The temperatures on the Gunflint Trail have dipped well below zero again and the windchill is even colder.  On Monday night it was actually raining it was so warm but by last night a cold front had moved and cooled things off in a hurry.  This morning at the end of the Trail the thermometer read 22 below zero with windchills approaching 40 below zero.  Now that is cold, but the forecast is calling for a warm up this weekend so be sure to come on up for a visit.

     When the mercury drops on the Gunflint Trail the phone service tends to go right along with it.  I'm not sure why this is happening but I was told it had something to do with the chips or cards installed after the Ham Lake Fire.  It's cold too often on the Trail for this to be the case and business owners and homeowners alike are frustrated.

     It's difficult to run a business, hard to have a social life, impossible to get things done and scary to anyone with a health problem to be without phones this consistently.  When people try to dial our numbers all they hear is a the phone ringing and ringing and ringing, it can't even get to voice mail nor can you have calls forwarded because you have to have phone service to do so.

     If you have been calling someone on the Gunflint Trail and getting frustrated then you're not alone.  We apologize as business owners for this major inconvenience and hope you will either email or have the patience to wait and call us at a later time when the phones will hopefully be working.  I've been in contact with Century Tel via e-mail and have gotten some good advice as to what to do regarding these phone problems, "Call customer service."  Hmmmm, if it warms up then maybe I'll be able to do that.

     Until then, please use email to contact your Gunflint Trail Friends.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

     This past week brought freezing cold temperatures and dangerous windchills as well.  The past two mornings the Seagull Guard Station has recorded minus 30 degree temperatures.  The full moon shone brightly and has come and gone.  After a week of almost unbearable temperatures we're in for a nice weekend with warmer temperatures to enjoy the great outdoors.  Grab your cross-country skis, the trails are in perfect condition and we'd love to see you on the Gunflint Trail.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters 

After 16 inches of snow, it was time to get the skis out and try out the hill next to the lodge and down to the lake. 

We have had a wonderful weekend of snow here at mid Trail.  It starting snowing Friday and it is still snowing now.  We have over 12 inches of new snow and counting!  Temperatures were mild for a great ice fishing opener and there were plenty of folks out on the lakes taking advantage of it. 

Most of you are familiar with the Ham Lake Fire that occured this past May.  Some of you may know about the Gunflint Green Up that is taking place this coming May.  Part of the Gunflint Green Up will be the Ham Run Half Marathon on Sunday, May 4th, 2008.      

     The race will begin at Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground on South Gunflint Lake Road, approximately 43 miles from Grand Marais, MN. The course will travel mainly uphill for a little over one mile on gravel. Runners will reach the pavement of the Gunflint Trail and run northwest towards the end of the Trail.  The race finish will be at the Trail's End Campground and Way of the Wilderness Canoe Outfitters.

     There will be a pre-race pasta feed and a post-race pig roast and party.  It's going to be a great event so get your training shoes on and plan to be a part of the Ham Run Fun.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

Beargrease race officials are looking forward to an exciting race this year. The snow cover along the race route -from Duluth to the Gunflint Trail is excellent. The race, which will start on Sunday, January 27th in Duluth, should arrive on the Gunflint Trail late Monday evening.

The Gunflint Trail's, Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B is located along the race route. According Barbara Young, proprietor of the B&B “you can get a great seat for the exciting action as the musher past the Guesthouse on their way to and from the race turn-around point at Trail Center Restaurant .” For those that are interested in following the race from start to its finish in Duluth, the Ellery House B&B in Duluth and Poplar Creek Guesthouse are offering a special Beargrease Package. For more information go to “Front Row at the Beargrease under Event Specials .”

This year’s race is the 25 anniversary of the running of the Beargrease.