Just when we all thought that maybe spring was really on the way here, we get an April Blizzard.  Actually we are just under a winter storm watch from Thursday night until Saturday morning and the bulk of the snow is going south of us to Duluth and upper Wisconsin.  Duluth is under a blizzard warning and two of the local channels coming from Duluth are out.  We have the high winds associated with a blizzard but only got a few inches of snow last night.  It is rather hard to tell since it blowing around so much.  The high winds will continue today with another 3 to 5 inches of snow expected. 

Never fear, the temperatures for next week are supposed to be warmer and the skies sunny so all this melt and we will be ready for the tree planting for Green Up the first few days of May. 

This photo was taken from the lodge porch towards Clearwater Lake.  You cannot see the lake for the blowing snow.  I didn't want to go too far outside for fear of blowing over!  It isn't very cold out, but with the wind….

   The Gunflint Green Up is a weekend of tree planting May 2-4.  We will be planting 75,000 trees on May 3 along the Gunflint Trail in areas affected by the Ham Lake Fire.  We're anticipating that 500 people will each plant 150 trees for Minnesota's Sesquicentenial and hope you'll join us.

Registration is at www.gunflintingreenup.com and you’ll find the weekend’s schedule there too. 

On Saturday, May 3 we’ll be planting red and white pine seedlings in public areas near Trail’s End Campground, Chik-Wauk Museum, Seagull Lake Landing, Seagull Guard Station, Round Lake Landing and Iron Lake Campground.  You’ll be able to come back up and see your trees grow for the next 10, 20, 50 years or more.  Planting a tree can connect you to the place you love and let you know you’re making a difference.

Registration is $30 and includes the Welcome Picnic, Planting box lunch, Thank You Dinner & Dance, trees, planting equipment and a Gunflint Green Up t-shirt.  Please register by Earth Day, April 22.

On Sunday, May 4 the first Ham Run Half Marathon will take place.  You can find all the details at www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com