Northern Wilds by Nei-Turner Media Group

Packing Summer into One Month

In the depths of winter, we all wish for July. Now, it’s here. July—dare we say it—is the only truly summer month in the Northern Wilds. June is a dreary month of rain and cool temps. August brings diminishing daylight and the hint of autumn chill. July is the only month where you can count on having a few days hot enough to make you yearn for an air conditioning unit.

It’s hard to pack all of summer into one month, but folks throughout the Northern Wilds give it the old college try. In this issue you’ll find a plethora of summer events—art festivals, outdoor concerts, fishing contests, dragon boat races, canoe races, bikes races, a beer festival and more. In fact, paging through the events section of this issue, you might think the month of July is just one long party. Well, it can be if you want it to be.

Then again, there’s so much else to do in July that you may not find time to party. This is a great month to get on the water, as Lucas Will shows us in his story about standup paddleboards. Eric Chandler cranks up his courage to launch his kayak on mighty Lake Superior—on a flat calm summer evening. Javier Serna introduces us to a great July fishing hole—the Gunflint Trail’s Hungry Jack Lake.

July is also the month when we can enjoy the fresh bounty of local farms and gardens. Joan Farnam pays a visit to the Lakeview Dairy near Grand Marais. Kelsey Roseth talks with gardeners who supply fresh produce to families and restaurants. This is also the month when we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of another locally produced commodity—boards and specialty lumber from the Hedstrom Lumber Company.

Managing editor Erin Altemus takes us on a unique adventure—letter boxing, which is essentially an artistic twist on geocaching. Elle Andra-Warner goes a little farther afield—sea-kayaking off the coast of Vancouver Island. In her Strange Tales column, she tells us about the fascinating, and somewhat mysterious, pictographs found on the shores of Lake Superior.

We’ve packed a lot of stories and information into this issue, which at 80 pages is our largest ever. We must thank

our advertisers for their strong support of Northern Wilds. They are truly the ones who make this publication happen. When doing business with our advertisers, please let them know how much you enjoy this publication.

And by all means, enjoy every moment of July. If you aren’t careful, it will be gone before you know it.

—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com

Erin Altemus, Managing Editor erin@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

Amber Pratt, Advertising Manager apratt@northernwilds.com

Sue O’Quinn, Sales Representative sue@northernwilds.com

Jane Shinners, Sales Representative jane@northernwilds.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com

Kate Watson • kate@northernwilds.com

OFFICE

Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwilds.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Elle Andra-Warner, Eric Chandler, Gord Ellis, Joan Farnam, Joseph Friedrichs, Mark Lindsey, Travis Novitsky, Julia Prinselaar, Kelsey Roseth, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Lucas Will

Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers. Northern Wilds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-9475 (phone/fax)

FEATURES GUIDES DEPARTMENTS

Red Fox Kits by Travis Novitsky.

Terrace Bay Land Purchase Protects Lakeshore

THUNDER BAY—A piece of pristine Lake Superior shoreline renowned for rare botanical species and unparalleled paddling will be protected with the help of a Thunder Bay-based conservation group.

“This is one of the wildest and most impressive pieces of Lake Superior shoreline property. I guess it kind of epitomized the feeling we had about Lake Superior,” said Susan Bryan, chair of the Nature Reserves Committee for the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists (TBFN).

The group is in the midst of purchasing a 1,240-acre parcel of land between Hydro Bay and the mouth of the Aguasabon River just west of Terrace Bay, including 15 small islands just offshore.

Called the Terrace Bay Nature Reserve, it will be the largest of the group’s 14 reserves and will protect 6.5 miles of Lake Superior shoreline frontage. It also includes a segment of the famous 33-mile Casque Isles Hiking Trail, which hops the bays between Rossport and Terrace Bay.

Bryan, a Thunder Bay-based botanist, says Lake Superior’s cold northern coast supports a number of regionally rare arctic-alpine disjuncts, isolated populations of plant species that normally inhabit more

northerly climes.

The Northwestern Lake Superior Coast is home to black crowberry, common butterwort, prickly saxifrage, pearlwort and many moss and lichen species—remnants of the glacial age. These communities have continued to survive long after the glaciers retreated, and many of them are found within the newly appointed nature reserve.

“These are plants that would grow in the mountains above the tree line or they would grow in the Arctic, north of the tree line. From my point of view, these plants are the ones I see when I go to the Northwest Territories or up to Baffin Island,” said Bryan. “They’re not rare globally speaking, but they’re certainly rare regionally here in Ontario, far away from where they would normally be growing.”

The protected bays and coves around the headlands and islands on the property are a popular destination for paddlers. Visitors will see gull rookeries, a heronry, nesting mergansers and loons, raised cobble beaches and rare orchids, according to the Field Naturalists. Several archaeological features of historic aboriginal origin, known as Pukaskwa pits, are also found on the property.

Naturalist Susan Bryan hiking at sandy cove in the Terrace Bay Nature Reserve. | MIKE BRYAN

A rocky headland makes up part of the rugged coast of Terrace Bay Nature Reserve. | MIKE BRYAN

The conservation group notes that the nearby Slate Islands are home to Ontario’s largest population of woodland caribou. Bryan says the caribou have been spotted along the ice between those islands and the mainland, so the Terrace Bay Nature Reserve could play a role in the protection of their habitat.

“It’s a bit of a link that might provide habitat for what’s now a species at risk in the province,” she said.

The property is one of several large parcels owned by Terrace Bay Pulp Inc., which fell into creditor protection in 2012. With the help of a court-appointed monitor, the company put more than 4,450 acres along Lake Superior up for sale, marketing the land as a rare opportunity to develop cottage lots or a luxury resort.

With that news, the TBFN envisioned the sale as a chance to preserve the land while encouraging low impact recreational and educational uses.

“We want to leave it natural. Basically we don’t plan to build anything on it. We’d like to encourage the Casque Iles hiking group to continue their present use of the trail and encourage them to maintain the trail because we think it’s a valuable way for people to explore the property, including our own members. We think that that use is very compatible with what we envisioned. We would like

to [have it] available to people for education, for outdoor enjoyment, for appreciation of natural history, birding, photography, low impact uses, cross-country skiing, hiking, picnics,” continued Bryan.

The Naturalists won the bid on the 1,240-acre parcel, but due to a confidentiality agreement they cannot disclose its price. With the purchase expected to close July 15, they are actively seeking donations from the public to help cover the cost.

“Unfortunately some of our usual avenues of funding were cut off because of confidentiality,” explains Bryan. “We often apply to charitable donations, but in order to

apply to those groups you have to provide a budget for your project. We weren’t allowed to do that because of the confidentiality agreement, or else the funding agency would have to sign the agreement as well. But only one of the agencies we applied to was willing to do that.”

Bryan invites people to visit the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists website at www.tbfn.net to learn more about its newest reserve or donate online. Donations of stocks are also welcome.—Julia Prinselaar

Map of recently purchased Terrace Bay Nature Reserve. | THUNDER BAY FIELD NATURALISTS

Pearlwort, an Arctic disjunct plant growing on the rocky shoreline at Terrace Bay Reserve.

| MIKE BRYAN

Camp Chow—Great Taste, Local Flare

GUNFLINT TRAIL—Local entrepreneur Sarah Hamilton is facing the problem most business owners only dream of: Demand for her product, Camp Chow, is outreaching the company’s supply.

“Demand is moving faster than we can,” Hamilton said of Camp Chow and its variety of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals designed for backcountry cooking and camping. “It’s a wonderful problem.”

Hamilton, a resident of the Gunflint Trail for more than two decades, recognized a need for quality food with a local twist that could be easily prepared in the vast wilderness areas she calls a backyard. As fate would have it, that same backyard happens to be home to thousands of visitors each year, most of them keen on outdoor adventure. In addition to providing what customers clearly desired, Hamilton wanted a means to keep her staff at Trail Center Lodge, where she is an owner, employed year-round.

“Cook County is so seasonal, and my staff have families to support and mortgages to pay,” Hamilton said. “So combined with the love of making recipes, I have always wanted to have a dry line of foods.”

Hamilton founded Camp Chow approximately two years ago and this summer expanded the business to feature a full line of entrees, desserts and other backcountry snacks. Following in the footsteps of similar success stories such as Mountain House or Backpacker’s Pantry in the freeze-dried or dehydrated meal industry, Camp Chow features one thing those large companies don’t: local flare.

“The feedback I get from the customers is flavor, portions, ingredients and sodium levels,” Hamilton said, when citing the reasons for her young company’s success. “I try not to add salt to any recipes, use honey instead of sugar, wild mushrooms and am adding more organic cheeses.”

In addition, Hamilton makes a point to order ingredients used in Camp Chow from the Cook County Whole Foods Coop in Grand Marais to ensure quality ingredients in her product.

Included in the Camp Chow menu are turkey and dressing, pork-sausage gravy with scrambled eggs, gluten-free beef goulash and berry cheesecake. The complete menu features more than 50 dinners and nearly 300 items. Most of the meals will be served in the backcountry using a single cooking pot where the dried food is combined with boiling water. In the future, Hamilton said she plans to add a backpacking “cook in bag” line, thus eliminating the need for heavy cookware.

Camp Chow items are either freeze-

Each campsite in the new addition at Burlington Bay has a Lake Superior view as well as all the hook-ups. | KELSEY ROSETH

dried or dehydrated and packaged by Hamilton or one of the other two employees presently working for the business. All of the work is done on-site at the Trail Center Lodge. Employee Durae Lilienthal, whom Hamilton referred to as the “super Energizer bunny” is doing “99 percent” of the packaging of all Camp Chow food, yet another reason Hamilton sees a need to expand the business and expand staff.

“Camp Chow is unique because it is made right here in Cook County,” Hamilton said. “From recipe ideas, packing and graphic design, and the labels are printed right here.”

In addition, the food is often consumed in the nearby area. With nearly a million acres of wilderness open to camping and exploring

in the Boundary Waters and surrounding national forest, a one-pot, just-add-water, locally produced meal is a welcome treat to weary paddlers or hikers. Then again, Camp Chow is apparently so tasty one needn’t trudge through dozens of brush-laden portages, or hike to the summit of Eagle Mountain to find the savory delight the meals can provide. Just ask Jessica Lambert.

Lambert, a resident of Northbrook, Ill., stopped into Trail Center during her recent journey to the Gunflint Trail. As is often the case, several Camp Chow recipes were available to sample that afternoon inside the lodge’s gift shop and market. When Lambert took a tiny white plastic spoonful of the cheesecake, her eyes lit up as though she were a child tasting the first ice cream cone of summer.

“Now that is good,” Lambert said with a contagious smile.

As it stands now, Camp Chow is available at the Trail Center Lodge, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, Sawtooth Outfitters, Duluth Pack and, for outfitting purposes, via Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters. When the business expands beyond its present kitchen and packing area, Hamilton said she plans to open a store and manufacturing location in Grand Marais. She also hopes to take Camp Chow on the road to shows in the winter months and continue promoting the product.

And while the future looks bright for Camp Chow as the business continues to grow, Hamilton said three words will forever remain important to the company’s roots.

“Local, local, local,” she said.

For more information about Camp Chow or to order online, visit www.trailcenterlodge.com —Joseph Friedrichs

New Campsites Ready for RVs

TWO HARBORS—The Burlington Bay Campground in Two Harbors is ready to accept reservations for the new campsites that are part of its $1.5 million expansion. The recent expansion created an additional 34 campsites which were all developed specifically for large, self-contained motor homes.

“For the last two years, everyone has been anxiously anticipating the opening of the expansion,” said Lee Klein, the Two Harbors city administrator. The expansion lot, located just off Hwy. 61, was previously used for campground overflow. He said the lot was basically an open field, and it lacked the amenities necessary to support larger campers. The expansion “was designed to accommodate bigger units with greater electrical

needs…The smaller electrical services we had at the campground weren’t suited to meet the needs of the bigger rigs,” said Klein.

To support large motor homes, the city had to hire contractors to redevelop the terrain, creating tiers so the campers can rest on level ground.

“When the existing campground was built, there weren’t 40-foot motor homes,” said Klein. “The size of the pads wasn’t the best to accommodate those. They also have to be level, so that becomes a challenge the bigger the unit is.” The tiers were also built to provide tourists with views of Lake Superior.

Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-, and Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, helped secure $1.25 million to support the

project, and an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board grant covered $150,000. Two Harbors contributed the remaining $100,000.

This year, campsites in the expansion with electric, water and sewer access will cost $35 plus tax per night. That’s $3 more than the campsites located in the older section of the campground. The sites are open from mid-May to mid-October. To reserve a campsite, call 218-834-2021 or visit the Two Harbors city website at ci.two-harbors.mn.us and search “Burlington Bay Campground.” —Kelsey Roseth

Gail Anderson answers a telephone call regarding Camp Chow at the Trail Center Lodge. | JOSEPH FRIEDRICHS

Zebra Mussels Found in Crooked Lake

ST. PAUL—Biologists from the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa found an aluminum can encrusted with zebra mussels while performing fisheries assessments in Crooked Lake near Finland. This has led to the lake being designated as infested.

Following the positive identification of zebra mussels, staff from DNR Fisheries, DNR Ecological and Water Resources, the Fond du Lac Band and the U.S. Forest Service have coordinated an effort to manage the lake as an infested water body.

Initial searches of the lake employing underwater cameras, sediment samples, plant rakes, down-imaging sonar and walking surveys were not successful in locating additional zebra mussels in the portion of the lake searched. Additional searches of Crooked Lake and connected downstream waters will be performed to determine the scope of the infestation.

“Although we weren’t able to locate additional adult zebra mussels on the first survey, designating the lake now as an infested water body is the right thing to do,” said Rich Rezanka, DNR invasive species specialist. “Lake users should follow the AIS protocols every time, at every lake, as if it were infested – whether signs are posted, or not.”

Signs will be posted at Crooked Lake public accesses to alert recreationists.

Connected downstream waters to be investigated for infestations include:

• Artlip Lake.

• Houghtailing Creek.

• Wanless Creek.

• Cross River.

Recreationists should look for infested waters signage at public accesses. Signage will allow boaters and other resource part-

additional precautions to prevent the inadvertent spread to other lakes. Bait harvest and transport of water for any purpose is prohibited in infested waters.

Before leaving any water access or shoreland, anglers, boaters and other recreationists are reminded to remove all aquatic vegetation, drain all water by removing drain plugs, and keep drain plugs out while transporting watercraft.

More information about zebra mussels, how to inspect boats and other water-related equipment, and a current list of designated infested waters is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/ais

MN DOT to Fill in Rumble Strips

DULUTH—The Minnesota Department of Transportation will resume work filling in centerline rumble strips on Hwy. 61 in Cook and Lake counties in July. Motorists may encounter temporary, single lane closures while the work is underway.

MnDOT began filling some of the centerline rumble strips last fall after hearing from numerous local residents who complained that the strips created too much noise. MnDOT will fill in all of the centerline rumble strips in Lake County.

MnDOT will also fill in all of the centerline rumble strips in Cook County except those located north of Grand Portage where there aren’t any adjacent homes.

“Housing density along the North Shore is much different from on most rural highways,” said Jim Miles, MnDOT District 1 acting traffic engineer. “To passing motor

density is comparable to suburban neighborhoods. Considering this, and the mix of tourist and local traffic, which leads to increased passing and driving over the centerline rumble strips, we decided to fill them in.”

MnDOT is reviewing its centerline rumble strip policy, including criteria on where the strips should and should not be installed, and is researching the effectiveness of other rumble strip designs that have less noise impact.

Last fall MnDOT conducted noise analysis testing on Hwy. 61. A draft report of the analysis suggests the centerline rumble strip design created greater noise than had been measured at other installations.

“We will defer installation of centerline rumble strip on new projects in District 1 until all research is complete,” said Duane Hill, MnDOT District 1 engineer. “However, we firmly believe in the safety benefits

of centerline rumble strips, and if a product becomes available that we believe meets our safety criteria and has acceptable noise levels, we will begin installing them.”

Rumble strips are designed to reduce the chance of crossover and run-off-theroad crashes. Last year, in the eight-county area that encompasses MnDOT District 1, 39 percent of fatal and serious injury lane departure crashes were run-off-the road on the right side of the highway. The other 61 percent of lane departure crashes involved crossing the centerline.

“The Hwy. 61 centerline rumble strip discussion has helped MnDOT better understand the impacts of rumble strips on local residents,” said Hill. “What we have learned will help us implement safety improvements in a way that minimizes quality-of-life impacts to local residents.”

Zebra mussels sampled by Fond du Lac biologists on Crooked Lake. | MNDNR

Mural to be Installed on Johnson Foods

GRAND MARAIS—A mural depicting life in the Northwoods will soon grace an exterior wall of Johnson’s Foods in Grand Marais.

Designed by high school students in Mary MacDonald’s art class at Cook County High School and worked on by students, including 4th graders, as well as members of the community, the mural will tell the story of Cook County.

“We knew what we wanted to put in the mural,” said Ashley Berglund, a member of the high school design team. She said the art students got together and decided what should be on the mural and then she, Twila Pederson, Holly Johnson and Andrew Thompson worked on the design. “We kept redrawing it until it was right,” she said.

The mural, which took months to complete, includes more than 80,000 tiles of various shapes and sizes and depicts local wildlife like moose, loons, beavers, lake trout, turtles, a seagull and a bear.

The class also decided that local scenes should be included in the mural as well, so one can see the Grand Marais lighthouse, the harbor, the Hjordis, Harley Tofte’s fishing boat, the Spirit Tree in Grand Portage as well as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Artists Karen Neal and Jeanne Wright coordinated the project. “I’d call it sleepless nights,” Neal said. There were many technical and logistical problems that needed to be resolved in the huge project, she said, let alone teaching and coordinating the art classes to put the mosaic together.

There are 18 4-foot by 4-foot panels in the mural, which will be 36 feet long when it’s installed on the west wall of the grocery store. Many of the more than 80,000 tiles glued to the panels are less than 1-inch wide, so the actual

process of creating the mosaic took months of concentrated effort by both students and adults.

“I worked from January with Karen on the mosaic,” Wright said. “We had at least 10 or 15 different people in and out--Bonnie Gay Hedstrom, Annie DeBevec, Sally Hennessy, Gail Hedstrom, Jetty St. John, Jeff Morgan, Jerry Wilkes and Ann Mershon--they’re all great artisans. And we had help from the parents, too. It’s been a community project.”

And fittingly so—the idea of creating the mural evolved from the frustration of trying to save a student-made mosaic on the wall of the Whole Foods Co-op when the building was razed to build anew. Parts of the mosaic were saved, but it could not be completely removed from the wall and transferred to a new site.

Robin Johnson, who with her husband, Mark, own Johnson Foods, said they are very excited to have the mosaic on their wall.

“The main reason is that I’d always been coveting the mosaic down at the Co-op,” she said. At one point, Robin was asked “If the old mosaic on the Co-op wall could be saved,

Students in Mary MacDonald’s high school art class work on the waterfall in the mural. They are, from left, Kody Cronberg, Ashley Berglund, Autumn Sturm, Aubrey Lewis, Emma Olfson, Madysen McKeever and Twyla Pederson. | JOAN FARNAM

piece of the mural awaits being installed on the west wall of Johnson’s Foods. Bruce Johnson, Jeff Kern, Ed Walimaa, Billy Olson and Jon Hilde prepared the wall for the mural. | KATE WATSON

MURAL cont. on page 44

Parks and Trails Council Celebrates 60 Years

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Parks and Trails Council is celebrating its 60th birthday and so far, the organization has had a really good year.

“It’s exciting,” said Executive Director Brett Feldman shortly after the end of the legislative session. “We’ve seen an almost record level of investment with the Legislature appropriating nearly $60 million for parks and trails around the state.”

The money will flow to every corner of the state, including northeastern Minnesota. The new Lake Vermilion State Park will receive $14 million for continuing development of facilities. On the North Shore, funding will allow the construction of new sections of the Gitchi Gami State Trail at Beaver Bay and Grand Marais.

The Council deserves some, but not all, credit for this financial windfall. Its role is to serve as nongovernmental friend of the state’s public parks and trails, working with local groups to help them secure funding and other assistance. In this way, local organizations are represented in St. Paul with a unified voice.

“We go into each legislative session with a comprehensive agenda of the biggest needs statewide,” Feldman said. “We work closely with our partners and stay focused.” By doing so, local organizations have clout and are less likely to fall to “divide and conquer” situations that often oc

cur in the political arena.

Since its creation as the Minnesota Council of State Parks in 1954, the organization has been an effective advocate for parks.

The founder was Judge C.R. Magney, a former Duluth mayor and state Supreme Court justice, who people called “Mr. North Shore.” Indeed, a state park east of Grand Marais is named for him. Magney worked with U.W. Hella, then director of Minnesota state parks, to create a council of 16 influential Minnesotans to serve as “friends” of the state park system. Their efforts soon showed fruition—in 1963 nine new state parks were created in an omnibus bill drafted by the council.

In 1967, the organization launched a first-of-its-kind foundation to acquire land for state parks. Its first acquisition was an undeveloped stretch of sandy beach along the St. Croix River, which became Afton State Park. In 1988, the council acquired 200 acres, including the state’s highest waterfall on the Pigeon River, which became Grand Portage State Park. In 1997 the council launched a campaign to raise $1 million to purchase Gold Rock Point, preserving the public view of Split Rock Lighthouse and adding the land to Split Rock State Park.

From the original council of 16, the council has grown to more than 3,000 members. That membership still contains

Parks and trails helped purchase Gold Rock Point in 1997 adding land to Split Rock State Park. | STOCK

plenty of influential Minnesotans. A 60th anniversary celebration held at the Town and Country Club in Minneapolis was so popular that some people had to be turned

away. Former Senator David Durenburger gave the keynote address and a special award was given to former Congressman David Minge.—Shawn Perich

USFS Eyes Snowmobile Use

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposal that would help standardize where and when over-snow vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are used on national forests and grasslands.

“Over-the-snow access and recreation is an appropriate use of public lands, and we strive to offer a variety of opportunities for that,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We believe it is essential that the public be engaged in decisions regarding travel management on the forests and grasslands, and we encourage the public to review the proposal and provide com-

ments to help improve the final rule.”

Motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands is governed by the Travel Management Rule which provides for a system of roads, trails and areas that are designated for motor vehicles. Over-snow vehicles—vehicles designed for use over snow and that run on a track and/or a ski or skis—are currently treated differently from other motor vehicles by giving forest and grassland supervisors the discretion to develop a similar system for over-snow vehicles. In 2013, a federal court ruled that this violates Executive Order 11644, “Use of off-road vehicles on public lands.” The

court ordered that the Forest Service must regulate over-snow use, but does have the discretion to determine where and when over-snow vehicle use can occur on agency lands.

In accordance with the court’s ruling, the Federal Register notice proposes amending the existing Travel Management Rule to establish consistent guidance for how forests and grasslands decide the appropriate use for over-snow vehicles. Over-snow vehicles are used for recreational purposes as well as work tasks that include gathering firewood or subsistence hunting.

The Federal Register Notice for the proposal is scheduled to be published Wednesday, June 18. The public will have 45 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register to comment on the proposed revisions. The Forest Service intends to publish the final rule change by Sept. 9.

Nationally, the Forest Service manages over 200,000 miles of roads and 47,000 miles of trails that are open to motor vehicle use. The roads and trails vary greatly, from single-track trails used by motorcycles to roads designed for high-clearance vehicles such as logging trucks.

Loaded for Bear with the Bear Stick

THUNDER BAY—You’re out for a hike in the woods. Suddenly, you happen upon a bear. Unlike 99.9 percent of black bears, this one doesn’t run away. What should you do?

Jim Morris of Thunder Bay believes a situation such as this is the perfect time to employ a Bear Stick. So what, you may ask, is a Bear Stick?

“I like to say it’s the hiking stick with attitude,” says Morris, who invented and now markets the Bear Stick.

Attitude indeed. Inside a removable handle is a long, ardox spike imbedded in the shaft of the stick. The spike is the business end of the Bear Stick, which you use to defend yourself from the belligerent bruin. Morris says the idea came from his experience with Japanese martial art Aikido.

“Aikido is the gentleman’s martial art,” he says. “You don’t attack; you respond.”

Aikido relies on three weapons: a wooden sword called a bokken, a knife called a tanto and a staff called a jo. As an aikido devotee, Morris began carrying his jo when he went hiking. He liked it so much he got a

Jim Morris of Thunder Bay shows the proper attitude for deploying a Bear Stick

COURTESY OF JIM MORRIS

second jo for his wife. Then he be gan thinking about how he would use a jo to defend himself from a bear. A light bulb clicked in his mind and he built the first Bear Stick.

The Morrises carried their Bear

Sticks for over 10 years. Last year, he decided to begin making and sell ing them. Early designs were with a simple dowel, but he soon moved to better quality wood and diamond willow. He sells them at the Thunder Bay Country Market and on his web site www.thebearstick.com

The website also features bear and cougar attack incidents. He believes the Bear Stick is a viable alternative to carrying an air horn or pepper spray to deter bears. Some of his customers have been folks who are hesitant to go walking near their summer cottages for fear of encoun

New ATV Routes Link Communities

FINLAND—All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts are working to extend the trail system along the North Shore and the eastern Iron Range.

“We’re trying to tie the loose ends together,” says Leroy Teschendorf, owner of Wildhurst Campground in Finland. “This area needs it.”

Currently, work is progressing on the North Shore Trail between Two Harbors and Finland. Lake County forester Bill Nixon says the trail begins somewhat north and west of Two Harbors in the Lake County Demonstration Forest. It has been completed to Lake Co. 3 and for seven miles beyond, nearly to Forest Hwy. 11. The entire trail will hopefully be completed this year. Most of the route follows the North Shore Trail, with occasional deviations where the ATV trail runs along logging roads.

Another trail in the works will connect Finland and Grand Marais. ATVs are now allowed to run along Lake Co. 7 as far as the Trestle Inn, Teschendorf says.

Still in the planning stage is the Prospector Trail, which will link the East Range communities such as Tower and Ely with the North Shore. While the final route hasn’t yet been selected, in Lake County the trail will run from Ely to Isabella and down to Finland. There it will connect with trails leading to Two Harbors and

New ATV routes will use forest roads and trails when possible to control construction costs. | STOCK

Grand Marais, says Lake County Land

Commissioner Nate Eide. Trail planners hope to use existing forest roads and snowmobile trails to save on construction cost.

Creating a network of connecting trails will make the North Shore more appealing as an ATV tourism destination, says Teschendorf. At Wildhurst Campground, he entertains ATVers from as far away as Kansas, New York and Pennsylvania.

“I did a piece with Ron Schara on Destination Polaris (a television show),” he says. “People watch it and then they call us.”

He sees riders of all ages, from fam-

ilies to people in their 80s. For some older riders, ATVing is an opportunity to get off the beaten path. From Wildhurst, some are able to ride to the Baptism River, where they fish for brook trout.

“They can ride to places where they can’t walk in,” he says.

At the campground, ATV riders mingle with mountain bikers, anglers and hikers, with no problems. Campers are made aware of Wildhurst’s ground rules, such as quiet times, and then follow them. He says ATV users don’t create conflicts with other users.

“Everyone is here to enjoy themselves,” he says.—Shawn Perich

HEDSTROM LUMBER COMPANY

Celebrating 100 Years

By Shawn Perich

On July 14, 1914, North Shore pioneer, Andrew Hedstrom, began sawing lumber on the banks of the Devil Track River north of Grand Marais. From its humble start in a pioneer settlement during the tall-pine logging era, Hedstrom Lumber Co. has survived a century to become the modern, no-waste sawmill operation it is today

From the beginning, Hedstrom Lumber has been woven deeply into the economic and social fabric of Cook County. In 1913, Andrew purchased from Ed Toftey a sawmill that was burned up in a 1910 fire that destroyed most of the village of Tofte. The mill was moved to Grand Marais in winter using horses and sleighs. Then, working with only hand tools, the wrecked mill was entirely rebuilt. Hedstrom Lumber got its official start on July 14, 1914, when the mill began sawing logs into lumber.

In the early years, the company was able to acquire enough wood for the mill with winter logging operations in the nearby forests. Beginning in 1929, the company began setting up a portable mill at the winter logging camp, first on Maple Hill (the ridge above Grand Marais) and later, from 1939-48, at sites about halfway up the Gunflint Trail.

In 1948, the mill came “home” to its present location on the banks of the Devil Track River. In 1951, a new planing mill was built, followed in 1955 with the construction of an entirely new sawmill on the north side of the river, where the mill is located today. Efficient band saws replaced the circular saws in 1957. In 1959, Andrew died of a severe stroke.

During the 1960s, the mill became more mechanized. The output was 3 million board feet per year. Improvements continued through the 1970s, including a saw -

Andrew and Alma (Berglund) Hedstrom were married Aug. 6, 1898 and had 13 children. Six of the Hedstrom boys worked with their father in the mill. Alma was very much a part of the business. In the early years, she was responsible for feeding a crew of 12-14 men three times a day, in addition to caring for her growing family.

An aerial view of the modern sawmill, located just north of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail.

New Book chronicles Hedstrom History

North Shore Press, the book imprint of Northern Wilds Media, Inc., has just published “Sawdust in Their Blood: 100yearsoftheHedstromLumber Co”. Here are some excerpts and historical features from the book.

dust-burning boiler that heats the dry kiln and the entire mill. The mill was the county’s major employer—members of many Cook County families worked there.

Disaster struck in 1981, when the entire mill burned to the ground. The company had to rebuild from the ground up. Traveling across North America to find the necessary equipment, often used and then refurbished by the Hedstrom crew, the company was able to get the new mill up and running by May 1983. Operations then expanded. By 1989, the company was cutting 16 million board feet per year.

Hedstrom Lumber has since moved more into the specialty lumber market, which has allowed it to survive when other mills have not. Especially challenging have been the economic downturns of the 2000s. The company has needed to downsize—from 25 million board feet annually to 15 million board feet—due to reduced demand. Hedstrom Lumbery has persevered—as it has for 100 years.

Fay McKeever uses a team of horses to skid a load of logs at one of the Hedstrom winter logging camps on the Gunflint Trail. The company used horses into the 1940s.

Roy Hedstrom (left) saws while brother Carl (right) rides the carriage as the “setter,” taking instructions from Roy, the sawyer, to position the log. Today most of this process is automated.

The original steam mill was in operation until it burned down in 1929. The Hedstrom family has recovered from devastating fires several times during the past 100 years.

Roy Hedstrom cuts a white pine log with a band saw. The company is one of the few remaining sawmills in Minnesota capable of sawing large-diameter logs.

twice a day: 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

A Day at Lakeview Dairy Family Farm Green with Promise

By Joan Farnam

The Lakeview Dairy Farm has gone back to its roots.

The lovely farm, nestled into a hillside overlooking Lake Superior on Maple Hill, has everything that one might find in an old-timey family farm.

There are milk cows and calves, chickens, pigs and nine barn cats. The farm buildings are surrounded by fields that produce hay, oats and barley, and at this time of year, are green with promise.

Lyndsay Anderson gives one of her favorite milk cows a kiss on the nose. She milks them

| JOAN FARNAM

It’s 7 a.m. and Lyndsay Anderson, 32, carries a heavy stainless steel surge milking bucket of fresh, warm milk to a cart in the doorway of the barn. She’s been milking the small (15-cow) herd since 5:30 a.m. She’ll milk them again in the evening, a twice-daily chore that she loves to do. Each milking produces about 20 gallons of fresh milk, 40 gallons a day.

“I grew up on this farm when it was a beef farm,” she says.”When I was a girl, my dad and I used to look at magazines and talk about how we were going to make this a dairy farm. And so we did.”

She looks back at her cows peacefully lined up behind her in the barn. “He sent me to college in Willmar -- Ridgewater College. I studied farm operations and management with an emphasis on dairy.”

Her dad, David Berglund, smiles at her. Anderson manages the dairy herd, he says

proudly. “He shows up when the milking is done,” Anderson jokes, looking at her dad and laughing.

Lyndsay’s mother, Jennifer Krueger, always knew her daughter wanted to be a farmer, Berglund added, and she encouraged her.

Berglund said the Maple Hill farm was originally a dairy farm but was converted into a cattle farm in the 1950s. Berglund said when he was growing up, he milked two purebred Jersey milk cows and he bottled and sold the milk to neighbors. “I milked those cows until I was 18 or 19, I guess.”

“I always liked dairy farming. My uncle Alton and my grandfather Alfred milked cows for years. I like dairy products myself, and people want natural products.”

So 10 years ago, after years of planning,

the farm started producing milk again. Berglund said it took time to make the change.

“We had buildings to put up, manure waste facilities to handle a dairy operation to build, more land cleared, more alfalfa planted … and we’re glad we did,” he said.

Anderson said it took years to upgrade the herd for dairy production. They started bringing in purebred Holstein heifers if a beef cow lost her calf, slowly adding the dairy cow genetics to the herd. And, at one point, they purchased a purebred Holstein bull.

The genetic mix has been interesting, she said. The combination of Black Angus, Charolais and Holstein has resulted in several cows that she calls Northern Grays, a breed found only on the Lakeview Dairy Farm.

“They’re all a bunch of cream puffs,” she said. “They’re overly friendly. That’s how I like my animals.”

She added she raises all her replacement heifer calves to be friendly and unafraid of people. “They’re not inventory,” she said. “They’re my pets, my girls.”

“We don’t buy outside animals if we can possibly help it,” she added. “We do it for disease control.”

And the dairy cows get to live to the end of their days, she said. “In a conventional dairy, they keep the cows from 3-5 years. We have cows on this farm who are in their 20s. They’re all welcome here.”

This is a family farm, too, and everybody pitches in to make it a success, Berglund said.

His wife, Heidi, bottles the milk and makes the butter, yoghurt and, a specialty of the farm, chocolate milk. She also washes the eggs that their 200-300 chicken flock produces every day.

David Berglund and son Spencer stand in one of the fields over-looking Lake Superior. | JOAN FARNAM

Lyndsay Anderson, who manages the dairy cows on the Lakeview Dairy Farm, pours fresh milk into a stainless steel container from the morning milking.

| JOAN FARNAM

Five happy farmers at the Lakeview Dairy Farm: David Berglund, left, Spencer Berglund, Heidi Berglund, Lyndsay Anderson and Kendra Berglund.

| JOAN FARNAM

Kendra, 6, helps collect and wash the eggs, feeds the calves their evening meal, feeds their nine barn cats and helps her mom.

Spencer, 8, has a gift for running farm equipment, Berglund said, something that still amazes him. He said that he had held his son on his lap when he was running equipment since he was baby, but he never thought the young boy would pick up on how to run tractors and bobcats so quickly. It’s Spencer’s favorite thing to do, and he’s careful and skilled, even at his young age, Berglund said. “I never had that opportunity when I was a boy,” he added.

Besides dairy cows, pigs and chickens, the Berglunds also have a small herd of beef cattle, and Berglund puts in four acres of potatoes every year. Fresh vegetables are harvested from their large gardens as well.

Volunteers are welcome on the farm, too, David said. People are always asking if they need help, he said, and they’re happy to let others learn about how to run a small family farm.

His uncle, Alton Berglund, 89, has been helping on the farm for years. Alton and his sister, Hazel McClanahan, still keep their hands in—they cut up all the seed potatoes needed to plant every year. “They must have cut 20 to 30 bushels this year,” Berglund said.

Everything needed on the farm is produced here, too, Berglund added. The only thing that is purchased for the animals is salt for the cows, and oyster shells for the chickens. The pigs are supplemented with vegetable scraps and stale bread from local venues.

It’s an old-fashioned farm, one could say, although Anderson said they think of it as the natural way to do things.

And consumers agree. They happily take these products home every day.

For tours of the farm, call 387-2591.

One of Kendra Berglund’s chores is to gather eggs every day. | JOAN FARNAM

The Berglunds have more than 200 laying hens. | JOAN FARNAM

Heidi Berglund and Jessica Jacobson fill egg cartons. | JOAN FARNAM

NorthShore ArtScene

By Joan Farnam

June is a great month to be on the North Shore. There are art exhibits, art festivals and lots of live music, including the Blues Fest in Thunder Bay.

We start out with a classical music opportunity. The Woodland Chamber Music Gala Concert at Surfside Resort will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 11 a.m. featuring The Gichigami Trio and Betty Braunstein. The public is invited.

The 13th annual Bluesfest, featuring three days of blues in Marina Park, will be held July 4-6. Headliners include Melissa Etheridge, July 4; Rival Sons, July 5 and the Wallflowers, July 6. The music starts at 6 p.m. (EST) Friday night, and noon Saturday and Sunday. Passes may be purchased by calling 800-463-8817.

The Hovland Arts Festival, held at the Hovland Town Hall, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4-5. The festival features a wide variety of artwork, from pottery to pyrography. Musicians include John & Martine Redshaw, Blueberry JAAM with Jim & Michele Miller and Andy & Amy Schmidt, Roxann Berglund & Briand Morrison, Joe & Jessi, Maria Nickolay, Pushing Chain and Pickled Beats

Painter Tim Pearson will be at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, for the opening of his exhibit there. His paintings will be shown through July.

Twin Cities blues singer Annie Mack and her band will be at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Saturday, July 5. She is also performing at the Bluesfest in Thunder Bay. The concert, sponsored by the North Shore Music Association, starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery will celebrate its 26th anniversary with a gala opening reception from 7-10 p.m. (EST) Friday, July 11. The opening features three exhibits: the Members Show & Celebration, including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture; the Die Active Art Exhibit with works by the art collective and video screenings of works by international urban street artists: Americans David Choe and Swoon and Brazilian Os Gemeos. The exhibits run through Aug. 9

One of the highlights of the summer’s art scene is the Grand Marais Arts Festival, July 12-13, hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony. In all, 79 artists have been juried into the show and include painters, photographers, fiber artists, sculptors, potters, metal workers, jewelers and more. Local artists who will participate in the festival for the

first time this year include Ann Ward, Elise Kylo and Bonnie Gay Hedstrom. The festival, which is held in downtown Grand Marais, features artist demonstrations, fish printing with Cameron Norman, bookmaking with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and T-shirt printing, to name a few. The Clothesline Art Sale, a fundraiser for the Art Colony and a big hit last year, will again be held. Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux will tell stories and Briand Morrison, Michael Monroe and Eric Frost will play in Harbor Park. The Art Festival is open

from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Sivertson Gallery will hold a Meet & Greet Soiree for the artists and the public from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 11. All invited.

The Duluth Playhouse is mounting a special production of “Les Miserables” July 16-19 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

The Grand Marais Playhouse Summer Theater Festival begins July 17 with the opening of the comedy, “Nana’s Naugh-

ty Knickers” by Katherine DiSalvino It will be performed in repertory for four weeks with the musical “Nunsense, The Mega Musical” by Dan Goggin. Performances are Thursday through Sunday. For more information and times, visit www. grandmaraisplayhouse.org. Tickets are available at the door or online.

The authors of “Lake Superior Flavors,” writer James Norton and photographer Becca Dilley, will be at Drury Lane Books on Saturday, July 19, at 5 p.m. for a Writer’s Salon. Other featured writers this month include Erin Hart, who will talk about and read from her book, “The Book of Killowen” at 5 p.m. July 5.

In Thunder Bay, the 5th annual Die Active Y-Art Sale event will be held July 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST) at 11 Second Street, behind the Kivela Bakery and the Hoito in the park. The event features works by more than 40 vendors. There’s live music and food available, too.

There are some great art exhibits to see this month, too. “Feels Like Home,” with beadpainting by Jo Wood and acrylic paintings by Don Lessard continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through July 20. And The Warren MacKenzie Pottery Exhibit continues at the Grand Marais Art Colony through June 29.

A new exhibit, “A Quick Reflection: A Retrospective Exhibit of the Art of Birney Quick” opens at the Johnson Heritage Post with a reception from 5-7 p.m. July 25. This highly anticipated exhibit will feature the oil and watercolor paintings,

David Steckelberg creates a drawing at the Grand Marais Arts Festival.

“Scott’s Fish House” oil, by Birney Quick, is one of his works that will be exhibited at the Johnson Heritage Post July 25.

drawings, lithographs and prints from the collections of Quick’s children, Mary Faulkner, Dan Quick and Leslie Petersen. Quick was one of the founders of the Grand Marais Art Colony and produced more than 10,000 artworks during his lifetime.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has a number of on-going exhibits this summer including “Nowhere is a Place,” paintings by Julie Cosgrove; “Moving Metal,” featuring 13 contemporary Canadian silversmiths, “Push: Contemporary Glassworks,” and an exhibit of Benjamin Chee Chee’s artwork from the permanent collection.

In other art news, the Cook County Farm & Craft Market continues this summer in the Senior Center Parking lot with a number of new artisans, including Vicki Biggs Anderson who knits mittens.

The Attic has new work by Lutsen artist Al Sunde including carved trees and owls.

Threads is featuring paintings by Heidi Sobanja and Yelena Quistad and photography by David Johnson

Great Gifts of Lutsen has cards by Betsy Bowen, Kelly Dupre, Sandi Pillsbury-Gredzens, Anna Hess and Jane Richards

Kah Nee Tah Gallery in Lutsen is featuring watercolors by Marie Sweeney. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

July artists at the the Cross River Heritage Center include Sandi Pillsbury Gredzens, David Hahn, Travis Novitsky, Bruce Palmer, Rose Vastila, Alan and Shell Foeckler.

spotlight

TIM PEARSON Painter Silver Bay

Have you always lived on the North Shore?

I was born in Duluth and moved to Silver Bay when I was 12. I used to live in Alaska, but I always made sure I came back to the North Shore for parts of the year. I’m here to stay now. My obsession with painting birds and fish led me not to art school, but to the biological science field and the sport fishing industry. I have worked both as a bird bander and as a fly fishing guide in order to be closer to the subjects I love.

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m mainly a watercolor artist. I use gouache mostly, and do a lot of watercolor as well. I’m also a pyrographer, a woodburner. I focus on North Shore animals, what I have experience with, both through my work and observation. I am going to do some more plein air -- it’s kind of intriguing.

What about your art continues to attract and fascinate you?

Betsy Bowen’s Studio is featuring new pottery by Jeanne Knight. Bowen’s 2015 calendar of prints is in. The theme this year is Northwoods birds.

David Hahn is exhibiting his watercolors at the Coho Cafe in Tofte through July 14. Painter Tim Young will open his show there July 15.

The Blue Moose has new stained glass pieces by Shelly Bouquet of Grand Rapids.

Pastel artist Lisa Stauffer is exhibiting her work at the Waterfront Gallery in Two Harbors through the summer.

That’s a tough one. I guess I could say I am steering away from a literal interpretation of wildlife, I focus on the more mysterious kind of view of the creatures around me. That’s kind of what propels my artwork. It’s an abstract kind of view towards things we see. A lot of the animals we do encounter, we have fleeting views of them.

That’s how I view my art – there’s so much mystery about the wildlife around us.

Where can we see your work?

I will have an exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony that opens July 5, and I will be at the Grand Marais Arts Festival July 12-13. This is the first time for me. I never really felt I was ready until now.

Rock-balancing artist Peter Juhl will teach workshops at Sugarloaf Cove and the Grand Marais Arts Fest.

The Die Active Y-Art Sale in Thunder Bay features contemporary work the art collective.

Julie Hargrove, acrylic, “Fair Warning,” one of the paintings in her exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

“Herring,” watercolor, by Tim Pearson

Letterboxing:

Make Art, Follow Clues, Be Outside

By Erin Altemus

The historical accounts about letterboxes vary, but are all centered around the year 1854, near Dartmoor, England, when a man named James Perrott placed a bottle for visitors in a remote and inaccessible area along the banks of the Cranmere Pool. He left his calling card so that visitors who found his card could contact him or leave their own calling cards. Historical accounts don’t say how many people found his remotely placed cards, but 160 years later this idea of leaving your signature for the next visitor has become what we know as letterboxing, something I had never heard of until a week ago.

My friend Jill Levene and I set off on a recent Saturday morning, for my first letterboxing excursion. Jill explained it to me as a combination of art—you need a hand-carved stamp or block print to leave your mark—and nature-bound adventures. Most letterboxes are placed in outdoor destinations that people use clues to find.

In Cook County, there are a dozen letterboxes placed in locales from the top of the Gunflint Trail to North Shore locations from Tofte to Hovland. We would seek out two this time: Where eagles fly (by Thompson Falls near Eagle Mountain) and Wanda’s Wanda-rings on the Superior Hiking Trail at Pincushion Mountain. Not only would I be seeing two places new to me near Grand Marais, but I would be doing something creative as well.

Jill came with the letterbox clues in hand for our day. They can be found at www.atlasquest.com or www. letterboxing.org.

We set off first to “where eagles fly...” Clues directed us to the parking spot and trailhead (a very non-descript parking lot not far off “the grade”). Five minutes later we were at Thompson Falls on the Cascade River. The clues told me to stand with my back to the sign that identified the falls, but unfortunately the sign was missing—luckily the bolts were still in the tree. I then had to identify where 30 degrees pointed and walk toward a pile of rocks. There, buried discreetly, I found the small Tupperware container covered in camouflage tape that held the log book and stamp.

Jill and I sat the sun next to the falls and went through the proper letterboxing steps.

First, take time to look at the various stamps and personal notes left by letterboxers over the last several years. Jill found the one she left in 2011 when she had visited this site

before. Then take out your personal stamp (it can be handcarved or it can be a purchased stamp) ink it and stamp it in the log book. Sign with your trail name (I haven’t come up with one yet) or your real name. Say something about the day (i.e. beautiful and buggy!).

Then take out the stamp left by the person who placed the letterbox. This one was a carved print of an eagle. I stamped my own log book with the eagle. I also stamped my book with Jill’s personal stamp (a lovely carving of a bike next to a tent in the woods). Now I had a journal entry of sorts that I could refer back to someday and remember my first time at Thompson Falls with Jill and my canine pal, May. While I could have sat there all day in the sun, the bugs were getting the best of us, so we carefully tucked the contents of the letter box away and re-hid it where we found it. Then we drove on for Pincushion Mountain.

The Pincushion Mountain hike was a bit longer (45 minutes as opposed to five) and took us to the top of a huge granite dome overlooking Grand Marais and a great expanse of Lake Superior as well as the Berglund Dairy Farm on the hill behind us. Clues led me to the four-forked pine, asked me to pace off 17 steps at 215 degrees to a certain rock and again, we found the small Tupperware container with the stamp and log book inside. After marking our own books and stamping the log book we enjoyed the view in the sun.

Next time we’ll seek out letterboxes further up the Gunflint Trail, or perhaps at the Kadunce River or Judge Magney State Park. Letterboxes exist all over the U.S. now, and not all involve a hike. You can follow clues to a letterbox at a pet store in Colorado if you are so inclined.

While the basic ideas of letterboxing are simple, there are complexities you can add in once you are ready. These twists involve hitchhikers, personal travelers, fleas, parasites and cuckoo clues. A hitchhiker, for example is a traveling letterbox which is carried by a letterboxer who finds it to another destination and left there until someone else carries it along again. Or, you can place a letterbox for others at your favorite destination.

If letterboxing piques your interest, Jill Levene will be offering a one-day workshop at the Grand Marais Art Colony on July 5 where she will help you carve your own stamp, set you up with a book for recording your adventures and take you on your first letterboxing hike.

See www.grandmaraisartcolony.org for more information about the class.

Is there a letterbox under those rocks? | ERIN ALTEMUS

A letterbox consists of a stamp, waterproof box, and journal. | ERIN ALTEMUS

The author relaxing on Pincushion Mountain. | JILL LEVENE

Jill shows off her trail book. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Aurora! A Journey Through the Midnight Sky

A new exhibit at the International Wolf Center in Ely showcases nearly two dozen dramatic images by Ely photographer Heidi Pinkerton of the northern lights. Interpretive display boards detail the science, history and culture behind this stunning natural phenomenon.

As a specialist in photographing the northern lights, Pinkerton has developed her own approach. She reviews daily aurora substorm updates from the forecasting Web site provided by the Geophysical In-

Now through May 2015

stitute and is constantly scouting out locations to frame her shots.

“Night photography has a special appeal to me. My senses seem more in tune with my surroundings. Once the lights begin to dance, it is not uncommon to hear the loons begin to call, soon to be followed by the howling of wolves. There is nothing like it on Earth,” says Pinkerton.

There is another, more personal connection between the northern lights and the

Wet Your Paddle

June 24-July 15

Fakes & Forgeries—

Yesterday and Today

Now through Sept. 1

A traveling exhibition currently at Red Rock’s Marina Centre, Fakes and Forgeries showcases a wide range of objects from ancient to modern, displaying authentic pieces next to their forged counterparts, and inviting visitors to tell the difference. Some of the techniques experts use to detect forgeries are revealed. Contemporary knock-offs, counterfeit banknotes, and pirated software are also featured along with some tips on how to tell the real from the fake. The Red Rock Marina Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Mondays 12-8 p.m.

Want to try out the latest canoe models on a Gunflint Trail BWCAW lake? Never ventured out in a canoe? Here’s your chance to try paddling for free with experienced, friendly outfitters in the Wet Your Paddle program sponsored by Becoming a Boundary Waters Family and participating Gunflint Trail outfitters.

Paddling instructions and lake travel knowledge provided by Gunflint Trail canoe outfitters. One hour of free hands-on, paddles in the water.

Mondays: Bearskin Lodge 10 a.m., Nor’Wester Lodge 11 a.m., Voyageur Canoe Outfitters 1 p.m.

Tuesdays: Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters 11 a.m., Tuscarora Outfitters 1 p.m.

Wednesdays: Rockwood Outfitters 11 a.m., Seagull Outfitters 1 p.m.

Thursdays: Hungry Jack Outfitters 1 p.m.

Fridays: Clearwater Lodge 11 a.m.

International Wolf Center that has to do with the death of one of the Center’s ambassador wolves. The northern lights were exceptionally brilliant and expansive on the night ambassador wolf Maya passed away in 2011. Awed by the sight, Pinkerton decided to try to capture the fire in the sky for the very first time. As she was setting up her camera, the echo of a lone wolf howling mournfully in the distance washed over her. What Pinkerton captured that evening turned out to be much more

Lutsen 99er

June 28-29

Serious bikers will travel through the rugged terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains and boreal forest. Feeling rugged and tough? This 99-mile course (39- and 19-mile options also offered) takes advantage of the scenery and topography of Minnesota’s North Shore.

The race starts at Lutsen Ski Resort, in Minnesota’s Sawtooth Mountains overlooking majestic Lake Superior, and begins a Category 3 climb. Once over the ridgeline, the course takes advantage of the glacially sculpted terrain, rolling hills, and numerous lakes and streams. Some sections of road and trail see as much moose traffic as people traffic.

A kids’ race (ages 5 to 12) will also be held on the morning of June 29. Bring the entire family and make the Lutsen 99er a family affair. www.lutsen99er.com

than just a series of incredible images. That singular experience captured her heart and ignited her passion for northern lights photography.

Experience this unique collection of art and science exploring the aurora borealis at the International Wolf Center, on exhibit now through May 11, 2015. See www. wolf.org for more info.

Full Circle Superior

July 3

Mike Link and Kate Crowley describe their 1,555-mile hike around Lake Superior at the Grand Marais Public Library at 3:30 p.m. They are naturalists, travel writers, photographers and educators and they take their audience on the five-month hike through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. Then they will discuss their next adventure on the Mississippi River.

“Howling from the Heavens.” | ©HEIDI PINKERTON

Encounter Cook County

July 4

4th of July Celebrations

• Grand Marais Parade & Fireworks

• Tofte Town Parade, Festival & Fireworks

• Grand Portage Fireworks

July 4 & 5

Hovland Arts Festival

July 12

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival, Lutsen

July 12 & 13

Grand Marais Arts Festival

July 16

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, Gunflint Trail

July 17-August 10

Grand Marais Summer Theater Festival

July 25 & 26

North Shore Dragon Boat Festival, Grand Marais

July 31, August 1-3

Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais

August 7-10

Rendezvous Days, Grand Portage

August 8-10

Pow-Wow, The Traditional Gathering, Grand Portage

September 5-7

7th Annual Radio Waves Music Festival, Grand Marais

Member Appreciation Week is North Shore Federal’s way of saying Thanks to You—our Member Owners. Take time to enjoy the week’s activities, grab a brat hot off the grill and just have some fun. There’s something planned each day so come on in, enjoy the perks of being a member at North Shore Federal!

Because if you’re up here, you belong here.

www.northshorefcu.org

Marais

| COURTESY NORTH SHORE MUSIC ASSOCIATION

Hovland Arts Festival

July 4-5

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday you can browse and purchase wood bowls, beadwork, photography, pottery, jewelry, paintings, woodwork and even beeswax candles. Live music and food all day make for a festive festival. See the full list of artists at www. hovlandartsfestival.com

Thunder Bay Blues Festival

July 4-6

This one’s all about the music—blues music. Held in Marina Park along the shore of Lake Superior, the setting is as spectacular as the music line-up. Melissa Etheridge headlines Friday night, Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt a Whirl Band play Saturday and the Wallflowers and Spin Doctors play Sunday (along with a host of other amazing musicians all three days). You can get a single ticket for one day or a weekend festival pass. Find out more at www. tbayblues.ca

Annie Mack in Concert

July 5

What do you get when you combine blues, roots, gospel, country and soul? A potent, richly layered mix that makes up the essence of Annie Mack. With a powerful voice, dynamic presence, and captivating storytelling ability, Annie Mack is a force to be reckoned with. Following in the footsteps of the Blues Women before her, she makes a genuine connection with her audience. She plays at Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at http://arrowheadcenterforthearts.tix.com and at the door.

Hedstrom Lumber Community Appreciation

July 7-8

Visit Hedstrom Lumber Co. July 7-8 to celebrate their 100-year anniversary. Mill tours will occur from 9 a.m. to

3 p.m. The tours last about 1 ½ hours and involve walking and many stairs. No children under age 10 allowed on the tour. If you don’t feel up to the tour, stop by to view displays and enjoy free food and refreshments. For information, call (218) 387-2995

FRIDAY , JULY 4 2014

Tofte 4th of July!

TOFTE TOWN HALL

Live Music - Fabulous Food - Beer Garden Art & Craft Show - Minnow Races 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

12:00 pm Cook County High School Band

1:30 pm Line up for the parade at the west end of Tofte Park Road 2:00 pm Parade

3:00 pm Citizen of the Year Award Presentation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Spaghetti Dinner at Zoar Lutheran 10:00 pm FIREWORKS Tofte Town Hall Park

Join in the fun of this famous annual event! 9:00 am The Walk Begins

9:05 am Children’s Races

9:20 am 1 Mile Race

9:00 am 10K Run/Walk Visit www.sugarbushtrail.org for more info.

Annie Mack sings some soul-rocking blues on July 5 at Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais and the Thunder Bay Blues Festival July 6.

The Hovland Arts Festival showcases area artists each July. | LOU PIGNOLET

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival

July 11-13

If you love what’s happening on the micro-brew/craft beer scene lately, then you will want to be at the Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival where 14 of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s microbrewers will be on hand to give you samples and talk hops, malts and grains. The party is held on the scenic Lutsen Mountains, so you get a great view and great drinks. Really, it doesn’t get any better...oh yeah, there’s live music too. Single-day beer garden tickets and weekend room/festival packages are available. See more at www.hoppedupcaribou.com

Bay Days

July 11-13

Silver Bay and Beaver Bay host events as part of the three day Bay Days festival. Friday starts with kickball games, golf scramble and street dances in both cities. Saturday involves more golf, run and walk events, a kid’s carnival, more street dancing along with a GB Leighton concert and lighted boats at the Silver Bay Marina. On Sunday there is a classic car and motorcycle show and parade. And don’t miss the pancake breakfasts on both Saturday and Sunday. You will not run out of things to do or go hungry at the Bay Days. See the full schedule as well as a registration form for the Bay to Bay Run at www.bay-days.org

Grand Marais Arts Festival

July 12-13

www.grandmaraisartcolony.org for a listing of this year’s artists and a full schedule of events.

Tenth Tour of Historic Cabins

July 12

If you love to browse art, this is the event for you. Over 70 local and regional artists display their art along the Lake Superior shore. Some artists will be demonstrating and all will be on hand to answer questions about their inspiration and processes. There are kids’ activities, outdoor music, and even guided nature hikes. Don’t miss the pie social at Johnson Heritage Post, which will give you reason to walk around the art booths at least one more time. See

This fundraiser for the Schroeder Area Historical Society is a rare opportunity to see unique cabin designs by Edwin Lundie. The tour will visit six sites, 13 buildings, all of which are timber frames, and it will feature the historic Slade house. The tour will be followed by a picnic on Ledge Rock

Saturdays in July: 5,12,19, 26 • 11 AM e Mu n Man. Stories for young children.

Friday July 4 Independence Day Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday July 5 • 5 PM Writer’s Salon with Erin Hart reading and discussing her latest mystery e Book of Killowen

Saturday July 12 • 8 PM - 9 PM Full Moon Music Celebration. Outside on the lakeshore. Music event featuring Yvonne Mills and Company. Moon rise is at 8:54 p.m.

Saturday July 19 • Starts 9 AM James Norton and Becca Dilley signing and talking about their new book Lake SuperiorFlavors: A Field Guide to Food and Drink Along the Circle Tour Celebration with the World’s Best Donuts and Drury Lane Books. Complimentary co ee and donut with the purchase of a book. Outside between the Donut Shop and Drury Lane Books. Wednesday July 23 • 6:30 PM Women’s Book Group. Call for

and

with music, dinner and beverages. For information and reservations call 218-663-7706.

Cross River: 1895-1925

July 12

The Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center presents a history of the Cross River, one of the watersheds on Minnesota’s North Shore where industrial level log drives occurred during the historic

logging period (ca. 1880-1925). Join Lee Johnson, Forest Archaeologist for Forest Service for a fascinating photographic story of the beautiful Cross River. 10 a.m. Free.

Gunflint Canoe Races

July 16

An annual event held at the Gunflint Lodge waterfront on Gunflint Lake, this fun afternoon is a fund-

raiser for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. There is a raffle for many prizes, including a Wenonah Spirit II Royalex Canoe. Kids’ events begin at 4 p.m., food at 4:30 p.m. The canoe races start at 6 p.m., including gunwale pumping as a finale.

Two Harbors Chalk.a.Lot

Sidewalk Festival

July 18-20

Artists of all ages and abilities draw on Two Harbors’ sidewalks, leaving works of art to astound passersby. On Friday, July 18, you can take a chalking clinic. On Saturday or Sunday you can register to participate for $15, which includes a reserved 5-by-6 foot sidewalk space, one box of 48 high quality pastel chalks, latex gloves, two sponges for blending and the clinics and award ceremony. Children under 11 can chalk for free. Or you can just walk the through the Thomas Owens Park and see the artists working, or the chalkers chalking if you prefer. There will be other art activities in the Park including crafts, face-painting, temporary tattoos, finger nail art, hair designs, paper art, and paint projects. Search for Chalk.a.Lot on Facebook or email chalkalot2h@gmail.com to register.

July 19 & Sun, July 20

The Night Sky of the Ojibwe

July

19

Join award-winning author Ron Morton on a journey of discovery and story-telling as he explores the night sky of the Ojibwe at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. From the important seasonal constellations through wandering wolves, and brave fisher to meteors and comets, he will bring to life the sky world of a northern people as portrayed in his book, “Talking Sky.” Morton co-authored Talking Sky with Carl Gawboy, a member of the Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Ojibwe. Their book combines natural science and a Native people’s holistic vision of the night sky to show how the Ojibwe used their observations of the heavens not only to explain events on the land, but also to create marvelous stories of great cultural and practical importance. 10 a.m. Free.

Silver Bay Salmon Classic

July

19-20

Anglers will gather before dawn at the Silver Bay Marina for the 14th annual Salmon Classic. They’ll compete to catch the biggest fish in three categories: lake trout, Chinook salmon and Coho salmon. Prizes are awarded for the five largest fish in each category. The final weigh-in and awards presentation occurs at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. There will also be raffle ticket drawings. Proceeds from the Salmon Classic benefit the Silver Bay Parent Teacher Student Organization. For information, go to www.silverbay-marina.com

Dragon Boats in Grand Marais

July

25-27

Dragon boat racing is a popular activity around the world, particularly in Asia where the sport originated. Each year, teams sign up to race dragon boats in the Grand Marais harbor. Each boat has 22 racers and there are multiple heats. You can sign up as an individual or family to paddle with another team or sign up a whole team to paddle. On Friday there are practice sessions, opening ceremonies, food and beverage vendors and live music. Saturday is race day.

Watch teams compete in dragon boats or paddle with a team. | STOCK

SHAWN PERICH

Blueberry Arts Festival

July 25-27

Ely’s signature summer event features more than 260 artists and crafters, many food vendors and local musicians. The festival is held in Whiteside Park and there are many kids’ activities, including a trampoline bounce and train rides. Everything in Ely is ala blueberry, so come, eat some pie, shop for art and enjoy the peak of summer. www.ely.org

Fisherman’s Picnic

July 31-August 3

In August, when the rest of the state is too hot to handle, Grand Marais is the place to be, and the Fisherman’s Picnic has something for everyone. There is a giant raffle with giant prizes, a tennis tournament, arts, crafts and food as well as a crazy daze sale. If you forget your own picnic, you must hit up the fishburger stand. You can get lessons in log rolling. Or you can participate in contests all Weekend, including a loon calling contest; pickled herring, pizza or hotdog-eating contests; cutest puppy contest or rock-skipping contest. You can even race minnows. There’s a trail run, softball tournament and mini-golf tournaments, and on Saturday night a fireworks display to rival 4th of July. And on Sunday, there is the best parade of the year. This is the kind of vacation you need to follow with another vacation. There is that much to do. Go to www. grandmaraislionsclub.com for the full schedule.

Howling Moon Music Festival

August 1-2

A new two-day music festival held at Bayfront Festival Park features national acts (The Guess Who and Brandi Carlile, for headliners). Music will be Americana, rock and folk. There will also be a large variety of craft

BENEFIT for Carolyn Larsen

Saturday, July 12

2 - 5 p.m. Cook County Community Center

Dance to follow at the American Legion, Grand Marais, 7 p.m. to close.

Carolyn Larsen has been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an aggressive, difficult-to-treat form of cancer. She is traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for treatment and to participate in a clinical trial. The process will take about a year.

Carolyn is the owner of Superior Images Hair Design, and has two daughters.

Please contact Donna Gestel with any questions donnagestel@boreal.org, 218-387-2948

Any monetary gifts to the Carolyn Larsen Benefit Fund can be deposited at: Grand Marais State Bank, P.O. Box 100, Grand Marais, MN 55604

beers from local and regional breweries. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Louis River Alliance and Multiple Sclerosis Society-Minnesota Chapter. See www. howlingmoonfestival.com for the full line-up. www. howlingmoonmusicfestival.com

GrandMarais ArtsFestival

Everything is ala blueberry in Ely July 25-27. | SHAWN PERICH

Annual Fisherman’s Picnic

Wednesday, July 30

5-6:30 pm Grand Marais Lioness Buffet Dinner and Silent Auction at St. John’s Catholic Church, 5th Street and Broadway Ave.

Thursday, July 31

8 am Senior Tennis Matches - High School Courts

9 am Crazy Daze Sales - All over town

9 am-5 pm Cook County Farm and Craft Market – Wisc. St

10 am Vendors and Craft show opens – 1st Ave W

10 am Kids Rides open - Senior Center Parking Lot

11 am Fishburger Stand Opens - Harbor Park

11 am-12:30 pm “Gordon Thorne” - Park Stage Noo N Bingo Tent Opens - American Legion Parking Lot

1-2:30 pm “Timmy Haus” - Park Stage

2 pm Free Guided Tour of the Cook County School Campus. (Includes Elemenatry, Middle and High Schools) Meet at the Main Entrance. Alumni and visitors welcome.

3-4:30 pm “Pete Kavanaugh” - Park Stage

5-7 pm Library Friends Members Only Book Sale. Memberships may be purchase one hour before sale. Cook County Community Center - 317 W 5th St

5-6:30 pm “Briand Morrison and Roxanne Berglund” - Park Stage

7 pm Grand Marais Playhouse musical “Nunsense.” The ACA, www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org

7-10 pm “Cook County’s Most Wanted” - Park Stage

Friday, August 1

7-11 am Pancake Breakfast, $6 for adult and $4 child (12 and under) Sponsored by Early Childhood Family Education. Community Center, 317 W 5th St.

8 am-4 pm Library Friends of Cook County Annual Book Sale. Cook County Community Center - 317 W 5th St

8 am Senior, Junior and Adult Tennis matches. H.S. Tennis Courts

9 am Crazy Daze Sales - All over town

9 am-5 pm Cook County Farm and Craft Market – Wisc. St

9 am-2 pm Minnow Camp Day ages 5-12 – Rec Building in Tourist Park. $15.00 per child or $20 per family. Register by calling Laura at 218-370-1245 or 8:30 am day of camp

10 am-5 pm Veteran’s Center open – 2nd Ave W

10 am Vendor and Craft Show Opens – 1st Ave W.

10 am Fun Games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St

10 am-4 pm Open Log Rolling – 2nd Ave W. $5 for all day pass, all ages

10 am Kids Rides open - Senior Center Parking Lot

10:30 am Old Fashioned Horseshoe Tournament - Naniboujou Lodge

10:30 am Tournament for Kids – Naniboujou Lodge. Old Fashioned Root Beer during tournament

11 am Fishburger Stand Opens - Harbor Park

11am-12:30 pm ”Harris Mills” - Park Stage

11:45 am World’s Best Donut Bingo* - Donut Shop. Corner of Wisc. Street & Broadway Ave

Noo N Bingo Opens - American Legion Parking Lot

Noo N Minnow Races* - Beaver House.

Corner of Wisconsin Street & Broadway Ave

1-5 pm Dunk Tank – Harbor Park.

Saturday, August 2

7-11 am Pancake Breakfast, $6 for adult and $4 child (12 and under) Sponsored by Early Childhood Family Education Community Center, 317 W 5th St.

7:30-8:50 am Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run registration. Pincushion Mountain Trail (2 mi. north off Gunflint Trail, Co. Rd. 12)

9 am Pre-teen (8 yrs & under) ¼ mile, 9-12 yrs – 1 mile

9:45 am 5 Mile Run/Walk

9:50 am 3 Mile Non-competitive Walk

8 am-12 pm Library Friends Bag Sale, $3 per bag of books, Cook County Community Center - 317 W 5th St.

8 am Men’s Slow Pitch Softball – Rec/Tourist Park, High School and Pappy Wright Fields

8 am Junior and Adults Tennis Matches - H. S. Tennis Courts

8:30 am Hoopin’ in the Harbor Registration* – Wisconsin St

9 am-5 pm Cook County Farm and Craft Market – Wisc. St

9-10 am Zumba® class - Park Stage

9:30-10:30 am Warm-up for Logrolling Championship – 2nd Ave W

10:30 am-3:30 pm Minnesota State Logrolling Championship Amateurs Only Tournament

9:30 am Hoopin’ in the Harbor* 3-on-3 Tournament

Play Begins Wisconsin St.

10 am Vendors and Crafts sales begin – 1st Ave W

10 am Fun Games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St

10 am Kids Rides open - Senior Center

10 am-5 pm Dunk Tank - Harbor Park.

Library Friends of Cook County Book Sale

July 31-August 2

Each year, every library in Cook County receives an allocation from the Library Friends, and most of the funds that provide this library support come from the annual book sale held at the Community Center in Grand Marais. This year, book sale organizers anticipate selling 12,000 books plus audio and video materials and volunteers work throughout the year organizing the books in preparation. Funds from last year’s sale provided items for the Grand Marais Public Library that included an outdoor book pick-up box, books for babies, summer reading program materials, a bookcase for sale books, a hospitality cart for program refreshments and completing furnishing of the workroom. Birch Grove Foundation received funds to initiate a new adult library for a mobile book shelf and start-up supplies. Oshki Ogmaag School received funds towards library resources. Great Expectations School, in collaboration with the Art Colony, had students design and silk screen “Books for Break” bags. ISD 166 was able to purchase the three-volume set “The 2000s in the Americas,” “Learn 360” an on-demand educational video, and new books on motor vehicles. They were also able to revamp the elementary library with a Lego station with iPad, e-readers, and a book review station.

A member-only sale will be held on July

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Safely dispose of household hazardous waste and pick up usable household products. Free of charge! Saturday, July 19 in Grand Marais 9 am to 1 pm · Cook County Recycling Center

Electronics Recycling Collection Event

Bring in your old computers, TVs and other electronic equipment and have them recycled properly. Saturday, July 19th in Tofte 9 am to 1 pm · Tofte Transfer Station on the Sawbill Trail

and UV

Ballasts -Non-PCB ballasts Batteries - Alkaline - Nickle cadmium - Nickel metal hydrate - Lithium ion - Silver oxide and silver zinc

Mercury batteries - Sealed lead acid

Please provide the following information: Nominee name (or couple), date of birth, marital status, # of children, # of years lived in the county, work history (retirement statue- applicable), public offices held, current community involvement. Statement of support by nominator. What is very special about this person or couple & other items you believe to be important. Deadline: Noon Wed, July 23, 2014. Please respond by e-mail to either harry3mnaz@msn.com or send information to: Rosemary Lamson, 219 11th Ave West #106, Grand Marais, MN 55604

call Rosemary Lamson at 218-387-1758

The Fisherman's Picnic Annual BIG FISH Contest

Sat. July 26 - Sat. August 2

Two Harbors Kayak Festival

friendly event, the Two Harbors Kayak Festival features an 18-mile marathon, a 10-mile race, a 5-mile race (all adult races are 16+) and youth sprint races.

In addition to the races there are local exhibitors, kayak demos, stand-up paddle boarding demos and classes, beginning level instructional family tours, kids kayaking, food, fun, and more. There is something for everyone at this one-of-a kind paddling festival. See www. kayakfestival.org for more info.

Minnesota Rovers Celebrates 60 Years of Adventures

Plan to attend The Minnesota Rovers’ celebration of 60 years as an all-volunteer

To commemorate the anniversary, the Minnesota Rovers Outdoor Club will host a weekend celebration event August 8-10 at Wild River State Park on the St. Croix river.

The mission of the Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club is to further an appreciation of the outdoors by facilitating the organization of economical cost-shared trips, arranging informative programs, building and maintaining trails, and providing opportunities for leadership development.

“We’ve offered outdoor adventures every week of the year, since the organization began in 1954. What makes our club unique is that individual members coordinate trips,” says Barry Shillingford, president of the organization.

For more information or to register for the Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club 60th Anniversary Celebration, go to www. reunion60.mnrovers.org

Minnesota Rovers have helped to maintain the Border Route Trail through the Boundary Waters. | COURTESY MN ROVERS

Northern Wilds Calendar of Events

July 4-5

Hovland Summer Arts Festival 10 a.m.-

4 p.m. Hovland Town Hall www.hovlandartsfestival.com

July 4-6

Thunder Bay Blues Fest Marina Park www.tbayblues.ca

July 5

Writer's Salon with Erin Hart Drury Lane Books Grand Marais 5 p.m.

July 5-6

Anishnawbe Keeshigun Fort William Historical Park Thunder Bay www.fwhp.ca

July 5-31

Tim Pearson Exhibit at the Art Colony Grand Marais www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

July 5, Saturday

Rock Balancing as an Art featuring Peter Juhl 10 a.m. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center www.sugarloafnorthshore.com

Meet the Artist Tim Pearson at the Art Colony Grand Marais 1-3 p.m.

www.northshoremusicassociation.com

Bump & Adam Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 3-7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

June

June 28, Saturday

Tending

Tin Can Gin Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m.

www.gunflinttavern.com

Maria Nickolay Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort 7 p.m.

www.lutsenresort.com

Eric Frost Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub 7:30 p.m.

www.cascadelodgemn.com

Broken Spokes play Lutsen 99er post-race party. Papa Charlie’s 9 p.m.

June 29, Sunday

Woodland Chamber Music Concert Surfside Tofte 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

www.woodlandchambermusic.com

Welcome Summer Open House at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center 1 p.m. www.chikwauk.com

Timmy Haus and Friends-Music by the Lake Devil Track Resort Grand Marais 5-8 p.m. www.deviltrackresort.com

June 30, Monday

Pete Kavanaugh -Music in the Grille Bluefin Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m.

www.bluefinbay.com

July 1

Canada Day

July 3, Thursday

Mike Link & Kate Crowley From Adventure to Publication Grand Marais Public Library 3:30 p.m.

July 4, Friday

Independence Day

Celebrations and Fireworks in Tofte, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, and Two Harbors.

Cook County’s Most Wanted at Tofte Festival Tofte Town Park 11 a.m. Tofte Trek 9 a.m.

www.sugarbushtrail.org

Bump & Adam Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 3-7 p.m.

www.gunflinttavern.com

Thunderheads Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 12, Saturday

Tenth Tour of Historic Lundie Cabins

Fundraiser for Schroeder Area Historical Society. 218-663-7706 for reservations and information.

History of the Cross River with Lee Johnson Forest Archaeologist

Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 10 a.m. www.sugarloafnorthshore.com

Architect and Author Dale Mulfinger

Presentation at Schroeder Town Hall 10 a.m.

Pie Social Benefit Johnson Heritage

Post Gallery Grand Marais 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Suggested Donation $5.

Planked Trout Dinner Benefit for the Cook County Historical Society Grand Marais Recreation Park Social Hall 5:30 p.m.

Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. Reservations at 218-387-2919

Yvonne Mills and Company Full Moon Music Celebration On the lakeshore outside Drury Lane Books Grand Marais 8-9 p.m.

The Wrong Omar Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 12-13

Grand Marais Arts Festival Downtown Grand Marais www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

Guide to Food and Drink Along the Circle Tour.” Outside between World’s Best Donuts and Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais 9 a.m.

Lake Superior Day Annual Celebration of the Great Lake. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 10 a.m.

Talking Sky: Ojibwe Constellations as a Reflection of Life on the Land. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 10 a.m. www.sugarloafnorthshore.com

Superior Hiking Trail Guided Hike Cook Co. Rd 58 to Devil Track Gorge 10 a.m. www.shta.org

West Garden Club Flower Show-Around the world in 80 bouquets

Schroeder Town Hall 1-5 pm.

Bump and Adam Campfire Music Bluefin Bay Tofte 7-9 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

Black River Revue Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 20, Sunday

Rails across the Border: The Paulson Mine and the PAD&W Railway with Historian Dave Battistel Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center 2 p.m. www.chikwauk.com

July 21, Monday

Bump & Adam Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Cook County’s Most Wanted Birch Terrace Lounge Patio Grand Marais 3-7 p.m.

Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. Reservations at 218-387-2919

Annie Mack in Concert Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org

Maria Nickolay Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub 7:30 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

Thunderheads Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 6, Sunday

Gypsy Lumberjacks Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 7, Monday

Wood Blind Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 7-8

Community Appreciation Days at Hedstrom Lumber Company Displays, Tours, Free Food and Refreshments 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gunflint Trail

July 8, Tuesday

Cary Morin Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 9 Wednesday

Cary Morin Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Communist Daughter with Drew Heinonen Art House B&B Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.arthousebb.com

July 10, Thursday

Jim and Michele Miller Cascade Restaurant and Pub 8 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 11-13

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival Lutsen Mountains www. HoppedUpCaribou.com

Bay Days Silver Bay, Beaver Bay www.bay-days.org

July 11, Friday

Portage American Legion Grand Marais 6:30 p.m.

The Wrong Omar Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival Caribou Highlands Lodge Lutsen www.HoppedUpCaribou.com

July 14, Monday

Gunflint Trail Historical Society Membership Meeting 1:30 p.m. A guest speaker presents Gunflint Trail tales and history. Treats and conversation follow. Schaap Community Center adjacent to Fire Hall #1.

Jim and Michele Miller Gun Flint Tavern 8 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 15, Tuesday

Cook County’s Most Wanted -Music by the Lake The Landing at Devil Track Resort 5-8 p.m. www.deviltrackresort.com

July 16, Wednesday

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races Gunflint Lodge waterfront Silent Auction, Kids’ Events, Food, Races and Raffle 4-7:30 p.m.

Cellars Wine Tasting Waves of Superior Cafe Tofte 5-7 p.m. 218663-6877

July 16-19

 “Les Miserables” presented at the DECC in Duluth www.duluthplayhouse.org

July 17-Aug. 10

Grand Marais Playhouse presents Nunsense, a musical and Nana’s Naughty Nickers, a comedy 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com

July 17, Thursday

Gordon Thorne Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 18, Friday

Black River Revue Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 18-Aug. 16

Paramount Live! presents Alice in Wonderland. Thunder Bay Call 807-285-8824 for more info.

July 19-20

14th Annual Lake Superior Salmon Classic Silver Bay www.silverbay-marina.com/salmon

July 19, Saturday

Waste Electronics Collection Tofte Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grand Marais

James Norton and Becca Dilley discuss and sign “Lake Superior Flavors: A Field

Pete Kavanaugh Music in the Grille Tofte 8-10 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

July 21-25

North Shore Federal Credit Union Member Appreciation www.northshorefcu.org

July 22, Tuesday

Timmy Haus Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 23, Wednesday

Women’s Book Group Drury Lane Books Grand Marais Call for title, read the book, join the discussion. 218-387-3370

July 24, Thursday

Cooker John Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

July 25, Friday

Cook County’s Most Wanted Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Maria Nickolay Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub 7:30 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

Birney Quick Retrospective Exhibit Opening Johnson Heritage Post Gallery 5-7 p.m. Grand Marais www.johnsonheritagepost.org

July 25-26

North Shore Dragon Boat Festival Grand Marais www.northshoredragonboat.com

July 25-27

Ely’s 34th Annual Blueberry Arts Festival Whiteside Park www.ely.org

July 25-Sept. 7

Birney Quick Retrospective Exhibit

Johnson Heritage Post Gallery Grand Marais www.johnsonheritagepost.org

July 26, Saturday

Woman-Made: Marvelous Things by Northland Women First United Methodist Church 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.wendyupnorth.com/duluthfairs

Geology of the North Shore Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 10 a.m. www.sugarloafnorthshore.org

Cook County’s Most Wanted Birch Terrace Lounge Patio Grand Marais 3-7 p.m.

Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert Grand Marais 7-10 p.m. Reservations at 218-387-2919

Gypsy Lumberjacks Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

A forest service naturalist talks about the Life of the Voyageurs Lutsen Resort 7:30-9 p.m.

Wednesdays

Stories with Harriet and Bill Chik-Wauk Museum 11 a.m.4 p.m. www.chikwauk.com

Happy Hour Live Music The Landing at Devil Track Resort 5-6 p.m. www.deviltrackresort.com

Open Mic Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 5-9 p.m. www. gunflinttavern.com

Music on the Mountain at Moguls Lutsen 6-8 p.m.

Bats in the Belfry Educational program about bats and their role in the ecosystem. Bluefin Bay Tofte 7:30-9 p.m.

Wildcats Educational program about wildcats found in the Northwoods. Lutsen Resort 7:30-9 p.m.

Gordon Thorne and Bob Bingham -Music in the Grille Bluefin Grille Tofte 9-11 p.m.

Thursdays

Bird Banding at Sugarloaf Cove 7 a.m.-12 p.m. www. sugarloafnorthshore.org

Explore the Shore US Forest Service naturalists lead guided tour of Artist’s Point in Grand Marais. Meet at East Bay Suites. 10-11:30 a.m. Wildflower Walk Guided hike with a U.S. Forest Service naturalists along a trail of wildflowers. Cascade Lodge 10-11:30 a.m. Nature of Oberg Mountain Free guided hike with U.S. Forest Service naturalist. Meet at Oberg Mountain trailhead. 10:30-12 p.m.

Happy Hour Live Music The Landing at Devil Track Resort 5-6 p.m. www.deviltrackresort.com

Open Knitters’ and Fiber Project Night Raven’s Beak Design & Yarn Shop 5-8 p.m.

Joe Paulik Music on the Beach Lutsen Resort

July 26-Aug. 2

Big Fish Contest Weigh-in at Buck's Hardware by 12 p.m. Aug. 2

July 27, Sunday

Gunflint Trail Wild Edibles with author Teresa Marrone Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center 2 p.m. www.chikwauk.com

Thunder Bay Triathlon 9 a.m. Boulevard Lake www.thunderbaytriathlon.ca

Gunflint Trail Geology Field Trip with geologist John Green Chik-Wauk

This page left intentionally blank.

The North Shore Dish Demand Grows for Locally Grown Food

By Kelsey Roseth

Area farmers say the Northern Wilds is in the middle of “a movement” as people are putting pressure on growers to produce more local food. More and more community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), farmer’s markets and wholesale operations are developing in the area, and farmers attribute the increasing demand to the community’s desire for a deeper connection to their food.

“Right now in the United States and internationally, there is dialogue around food production and the importance of smallscale growers,” said Erin Huggins, who manages Temperance Valley Gardens with her husband Trevor. The wholesale farm, which sits on about a quarter acre of cleared land along the Sawbill Trail, is one of the region’s budding small producers. Growing what Erin calls a “salad mix,” the farm produces lettuce, tomatoes, peas, beans and the like for local restaurants, mainly the Angry Trout Café in Grand Marais and Lutsen Resort.

The pair recently took over the operation with aspirations of one day owning their own farm. Small growers face numerous challenges, like limited access to local land that’s both fertile and well-priced. In addition, the region’s short growing season, which requires expensive equipment and hard work to extend, makes it difficult for farmers to make ends meet. Despite the downsides, Erin said it’s a perfect time for farm startups because, “We have a population that is really health conscious and socially conscious so that balances out. We have some land challenges but some ideolog-

ical benefits over other places.”

As North Shore residents become more interested in pesticide-free and organic produce, shoppers are seeking active involvement in the food production process, said Melinda Spinler, who runs Maple Hills Gardens and Sugarbush in Grand Marais with her husband. “They want to know that the head of lettuce had to be struggled through ‘X’ amount of nights at 30 degrees where the

farmer was out there covering it. They really don’t get that purchasing it at the store,” said Spinler.

Maple Hills primarily makes maple syrup, but there is a 3-acre area for pasture and gardening where Spinler grows produce for her 30-member CSA. With CSAs, customers purchase shares each growing season and receive fresh produce weekly for a set number of weeks. Spinler said this model is benefi-

cial for farmers, providing them with funds for seeds and other supplies at the beginning of the season when money is needed most.

Spinler also sells food wholesale to restaurants. Over the past 20 years growing produce, her switch from the Cook County Farm & Craft Market, which she founded, to CSA sales was part of a natural progression. Community members came to her, requesting that Spinler start a CSA. “I really love the

A glimpse into an average day for the Huggins family during growing season. | KELSEY ROSETH

connectedness to my membership and I love having people come out to the farm. It seems to be a closer relationship… I know once I put an item in the box it’s going to someone’s table,” she said.

Another successful, local CSA is Round River Farm in Finland. It is run by David and Lise Abazs, who are passionate about food production, education and research. Their 3.5acre renewable-energy farm feeds 225 people per growing season. “It’s pretty ideal because we get a retail price for our food, and we develop relationships… By having strong relationships, some people have been getting shares for 15 years. It makes the work more meaningful, more rewarding for us,” said David.

The pair intimately understand the area’s land challenges, after spending 15 years improving the soil to make it fertile, eventually raising the organic matter content from 1 percent to more than 13 percent. It’s a labor of love, and “it’s a way of being connected to the season, the earth and the land that is supporting us in a way that is very visceral,” said Lise. Over the years, the Abazs have also pursued a number of other projects related to food production, including the development of Victus Farms in Silver Bay and the Wolf Ridge Organic Farm that provides fresh food for students of the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland.

For 17 weeks each year, the Abazs family packs a 50-quart cooler for each of the 80 families that have purchased shares in their CSA. “It’s like arranging a bouquet each week,” said Lise. “It’s beautiful to see the variety of colors and vegetables in each cooler.” Lisa said she realizes the true importance of her work when watching customers peek into the coolers. “It’s like watching them open a gift…My creative side comes out in that. It’s an art to grow beautiful food.”

The husband-and-wife team has nearly reached their limit for the number of customers they can serve, and other CSAs in the area have waiting lists. The increased demand can be both a blessing and a curse, but small-scale farmers say it’s rewarding to witness people’s changing attitude toward local food production and their increasing desire for a deeper connection to what they eat.

Plates Wed. July 16th, 5 pm - 7 pm Reservations 218-663-6877

Tick Talk

By Amy Schmidt

The snow had not yet disappeared from our front yard when I found the first tick of the season. Freshly embedded on our 3-year-old’s side, a feisty little wood tick had his meal rudely interrupted when I plucked it, crushed it between my thumb nail and index finger and proceeded to complain loudly to my husband about the lack of justice in this year’s weather patterns. Silly me to have forgotten that the presence of snow in Cook County does not necessarily mean spring has not come.

But now that it’s July and snow is a momentary memory, there is really no hiding. And given the warming trend of winters and the practice of extinguishing forest fires, tick numbers are on the rise, meaning if you spend time outside, you are likely in tick habitat. Now this is not to say you need to live in fear of ticks or avoid relishing in the beauty of a Northwoods summer, but it does pay to be smart and informed, especially considering the wild rumors that fly around in regard to ticks.

In Cook County we have two types of tick that will embed themselves in humans: wood ticks, also called dog ticks, and deer or black-legged ticks. The two differ greatly in size, with a full grown deer tick often no bigger than a sesame seed, in color and in marking pattern.

Wood ticks are certainly the most common tick found here, but deer ticks do exist. And while the mere sight of a tick buried in the top layer of a forearm is enough to send many of us into panic mode, matters are often made worse when we suddenly remember that ticks can carry Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Early symptoms include the classic bull’s-eye rash at least 5 cm in diameter (though often much bigger) and flu-like symptoms. Advanced symptoms can include joint pain and neurological problems. The larva and nymph-staged ticks are the most likely to transmit disease, and because ticks in these stages are so incredibly small, most people infected with Lyme disease don’t have a

recollection of an encounter with a tick in the first place.

It’s no wonder ticks get a bad rap and that rumors about them swell faster than the ticks themselves. It’s wise to get the facts straight about ticks so we can be informed but not terrified.

First, let’s dispel a common rumor that has surfaced over the last few years regarding which ticks actually carry Lyme disease in Cook County. According to Dr. Paul Terrill, medical director at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Lyme disease is NOT transmitted by the wood tick in Cook County. In our region, transmission of Lyme disease to humans is via the deer tick only.

Even more important, not all deer ticks carry Lyme disease. In fact, the majority do not. If someone has a deer tick attached to their body, the best course of action is to simply remove it and make an appointment to discuss it with their health care provider. Most of the time it is reasonable to watch for the onset of non-specific flu-like symptoms (fevers, body aches, fatigue) and only treat if they develop. Ticks have to attach for 24 hours to transmit the disease-causing organism, so if you are in the habit of checking yourself every night for the presence of ticks, your risk of Lyme disease is relatively low.

And while there are cases of Lyme disease that have been reported in Cook County, both human and canine, according to Terrill, a majority of the cases were not actually acquired here but, rather, were obtained from ticks a person or canine came in contact with outside of our county. So while there is risk of acquiring Lyme disease in Cook County, the risk is not great.

“Lyme hysteria is still much more common than Lyme disease,” Terrill said and knowing what is normal after a wood-tick bite (quarter-sized, red/purple itchy patch that can last a couple of weeks) is much more applicable to most people than the symptoms of Lyme disease. Lyme disease or not, nobody really wants to be the host to a tick. So while the grass is tall and the days are long, the best prevention against ticks is to dress smart with long sleeves and pants tucked into your socks (Fashion at its finest!). Clothing pre-treated or home sprayed with Permethrin is another excellent way to prevent ticks. DEET is an effective repellent, but the consumer needs to be careful to use it only as directed, be extremely cautious when applying it to toddlers, and avoid its use on infants. And last, but maybe most important, always do a thorough tick check on every member of the family after being in woods or grassy areas.

And if you do find yourself with an unwanted guest and have a question, do not hesitate to call the clinic for more infor-

MURAL cont. from page 14

would you be willing to put it on Johnson’s wall?” “Sure, we can do it,” she said.

When it became obvious that the mural couldn’t be saved, Ann Mershon and a number of other community members proposed creating a new mural for the grocery store. Johnson said she was fine with that, too.

Mershon has been a driving force behind the project. “I first got so involved because I felt so strongly about kids and artists working collaboratively,” she said.

The project was expensive, she said, and will cost about $8,000 when completed.

Mershon and members of what has become a new non-profit, Art ’Round Town, organized a fundraiser for the mu-

mation. Then hurry up at get back outside because, unfortunately, when the ticks are gone from the woods, so is summer. Really, we ought to be asking the ticks to stick around as long as they possibly can.

For more information, including the proper way to remove a tick, prevention tips and images, check out our Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Tick Video at www. sawtoothmountainclinic.org/videos.php

Amy Schmidt, RN, is the Outreach Coordinator for Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. She can be reached at amy@sawtoothmountainclinic.org

Funding for this article provided by the clinic and Cook County Public Health & Human Services.

ral as well as wrote a number of grants to support the project. The Northland Foundation awarded a substantial grant, and local organizations, including the Cook County Schools Education Foundation, the Lions Club, the Lioness Club, the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association and Moving Matters also donated funds. The Save the Co-op Mural Fund also supported the project.

And the new mural has its own voice, Mershon said.

Hazel Belvo and Marcia Cushmore commented that the mural is “The phoenix that has risen from the ashes,” Mershon said. “That’s so true. It’s a totally different piece, and we’re excited about it.”—Joan Farnam

Towering Pines Canopy Tour

Towering Pines Canopy Tour at Gunﬂint Lodge is the most exciting new way to experience the wilderness get a bird’s eye view plus a thrilling ride through the treetops! It’s a two-and-a-half hour nature adventure led by two sky guides. Open daily starting May 10th. $89.00 per person Call 218-388-2296 for reservations.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at Red Paddle Bistro.

Gunflint Lodge is 43 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais. Minimum age is 10; maxiumum weight/person is 240 lbs. www.trailcenterlodge.com

The Tournament Fishing Game Northern Trails

By Gord Ellis

Tournament fishing is not for everyone. Let’s just get that right out on the table. A lot of people cannot understand how an activity so calming and contemplative for many, can also be turned into competition. For some, it just goes against everything they hold dear about fishing. However, there has always been a competitive side to fishing, whether it was catching the biggest sailfish on the California coast, or the largest lake trout out of Rossport.

Anglers tend to be a competitive bunch. And it’s not just people in bass boats. I’ve heard fly fishermen bragging about the number of fish they’ve caught. It’s all good.

Originally, most organized competitive fishing events were derbies. The derby always ends with whoever has the biggest fish of a certain species as the winner. The thing all derbies have in common is the fish are killed and weighed in. There are still a few derbies in Northwestern Ontario, but they are getting to be few and far between.

Tournament style fishing is a different kind of animal. Normally, a tournament fishing event is live release. That means fish are kept alive in a live well, weighed and then released. Salmonids do not thrive in live wells so they seldom are the focus of a tournament. Mostly it is the very hardy, warm water bass species that people catch for live release tournaments. There are walleye events as well, but they are rarer and tend to be done only during spring and fall, when water is cooler.

Tournaments are also generally done as a two-person team, with each angler contributing to the day’s “bag” of fish. Those fish are then taken to the scales (in bags of water), weighed (usually in water) and released back to the lake. When fishing bass, anglers are also required to fish without live bait. This ups the ante quite a lot. Tournaments have created a subculture of anglers and a lucrative market for fishing and boating gear.

These live-release angling events have also become big business for many communities in Northwestern Ontario, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in spin-off revenue. Kenora, Atikokan, Fort Frances, Red Lake, Emo, Dryden and Geraldton are just some of the communities that have built major community festivals around live release fishing events.

So who fishes these tournaments? Not surprisingly, it is mostly men between 30 and 55 years old. There are, of course, younger anglers in their teens and 20s; some of the most keen are in this group.

The flip side is a few anglers in their 70s and even 80s who have the competitive fishing bug. There are quite a few couples and lots of father and son/daughter or mother and son/daughter teams as well. In fact, it’s surprising just how many family based teams are both highly successful and competitive.

I’ve been fishing tournaments with my two boys since they were 7 or 8, often with surprisingly good results. This summer, I’ll fish the Frazer Lake Walleye Classic in Nipigon, with Devin, now 21, and the Shebandowan Smallmouth Showdown, in Thunder Bay, with Austin, 19. Both my boys are really fun to fish with and really good at the tournament game. We have a lot of laughs together in the boat and occasionally even cash a check. Winning is good, but not required for enjoyment.

If you have never fished a live release angling event, and want to give it a try, there are a few things you should know. For starters, no matter how much normal fishing experience you have, nothing will prepare you for the tournament scenario. You can fish with someone for years, but you still won’t really know them until they have a 4-pound

bass on in a tournament and you have the net. Many a friendship has been tested to the limit in the confines of a tournament boat. Normally placid people can get pretty jammed up when money is on the line. Plus, Murphy’s law rules all tournaments, and you can be sure if it can go wrong, it will. So dead batteries, smashed props, busted rods, hooks in the finger and

sunstroke are just a few of the many pitfalls of the tournament experience. Despite all that, it can really get into your blood if you let it.

Take it from someone who was pretty sure they wouldn’t enjoy tournament fishing. And 25 years later—is still taking part in a couple every season.

Tournament anglers gather at the launch to weigh in their catch. | GORD ELLIS

Devin Ellis looks over a tournament fishing field in Northwest Ontario.

| GORD ELLIS

McQuade Harbor Paddle

By Eric Chandler

I love maps. You can look at them and imagine what the unexplored places look like. I’m always hoping I’ll find a “Here There Be Dragons” or “Terra Incognita” remark. No such luck. Every place has been discovered. I can at least fantasize over places I haven’t seen yet. There are still plenty of those.

I looked at a map of the McQuade Small Craft Harbor. This facility between Duluth and Knife River provides a safe place for small boats to hide from Lake Superior’s wrath. There are several boat ramps and long stone breakwaters that were completed in 2008. The map of the harbor had two words: kayak ramp. Amazing power in those two words. What’s a kayak ramp? How’s that different from a boat ramp? I ran by on my long marathon training runs and looked down from Hwy. 61, curious. There were cement bollards blocking the far western ramp so that only a person carrying a kayak could bring their craft down to the water.

“I’ve got a kayak,” I thought. But I’ll admit it: I’m a novice paddler, and I’m scared of Lake Superior. Its big, cold, and has giant waves that swallow Walter Mitty-types like me. My 20-year-old kayak does fine on the flat water of inland lakes. But I wanted to venture out onto the big lake for the first time. I formed a plan to launch from that kayak ramp and paddle to Kitchi Gammi Park (aka Brighton Beach) near Duluth. I waited for the perfect night. I wanted it to be dead calm and as hot as it gets. The day arrived, and my family helped me load the kayak on the truck.

We said our goodbyes at the kayak ramp. The cement pillars had been removed so that other small boats could use the far west ramp. I procrastinated so long in taking this trip that it wasn’t even a kayak ramp anymore. Just a “ramp” now, I guess. I pushed off and vowed to see them again at Brighton Beach in about an hour. Five miles of adventure, alone and afraid. I hoped I wouldn’t end up like Shackleton.

I emerged from the breakwaters and was immediately struck by the vastness of the

paddle toward town, I saw an object out away from shore. A mermaid? Nope, a data buoy. I should paddle out to that, I thought. I started to, but I chickened out. I needed to be near shore. Like a kid who’s learning to walk needs to hold on to the couch with one hand.

I saw a loon. And another kayaker going the opposite direction. It was neat to hear the traffic along the shore road from out on the water. I’ve been down old Hwy. 61 lots of times on foot and in a car. Just 100 yards

away out on Lake Superior, it’s a whole different experience. All of the cliffs and palisades of rock that are hidden from the road are facing you in the water. As the sun slowly set, the alpenglow rose to the east. I hugged the shadows of the cliffs.

The most amazing thing was the water clarity. I’m used to the tannin-stained water of the interior lakes. It was eerie to glide along 20 feet above the underwater boulders and ledges. They slid past underneath me like ghosts. I felt like a low-flying plane.

An hour later, I paddled into sight of the rocky shore at my destination. There were my wife, two kids and my trusty pooch. The Brighton Beach Rescue Squad. They saved me from the shining Big-Sea-Water. I paid them back by taking them to the Portland Malt Shoppe. The ice cream gave me the courage to think about another voyage onto Lake Superior. A trip near shore would be good. Do you have any maps for me?

The intrepid Eric Chandler starts his paddle at McQuade Small Craft Harbor. | SHELLEY CHANDLER

Like Walking on Water

By Lucas Will

Imagine hovering over crystal clear Lake Superior with your feet just above the water. With grace and efficiency, paddling a Stand Up Paddleboard, or SUP, gives you a perfect view of the blue depths below. It is almost like walking on water.

My brother and I each rented a SUP on a Twin Cities lake a few summers ago. This was my first introduction to SUPing, and I remember calling the beach help’s bluff after he threw the board onto the water beside the dock, handed me the paddle and instructed me to step on.

“You’re kidding, right?” I said, as visions of log rolling raced through my head.

As I inspected the board further, it was longer than the surfboards I was accustomed to, as was its width and thickness. It turned out to be much more stable than I gave it credit for. So much so that my brother and I challenged each other by paddling on the same board while moving tip to tail along the length of it. Our occasional sudden dunks into the lake fostered that this new piece of paddling equipment meant another element of wet fun in my life.

Now, you can hardly pass a warm summer lake without seeing someone using a SUP. Yoga classes are taking their poses to the boards, families use

them as platforms for swim parties and dogs sit on the board’s nose for shoreline tours. From the Mississippi River to the Everglades, SUP paddlers are even completing long expeditions on boards loaded with gear.

Even here on Lake Superior, where the water temperature barely makes it out of the 40’s, a SUP is a great choice for venturing out on the Big Lake. But you might have to wear more than a pair of swim trunks or bikini.

In May, we paddled our SUPs around the ice “bergy bits” still hanging around the Duluth waterfront (yes, that was in May!). From my vantage point, standing on the water atop my board, I could peer down below the whitecaps to see the smooth, dark blue body of each berg. The excellent visibility from just above the water gave me an honest, frightening glimpse into the true size of these floating islands of ice.

Covered in neoprene suits and booties, we followed the ice pack for 5 miles, edging our boards around the lasting remnants of our recent harsh winter. It was surreal and yet typical of what Lake Superior throws at us all the time.

As summer sets in, the North Shore is a fantastic coast to explore with a SUP. Like sea kayaking, it offers unique access to features along the shoreline. Unlike sea kayaking though, standing up instead of

SUPs come in a variety of shapes, sizes & styles. | MARK LINDSEY

Morning yoga on the lake? | MARK LINDSEY

sitting provides a better view into the water and doesn’t confine you to a seat (you can always sit or kneel on the SUP if you want).

While living in Grand Marais, it was one of my favorite ways to get out from dry land in the summer. From watching fireworks overhead in the Grand Marais harbor to the few mile tour from the East Bay to the mouth of the Devil Track River, I found the shore unbeatable for SUP touring.

Calmer conditions are typically the best if you’re new to paddling one, but once you become accustomed, you might start begging for the wind. When it blows from the right direction and long enough, SUPs are an excellent tool for surfing waves, which is where this sport originated from in the first place. In frigid water like Superior, many surfers choose them as a way to stay out of the water more often while still riding waves.

The SUP industry is booming and you don’t have to look hard to find a place to rent, take a guided tour or get instruction somewhere along the shore. From the end of Park Point in Duluth (North Shore SUP) to the Lester River (UMD’s Surf Shack) all the way up to Grand Marais (Stone Harbor), the opportunity to venture from the dock to a board (I actually recommend climbing on from the water) is waiting.

Approach Stand Up Paddling however you want: fitness, fun, surfing, touring, or river running. The American Canoe Association (ACA), an organization responsible for paddle sport industry standards, now has permanent SUP training and instruction curriculum. Meaning, you can find certified instructors introducing people to SUPs at all levels.

Also consider that SUPs are new enough that they aren’t yet allowed by the National Park Service to be used on commercially guided trips within the Apostle Islands (you can still paddle your own SUP board in the islands). Just keep in mind – as with kayaking, sailing and any other water sport –water temperatures, weather, and your own ability should play a role on your decision when and if you paddle out on the largest lake in the world.

This season I encourage you to try Stand Up Paddle boarding. Until we figure out how to walk on water, it’s about as close as you’ll get.

SUPing on a sunny day outside of Grand Marais. | MARK LINDSEY

Heat Holders Socks

Got cold feet? Heat Holders may be for you. Billed as the “warmest thermal socks,” Heat Holders are 91 percent acrylic, 5 percent nylon, 3 percent polyester and 1 percent elastane, so they won’t wick away your body heat as cotton socks do when they become damp from perspiration. The inside of the socks are a long-looped thermal pile that traps air for extra insulation. The interior is soft-brushed as well for extra comfort. Heat Holders feel good on your feet and are warm, too. They are a great sock for an inner layer in cold conditions or for wearing when lounging in the living room. MSRP $20 www.heatholders.com

—Shawn Perich

WHY GO: Hungry Jack has an improving smallmouth bass fishery for anglers that like to tangle with feisty bronzebacks. There’s also a decent walleye fishery that seems to bite best in the spring and fall.

ACCESS: There is a county-owned unimproved dirt launch off of C.R. 65, on the west end of the lake, where there is roadside parking for two vehicles. The U.S. Forest Service also owns a carry-in access off C.R. 65, on a small bay of the north side of the lake. That access has parking for four vehicles.

VITALS: This 468-acre lake sits inside the Superior National Forest. It has a maximum depth of 71 feet, with a mean depth of 20 feet. The lake has clarity down to 12 feet, according to Minnesota DNR’s most recent survey of the lake, conducted in 2012.

SPECIES PRESENT: Smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rainbow smelt. Past DNR surveys have also turned up lake trout, sculpin, splake, rainbow trout, black crappie and coho salmon.

SMALLMOUTH BASS DESTINATION: Forrest Parson, owner of Hungry Jack Lodge, said the DNR’s assessment of the fishery in 2012 doesn’t paint an accurate picture of the smallmouth bass fishery. The survey turned up only one smallmouth bass, the lowest number of smallies ever

Plant a Pocket of

Prairie

By Phyllis Root

with illustrations by Betsy Bowen University of Minnesota Press, 2014

Studies have found that children today can recognize corporate logos and brands before they even learn to read. But their knowledge of native plants and animals is at an alltime low (and not much different for many adults). “Plant a Pocket of Prairie,” to me, is a call to teach children about the native plants, animals, birds and insects that once covered much of Minnesota.

“Plant a Pocket of Prairie” teaches us the names of plants we should all be familiar with—foxglove beardtongue, butterfly weed, blazing star—and also teaches us how these plants are important for the birds and insects that rely on them for their own survival. The book encourages children and parents to try planting their own pocket of prairie to see who might come visit.

Grand Marais’ own Betsy Bowen does the illustrations that are both whimsical, educational and inspiring. What an important book for adults to share with the young ones in their life.—Erin Altemus

Bionic Pet Products, “Urban Stick

”

My dogs love to chew on almost anything—our shoes, furniture, blankets, socks, and mittens. The casualties have been numerous. They also like to chew on the recycling--cardboard, which they tear and up and strew around the house and plastic which gets mangled into non-recognition. We’ve come to realize the hard way that if we want to not go broke replacing our best shoes and spend all our time cleaning up after our pooches, we need better alternatives for them to chew on.

Hence Bionic’s new line of chew toys. They come in five different shapes and many sizes, and we tried the one called the “urban stick.” The urban stick has weighted ends to create a spiral motion when thrown and it’s ultra-durable. The toy’s open center can be stuffed with peanut butter, which any dog will happily spend hours trying to lick out.

The bionic rubber is made from FDA food grade materials that are non-toxic. Not all our dogs are gung-ho about the urban stick, but Yeller thinks it’s worth his chewing efforts. After several rounds through his canine chomps, the toy shows no sign of wear or tear... a much cheaper alternative to my Chacos.

MSRP $17. See www.bionicplay.com —Erin Altemus

collected by DNR biologists.

“The bulk of the fish that people are catching are well over the 15-inch category,” Parson said, pointing to a special regulation that requires all smallmouth bass 12 inches or longer be released, save for one fish longer than 20 inches.

“It’s definitely done the trick,” Parson said. “We’re seeing more and more fish every year in the low 20s. Overall, the regulation has really changed the dynamic of this lake. We went from having dinky smallmouth to all of the sudden having a sport fish that are really fun to catch. It has attracted a lot of sport fishermen.”

If anything, Parson said he’d be in favor

HUNGRY JACK LAKE

of loosening of the slot size so that a few more fish could be kept.

WALLEYE A SPRING/FALL AFFAIR:

While the lake is also managed for walleye, the lake has fallen below goals despite a stocking program that has put fish into the lake every other year, most recently in 2013, when 386 pounds of fingerlings were released.

Parson said the best walleye bite of the year is in May and June, though some fish can still be caught near deep water in the evenings during the summer.

“Typically, July and August are not the best months for walleye,” Parsons said.

But that bite picks up again in the fall, he said.

A RARE BLUEGILL LAKE IN COOK COUNTY: The lake is one of the few in Cook County with a panfish population worth an angler’s time, though Parson said the lake once had much larger bluegills.

“I’ve seen them almost as big as two pounds, but that was long ago,” he said. “I would say a three-quarter pounder would be a big one these days.”

“It seems like they get to a certain size and they just don’t get any bigger,” Parson said, noting that an occasional angler gets into a school of nice ones.

La Fresh Travel-Lite Insect Repellent Wipes

We gave these 100 percent DEET-free, all-natural wipes a workout during the massive first hatch of mosquitoes in early June. Peppermint oil, the active ingredient, effectively kept the mosquitoes at bay. However, you may need to reapply if you are outdoors for a couple of hours. Peppermint oil has a noticeable, but not unpleasant, scent. Because the product is oil-based--inert ingredients include sesame, olive, castor and wheat germ oils--you can feel it on your skin until it dries. Perhaps not the first choice for an extended camping trip (I’m a fan of 100 percent DEET for serious bug protection), La Fresh Travel-Lite Insect Repellent Wipes are great to carry in your glove box, backpack or overnight bag without the bulk of a bottle and the chance of leaking. www.lafreshgroup.com—Shawn Perich

Kurgo Pet First Aid Kit

This 50-piece portable travel kit contains first aid basics: gauze pads in different sizes, one roll each of crepe bandage and gauze, tape, an emergency blanket, sting-relief pads, parachute cord, an iodine prep pad, an instant cold pack, scissors, rubber gloves, an antiseptic towelette, tick tweezers and more. The kit includes an illustrated guide to basic first aid for dogs. Small enough to fit in the glove box, roll-up carry bag has four pockets with enough additional room to allow you to add some items. I’ll be adding a small multi tool, canine ear wash, antihistamine and Band Aids to mine. Band Aids? Of course, you can use the kit for human first aid, too. MSRP $30. www.kurgo.com

—Shawn Perich

derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen

A recent surgery to remove minor skin cancer from my hand convinced me to start wearing sunscreen. This product contains a new formulation of sun-blocking zinc oxide which is clear when applied, rather than a white paste. However, the zinc oxide has not been ground to nano particles, which may have health risks. I’ve used 30 SPF derma e in direct sun with excellent results. In addition to blocking harmful UVA and UVB rays, derma e sunscreen is fortified with antioxidants and green tea for extra UV protection skin care. Hypoallergenic, non-irritating, sensitivity tested, fragrance-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, GMO-free and 100 percent vegan. MSRP $19.95 www.dermae.com—Shawn Perich

A Vancouver Island Kayak Adventure

By Elle Andra-Warner

It was one of those baby boomer ‘I-cando-anything’ moments that put me wilderness sea-kayaking on British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait and Inside Passage. In a surge of daring adventurism, I signed my husband and I for a six-day summer kayak trip, even though neither of us had ever kayaked (although Glenn was a long-time canoeist).

Our paddling group of eight novice urban adventurers (five over age 50) and three professional guides from Sea Kayak Adventures gathered in mid-July at Port McNeil on northern Vancouver Island. Next morning at the launch site, we slid our bare feet in slithery wet-suit booties (reminiscent of men’s zippered goulashes) and sloshed through the low-tide mud to load the kayaks. Everything needed for eleven people to be completely self-sufficient for a week was packed in those six Seaward kayaks.

For the first two hours, we paddled along the shoreline of Vancouver Island, building up confidence in our kayaking techniques. But the relaxed pace and light chatter belied what was on everyone’s mind—out paddling skills would soon be tested crossing the big moving waters of the Johnston Strait, a deep waterway between the northeast coast of Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia and summer home to the world’s largest population of killer whales, or orcas.

After a buffet shore lunch, we lined up the kayaks, side by side, and fixed our gaze across the strait to a campsite on Hanson Island, just over two nautical miles away.

“Stay together as a group, paddle steady and focus on our beach landing site” our guide Jacqueline instructed. “The guides will be out front and on both outer edges. Everyone ready? Let’s go.”

I chewed gum vigorously as we pulled away from the comforting shore (a veteran kayaker had told me gum-chewing would somewhat calm my novice nerves). No one spoke as paddles rhythmically dipped

through water that reached depths close to 1,500 feet. At some point, someone shouted “Paddle like crazy!” just before a churning rip tide crossed our path. Fueled by an adrenaline rush, I paddled ferociously; soon we were through it and back into calmer waters.

It took more than an hour of steady paddling to complete the crossing. We hauled

the kayaks to higher ground (to secure them against the night’s tide) and then set up our tents in the old growth forest behind the beach. As the guides prepared a delicious dinner (salmon, tortellini, broccoli, salad, peach cobbler), we sipped wine, nibbled hors d’oeuvres, and toasted each other as true adventurers.

In the next six days, we paddled 3-5

hours a day, each day an adventure in spectacular surroundings. We paddled to the ancient Kwakiutl village of Mamalilaculla on Village Island, wandered among the fallen, weathered totem poles and chatted with the island’s famous cultural keeper and storyteller Tom Sewid (he now also leads Aboriginal adventure kayak tours). We kayaked across Blackfish Sound (a main route

Kayaks rest on rock outcropping at low tide, while we take a break on Johnstone Strait. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

We paddled to the abandoned Kwakiutl village of Mamalilaculla on Village Island and met the island’s famous cultural keeper and storyteller, Tom Sewid. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

of whales); paddled alongside pictographs marking burial sites; passed an

large fish farm; and hiked 1.5 miles through ancient rainforest on West Cracroft Island where we met whale researcher David Briggs.

On our return crossing of the strait, we had our first close encounter with whales. At about the strait’s midpoint, one of the guides sighted three large dorsal fins of male Orcas coming towards us. Quickly we rafted the kayaks together to appear as one large object on the whales’ sonar and positioned ourselves to face the oncoming whales. Jacqueline lowered a hydrophone in the water to hear their vo-

calizations and solar clicks. We waited. Then about 250 feet in front of us, the whales surfaced, dove and re-surfaced again about 50 feet to our right before continuing down the strait. Awesome!

In six days, our guides had honed us into modern-day explorers. Our spirits soared at the accomplishment.

northern sky

JULY 2014

By Deane Morrison UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STARWATCH

Bright objects dot the whole sky this month.

In the southwest, Mars is traveling eastward against the background of stars and passes 1.3 degrees north of Spica, its long-running companion in Virgo, on the 13th. East of Mars shines Saturn, in Libra, and then to the southeast we have the sinuous form of Scorpius and its bright red heart, Antares. Next to Scorpius, the Teapot of Sagittarius is poised to pour its contents onto the arachnid’s tail, and the tiny Teaspoon of stars hangs over the handle of the Teapot.

Above Mars and Saturn, brilliant Arcturus burns at the base of kiteshaped Bootes, the herdsman. Moving east again, we encounter Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, a hanging semicircle of stars; then the hourglass form of Hercules; and finally the Summer Triangle of bright stars.

Below Hercules, try to find the form of

Ophiuchus, the snake handler. You’ll need a star chart, but if skies are dark the rewards are great: Serpens Caput, the snake’s head, below Corona Borealis; Serpens Cauda, the snake’s tail, above the Teapot; and the handler plus the rest of the snake in between.

The moon makes a round of visits, starting on the 5th, when a first-quarter moon

separates Mars and Spica. A waxing gibbous moon visits Saturn on the 7th, and the morning of the 22nd, a fat but waning crescent hangs with the Hyades star cluster and the bright star Aldebaran in Taurus. The moon ends its rounds by passing Venus in the eastern predawn sky on the 24th.

July’s full moon was known to Algonquin Indians as— among other names—the thunder moon, since thunderstorms are so frequent at this time of year. It reaches fullness at 6:25 a.m. on the 12th, which is after moonset, so the best time to see it may be the very early morning or the night before.

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

RETAIL

Lake or Pond? Aeration is your first step toward improved water quality. Complete Systems $169-$369. Waterfall? 11,000 gph Water Pump only 3.6 amps! 2 year warranty! Just $399.95. www.fishpondaerators. com 608-254-2735

CHARTERS

Bear Track Fishin’ Chicks. Charter Fishing and Scenic Cruises with Capt. David Williams. Dock A, Grand Marais Marina. For Reservations 1-800-795-8068 or 218-3871162. Outfitters@bear-track.com.

FISHING GUIDES

Joe’s Inland Guide Service NOT Lake Superior. Fishing lakes close to GRAND MARAIS. I was born and raised here. CHILDREN are FREE. I supply everything to fish. 218-3872483 www.boreal.org/gofish

Strange Tales

Lake Superior’s Mysterious Pictographs

By Elle AndraWarner

Over the years, I had heard about “rock art” but it wasn’t until I was kayaking in British Columbia and paddled alongside a historical pictograph on a remote island’s high cliff that I realized the spiritual power and calming effect of such an ancient site. There above the water line, a First Nation’s artist had drawn a figure hundreds of years ago to mark the island as a burial place. Silently gazing up at the pictograph in the wilderness, the connection was strong – like stepping through a portal -- to another culture and time.

Since then I’ve seen a few more pictographs, like the Nipigon Bay pictographs, a major site on the east side cliffs just south of the Nipigon Marina and almost directly across from the town of Red Rock. The site has been identified as the second largest group of pictographs on Lake Superior. The red ochre paintings include painted dots, canoes, abstract designs and an anthropomorphic spirit figure with large horns, reportedly the mischievous Maymaygwayshi, supernatural hairy small men that live in the rock’s fissures and cracks, and can create havoc for paddlers. Discovered over 110 years ago and accessible only by boat or canoe, the rock images of Nipigon Bay have been studied since the early 1900s.

Rock images are usually divided into two categories: pictographs and petroglyphs. Pictographs are paintings made by applying natural pigments (e.g. red ochre) to rock surfaces. Petroglyphs are carvings that are incised, abraded or ground by means of stone tools upon cliff walls, boulders and flat bedrock surface. Only a few large pictograph sites are directly on Lake Superior and no known petroglyphs. However, both

kinds of rock images are found inland in both Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario.

The largest pictograph site on Lake Superior is the world-famous Agawa Rock, located on a 98-foot sheer cliff-face near the mouth of Agawa River along the northeastern shore of Lake Superior between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie. The visible images, painted on the rock 4–10 feet above the base of a steep cliff with a mixture of powdered hematite (red ochre) and animal fats, are estimated to be 150-400 years old, painted by the Ojibwe. Some images do appear to have been painted over old ones. The Agawa site itself may have been used for thousands of years, as the oldest artifact here dated back to 500 B.C.

According to archaeologist/anthropologist and author Thor Conway in his book “Spirits of Stone: Lake Superior Ojibway History, Legends and the Agawa Pictographs,” there are 117 pictographs at Agawa Rock in motifs of animal, human-like figures, canoes, abstract paintings (long crosses, enclosing circles, triangle) and “unidentified faint” pictographs.

The Agawa pictographs are divided into 17 panels (groups), with the most internationally recognized one depicting the powerful underworld creature the Ojibwe call Mishipeshu (various spellings) considered to be master of all water creatures. Also known as the Great Lynx or underwater panther, the creature is painted with the head and paws of a giant cat, covered in scales with spikes along its back and tail. It’s an adventure visiting the Mishipeshu image, as one has to carefully trek on slippery rocks beside Lake Superior.

While Mishipeshu is the most widely-known of the Agawa Rock pictographs— and the most famous rock art pictograph in Canada—there are some other fascinating images like Panel 1’s sturgeon-like fish, mythological creature, canoe and Thunderbird or Panel II’s woodland caribou with long antlers that according to Conway is “one of finest painted caribou yet discovered”.

Lake Superior’s third historically significant pictograph site is at Worthington Bay,

located on the lake’s north shore between Schreiber and Terrace Bay. Though very different from the Agawa site, the Worthington Bay rock art does have images of a thunderbird, circle and abstract designs painted on the inside face of a rocky outcrop near the shoreline. There is also the Dog River

Pictographs, a small site with four groups of faint red ochre paintings (including a panel of canoes which may date back to the mid17th century) at the mouth of Dog River, about 20 miles west of Wawa.

Canoe (top left), Michipeshu (top right), and two giant serpents (chignebikoogs), panel VIII, Agawa Rock, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. | D. GORDON E. ROBERTSON

Located near the breathtaking Kakabeka Falls

Souvenirs • Deerhide Moccasins Mukluks • Weather Vanes

Canada & Thunder Bay T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Fleece Jackets Kakabeka Falls Jackets, T-shirts and Polos

Woman Brings Falconry to Thunder Bay

By Julia Prinselaar

When Chinook, a 3-year-old female Harris hawk, swoops down to the open grassland with outstretched talons and a penchant for blood, it’s essentially game over for her prey. But for her human hunting companion, it’s the moment of truth.

“When she catches something, whether it’s a rabbit or partridge or a gull, I let her adrenaline calm down and then I come in. I kneel beside her and I’ll work my hands in there and open it up for her,” says Kim Amonson, a licensed falconer based in Thunder Bay. “It’s so humbling that it’s this wild animal and I can come down and help her feed, and then I can actually take it away from her without any regrets.”

Chinook’s talons can be relentless, effortlessly rendering human skin into a mess of stitches, which is why falconers wear heavy duty leather gauntlets. It takes skill, confidence, and a gradual development of trust for Amonson to come between Chinook and her prey without consequence.

“The fact that she trusts me doing that (taking her prey) is unreal. That is so rewarding, because her feet can go right through your hand – she’s got unbelievable strength. It’s just a matter of her doing something called footing, and when she grabs ahold of you, you’ll know,” she said.

The pair hunts together, mostly due to the fact that Amonson has always been gun-shy

the end,

“With falconry, these guys all think with their stomach. If they’re hungry and you’re waving a piece of meat, they’ll come to you. If they’re overweight, they’re going to be

She marks Chinook’s weight, which is roughly 2 pounds, and has her jump from a perch to a piece of food. “If she doesn’t do it, wait a bit and that weight will go down. Then try her again, and if she does it, that’s

falconry training all comes

Kym Amonson with Chinook of Skyline Falconry in Thunder Bay. | JULIA PRINSELAAR

Great Lake Views

Your Wilderness Retreat

FOR SALE: Remote cabin on Kemo Lake north of Grand Marais MN.

16 acres and 500 ft. shoreline. Mixed timber. Moose, deer, grouse, and great lake trout fishing. 20 x 24 furnished cabin, shed, 14' Lund boat w/ 7.5 HP Evinrude motor. A great place to relax and enjoy nature.

$239,000. 218-387-1926

FALCONRY cont. from page 58

great—keep that weight marked and try it again the next day.”

Like other raptors, Chinook eats purely meat. Outside of hunting season, she subsists off of “DOCs” or day-old chicks—male chicks culled from the egg industry, a common staple for most birds of prey used in falconry.

When the pair isn’t out hunting, Amonson and Chinook operate Skyline Falconry, a local business that conducts educational demonstrations for schools and controls bird pest populations around Thunder Bay’s parks and private properties.

| JULIA PRINSELAAR

This summer, Chinook and the team’s newest addition, a peregrine falcon, will be on patrol at Chippewa Park. It’s a favourite destination for fair weather campers, but also a hotspot for the Canada goose. Flocking by the dozens, the birds routinely render its beaches unfit for swimming due to the presence of bacteria and parasites, plaguing swimmers with what is commonly known as “swimmer’s itch.”

Apart from patrolling the area with live birds, small pyrotechnic charges called bird bangers and bird screamers are used at different intervals during the day in an effort to deter the geese from landing on the beach.

“You’ve always got to think outside the box and change things up, because a there’s never one fail-safe method,” cautions Amonson. “What’s great about utilizing falconry for this is that these birds realize this is a bird of prey, this is a predator to them and it’s not a dummy.”

While she won’t deny that the possibility of a casualty exists, Amonson says the idea is not to have any injury on either side. “Canada geese are fairly large animals and they could injure her, and we don’t want that,” she said.

Perched on her caretaker’s arm under a tree in Thunder Bay’s International Friendship Gardens on a cool Saturday morning, Chinook’s piercing eyes follow a few seagulls as they land on a nearby pond. But she does nothing; she’s not working.

Chinook’s ankles are adorned with a pair of bells, each tied to “jesses” or thin leather straps tethered to Amonson’s glove. Bystanders stop and snap pictures with their cell phones (it is indeed uncommon to witness the casual majesty of the primordial Harris hawk in such an urban space).

At the end of the day, Chinook will return to her muse, a shed with an attached aviary, until her natural skills—unparalleled by any man-made decoy—are called upon once more.

For Sale: 6.65 Acres 2 miles west of Grand Marais overlooking Lake Superior with 180 degree view. Driveway in view of ‘alligator rock’ and close to Cut Face beach. Abuts Federal land, moose area. From Hwy. 61 take Coyote Ridge Road, and then left on Raven Feather Road to last driveway on the right at end of cul-du-sac. $135,000.00 (218) 838-1046

Harris hawks like Chinook are native from the southwestern U.S. to parts of South America.

FeaTuReD ReaL eSTaTe

Aspenwood between Tofte & Lutsen On Lake Superior

• 4 Bedroom/4 Bath

• Stone fireplace

• Granite Countertops

• Solid Maple Flooring

• Huge Master Suite

• Custom Maple Cabinets

• $359,900 owner/broker

PRoPeRT y MaNageMeNT SeRViCe

Vacation Rental: Cabins! Condos! Homes! Check website for details

Long Term Rental: This is the time to invest, Let us do the rest.

Family Property: We can help make the family cabin workable and pleasurable

Call for an appointment for a confidential discussion.

Judy Motschenbacher, Broker Deborah Nelson, Owner

(218) 387-1447

cell: (218) 370-0136

14 Broadway South, Grand Marais Mailing: PO Box 1276, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Visit our webside to see our current listings: www.superiorescapes.info email: dnelson@superiorescapes.info

70 Acres and Home For Sale in Hovland

One mile off Hwy. 61, this park-like setting with ponds, woods and wildlife has a one-bedroom 24’ by 48’ home with electricity and solar power. No running water, could be added in future. Incinolet toilet. Woodstove and propane heat.

Includes Garage, pole building and 12’ by 12’ lookout house/studio that

sits part way up Sawtooth Mtn. Range behind the house. Buyer could divide it into three 20-acre parcels. $300,000. Call or email Penny Schuppel for more information or pictures. 218-475-2432 pennys@boreal.org

Own a slice of Minnesota’s Favorite Resorts

We bring you closer. To the lake, each other and your vacation property dreams.

Blueﬁn Unit 16

2BR, 2 BA. Sweeping views. Rent as one or two units to maximize income.

Blueﬁn Unit 40 Upper-level, so. facing 2 BR condo (lockout) w/ stunning views. Seller to pay $10.5K bathroom upgrade.

Blueﬁn Unit 55 Great location next to outdoor heated pool.

3 BR, 3 BA. Beautiful interior w/ custom baths.

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 66 Spectacular setting. Largest townhome. 3 BR, 3 BA. $100K in annual income.

Surfside on Lake Superior: New townhomes, total coastal luxury right on the shore of Lake Superior. 3,000 s/f, 3BR, 3BA. Quarter-share ownership w/ ﬂexibility for personal use & rental income. Excellent family retreat or investment property. Prices from $179K-$229K, includes furnishings.

• 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.

Eric Frost

Sales Agent, Blueﬁn Bay Family of Resorts

Let Eric, exclusive sales agent for Blueﬁn Bay Family of Resorts, provide the details about each property and guide you through the process. Contact him today to learn more.

218-663-6886 | eric@blueﬁnbay.com

Blueﬁn Bay Condos & Townhomes

House & Garage Open Yard with Pond Cabin on Mountain

Bloomquist Mtn. Road 5.8A$49,700 10 miles east of Grand Marais with power at the property, driveway, and several building sites partially cleared! MLS 6001709

East Highway 61 6.8A - $69,900

Exceptional value on this private parcel. Driveway is in, multiple building sites, and wonderful views of Superior! MLS 6001736

East Highway 61 - $59,900

20A Large, private parcel close to town with elevation, meaning panoramic views of Lake Superior! Large building site has been leveled. MLS 6000432

Murphy Mtn Rd - $84,900

View of Lake Superior, 5A, within 10 minutes of town. Surveyed, pins are all clearly marked, utilities in place and septic sites are identified. NEW MLS 6002592

Lake Superior Lots

2888 W Hwy 61 - $319,900

Great views with 1.24A, 200’ ledgerock shoreline embedded with Thomsonite Stones. Close to town, relatively easy building site and nice mix of trees. NEW MLS 6002353

Big Bay, Hovland - $97,900

Deep Lake Superior lot w/11A of heavily wooded land. Gently sloping topography to 318’ of shore. PRICED TO SELL!! MLS 6002372

Stonegate Road - $239,000

Your choice of 3 Hovland lake lots! Features 2+ acres with 200’ of frontage.Very private, convenient location & well wooded. MLS 6002103

14 Stonegate Road - $219,900

1.17A of nicely wooded, private, Lake Superior land. 200’ shoreline in an unspoiled location. MLS 6001608

57XX East Hwy 61 - $149,900

4.1A Hovland lake lot, 280 ft of shore. Driveway, power, & septic mound in place. MLS 6002142

2884 W Hwy 61 - $299,900

Homes & Cabins

Large Acreage

72.56A Camp 20 Rd - $129,900

Rare large parcel (72.56 acres) with prime hunting and many recreational possibilities. Nice forest cover with aspen, birch, balsam, spruce and pine trees. Here is your recreational dream! MLS 6001860

38A - Camp 20 Rd - $49,900

38A, situated in great hunting country. Trails and old logging roads that make for wonderful hiking, snow shoeing or cross country skiing. A cute cabin and outhouse complete this getaway package. MLS 6001171

23A Irish Creek Road - $26,900

Year round 23A; abuts State land, Nice mix of mature trees and gently rolling topography. Easy road access. MLS 6002407

92A Tom Lake Rd - $79,900

Rolling, wooded, great place with one identified and many other building sites. Nice 92A with lots of potential for recreation or building your own secluded hideaway.

6001244

110A W Highway 61 - $649,900

110A wooded land, on Hwy 61 corridor. Year round access, many development options, multiple zoning (Far-3, R-1, and Commercial)

MLS 6002185

93A E Highway 61 - $199,900

Very rarely do we have so large and splendid parcel (93A) close to Lake Superior, with excellent access plus electricity, phone and fiber optic cable nearby. MLS 6001571

200A Camp 12 Rd - $159,900

200 acres of land, which is basically surrounded by State and Federal land so you have access to thousands of acres!! Talk about the ultimate hideaway! Mature trees, gently rolling topography, wild life trails and logging roads. MLS 6002411

40A Camp 12 Rd - $49,900

40A off of Irish Creek Rd. Surrounded on 3 sides by State land. Approx ¼ mile of babbling frontage on Irish Creek. MLS 6002405

40A Arrowhead Trail - $81,900

40A of excellent recreational land with excellent potential and building sites. MLS 31141

34A Arrowhead Trail - $85,000

34A of great year round access to prime recreational opportunities. MLS 31731

43A County Road 7 - $299.900

Large, nicely wooded parcel with seasonal Lake Superior views! Excellent development potential with multiple zoning (R1 & Far 3). Survey and wetlands delineation completed in 2007. Electric at road. MLS 6002300

40A Morgan Rd. - $199,900

Surrounded on three sides by Cascade State Park. Located off a year round road and connects with the Superior Hiking Trail. Close to town with lovely Lake Superior views, and an excellent mix of trees.

MLS 6002352

40A County Road 69 - $39,900

Good location and large 40A tract. Power available. Access via logging road and easement off Arrowhead Trail. Exceptional price!

6002427

Tom Lake Rd - $49,900

25A close to Tom Lake. Enjoy the lake without the high lakeshore taxes.

Squint

Gunflint Trail

6A, great location right off of the Gunflint Trail,

Land

Morgan Road

This 20A parcel abuts the Cascade State Park for excellent privacy, yet is only minutes from Grand Marais. Land features Lake Superior views, a healthy mix of trees, and access to the Superior Hiking Trail.

MLS 6002361 $129,900

Private and remote, yet only a short drive from Grand Marais. This 20A parcel has Lake Superior views, a great mix of trees, and abuts State land! MLS 6002362 $119,900

County Rd 14

Nicely wooded 20A parcel consisting of two lots! Year round access with electricity and telephone readily available.

MLS 6002375 $74,900

1.06A

1.72A

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

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 $47,90 County

5A of

Arrowhead Tr

Excellent

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.

Murphy Mtn Rd View of Lake Superior, 5A, within 10 minutes of town. Surveyed, pins are all clearly marked, utilities in place and septic sites are identified.

$189,000

East Bay Suites

Bluefin Bay - Tofte

PuBLIC BeaCH TO Lake suPeRIOR a stone’s throw from your front door! nearly historical home has been lovingly restored from studs to siding, only left is your finishing touches to make this home your own! 17 acres, 4+ garage workshop, and an easy stroll to Lake superior beach just minutes to grand marais, this home is a keeper!

MLs#6002339 $265,000

Lake suPeRIOR LOg HOMe near tettegouche state park with 50 miles Views! Lovely Landscaping, 2plus garage, Over 230 ft of Lake superior cliff shoreline! ML s#6001241 $525,000

fa BuLOus Lake 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 Ba Rga In PRICe! $344,900

sHOCk Ing 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#6002232 $550,000

exTR a-OR dIna RY LuTsen Lake superior home! Unforgettable to say the least, enjoy a gorgeous superior stone Corner Fireplace with main Level Living, and a modern functional design that welcomes your own touches for updating! Over 300 ft of shoreline, garage and outdoor fireplace!

MLs#6000899 ReduCed! $695,000

CR az Y BIg Lake 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

CR af Ted fROM THe Rugged LedgeROCk! This Lake superior masterpiece exudes thoughtful design focused on joining the big Lake with the Living space. enter in to the great room to Jaw dropping Views through a 22 ft prow of Windows rivaled only by a gorgeous well situated Fireplace. Over 11 ac. & 317 ft of shoreline scratching in to the Lake creating interesting e xploration with many opportunities for Lakeside firepits!

MLs#6002276 $849,900

dR ea MY Lake 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

$320,000

Lake suPeRIOR 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!!

MeeTIng Of WaTeR and W ILdeR ness! 200 ft of Ledge rock sprawling for what seems like a football field in to Lake superior! north of Castle danger, phenom build site!

MLs#30422 $409,000

easY LIVIng On Lake 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 $569,500

deeRYa R d Lake fROnTage, with garage/workshop. south facing w/ 10 acres of maples,

HOW aBOuT fOCusIng On THe

LuTsen Lake HOMe, Wilderness Living! in between the boundary Waters and Lutsen mountains ski resort with miles of snowmobile and cross county trails between! year round a mazing Cabin, Oversized garage with workshop & bunkhouse! MLs#29855 $379,000

aRCHITeCTuR a L dOOzIe On CHRIsTIne Lake in Lutsen! Luxury Lodge style home with basalt stone Fireplace engulfed between built in douglas Fir bookcases… get the picture? total Quality, total serenity from this very Cool Lutsen Lake home with

and wildlife! rental revenues

LuTsen sea VILL as, Level accessible Lake superior! The Lutsen sea Villas are a great Way for those who enjoy vacationing long term or short term along the north shore! a ffordable association dues make for low maintenance living with a good management company available for offsetting the ownership costs. a nd if you want to keep the Villa all to yourself, you can! One, two and three bedroom Villas available, most recently update and all in the heart of Lutsen just a short shuttle to Lutsen mountains ski resort! From $189,000 Call tOday!

MLs#26022 k3

1BR plus loft, Totally Renovated!

$189,000

MLs#6001261 B3

2BR Villa in Mint condition! $300,000

MLs#6001265 B1

3BR Corner Villa, Mint Condition! $400,000 neW! MLs#6002252

2BR Contemporary! $254,900

in CO me generating O pp O rt U nities

fa MILY fun aT LuTsen MOunTa Ins-Ca RIBOu HIgHL ands ResORT! enjoy low maintenance vacation living at the famed Caribou highlands resort, tons of amenities and good year round rental revenues to off set ownership costs!

ML s#6000261 Studio ask for 108A $68,900 ROCk BOTTOM PRICe

ML s#6001787 1 BR 1BA Mint! $109,900 ask for 128B!

ML s#6001192 4BR 4BA Ask for 503 Moose Mt $299,000

ML s#6002082 Corner Townhome w/ Main Level Living! $365,000 neW

ML s#6002557 GoRGeouS NeweR Tow N hoMe, SpACiouS! BARGA iN pR iCed! $309,000 neW!

aRTfuL LIVIng aT k a 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 $299,000

IROnIC Isn’T IT? 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! it’s really the best of the northwoods at a great price! MLs#6001979 $145,000

CLean LInes and easy Living in tofte! sweet 2 plus bedroom, detached 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 R eduCed!

aRCHITeCTuR a L desIgn near Carlton peak! good bang for your buck for square footage, this multi-level home is very Cool. Updated gourmet kitchen, new flooring and carpet and two garages! ML s#6001636 R eduCed! $240,000

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 $269,000

within minutes! 4+ acres, nice Lake superior views and a two plus garage! ML s#6000042 $150,000

WeLCOMIng TOf Te HOMe on six and a half acres of boreal forest! The remodeled kitchen is mint, great space for cooking up plenty of family meals! Living room is large and open to dining area, just needs a fresh coat of paint and you are going to love this home! Large crafts room/art studio attached to the garage! ML s#6002213 $199,000

naTuR a L BeauTY with main Level living! great home very functional design on gorgeous land, hiking trails with camp fire pit and a 20x40 very well insulated garage with work bench, it’s the complete package for wilderness living in year round location east of grand marais! ML s#6002327 R eduCed! $212,000

gORgeOus seTTIng, sprawling home! mature pines frame the lovely backyard where you will enjoy outdoor dining on the deck overlooking the creek! main level living, room to expand in to partially finished basement with bath. nice garage, mini barn, awesome hwy 1 Finland locale! ML s#6002456 $180,000

TuCked aLOng THe aLfR ed CR eek with moose mountain Views! We call this home the Lutsen Charmer! Three levels of living, detached garage and bunkhouse in a spectacular setting between downtown Lutsen and the Lutsen mountains! ML s#6001748 R eduCed! $284,900

outskirts of Lutsen, minutes to Lutsen resort, snowmobile from your door! pole barn storage, small stable, and guest cabin, super value! dog sledding dream! ML s#6000833 $329,000

THe ROugH sTuff has already been done. build-ready site with high-quality components in place: insulated slabs for house w/ porch and garage are set up with in-floor heat, plumbing, electric, time-dose & heated septic system, 179’ deep well, gravel driveway, rocks/boulders, 15 cords of clear aspen sawn for paneling for house/ cabinets/counters if desired, blue prints for buildings/design are also included which saves a fortunate buyer thousands of dollars. priced W eLL beLOW what has already been put into this tremendous lot! ML s#6001308 R eduCed! $124,900

uPdaTed LOg

Ca BIn in Lutsen! Feel the northwood’s Vibe inside this nearly historical log cabin that’s been updated with all the modern necessities! Fab Location, garage and craft barn! ML s#6001753 $228,000

sMOOTH sa ILIng Cabin in the Woods! Views of Lake superior from the Covered front porch.

HOMe

LIV e In sTYLe on Caribou trail!

Lutsen living minutes to the ski resort and Caribou Lake! Functional design, lots of storage and separate garage on 5 acres of maple! ML s#6000944 $230,000

s i Lver Bay to Litt L e Marais to Fin L and & i sa B e LL a!

New! 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

New! Rocky Wall land with driveway in place, hUge views of shovel point!

MLs#6002434 $99,000

Swallow Lake Land, isabella a rea Wilderness shoreline in a mature pine area off deep Lake rd. multitude of Lakes abound, much recreational opportunity!

MLs#30253 $99,000

Enough Is Enough! We are talking 30 acres of elevated rolling hills bordering the r idge looking down the Little manitou r iver to Lake superior. Can subdivide, but at this price, you’ll want to keep it all for yourself!

MLs#24573 $179,000

SHAZAAAM Lake Superior views with 5th Wheel, electric at build site minutes to tettagouche state park

MLs#30736 $119,000!

Sonju Lake Road in Finland! several large parcels from $35,000 MLs#6001324

Huge Lake Superior views, build site surrounded by cliff wall and creek!

MLs#TBd $89,900

s chroeder a rea n ear the c ross r iver!

Zeke’s Road 30 ac parcel-great hunting land!

MLs#6001525 $47,500

Perhaps the most unique piece of property on the north shore! Old rock quarry is surrounded by steep ledge rock reaching up to the sky. your own little lagoon like lake on the top of sawtooth mountain ridge, it’s simply stunning. rugged terrain that was touched by man many years ago, time has now passed and the land has gone back to wilderness with mature pines and south facing maples.

MLs#6001560-66 fROM $95,000

40 ac at the end of Wild Onion trail!

MLs#6001602 $49,000

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

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!

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!!

Hilltop Views at LeVeaux mountain! sweet Lake superior views or just a great lot bordering fed land! from $19,500 ML s#27035

Toftevaag on the Sawbill, nice Lake Views! Walk to the Coho, great location! fROM $53,000 MLs#29252

Lutsen Lake v iews & w i L derness Lands!

New! Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the heart of Lutsen paved Caribou trail locale bordering UsFs lands!

MLs#6002383 fROM 54,900$77,500

New! Rollins Ridge land, hike to Oberg mtn from your front door!

MLs#6002351 $59,900

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 R eduCed! $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 R eduCed! $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!

m L s#6001796 $39,000

Bargain Clara Lake site! yr round access, electric at street and cleared build site perfect for your getaway Cabin on Coveted Clara Lake!

ML s#6001680 R eduCed! $150,000

Grand Marais Location Location Location!

New! 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

New! 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

New! Own your own park in the heart of grand marais!

MLs#6002396 $17,000

A River Runs Through It!

160 acres of Upland and r iver Frontage on the Cascade r iver near eagle mountain, a r are Find with tons of opportunity. Whether hunting land or Wilderness retreat, this is a great Opportunity!

ML s#31732 R eduCed $159,000

Between Grand Marais and 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 R eduCed! $200,000

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

in the rough! MLs#30714 $149,900

La Rge L akesHOR e LOT On CHRIsTIne L ake in Lutsen, year round access with over 10 acres and 200 feet of shoreline! hilltop building site with cleared path thru cedar forest to Christine Lake, a super wilderness lake great for paddling your days away! ML s#28961 R eduCed! $129,000

deLuxe Ca MP On Ca RIBOu Lake! rustic Lake Living with Log outhouse and shower room, bunk area and year round dock on 150 ft of nice Caribou shoreline! sweet trees and lots of privacy! MLs#31096 ReduCed! $195,000

gusT L ake LOT In LuTsen year round access with drilled well, driveway in place and cleared build site! Just a hop skip and

BeauTY and THe BIg Lake! Quality crafted townhome features an owner’s suite so luxurious your family and guests may wonder if you’ll ever reappear! 476’ of shared shore w/ a point that juts dramatically into the lake 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

seCLusIOn, PeaCe, Lake. gR een WOOd Lake! Quality built by fine local craftsmen, on one of the best lots on greenwood Lake! end of the road location bordered by state land! mature White pines, level lake access, dock in place. hand hewn

Log siding, tOns of windows and skylights to allow the light to flow thru this green Living Off grid home! soapstone propane stove & wood burning stove, solar system, hot tub, sauna! Vacation at your Lake home on greenwood! ML s#6002522 $499,900

$799,000 TOW nHOMe aT W IndsOng On Lake suPeRIOR! Up and Coming beaver bay boasts an easier drive to the cities and really good Value! a mazing layout to soak in the Views, this home won’t disappoint!

eY e- CaTCHIng LOg HOMe! stunning panoramic views of a black spruce ridge line.newly remodeled. energy efficient, super Fireplace, in floor heat. plenty of deck space and elbow room w/ 10 ac & Fed. Land across the rd! ML s#6002520 $299,000

TRuLY IMPR essIV e #25 aT CH aTeau On Lake suPeRIOR! Wonderfully decorated, recently remodeled w/ hardwood floors, new furnishings & lighting & more! spa-like bathrms! ML s#6002471 $144,500

LakeHOMe LIVIng aT THe V ILL age aT nIneMILe Lake! shared shoreline, water and septic, allow you to just enjoy the Wilderness that surrounds ninemile Lake, lake access for fun fishing and swimming!

1.5 story ML s#6002344 $129,900 PENDING SALE < 4 WKS ON MARKET! newer 2 story home ML s#6002645 $159,000!

W ILdeR ness geTaWaY nea R TeTTegOuCHe sTaTe Pa R k, good point to Lake superior! rustic log cabin with electricity is waiting for your tLC to bring it in to its next life! ML s#6002571 $64,900

LOg Ca BIn On BIRCH Lake! ML s#6002508 $342,900 sa Le pending Less than 2 W eeks On the market!

160 aCR e Pa RCeL Of uPL and M a PLes and boreal forest. beautiful forest, absolute quiet, total seclusion. Owned by the same family since 1904! ML s#6002612 $155,000

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.

LISTING

burning stove. Nice level lot. 178’ of very private gravel shoreline close to Naniboujou and Judge Magney State Park.

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.

Lutsen 4170 Cascade Beach Road

MLS#6002279 $995,000

Beautiful 4 bedroom 3 bath home with private 2 bdrm seaside cottage located on Cascade Beach Rd on Lake Superior in Lutsen. This home is perched over a ledge rock shoreline with perfect orientation toward the lake. The home features a Great Room with fireplace with the Lake serving as your focus. Gourmet style kitchen sets up perfect for entertaining. Heated drive through garage and attached two stall over sized garage for multiple cars, boats and utility storage.

Lutsen 1044 Caribou Trl

MLS#6000638 Price: $319,900 Excellent Caribou Lake opportunity. 3 br/1 bath, open area kitchen and dining, large open deck area, permanent dock. New improvements include: septic, windows, siding, roofing, Insulation & more.

Grand Marais 1817 W Hwy 61

MLS#6002458

Tofte

MLS#6001732

$525,000

This

level master suite includes a king bed, sitting area, fireplace, flat panel TV, Jacuzzi, shower and wet bar. The hillside guest room includes a queen bed, TV, private bath and micro and small refrigerator. Multiple rental options providing significant revenues under the professional management of Blue Fin Bay family of resorts.

GreaT Vacan T Land Va LU e S

Jonvick Creek Beautiful home sites in mature Maple, Spruce and Birch forest. $29,500-54,900

Stonegate Road Private Lake Superior lot in Hovland Includes driveway, electric & new septic.

(A/O) MLS# 24409 $399,900

xxx Sawbill Trail 120 Acres located up the Sawbill Trail. Large Maples MLS# 27551 $199,900

Lot 2 Quist Acres 5 acre parcel on Quist Road outside of Grand Marais. MLS#30439 $42,000

Lot 5 Quist Acres 5 acre parcel on Quist Road outside of Grand Marais, sister parcel to Lot 2. MLS#30440 $44,000

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

Lot 13 Sawmill Bay 233’ shoreline 2.2 acres MLS#31370 $88,000

Johannes Toftey Homestead Sites

Beautiful hillside lots in Tofte with Lake Superior and Carlton Peak views. $35,750-55,000

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 xxx Leveaux Ridge

3.45 acres Birch Forest, pines, Lake Superior View

MLS#6002548 $37,500,

Lutsen Sea Villas

The Lutsen Sea Villas have withstood the test of time. Nowhere else is there a shoreline like this on the entire coast of Lake Superior. The owner’s and management company have upheld excellent standards and quality while maintaining the unique integrity of this original seaside coastal development, and they are well run by Lutsen Resort.

Grand Marais 179 Birch Trail

MLS#6002382 $469,000

Custom built timber frame home with outstanding Lake Superior views. Home features exposed timbers, vaulted ceilings, well oriented window placement and wraparound deck. Beautifully appointed kitchen, custom staircase and great room fireplace. Bordered by Cascade State Park. Over-sized detached two

MLS#6002596 $799,000

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.

lake superior properties

NeW! private l ake superior retreat Two

North Shore historic log cabins with outstanding lake views along the dramatic, unspoiled shoreline. Trails, bridges and scenic overlooks make the whole property accessible and it feels like your own state park! Main cabin has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and spectacular views. Guest cabin had a main room and porch. There is much hand-made attention to detail in these historic and classic Aldrich log cabins.

Mls#6002084 $1,250,000

l ake superior

CharMer Privacy, gardens and 250' Lake Superior Shoreline make this a fantastic home and location! Look at Artists Point from the deck. Feel secluded at the end of the road. The house sits just feet from the stunning Lake Superior shoreline! Home features huge kitchen/ dining room, private master suite, and a private 2-BR guest suite. Gourmet kitchen with wall of glass that brings the outdoors inside. Many built-ins, skylights and cozy features.

Mls#6002465 $625,000

NeW! ClassiC

log CharM/

CasCaDe BeaCh.

This early North Shore log cabin has all the warmth and feel that only vintage cabins possess. Log beams, wood floors, cobblestone fireplace and a stunning Lake Superior setting. 150 feet of ledge rock shore lies just steps away from the large deck. Spectacular views up and down the shore! There's a large 2 car garage to house all your toys. Seasonal use and cozy quarters make this a perfect place to enjoy the lake and nearby state park without the hassle of a large home. It's a simple and charming retreat. Mls#6002401 $445,000

3 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 from $175,000 to the unique and pristine point at $409,900. Mls 6000590, 6001067, 6001068.

ChiMNeY ro Ck poiNt. Spectacular Lake Superior lot framed by the palisades. Nicely wooded with two or more perfect build sites. Shared septic for development is in. Each lot will install personal septic system. Association fee $500 per year. Mls#6002417 $365,000

NeW! CasCaDe BeaCh CaBiN Rather spectacular ledge rock Lake Superior parcel on Cascade Beach Road. Park up by the road and walk down. There are rock out-croppings, a cove and could be improved to year round. No septic sites located. Mls# 6002552 $399,000

NeW! ChiCago BaY

hoMe Located along coveted Chicago Bay Road, this charming Lake Superior cottage has fresh paint, new carpet and counters. Lucky new owners will enjoy their very own piece of Lake Superior, and the chance to watch the sun rise over Chimney Rock. Roomy spaces with large windows for great views of the lake in all seasons. This is a perfect year-round home for your family, or a great cottage getaway. Enjoy a fire on your own shoreline on summer evenings; also adjacent to parkland. Large wraparound deck is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee! Mls# 6002611 $198,000

NeW! 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. Kitchen, dining room, living room, sitting room, utility room, and large upstairs loft with 2 bedrooms, entertainment area withregulation pool table, bar tables and shuffleboard. The lake view is spectacular through lots of glass from all the rooms. Please review the "Ravencliff' document for extensive information on features and upgrades.

Mls# 60024671 $989,000

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 well-maintained cabin, sauna, dock and outhouse. Easy year-round access. Unique opportunity to own a private wilderness compound! Mls #31513 $700,000.

NeW! l arge lot-great vieW

Over 660' on Sea Gull Lake. Tremendous views, many build sites and a nice boat cove. Driveway into pad where old cabin was located. Great location for your wilderness home or cabin! Mls #6002455

$329,000

log CaBiN/toM

lake Beautiful log cabin tucked into the woods with peace, quiet and amazing privacy. Over 540' easy accessible shoreline on the NW end of Tom Lake. Custom built, many upgrades and personal touches. Large 4 season porch. You will watch the sun rise across the sparkling waters. Compliant well and septic, power by Outback Solar. Includes dock and boat lift. Mls#6002392 $282,000

WilsoN lake lot. Strikingly beautiful 5.4 acre lot, 355’ of shoreline with great build sites near the lake or tucked around the bluff for gorgeous views. 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 $259,900.00

MCFarlaND l ake

CaBiN Beautiful cedar full log cabin on McFarland Lake. Cozy hide-away with sauna building, guest cabin, storage building. Great shoreline with new dock. Partially furnished. Large deck, nice cedar trees. Great view of palisade. Mls #6002033 $259,000.00

tuCker l ake lot Gunflint Trail--Tucker Lake Lot. Have tons of privacy on this 3.68-acre lake lot with over 550 feet of shoreline, plus 237 feet more shore across the private road, in a protected bay. Nice trees, great building site. Pristine views, and direct access to the BWCAW. Mls #6002030 $239,900.00

CaBiN oN trout lake. Charming custom-built 1 BR cabin with 150’ shoreline on desirable Trout Lake. Knotty pine paneling, lots of artistic touches. 3.27 acres. Mls #31258 $199,900.

BorDer, Beaut Y 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.

FaMilY CaBiN—BirCh lake. Family retreat w/2 BR, 1 BA, large deck, charming log bunkhouse, 1-car garage. Great privacy, large dock on 150’ shoreline. Mls #31680 $199,900.

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.

NeW! great poplar l ake lo CatioN. Large 2.11 acre parcel w/charming cabin sitting at water's edge has view down the lake to west. Redone kitchen; one BDR with huge windows, living room with great view and stone fplc w/wood stove. Room to build new house overlooking lake, room for garage or storage bldg. Septics located. New composting outhouse. New shower house. Great sand bottom and drop off for swimming. Mls# 6002476 $194,900

large aND private lake lot. This Greenwood Lake parcel has great views, classic boulder shore, dense pine forest and easy lake access. Plenty of elbow room with many nice cabin/home sites. Mls #6001764 $192,500

iNlaND Water properties

iNlaND Water properties

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

NeW! privaCY oN aND oFF the Water!

One of the last vacant lots on Lost Lake, a lake with no public access. Large lake parcel with 650' of shoreline and 20 acres. Mature forest with some white pine, picturesque building site with SW views, and great shoreline. Gated access, great trout fishing and protected, unspoiled views. Permanent conservation easement protects the opposite side of the lake. Lost Lake is association managed for trophy brook trout. Protective covenants in place to maintain the wilderness setting. Mls#6002477 $189,000

lost l ake retreat. 680 of private shoreline. One of only nine 20-acre lake lots on Lost Lake. Premier location with view of the length of the 70-acre lake. This is a private lake with no public access. Cabin foundation and sauna pad in.

Mls #6002250 $179,900

NeW! speCtaCular BuilDiNg site on W. Bearskin Lake. Beautiful views, dense forest and direct BWCAW access. High building site affords views, level shoreline has lots of room for the dock and boats. Very private and dense forest at the end of a dead-end road. Price includes installed stairway stystem to lakeshore. Mls# 6002464 $178,000

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 movein ready! Mls #6001793

$169,000

NeW! poplar l ake CharMer This darling classic Gunflint Trail cabin is perched in the trees overlooking a quiet bay of Poplar Lake. It has two bedrooms, small kitchen, cozy living area and pristine lake views. It's rustic, but easily accessible and has direct access to the BWCAW. Just the place for your weekend escapes. Mls#6002539 $169,000

Qualit Y 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.

NeW! 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

NeW! reCreatioN paraDise oN toM l ake. Charming 1960's era cedar cabin right at the water's edge. Unique to have a Boat House right on the water that is grandfathered-in. Great dock - even greater walleye fishing! Small, compact and a nice quiet spot. Sold "turn-key" ready to move in and start fishing.

Mls#6002496 $99,000

NeW! toM l ake

CaBiN Charming, small family cabin on Tom Lake. Foundation is treated cedar logs, cabin has new roof, propane wall heater, range and refrigerator-you bring water. Furnished with typical cabin stuff. Very well maintained. Will need septic tank install to be compliant by 12/15. The BB cottages are the end of an era.

Mls#6002561 $89,900

NeW! CasCaDe river

propert Y 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, westfacing lakelots on Hare Lake. Easy county road access. Power available. Beautiful views, nice shoreline, good trout fishing. starting at $82,000.

CoND oMiNiuMs

MaiNteNaNCeFree 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. Mls #6002039 $339,000

stuNNiNg eND uNit. This end unit has been totally remodeled, with a keen sense for what vacation renters are looking for. Open concept floor plan. Nice updates include hardwood and tiled floors, butcher block island, maintenance-free decking, and beautifully-decorated spaces. End unit with much privacy. Mls#6002366 $134,900 lake superior CoND 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. Facility is in excellent condition for easy and affordable lakefront living or vacation rental. Mls #6000473 $100,000.

CoND oMiNiuMs

gorgeous vieWs + reNtal reveNues Lovely 2-bedroom unit plus loft; sleeps 6. Layout changed to open floor plan. Beautiful stone fireplace, with electric insert. Unit has solid vacation-rental history.

Mls#6002445 $112,900

C oastal C ottage

CharM. Gorgeous lower level unit walks out to Lake Superior. Cork flooring, rainfall showerhead and a cool spa bathroom. Open concept floor plan with a seashore cottage feel and beautiful furnishings!

Mls#6002369 $88,000 CaBiN With No Chores. Lower level unit walks out to Lake Superior and has been

$88,000

eFFiCieNt hoMe.

hoMes & CaBiNs

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. Outside you will find a private patio area, heated drive-through garage, gardens, flowerbeds and custom landscaping. Mls #6002043 $247,000

NeW BeautiFul

lutseN hoMe 3- BR country home in Lutsen on 3.67 acres. Light filled living and dining rooms. Eat-in kitchen. 1 3/4 baths. Full basement. Sauna. New septic system. Artesian well. Double detached garage. Directly across from private Solbakken ski trails. Near downtown Lutsen and Lutsen Mountains Resort. Owner /agent. Mls #6002162 $229,000

reCreatioNal

Base CaMp. This great parcel in Tofte has two garage buildings waiting for your toys. Either one could easily become living space, with a second level on one of them. The exteriors are nicely finished. The two lots have room for a home with views of a dramatic creek gorge with waterfall and Lake Superior. It's a park-like setting with circle drive and walking paths around the property. Make this into your home away recreational retreat, or turn it into a permanent home site with plenty of garage space ready to go.

Mls #6002043 $179,900

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.

rustiC log, roiliNg river, MoDerN CoMForts. 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 #6001631 $169,900.

CoMMerCial properties

NeW! BusiNess aND

hoMe. The Gunflint Motel in Grand Marais is a long-established business located just a block from the harbor. There are 5 large motel units with kitchens, plus a full lower apartment in the motel structure. All are in great shape. There is also a 4 bedroom, 2 bath owner's home that has had many recent updates and enhancements. It features hardwood floors, large deck, and great views of the harbor from the living room and master bedroom. The charming home provides a comfortable and private residence. Mls#6002290 $419,000

speCtaCular piNCushioN BeD aND BreakFast Updated 5 bedroom, 6 bath home on 14.8 acres. New 2 car garage and two decks. Direct ski in/ski out access to Pincushion Mountain ski trails. Frontage on Little Devils Track River is fabulous. Just minutes from Grand Marais. Resort/Commercial zoning. Mls 6001839 $374,900.00

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.

NeW! 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

river/Creek FroNtage

DraMatiC CasCaDe river propert Y.

Twenty acres with 660’ on Cascade River. Good road, building site in cedar. Common property at spectacular waterfalls. Association, assessments. Seasonal access. Mls #31332 $109,500.

10 aCres oN CouNt Y rD. #14.

330’ of bubbling creek runs through this beautifully wooded and very private parcel. Build sites near the water. Mls #31619 $99,500.

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/BuilDiNg sites

gravel operatioN. Gravel pit, 160 acres, CUP in place. Includes: metal building 54 x 75, remaining crushed gravel, remaining loam stock piled (phs) and clay stock piled. Taxes and survey assessment to be pro-rated. Mls#6002403 $300,000

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.

over 217 aCres/CaMp 20 roaD Lovely open land with many ponds and streams. Mls #31645 $216,700.

vieWs FroM terraCe poiNt Two lots for development at Terrace Point. One has townhome foundation in place. Mls #6001069 $94,500 Mls #6001100 $175,000

huNter's heaveN Proven Great Hunting Area80 acres in Schroeder, MN. Rolling land with wonderful wildlife habitat including stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Mls #6002159 $142,500

large parCel With possiBle suBDivisioN poteNtial. Great Lake

Superior views on the higher elevations. A small creek runs through part of the parcel. Priced below assessed value. Mls #6001758 $129,000

Maples, vieWs, privaCY. 85+ acres near Hovland. New road access, adjoining federal land. South exposure and views. Seasonal access.

Mls #6001633 $99,900.

5 aCres oN guNFliNt trail. A great lot with an amazing view overlooking Loon Lake. This lot includes legal access to Loon Lake for you to dock your boat, swim and relax. Mls #6001601 $94,000

www.BacklundRealty.com

Five aCres Near toWN.

Ready to build, Croftville location, Superior view, nice forest, RC/ Residential zoning. Mls #6001810 $80,000.

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 #31534 $74,900.

NeW! Maple hill hoMe site

Heavily wooded 6.45 acre 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

Five WooDeD aCres.

Surveyed. Septic and access road in place. Close to Devil Track Lake. Add'l 6 +/- acre parcel avail. Mls #6000318 $65,000.

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. Driveway in. Great home site.

Mls #6001604 $59,900.

Beaver Bay

l aND/BuilDiNg sites

DraMatiC superior vieW. Three high lots to choose from, southern exposure from the cliffs of Chicago Bay. Mls #6001901 & 1902 $59,900

reaDY For You to BuilD. This 5 acre lot is located only a few miles from town but offers great privacy. Nice slope, great trees and possibility for views of Lake Superior! The driveway is in place.

Mls#6001470 $54,900.

lake eFFeCt hoMe site – hovlaND. Great 4-acre home site. Close to Lake Superior, with some views, nice forest, easy access off of Highway 61 on shared driveway. A great place to call home or nestle-in with your recreational cabin. Mls#6001463 $52,900.

WoNDerFul vieWs oF lake superior! 3 lots available; wooded and private. Minutes to ski hill, Superior National, Lutsen shops. Surveyed, year round access. Mls #6000671 l ots start at $52,000.

great CaBiN spot! 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.

Mls #6001242 $50,250.

reCreatioNal laND For hiDea-WaY. 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, with lots of fun potential. Mls #6002080 $46,500

hoMe or CaBiN sitegreat lutseN lo CatioN.

4.09 acres, power and phone. Walk to landing on Christine Lake. Adjoins state land. Mls #6002514 $39,900.

hovlaND area parCel 40 Wooded acres with possible Lake Superior view. Mls #6002123 $39,900

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-beaten-path". If it's seclusion you seek, a place that's tough to get there, and worth the effort (or, the effort is half the fun), this wilderness 19-acre recreational property is for you. Surrounded by State & USFS lands. Hike in access from Devil Fish Lake. Mls#6001477 $37,000.

here is the WooDeD aND reMote '40' you have been waiting for. Priced right at $4,300

MALCOLM CLARK, Broker

New Levels of Service

640 Beverly Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 0B5 Canada

Phone (807) 344-3232

FAX: (807) 344-5400

Toll Free 1-888-837-6926

Cell: 807-473-7105

mclark@avistarealty.ca www.avistarealty.ca

2 well built log homes. Each with log sauna buildings, sand beaches, sheltered mooring area, more building sites and southern views of Scotch Lake. Surrounded by crown land and largest of only a few private parcels on this huge lake. Very secluded and

WATERFRONT - NEEBING

Lake Superior! A stunning 3.86 acre piece of property with 600 feet of shoreline with ultimate privacy and solitude at the very end of Memory Rd. Winterized, comfortable A-Frame cottage with year-round road access. Great views. 20 minutes from the border. $319,000.00 CDN

LAKE SUPERIOR LOTS

NICOL ISLAND ROSSPORT

Tremendous Lake Superior building sites. Lakefront and interior lots for sale with docking facilities. Causeway opened year round. Power and phone. Starting at $55,000 CDN

HARRY LAKE LODGE

The ultimate fly-in fishing resort. Totally outfitted with all the modern conveniences. 80 miles north of Thunder Bay. Incredible fishing! Main lodge, beach house with sauna and hot tub. Diesel generator, fish cleaning house, boats, motors. Harry Lake is a very large lake with no road access and Harry Lake resort is the only improvement. $295,000 CDN

Little Trout Bay, 20 minutes north of the Minnesota/Ontario border, 3 large estatesized lots, very sheltered with southern exposure. Tremendous views. Power and telephone available. Priced beginning at USD$199,000

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

Red Fox Kits

This morning we got up bright and early to make the 40-minute drive to a fox den in time to catch the morning light. Then we waited almost an hour for the family to make its appearance. We were just starting to wonder if they were even in the den when Jessica spotted one of the adults coming out of the woods. The adult went to the entrance of the den and started making noises, calling the kits to come outside. Seconds later we saw one little fox head pop up out of the den, then another, then another until finally there were five of them out in the open.—Travis Novitsky

SerenitySpokenHere

Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, year-round resort located on the historic Gunflint Trail of Northeastern Minnesota. We are on the north shores of Flour Lake surrounded by the Superior National Forest; as we are the only residents on the lake, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from the true wilderness setting. We offer modern, housekeeping cabins to ensure comfort during your stay in the North Woods.

Each season has something special to offer; excellent fishing and canoeing in Summer and nationally-renowned Nordic Cross-Country Skiing in Winter. Our website describes in detail how each season can help shape your vacation.

Try our 9-site campground which offers a quiet and personal service; each site comes equipped with water and electric hookups. We go out of our way to ensure every aspect of your visit will convince you to come back and see us again.

We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation, and we would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination. You won’t be disappointed!