6/15/14 – Now presenting… our legacy ladies! For the first time in recorded history we have three current crew members who descend from former Sawbill staff. Emma, Ana, and Britta each have a parent who worked here during the late seventies/early eighties. Additionally, our last legacy lady is visiting crew member Ellyn Krieg (’10-’12), whose father worked here during the very same time period. Clearly the Sawbill spirit is a heritable trait. – Nils

Left to right: Emma (daughter to Scott Nelson), Ana (daughter to Rose Koch), Ellyn (daughter to Paul Krieg), & Britta (daughter to Carol Winter).

6/14/14 – Rainy June days have put a damper on many canoeing trips lately. Yet, the stormy weather also provides necessary nourishment to local flora. Many wildflower species have been flourishing recently, aided by the combination of extended sunlight and heavy showers. – Nils

Wild Clematis in full bloom along side the Sawbill Trail.

Nodding Trillium found along the hiking trail to Carlton Peak near Tofte.

Blue-bead Lily on the Superior Hiking Trail.

6/13/14 – Here are the last two editions, June 12th and June 5th, of the Cook County West End News from WTIP, North Shore Community Radio. – Bill

6/12/14 – Many interesting creatures of the north woods have been seen recently roaming around or near the Sawbill area. Among those spotted include several moose, bald eagles and pine martins, as well as a timber wolf and a Canada lynx. Of the moose sightings, two have been radio collared cows with young calves.
A few adolescent black bears have also been seen close to Tofte, though none near Sawbill Lake. – Nils

Pine martin seeking a bird’s eye view.

Local cow modeling her fashionable new necklace.

6/9/14 – Summer may have just begun, but the Sawbill crew has already sent off one of our own. Leif Gilsvik has been part of The Sawbill crew since 2010. Many of you frequent visitors may know Leif and how great of a crew member and joy to be around he is. Leif leaves the Superior National Forest to attempt to hike the 746 mile Great Divide trail of the Canadian Rockies. Starting in Waterton Lakes National Park just north of Glacier National Park near the Canadian-U.S. border, the divide runs between Alberta and British Columbia. If any person can conquer the great divide, it is indeed our own Leif Gilsvik! Leif will be greatly missed by the Sawbill crew here, but we wish him the best and safest of travels. – Mark

Leif’s last fish on Smoke lake.

6/9/14 – Meet the 2014 Sawbill crew!

(l-r back row) Nils John Anderson, Peter Wagner, Mark Hansen, Matthew Buck. (l-r middle row) Laura Hoppe, Emma Nelson, Kevin Taralseth, Jessica Hemmer, Carla Hill, Ana Koch. (l-r front row) Lindsey Price, Bill Hansen, Phoebe, Cindy Hansen, Britta Dornfeld and, last but not least, Roy.

6/4/14 – Last week was filled with lots of smiles and reminiscing as former crew members reunited over Memorial Day weekend here at Sawbill. – Emma

Returning crew from back left: Jeff and Amelia Greensmith, Bhu Pattni, Bill Hansen. Middle: Cindy Hansen, Pat Nash, Katie Nulicek, Lida Casper, Kyle and Mia Casper. Front: Laura and Jonah Greensmith.

Who doesn’t love Sawbill babies!? From left to right is Amelia and Jonah Greensmith and Mia Rose Casper.

6/3/14 – April sent a self portrait from Wolf Pack Island, while enjoying a bug free afternoon of map consulting (featuring her canoe in the background). While leaving the lake, she was even able to hear a pack of wolves in the distance. – Emma

April after a nice cold afternoon swim

6/2/14 – We have an update from April Knight, who is two weeks into her three month adventure towards Hudson Bay. She is currently in Ranier, MN and will soon be entering Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, where she will permanently be in Canada. She is having a great time enjoying the wilderness and will send another update when she reaches Kenora.
Adventurist, Dave Freeman, sent an update from his blog about his trip in Brazil, where he is paddling the Rio Roosevelt. – Emma

Here is an amazing shot April took while paddling on Knife Lake.

Pictographs that April came across (unable to see here) on Crooked Lake.

One of three of Dave’s group’s cars and canoes that got stuck in the mud on their way to the Rio Branco River. Thankfully some local farmers were able to help them out!

5/28/14 – This past weekend Clare Hansen honored the Hansen name yet again by graduating from the School of Law at the University of Montana, Missoula. We are all very proud of her accomplishment and pleased to have someone to consult when legal issues arise (knock on wood). – Nils

Clare with enthusiastic mother, Cynthia Lou Hansen.

Clare and fiance, Dan Shirley. Dan is sporting a very swank bolo tie, the official state tie of his native New Mexico.