As the length of our days and nights even out, spring and summer start to feel truly tangible, instead of just vague, distant ideas or memories. Be ready for the warm weather when it comes by planning your 2017 Boundary Waters canoe adventure or summer vacation now.
"The snow has not yet left the earth, but spring is already asking to enter your heart . . . . The ground is cold, mud and snow squelches under foot, but how cheerful, gentle and inviting everything is!" - Anton Chekhov
Welcome Spring!
Ah, daylight! We hope we aren't the only ones basking in the lingering daylight each evening. On the Gunflint Trail, we take advantage of the longer days by spending even more time on ice-covered Boundary Waters lakes, soaking up the last of the winter lake trout season which runs through March 31st. (If springtime to you means open water and blooming flowers, check back with us at the end of April.)
The lengthening days and intensifying sunshine keeps the Gunflint Trail pretty clear in springtime - except for the errant, but somewhat expected, April snowstorm - and that makes it easier for us to tackle pre-season chores. This spring, we're looking forward to plenty of spring cleaning, and of course, helping Tuscarora guests plan their Boundary Waters/Quetico canoe trips and summer vacations. If you're looking for some inspiration for your 2017 canoe adventure, check out our recently revamped canoe route page on the website or just give us a call at 218-388-2221 to chat about possibilities. Open water season will be upon us sooner than we think!
New bathroom in the the Lodge rental cabin
If you watched some of our Instagram stories around the new year, you already know we spent a good portion of the quiet winter season renovating the Lodge bathroom. We gutted and rearranged the room, creating a large bathroom with modern fixtures that compliments the Lodge's spacious kitchen and living area. While we may (or may not!) have wondered the heck we'd signed up for when we were both covered with sheetrock mud, we're so pleased with the finished product and winter cabin guests gave the bathroom renovation two thumbs up. Whew.
Want to stay in the Lodge this summer, or another of Tuscarora's six housekeeping cabins, this summer? We'd love to have you! Do keep in mind, our cabins are booking up very quickly for the summer season, so get your reservation in soon to snag your first choice of dates.
If you ask longtime Tuscarora guest Craig Weckwerth (pictured at right), he'll probably tell you it's pretty darn good. That's because he pulled this monster out of an undisclosed Gunflint Trail Boundary Waters lake earlier this month. The fish took over an hour to land, but after some quick photos and measurements (40" long, 24" girth), she was released to continue her life of presumably eating everything else that attempts to swim in the lake.
While nothing can rival Craig's fish of a lifetime this winter, it's definitely been a winter of big, beautiful lake trout on the Gunflint Trail . . . if you're willing to put in your time.
Not sure how to get started with ice fishing? We put together a video with all our winter ice fishing tips that will help you get set up for ice fishing success next winter.
Camp Food Recipe: Chewy Tuscarora Granola Bars
We think everyone (but a Boundary Waters enthusiast especially) needs a go-to homemade granola bar recipe and if the recipe's adaptable and allergen friendly, all the better. So we posted our favorite recipe for chewy granola bars to elevate your canoe trip snacking experience. The recipe can easily be modified to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or peanut-free. If you can spare just 1/2 an hour before your canoe trip, you'll have delectable, fresh granola bars to impress your paddling buddies. And hey, no pesky wrappers to worry about dropping on the portages.
We've sure enjoyed posting a weekly winter weather condition update on our Facebook page and Winter Report Page each Sunday. What started on a whim in November became an incredibly rewarding part of our winter. Thanks so much for all the phone calls and emails as we navigated through every bit of crazy weather Winter 2016 - 17 threw at the North Woods. We'll continue the winter updates through lake trout season for sure, but at some point in April, we'll switch the focus over to "ice out" watch. Stay tuned . . . .
Wildlife Watch
Our wildlife viewing has been pretty tame lately. Tame in the sense that "ferocious killers" like the pine marten at left seem perfectly content to set up camp in our bird feeder each evening, nibbling on sunflower seeds while their "favorite food" - red squirrels - sleep peacefully in the surrounding pine trees. During the day, the feeders are busy with chickadees, nuthatches, jays, and, of course, squirrels. On Saturday night, we stood outside listening to what sounded like a nasally car alarm - actually a saw-whet owl calling in the distance.
Further afield, we see lots of wolf tracks on the Round Lake Road, although we're more likely to spot the wolf's smaller cousin, the fox, when we're driving the Gunflint Trail. We finally spied the otter who's been sliding around the Cross River and beaver pond beside the road. She was perched on an ice ledge above the Cross River rapids, chomping away on a small northern pike she'd caught.
We're hiring!
As we wrap up our hiring for the 2017 summer season, let us know if you or someone you know is looking to spend the summer living, working, and explore the North Woods. Each summer, we hire outfitting staff, housekeeping staff, and a crew cook. Most of our staff members work during the college summer break, but we always need individuals who can work through September and into mid-October. We accept applications through March 31st. Apply now. (You can learn more about employment opportunities at Tuscarora here.)
Already have a summer canoe trip on the books?
You've got your group rallied, route planned, permit booked, canoes reserved . . . now what?
If you love a good checklist as much as we do, use our trip planning preparation checklist to walk you through every necessary step leading up to pulling into our driveway to start your trip. When it's time to start packing your personal gear, use our packing list to make sure no essentials are left behind.
Give us a call at 218-388-2221 if any questions pop up as you prepare for your canoe trip. We can help with route questions, gear suggestions, or just share in the enthusiasm over your upcoming adventure.
