The Cellar - On the Lake

Ok. Active learning here. I'm gonna post a picture I took. It was taken at Gunflint Lake, May 3, 2003.

I'm standing in Minnesota and looking out at Ontario. I went up to Gunflint Lodge between seasons to help them clean and tidy before the big paying customers arrived. Usually this would be sleet, or at least rain, but we were blessed with gorgeous sunny spring day. Almost hit 60 F. You can see the ice finally left the lake that very morning. I got to sit on the rocks and drink my coffee.

Gunflint is bordered by the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness area, Superior National Forest and Quetico Provincial Park. So it is remote. Too many stars at night- you freak right out. But really its only a five hour drive from home.
They are also anticipating a major burn, there was a big storm and blow down of trees a few years back, the birches are just kindling waiting. Some parts of the place look like Mars in the making. The lodge did something smart: the cabins are built partially into the ground, and can be quickly drenched. Theyve also done a few controlled burns, but its ready to fire up, any minute. Inevitable.

I'm thinking of going up and being a worker this fall to prep for the winter season. Maybe I can get a glimpse of dog sledding. I always wanted to try that.