Oh, if only that were a real person! With the wide range of activities going on, it would be wonderful to have a guide help decide what to do. It all looks so fun! Instead, the Tour Guide is an information sheet we put together to let you know where certain exhibits are, who carved the snow sculptures, and which lodges are participating in the poker run and passport programs. Be sure to ask for one at the front desk.

I’m afraid that you are on your own for figuring out how to fill the days. But here’s a few suggestions for Friday: If you are reading this as an early bird, then catch John’s Boreal Birding Hike at Gunflint Lodge at 9:00. Having just been outside at 6:45, I can tell you that the birds are very vocal right now, downright loud even. In this case, they were demanding that I fill the empty feeder. You are sure to spot several varieties.

Following the birding, John will be demonstrating ski-joring. His dog will be providing some extra power to John’s skis, as he pulls him along the trail.

Lunch time–check out one of the lunch specials at various local restaurants, or head over to Heston’s. We already have the outdoor brick bread oven fired up this morning. We’ll be rolling out pizza from one until three.

From there, I would dash on over to Golden Eagle to get in on the snowshoe trek. The snow is fluffy and deep this year, and we have a fresh coat, thanks to yesterday’s snowfall. Lovely to go trekking in.

At this point, I would take a moment for a quick nap, and then head on to Trail Center to catch the Roadhouse radio show, live in the dining room. Our hardworking, fun-loving radio station WTIP 90.7 and 91.7 FM is back for a third year of interviews, music and lively banter. Round out the night with stories and music, right there in the same spot.

Now it’s your turn…..skip on over to the Winter Tracks website and start making your own tour plan!

Look what I saw today when I drove up the Trail from Grand Marais:

Our first sculpture is ready! Many thanks to Mike Schelmeske of Grand Marais, for driving up the Trail to do this fine work for us.

Last year, as I drove along the Trail and saw all of the sculptures, it felt as though I was on a treasure hunt. Such fun to see! This is the only teaser you will get from me…you’ll have to make the trip yourself to see the rest of them. Four sculptures will be right along the road at the following locations: Swamper Lake, Trail Center, the Laurentian Divide Overlook, and the Gunflint Lake Overlook. More sculptures will dot the landscape at Bearskin Lodge, Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines Resort, and Heston’s Lodge.

Don’t forget your camera! Once the spring sun arrives in a few weeks, these works of art won’t be around long.

Are you still looking for a place to stay this weekend for our Winter Tracks Festival? Here is a list of resorts that still have a few vacancies in cabins and rooms. Give them a call and see if they can find a spot for you.

Bearskin Lodge 1-800-338-4170
Golden Eagle Lodge 1-800-346-2203
Poplar Creek Guesthouse B & B 1-800-322-8327
Nor’wester Lodge 1-800-992-4FUN
Windigo Lodge 1-800-535-4320
Loon Lake Lodge 1-800-552-6351
Gunflint Lodge 1-800-328-3325
Gunflint Pines 1-800-533-5814
Heston’s Lodge 1-800-338-7230
Tuscarora Lodge 1-800-544-3843

The snowblocks are in place for the carvers–don’t forget to watch for the finished sculptures as you drive on up the trail.

Hope to see you soon!

Boundary Country Trekking, Gunflint Trail area residents, and several members of the Twin Cities-based North Star Ski Touring Club (NSSTC) have joined together to form the Banadad Trail Association (BTA). According to Karen Monsen, the association’s new president and NSSTC member, “the purpose of the association is to maintain and enhance the Banadad Ski Trail, preserve the history of the forest and the trail, and promote the appreciation and care of wilderness lands”.

The new association will manage the 46-kilometer Banadad Ski Trail system that includes the Banadad Trail (the BWCAW’s longest tracked trail), the Lace Lake Trail, the Tim Knopp Trail, and the Tall Pines and Seppala Trails. The trail system is centrally located along the 200-kilometer Gunflint Nordic Trail system.

The organization’s founding meeting was held February 14 on the Gunflint Trail to adopt by-laws and elect a Board of Directors. In addition to President Monsen, the board includes Vice President Linda Bosma of Minneapolis, Treasurer Karla Miller of Duluth, and Secretary Barb Bottger of Hungry Jack Lake. Elected as at-large board members were Jim Morrison of Poplar Lake, Wayne Monsen of Stillwater, Tom Rice of Shoreview, Mel Peterson of St. Paul, Peter Spink of Poplar Lake and Minneapolis, John Bottger of Hungry Jack Lake, and Anne Rykken of St. Paul.

Following the meeting, the board met and selected Ted Young of Boundary Country Trekking to continue to serve as the trail maintenance manager. Board members were also assigned responsibility for incorporating the new association as a non-profit organization.

Until a permanent mailing address and e-mail account are established, the Banadad Trail Association can be reached by e-mail at bta@boreal.org.

Broomball is a very popular event at Winter Tracks, so much so, that we’ve added a second court. Tuscarora Lodge has been hosting this sport for a few years now, and loads of folks join them on Saturday afternoon to dash around on the ice, brooms a-flyin’, as each team tries to get the ball into the net. Afterwards, cocoa warms everyone up and helps to restore the energy levels.

This year, a second game will be running on the ice at Gunflint Lodge. Gather up your friends and come on out to play.

While the game at Gunflint Lodge is taking place, there will be a demonstration of Kite Skiing on the ice as well. A double bonus for things to do there that afternoon. It will certainly be a colorful sight.

Winter Tracks Welcome

The Winter Tracks Festival is just around the corner, running from February 26 to March 1. An exciting part of the weekend includes opportunities to view some wonderful artworks–from snow sculpture to plein aire painting to fiber creations.

As you come up the Trail, watch for the blue and white banners. At five locations on the Gunflint Trail, there will be snow sculptures for you to see and enjoy. Last year, these were a big hit with everyone who drove up, and are definitely worthy of a photo opportunity.

Snowmobile and Snowflake

Perhaps you would like to try out your own sculpting skills. Heston’s Lodge will be hosting a snow sculpture competition on Saturday morning, Februay 28. All you need to bring are some tools to carve with, and an idea for what you want your block to look like. We’ll provide the snow! Give us a call ahead, so that we can reserve a block for you. 1-800-338-7230

Dave and the Owl

Prefer to watch rather than carve? That’s great, too! Just ask for a listing of the venues where the art displays and activities are happening, and take a tour.

See you on the Trail!

This past weekend Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B sponsored art classes by noted Cloquet, Minnesota painter and art instructor Sue Pavlato. Six Duluth women attended the Saturday morning session held at the Little Ollie Cabin while in the afternoon five women from Brainerd receive art instruction at the Tall Pine Yurt. After the art class in the yurt, Pavlato stated, “this is a first for me, Art in a Yurt!” The painting subject at both sessions was a lone skier skiing alongside of a creek.

When not painting the women along with other guest got in some great skiing of their own on the Banadad and Lace Lake Trails.

After the success of this past weekend classes, Pavlato has agreed to scheduled art classes for the weekend of April 24 at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B.