Lily Anderson, who works with us in the summers and lives on the trail year round took several pictures of the lodge in the past few days an emailed them to me. In both photo's is Doo Doo in what looks like new leggins and coat and hood!

Although fully restored now, a significant line was cut in Duluth which left the majority of us on the Northshore with out phones for 11 hours the other day. There were no landline phones, cell phones and my email went down (and I am in Indiana) and business websites were down. It was a reminder of how dependent we are on our communication tools. Those that still use CB's in the area were the lucky ones and knew what was going on.

As the County representative said, all business stopped when the line went down and all emergency services were distrupted.

I have been thinking of adding a CB to the lodge. A CB tower was added mid-trail and it is a good way to communicate during service disruptions.

Lynn

CHIK-WAUK MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER
SITE MANAGER


Interested in Gunflint Trail history? Love the north woods? A unique employment opportunity is available beginning in May 2010 at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.


Museum site manager needed for a full-time seasonal position. Varied duties include office work, gift store management, catalog/record-keeping, and most importantly, helping visitors enjoy learning about Gunflint Trail history. Being a self-starter and strong people skills are a must!



For more information, job description, and application, please go to: http://www.gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org/ or email info@gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org .
Application accepted until February 28, 2010.

The BWCA permit lottery for 2010 is complete. Starting tomorrow we can start reserving the remaining permits. So, if you know of your dates for your canoe trip, give us a call!

Visiting the trail? Be sure to check out the information on the Beargrease Dogsled Race January 29th to February 4th.

Gunflint Green Up Planting and Other Information

On Saturday, May 8, 2010 join the Gunflint Trail community in the third annual tree restoration and release (removing competitive foliage) event and Ham Lake Fire Recovery.

All release sites are within the Superior National Forest and in the area affected by the Ham Lake Fire of May 2007. Release locations include the vicinities of Trail's End Campground, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, Kekekabic and Magnetic Rock Trails, Round Lake public landings and the Iron Lake Campground. These are all public lands and participants will be able to visit the trees in the years and decades to come. Participants will be notified of their release location by email in April.

On May 8rd, we'll begin at 9:30 am with training and planting and releasing instructions at the various sites. We'll have team leaders to help the planters. Access to the planting sites will require hiking with your equipment. We anticipate that it will take 3-4 hours. A box lunch* will be provided to all participants.

After releasing you are invited to our Thank You Dinner* under the Big Top at Gunflint Lodge. A dance* with live music will follow dinner.

Early May is a time of great temperature swings on the Gunflint Trail. Participants should come prepared for all temperature options by dressing in layers. Be prepared for rain or snow and to get dirty!

What to Bring:
Personal, refillable water bottle
Sturdy boots
Gloves for planting
Warm hat
Rain gear
Warm jacket
Long underwear
Loppers or pruners (for up to 1" diameter foliage)

* 2010 Registration Rates
$45.00 weekend registration fee per person for Friday dinner & presentation, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner & dance and t-shirt
$15.00 Friday dinner, only, per person
$ 7.00 Saturday lunch, only, per person
$15.00 Saturday dinner, per person
$100.00 family registration fee for weekend with 1-2 parents and their children age 16 and under
$15.00 One T-shirt, picked up during the Gunflint Green Up event May 1-2, 2009
$20.00 One T-shirt, shipped

http://gunflint-trail.com/ggu/

Every day I read the current Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail news on the website www.boreal.org. That includes the classified ads. This one today reminded me why our part of MN is unique.......

"You've all heard how using bear fat makes the flakiest pie crusts and lightest biscuits, right? Well, it's true, and it can be used just as you would use shortening. Also makes the crispiest fried potatoes! It is locally produced, organic, of course, and all natural. No trans-fats, no artificial coloring, no additives of any kind. Pure white, beautiful bear fat!!! Try it! $3.00 for a 16 oz container"