Friday, September 29, 2006

Fall Colors From the Sky


Today is Travis' birthday and as a surprise, Stephanie arranged for a plane ride for him. We could hear them fly over the lodge this morning. The got some really good pictures of fall colors on the Gunflint. This photo is of the Gunflint Trail today from the air.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Frost on the Pumpkin


Actually, there are no pumpkins up here at the lodge, but there was frost on the roof this morning! It did get down to freezing last night. At first glance, I wondered if we had some snow but not yet.

We are finishing up our winterization of the lodge and just in time! Mike has made storm windows for each window in the lodge. Since the lodge has shifted a bit since it was built - as you know if you have been here - each window had to be measured, cut and framed individually. They are mounted on the inside and you cannot even tell that they are up. It was a big job and Mike has been working on it for most of the summer.

The picture is of Mike putting one of the new windows up in the lodge. We still have two more items to get done before the project is complete and both are scheduled for the next two weeks. We are heating the water line from the well to the lodge and we adding insulation to the crawl space under the lodge. Then we will be ready for the snow and all the fun that comes with it. Just think, around the corner is cross country skiing, snow shoes and sleigh rides.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Setterlund Party Trip


Ted Sutterlund and his party visited for a canoe trip mid-September. From the email and pictures I got, they had a great time fishing, canoeing and camping. This photo is of their Walleye catch on 9/13.

BWCA Entry Points: All are open now with the exception of the Kekekabic Trail. The fire, while still smoldering, is now contained and is just being watched. Thankfully the fire did very little damage to campsites or lake shores but was in very remote areas of the BWCA.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Clearwater Heritage Walkway

On the National Register of Historic Places, part of the magic of Clearwater Lodge is from the people who have lived here and visited here over the years. They make up the Clearwater story.

Those individuals and stories are part of Clearwater's heritage and to memoralize that we are creating a 'Heritage Walkway' that will lead from the parking area to the veranda surrounding the lodge with personalized granite paving stones.

We will have more information on these pavers and the Heritage Walkway in our next newsletter.



Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Gunflint Trail is open

As we were driving to Loon Lake Lodge for ribs last night, and they do have the best ribs around, we learned that the voluntary evacauation of the the Gunflint Trail north of us was over. With the rain that we have had the past few days, the fires are under control. They are anticipated to be fully contained by October 1st.

Two more entry points to the BWCA were re-opened, 51-Missing Link and 52-Brandt Lake. The following are still closed but the forest service is evaluating daily when they can be re-opened.

Cross Bay Lake 50 - Kekekabic Trail East81 - Border Route Trail West45 - Morgan Lake47 - Lizz and Swamp Lake48 - Meeds Lake49 - Skipper & Portage Lakes50 - Cross Bay Lake51 - Missing Link Lake52 - Brant Lake56 - Kekekabic Trail East81 - Border Route Trail West45 - Morgan Lake47 - Lizz and Swamp Lake48 - Meeds Lake49 - Skipper & Portage Lakes

Monday, September 18, 2006

Famine Lake Fire

Sorry I have not updated the blog in a few days but we have been having problems with our internet connection. I have learned more about routers than I really cared to know over the past few days.

Anyway, up until a few days ago, it had been rather dry up and here and lightening started several wildfires in the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Station. With the recent rain, these fires are under control but being watched very closely.

The fire does not effect us in that we have no smoke or any disruption. However, for a short time, there are several entry points into the BWCA closed. As these entry points re-open, we will let you know.

50 - Cross Bay Lake
51 - Missing Link Lake
52 - Brant Lake
56 - Kekekabic Trail East
81 - Border Route Trail West
45 - Morgan Lake
47 - Lizz and Swamp Lake
48 - Meeds Lake
49 - Skipper & Portage Lakes

Monday, September 11, 2006

This old stove


Are you wondering why there is a picture of a stove on our blog? This is the stove in our lodge kitchen that we use to cook breakfast on for our B & B guests and for our own personal use. As intimidating as it was 4 years ago when we moved in, we love it now.

The story, as I have heard it, is that Petra Boostrom cooked on a woodburning cooking fireplace in the kitchen. When Charlie and Petra sold the lodge in the 1940's, the first thing the new owner did was remove the cooking fireplace and replace it with this Granger propane stove. What was the very modern cooking stove in the 1940's is 60 years old now and would be considered vintage - but I love cooking on it and plan on hanging on to it until it is an antique.

The griddle on the right will cook 12 pancakes at once and has 4 burners and a broiler under it. When you are making pancake breakfasts for large groups going out on their canoe trips, this is a great thing to have! The stove has two large ovens and six large burners on top. It is not uncommon to have everything on at once during the cooking of a large breakfast. Now just imagine how hot the kitchen can get in August or how nicely it warms up in May or October.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway




The Gunflint Trail was designated as a State Scenic Byway not too long ago. A scenic byway is an automotive route on which people generally enjoy traveling that also reflects the intrinsic qualities of the area.

In our case, the Gunflint Trail is rich in wildlife, natural forest, history. Along this road are great places to stop and visit with it is wilderness, lake or lodge. This past summer several rest areas have been added at with picnic tables and latrines.

I never get tired of driving on the Gunflint Tail. Even if it takes me 45 minutes just to get to the grocery or library (longer in the winter), I enjoy the drive regardless of the season. You never know if you will see a moose or a wolf. The wildflowers along the road are constantly changing during the summer seasons and the view of the trees, no matter the season is magnificent. This road well deserves its designation as a scenic byway.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Cool Front

Last night we had a cool front move in the high temperature today was 56 degrees. It was 85 yesterday. The front brought rain last night but it cleared up this morning and was a crisp sunny day. If coming to the BWCA, make sure you layer your cloths so you can stay warm in any weather.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Lynx in Minnesota


Lynx were common in northern MN through the early 1980s, though their population fluctuated in cycles that appeared to follow the population of the snowshoe hares. Thousands of lynx were legally trapped in MN through the 1970's until their population crashed and didn't rebound.

MN ended lynx trapping in 1984 and the federal government, forced by court orders, added lynx to the threatened species list in 2000. As recenlty as 2000, DNR biologists said no lynx lived in the state and that any seen here were migrants from Canada. DNA tests now confirm that more than 60 lynx inhabit the state, with at least 3 times as many belived to be here. Scientists are trying to determine whether they will remain even if the hare numbers decline.

This lynx photo was taken by Bill and Dawn Amen. They were painting their cabin and the lynx was just watching from the tree above them. The lynx we have seen are remarkable calm and not threatened at all by humans. We see a lynx periodically on the back of our property. According to the DNR, they have a route they use for food and probably pass by us about once every two weeks.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Mist on the Lake


With warm sunny days in the 70's and cool nights 40's to 50's, sometimes in the mornings there is a fog on the lake. This morning we watched it when you could not even see the lake from the lodge (about 7:00 AM) as it started to roll out down. This picture was taken around 8:30 as the fog was moving down the lake. By 9:00 AM we could see the bluffs.

We have just been having beautiful weather with warm sunny days and cool nights. If you are visiting soon, bring layers to wear so you can add and remove as you need.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Al the Cat


During the summer months, Peggy and Mike live in Suite B in the lodge along with their dog Queenie. I leave in Suite C, along with my dog Sarah and my two cats Al and Victoria. Behind the gift shop in the lodge, we share an office. We also share that office with all the pets and the staff. Next to the lodge kitchen, which is the main gathering room, there are always people and pets in the office with a lot of activity going on.

My cat Al has decided the office is his place to be also. We put down a foam pad and dog rug for each of the dogs under a desk hoping to keep them from underfoot. Sarah likes her spot, but Queenie found that Al took over her spot. Al makes his way to the office every morning, checks everything out, including the dog food bowl, and then settles down for the day long cat nap. He is tucked in beside some files, many cords and the PC power back up system. The noice and hustle bustle never seem to bother him as he slumbers the day away. He just puts one paw over eyes and continues to sleep.

Saturday, September 02, 2006