We at Voyageur and Pink Paddles have partnered up with Mark and Mary Black of Black Magic Kennels to promote Mush for a Cure. Mushers who want to participate in the two day event must receive donations and pledges. The money raised will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation through Pink Paddles. 

     If you would like to make a donation or a pledge then please visit this site or call 1-888-CANOEIT or e-mail us at vco@canoeit.com. Please join us in the fight against breast cancer and Mush for a Cure.

Today is the official first day of spring, the spring equinox.  This is the day that the sun is directly over the equator.  What that means for us are continually longer daylight hours and warmer weather and "ice-out" and lakes and canoeing and kayaking and fishing and swimming and loons and cattails and spring peepers and flowers and blueberries…. ok, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.  We'll take it one day at a time.

Has anyone spotted a robin up here in the northwoods yet?

 

 

Here is a photo of Stephanie working as the cashier at the Trail Center Restaurant.   During the summers, Stephanie is in charge of all outfitting food packing for Clearwater Lodge.  Her husband, Travis, is responsible for all the gear.  This is the first winter that they lived on the Trail and at Clearwater Lodge.  They are both working at Trail Center during the winter months and exploring the winter wilderness.

Once again there were over 20,000 visitors to Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin.  The North Shore and the Gunflint Trail were well represented with booths from the Gunflint Trail Association,

Clearwater Outfitters,

Grand Marais/East Bay Suites and NorthHouse Folk School.  One of our own Gunflint Trail residents, Bob Marchino, gave a canoe trip seminar.   The television I had showing a video of beautiful Boundary Waters Scenery gave people a chance to "escape" the show for a moment and wish they were "out THERE".  I had many requests for purchasing it so I will be adding it to our online store (http://kite.boreal.org/gunflint-trailCF/catalog.cfm?CatID=book ) later today.  Many people out there do not realize that the Gunflint Trail is a road to be driven.  I informed as many as I could.  I also explained how close to the Boundary Waters we are, the numerous moose and other wildlife sightings, the complete lack of billboards as well as how beautiful and peaceful the drive up the Gunflint always is for me. 

We have received a lot of positive feedback from visitors about WinterTracks this last weekend.  I think it makes people feel like they are a little "back in time" - back when life was a little slower paced, time was taken for friendliness and chatting with your neighbor, jigsaw puzzles, popcorn by the fire, walks in the woods, no televisions or cell phones and good old fashioned fun!  I took the time to enjoy Mama moose on Sunday on my way back home from WinterTracks - just a little Gunflint Trail Traffic Jam!  Many people were snapping photos and enjoying this social moose.

  This weekend will bring me down from the woods and back to the city to share information about the Gunflint Trail with visitors to Canoecopia www.canoecopia.com (The World's largest paddlesport expo) in Madison, Wisconsin.  This is a photo of our booth from last year with Sue from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and myself.  Canoecopia is quite the show with an opportunity to try out any of the canoes from the top name manufacturers as well as kayaks, racks, clothing, shoes, camping food, camping equipment, books and many speakers and free seminars.  Come and check it out and stop by our booth.  Please stop by and let me know that you read about it here.  Hope to see you there! 

         Winter Tracks 2007 is officially over.  Eveyone had a great time enjoying the winter splendor and all of the activities on the Gunflint Trail during Winter Tracks 2007.  Locals and guests on the Gunflint Trail reported having tons of winter fun and are already wondering when it will happen in 2008…

     The live broadcast by WTIP at Trail Center on Friday night was very entertaining.  Many locals were interviewed and Dave Seaton of Hungry Jack Outfitters got to help with the broadcast of the Trivia program. 

     Saturday found everyone out and about enjoying the great weather and sunny skies.  There were so many great activities to choose from throughout the day.  Spectators could watch snowmobiles zoom across Poplar Lake for the Radar Run or try snowmobiling at Gunflint Pines Resort.  People could carve their own snow sculpture or their own trail while cross-country skiing.  There was no need to make your own trail because the groomed trails were in perfect condition.  Guests enjoyed snowshoeing through the woods as well as on the obstacle course at Gunflint Pines.  The broomball game at Tuscarora entertained a good group of people and fun was had by all.

     The banquet, dinner and dance at Gunflint Conference Center on Saturday night was incredible.  The food was good, almost everyone won a prize, and the band was awesome.  There was a bonfire outside for kids to roast marshmallows and even a lunar eclipse to enjoy. 

     Many people could be found early Sunday morning for the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club's Annual Trout Derby.  The big grill was going with brats, burgers, and fish sandwiches while anglers brought in their trout to be weighed. Someone even drove a huge motor home out onto the lake; a funny sight to see.

     There was so much to do and so little time to do it in during Winter Tracks 2007.  The problem about winter on the Gunflint Trail is there is always too much to do.  I guess that's why some people choose to see a problem as an opportunity.  Winter on the Gunflint Trail creates the opportunity for everyone to enjoy winter activities every day, not just during Winter Tracks.  Whether it's ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or snow shoeing, there is plenty to do.  I guess that's why we love our winter on the Gunflint Trail and celebrate it not just on Winter Tracks Weekend, but every day of the winter.  Posted by Sue Prom, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and the Boundary Waters Blog.

     What a great day for a snow day!  Bundle up the kids and take a drive up the Gunflint Trail to participate in this year's Winter Tracks Festival.  There's already an awesome snow carving by Dave Seaton at the Gunflint Overlook.

     Stop by Gunflint Lodge for a Skijoring Demonstration at 9 AM, listen to Bob Marchino talk about his Voyageur Canoe Expedition at Bearskin Lodge at 11 AM,  head to Heston’s Lodge for a sampling of pizza and an introduction to winter camping at 1 PM.

     If you feel like staying put on this snowy, windy day then be sure to tune into WTIP this evening for a live broadcast from Trail Center beginning at 5 PM.  There are plenty of other activities happening on the Gunflint Trail today and throughout the entire weekend so be sure to check out the Winter Tracks Website. 

     Plan your weekend around this year's Winter Tracks Activities; Windigo and Poplar Lake will be buzzing with activity on Saturday.  A Radar Run sponsored by Cook County Ridge Riders will begin at 11 AM.  There will also be a winter fishing seminar at 1:30 PM by local guide Vince Eckroot. 

     There will be plenty to do throughout the day at various resorts along the Trail so be sure to check the schedule for specific times and places.  Golden Eagle Lodge will present curling on the lake, Tuscarora will have a broomball game and Gunflint Pines will have a snowshoe obstacle course and snowmobile tours.

     Gunflint Lodge will also be buzzing during the daytime and well into the evening.  They are having a skijoring demonstration, a snowshoe trek, and a dog mushing seminar by local mushers Mark and Mary Black at 11 AM.  Gunflint is the place to be when the sun goes down.  They will host the evening’s activities including dinner, awards, dance and bonfire.

     Don't forget the Trout Derby on Sunday Morning; there's plenty to do besides fishing and we'd love to see you there.  Posted by Sue Prom Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and the Boundary Waters Blog