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

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.

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.

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.