11/10/12 – Will Rhodes was kind enough to send along this picture of his daughter Kira on here first canoe trip in July. – Bill

Will writes: After trotting the Sawbill-to-Alton portage this summer, 2 year old Kira Sky Rhodes enjoyed the summer day on Alton lake, but then the snoozing got to her before the return portage…sleeping up to the portage, sleeping across the Alton to Sawbill portage, then sleeping padding onward onto Sawbill. Power napping in the toddler wildernessset.

11/9/12 – Good friend Tom Heinrich from Hayward, Wisconsin, has an annual tradition of canoeing and camping on Brule Lake very late in each season. He was kind enough to send some pictures from his latest trip. – Bill

Photo by Tom Heinrich

Photo by Tom Heinrich

Photo by Tom Heinrich

11/4/12 – Sawbill Lake is about 60 – 70% covered with skim ice this morning. Historically, the first week of November is normal for a freeze-up date. In the context of the last decade, it is a little early. It remains to be seen if it is frozen for the season. The forecast predicts warm and rainy weather later this week. – Bill

Looking south from the Sawbill Lake canoe landing at about noon today. It sure looks like November.
Here is the most recent edition of the Cook County West End News from WTIP, North Shore Community Radio.

11/2/12 – I’ve been getting calls and emails from people wanting to take canoe trips. Sawbill Lake is mostly unfrozen, but all the smaller lakes and many of the sheltered bays are frozen. I think Sawbill will freeze as soon as the wind drops. It is not safe for canoeing because it could freeze quickly, trapping you in the wilderness. Of course, there could be a big thaw before winter arrives, but only time will tell. – Bill

Phoebe inspects (and tastes) the frozen foam that piled up on the canoe landing during yesterday’s strong north winds. It has the texture of meringue, but Phoebe didn’t comment on the flavor.

Crista Clark and Carl Hansen enjoy a hot cup of coffee on the very cold and windy floating dock at the Sawbill Lake canoe landing.

10/31/12 – Happy Halloween!

Even the jack-o-lanterns have a “Leave No Trace” message here at Sawbill. Photo by Carl Hansen, all rights reserved.
Former Sawbill crewmembers, Dave and Amy Freeman, who are on a multi-year trek around North America, happened to be kayaking down the New Jersey coast just in time to run head-on into Hurricane Sandy. They had plenty of warning and were able to shelter inland. They just posted this interesting account of their experience on their blog.
Here is last week’s Cook County West End News from WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

10/26/12 – The parking lot is empty and no one is camping in the campground for the first time since April 1st. This may truly be the end of the canoeing season as temperatures are predicted to be in the high teens tonight and some of the smaller lakes may start to freeze over.

Snow on the used canoes for sale indicates the end of the 2012 canoeing season, but if your thoughts are turning to next season, we still have a good selection of high quality used canoes for sale.
As each canoe is done being refurbished in our shop and is ready for sale, we will post it here. Our used canoes are in full repair and have many years of useful life ahead. All have Kevlar skid plates on the bow and stern wear points that have been maintained since new. All have comfy, adjustable, custom yoke pads. We do not ship canoes, but can hold them for you until your next canoe trip to Sawbill. Your satisfaction is guaranteed – if you don’t like the canoe when you see it, you get your money back with no question. – Bill

10/22/12 – OK, two things: I wasn’t here when this happened and the dogs seemed to enjoy wearing them. – Bill

You know things are slow at Sawbill when you see this. By the way, Roy’s shirt says “Keep It Simple.”

10/19/12 – You know it’s near the end of the season when the canoes get put away. Don’t worry, we left enough out for the last canoeists to use. – Bill

Bill and Cindy tip up a canoe, while Crista heads outside for another one.

The line forms at the door.

Canoes suddenly look huge when you bring them indoors.

Roy really enjoys watching us work.

Crista squeezes in one of the last canoes.

10/15/12 – Here is the latest edition of the Cook County West End News from WTIP, North Shore Community Radio.

10/14/12 – Every fall, the remaining Sawbill crew takes a field trip to the venerable Silver Lanes Bowling Alley in Silver Bay for a night of pizza and bowling. – Bill

(l-r back row) Leifboat, T-Camp, Czech Republic, Lou, Nils John Anderson, Creesta, Old Style, Carlos, Hot Pants and Bilbo.

Bowling is beautiful.