A Little Vacation

This is our last blog for a few days. Peggy, my sister, and I are driving to Indiana to visit with family. I will be back at my PC with updates again August 2nd.

The Minnesota State Bird - The Common Loon

Paul Spadino sent us this nesting Common Loon photo following his canoe trip from Clearwater Lodge. There are five different Loon species, but the Common Loon is the one that you will see in Minnesota. It is the Minnesota state bird. A few fun loon facts....

• the bones of most birds are hallow and light, but loons have solid bones
• the extra weight helps them dive as deep as 250 feet to search for food
• they can stay underwater for up to 5 minutes
• Loons need a 100 to 600 foot 'runway' in order to take off from a lake
• Loons can fly more than 75 miles per hour
• the red in the Loon's eye helps it to see underwater
• scientists think Loons can live for 30 years or more

Fifth Anniversary Canoe Trip

Eric and Kimberly decided to celebrate their fifth anniversary with a BWCA canoe trip. They started their trip out on the East Bearskin Lake entry point. East Bearskin is a great trip with smaller lakes and portages. There are great campsites and different route options. The wildlife is wonderful with plenty of eagles and moose and the fishing isn't too bad either. Among the side trips you can take are are an abandoned silver mine on Spalding Lake or a wonderful waterfall. This photo is of Eric and Kimberly in the outfitting building going over the trip route and the maps with Travis.

Cavity Lake Fire: Unless something significant changes, this will be my last update on the blog on the Cavity Lake fire. The containment percentage increases every day and the fire has not expanded. We are also having favorable weather conditions to support the fire fighters. Most all of the entry points that were closed due to the fire re-opened yesterday. If you are interested in additional information, the forest service is putting out updates daily at http://199.134.225.50/nwcc/t1_pnw2/2006/cavity-lake/.

Fire Managers Re-Open Portages and Lakes

From the Cavity Lake Incident Command Post as of July 24, 2006 at 12:00 PM.

Due to improved weather conditions and a fire containment of 30%, Forest Service managers, coordinating with the United Fire Command, are re-opening several portages and lakes on the northeast asnd east sides of the Cavity Lake Fire. The following areas within the BWCA will be open effective Monday, July 24 at 12:00 PM.

• Red Rock Bay on Sag Lake
• Devils Walk of Sag Sag Lake
• Cross Bay Entry Point (Ham Lake)f
• Missing Link Entry Point, however Tuscarora Portage to Owl Portage remains closed
• Seagull Lake is open to camping east of a line from Paulson Lake Portage, north, to the Palisades. Paulson Lake Portage remains closed. The remainder of Seagull Lake west of this remains open for day-use only.

In order to go in, you must still have a day permit or overnight paddle permit.

Good news everyone!!!!