Tallmadge Church of God

The Tallmadge Church of God from Tallmadge, Ohio, recently brought a youth group to the BWCA for a canoe trip. They spent two nights camping at the Okontoe campground and then started a BWCA canoe trip from Clearwater Lake. This picture is from one of their day trip hikes to Magnetic Rock. As you can see, the Magnetic Rock was effected by the Ham Lake Fire. They took advantage of every minute of their time here and visited Honeymoon Bluff, Eagle Mountain and Johnson Falls. The group was lead by Doug and Susan Walters.

While on vacation at Clearwater Lodge several years ago, Susan wrote this poem about a hike to Rove Lake for fishing. This was Susan's first experience with a portage.

There once were two girls with a wish.

On Rove Lake they wanted to fish.

'It's only a mile!" he said with a smile.

And so, off they went with a skip.

Each had a pole in hand,

As they traipsed up & down on the land.

How long will it be? The lake I can't see.

They exclaimed with a very loud pant.

It seemed they would never arrive.

Should they quit or should they just strive.

Push on to the goal, over just one more knoll.

Their faith they had to revive.

They learned a good lesson that day.

Whethr in hardship or just in play,

You must persevere in the face of retreat.

And remember to pray all the way.

The girls did not get their wish.

Alas there were no fish.

For the prize that they sought,

Could not be caught.

There would be no tasty dish.

But the gem they did find,

A most unusual kind,

Was the growing of strength.

When at the end of their length,

They perservered to the end of the line.

This tale has a fine ending.

Good news these girls are sending.

When your faith is sincere

You can pray, persevere!

Though your journey, it seems never ending.

Large Northern

Erik Danielson and Ed Zlonis were fishing on their days off when Erik caught this northern on a mid-Trail Lake. It is 41 inches long and 21 lbs. Erik is holding the fish and Ed is looking on. This is the second summer for these two young men to work at Clearwater and enjoyed the activities the BWCA has to offer.

Weather Note: We are looking at warmer weather in the next few days with highs in the 80's or low 90's during the days and 50's at night. We will have bright sunny skies and warm days so be sure to bring your sun block, hat and sunglasses if you are going to be out on the lakes.

Another Buddy Sighting

Since we first met our Clearwater Road Moose 'Buddy' in the spring and posted his picture licking the road, all our friends have been watching out for him. Sometimes he is elusive and other times he is right out there on the road to stop traffic. The LaVell's, who stayed in a cabin the week of July 8th, sent us this great picture of him walking down to the edge of the water. They said seeing him was the best ending to a great vacation.

American Bald Eagle

The Harvey family took this picture of an American Bald Eagle in a tree on a recent canoe trip.

Weather Note: Forecasted for the next few days are temperatures in the mid-80's for the highs and lows in the lower 60's at night. Starting Thursday, temperatures will drop back into the upper 70's during the days.

The DNR is implementing a Leve I fire restrictions starting Friday July 27th at 7:00 PM. This means that wood and charcoal fires (campfires) are not allowed in the BWCA until 7:00 PM and must be out by mid-night. From midnight until 7:00 PM you can cook with a gas or propane stove only.

Birthday Celebration on a Canoe Trip

Two of the guys from Boy Scout Troup 72 from Mitchell, SD celebrated their birthdays while on a recent canoe trip with monsters bars candles and butterfingers. This photo is from John Heemstra who organized the canoe trip for the scouts. This is their second time to take a canoe trip from Clearwater Lodge.

An alternative use for portage pads

After a long day of riding in the canoe, hiking the portages and chasing critters in the woods, these two little guys just had to take a nap in the canoe. One of them found the perfect alternative use for portage pads as a pillow.

Weather Note: Our cool and mild weather is going to take a change over the next few days and we will have a little more heat. Temperatures will climb into the 80's for the next 4 or 5 days. Good swimming weather!

Stories about growing up in the Lodge.

Harriet Taus, one of Charlie and Petra's children, came over last night and told what it was like to grow up living on the Gunflint Trail in the lodge. Her parents built the lodge finishing it in 1926 and raised 10 children here. Harriet is one of the younger children.

Home Town Boys

You may know that Mike, Peggy and I are all originally from the Elkhart and Mishawaka area of northern Indiana. For those of you who do not know IN well, these cities are next to South Bend and Notre Dame. Yesterday the 'Doseman Boys' came up for a canoe trip. The two brothers, Fred and Andy, brought their boys and Andy's father in law. When I was growing up our brother was close friends of the Doseman's and still is. Because the family has at least 4 boys and they all went to our high school around the time we did, we always called them the 'Doseman Boys'. It is always nice to see folks we know from home enjoying the BWCA with us. Here they are on the porch of the outfitting building the day of their canoe trip.

Weather note: A cool front brought quite a bit of rain this morning and cooler weather. The highs in the next few days will be in the low 70's and the nights will be in the high 40's. It will be great campfire weather in the evenings for those campers out in the BWCA.

A little paddle

This picture is another great one sent by the Simonson family. Lyric and her Dad were taking a canoe trip and getting some fishing time when here.

Weather Note: clear and sunny skies with day temps in the high 70's low 80's and night time in the 50's to 60's. It is nice and green out and no fire restrictions in the BWCA (or out of the BWCA).

Fox Kits

The Simonson family, who stayed with us in June, emailed some wonderful pictures of their visit. I was really excited to see the one of the fox kits since I had heard all about them but had not seen them. They played quite a bit on Clearwater Road and I heard that they were not at all shy.

Forest Service Q and A

It is the 4th of July and I can't beleive we are 1/2 way through the summer already. I was talking to one of our staff yesterday, Erik, and he will be leaving in 6 weeks to go back to school. It seems like they just got here. Anyway, this means fall is just around the corner and the forest service put out this Q and A regarding the Ham Lake Fire and fall hiking and camping.

Q. Will any trails and/or entry points remain closed past August for the fall hiking season?
A. At this time, the only closures include Iron Lake Campground and Iron Lake Boat Access.

Q. Which trails, entry points, and campsites are closed now?
A. None. There are a few campsites posted closed in the BWCAW.

Q. Are there any limits to canoeing because of the fire? Waterways, portages, etc
A. are all open (except Iron Lake) .

Q. Was there any damage to the Border Route Trail?
A. Yes, approximately 1 mile was burned over.

Q. Was there any damage to the Kekekabic Trail?
A. Yes, approximately 2 miles were burned over.

Q. Was there any damage to the Border Lakes Area Trails? (including
Magnetic Rock, Bridal Falls, Devil's Cascade, Highlands, and Eagle
Mountain) T
A. The Ham Lake Fire permiter map on MINCS website (via link
on SUF web site) shows fire area. No trails remain closed due to
fire effects.

Q. Was there any damage to the Sioux-Hustler Trail?
A. No, the Ham Lake Fire was not near the Sioux Hustler Trail

Q. Was there any damage to the Pow Wow Trail?
A. No, the Ham Lake Fire was not near the PowWow Hiking Trail