to roam free in their natural settings and only occasionally come, by accident, in contact with humans. They are accidents that often result in the death of the animals.

Our home is where the critters are, at least two of them anyway. To be honest about it, however, I'd much rather know that they and all wild creatures are where they should be and that is in the splendor of this world's forests. I learned that lesson during my vacation and it is one that I shall never forget.

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You can find more articles in the archive under Reflections on a Dream