It was Jenni's idea, really. No stranger to epic adventures (see her bio), she thought a "cabin-to-cabin" canoe trip through the autumn-tinged Boundary Waters Canoe Area would be a perfect way to mark the couple's first wedding anniversary. It took only a little prodding to get her husband to sign on board.

The Boundary Waters is in Eric's blood. His family has been spending summers at the family cabin on Clearwater Lake, a mile south of the Canadian border, for two generations. The cabin is his favorite place, where "roughing it" includes canoe and kayak day trips, mountain biking, lots of junk food, hot showers, and all three channels of Thunder Bay Television. Formerly a marketing writer and editor for Midwest Home magazine, Eric currently enjoys life as a full-time graduate student working on his M.B.A. at St. Cloud State University.  On the weekends, you'll find him exploring Maple Grove's network of bike trails,  flying light Cessna aircraft, polishing his photography skills, challenging the fish in his aquariums to a staring contest,  or tinkering with his computer flight simulator.

 

Age: 27

 

B.S. in Mass Communications, minor in Aviation Management, St. Cloud State University

Eric claims to be a font of useless trivia about Minnesota's North Shore and the BWCA

 

Besides marrying Jenni? Earning his pilot's license

 

Three days

 

The Long Portage, Rose to Rove Lake, 560+ rods, three times in one hot day


Top photo this page ©John Harlander.

Jenni has already done more, seen more, and had more adventures than most people will in a lifetime. As an avid cross-country skier, she counts herself among some of the top women skiers in Minnesota. She was the winner of the 2008 Minnesota Finlandia 25-kilometer ski race in Bemidji and placed among the top 50 women in the 2008 American Birkebeiner. When Jenni's not skiing - or rollerskiing in the "off season" - she loves to run, bike, and spend time doing almost anything outdoors. In 2004, Jenni (who was then Jenni Mead) and her friend Amy Wyman biked across the United States from San Francisco to Virginia's Atlantic coast. Jenni has also rollerskied across Minnesota. She keeps busy during the week as an assistant program director at Minneapolis-based Wilderness Inquiry. When she's not outdoors, you may find her playing with dog, Lily, or her two parakeets.

 

Age: 28

 

B.S. in Recreation Administration, St. Cloud State University

M.S. in Experiential Education, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Certified Wilderness First Responder

 

Besides marrying Eric? Biking across the U.S.

 

Six days

 

360-something rods