Bundle up, and come out and enjoy our giant snow maze, tubing and sliding hills, skating on the Kaministiquia River, winter games and activities, carnival games and contests, live indoor and outdoor entertainment, plus so much more! It’s the 13th Annual Voyageur Winter Carnival at Fort William Historical Park this February. See you there! Winter Carnival Hours: 11am-5pm Sat. Feb. 14th, Sun. Feb. 15th, & Mon. Feb. 16th
It seems odd to celebrate the New Year when we do. Some of us might prefer in January to hibernate like the wild creatures that tuck themselves into tree cavities and deep holes. Wouldn’t it make more sense to ring in the New Year in April or May, when it feels like the natural world is starting again?
The beauty of celebrating the New Year in the heart of winter is that it’s a quiet time, a time for reflecting on the past year and the hopes for the year ahead. Sometime around Jan. 1, I step outside on a night when the temperature plunges below zero, when the sky seems more vivid and the stars more bright than any other time of year. It helps that I live miles from any neighbors, from any town, from any electricity. But in looking at the sky, I feel connected to a much larger world.
There are other ways to connect this time of year. There are two sled dog races along the North Shore in January— the Gunflint Mail Run, Jan. 3-4 and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Jan. 23-29. The beginning of a sled dog race is an exciting event, and joining the crowd to cheer on the teams is sure to bolster winter spirits. This month we profiled three women who have taken on the Beargrease marathon many times and are signed up to do it again.
If you get tired of the cold, you can duck inside one of the craft breweries that Kelsey Roseth profiles and try a craft beer. From Thunder Bay to Duluth, craft brewers are jumping on the microbrew bandwagon, an industry that has been growing steadily, if not explosively, for the past few years.
Other stories this month include a profile by Joseph Friedrichs of a man who has a passion for vintage snowmobiles, memories of snowshoe adventures from Gord Ellis and a look at historical encounters with UFOs from Elle-Andra Warner. In our Along the Shore section, we
When you’re finished staring up at the stars, and making your resolutions for the New Year ahead, come join us. We’ll be at the races, and after, you can find us bellied up to the bar.—Erin Altemus
PUBLISHERS
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Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com Erin Altemus, Managing Editor erin@northernwilds.com
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CONTRIBUTORS
Elle Andra-Warner, Gord Ellis, Joan Farnam, Joseph Friedrichs, Nace Hagemann, Kit Larson, Julia Prinselaar, Kelsey Roseth, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Jim Stroner, Paul Sundberg
Copyright 2015 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.
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LUTSEN—Snowmobile racers are coming to the North Shore for a first-ever Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge to be held at Lutsen Mountains April 18-19. The new event, sanctioned by Cor PowerSports is expected to attract 300 to 500 racers, who may be accompanied by two or three crew and family members—a welcome influx of visitors at what is typically a quiet time of year.
Recently, Cor PowerSports owner Todd Myers met with local business owners to talk about the event and answer questions. He said Cor PowerSports is a fiveyear-old independent organization based on snowmobile ministry outreach. They hold nine race events in upper Wisconsin and Michigan. The Lutsen event will be the first they’ve held in Minnesota.
“Lutsen was at the top of our list of potential Midwest resorts,” said Myers.
Why Lutsen? Two words: vertical drop. Lutsen’s mountainous terrain is excellent for hill climbing. Myers said races held during the event will be the Midwest qualifier for the 2016 World Championship Hill climb held in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Three races are planned—cross-country, hill cross and hill climb. Within the races are multiple classes, in which different racers compete. Since the Lutsen event isn’t a “points race” in the competitive circuit, anyone can participate. Races will be held all day Saturday and Sunday, with an awards event at Papa Charlie’s on Sunday evening.
“We’re now at 40 classes that will compete over two days,” Myers said. “I’ve been approached to add other classes, including a class for adaptive athletes, but at this time we are talking with the International Snowmobile Racing association about the concerns with that.” Myers also added: “Based on our payout for 20 riders in each class we are predicting over $40,000 in prize money to be paid out.”
Cor PowerSports has some major sponsors, including Red Bull Energy Drink, which will have a large presence at the event. They will be promoting the races through social media, as will other sponsors. Rox Speed FX from Cohasset is the event-presenting sponsor and will also have a presence at the race. Myers also has popular website and is a columnist for American Snowmobiler magazine. He will also publicize the event at other races.
Despite the publicity, the number of spectator tickets is intentionally limited to 500 for the first year. Part of the reason is logistics—both race crews and spectators will be transported to Moose Mountain via the gondola and chairlifts. The tickets for the race will be handled by Lutsen Mountains.
“The first year, we want to make sure we keep the event small enough so we
can do it right,” Myers said.
Note that Myers says “first year,” because he fully intends to make this a long-lasting event.
“We want it to be a community event.
We want local excitement. And we want to do it long term,” he said. “Lutsen will be the host to this event as long as they want us.”
By all accounts from people attend -
Three races, cross-country, hill cross and hill climb, will be part of the new Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge April 18-19 at Lutsen Mountain. | SUBMITTED
ing the meeting, plenty of local buzz is already building around the race. Three local snowmobile clubs have volunteered to provide experienced help with the race. Members of the business community are interested in participating as well.
Jim Vick, marketing director at Lutsen Mountains, said “There will be a lot more bodies around on April 19 than we normally see.”
The Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge may prove to be a welcome addition to the tourism shoulder season.
—Shawn Perich
A year after launching our new and expanded edition of Northern Wilds, we would like to know how you think we are doing. Please answer our short survey (it should take you about five minutes). All information will be kept confidential and private. Thank you for your help in making Northern Wilds a better publication.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt To fill out the survey, log on to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/northernwildsreadersurvey
All survey responders may enter to win one of five $25 gift certificates to Sven & Ole’s Pizza in Grand Marais.
THUNDER BAY—A person sits at a table carefully threading tiny glass beads onto a pair of moccasins under the watchful eye of an elder. A class of grade school students visits to learn about the Ojibwe language, make Christmas cards and craft bracelets. A curious bystander from a nearby retirement home walks in and stumbles upon a group of people taking a cooking class or learning financial literacy. Later that evening a monk from Arrow River Forest Hermitage, some 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, hosts a meditation circle.
Scenes like these have all been brought under the social umbrella of Blue Sky Community Healing Centre, located in the heart of Thunder Bay’s Fort William business district. In an area notorious for street violence and crime, the open-concept space has the colours of the world’s four nations—red, yellow, black and white—draped across its vaulted ceiling. Throughout the day its doors are open to the public, and a hot pot of tea is always on.
“We are shining a bright light here, there’s no doubt about that,” says Cindy Crowe, executive director of the Waabi-ma’iingan Traditional Teaching Lodge, which runs out of Blue Sky Community Healing Centre, a registered non-profit that gained charitable status earlier this year. “We are encouraging individuals, whether they’re from the homeless shelter or whether they are colleagues working in the area—it doesn’t matter who they are—to be the best they can be.”
Fueling the centre is the concept of “blue sky thinking” that was introduced to Crowe about 10 years ago when she was working on contract with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
“It really resonated with me, and as I started to adopt those principles of blue sky thinking—not being boxed in by funding restrictions or an organization’s policies, but rather, the sky is the limit. It’s important for individuals to not be boxed in by the things they believe are keeping them in check ... When you make a decision to do something, the Universe, the Creator, angels—whatever you look to—they’re going to come around behind you and provide the resources that you need to follow that vision.”
That clarity is what drove Crowe, a community member of Lake Helen First Nation, to establish the teaching lodge at a permanent location, which has been temporarily erected for ceremonies and gatherings between elders and youth to celebrate cultural awareness and understanding.
Now the centre, which opened its doors on Victoria Avenue in 2013, has expanded to host a variety of holistic programming with a mission to share and exchange teachings that promote growth and connection in the critical areas of physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual well-being. From cooking classes to money management, jam sessions, sharing circles and guided discussions on spirituality and artistic expression, many of the lodge teachings are rooted in indigenous tradition, but are open to people from all cultural backgrounds.
“Dealing with addiction, we may share our own experiences and how we’ve come through these things. We have dry dances, we might have a jam session … so all walks of people are able to participate and feel welcome, and be able to experience humour,” Crowe said.
“We’ll teach people about sweat lodge, we’ll talk about the medicine wheel teachings, and we have people like Ajahn [Arrow River’s live-in monk] come in to share the Buddhism principles. It’s open, if there are groups that want to come in and share.”
Crowe agrees that the centre fills a void in the community, where modern society lacks guidance from older generations of people who possess valuable knowledge and wisdom, but aren’t recognized for it and don’t always see it in themselves.
“I will never forget what the youth told us that day,” recalls Crowe after she hosted a gathering between elders and high school-aged youth four years ago. “They said that they’re not receiving support from their teachers, they’re not receiving support from their school staff, they’re not receiving support from the Band office staff, they’re not even receiving support from the elders in their community because these people are not well. And in my own experience, I have to say that the elders are few and far between. Yes, there are tons of seniors, but seniors that are stepping out and recognizing their role as an elder, there aren’t many. They don’t see themselves as an elder, so they don’t act like elders.”
Crowe says that part of the centre’s work is empowering elders to realize what their responsibilities are. With program facilitators young and old, the centre allows two critical demographics of people—the youth and the older generations—to socialize, foster mentorship, and learn from one another.
“And shouldn’t they be together?” urges Crowe. “You
Cindy Crowe, lodge keeper and program coordinator holds a wolf pelt at Blue Sky Community Healing Centre in Thunder Bay. | JONATHAN COONS PHOTOGRAPHY
really do need a place of gathering … There’s a nearby retirement home, and we’re starting to get seniors coming in, which is very cool because they’re at a point in their lives where they’re all about spirituality, so they can provide that mentorship to the younger ones.”
For more information on Blue Sky Community Healing Centre and a calendar of events, visit www.blueskycommunityhealingcentre.ca.—Julia Prinselaar
SILVER BAY—The Northern Lake County Arts Board is making a significant contribution to art on the North Shore.
The organization, which was formed about 12 years ago in response to cuts in art education in the elementary school in Silver Bay, has morphed from providing a few volunteers to teach art in the classrooms to being a source of artistic experiences for students and everyone in the communities surrounding Silver Bay and beyond.
For the last 12 years, for example, they’ve brought the Minnesota Ballet into the schools for a residency program that culminates in a dance performance which includes the students.
The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra has come to the schools for residencies, as well, and this year, performers from the opera “Carmen” came. In past years, the Arts Board has brought in the Heart of Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre for residencies, too, as well as a Native American storytelling project, to name a few. Local and regional artists come for residencies in the classrooms as well. Painter Sandi Pillsbury Gredzens, multi-media artist Joyce Yamamoto, mosaic artist Kelly Dupre and photographer Paul Sundberg, for example, have all done residencies which have culminated in art shows featuring the children’s work.
The Arts Board has brought in outstanding performers, too. Internationally renowned pianist Peter Arnstein has performed several times at the William Kelly High School Auditorium and Cloud Cult has performed there, as has the Big Time Jazz Orchestra.
In January, Twin Cities Flamenco dancer Deborah Elias will hold a dance residency at the school culminating with a Community Education class at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20. And the Sky Blue Jazz Ensemble, based in Grand Marais, will be in residence to work with students on jazz composition. That residency will culminate with a public performance in the auditorium Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
So, how did this all come about?
It was a gradual process, said Mary Aijala, president of the Northern Lake County Arts Board. When the visual arts program in the elementary school was cut in the
1980s, parents and teachers got together and agreed to bring artist volunteers into the school. They would teach about one visual artist, show examples of their work and then lead the children in an art project based on what they’d learned. This year, the Masterpiece Art program has 14 artist volunteers who teach art in the elementary school throughout the year.
The success of this program and the interest in the community was a major component in the development of the Arts Board, she said. It became a 501c3 in 2001 with the mission to promote the value of art and culture through community projects in northern Lake County with an emphasis on programming for young people and the support and utilization of local visual and performing artists. This broad purpose opened the door for all kinds of new ideas and opportunities for the 12-member Arts Board to explore.
“I have some very energized people bringing in a wealth of background and ideas,” Aijala said.
One of the keys to the Arts Board success is its ability to write grants and find funders who like what they do.
“We have a couple of family foundations that really like us,” she said. For example, a few years ago, the Arts Board brought in the Rose Ensemble for a residency. “Their music director came and our local singers trained under him and were on stage with them. Because of this, we got connected to the Good Family Foundation. You never know where your support will come from.”
But they work at it, she said. Grant writing and financial support is critical to the success of the programming. Other funders include Cliffs Natural Resources, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Cooperative Light & Power, the Duluth-Superior Area Community Fund, the Silver Bay Tourism Association and the Lake County
• Flamenco dancer Deborah Elias holds a Community Education class at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in Silver Bay.
• Blue Sky Jazz Ensemble performs in the auditorium Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
Recreation Board. Private donors are also a critical part of the mix, she said.
“It also takes good volunteers,” she said. “They put in a lot of time and a lot of their own resources. If we can keep it energized, we’re good.”
Joyce Yamamoto, an artist who lives in Little Marais and serves on the board, said “it is fun not only to be able to participate on the board and make decisions to bring the arts to the community, it’s also really fun to be in the audience and see these amazing people perform in Silver Bay. That part is very rich.”
The strength of the Arts Board comes from their mission, she said.
“We have a two-fold purpose—to enrich the arts and to provide the arts and make arts happen in art education,” Yamamoto said. Elementary school students will bring that knowledge and experience of the arts to high school and their adult lives, she added—a priceless gift.—Joan Farnam
to say we’re not like the other guys would be an understatement.
North Shore Federal does a lot of things different which sets us apart from the other guys. Rewarding our Members with earnings from another successful year is just one of them.
2014 marks the 19th consecutive year that NSFCU will award a Patronage Reward—returning our earnings back to our members.
With the Reward given back to members this year, the grand total will top $3 million returned! Can your financial say that? Join today and get your share of the pie. Because if you’re up here, you belong here.
The new PistenBully groomer will groom some of the best ski trails around. | SUBMITTED
3+ years of experience. Part-time to start. Must be proficient with Adobe Creative Suite. Should have knowledge of web design and printing. Able to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects. Must work well with others in a fast-paced work environment. Job is in-house and located in Grand Marais, MN. Send reSumeS to: Northern Wilds Media, PO Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55606 OR email to apratt@northernwilds.com.
DULUTH—Duluth is rapidly becoming known for its trails. The city’s wealth of trails was a significant factor in being voted Outside Magazine’s Best Town Ever for 2014. In wintertime, that means cross-country ski trails, and Duluth boasts 75 kilometers (46 miles) of such skiing pleasure.
It takes a great deal of care, maintenance and dedication to keep the trails in good shape and well groomed for skiers. In fact, it is a year-round job. Summer and fall find city crews working on the trails to prepare them for winter months. Doing this work up front has become a major focus for the city.
“Our trail maintenance staff is under direction to ‘do things right,’ “ said Dale Sellner, building and grounds supervisor for the city. It’s not enough to fix a problem, issues need to be addressed for the long term. They know it will benefit them when the groomers hit the trails each year.
Regular maintenance takes the form of clearing the trails to remove young trees and brush that tend to encroach on the trail. Overhead branches are also trimmed for the safety of skiers and groomers. Volunteers from the Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club (DXC) supplement these efforts, along with helpers from area college ski teams.
There is a lot more to trail maintenance, however. Larger projects are aimed at establishing firm and sustainable trail beds.
“Ideally, we want the trails to be like roads and shed water so that it doesn’t pool on the surface,” said Doug Rosas, maintenance operations lead worker.
In recent years, the trails have been enhanced by adding new culverts to alleviate drainage problems. This summer, the City used an excavator to work on the Piedmont, Hartley and Lester trails. Pulling out large rocks and filling in the holes and
other low areas smoothed out the trail. The benefit of this is being able to groom the trails when there is less snow without damaging the grooming equipment.
Ideally, we want the trails to be like roads and shed water so that it doesn’t pool on the surface.
At Chester Bowl and Lester-Amity, city crews rerouted portions of the trails to make grooming more efficient. Those efforts pay off in the winter when skiers are anxious to see their favorite trails groomed. Being able to complete grooming a trail in less time means crews can groom more kilometers in a day. Ultimately, that can equate to more frequent grooming.
The City has invested in a new, PistenBully groomer. The improved reliability and quality of this new equipment will benefit the entire range of the City’s trail system. This machine is supplemented by a snowmobile with grooming attachments that can be dispatched at the same time. In addition, DXC partners with the City of Duluth, and has assumed grooming responsibilities for portions of the Spirit Mountain ski trails. They too have purchased new grooming equipment.
The City has a Master Plan for the city’s trails. The completed plan includes recommendations for trails, such as extending the areas of lighted skiing and adding snowmaking on limited sections of trail. DXC and the City will collaborate on fundraising and bringing elements of the plan to fruition over the years.—Molly Hoeg
GRAND MARAIS—The power of planning for the future often speaks for itself. Earlier this fall, this fact rang true for two Grand Marais nonprofits—the North Shore Health Care Foundation and North House Folk School were named as the beneficiaries of a generously-sized charitable trust created by the late Phyllis and Walter Anderson who passed away in Oct. 2014 and May 2004 respectively. “This is a tremendous honor and inspiring opportunity for all of us,” said North House Executive Director Greg Wright. “Phyllis and Walter were truly visionary leaders, and their legacy will have a significant impact on North House, the Health Care Foundation and the greater Cook County community.”
Originally from Alexandria, the Andersons frequented the North Shore and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a favorite getaway. Driving through Grand Marais one night in 1997, they noticed the lights on at the old Forest Service garages on the harbor, which had recently been rented by the fledgling North House Folk School. Upon pulling in for a closer look, they were welcomed by a group of enthusiastic wooden boat builders. An avid fan of all wooden watercraft and the rich stories of the North, Walt Anderson took an instant interest in the advancement of the school.
For Phyllis, her career as a nurse anesthetist in rural communities created a strong bond to the region. Her love of the North and her appreciation for the many challenges faced by rural communities
Phyllis Anderson with her brotherin-law Paul Anderson at the 2008 ground breaking for the new Milling Shop Classroom at North House Folk School. | SUBMITTED
gave her many insights. By designating the North Shore Health Care Foundation as a recipient of this generous planned gift, it was her hope that the Cook County community would benefit from improved resources such as enhanced first responder and ambulance services as well as health education.
“There are many ways to support organizations you care about,” noted John Bottger, North Shore Health Care Foundation’s Board President. “Thoughtfully planning ahead for a legacy gift can both have a huge impact and yield significant tax benefits. The new Anderson Charitable Trust makes this clear. Its assets are invested into the future and will support our work for decades to come.”
The couple generously supported North House throughout their final years, including investing at a lead level during the school’s “Raise the Roof” capital campaign, which transformed classrooms and the commons area. Both Walt and Phyllis hoped their legacy would drive the school to expand its reach while deepening its local impact as well.
“Phyllis and Walt loved Cook County and the North, and they were determined to find a way to support things they cared about,” said Paul Anderson, Walter’s brother and past North House Board President. “Strong organizations are central to any strong community. I know they would be proud of what the Health Care Foundation and North House are accomplishing.”
GUNFLINT TRAIL—Fat biking is catching on as an exciting new winter sport and new opportunities exist for fat biking this winter.
Boundary Country Trekking on the Gunflint Trail is introducing yurt-to-yurt fat tire biking. Barbara Young, co-owner of Boundary Country Trekking, said “It is an eight-mile bike between the Tall Pines Yurt to the Croft Yurt. On this new adventure
you head west on a one-mile bike along the Little Ollie Road, then travel 3 miles along a snowmobile trail across Poplar Lake and onto the four-mile Moose Trail to the Croft Yurt Camp.”
While you bike between the yurts your gear and food are transported for you.
Young went on to say, “We had a few fat tire bikers, for the first time, last winter
Yarn Harbor’s last day at Mount Royal is Feb 21
Be sure to sign up for emails on our web so you don’t miss out on the moving sales.
at our bed and breakfast and at the Tall Pines yurt. One fat tire biker brought up the idea of biking between the yurts in the winter. So this winter we are going to give it a try.”
Additionally, several state parks are offering Fat Bike trails this winter, including Split Rock State Park. 8.7 miles of trail will be groomed for fat biking.
By Erin Altemus
Few sports pit women against men in competition. Olympic sailing and equestrian events see men competing against women, but in most professional sports, it’s rare, and one of many ways in which sled dog racing is unconventional.
But first, a disclaimer. I am running the Beargrease marathon this year. I’m curious about how other women accomplish what is surely a feat of mental and physical endurance akin to climbing a mountain peak, or running an ultra-marathon. In some of the races around the Midwest I have done, there were not always a lot of women on the roster or in the top 5 or 10 finishers. But in my experience racing the mid-distance Beargrease, there were quite a few women running the race, and many have done very well, which makes the race a bit of an anomaly.
The Beargrease marathon trail this year will stretch 190 miles from Duluth up the North Shore to the Gunflint Trail, turn around and return back to Duluth, for a total of 380 miles. The hills are relentless over the entire course, except for running on Devil Track Lake and a section mushers simply refer to as “the grade.” As one musher, Tofte resident Rita Weheseler said, “There are hills where half your team is up and the other half is going down.”
And, according to Two Harbors musher, Colleen Wallin, Beargrease and Iditarod champion Doug Swingley said the Iditarod (a 1,000-mile race in Alaska) “is a walk in the park compared to the Beargrease.”
Conditions vary, but in the worst years (such as 2014) windchills hit minus 50, and in other years, such as the first year the Beargrease started in Duluth, 1984, it snowed 2 feet between Two Harbors and Finland. According to veteran musher Jamie Nelson, no one’s dogs knew how to break trail, so the race finally sent a snowmobile from Finland to make a trail for the teams.
This year at least seven women will attempt the Beargrease marathon. Here are three that have done it enough times to know the ins and outs of the race, how hard it can be, and yet keep coming back for more.
Jamie Nelson, now 66, is as tough as any musher around, male or female. She has the distinction of running the Beargrease since its beginnings in 1984, has won it four times, and this year, she’ll give it another go.
Originally from Washington state, Nelson fell into mushing because she had two German shepherds that she trained to pull her bike. Though she admits she had no idea what she was doing (the dogs pulled from their collars for instance, which is a no-no in mushing—sled dogs wear a harness to pull from their chest), she ended up bringing them at a friend’s invitation to a race in Priest Lake, Idaho. At the start, she told her dogs to lie down. They did.
The race officials questioned whether she knew what she was doing, but when they said go, the dogs went and Nelson came in third place. She was hooked.
Nelson ended up living in Togo and began running sprint races. When the Beargrease race began, she entered a team of nine dogs. It was the year of the big blizzard, and while that alone wouldn’t have stopped her, the team came down with kennel cough, forcing her to scratch from the race.
Nelson trains her team by herself, and loves the training. She learned by taking a novice obedience class, otherwise it was just trial and error. She does agility training and obedience training and even teach -
es tricks: one of her dogs has been taught to carry firewood into the house from the woodpile.
“I am a strict disciplinarian,” she said, “but I really like my dogs. I like to train. Racing is fun if the team is trained.”
In the early years of the Beargrease, there weren’t a lot of women running the marathon. Nelson describes how it was tough to run the race at that time (as a woman).
“It was a good ol’ boy’s club,” she said.
Then the Beargrease race organization decided to lengthen the race to 500 miles in 1988, going all the way up to Grand Portage and back to Duluth.
“I was told I couldn’t do it,” Nelson said. But she did it, and she won. The next year Dee Dee Jonrowe won and Susan Butcher won in 1990. Jamie Nelson, after her championship finish in 1988, won the Beargrease again in ‘95, ‘97 and ‘98. No woman has won the Beargrease marathon since then.
Those were good years for female mushers. Libby Riddles was the first woman to win the Iditarod in 1985, and Susan Butcher won the Iditarod four times in ‘86,’87,’88 and ‘90. And though Alaska musher Aily Zirkle has come in second the past three years in a row, no woman has won the Iditarod for 24 years.
Colleen Wallin has run the Beargrease marathon almost every year since 2004, with this year her 11th time.
Colleen and her husband, Ward, moved to Two Harbors and bought 40 acres in the early 1990s. They heard that the Beargrease race had a checkpoint just up the road from where they lived and decided to check it out. Colleen Wallin remembers getting to the checkpoint, and how the lights from the large bonfire stood out. Greg Swingley was coming into the checkpoint, and his truck and handler weren’t there yet. He parked his dogs. It was 25 below. He started going through his sled bag, getting food ready for his dogs. Watching him work kindled a small fire in the Wallins.
The next year, Wallin volunteered for the Beargrease and helped at the finish line. It was, coincidentally, the year the movie “Iron Will” came out, parts of which were filmed in northern Minnesota. That winter, Ward sent Colleen on a dog-sledding trip into the Boundary Waters with a guide. She had her own team, and “it was incredible,” she said.
“I looked at Ward and said, ‘if we could have four dogs we could run trails from our yard.’”
They began acquiring dogs and running races soon after.
During her first time running the marathon, Wallin recounts that she had almost finished the race, and it had been going great until she left the last checkpoint at Two Harbors on the way to Duluth.
“My team stopped and the sled went sideways,” she said. “The dogs were hydrated, rested. I went
up to my leaders and nudged them along and they weren’t budging. I switched leaders.”
But they wouldn’t go. That checkpoint at Hwy. 2 is not far from the Wallin’s house and kennel, and the dogs just wanted to go home. Wallin turned the team around and ran back to the checkpoint. But she wouldn’t let them turn home. She sat there in the checkpoint with the race clock ticking. Her husband wasn’t allowed to help or intervene.
“It was raining and drizzling,” she said. “I tried to leave and the same thing happened again. We ended up bagging.”
Now she has to train specifically with this “obstacle” in mind. On the last few training runs before the Beargrease, she runs the dogs from the Hwy. 2 checkpoint to the finish at Billy’s Bar outside Duluth so that the dogs know where the finish is and that the truck will be there waiting.
For Wallin, the race goal is to always finish.
“Both Ward and I work full time. We have 12 and 16-year-old boys. You could find me puking behind the truck [at the race start] because I’m so nervous. But when I pull the hook, it’s the coolest thing.”
When asked what gets her through the race, Wallin said “the cheeseburger and fries at Trail Center, and a ton of water. I just eat constantly. When else do you get to eat Snickers bars for three days?”
Mostly Wallin said she does the race again and again—because she can. “It’s such a gift to be able to challenge yourself and look at new dogs. I’m fortunate to be able to do it.”
Rita Weheseler has also been running the Beargrease on and off for 20 years. Weheseler fell into mushing via Paul Ellering, when she lived near him in Central Minnesota. Eventually, she loved the sport so much, she moved to the North Shore to train sled dogs, and now operates a tour and racing kennel, Stoney Creek Sled Dogs, with her husband Bill.
“There’s no way to describe, unless you’ve been a dog musher, the sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line with your best friends, and you’ve achieved it one more time ... there’s no comparison.”
Weheseler said that she thinks women are equally competitive. There are advantages and disadvantages. Women often weigh less than their male competitors. But men have the advantage of strength. Also, it is rumored that a lower, husky voice brings more response from the dogs, so women with a high-pitched voice might have a hard time disciplining their dogs, or getting them to listen.
Also, both Weheseler and Wallin agreed that when it comes to peeing on the trail, women are at a big disadvantage, though Weheseler said “just grab the stanchions, drop your drawers, and hold on.”
Wallin said she froze her fingers last year
trying to take off zippers and undo coats just to pee.
For Weheseler, it’s sheer determination that keeps her racing year after year.
“Half of it is overcoming the fatigue,” she said. “I do better if I don’t sleep.”
Mushers in the Beargrease marathon must take 28 hours of layover time divided between nine checkpoints. The longest
a musher spends in a checkpoint would likely be six hours, and sometimes just an hour or two. At the checkpoint, the musher spends time caring for the dogs, so the longest they might get to sleep at one time is probably three to four hours, often less. Over the duration of the race from Sunday afternoon to the finish on Wednesday, mushers sleep maybe 14 hours.
For Jamie Nelson, it’s the mental training she’s had over the years that has kept her going physically. “I take breaks,” she said. “It’s mainly a mental thing. I don’t know anything different.”
When asked if she eats anything special or does anything special, Nelson said “Whatever my handlers have, I am willing to eat. I focus on my dogs. I do the feeding, I boot. I don’t come in and leave the runners. They pull me that full distance, they deserve the time. My biggest problem might be not focusing on myself.”
As of mid-December, there are 19 mushers signed up to run the 2015 Beargrease marathon. Seven are women. Of the 26 signed up for the mid-distance race, 15 are females. If Colleen Wallin has her wish, every musher who starts will finish, but inevitably that rarely happens. Still, a little male-female rivalry never hurts, and my own inherent bias says that 2015 might be a great year for women.
January is the start of the music season on the North Shore with lots of venues featuring a wide variety of local and regional musicians, music festivals and more. The New Year kicks off with parties throughout Cook County, including Michael Monroe’s New Year’s Eve Log Cabin Concert at his home in Grand Marais. The Spruce Roots play at the Bluefin Grille, DJ Angelo spins at Papa Charlie’s and Floydian Slip plays for a New Year’s party at the Gun Flint Tavern. And the Rockin’ Hollywoods play at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino to welcome in the New Year.
Classical music lovers will be happy to know that Bluefin Grille is again featuring Sunday night classical music performances in January, many of them hosted by Duluth pianist Sam Black . The series kicks off Jan. 4 with Black, Kerry Van Dusen and Kathy Stinnett performing at 6 p.m. Black performs in a piano duet Jan. 11 and the next week, Jan. 18, he performs with violist Clare Chopp Scott Fraser plays classical guitar at the Grille Jan. 25. The music begins at 6 p.m. Free.
And here’s a chance to learn how to play fingerstyle guitar. MoonDance Coffee Shop in Lutsen will host free guitar workshops with fingerpicking virtuoso Gordon Thorne every Tuesday from 5:30-7 p.m. Participants will focus on Early American guitar styles.The series, which is open to all skill levels, runs from Jan. 6 through March 31. All invited.
Papa Charlie’s hosts the Snowball Music Festival the second week of January. Mark Murphy & Friends and The Limns play Jan. 7, Tubby Love, the Wayne Suchy Band and Pert Near Sandstone play Jan. 8, Smokin’ Joe Scarpellino & Friends, Ben Suchy, Jon Wayne & The Pain , Sovereign Sect and Cas Haley play Jan. 9 and Heatbox, Jon Wayne, Tubby Love, the Cas Haley Trio and Wookiefoot play Jan. 10.
Other highlights of music at Papa Charlie’s in January
Neil Sherman calls this self-portrait: “Bring’n’ the Heat.”
include Dessa, who will perform Jan. 17, and on Jan. 2829, two popular Minnesota bands, Dead Man Winter & The Pines will perform. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the two bands will participate in a singer/songwriter circle and on Jan. 29, each band will perform individual sets. Music starts both nights at 8 p.m.
The Grand Marais Ole Opry, a classic country showcase hosted by Carl Solander, will be held at the Arrow-
Betsy Bowen created these woodcuts for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Map Poster.
head Center for the Arts Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. featuring local and regional musicians. Among those performing include Singleton Street , Lavigne, Mills & Viton , Bursheim & DeCoux, Cook County’s Most Wanted and Matt & Kent Anderson
And an Old Time Square Dance will be held at North House Folk School at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and includes a live band with callers and instruction.
The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium will feature a variety of shows in January. The Black Label Society, with Zakk Wylde, performs Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. (EST). Then the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra performs an evening of Tchaikovsky and other masterworks Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. with guest cellist Diane Djokic. On Jan. 25, a selection of films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival will be screened (7 p.m. EST), British Columbia rock
star Dallas Smith performs Jan. 29 (8 p.m. EST) and on Jan. 31 Abbamania, an Abba tribute, returns to the TBCA. Show starts at 8 pm. (EST).
For theatre, the Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay will mount “Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry Jan. 29 through Feb. 14. Tickets can be purchased at www.magnus.on.ca.
In Duluth, The Underground, a 150-seat theatre in The Depot, will present “The Turn of the Screw” Jan. 29-Feb. 7. All shows start at 7:30 p.m.
There are a number of interesting art exhibits in January too.
Multi-media artist Lynn Speaker will exhibit her work at the Grand Marais Art Colony in a show entitled “Liminal Space: Lynn Speaker Solo Exhibit.” The opening reception will be from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 9. Speaker’s work is inspired by the North Shore and what she finds around her—stones, bones, plants, trees and animals. The exhibit continues through Feb. 1.
At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, two exhibits, the “North Now 2014 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibit” and “Mitakuye Oyatsin: All My Relations,” have been held over through Jan. 18. The new Permanent Collection exhibit opens Jan. 23 and the Lakehead University Annual Juried Exhibition opens. Jan. 30.
Also in Thunder Bay, Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s “Direlect: A Fashion Odyssey” will be held at the Black Pirates Pub, 215 Red River Road, on Saturday, Jan. 24. This
over-the-top show includes wearable art, dance, music and performance. The event, which starts at 8 p.m., includes four live bands and DJs, 10 local fashion houses, video-mapping projections, 16 wearable art pieces and more than 100 artist/models. Last year, more than 600 attended the event, which is a fundraiser for DefSup and Lakehead Radio.
In other art news, David Gilsvik has started working on a series of large-scale paintings that will be installed in the copula at the Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center. Each of the four works are loosely organized around the events, activities and lifestyle of the Ojibwe who live in Grand Portage, he said. One focuses on community gatherings, another will focus on Lake Superior, the third will depict the artwork, beadwork, leather and weaving of the Ojibwe and the fourth will focus on inland activities like wild ricing and maple syrup. Gilsvik has been consulting with Tim Cochrane, park superintendent, Pam Neil, chief of interpretation and Beth Drost , interpretive park ranger, on the project, which should be installed by next summer
Sivertson Gallery has completed cataloging and photographing a wide selection of paintings by Howard Sivertson , making it possible to produce high-quality giclee prints of his work. To see some of his paintings, visit www.sivertson.com.
In other Sivertson news, the gallery will hold a Fireside Chat Weekend with special artist talks Feb. 14 & 15. Howard Sivertson, Liz Sivertson
[ABOVE] “Elvis Changing into a Ford Thunderbird,” by Chris Chapman is on exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Galley. [LEFT] David Gilsvik is painting a series of wall panels for the Grand Portage Monument’s Heritage Center. They should be installed by early summer.
and Dave Gilsvik will be the powerhouse panel that will present on Saturday, and Tim Pearson will present on Sunday. Stay tuned for details.
Betsy Bowen created a series of hand-colored woodcuts for a map poster for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon . The poster should be released by Christmas The Holiday Art Underground Show at her studio closes Dec. 24.
Tom Christiansen will be installing an aluminum sculpture in bright primary colors in front of the Grand Marais Public Library. It should be completed this spring
The Kah Nee Tah Gallery and Cottages is under new ownership and will re-open at 10 a.m. Dec. 23. Owner/operator Linda Garrity and Danielle Fortin , sales and operation manager, plan on “freshening up” the gallery, adding Minnesota-handcrafted items as well as setting up a free book exchange. The gallery hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Stay tuned for dates for the grand opening.
Birchbark Books & Gifts closes for the season Dec. 31. The shop will re-open in May.
Kelly Dupre is exhibiting her work at the Coho Cafe in Tofte through January.
Great Gifts of Lutsen is featuring a wide variety of handmade warm winter wear produced by regional artisans.
Have you always lived on the North Shore?
Pretty much. I lived for a short time north of Duluth until I was 9, then we moved to Knife River. But we were always going to Isle Royale in the summers. I went to high school in Two Harbors and then went to UMD and studied art. I moved up here in 1981.
What projects are you currently working on?
I don’t paint that much in the summer. It’s a time for absorbing images. I paint from memory, in the winter, mostly. I’m still kind of enthralled about what happens in our neck of the woods on a daily basis. If we get to see a bear or a moose, that’s a big day. If I see a chickadee’s eyebrows move when it lands close to me, that’s also a big day. I just love that we are so close to things up here, to have these really intimate encounters with these great beings.
You are also a musician. How does that fit?
Music is so exciting and live. In painting, I get to throw away my mistakes. When you’re out there playing, and I squeak or fall apart, I have to charge on through and let it be what it is.
Music is really fun. It’s a gas.
What about your art continues to attract and fascinate you?
It feels like it’s still kind of a mystery. I don’t think I have ever mastered anything.
It intrigues me to keep finding out. Usually what I’m doing, I’m aiming for something. I don’t capture that, but some other magic happens that I’m really happy with.
I’m just lucky that I recognize when the magic happens and stop there.
Where can we see your work?
At Sivertson Gallery, and Sivis in Duluth.
Go for a ride or cheer them on. One of the many adventures in Cook County, MN.
Upcoming Dogsled Races:
• Gunflint Mail Run | January 3 & 4
• John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon | January 25-28
• Mush for a Cure | March 6 & 7
For more information, VisitCookCounty.com/Dogsled visitthunderbay.com/skithunderbay the
Jan. 3
This free program at the Grand Marais Public Library will include the history and culture of henna through the ages as well as how to mix and apply pure, natural henna.
The workshop starts at 3:30 p.m. Kristy Johnson will share the history, cultural traditions and science of henna, in a fun relaxed atmosphere packed with hands-on education and experience.
Learn how to prepare the perfect batch of pure natural henna paste, application techniques, and the importance of choosing natural henna, and create and practice traditional designs on paper, yourself and other brave students in the workshop.
Practice traditional henna designs on Jan 3. | SUBMITTED
Kristy Johnson has a passion for henna and has been studying and sharing her art at festivals and events across the Duluth/Superior area since 1995.
As a self-taught artist she has become well versed in the history and the beautiful art form of henna that has been around since nearly the beginning of time.
Jan. 3-4
Watch sled dog teams compete in the Gunflint Mail Run, an 80-mile race that starts and ends at Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail. Watch the race start at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening or the late morning finish on Sunday. You can also watch teams go by on Devil's Track Lake. See Gunflint Mail Run on Facebook for more info.
Jan. 10
The Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival celebrates the human powered winter experience through film. The festival aims to entertain while helping to raise funds and awareness for Winter Wildlands and like-minded partners.
YMCA Camp Menogyn sponsors this year's Backcountry Film Festival held at Hartley Nature Center from 7:3010:30 p.m. in Duluth. Enjoy an eclectic collection of films featuring equally unique skiers, snowboarders and dogs as they earn their turns in far-flung locations. There will be prizes from Granite Gear, Duluth Pack, Cooke Custom Sewing and more.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids, with all proceeds going toward Menogyn's Campership fun. See https://winterwildlands.org.
Jan. 10
Those who have survived the last couple of Minnesota winters know that it can be a long, hard process—and we are coming from the perspective of warm shelter available nearly all the time. Imagine the world from the point of view of chickadees, who must eat, keep their body
temperature at 108 degrees at least during the day, and somehow make it from one day to the next. And maybe even start thinking about spring and singing as early as January. How do they do that?
Join Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center at 10 a.m. for a look at animal adaptations for making it through winter and a hike at Sugarloaf to see who is actively moving about this time of year and how to tell who is who. Dress warmly as the Nature Center can be chilly. Hot beverages will be available before and after the hike. Free. www.sugarloafnorthshore.org
Jan. 12
The world’s finest dancers will battle it out on stage in Dancing Pros: Live!, and the audience will choose the winner. Starring “Dancing With The Stars” pro Karina Smirnoff (head judge), and featuring Edyta Sliwinska & Chelsie Hightower, this unforgettable live dancing competition is hosted by Alan Thicke, star of the hit TV show “Growing Pains.”
For the first time together on stage, see professional dancers from “Dancing with the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and dance champions from around the world compete with one another for the top prize. Watch in awe as they perform a variety of dance styles including cha-cha, waltz, tango, swing, freestyle samba and the jitterbug. Using electronic voting remotes, the audience will become part of the show and vote for their favorite couple. Unlike reality TV shows, there is no waiting until next week for results; the winning couple is announced at the end of the show. See www.tbca.ca for more info.
Jan. 16
The Arrowhead Library System and Grand Marais Public Library present “Painting with Wool: Needle Felting Fun," a free family workshop at 4 p.m. using colorful sheep’s wool to create landscapes or colorful abstract art.
Artists of all ages and skill will learn the beautiful and fun art of needle felting using colorful sheep's wool. The process starts with soapy water and ends after "painting" a picture with your felting needle. Create a detailed landscape or a colorful abstract work of art. No experience necessary. Ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and adults are welcome to join in the fun.
Jan. 17
Classic Country showcase held at the Grand Marais Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. featuring local & regional musicians playing tunes made famous by artists such as Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, and Roy Acuff.
Emceed by WTIP Classic Country show host Carl Solander, the show features: Singleton Street, Bursheim & DeCoux, Cook County's Most Wanted, Matt & Kent Anderson and more. Tickets available at tix.com or at the door. www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org
Jan. 1, 17
Pack up your toboggan and ski or snowshoe into a BWCAW trout lake for the New Year trout opener (lakes entirely within the BWCAW are open Jan. 1). On Jan. 17, the regular winter trout season opens. Hurry, you only have until March 31 to get your trout fix, and then you’ll have to wait until May.
Jan. 23-29
Established in 1980, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. This year over 40 teams will compete in the marathon and mid-distance race classes, the highest number the race has seen in recent years, due in part to an increased purse and enthusiastic board of directors.
The race starts in Duluth Jan. 25. Thousands of folks line the starting chute in Duluth and the first few miles running through and out of Duluth towards Billy's Bar. Teams will continue to checkpoints at Two Harbors, Finland and Tofte (where mid-distance racers finish). Marathon teams will go to Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail before turning around and making the return trip to Duluth.
Pre-race events include a Gala Dinner, held at Black Bear Casino and Resort Jan. 23. Grand Marais' Arleigh Jorgenson will give a presentation about mushing and the early years of racing along the North Shore. On the 24th, teams will get a vet-check, also at the casino and there will be a Cub Run. That night there will be open ceremonies where mushers will receive their race bibs, and there will be a drum ceremony. On the 25th, you can meet the mushers and their dogs at Duluth East High School starting at 11 a.m. The race begins at 1 p.m.
See www.beargrease.com for more information, including musher bios, race checkpoint locations and the link to follow the mushers from home via their GPS trackers.
Derelicte 7, A Fashion Odyseey
Jan. 24
Starting at 8 p.m., the Black Pirates Pub in Thunder Bay hosts this popular event that is all about fashion, dance, music and wearable art.
There will be four live bands and DJs, 10 local fashion houses, 15 wearable art pieces, and over a 100 artists and models. A massive raffle and prizes for best DIY fashion make for a fun time.
Catered refreshments will be provided by Sushi Bowl and Sweet Escape Cake Cafe' and Bakery.
This is an age 19+ event and cover charge is $10.
It is a fundraiser for DefSup and LU Radio. See www.definitelysuperior.com for more info.
Jan. 28-29
Papa Charlie's hosts Dead Man Winter and The Pines for two nights. Wednesday will be an acoustic songwriting circle involving members from both bands. Thursday each band will perform sets separately.
Dead Man Winter: The side project of acoustic barnburners Trampled by Turtles’ frontman/songwriter Dave Simonett, this Minnesota quintet consists of three members with TBT, Simonett, Tim Saxhaug and Ryan Young, along with guitarist/producer Erik Koskinen and drummer Noah Levy.
The Pines: In a world swimming in singer/songwriters, it’s difficult to rise above the masses and create a truly unique sound that captures ears and stimulates the mind. The Pines are a band that has taken on this feat, honing their musical craft to near perfection with a sound that wavers on the edge of traditional acoustic/roots music, but embraces the nuances of today’s indie-rock and blues music.
Tickets are $10/day or $16 for a two-day pass.
Meets six Saturdays between Feb. 21 and May 9
Where better to take the Northwoods-Great Lakes Master Naturalist course than right on the shores of Lake Superior at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center in Schroeder?
You will learn about the fascinating geology, plant and animal communities, inland lakes and bogs, ecology and human interactions of the Northwoods, as well as Lake Superior in this course with many guest speakers and unique experiences. Travel through the transition from winter into spring in the Northwoods on Lake Superior.
The course will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every other Saturday (a three-week gap over the Easter stretch) for six sessions beginning Feb. 21 and ending May 19.
Field trips will be incorporated into the scheduled class days.
A capstone project is expected of participants, as well as the commitment to volunteer for 40 hours during the year. The cost is $275 and includes course manuals and supplies.
Registration is through the Minnesota Master Naturalist website www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org.
If you already own a cabin or if you're thinking about buying one, this is your one-stop event for answers and fresh ideas. Everything for your second home lifestyle is here.
• Unique Cabin Products & Gifts
• Rustic & Specialty Furniture & Furnishings
• Real Estate, Builders & Remodelers
• Sustainable Landscapes & Lakeshores
• Sporting Gear, Outdoor Equipment & Marine
• Fun Activities & Free Special Features
MADISON, WI
January 23-25, 2015 Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center
February 6-8,
CHICAGO, IL
February 20-22, 2015 Schaumburg Convention Center
Building Better Homes, a building workshop, will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Cook County Community Center. This daylong presentation will focus on elements of safety, durability, sustainability, health, and comfort as essentials for building better homes. The focus will be on proven and practical construction strategies to meet these goals.
Learning objectives include learning about high performance home building concepts, features, strategies, metrics and attributes. Major facets of the 2015 MN Building Codes and use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) will also be addressed.
Additional resources and support will be identified.
This workshop is relevant to new homebuilders and remodelers, designers and architects, building supply and manufacturer’s representatives who promote materials applicable to green home building, HVAC and insulating contractors.
Presenter Ed VonThoma is the president of Building Knowledge Inc., which offers comprehensive training and consulting services to help builders, architects and remodelers continuously improve their practices to deliver high performance green homes. A home built to high performance standards is not only easier and cheaper to operate over its lifetime, but it lasts longer and is comfortable to live in.
VonThoma has over 25 years of expe -
rience in the production homebuilding industry and during that time has been involved with the design, contracting, construction, sales and marketing of over 10,000 homes. His specialties include: product development, curriculum development, process improvement, townhome construction, building codes, green homebuilding, energy efficiency, building enclosure, ventilation, and insulation.
Registration for the workshop begins Jan. 12. Continuing education credits will be available. Contact Diane Booth at 3873015 or diane.booth@co.cook.mn.us or stop by the community center for information or to register.
Information about CCLEP’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) will be available at the workshop. Contractors can sign up to be on a suggested contact list for this program. For more information see the CCLEP website: www.cookcountylocalenergy.org
December
Through Jan. 18, 2015
“The North Now” 2014 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca “Mitakuye Oyasin: All My Relations” Works From the Permanent Collection Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
Dec. 31, Wednesday
New Year ’s Eve
Jim & Michelle Miller Cascade Restaurant & Pub
7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Joe Paulik Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7-10 p.m.
Michael Monroe New Year’s Eve Log Cabin Concert Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.michaelmonroemusic.com
Floydian Slip New Year’s Party at the Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m.-1 a.m. www.gunflinttavern.
com
The Spruce Roots New Year’s Party at Bluefin Grille Tofte 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Lutsen Mountains New Year’s Festival 8 p.m. Fireworks Display, Party with DJ D’Angelo at 9:30 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen www.lutsen.com
The Rockin’ Hollywoods Grand Portage Lodge & Casino 9 p.m.-1 a.m. www.grandportage.com
Jan. 1, Thursday
Happy New Year
Eric Frost Bluefin Grille Tofte 10
Jan. 2, Friday
The Sivertones Moguls Lutsent 4-6 p.m.
Jim & Michelle Miller Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m.
Timmy Haus Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m.
Jan. 3, Saturday
Henna Body Art Workshop Grand Marais Public Library 3:30 p.m.
NFL on the Big Screen-Wildcard Playoffs
Papa Charlie’s Lutsen All Day
Joe Paulik Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m.
Pete Kavanaugh Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Jim & Michelle Miller Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7-10 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com
Jan. 3-4
Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race Trail Center Gunflint Trail
Jan. 4, Sunday
NFL on the Big Screen-Wildcard Playoffs Papa Charlie’s Lutsen All Day
A Classical Evening with Kerry Van Dusen, Kathy Stinnett and Sam Black Bluefin Grille Tofte 6-8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
The Life and Loss of the Henry Steinbrenner Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org
James Moors Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com Cook County YMCA Birthday Celebration Grand Marais 1-4 p.m. www.cookcountyymca.org
Jan. 5, Monday
Black Label Society with Zakk Wylde Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
Boyd “Bump” Blomberg Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m.
Jan. 6, Tuesday
James Moors Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Open Mic Night with Boyd Blomberg Papa Charlies 7 p.m.
Jan. 7, Wednesday
Open Mic Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m.
www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 7-10
Snowball Music Festival Papa Charlie’s Lutsen www.lutsen.com
Jan. 8, Thursday
Eric Frost & Bill Hanson Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Gordon Thorne Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Snowball Thursday with Pert Near Sandstone Papa Charlies Lutsen 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 9, Friday
Lynn Speaker Exhibit Opening at the Grand Marais Art Colony 4-7 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org
Pete Kavanaugh Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com/moguls-grille/
Eric Frost Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Snowball Friday with Jon Wayne & The Pain, Sovereign Sect and Cas Haley Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 10, Saturday
Winter Woes and Wonders Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center Schroeder 10 a.m.www.sugarloafnorthshore.org
Eric Frost Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m.
www.caribouhighlands.com/moguls-grille/
Jon Kallberg Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7-10 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Joe Paulik Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Backcountry Film Festival Hartley Nature Center
Duluth 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Snowball Saturday with Wookiefoot
Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 11, Sunday
NFL on the Big Screen Divisional Playoffs
Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 12-7 p.m. www.lutsen.com
A Classical Evening with Sam Black and Betty Braunstein Bluefin Grille Tofte 6-8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
A Superior Experience! Caribou Highlands Lodge 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com
Jim & Michelle Miller Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 12, Monday
Timmy Haus Bluefin Grille Tofte 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Dancing Pros Live Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
Jan. 13, Tuesday
Boyd “Bump” Blomberg Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Open Mic Night with Boyd Blomberg Papa Charlie’s 7 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 14, Wednesday
Open Mic Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 15, Thursday
Eric Frost & Bill Hanson Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Gordon Thorne Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Joe Paulik Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Dance Party with DJ Beavstar Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 16, Friday
Painting with Wool Ages 7 and Up. Grand Marais Public Library 4 p.m. www.grandmaraislibrary.org
Timmy Haus Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com/moguls-grille
Michael Monroe Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Timmy Haus Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
The Wrong Omar Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 16-17
Marriage Retreat Weekend Naniboujou Lodge www.naniboujou.com
Jan. 17, Saturday
Jim & Michelle Miller Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com/moguls-grille
Gordon Thorne & Chris Gillis Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Grand Marais Ole Opry Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org
Free Fallin’ Tom Petty Tribute Band Grand Portage Lodge & Casino 9 p.m.-1 a.m www.grandportage.com
The Wrong Omar Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Dessa Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Cellars Wine Tasting Waves of Superior Cafe Tofte 6 p.m. 218-663-6877
Trout Opener Outside the BWCAW
Jan. 18, Sunday
NFL on the Big Screen Conference
Championships Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 2-9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
A Classical Evening with Sam Black and Clare Chopp Bluefin Grille Tofte 6-8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Boulder Lake Ski Race & Snowshoe Stomp 11k, 32k and Classic Races. 10.4k & 5.2k Snowshoe Stomps Duluth www.boulderlakeskirace.com
Jan. 19, Monday
Gordon Thorne Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Jan. 20, Tuesday
Pete Kavanaugh Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Open Mic Night with Boyd Blomberg Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 7 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 21, Wednesday
Open Mic Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 22, Thursday
Eric Frost & Bill Hanson Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Performs Tchaikovsky and other Masterworks with Guest Cellist Diane Djokic 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
Gordon Thorne Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Dance Party with DJ Beavstar Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 23, Friday
The Sivertones Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com/moguls-grille/
Pete Kavanaugh Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m.
Jan. 23-29
Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Race begins Jan. 25
See www.beargrease.com for event details.
Jan. 24, Saturday
Eric Frost Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m.
Boyd “Bump” Blomberg Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7-10 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com
Jim McGowan Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Old Time Square Dance at North House Folk School 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Definitely Superior Art Gallery Presents “Direlect: A Fashion Odyssey” Black Pirates Pub Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.definitelysuperior.com
Paul Mayasich Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Clogging Workshop and Square Dance with Music
by the Bootlickers at North House Folk School Grand Marais www.northhouse.org
Jan. 25, Sunday
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Race Start Orlean High School Duluth All Day www.beargrease.com
Scott Fraser Plays Classical Guitar Bluefin Grille Tofte 6-8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
Timmy Haus Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
A Superior Experience! Caribou Highlands Lodge Lutsen 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com
Jan. 26, Monday
Boyd “Bump” Blomberg Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com
Jan. 27, Tuesday
Joe Paulik Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Open Mic Night with Boyd Blomberg Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com
Jan. 28, Wednesday
Open Mic Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Dead Man Winter & The Pines Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 8 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 29, Thursday
Eric Frost & Bill Hanson Poplar River Pub Lutsen 6-8 p.m.
Dead Man Winter & The Pines Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 8 p.m. www.lutsen.com
James Moors Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. Dallas Smith Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
Dance Party with DJ Beavstar Papa Charlie’s Lutsen 9 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Jan. 29-Feb. 7
The Underground presents “The Turn of the Screw” at The Depot. All shows at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29-Feb. 14
Driving Miss Daisy at Magnus Theatre Thunder Bay www.magnus.on.ca
Jan. 30, Friday
Boyd “Bump” Blomberg Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m.
Maria Nickolay Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Joe Paulik Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m.
Reina del Cid Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 30-31
Lutsen Mountains Family Festival www.lutsen.com
Jan. 31, Saturday
James Moors Moguls Lutsen 4-6 p.m.
James Moors Cascade Restaurant & Pub 7-9 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com
Pete Kavanaugh Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7-10 p.m. www.lutsen.com
Abbamania Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.ca
By Kelsey Roseth
Hey there, you with the Coors Light bottle—hold up a second!
I know the bottle has been chilled to the perfect temperature, and that those deep blue mountains on the label are urging you to indulge in refreshment “as cold as the Rockies.” I get it. It’s crisp and delicious. But before you take another sip, know this: local craft brewers are pretty much moving mountains so that you have options. That way, when you’re tired of the Silver Bullet, you can experience beer brewed on the scenic North Shore.
Here’s an example: about eight years ago, you didn’t have the option of buying 750 milliliter (ml) bottles of beer brewed from small, Minnesota breweries and brewpubs. State laws didn’t allow it, and a guy named Ken Thiemann decided that wasn’t okay. At the time, he was a Duluth engineer dreaming of launching a small Belgian-style brewery in Knife River and to execute his business plan, he said the laws needed to change.
“I wanted to do 750s, which are 750 ml bottles, and I had to make sure it was legal,” said Thiemann. “I passed the 750 ml law for that and bombers in the state of Minnesota.”
In case you’re curious, bombers are 22 oz. beer bottles, and yes, Thiemann’s dreams did come true. “I had this idea to buy 20 acres and spend my whole retirement, everything that I had … and buy this land, hack into the woods and create two-thirds house, one-third brewery,” said Thiemann.
Borealis Fermentery now operates in a pretty neat facility on Scenic Drive that was built for extreme energy efficiency, but we’ll get into that later. Further up the shore, owners of the brand new Voyageur Brewing Company realized quickly just how highly-regulated the industry is; there are loads of state and federal laws to follow.
“You can’t sell growlers on Sunday,” said Mike Prom, one of the owners of the highly-anticipated Grand Marais business, as he listed off numerous regulations he’s researched. (A growler is a half gallon glass jug—usually, though plastic growlers exist now, too—that you fill at the brewery and take with you.)
This so-called “locavore” brewery is wrapping up construction on its new downtown facility and will operate as a microbrewery. That means Voyageur is allowed to produce and sell beer wholesale. That’s different than a brewpub, which brews beer on-site and sells directly to customers, but is not permitted to sell wholesale. Thanks to the 2011 “Surly Bill,” laws now allow Voyageur to have a taproom on-site in addition to its wholesale production. “It really made a difference,” said Prom, noting that the bill made it more financially feasible to build the business.
Meantime in Thunder Bay, Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. is singlehandedly changing the local craft beer industry. Opened a little over two years ago, it’s the first craft brewery to see success in Thunder Bay in the 21st century. That’s a huge deal. The brewery began as a passion pursued in a doctor’s free time and has since morphed into an easy-drinking line of beer that highlights the outdoor-loving lifestyle of the region. “It has been a very warm welcome in Thunder Bay for us,” said Matt Pearson, one of the owners and the brewery’s general manager.
Now, let’s get you initiated into the local craft beer scene.
This strong Belgian golden is Blacklist Brewery’s flagship beer and its most traditional. This brew has high alcohol content (9.5 percent alcohol by volume, or AVB), is light in color and is made with 100 percent pilsner malt, one of the lightest malt barleys available. The beer is not hoppy (hops are the female flowers of the hop plant, used in brewing ales primarily, that impart a bitter or tangy flavor to the beer) and one of the brewery’s owners, Brian Schanzenbach, said that was intended, as “every little flavor, every little nuance of fruit and tropical flavors you get is specifically from the yeast strain alone.” This from-scratch beer recipe serves as Blacklist’s base beer. That means the brewery uses the Or de Belgique recipe as the foundation for some of its other beers, then slightly alters the recipe by adding local, flavor-rich ingredients such as cranberries, to create an entirely different brew.
THE BUSINESS:
Blacklist beer hit the shelves in the spring of 2013, but childhood pals Schanzenbach and John Loss had been
brewing business plans for more than a decade before the product launched. The Brainerd natives each went off to college; Schanzenbach studied biology at UMD and worked with local breweries before attending the Seibel Institute of Technology to learn how to brew professionally. Loss became a marketing whiz at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Then the pair reunited, utilizing their diverse skills to develop Blacklist Brewing.
“We call ourselves a Belgian-inspired brewery, not that we strictly make Belgian beer, but Belgium is known to be a bit more on the creative side,” said Schanzenbach.
The owners brew 12 small-batch, high alcohol beers that are primarily served in 750 ml cork champagne bottles and are accessible in the Duluth and Twin Cities markets. The beers are meant to age well.
“We really try to offer the niche beer market that is in between beer and wine,” said Loss. Blacklist currently brews from a low-key facility in downtown Duluth, but the owners have hopes of building a taproom or beer garden in the near future.
WHERE TO BUY:
Visit www.blacklistbrewing.com for a list of local retailers, or call your local liquor store and request Blacklist beer.
Mon Cherries
Mon Cherries, (the commonly-known phrase Mon Cheri means “My Love” in French) is a dark, beloved beer that is made with chocolate malts, fermented with Minnesota cherries and aged on Minnesota oak toasted by the owner Ken Thiemann. It gives the beer a smoky finish.
“I don’t want the cherries in your face,” said Thiemann, “What I like to do is have it so [the flavors] are subtle and hit right on the back of the tongue. I seek real balance in my beers.”
This Belgian-style beer was inspired by the Belgian-Ardennes region (which is a French-speaking area of Belgium), is 8 percent ABV and made to enjoy any time of the year. “The Belgian style is beer treated like a wine,” said Thiemann. The beer is bottle-conditioned/fermented and is meant to age well like a vintage wine, rather than non-bottle conditioned beer that brewed in a tank and meant to be consumed before an expiration date.
On a personal note: bottle-conditioning is a complicated, but fascinating, process that deserves much more of an explanation that I can give it here. So, if you get the chance, stop by Borealis and ask Thiemann about it. He’s nearly a walking encyclopedia of everything beer. Better yet, the next time you get near any of these brewers, grab them (gently, of course) and ask about their process. There’s tons
of cool stuff to learn and their excitement is infectious.
In 2006, the Duluth engineer decided he had enough of the big-city life and wanted total control of his future. “I don’t like the corporate lifestyle, I don’t like cubicles and things like that,” said Thiemann. At the time, he had more than 17 years of home-brewing experience and a passion for Belgian-style beer, so he tapped into brewing as his new career. Thiemann then helped pass the Minnesota law allowing 750 ml bottles to be produced and sold, and cashed in his 401K to build the Belgian-style brewery investor-free, which, as we covered previously, is two-thirds house, one-third brewery. Thiemann built the facility using 431 bales of straw (which produce these deep, lovely window wells that look medieval) and 37,000 pounds of wet-weight stucco. The facility is extremely energy efficient and its location allows Thiemann to tap into artesian spring water for what he says leads to a better brew. Thiemann has faced hardships when fighting for his dream; during construction, a nearly 30-foot fall broke tendons in both his feet. But, against all odds, the one-man-brewery is seeing significant success. Borealis Fermentery is now three years old and growing.
Visit www.borealisfermentery.com for the brewery’s address and a list of local retailers.
This winter beer is named after the owner’s great-great grandfather, who was an Irish immigrant and brewer in Tower who produced before prohibition. George Hunter Stout, which is wildly popular with local craft beer fans, is a full-bodied, dark beer which contains a lot of roasted malt that gives the beer a hint of coffee. It’s meant to warm you up. The stout is 8.5 percent ABV and contains German hops, which reduce the bitterness and make the beverage extremely creamy. Tap beer and soda are usually dispensed with carbon dioxide, but this one is dispensed with nitrogen so it has less carbonation and leads to an “airy, bubbly, creamy texture. It’s more of a mouth feel than anything,” said the head brewer, Mason Williams.
THE
Seeking a fresh challenge, Clint MacFarlane bought a basic beer kit about eight years ago and began brewing on his kitchen stove, which happens to be on-site at the Castle Haven Cabins (MacFarlane and his wife Jamie own and operate the resort in Castle Danger). Within a year, MacFarlane developed a deep passion for brewing and became skilled enough to create his own unique recipes. Lov -
ing the fresh, local brews, family and friends encouraged the MacFarlanes to start a brewery. Following intensive research, the MacFarlanes bought equipment, tested recipes and obtained a license to sell beer in 2011. The MacFarlanes say they began a “nano-brewery.” “By starting at a small scale, we would be able to nimbly test and react to the market at a nominal investment level,” said the pair.
Business is now booming for Castle Danger Brewery. Since its conception, the MacFarlanes opened a successful taproom in Two Harbors this past August, hired 11 employees (four of which are full-time) and began canning its “dangerously good ales” and selling to local retailers.
“We are canning now too, that’s a new thing, a new area of business to get into, and it has been really great so far,” said Jamie, citing the rebirth of craft beer canning and the outdoor-attitude of the North Shore. “[Cans are] more portable than a glass bottle, and a lot more versatile for this area.”
Visit www.castledangerbrewery.com for the brewery’s address and a list of local retailers.
The nut brown ale is characterized by a rich malty flavor with a nutty tone, notes Mike Prom, one of the brewing company’s owners. The well-rounded ale is meant to appeal to a large audience; it has a low alcohol content and relatively dry finish. Unlike many American ale styles that craft beer drinkers are familiar with, the English brown ales are more malt-focused and bitterness is used only to balance the sweetness of the malts. To help balance those flavors and reflect Northern Minnesota harvests, Voyageur plans on incorporating local, wild rice into this beer.
“When we started doing this, the Grand Portage Monument came forward and said they have a wild rice recipe that was used in the days of the voyageurs. What would happen is the voyageurs would run out of beer, so they figured out how to make beer out of wild rice, so we are going to try and showcase that,” said Prom.
Voyageur Brewing Company began with three entrepreneur families who have an intense pride for their hometown.
“Our brand is really about Cook County and why people come here,” said Prom. He and his wife Sue own Voyageur Canoe Outfitters at the end of the Gunflint Trail
and are close friends with Cara Sporn and her husband Paul, who own My Sister’s Place, a popular Grand Marais restaurant. The families often travel together and experience the craft beer industry in other towns. So, about four to five years ago, between conversations and notes on napkins, the business plan formed. Next, Bruce Walters, an investor who recently relocated to Grand Marais from the Twin Cities area with his family, got involved and Voyageur Brewing Company was born.
“All three families came here for the lifestyle and sense of adventure,” said Prom, “so we are really trying to capture that.”
The brand-new brewery and taproom is right off of Hwy. 61 in downtown Grand Marias, and features a wide variety of beers for the outdoor enthusiast and a beautiful view of the lake. The brewery will sell locally and eventually in the Twin Cities, as owners want visitors to have the opportunity to relive their memories from Cook County, with just a sip of beer. WHERE TO BUY:
Visit www.voyageurbrewing.com for the brewery’s address and a list of local retailers.
360 Pale Ale
This hop-forward pale ale, by far Sleeping Giant’s most popular, is meant to be consumed year round.
“In Thunder Bay, we really want to promote the four seasons of active living, being outside and doing stuff spring, summer, winter, fall, so this is our all-around nice drinking pale ale,” said owner and general manager Matt Pearson.
Sleeping Giant’s website calls this 5 percent ABV beer, “two styles melded together to create the wonderful aroma of an English pale ale with a North American hop finish and a nice balance of crystal malts.” This craft beer has a light bitterness, and originally was developed because this type of beer is not widely available in Ontario.
For over 10 years, Sleeping Giant owner Kyle Mulligan was a family practice doctor by day and home brewer by night crafting carefully considered recipes. Then, about three years ago, the craft beer industry was
booming, but local breweries were a rarity in Thunder Bay. It was a situation that Mulligan, his wife Andrea, and long-time friend Matt Pearson were determined to change. Shortly after Sleeping Giant opened in 2012, it became the first brewery to see success in the area since 2000.
“There had been a few previous [breweries] that had opened and closed for different reasons,” said Pearson.
Since it began developing its distinctive line-up of easy drinking, full-flavored beer, Sleeping Giant has already expanded once and plans on expanding again soon. It is poured in more than 45 Thunder Bay restaurants, has a brand-new canning system and will soon be selling at LCBO and Brewer’s Retail establishments.
WHERE TO BUY:
Visit www.sleepinggiantbrewing.ca for the brewery’s address and a list of local retailers.
The Garage is featuring a great selection of arts & crafts from local artisans.
The Waterfront Gallery in Two Harbors is exhibiting functional pottery by North Shore artists, photography by Val Doherty and jewelry by Oreb Lram through Dec. 31.
For winter reading, Drury Lane Books suggests: “Drop Dead Healthy: One Man’s Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection,” by A. J. Jacobs, “Lifting Depression: Activating Your Brain’s Healing Power” by Kelly Lambert and “Clutter Busting Your Life” by Brooks Palmer.
The Spirit of the Wilderness is inviting artists of every age to participate in an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post (to open March 13) entitled “Igniting Imagination.” The show encourages artists to examine the overlap between creativity and spirituality—specifically paying attention to illumination and how it is expressed in the artist’s particular medium. Suggestions include choosing a “significant passage” to illuminate, or working with another artist, Questions? Call Lee Stewart at 218-387-2983, Bonnie Gay Hedstrom at 218-387-2538 or Mary Ellen Ashcroft at 218-387-1536
By Amy Schmidt
Raise your hand if you made a New Year’s resolution in 2014. Keep your hand up if you kept that resolution throughout the year. Is your hand still up?
Humans have been making (and breaking) their New Year promises for centuries. So what gives? Why do we keep setting yearly goals for ourselves when the vast majority of us let them go by the wayside so quickly?
There’s a lot of psychological theories out there about why we continue to make resolutions year after year, despite a frequent inability to follow through. Generally speaking, we make resolutions because it’s a tradition, one we’ve ultimately decided will make us happier and better-off.
Instead of making a resolution, try this. While 2015 is waiting for you to come humbly forth with a laundry list of things you need to change about yourself, consider greeting the approaching year with a deep satisfaction of who you are today, right in this moment.
Setting goals for self-improvement isn’t a bad thing; it can be incredibly healthy and have far-reaching positive effects. But we need to be careful when setting a resolution; we need to guard our hearts. It is easy to fall into the assumption that the resolution, whatever it might be, is the key to our happiness—that, if we just achieve this goal, everything will be great.
Life will never be perfect or even close to it; there will always be many worth-while goals we need to work toward achieving. But there’s power in joyfully claiming today, living fully in it regardless of its difficult qualities or our shortcomings. A singer-song writer, Jack Pearson, has a song entitled “Livin’ In My Shoes” that is extremely poignant for chronic resolution-underachievers. One line says “Yesterday’s only a memory, tomorrow may never show. All we’ve got is the gift of the moment, that’s why it’s called ‘the present,’ you know.” And while it’s just a kid’s song with a message we may have heard before, it’s pretty incredible to think literally about the lyrics and realize today really is “all we’ve got.” So, bring it on 2015. We’re ready for a whole year of todays.
Amy Schmidt is a RN at Sawtooth Mtn. Clinic in Grand Marais.
By Gord Ellis
One of my most vivid winter childhood memories includes a pair of snowshoes. I’m not sure exactly how old I was, but I was old enough to be wearing snowshoes. My father and I were going ice fishing, and we were going by foot. This was the early 1970s, and snowmobiles were not the ubiquitous winter form of transportation they are today. If you wanted to get back into a distant stocked trout lake, you really were forced to go by foot. And with snow depths routinely hip height for your average adult man, that meant wearing snowshoes.
The memory is foggy, but I definitely had a pair of traditional, old-fashioned snowshoes on that day. They were “handme-down” wood and deer skin snowshoes that had been cracked and repaired many times. In wet snow, the strips of deer skin would get soft and become something akin to a mini-trampoline. Because the wood frames had been repeatedly repaired, the shoes were not very stable.
I recall taking a few headers into the snow as I tried to follow my father’s longer stride. Worst of all were the bindings. As I recall, they just would not stay on my feet. About every 10 steps my foot would slip out of the binding, sending me, once again, face first into the snow. Dad and I would then spend another five minutes trying to get my boots back into the frozen bindings.
We got to the lake, and may have even caught some brook trout, although I can’t honestly recall. Despite that early experience, I grew to have a love for snowshoes, and that continues nearly 40 years later.
And there have been a lot of memorable experiences since.
One particularly vivid trip took place about 25 years ago just outside of Thunder Bay. It was January, and a friend and I had decided that hunting for snowshoe hares was the thing to do. It was a bright, crisp afternoon, and there was a couple of feet of snow on the ground. A quick foray in the bush with normal boots quickly proved fruitless, but we had the forethought to throw in our snowshoes.
I’d never hunted wearing snowshoes before and quickly learned there was a trick to it. For starters, I was carrying a loaded shotgun, and this created a whole new set of issues when the inevitable face plant occurred. There was one less arm to use as a cushion. Plus the actual hunting on snowshoes was a bit awkward, especially in the tight confines of a twiggy old cut. Yet those snowshoes kept us up on top and allowed us the same advantage the white rabbits had.
Once the balance and other issues had been sorted out, my friend and I had a very good hunt. It was exhilarating to sneak through the bush, kicking up those incredibly disguised hares and trying to anticipate where they would go and what they would do. A very challenging but exciting hunt. And it would have been virtually impossible to do without snowshoes.
In later years, when snowmobiles came into the picture, the snowshoes began to see a little less action. That didn’t mean, however, they got put away. Quite the contrary. In many ways, snowshoes became even more important as the backup plan to get out of the bush safely if and when anything went wrong. Needless to say, things went wrong.
The examples of snowshoes saving the hides of my friends and I are many indeed. One adventure that really stands out occurred deep in the bush north of Nipigon. We’d taken two machines into a distant trout lake, and travelled via a trail used by a trapper. The trip in was pretty exciting.
There
have been many memorable snowshoe adventures over the last 40 years.
At one point we actually rolled a machine. No one was hurt, but that was just a foretaste of the excitement to come.
When we got to the lake, it looked a little slushy, but we had faith in our longtrack sleds. Too much faith, as it turned out. Both machines became badly stuck in slush, and it was deep. However, snowshoes were strapped to the back rack of both machines. This was a life saver.
We used those snowshoes to pack down a hard trail that would take us back to shore. This was not an easy task, as the slush lurked just below the snow. One false step could mean becoming completely soaked. A very dangerous situation when you are 10 miles from your vehicle and
your transportation is immobile. Luckily, the brilliant simplicity of the snowshoe allowed us to get out. We even were able to fish a bit, although our enthusiasm for traveling to the good spots on the lake had been taken away. I do wonder what would have happened if we’d left our snowshoes behind that day. It all could have ended quite differently.
There have also been many idyllic walks in the woods with snowshoes on, looking at the beautiful trees and sucking in the fresh air. These experiences are highly enjoyable and provide a great source of exercise in the dead of winter. Yet somehow those snowshoe stories don’t stick with me like the ones I just shared.
training and adventures leading up to the racing season.
By Erin Altemus
The race nightmares have started. Every night it’s different, and most of the dreams don’t make any sense, but in all of them I wake up, relieved to be in my bed and not on the race trail...yet.
It’s a big deal to step up from the 100mile races I’ve done in the past to the 380mile Beargrease marathon, and it’s on my mind all the time. Here’s a rundown of my worst fears about the race:
One time last year, I ran 12 dogs with the sled and I survived. Other than that, I’ve never ran more than 10, and I’ve never raced with more than eight. It has been my experience that eight race-ready, in-theirprime dogs have plenty of power. Ten has been doable when we have a solid snow base and wide trails. Fourteen just seems unfathomable.
But what is there to fear? They are 14 of my best pals. Individually, I enjoy spending time with each one of them. But as a group, attached to a gangline in front of the sled, they are like some kind of untested machine. A mob of wild beasts. A locomotive train hurtling down the trail.
When I started mushing, I learned there are two cardinal rules: Never put your hand in a dog fight, and never let go of the sled.
My worst fear about 14 dogs is that I won’t steer the sled around some corner correctly, and I’ll tip over and, while hanging on to the handlebar screaming “Whoa!,” getting snow and ice burns along my side, I’ll see some rock or stump headed
straight for my head and be forced to let go lest my head become a brake (yes, this has happened). And then the team will be a loose cannon, running down the trail until who-knows-what stops them.
There have been a number of runs this fall where my hands have gone completely numb, or my feet have become so sore standing on the runners that I can barely stand up. The moaning and groaning about aches and pains is substantial, and this, after a mere three to four hours on the ATV or the dog sled.
And then there’s the fatigue. When I don’t sleep 8-9 hours each night, I am downright lousy company. I feel like a walking zombie really until the next night when I catch up.
One late night running dogs, Matt and I were switching off every 20 miles of running, and I was waiting in the truck for him to show up with the team. I just couldn’t stay awake. I nodded off, over and over. By the time he showed up, I had that Finland checkpoint feeling. At Finland, you are 75 miles into the race, you get to sleep for a few hours, and then your handler wakes you up, usually around 5 a.m., throws you some coffee, attaches you to the sled and shoves you off into the night. OK, it’s not exactly like that, but almost, and that’s what’s going to need to happen to keep me going.
We have been working toward the Beargrease marathon for several years. Most of our dogs were mothered by two dogs we bought in 2011. At that time we made a plan to have two litters of puppies that would get us to the Beargrease marathon in 2014. Well, it took us an extra year to make the goal, but we’re pretty darn close as long as the race starts. In the past 10 years, the Beargrease has been canceled twice and rescheduled at least once. To train so hard and long for something that gets canceled before it starts would be devastating.
see all of us crossing the finish three days later.
Though I fear the moment I have to stand on the sled behind 14 dogs, I am ready to cling to the sled. And frankly, I can’t wait. If I hold on tight enough and don’t get too cold, tired or sore, and the dogs don’t get too warm, cold, tired or sore, then you’ll
Please remember that there will be live-tracking of mushers during the race, available through the Beargrease website at www.beargrease.com. In addition, my husband and race handler, Matt, plans to update our Mush Lake Racing Facebook page throughout the race with stories, video, pictures and more. “Like” us to follow me and the dogs on Jan. 24.
By Deane Morrison— MINNESOTA STARWATCH
The New Year brings a long, slow approach between the two brightest planets, and it gets off to a running start with an early full moon.
January’s Wolf Moon reaches fullness at 10:53 p.m. on the 4th. Its name comes from the howling of hungry wolves outside Indian villages in the deep snow and cold. It takes a high trajectory across the night sky, a path that contrasts sharply with that of the sun’s daytime path because in winter—especially early winter—the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun and toward the full moon.
Also on the 4th, Earth reaches perihelion, the closest point to the sun in its orbit. On that day we’ll swoop to a mere 91,302,400 miles from our parent star.
The middle third of January has several moonless hours each evening, so this is a good time to go out and find some lesser-known constellations, such as Perseus. Start with the bright, multicolored star Capella in Auriga, the charioteer. A five-sided constellation, Auriga is high in the south, above
the hourglass form of Orion. Just west of Capella, use a star chart to make out the scraggly form of Perseus.
Perseus’s second brightest star, Algol, the Demon Star, represents the winking eye of Medusa, the snake-haired monster whose head Perseus carries. The winking is caused by the orbit of two stars in the Algol stellar system. In a cycle lasting not quite three days, the dimmer passes in front of the brighter and partially eclipses it from our point of view, causing a 10-hour dip in Algol’s brightness.
Jupiter rises earlier each night, following the knot of bright winter constellations into the sky. Meanwhile, over to the west, Venus is climbing and coming into its own as an evening star. These two planets will draw closer for the next five months, ending with a close encounter above the sunset horizon in June.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth campus. For more information and viewing schedules, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at www.d.umn.edu/planet
WHY GO: For those with snowmobiles, it’s an easy jaunt over to Bean, a designated trout lake with both splake and rainbow trout. The lake is popular with the local community, and is appreciated for its beauty.
ACCESS: This lake is entirely inside a portion of Tettegouche State Park that allows hunting, ATVs, snowmobiles and outboard motors. From Silver Bay, it’s about a two-mile ride to Bean. There’s trail access on C.R. 5. Those riding in on sleds don’t need to pay the daily park fee. There are several hiking trails, for those with cross-country skis or snowshoes leading to this area, including the Superior Hiking Trail, which is about a four-mile hike from the closest parking lot inside the park. Regardless of how you get here, it’s best to get your hands on a map of the state park or consult park staff. In the summer, some anglers trailer in small boats behind ATVs.
VITALS: This 31-acre lake in Lake County has a maximum depth of 26 feet. Water clarity is pretty good at 14.9 feet, according to the latest fisheries lake survey conducted in 2013. The lake is a mile northwest of Silver Bay.
GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Splake and rainbow trout.
FREQUENT STOCKING REGIMEN: Bean is stocked annually with about 1,000
rainbow trout yearlings. It receives varying amounts of splake fingerlings in odd years, most recently getting 1,684 little ones (42 pounds) in 2013.
That stocking regimen has produced de cent results, even as young trout compete with white suckers.
Finland area fisheries supervisor Dean Paron said the latest survey turned up quite a few splake in the 12- to 14-inch range. There was also a lot of rainbow trout in the 9- to 11-inch range with a few in the 15-plus inch range. The largest sur veyed was 17.5 inches and weighed 2.1 pounds, Paron said.
A GOOD OPENER OPTION: the lake is usually a good option for the first couple of weekends following the winter trout opener, which falls on Jan. 17 this year on lakes outside or partially out side the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
“Fish deeper for the splake, and closer to the surface for the rainbows,” Paron said.
Jigs sized for panfish tipped with larvae or trout eggs should do the trick. There are some minnows in the lake, and some of the more vo racious splake may feed on some of the smaller white suckers, but these trout are primarily feeding on bugs, Paron said.
TOO MANY SUCKERS: Paron said the lake’s high population of white suckers has made it a possible candidate for reclamation. This year, in Cook County, three lakes, Kimball, Mink and Boys were reclaimed, meaning the lake was treated with rotenone, killing off all of the trout and competing fish, as well. In that case, it was yellow perch and rock bass. But as decent a trout hole as Bean and its neighbor, Bear (which has splake and a remnant lake trout population, by the way), could do even better sans those white suckers.
PACK IT OUT: Jordan Schafer, the operations supervisor for the state park, asks that anglers pack out their trash, which apparently has been an issue in the past.
—Javier Serna
This year we received almost 300 entries for our photo contest, a large increase from previous years. The quality of entries impressed us in all categories and judging was difficult. We all had our favorites, and in the end we learned that photos move each of us individually in many ways. Thank you for sharing your family and friends, the landscapes around you, and the dogs in your lives. First place receives $250 in North House Folk School course credit, second place receives $50, third place receives $25, and we also chose an honorable mention. This issue, we are presenting the winners in the wildlife and landscape category. Other categories will be published in upcoming issues.
The 2015 contest will begin later this summer.
#1. Loon and Her Babies
Donna Ross, Thunder Bay #2. Old Evil Eye
Ken Greshowak, Duluth
#3. Fox Kit Along the Gunflint
Margaret Arko, New Prague HONORABLE MENTION: Woodcock
Sandra Updyke, Hovland
#1. Surf's Up
Philip Schwarz, Menomonie, Wisc.
#2. Pigeon River Valley
David Johnson, Grand Marais
#3. Rock of Ages Lighthouse
Christine Johnston, Thunder Bay HONORABLE MENTION: High Wind in Grand Marais
Julie Christiansen, Charlevoix, Mich.
Category: Dogs
#1. Brenda Hadrich, McGregor #2. Vicki Schmidt, Fargo, ND
#3. Charlie Helbling, Grand Marais
Honorable Mention:
Alex Carlson, Grand Marais
Category: People
#1. Lauri Hohman, Silver Bay #2. Ken Greshowak, Duluth #3. Sandra McHugh, Lutsen
Honorable Mention
Melissa Thompson, Grand Marais
By Elle AndraWarner
Are we alone in the universe? That’s a question that has been asked for centuries, ever since people started seeing “unidentified flying objects” in the sky.
Some of the world’s earliest recorded sightings include the Bible’s Ezekiel’s Wheel of 593 B.C.; Alexander the Great recording two flying “shields” in 329 B.C.; sightings in Nuremburg, Germany in 1561 and Switzerland in 1566; and even Edmund Halley (discoverer of Halley’s Comet) record of two sightings in March 1676.
In the United States, the first documented UFO sighting took place in 1639 in Boston when a “great light” was seen at Muddy River, which is located at Back Bay Fens opposite Cambridge, Mass. and diagonally across from Charlestown. The light was reported to have sped back and forth across from Back Bay Fens to Charlestown for a few hours. Gov. John Winthrop documented the strange event in his journal, describing that “sober discreet” men witnessed a large unusual object in the sky that shone as a “great light” and moved across the night sky for a few hours.
Canada’s first documented UFO appeared in 1791 and was reported in the diary of Mrs. John Graves Simcoe, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada (1792-1796) now known as Ontario. She tells of a “great light” in the sky near St. Paul’s Bay, Quebec on the evening of Dec. 23, 1791.
The first record of an UFO sighting in Northwestern Ontario, according to Art Gunnell in his Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal article “Something in the Sky” (Sept. 28, 2014), was back during the First World War in Sept. 1914 when George Gray, a cemetery caretaker who had recently immigrated from England, reported seeing a “mysterious craft of the air hovered over the outskirts of Fort William [now part of Thunder Bay] in the night” which carried “a strong light, like a searchlight.”
In an article in the Fort William Times-Journal on Sept. 19, Gray said the machine made a whirring sound and travelled from the hills behind Mount McKay towards the Kaministiquia River and over Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay) before heading towards Kakabeka Falls.
A week later, the newspaper reported that a number of other people in both Fort William and Port Arthur also saw a “machine” with a bright, locomotive-like headlight flying over the cities; a CPR train
In the 25 years between 1989 and 2013, there have been 14,617 UFO cases recorded in Canada, with an all-time high in 2012 when 1,981 UFO cases were recorded.
— Ufology Research’s online report “UFOs Over Canada: 25 Years of UFO Reports” (July 2014)
crew said they watched it through binoculars, determining it was about 100 feet long. All reported the machine was “‘travelling at a considerable height and a steady course.”
Coincidentally, a few months later on Nov. 2, Duluth’s News Tribune reported people in New Duluth seeing “mysterious lights in the sky” similar to those seen in the autumn by two men in Chisholm. They describe it as a “celestial phenomenon that crosses sky like a white bar.”
“It was about half-an-hour after midnight that we first noticed the strange light. It was brilliant and ran horizontally across the sky … appeared to sink down in the heavens until it reached the horizon,” said Fred Sequist, one of the men who wit-
nessed the lights. Another witness said it took the shape of a “long horizontal bar.”
It was about 67 years ago that the term “flying saucer” first came into use. The name stuck after Kenneth Arnold on June 24, 1947, spotted nine mysterious highspeed objects that he said were “flying like a saucer would” near Mount Rainier in Washington State. These days, the term ‘flying saucer’ is giving way to the popular name “UFO” for “unidentified flying object.”
UFO landing platforms are being built, including ones in Poland (Wisconsin), Seville (Spain), and a proposed one in Hawaii. But the world’s first UFO landing pad was built in 1967 in the town of St. Paul, Alberta (pop. 5,000) as a landmark.
Twenty-three years later, in 1990, they officially opened an adjacent UFO tourism info centre, with UFO exhibits and a UFO hotline. Coincidentally the ribbon was cut by Canada’s then Minister of National Defense Paul Hellyer, who is now a UFO activist, believing the existence of alien beings is being covered up by governments.
Have any UFOs landed at the St. Paul landing pad yet? No, but thousands of people have visited the site, including Mother Teresa and England’s Queen Elizabeth.
The world’s oldest and largest investigative body into the UFO phenomena is Mutual UFO Network, better known as MUFON. Officially began in 1969, their mission statement is “The scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity.” On their website www.mufon.com, there is a database that you can search for UFO sightings from across the world.
By William Swanson Borealis Books, 2014
This true crime story recounts the harrowing day that Virginia Piper, a 49-year-old wealthy Minnesota woman, was kidnapped from her backyard. The kidnappers asked for a $1 million ransom, which was paid, but the story didn’t end there. During the days and even years that followed, Ginny Piper and her husband were under media and FBI scrutiny for one of the largest kidnap-for-ransom stories on record at the time.
Writer William Swanson makes the history of these events come alive. Many will remember this story, but for myself, it’s an interesting glimpse into an era just slightly before my time. I always enjoy a true story that is retold as though we were actually there, and this is no exception.—Erin Altemus
By Brenda J. Child Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014
By Lisa Westberg Peters Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014
Brenda Child uncovers a Bureau of Indian Affairs file on her grandparents that opens her eyes to what life was like for her family on the reservation. Child weaves together her family stories from the Red Lake Reservation as well as stories from Ojibwe people all around the Great Lakes. She discusses the many challenges this generation faced—few opportunities for work, difficulty working with government programs, poverty and disruption to traditional culture.
Child recounts many particular stories and traditions from Red Lake—fishing, ricing, dance, healing—that give us a glimpse into reservation life and the culture that continues to be passed on to new generations today. —Erin Altemus
Lisa Westberg Peters writes a personal exploration/investigation into land that her grandfather once owned near Williston, ND, which is now in the heart of the oil boom. Peters’ family still holds mineral rights to the land.
Through interviews and extensive research, Peters learns how her grandfather’s land purchases near Williston in the 1940s reflect four generations of creative risk-taking in her father’s Swedish immigrant family. She explores the ties between frac sand mining on the St. Croix River and the halting, difficult development of North Dakota’s oil, locked in shale two miles down and pursued since the 1920s.
Catapulted into a world of complicated legal jargon, spectacular feats of engineering, and rich history, Peters travels to the oil patch and sees both the wealth and the challenges brought by the boom.
For anyone interested in the recent events in Western North Dakota where the oil boom has changed the landscape, the economy and the social fabric of the place, this is a great read: a personal take on the situation and informational at the same time.—Erin Altemus
By Joseph Friedrichs
Some people never forget the feel of their first automobile. Others can’t shake the love of their original Harley Davidson. Scott Logan never got over his first snowmobile.
“My parents bought me a snowmobile when I was 12 years old,” Logan recalled with the kind of glee often found in kids on Christmas morning. “It was a 1972 Arctic Cat Puma.”
That first snowmobile, or sled, as they are commonly referred to, has provided the framework for Logan’s lifelong fascination with the sport and its craft. Although he lives in the southern Minnesota town of Zumbrota, Logan prefers to visit the North Shore when he embarks on a sledding expedition, primarily for the quality of groomed trails and the landscape. And while riding a snowmobile is great, collecting vintage models is just as rewarding, Logan said.
And when it comes to appreciation for vintage snowmobiles along the North Shore, Logan is not alone. The 10th annual Arrowhead Vintage Snowmobile Ren -
dezvous will provide the perfect showcase for the enthusiasm shared by Logan and his peers when it comes to classic sleds. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Wildhurst Lodge & Campground near Finland.
LeRoy Teschendorf, the co-owner of Wildhurst Lodge & Campground, said people travel from all over Minnesota to attend the event. The annual gathering features “tons of old, vintage sleds,” he added.
Among the approximate 80 attendees at last year’s event, Teschendorf said Logan arrived with some of the most noteworthy vintage snowmobiles.
“He has an impressive collection, no question there,” Teschendorf said.
Logan has been involved with the vintage-snowmobile hobby for about 25 years. His collection, which he shares with his wife, Erin, includes 16 vintage snowmobiles and three late-model sleds. Logan said his heart remains loyal to Arctic Cats, as they are the first snowmobile he owned.
“That’s what I grew up with,” Logan explained.
In addition, the first snowmobile Logan
purchased with his own money was a used Arctic Cat, though that one was an el Tigre 5000 model. That was in 1981, and the sled remains a favorite make and model of Logan’s to this day.
Logan, 53, is an active member of the Finland Snowmobile/ATV Club. The club sponsored and helped organize the upcoming rendezvous. While Logan teaches autobody collision repair at a technical college, his passion is snowmobiles.
“I wouldn’t want to venture a guess on how much time I spend in the snowmobiling sport and hobby,” Logan admitted. “It’s quite a bit.”
And while most people associate snowmobiling with the winter months, Logan’s hobby is a year-round activity. The spring, summer and fall are the “garage and restoration time,” Logan said. Fall is also when many snowmobile swap meets take place, he noted.
And winter?
Well, “winter is the time for riding,” Logan proudly said.
Teschendorf said the Arrowhead Vintage
Snowmobile Rendezvous has increased in popularity each year, with about 85 attendees in 2014. The event is open to the public and features outdoor music, an assortment of food and beverages, vintage snowmobile awards/prizes and guided-snowmobile rides. Event organizers said people should know that they don’t need a vintage snowmobile to participate in the ride. All model years are welcome to ride along.
Logan, who has attended every year, said his favorite memories of the rendezvous include talking with fellow participants, specifically those who were around to ride the vintage sleds when they were considered new.
“One gentleman talked about how they used an old bedspring for trail grooming,” Logan said.
Another snowmobiling “elder” shared memories with Logan from an intense and competitive race held in Silver Bay in the early 1970s.
“These are the people that pioneered the sport and the trail system we have today,” Logan said.
As the terrain near his home in Zum -
brota is difficult for snowmobiling due to extensive private property parcels and too many roads, Logan said the North Shore is “by far” the best area in Minnesota for snowmobiling. He has been traveling to the region for decades to enjoy the sport and the beauty of the area.
With an impressive collection of vintage snowmobiles already in his stable, Logan said he isn’t looking for another sled at this time. Though if he were to slide back in the market—he was quick to point out—Logan would love to obtain a late 1950s or early 60s Polaris Sno-Traveler. All the same, Logan is looking forward to sharing his collection and admiring other snowmobiles at this year’s rendezvous.
“It’s a great event,” he said, “that helps maintain the trails in the nicest part of Minnesota.”
226-4666
For information about placing your classified ad, contact Sue at sue@ northernwilds.com
Sherry
Grooming by Appointment • 218-387-1484 for small and medium-sized breeds
Own a slice of Minnesota’s Favorite Resorts
We bring you closer. To the lake, each other and your vacation property dreams.
Bluefin Unit 11
2BR, 2 BA. Lower level w/lockout. $66k in income.
Bluefin Unit 16
2BR, 2 BA. Sweeping views. Rent as one or two units to maximize income.
Surfside on
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flexibility
Bluefin Unit 45 & 49 3BR, 3 BA. Brand new units! Master craftsmanship. Pure elegance.
Installation
Interior Design Services Virtual Room Designs Available
From start to finish, We do things right! Stop by to see our showroom. Complete selection of floor coverings.
The Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts is unmatched in its intimate proximity to Lake Superior. We offer three distinct ownership opportunities to achieve what you’ve been dreaming of for years.
• Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior: Award-winning property, Minnesota’s Favorite Resort. One, two and three bedroom condos & townhomes on Lake Superior with access to restaurants, pools, saunas, tennis court, gift shops, & full service spa.
• Surfside on Lake Superior: New, spacious luxury townhomes on Lake Superior. Home to Waves of Superior Spa & Café. Offering shared ownership opportunities.
Bluefin Unit 40 Upper-level, so. facing 2 BR condo (lockout) w/ stunning views. Seller to pay $10.5K BA upgrade.
Bluefin Unit 55 & 66 3 BR, 3 BA. Largest townhome. $100K in annual income.
• Temperance Landing on Lake Superior: Distinctive log home luxury on ledgerock and cobblestone beach near Temperance River. 3 BR, 3BA custom log homes with access to resort amenities at Surfside.
110 w. 5tH ave. Grand Marais
3 Bedroom 2 Bath. Being sold fully furnished. Would make a fabulous home or income property.
MLS# 6003308 Price: $227,500
7412 GunFLint traiL Grand Marais
16 x 12 log cabin on five acres. Handy mid trail location.
MLS# 6002855 Price: $75,000
216 soderBerG Lane
BircH Lk GunFLint traiL
Very private cabin. One bedroom with loft. Deck and dock. Garage. 300 ft lakeshore on 7.63 acres.
MLS# 6002859 Price: $297,500
310XXX soderBerG Ln. BircH Lake
202 ft. lake shore lot on 5 acres. Driveway and build site.
MLS# 6002970 Price: $149,900
1.57X e. Hwy. 61, Grand Marais Nice 1.57 acre residential lot close to town.
MLS#6002333 Price: $35,900
253 soutH sHore deviL’s track Lake
4 Bedroom 2 Bath 3 Car Garage with Guest Cottage on 216 ft. of lake shore.
MLS# 6002643 Price: $384,900
474X soutH sHore dr., Grand Marais
Very nice 5 acre parcel near Devil’s Track abuts Fed land.
MLS# 6002390 Price: $42,500
Grand Marais 185 N Pike Lake Rd
MLS#6003124 $449,900
Tofte 90 Hoaglund Drive
MLS# 6002328 $545,000
Drop dead gorgeous Lindal Cedar home with substantial upgrades throughout entire home Owner will complete kitchen, flooring throughout and master bath to buyer suit - or new owner can complete based on own design criteria.
Lutsen 24 Lodge Lane
MLS#6002521 $254,900
Extremely well maintained 3 bedroom 2 bath Lutsen Log Lodge located on Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. Newly updated 3 season enclosed porch. Nicely appointed home with vaulted ceilings, master bedroom with private bath and jetted tub. Open main level floor plan with great room, kitchen and fireplace. Private Association with carefully crafted declarations for your benefit. Vacation Rentals and private management available or perfect for second home or permanent residence.
Enjoy the solitude on nearly 600 feet of meandering shoreline along the north side of Pike Lake. Located at the end of North Pike Lake Road this is literally the last private piece of land on this part of the lake. This home was built in 1993 and is used year round as a prime vacation spot. The property boasts 1 bedroom plus a loft that serves as additional sleeping space. Full kitchen and ¾ bathroom round out the amenities. A woodstove will keep you toasty warm on winter nights. For the summer there is a large lake facing deck. Dock and fire ring round out the amenities along the shore.
Grand Marais 661 Pike Lake Rd
MLS#30752 $219,900
Fantastic package! 37 acres on Pike Lake Rd. 2 bdrm 2 bath and 1 car garage. Only 8 miles to town but pure private.Direct access to Superior Hiking Trail and Cascade River.
Grand Marais 241 Mile O Pine Rd
MLS#6003228 $390,500
Gunflint Lake 3 Season Home on 200’ of prime frontage, 3 BR, 1 ¾ baths, big rock fireplace, 11 big picture windows, guest cabin, boat dock, well and approved septic. Living and dining area is nicely paneled with a paneled ceiling. Excellent Lake and woods views with 11 picture windows. The porch wraps two sides of the house and is 6” wide. The house comes with most furnishings including a big moose head, bearskin rug and flint musket to complete the North woods life. Enjoy days by the lake on a new aluminum dock.
windows, siding, roofing, Insulation & more.
Lutsen 505 Poplar River Rd
MLS#6002439 $419,000
The Poplar River Condominiums are Lutsen Resorts most flexible luxury accommodations. These three bedroom units offer outstanding views of Lake Superior. Nestled on 20 acres of land across the Poplar River from the Main Lodge, the site offers privacy with convenient access to all Lutsen Resort Amenities and activities.
MLS #6003287 $999,000
It’s unusual or likely simply unavailable to find nearly 850’ of Lake Superior shoreline spread over 13 acres in the heart of Lutsen. This property is accompanied by a three bedroom lake home that was built for the ages. The lake home is timeless with respect to design and architecture. Three bedrooms, one bath with a Great Room and wood fire place. Recent updates to kitchen and bathroom. Sincerely, likely some of the best views on the entire north shore with moderate stair access to ledge rock shoreline. Property is currently examining land considerations for Administration Sub-Division. Application is in process showing the possibility for one or two additional shoreline lots with back lots for protection. Proposed land considerations attached.
MLS#6001732
$525,000
Jonvick Creek Beautiful home sites in mature Maple, Spruce and Birch forest. $29,500-54,900
xxx Sawbill Trail 120 Acres located up the Sawbill Trail. Large Maples MLS# 27551 $199,900
xxx Mountain Ash Ln Cedar covered hillside overlooking Lake Superior in Lutsen. MLS#60000147 $649,000
xxx Mile O’Pine 1.6 acres, Gunflint Trail. MLS#6002389 $179,900
xxx Leveaux Ridge
3.45 acres Birch Forest, pines, Lake Superior View MLS#6002548 $37,500,
Johannes Toftey Homestead Sites
Lutsen 261 Caps Trail Tait Lake
MLS#6001233 $334,500
Tait Lake in Lutsen. Wonderfully appointed and extremely well maintained 2 bedroom, loft and 2 bath south facing home on a 2.9 acre parcel and 190’ of shoreline with dock. Abundance of natural light throughout the home. New addition in 2006 includes second bedroom, bathroom hallway and laundry. Office added in 2011 (could be converted to third bedroom). Excellent value. Call Katterine today for your private showing.
Grand Marais 517 S Gunflint Trail
MLS#6000932 $599,000
Gunflint Lake home on nearly 12 acres of forest land with 619’ of private shoreline on Gunflint Lake. Two stall detached garage, guest cabin, boathouse and woodshed. Priced below taxable market value! Call Bruce today for showing.
Beautiful hillside lots in Tofte with Lake Superior and Carlton Peak views.
$35,750-55,000
Lutsen 5295 W Hwy 61
MLS#6002804 $129,000
Two+ bedroom manufactured home located downtown Lutsen. New septic and deck summer 2011. Newer roof, furnace and dishwasher. Great location with convenient horseshoe driveway and level lot. Solid foundation. Walking distance to “downtown Lutsen” and close proximity to area employers and related businesses. Very nice floor plan with well appointed furnishings included.
Lutsen 4010 Cascade Beach Rd
MLS#6002547 $429,000
Well-built and well maintained 2 bedroom 2 bath Lake Superior Home near Black Point on Cascade Beach Road in Lutsen. Wood burning fireplace with living, dining and kitchen combined with orientation toward lake and very nice views. Separate yearround sun room and third room study. Main level laundry with separate study/craft room or 3rd bedroom option.
Tofte Airport Home Sites Located between Lutsen and Tofte. Convenient Location with outstanding values. $24,750-33,000
Tait Pines Nestled hillside adjacent to Tait Lake in Lutsen, just 13 miles up the Caribou Trail. $37,950-$57,750
Caribou Hillside Outstanding homesites tucked along the hillside of Caribou Lake. $52,250-$126,500
342 Rd Schroeder 160 acres covered in Maples, Birch, and other mixed forest. Can be sold as parcels. MLS#6000143 $199,000
Hovland 90 Stonegate Rd
MLS#6002703 $699,000
This home blends pure quality restating an original Lake Superior homestead with a Clarence Kemp addition that seamlessly ties two areas under one roof with masterful eloquence. Kitchen with custom made cabinetry, high-end appliances, gas stove, granite countertops and a custom designed brick-oven. An open living space with the Great Room with vaulted ceilings with Lake Superior view. Kitchen, great room and dining room are all connected.
Grand Marais 1817 W Hwy 61
MLS#6002458 $139,900 Hwy 61 West from Grand Marais, located close to town on a private wooded lot. This home has 4 bedrooms and plenty of options for a new owner to add sweat equity. Property may be divisible. Mix of residential and commercial zoning.
Lot 2 Block 5 Superior National MLS #15154
Lot 13 Sawmill Vacant Land
MLS #31370 $82,000
Lot 6 Block 3 Superior
National MLS #15146 $50,000
Lot 3 & 4 Block 2 Superior
National MLS #15142 & 15143
$57,000
5-acre Parcel Sold in Lutsen
MLS #6001645 $75,000
181 S Caribou Lutsen
MLS#6002800 $307,500
4170 Cascade Beach Road
Lutsen MLS #6002279 $750,000
1059 Devil Track Road Grand Marais MLS#6002977 $249,500
K2 Sea Villa MLS# 6003041 $150,000
179 Birch Trail MLS#6002382
$469,000 Pend I n G:
5170 W Hwy 61 Lutsen
MLS #6003083
179 Birch Trail Grand Marais
MLS #6002382
51 S Clearwater Rd Grand Marais MLS#6002596
for updating! Over 300 ft of shoreline, garage and outdoor fireplace! MLs#6000899 ReduCed! $679,900
easY LIVIng On La K e suPeRIOR! super location between grand marias and Lutsen with incredible views of the big Lake! meticulously maintained, move in ready, great Opportunity to make this your dream Lake superior home! MLs#6001226
60 aC WITH La K e V IeWs e of grand marais! keep this gem all to yourself and enjoy plenty of elbow room! ML s#6002841 $124,900
M Y OH M Y MILes Of V IeW! Lake superior sprawls from your feet on a park like serene Lakeshore parcel with plenty of shoreline from an elevated building site. a must see! ML s#6002686 $275,000
fa BuLOus La K e suPeRIOR V IeWs, fa BuLOus HOMe! a rchitecturally designed for main level living, hUge windows allow you to soak in the superior Views! enjoy two fireplaces, two levels of living! great location between Lutsen and tofte!
ML s#6001010 $344,900
La K e su PeRIOR and LuTsen Leads to the good Life! sweet Lake superior build ready parcel in the heart of Lutsen, driveway in place all you need is some vision for laying out your home to take advantage of the Creek and the level ledgerock of Lake superior! MLs#31207 $279,900 ReduCed Huge!!
CR az Y BIg La K e BIg MOunTa In V IeWs! epic home with sprawling views, too incredible to imagine, you mUst see! main Level Living, huge deck, loft bedrooms and lower level family/guest space. Over 6 acres! MLs#6002052 $275,000
and
forming good harbor & Cutface Creek beach. Water, sewer, ext. maint. covered by assoc., just show up, relax, and e xplore! ML s#6002475 $375,000
dR ea MY La K e suPeRIOR V IeW home in Lutsen! Floor to Vaulted Ceiling windows draw you to the massive Lake superior Views from this Lindal Cedar home! top notch Quality home, tons of space for entertaining, and enjoy the new rock patio and fire pit, a great place to create your family vacation memories!
ML s#6002838 $399,000 InCR edIBLe Va Lue!
QuIeT OasIs On THe BIg LaKe! relax and just enjoy Life, a masterpiece of main level living for the couple who enjoys entertaining but also enjoys having their own space at the end of the night, why, that’s why you have two guest quarters! MLs#6003227 ReduCed! $845,000
sHOCKIng V IeWs, InCR edIBLe HOMe! bowl Over your guests with the Lake superior views, quality crafted home with fine finishings and thoughtful design! Lovely setting perched atop the sawtooth r idges over blue Fin bay in tofte! MLs#6002322 $550,000
dR ea MY La K e suPeRIOR land and lakeshore! several acres of privacy and way more than 200 ft of Level access Lake superior shoreline in schroeder, near sugarloaf Cove naturalist a rea! MLs#6001554 ReduCed! $275,000
Ma RV eLOus La K e suPeRIOR LIVIng! Well maintained Family Compound with yr round newer home on 8+ ac and 340+ ft accessible shoreline! but’s it really about “The shining rocks” The “rock 1” log cabin was built early 30’s, and it’s been lovingly maintained by only a handful of families since. Cabins rock 1, 2 & 3 create this incredible family compound!
ML s#6002529 $799,000
HOLY
sMOK es, IT’s a H a RBOR dOW nTOW n BuILdIng fOR sa Le!
ML s#6003100 $429,000
hardware, contractor, Farmer’s market spot… may build to suit!!
WILdeR ness TOW n
HOMe fOR CROssCOunTRY sKIIng! a condo in the middle of the northwoods, isabella location! What a great idea for those outdoor enthusiasts looking for very nice accommodations to come back to after a full day of fishing, boating, hiking, biking, snowmobiling and cross country skiing! MLs#6001979 ReduCed!! $143,000
Ka H nee Ta H! These authentic north shore Cottages enjoy Lutsen’s Cascade beach rd frontage along Lake superior (great rental revenue!) and highway access for Lutsen’s treasured a rt gallery! Live and Work on the north shore with an e xisting business!
MLs#6002091 $280,000
faMILY WInTeR
fun aT THe LuTsen sea VILL as! if you haven’t seen the Villas in a while, you better look again! most have been updated, especially k 3 and C5! Let us show you the neW LOOk in the sea Villas and you will LOV e them!
aT WaTeRs edge K3 VILLa, suPeR BaRgaIn aT $177,500 ReduCed
ReCenTLY RenOVaTed suPeR MOdeRn LaRge sea VILLa C5 $249,900!
W InTeR WOndeRL ands fOR sa Le aT LuTsen MOunTa Ins! ski in ski Out, super nice Condos and townhomes at Caribou highlands, a wide variety available from the small getaway studios to the top notch 4 bedrm townhomes. Call timberWolff today, we are your Condo e xperts!
fROM $115,000
ML s#6002881
jaW dROPPIng COOL
Ca RIBOu La K e LOT! mature maples, birch and Cedars on hillside building site with the backdrop of ledgerock walls and Ledgerock boulder shoreline, an a rchitect’s dream site, an incredible piece of land and lakeshore!
ML s#6002791 $250,000
400 f T WITH 14 aC On deVIL
TR aCK La K e! What more can we say? Oh yes, there is a nice meandering driveway through mature red pines leading to level access beach shoreline. Quite nice! ML s#6002721 $375,000
nICe La K e V IeW HOMe OV eRLOOKIng nIneMILe
La K e! tons of space, great views and a ffordable Low maintenance Living! ML s#6002645 $145,000
MeandeR dOW n THe dRIV eWaY to your inland Lake dream spot! Level Lake access on White Pine Lake in Lutsen, year round access, bordering federal land with electric at driveway. tons of Value, One of a k ind spot, must see!
ML s#6002667 $175,000 gR eaT Va Lue! a nCIenT PInes On Ta IT La K e! Lovely log sided Cabin with Vaulted Ceilings, gorgeous Fireplace, and awesome Views! so
and really good Value! a mazing layout to soak in the Views, this home won’t disappoint! ML s#6002658 $339,000
On deeRYa R d La K e, with garage/workshop/cabin with 100 ft of nice shoreline and nearly 3 acres of south sloping land. electric, well, septic tank, and dock! Can’t beat this value for Lutsen Lakeshore Living!
MLs#6001066 $139,000
Ta IT La K e HOMe In LuTsen! enjoy Fall leaf color from the breezy deck overlooking the 260 ft of shoreline! tons of light flows through the Living room focusing on Wilderness lake views. Well maintained year round home is totally dialed in and the garage boasts a roomy workshop with spacious guest suite! ML s#6002868 $349,000
ed LIsTIng!
s#6002963
naTuR a L BeauTY! main level year round living just east of grand marais, with insulated garage! ML s#6002327 R eduCed! $189,000
fIne LIVIng In fInL and! Cherry cabinets in k itchen, huge deck overlooking Pines! garage and sheds. great Price! $175,000 ML s#6002456
deVIL TR aCK Rd HOMe! nice home for someone looking for sweat equity, desirable location on 10 ac of nice land! tons of potential! $180,000 ML s#6000256
neW deC 2014! funCTIOna LLY desIgned fOR gR eaT fa MILY LIVIng! gR eaT Bu Y aT $163,500 ML s#6003318
sTa RTeR , KeePeR! Zippy grand marais home, large yard and neat home! a must see at $99,000 ML s#6003099
funCTIOna L HOMe
On 6 aC in between Lutsen and tofte, just a minute to the ski hill or sugarbush XCountry trails! garage, tons of space! $199,000 ML s#6002213
suPeR OPPORTunITY, rent the Lower Level and love living on the main level with wrap around deck and LOV eLy Lake superior views! really worth a look, great living spaces! ML s#6003021 R eduCed! $195,000
garage and nice Lake superior views, you will enjoy coming home after a day of outdoor adventure! a must see to appreciate how nice this home is! ML s#6001945 $169,000 COnTIngenT sa Le
CusTOM CR af TsM ansHIP, small Footprint design! main level bedrm and Loft bedrm, large office, bath on upper and main floor! huge, heated workshop/ garage, any man’s dream! Very affordable living with option to rent the garage apt. with a little finishing! ML s#6002254 R eduCed! $249,000
CuTe as PIe In TOf Te! so it needs a little tLC, eh? Come see this charmer, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
s i Lver Bay to Litt L e Marais to Fin L and & i sa B e LL a!
New! Rocky Wall Overlooking Lake superior just outside silver bay
$110,000 MLs#6003239
80 acres for $79,000 blesner Lake rd!
MLs#6003110
Show Stopping Views from this White tail r idge building site, looks over Wolf r idge eLC, astounding mountain top Views! MLs#6002468 $79,000
Rocky Wall land with driveway in place, hUge views of shovel Point!
MLs#6002434 $99,000
SHAZAAAM Lake Superior views with 5th Wheel, electric at build site minutes to tettagouche state Park MLs#30736 $129,900! saLe PendIng!
Sonju Lake Road in Finland! several large parcels from $44,900 MLs#6001324
Huge Lake Superior views, build site surrounded by cliff wall and creek! MLs#6001295 $89,900
Over 5 acres of Young Aspen and Lake superior Views on the sugarloaf road, Walk to superior hiking trail or sugarloaf Cove on Lake superior! ML s#25632 $29,900
Sugarloaf Retreats on High Ridge Drive, located up the surgaloaf road from sugarloaf Cove naturalist a rea, enjoy large acreage parcels at rock bottom prices! From $62,000! ML s#25701-4
t o F te a rea
n ear B LueFin Bay r esort!
LeVeaux Mountain Foothill site, Cliff wall to your back! ReduCed! $38,500 MLs#6003160
Affordable Elevated Built Site bordering UsFs lands, yr round, electric! $15,900 MLs#6003223 saLe PendIng!
LeVeaux Mountain, super Views and Wildlife Ponds! fROM $52,500 MLs#6002929 & MLs#6002995
Just Up the Sawbill Trail grab your little piece of the northwoods, rolling terrain and small community feel with year round access, great build sites! ML s#6001346 from $17,500!!
Toftevaag on the Sawbill, nice Lake Views! Walk to the Coho, great location!
Honeymoon Trail Wildlife Lands! 10 ac nearby Poplar r iver in Lutsen, great hunting or hiking land at a sUPer great price! nice boreal Forest with build site bordering UsFs lands! ML s#26729 $39,900
Caribou Lake Area Build Site on 5 Ac! at the base of the sawtooth r idge overlooking Caribou Lake is this sweet land perfect for your year round cabin with easy access to all that Lutsen Offers!
ML s#6000-049 $49,900
30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake! ML s#6001462 $137,500
Lovely 20 acre parcel located on the outskirts of Lutsen, only minutes to bigsby and Caribou Lakes! nice mixed forest with high ground for choice building sites. great price for your northwoods getaway!
ML s#31531 $37,900
Gorgeous Views of Williams and Wills Lake in Lutsen! year round access, electric, mountain top site bordering UsFs land. a Wonderful place to build your northwoods home!
ML s#6001685 $79,000
Super Building Site on Honeymoon Trail Lutsen locale with electric and all year access! high ground!
County Rd 7 Murphy Mountain Lake View lands! bargain buys in young Poplar Forest, easy clearing for sweet Lake superior Views for as little as $39,900! Or enjoy hilltop build site with driveway in place, creek bordering site for $89,900! ML s#25633
60 Ac with Lake Views e of grand marais! keep this gem all to yourself and enjoy plenty of elbow room! MLs#6002841 $124,900
Parten Way on Pike Lake Rd! Panoramic Vistas of the sawtooths, road rough in, a five minute drive to new Pike Lake Landing! yr round access! $39,900 uP MLs#6003047
160 acre parcel of upland maples and boreal forest. beautiful forest, absolute quiet, total seclusion. Owned by the same family since 1904!
fROM $53,000 MLs#29252
MLs#6002612 $140,000
s chroeder a rea n ear the c ross r iver!
40 Ac of Maples and boreal forest meandering toward a sweet moose pond and creek, with driveway in place and cleared build site! MLs#6002822 $125,000
Sweet mint cabin on 10 ac of maples! $87,900 MLs#6002164
Gorgeous Acreage Overlooking sawtooth range! yr round, electric. $45,000 MLs#6003185
DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, rolling hills, maple Forests fading in to spruce and Pine and year rOU nd aCCess…simply said a magniFiCent piece of land…tons of acreage available, or just pick up a 40 for $70,000! mUst see , call emily today! mL s#6001560, multiple#’s call for full map and prices! fROM $70,000 MLs#6001560-66
10 Ac Parcels of Maples! scramble across the rolling terrain of mature maples (breathtaking in the Fall) to a sweet building site Perched Over a mixed boreal Forest, good Levels of serenity For sure! year round access and electric at road! ML s#6000676 $56,900
Cool Spot for your Dream Home!driveway is in place leading to a drop dead gorgeous building site with ledge rock vertical drop water fall! MLs#6002624
ReduCed! $54,900
Lutsen Lake v iews & w i L derness Lands!
Turnagain Trail Hunting Parcel! Convenient to everything, but end of the road! fROM $59,000 MLs#6003036
Over 15 ac of Wilderness on turnagain trail in Lutsen! MLs#6002934 $69,500
Prime Build Site(s) just off theCaribou at jonvick Creek! $49,000 MLs#6003188
Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the heart of Lutsen paved Caribou trail locale bordering UsFs lands! MLs#6002383
fROM 54,900-$77,500
Rollins Ridge land, hike to Oberg mtn from your front door! MLs#6002351
ReduCed! $49,900
What an opportunity! 30 plus acres on Lutsen’s ski hill rd, just down the hill from the midwest’s best ski area: Lutsen mountains. great views of Lake superior and toward moose mountain. Property has coveted resort, commercial, residential designation. The possibilities are endless!!
MLs#6002951 $269,900
ML s#6001796 $28,800
Grand Marais Location Location Location!
60 Acres Minutes to Grand Marais near devil track Lake! easy walking/biking access across Fed land to monker Lake!
ML s#6002586 $95,900
Birch Drive just west of grand marais, wilderness living with sUPer build sites, borders UsFs lands, year round access! great buy at $49,900 MLs#6002349
A River Runs Through It!
160 acres of Upland and r iver Frontage on the Cascade r iver near eagle mountain, a rare Find with tons of opportunity. Whether hunting land or Wilderness retreat, this is a great Opportunity!
ML s#31732 $140,000
Own your own park in the heart of grand marais!
MLs#6002396 $17,000
Between Grand Marais a nd Devil Track Lake 60 Acres! rolling terrain and nice mixed forest and grasslands just up the gunflint trail and devil track Lake rd, this is a great location and an amazing price!
ML s#6000-606 $95,900
Bordering Cascade River Park! Potential to subdivide or keep it all for yourself! nice Lake superior Views from multiple build sites, hike right in to the Park land with access to Cascade r iver falls and Lake superior! ML s#31097 $200,000
exeCutive estate at CHiMNey roCk Absolutely spectacular soft contemporary home situated above Chimney Rock with miles of panoramic views of Lake Superior. This is one of the most stunning offerings you will see. See the Chimney Rock website as there are so many features you will not want to miss. www.stunninglakesuperiorhome.com Mls # 6002771 $1,930,900
oNe oF a kiND
l ake superior
parCel This Lake Superior lot has ledge rock, coves, creeks and a spectacular view of the lighthouse in Grand Marais and the Sawtooth Mountain ridges to the west. Only a short walk to the shops and dining in Grand Marais. The over-sized septic was installed and built to accommodate 5+ bedrooms. End of the road privacy, private bridge over a bubbling creek to access the site. Mls#6003042 $729,000
l ake superior l aND parCel. Elevated site with slope to lake. Rugged Shoreline. Towering White Pines, Spruce, Birch and Cedar. Must be seen to be appreciated. Views to offshore island. Great Building Site. Mls #6002594 $379,000
2 speCtaCular lake superior lots at terraCe poiNt. Outstanding shoreline views all the way to Artist Point & Grand Marais. Each has dramatic shoreline. Great location west of town. priced at Mls 6000590, $600,000 and Mls 6001067 $300,000
CHiCago bay
CasCaDe beaCH
CabiN Spectacular ledge rock Lake Superior parcel on Cascade Beach Road. There are rock out-croppings, a cove and could be improved to year round. No septic sites located. Mls# 6002552 $399,000
HoMe Located along coveted Chicago Bay Road, this charming Lake Superior cottage has fresh paint, new carpet and counters. Roomy spaces with large windows for great views of the lake. Mls# 6002611
$185,000
trout HaveN All 6 lots at Trout Haven at Hare Lake have a combined package price. Excellent investment opportunity. Lots platted and ready to sell. Individual lots available for purchase: See MLS #'s 6002166, 6002167, 6002168, 6002169, 6002170, 6002171. Great location within 20 minutes of Lutsen/Tofte, and just minutes from many great fishing and camping lakes in the Timber-Frear chain or BWCAW. Hare Lake is a trout lake with beautiful views and clean water. The lots have nice elevation and gentle shoreline access. Power and phone, county road, good home or cabin sites. Mls#6003161 $295,000
solituDe oN looN lake. This lot is located on the south side of Loon Lake and offers great lake views. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. These lots offer a great shoreline and many nice trees. Mls #6001605, 6002124, 6002128 $192,000
total peaCe, privaCy aND solituDe Spectacular custom executive log home and retreat located on 2 lots, 750' of shoreline and over 13 acres on pristine Greenwood Lake. The main home consists of 2932sqft of living space. 3 bedrooms including a lovely master suite, 2 baths with showers and one with whirlpool tub. The lake view is spectacular through lots of glass from all the rooms. Mls# 6002467 $989,000
view of palisade. Mls #6002033 $259,000
borDer , beauty aND bWCaW.
Rare opportunity to own a private wilderness escape, North Fowl Lake. 2 BRs, full kitchen, comfortable living room and large deck. Large open yard, sauna, storage shed and dock. Great privacy, 200’ of shoreline, abutting the BWCAW. Water access. Mls #30184 $199,000.
level lot, NiCe WooDs, easy sHore. This Devil Track Lake lot has easy access from county road, power, phone and great building sites. South shore, 200 ft. frontage, great views. Build your home on the lake here. Mls #6001771 $198,900.
sNoWsHoe ruN lots
CasCaDe lake privaCy This is the only private land on the lake. Enjoy the utmost privacy and unspoiled wilderness views with 87 acres and over 3,000’ of shoreline. Includes a wellmaintained cabin, sauna, dock and outhouse. Easy year-round access. Unique opportunity to own a private wilderness compound! Mls #31513 $700,000.
private Harriet lake retreat Want seclusion? Here is a classic homestead property at the end of a private road. It has 87 acres and 1300 feet of shoreline on a peaceful bay of Harriet Lake. There is no other private land on the bay, and adjoining on two side of this property. There are two older cabins that can be swept out and put to use. Lots of white pines. Mls#6003076 $325,000
Mls #6002430 $259,500.
private HiDeaWay. Charming cabin on 150' of Little Ollie Bay on Poplar Lake. Adjoins BWCAW. Easy access to Banadad Ski Trail. Nice views, deck, 2 bedrooms, bath and sauna. Used as a managed rental unit with good income and history. Mls #6002044 $259,900
Snowshoe run is set along a high ridge overlooking Hare Lake in a mature northern hardwood forests. Year-round plowed and maintained county roads, power at each property and a clear water lake are just a few reasons these properties are a must see. These beautiful home sites were planned for generations of enjoyment and are protected by covenants. Mls# 6003206 thru 6003212 prices start at $24,900
lot 8, NiNeMile l ake
Enjoy expansive views from this parcel that features a spectacular point with 548' of shoreline. Property features 2.3 acres with ledgerock outcroppings, mixed tree cover, and outstanding views. For added privacy, lot adjoins State of MN lands for undeveloped shoreline as your neighbor to the south. Mls #6003205 $97,900
Flute reeD river property
Very nice property for your homestead. The Flute Reed River meanders through with a perfect build site about 200' from the river. Heavily wooded with mature, vibrant trees. Also a great recreational parcel for camping, hunting (great deer herd), ATVing or just visiting nature. Electric at the road. Year round access.
Mls#6003200 $45,000
owned and operated since 1996
aMaZiNg HoMe Near trestle piNe lake. 3 BR, 2 BA home up the Gunflint Trail only a few minutes from many great lakes. The interior has an open bright feeling and is move-in ready!
Mls #6002885 $169,000
Quality Devil traCk lake lot. Heavily wooded south shore lot with 150’ of shore. Easy shoreline, great views, excellent building sites. Power/phone. More shoreline available. Mls #6001770 $149,900.
soutH sHore HoMe site Beautifully wooded parcel on Devil Track Lake's South Shore Dr, 153 feet of shoreline with nice trees and view, survey and new 700' long driveway. Sharply priced to sell!
Mls# 6002540 $125,000
greeNWooD
l ake Lovely, wooded lot on desirable Greenwood Lake. High elevation with spectacular views of the whole lake, bays and islands. This lot is surveyed, has a new driveway and turn around.
Mls#6002946
$119,000
MCFarlaND l ake 5 acres and 244’ feet of shoreline waiting for your getaway. Paddle directly into the BWCAW or relax by the shore taking in the view of McFarland Lakes' Palisades.
Mls# 6002905 $179,500
CasCaDe river property A river runs through it! If you're looking for peace, quiet, and beautiful wilderness views, this could be the location for you. Off the beaten path, yet good access. Good building sites on 25 acres overlooking the beautiful Cascade River. Mls #6002440 $84,900
trout HaveN. Six nicely wooded, west-facing lakelots on Hare Lake. Easy county road access. Power available. Beautiful views, nice shoreline, good trout fishing. starting at $82,000.
paNoraMiC
MaiNteNaNCe-Free oN l ake superior Gorgeous, 3-level residential condo in Tofte. Beautiful views and quality finishes. Ideal floor plan has 3 beds and 3 baths. Private outdoor space on every level with two decks and a patio. Can be sold as a "turnkey residence" or "rental ready"-you decide.
finished basement. Country living at its best! Mls #6002258 priCe reDuCtioN! $229,000.
Mls #6002039 $359,000
vieWs Unit 11A and 11B at Terrace Point offers buyers an opportunity to enjoy panoramic lake views and Lake Superior experiences. Architectural designs inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and John Howe. There are numerous built in furnishings built to a high standard. Mls#6002759 $235,000 and Mls#6002760 $215,000
lake superior C oND o/toFte.
Great lake views from this 2 bedroom + loft unit with 2 baths, fireplace, balcony looking up the shore. Chateau LeVeaux offers many updated amenities, indoor pool, sauna, game room, and on-site manager. Mls #6000473 $100,000.
es & CabiNs
exeCutive HoMe WitH l arge sHop + liviNg Quarters Country home with huge shop and apartment. Quality home on secluded 20 acres in maple forest. Sunny living/ kitchen area. Expansive master loft-suite. Huge deck with large yard and open mature woods. 3-car garage. 3100 sq ft. shop/office/apt. perfect for cottage "industry" or other creative use. More land available.
Mls# 6002767 $599,000
toWeriNg piNes, West bearskiN l ake. Totally charming log cabin in towering pines. The cabin is in great shape and has been lovingly maintained. The 2 bedroom cabin is a summer-use place to reflect and escape. It comes furnished and is ready for you to move in. BWCAW just a short paddle down this premier Gunflint Trail Lake. Mls# 6002814 $319,000
#6003203 $89,300 NeW! seCluDeD HoMe WitH river Log Home Privacy. Tucked away on 10 heavily wooded acres is your dream log home and hide-a-way. This home has all the warmth and charm of a north-woods lodge, with one level living, open great room, sunroom, and lots of windows that bring the beautiful forest and light inside. The deck has a neat glass enclosed sauna plus a hot tub. There is a charming studio cabin for your hobbies or for guests, a large 2-car detached garage with attached living space or man-cave, and a 24 X 30 pole building for all your outdoor gear and toys. Extensive trails allow for easy walks in the woods and wildlife viewing, with access to the meandering Flute Reed River. This is a dream home lovingly built by the seller and you'll notice the quality, care and custom details as you approach from the long and enchanting drive. Make it your permanent home or recreational retreat in the woods. Mls# 6003351 $336,500
CouNtry liviNg
Enjoy the peace and calm of true country living. Charming rambler nestled in 26 acres of meadow and woods.
graND Marais
HoMe Conveniently located in town with incredible views of Lake Superior. The home features 4 BR, 3 BA with a great layout and tons of storage space. Master BR includes a custom whirlpool tub, skylight, and a separate covered porch overlooking the harbor. The kitchen has been totally redone. Drive-through garage. Mls #6002043 $247,000
Ful
N HoMe 3- BR coun-
home in Lutsen on 3.67 acres. Light
and dining rooms. Eat-in kitchen. 1 3/4 baths. Full basement. Sauna. New septic system. Double detached garage. Owner /agent. Mls #6002162 priCe reDuCtioN! $209,000 eNergy eFFiCieNt HoMe. Earth sheltered home with over 5 acres and a creek. Conveniently located near Grand Marais and Gunflint Trail. 4 BR, 3 BA with a 2-car detached garage. Updated and remodeled with many custom features. This home is designed for the person who wants to live the rural, energy-efficient lifestyle. Mls #6001812. priCe reDuCtioN! $219,000 C ouNtry HoMe iN HovlaND. Lovely
reMote outpost. The 2 bdr, home sits on 77 acres and features all the creature comforts with solar power and shower house, There’s a large 2-car garage with workshop plus 2 guest cabins that provide plenty of space for the whole family or group. Trails, solitude and wilderness – a perfect place to live remotely or as base-camp for your adventures. Mls# 6001657 $174,900.
perFeCt starter HoMe
This cute and affordable country home is at the end of Brandon Lane with a nice, private yard. There is an A frame cottage for storage or would make a great playhouse. This is a perfect starter or empty nester.
Has a nice two car detached garage. Finished second bedroom in lower level, laundry and extra storage. Mls#6003034 $149,900
NeW priCe! rustiC log, roiliNg river , MoDerN C oMForts.
This log kit home sits on the scenic Flute Reed River in Hovland, just a short walk to Lake Superior's shore. The seasonal cabin has a great screen porch, modern kitchen and comes furnished with cabin-style furnishings and sportsman's décor. +/- 400' of dramatic river frontage. You can't beat the sound of a North Shore river! Mls #6003153 $140,000.
CabiN oFF irisH Creek roaD Beautiful recreation, hunting, nicely forested land that hasn't been logged since early 1900. Seller is a musher and has trails throughout property and old logging roads on adjoining state lands. Mls#6002992 $67,500
big opportuNity, MaNy possibilities.
Prime commercial location in Hovland with 1,000 feet of Highway 61 frontage. Large commercial space now operating as a gift shop, small 2 bedroom home and 1 functioning rental cottage. Two other small cabins could be rented, and there is room for many more.. Mls #6003052 $299,900
lutseN CoMMerCial HWy 61 FroNtage. Two acres, zoned GC. Location, visibility, nice forest, lake view. Includes a third (one-acre) parcel zoned residential. Mls #6001891 $179,000.
CeDar grove busiNess park lots. Cedar Grove Business Park is the ideal location for your existing business or new start-up! Conveniently located in Grand Marais, near the start of the iconic Gunflint Trail. Full infrastructure in place including paved streets, municipal sewer and water, electric and telephone. Call us today for a guided tour of this unique and affordable business park opportunity. prices start at $10,000
stuNNiNg river aND piNCusHioN trails. A unique opportunity for skiers and hikers. Trail easement runs through the property. The RC zoning allows for a resort/lodging type business. Mls #6000298 $85,900.
40 aCres W/MoNs Creek FroNtage. Easy road access. Good building sites. Mature trees. Deeded access to Lost Lake. Mls #6002120 $79,900.
40 aC – lost lake retreats. Mons Creek flowage with great views and tons of wildlife. Private and secluded location. Includes deeded access to private lake. Mls #6002121 $79,500.
WooDs, Water & seClusioN. Nice ‘40’ with good timber and 1000’ frontage on Mons Creek. Great building site. Private deeded access to Lost Lake. Mls #6002119 $69,900.
graND Marais HoMe site oN Creek. Nice wooded lot with City services: water, sewer and electric at site. Nice south exposure and frontage on Cedar Creek. Mls #6001830 $63,900 l aND oN tHe Flute reeD river Enjoy privacy and seclusion in a deep 13 acre parcel with over 300 feet of trout stream. County road with power, phone and broadband available. Good sites to build your home or cabin in the woods. Mls#6002960 $49,900
piNCusHioN trail parCel.
This parcel has forest with direct access to the Pincushion Ski Trail system, Superior Hiking Trail and Devil Track River. Resort/Commercial zoning. Mls #6000299 $214,900.
HuNter's HaveN
80 acres in Schroeder, Rolling land with wonderful wildlife habitat including stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Great seasonal cabin.
Mls #6002159 $142,500
NeW priCe! Caribou l ake HoMe site
New price is well below tax assessed value, and seller is open to offers. Magnificent, old-growth cedar and maple trees frame a corner lot with a great, high build site in the Sawmill Bay area of Caribou Lake. Year-round accessibility and a terrific wildlife habitat awaits your cabin in the woods. 185' of lake frontage is dry and has beautiful views of the bay; wetlands between lot corner and lake frontage have been delineated. Association-maintained launch nearby. Secluded and quiet, yet minutes away from Lutsen activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Paths cleared for easy accessibility. Mls# 6002756 $98,000
Maples, vieWs, privaCy.
85+ acres near Hovland. New road access, adjoining federal land. South exposure and views. Seasonal access.
Mls #6003156 $99,900.
NeW! l arge HovlaND aCreage
"Eighty" with new road to center; adjoins federal land to north. Fantastic maple ridge building site with views to south across large beaver pond on adjoining land. Lots of variety, many nice building sites. Mls#6003156 $99,900
NeW! Devil traCk area parCel
Very nice 10 acre lot with direct access to South Shore Dr. Driveway is stubbed in to a cleared area that could be used as a building site. Slightly rolling terrain with moderately heavy growth that includes every type of Boreal Forest tree. Mls#6003184 $89,000
5 aCres Near Devil traCk lake. Deep wooded home site – just steps from Devil Track Lake, and DNR access. Enjoy the lake without the high taxes! Mls #6002697 $72,500.
Maple Hill HoMe site. Heavily wooded parcel with great privacy, county rd frontage, power and phone. Super location for your home or vacation retreat. Walk to golf course, easy access to Gunflint Trail or Devil Track area. Mls# 6002601 $70,500
over the vast forest. Mls# 6003353 $68,900
10 aCres Near graND Marais. Great piece of property located minutes from Grand Marais, on Pike Lake Rd. Seasonal view of Lake Superior. Many nice build sites. Mls #6001078 $64,900
laND Near graND Marais. Beautiful 5-ac lot just minutes from town. Meadow, power/phone. Shed and pond. Driveway in. Great home site. Mls #6003084 $59,900.
DraMatiC superior vieW. Three high lots to choose from, southern exposure from the cliffs of Chicago Bay. Mls #6001901 & 1902 $59,900 & 6001903 $54,900
Deer HuNter’s paraDise Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Mons Creek meanders through the property border where it abuts State land. Great cabin spot! Near Tom, Chester, Esther and Devilfish lakes. Mls #6003078 $50,250
WoNDerFul vieWs oF lake superior! 3 lots available; wooded and private. Minutes to ski hill, Superior National, Lutsen shops. Surveyed, year round access. Mls #6002918, 6002919,06002920 lots start at $52,000.
reCreatioNal laND. Nice 41 acre parcel with good slope to southern exposure. Easy access on Camp 20 Road. Deeded private lake rights to Lost Lake. A remote escape within easy reach. Mls #6002080 $46,500
reCreatioNal parCel iN HovlaND. 43+ acres close to the public landing on Tom Lake. Survey complete; may subdivide into two 20+ acre parcels. Road plowed year round in special taxing district. Owner/Agent. Mls #6001471 $37,500
got reMote? Can't beat this property for "off-the-beatenpath". If it's seclusion you seek, this wilderness 19-acre recreational property is for you. Surrounded by State & USFS lands. Hike in access from Devil Fish Lake. Mls#6002961 $37,000.
lutseN HoMe site Secluded and heavily wooded parcel bordering on thousands of acres of US and State of Minnesota Forest land. Additional 5 acres available. Mls# 6002801 $35,000
Here is tHe WooDeD aND reMote '40' you have been waiting for. Priced right at $4,300 below the assessed value. Good mix of woods. Parcel surveyed. Mls# 6002463 $29,250
Gunflint Trail
6A, great location right off of the Gunflint Trail, close to town AND the golf course. Utilities are readily available. Healthy mix of trees.
MLS 6001301 $39,900
Have you always wanted to live on a golf course?
Here is 9A adjacent to Gunflint Hills Golf course with a great mixture of trees!
MLS 6003224 $50,000
Wood Mountain Rd
This affordably priced 8+ acre lot abuts Federal Land, is surveyed & septic sites are identified. Located off Taylor Land & is close to town.
MLS 6002424 $47,900
County Rd 7
Wooded 5A parcel with nice mix of trees and fields with quality build sites. Privacy yet close to town, this property is the perfect place for you northwoods home!
MLS 6002413 $79,900
5A of nicely wooded, level land. Very private but close to town on County Road 7. South of the intersection of Co Rd 7 and Co Rd 44.
MLS 6002282 $54,900
Squint Lake
5A surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient mid-trail location with easy access to many recreational activities.
MLS 6003242 $69,900
County Rd 14
Nicely wooded 20A parcel consisting of two lots!
Year round access with electricity and telephone readily available.
MLS 6002375 $74,900
10A with year round access, electricity and phone. Abuts Federal land and provides access to an incredible amount of Gov’t land.
MLS 6002376 $44,900
116 Overlook Dr
3.33A with Lake Superior view, privacy, and is user friendly for building. Located at the end of Overlook Trail in Tofte, utilities available & year round access.
MLS 6002510 $64,900
Quist Rd
Two 5A parcels with potential spectacular views of Lake Superior. Close to town, but very private!
MLS 6002957 $44-$46
Surfside on
Become
the costs associated with ownership. MLS 6002764 $189,000 Land
Silver Fox Rd 5A of northwoods privacy with all modern conveniences about 8 minutes from town. Gently rolling with some very attractive building sites. Abuts government land.
MLS 6002967 $49,900
81 Solberg Lane
20A close to town but is definitely off-the-grid for a real North Woods getaway. Nicely elevated with the possibility of solar and wind power. Rustic outhouse and bunkhouse cabin on the site.
W Hwy 61
MLS 6003176 $62,800
Great location and development opportunities right off Hwy 61! 7.1A Commercial lot (Zoned Commercial and R-1). Additional acreage of R-1 behind. Agent Owned.
MLS 602301 $149,900
Rosebush Lane
Nicely wooded 5.40A with shared driveway only minutes from town. Identified septic sites and fully surveyed! Approx. 430’ of creek frontage. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!
MLS 6003093 $49,900
Morgan Road
20A with some amazing Lake Superior views. Feels remote but close to town. Property abuts Cascade State Park and Federal land.
MLS 6002668 $79,900
Roman’s Rd
Two 1+A lots with year round access of nicely wooded land near Devil Track Lake. Minutes away from public lake access. Additional land available.
MLS 6003000 $19,900
Close to Devil Track Lake and lots of recreational activities.
1.06A MLS 6002324 $19,900
1.72A MLS 6002323 $29,900
Stonegate RD
2A with lots of potential uses. Power, phone, and broadband are a stones throw away.
MLS 6003282 $21,000
156 Stonegate Rd 3BR, 2BA gem of a lake home. Excellent lake views with wrap around deck on 4A with 212’ of shoreline.
1658 Croftville Road
3BR, 2BA, with 225’ of easily accessible meandering shoreline on very private lot. Enjoy your gas fireplace and a cozy, warm sunroom all on one level. Detached double car garage. MLS 6000697 $475,900
activities nearby, including a number inland fishing lakes. MLS 6003046 $159,900 Sag Lake 1.1A and 191’ frontage on Sag. Year round access, electric & phone. Direct access to BWCAW. MLS 6002374 $69,900 Spectacular views,
• Planned community restricting use to permanent residents
• Lot available is 82’x128’ elevated and a view of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains to the north
• Each owner has an interest in the undeveloped open space.
• Water/Sewer and power are at the street and ready for hook up.
• County maintained road for access to the property
• No guesswork with this construction project
• 10 homesites -- 4 are developed
Pileated woodpeckers build a new nesting cavity every year. After the woodpeckers are done with them, all kinds of other critters from owls to ducks to flying squirrels will use them for shelter. One winter this abandoned woodpecker nest had five adult flying squirrels living in it where they could share body heat and keep warm on those subzero nights. I scratched on the tree one January afternoon and to my surprise they all stuck their heads out at once, trying to see who was disturbing their winter nap.—Paul Sundberg
Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, year-round resort located on the historic Gunflint Trail of Northeastern Minnesota. As the only residents on Flour Lake, and nestled in within the 3 million acres of the Superior National Forest, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from a true wilderness setting.
Golden Eagle Lodge Nordic Ski Center is world class, nationally-known, and silent sports only. We are located on the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System, a well-marked network of more than 70km of beautifully groomed trails that begin right from your cabin’s doorstep. This trail system was built specifically for cross-country skiing and
is tracked for both traditional and skate skiers alike. All ski trail passes are offered at no charge to our cabin guests!
We offer complete skiing and snowshoe rentals for all ages, a heated ski waxing room, a trail lit 7 days a week, and a private use sauna. All our modern housekeeping cabins have a fireplace wood stove, gas, or electric fireplace.
We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation. We would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination. We go out of our way to ensure every aspect of your visit will convince you to come back and see us again. You won’t be disappointed!
