4/30/05 –

Mike Hoover, Larry Smith, Rick Hoover, all of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and Rich Howland, of South Bend, Indiana, returned today from a ten day canoe trip. In the 49 years that we have been here, this is the first ten day canoe trip, that we can remember, that began and ended in April. Although the weather was cold and snowy, these four gentlemen greatly enjoyed their trip. They have taken a canoe trip right after the ice goes out for many years and are not put off by cold weather (note snowbank behind them).

In another first today, Wayne Eslyn, of Watertown, Wisconsin, whipped out his cell phone and called his wife to come from Tofte to pick him up after his three day solo trip. Cell phone service is new to Sawbill with the construction of a new tower in the Lutsen area. Reception is fairly reliable right here at Sawbill, but probably not reliable in the wilderness to the north of us. – Bill