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

Clearwater Lodge

It was a peaceful holiday here. Although the promised snow did not come, we still have a few inches on the ground so we did have a white Christmas. The photo is of my great -nephew Anthony's first Christmas with Santa. Anthony lives in MI with his parents. His mother, Peggy's and my neice Bec, worked at Clearwater in 2003.

Happy Holidays

We will have a white Christmas, but we did not get the expected 5 inches of snow last night. Be safe during all your holiday travels and enjoy!!

Happy Holidays,

Lynn

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

For all of you bird fans, the unofficial tally is in on the MN Audubon Christmas Bird Count. I will have to say, I only recognize the names of the about 1/2 of these birds on the list. There are 3 types of woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy and Pileated), 14 Bald Eagles, Red and White Breasted Nathatch, Cedar Waxwings, Dark Eye Junco, Pine Siskin, different kinds of Jays and Ravens and Owls. This is not a complete list. If you want to see the results, you can go to http://www.rohair.com/CBC/rslt/cy.php and look under Cook County.

Lynn

Clearwater Lodge Heritage Walkway

We have our first 'official' paver stone in for the Heritage Walkway. It is a tribute to the founders of the lodge, Charlie and Petra Boostrom.

If you are interested in ordering a paver for someone for Christmas, give us a call at 800.527.0554. It is going to be a very special walkway when completed.

Lynn

Holiday Baking

Stephanie is taking advantage of the lodge kitchen and has been baking a different type of cookie every day. Whenever I go down to the kitchen there are new cookies being decorated and spread out on the table. The lodge has a wonderful scent of holiday about it.

Lynn

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

The Audubon Society Christmas Bird count is Saturday. Birders will count birds with a circle 7.5 mile radious with the center south of Devil Track lake. After the count is finished, birders will meet at the Java Moose Cafe for a cuppa and to review the list. Any additional species not seen tomorrow but seen in the 3 days before or after the count will be included in the tally. It will be interesting to see what the results are.

More snow......

When I went on my weekly town run this morning, there was no snow in the forecast. That changed over the 4 hours I was in town because I drove back up the Trail in a little snow storm. There was 3 inches of snowfall while I was gone and more falling.

I always try to have my camera with me where ever I go. I forgot it last week and saw two moose on the Gunflint. Of course, today when I have it with me, no moose or wildlife at all. I keep trying for the elusive moose photo or lynx photo. .....Lynn

Ice Fishing

We have had enough cold weather to put solid ice on the smaller lakes. Howeover, the larger lakes still have open water. Clearwater Lake has a very thin coat of ice on it and needs some more cold weather to freeze over.

This ice fishing house was put out last weekend on Aspen Lake, off of Clearwater Road.

Use extreme caution on any of the lakes until you are positive how much ice there is.

Icicles

The view from my living room on the second floor of the lodge several days ago. Today it is close to 40 degrees out and all the icicles came crashing down.

I am going to enjoy a little warm weather while I can!

Lynn

BWCA Permit Lottery

For those of you planning a 2007 canoe trip, now is the time to contact us about getting a permit in the 2007 BWCA Permit Lottery. The lottery has been accepting applications since November 1st and will continue to accept them up to November 15th at 5:00 CST. To get your application into the lottery, we need your entry point and the start date of your trip.

The lottery will run and permits awarded January 15, 2007. Starting January 20th we can get permits first come/first serve based upon remaining entry point quotas.

If you need some ideas on canoe trips give us a call to discuss experience levels and desires of your trip. We would love to help you plan a great BWCA canoe trip to remember for years to come.

Lynn

Bundle up for cold weather!

For your winter visit, remember to plan out your clothing. You can get quite warm while out enjoying the winter activities but cool off really quickly when stopping to rest. Layer your clothing with wool and wicking materials to maintain your body temperature.

Always bring a hat or stocking cap. 60% of your body heat can be lost through your head if not covered. Don't forget the sunglasses or goggles and have good gloves and back up pair.

Wool socks and shoes/boots to keep your feet warm and dry are a must. Gaiters are helpful to keep snow out of boots or shoes.

Stephanie tackling the first big snow

Stephanie and Travis were out this afternoon at 10 degrees to clear out the first big snow or our season. Here is Steph.........

Lynn

Return to the Lodge

I am back from my Thanksgiving trip to Indiana. I had a wonderful two weeks with family and friends and met a new great-nephew. In Indiana, we had record warm temperatures and it was pleasant to get out each day without a jacket. It sure makes Christmas shopping easier! I took advantage of close shopping and movie theaters, something I don't see much of up here in the northwoods.

I drove back to the lodge right before a storm moved through my driving route and dumped some serious snow in Chicago. Driving around Chicago is always the most challenging part of the drive but I was very glad I didn't have to do it in the first snow storm of the season.

We also got snow today in MN. We are expecting 6 inches today and maybe the same tomorrow. It has transformed the woods, as it always does, from the bare brown of early winter to the wonderful white that makes me think of the holidays to come. If this is the same as past years that I have been here, this is the snow that will not melt and is the start of our winter base of snow. This photo is of the boat house with the aluminum canoes getting their blanket of snow for the winter. .....Lynn