7/13/08 – It must be wolf week here around Sawbill. Our friend Gary Freiermuth sent us these photographs of a wolf pup and its mother taken about three miles west of the Kawishiwi Lake Road on June 27. This is one of three pups they saw. The others scurried into the woods at the sight of the car. The next picture was shot in the side mirror of the car and shows the mother wolf looking for her stray pup. Look closely to see a tracking collar around mama’s neck. She must have been caught by a live trap set by biologists and collared to help them study the area’s wolf range. – Lee

Don’t you just want to cuddle it?

Don’t you just want to run away?

7/12/08 – John and Pam Chapman left these photos of a timber wolf they spotted crossing Cook County Road 3 recently, about ten miles from the outfitter. These animals can be anywhere from four to seven feet long, and weigh up to about 132 pounds, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They are voracious predators of large and small game, but may also feed on carrion. Notice the rib cage showing through the fur and slender hips on this one. It must be due for a good meal. – Lee

7/10/08 – Yesterday Austin Evans, 10, caught his first fish ever on a nearby lake. It was a beautiful 3.5 lb. smallmouth bass. – Frosty


Austin’s older brother, Jordan, 13, also did really well with a 2.5 lb. smallmouth. Way to go, guys!

7/8/08 – Wildlife abounds in the Boundary Waters. Keep your cameras handy and you might catch some shots like these, which Sawbill customer Carel Koch took on his family’s recent camping trip. Carel said they saw a moose cow, eagles, a deer with three fawns, a 3-foot snake, merganzers, a loon family, songbirds and a woodchuck. Unfortunately, the moose and deer pictures didn’t turn out well. But Carel sent us some funny shots taken around their campsite and a nice photo of the loons. Thanks Carel! – Lee

This woodchuck on the north end of Kelso Lake let the campers come within about three feet of it, resulting in a comical paparazzi style shot. Can’t a guy get some privacy around here?

It’s good to see even the birds still find time for a family outing these days.

Whoa! Carel’s daughter Mary posing with the spider. Carel said, “My wife and daughters had a 3-inch wolf spider living on their tent between the tent and the rain fly. They watched it eat mosquitoes for two days while we were camped on Smoke. I had to chase her away back into the woods when we took the tent down, but I give them credit for letting the spider live with them that close for two nights.” What a story, and great photo!

7/5/08 – The town of Tofte put on its annual Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza last night, illuminating the night blue sky over Lake Superior. Crew member Molly Breslin took these fantastic photos from the rocky shoreline to share with our newsletter readers. Everyone at Sawbill wishes you a safe and happy holiday weekend! – Lee

7/3/08 – Road crews will begin culvert work on the Sawbill Trail Monday July 7. It will remain drivable. If you’re coming up next week for a canoe trip, expect delays up to 20 minutes. Further travel advisories will be posted as they become available. – Lee

7/2/08 – Sawbill welcomes back campground hosts Jim and Rachel TerBeest! Jim and Rachel have been the Sawbill campground hosts since 1985 and have been camping at Sawbill for 34 years.
Jim and Rachel had an unbelievable first year of retirement, traveling to Israel and Nicaragua as well as spending lots of time with their grandchildren in Omaha. It’s great to have them back! – Frosty

6/30/08 – Painted turtles have been lining the Sawbill Trail and nearby roads. They haul themselves out onto the roads in search of sunny spots, but unfortunately are often the victims of vehicles. If you’re traveling on the backroads near Sawbill, keep an eye out for their dark shells. Try to avoid hitting them, or even better, help them get to safety. – Frosty

Frosty helps a turtle to safety along the Sawbill Trail.

This painted turtle had an eight-inch shell, leading me to believe that it was pretty old. In the wild, painted turtles have a maximum lifespan of 30 or more years.

The lupines are blooming! This year is proving to be one of the best years in recent memory for the lupines.

A lupine from above.

The sunset in Grand Marais harbor last night was spectacular. So even though this photo might be a little out of place, I thought I’d share it with you. The ship is North House Folk School’s Hjordis, which regularly takes groups out to enjoy the lake. Find out more information at the North House web site. – Frosty

6/29/08 – Grand Marais residents Mark and Karen Blackburn-Till brought their kids, David, 8, and Chloe, 5, up to Sawbill for a weekend of camping. Karen worked at Sawbill for a number of years, and David and Chloe are already working on their applications for being crewmembers in 2021. Karen and Mark have vowed to take their kids camping every other weekend this summer. So far they’ve stayed at Trail’s End up the Gunflint Trail and Lamb’s Resort on Lake Superior in Schroeder. Way to go, guys! – Frosty

6/27/08 – Summer is in full swing around Sawbill. The warm weather and clear skies have lured flowers into bloom. Along trails, portages, and roads, colors appear in fine contrast to the green shady boreal forest floor. – Frosty

Wild Roses just started blooming en force. The shade of pink reflects their surroundings. Those found in shade appear darker than the lighter ones found in full sun.

Hawksweed lines ditches and thrives in warm weather. Even though they’re not native, we still like the looks of them.

Trumpet Honeysuckle is very rare around here, but is such a treat to see. This flowering shrub can’t be resisted by hummingbirds.

What would summer be without a sighting of the elusive Ladyslipper? Ladyslippers are orchids and have six varieties, all of which can be found in Minnesota. Ladyslippers have an extremely low germination rate, but once they do, they can flower for over 100 years. If you see a Ladyslipper in the forest, please leave it for others to enjoy. Picking one could destroy a century-long blossom.

The water in Sawbill Lake has warmed up to allow for comfortable, long swims. Come on up and enjoy! – Frosty