5/21/10 – This week we welcomed three returning members of the Sawbill clan. First up is Liz Foot. She just moved back to the Midwest from Washington state, and is excited to be back in the North woods. If you see a yellow rowing shell on Sawbill Lake it’ll probably be her rowing by.

Liz in the store.
The next to arrive was Andy Keith. He has been a longtime carpenter for Sawbill, and brings a great deal of experience to the crew. He actually rode his bike here, from Minneapolis. He is the author of “Afloat Again, Adrift”, which is about his three epic canoe trips from Northern Minnesota. One of these canoe trips began at Sawbill Lake and ended at Hudson Bay. He’s looking forward to paddling and exploring the area again this summer.

A smiling Andy in front of the store.
The third returning employee was Carl Hansen. Carl drove back from Missoula where he’s a film student at the University of Montana. He’s also the son of Cindy and Bill Hansen, the owners of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters.

Carl and Homer relaxing outside.

5/17/10 – Last night we welcomed the arrival of Pat Eidsmo. Pat is currently a graduate student at University of Minnesota-Duluth, and he teaches a freshman composition class. In the winter he likes to play hockey, in the summer he likes to go camping and golf. He does a lot of reading and writing, in his spare time and for work.

Pat is carrying a canoe.

5/16/10 – As the summer begins more of our crew has arrived. Next to arrive for our crew was Tyler Campbell. Tyler hails from Duluth Minnesota. He enjoys snowboarding, canoeing, and fishing among other things.

Tyler in the outfitting department taking a short break from rolling tents for a photo opportunity.
Third to arrive was Ellyn Krieg. Ellyn is the daughter of a former Sawbill crew member from the 80’s Paul Krieg. She is from Woodstock Illinois and has been taking trips up to Sawbill since she was a young girl. She will be entering her junior year at Winona State University in the fall and enjoys canoeing, hiking, and campfires.

Ellyn in the outfitting department sorting tent poles.
Fourth to arrive was Sarah Davidson. Sarah is from Lake Bluff Illinois, and goes to University of Minnesota-Duluth. She enjoys camping, rocks, and smores.

Sarah is manning the till.

5/14/10 – Back in the 1920’s, Cindy’s grandfather, Clarence Johnson, lived here at Sawbill in the Forest Service cabin at the north end of the campground. It was a different, smaller cabin back then, although the cabin still exits and is being used by the Birch Grove charter school in Tofte. Forest Service archeologist, Lee Johnson, sent a picture of the cabin taken shortly after it was built. Neither of the gentlemen in the picture is Cindy’s grandfather and they are not identified on the photo.

Photo Credit: Superior National Forest Collection
Michelle Thieman, former Sawbill crew member, recently became a mother and sent along this adorable picture of her son, Jack, labeled “Crew Member Summer 2028.”

Jack William Thieman Sperle

5/13/10 – I just received a call from the U.S. Forest Service announcing that the fire ban will be lifted at noon tomorrow. Good news. – Bill

5/13/10 – It is raining today! I’m looking out the window at hard, cold, rain pelting down and being hungrily soaked up by the parched landscape. Some would say that this is typical weather for the Minnesota fishing opener and they would be right. It is indeed welcome, even if there is a strong chance it will turn to snow overnight. Starting on Saturday the forecast is calling for sunny skies and warm temperatures.
Cindy Hansen’s great-aunt, Millie Mainella, who turned 102 in January, was crowned queen of the care center’s Senior Prom in Grand Marais this week. Most of Cindy’s large, extended family joined in the celebration and dancing. Cook County’s own community swing band entertained and a very good time was had by all.
Millie was born in Hovland, was the postmaster there for many years and was an accomplished accordionist who played for countless dances at the Hovland Town Hall. – Bill

(l-r) Cindy’s mom, Arline Johnson, great aunt Millie, Cindy.

5/6/10 – Our satellite internet service has been down for the last two days. I’ve know for some time how dependent we’ve become on high speed internet service, but it’s a whole different feeling when it’s actually gone. We do have a numbingly slow dial-up connection for a back up, so I’ve been able to keep up with reservations and inquiries at a minimum.
Living so far from town and off the electrical grid has taught me to use unusual resources to solve problems. The satellite company probably doesn’t want me opening up the modem and re-soldering connections – but hey – it worked!
We’ve had a dusting of snow on the ground for the last two mornings. Snow is also in the forecast for tomorrow. It seems like March, April and May have somehow gotten out of order this year. – Bill

By 7:30 am the snow was already almost melted.

The Bell Seligas patiently wait for the canoeing season to really get started.

4/30/10 – We finally got some rain last night and today. It had been 13 days since the last drop of rain and almost a month since we got more than a trace. There was only .06″ in the rain gauge this morning, but we’ve had some good showers since then and more on the way. It’s a relief to see it and it will help with the green-up, but we need several inches to really catch up.
The Superior National Forest, which contains and administers the BWCA Wilderness is now tweeting: http://twitter.com/SuperiorNF. – Bill

4/22/10 – It is as dry as I’ve ever seen it up here. A nearly a snowless March, followed by the earliest spring in anyone’s memory, combined with a lack of green foliage, has produced very high fire danger. Starting tomorrow, all open fires are banned anywhere in northeastern Minnesota. Propane and gas stoves are still allowed.
Fortunately for us, a contractor is here at the moment installing a large outdoor sprinkler system to protect our buildings from a catastrophic wildfire. We’ve had a smaller system of sprinklers that covered all our buildings and critical equipment, but the new system will ring the property with athletic field sprinklers that will just soak everything down if we are threatened by a fire.
On the positive side, it is very pleasant here right now – chilly at night, but warm and sunny every day. There have been eight or ten parties out on canoe trips already and they’ve all had a great time. – Bill

4/20/10 – Rick Kollath and Jane Reed, from Duluth, were the last paddlers at Sawbill last fall, taking a very late season trip up to Cherokee just before the lakes froze over. They were the second group to go overnight this spring, taking the Little Sag West loop in just four days. Other than some high winds on their first day, they had nearly perfect weather. They were kind enough to send along some pictures. – Bill

They couldn’t remember where this was, but it looks like the Mora side of the Mora to Little Saganaga portage.

Rick and Jane found this eagle nest right next to the biffy on one of their campsites.

At first I couldn’t see why this picture was special…