5/5/25 – May is a big month for birthdays in the Hansen and Shirley families and today we are celebrating Bill Hansen! The kids and I stopped in at Bill and Cindy’s house in Grand Marais before school this morning to drop off presents and big birthday hugs. Although he’s totally retired from Sawbill, his summer schedule is quite full as the captain of the Schooner Hjordis, which sails from North House Folk School in Grand Marais. If you’re in the area and looking to catch up with Bill, your best bet is to book a sail and request him as your captain! You can find more info about Hjordis and the excellent Folk School here.

In other exciting news, the ice continues to melt rapidly out on Sawbill. The crew took an aluminum canoe up the shoreline of Sawbill yesterday evening and were only able to make it as far as the first point on the southern end of the lake. The ice has mostly candled, a spring phenomenon where the melting water filters down through the ice, creating small column like structures throughout the ice pack. When handled, the columns fall apart and shatter, creating endless fun and satisfying sounds when smashed against rocks. Thanks to Corr for capturing some great photos of this ephemeral condition.

The forecast today is for low 70’s, wind and sun. My guess is that the ice won’t go out today, the bottom layer still seems too substantial, but my money is on sometime in the next 72 hours. Just in time for fishing opener!

-Clare