Diamond Willow

During the winter months after the lodge was built, Charlie Boostrom and his friend Bill Needham would work on building furniture from wood collected over the summers. As a result, Clearwater Lodge has one of the best collections of diamond willow furniture, made with no nails and still sturdy after 75 years.

Diamond willow is a tough fibrous wood which is native to this area. It is most commonly found growing in clumps. The leaves are long and narrow and the bark is dark gray, rough and very tough.

The diamonds are formed from a fungus which kills the sapwood in the affected area. These areas become dormant and the rest of the tree keeps growing leaving the diamonds.

The willow is picked between July and August when the sap is running. It is then peeled, revealing the diamonds. After drying for a year, the wood is ready to work.

The photo is diamond willow plant stand in the lodge. It actually started out many, many years ago an ashtray but works best for us with as a plant stand.

A little ski break...

The Flieder family was here for a visit in Suite A. The family got new cross crountry skis and were eager to try them out. I snapped this picture as the older son was helping his younger sister get her skis on for the first time.

There is a 70% chance of snow tonight and snow in the forecast for the next few days so we are all keeping our fingers crossed for good ski weather and conditions.

Clearwater Lake does have about 5 inches of ice for the Lake Trout Fishing Opener tomorrow.

Trout Season in the BWCA - December 30th

Trout season opens on December 30th in the Boundary Waters. Since no motorized vehicles are allowed in the BWCA, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe across frozen lakes or snow covered portages to get to some idea fishing spots. Take your camera and enjoy the winter wildlife you will see in these remote areas.

Central Gunflint Trail Ski Report

Central Gunflint Ski Trail Report-12-26-06 from Golden Eagle Lodge

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0"
New Snow Last 7 days: .25"
Trail Base: packed with snowmobile: 3-4"
Snow in Woods: Low: 5 1/2; High: 8"
Groomed for skating: 77km
Groomed for classic: 10% of system
Surface Conditions: hard pack with 1/4" snow on top
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 17.65"

Comments: The whole system has been snowmobile packed for skating and about 10% of the system has been groomed with tracks using the Pisten Bully. It is a hard packed base with 1/4" new snow on top. There is a little bit of stubble on some of the trails, especially those in the BWCA, but considering the low snow, trails are not too bad. The temperature this morning was 2 above. Daytime temps have been above normal but with the sun low in the sky, we have been holding in the low to mid twenties. The lakes have minimal snow but no slush