6/11/2023 – This morning Dan and Paul got working on an energy retrofitting project. Generators have been the backbone of energy here at Sawbill since our opening due to us being completely off the grid, however, that all changed in November when we officially got on the grid, so there have been several energy-related projects being done to support this transition. These specific Marathon Generators have been in use for around 15 years and were used not only for energy production, but the excess heat produced by them was used to support the central heating on the property for heating buildings as well as hot water. These generators will get packaged up and shipped away this week, but we will keep two backup diesel generators to power the property in case the power on the grid goes out.  – Anna

6/6/2023 – Summer has officially arrived here in the Northwoods. After an unrelenting snowy winter, the cold temperatures and snow/ice covered landscape has given way to warmth and green. We can finally smell the soil again and the forest is teeming with life. During the early stages of the transition, grouse abounded the Sawbill grounds and surrounding points.

A couple of transient bear sittings were exciting, and we’ve seen so many moose recently that we’ve come to expect to see them now, just around the next bend, taking refuge from the heat in road-side bogs.

With the official meteorological transition from Spring to Summer, we’ve also experienced some other markers of this coveted seasonal change. The Shirley kids have rounded out the school year with Kit finishing 1st grade and Sig completing pre-school. They are happy to be at Sawbill all day, every day, and mom and dad are glad to be done shuttling them back and forth to school in Grand Marais – for a little while, at least.

The weather is warm. and the air is sweet. The lilacs have just begun to bloom, and we saw our first dragon fly. Harbingers of good times ahead.

-Dan

6/4/2023 – Next weekend (June 10 & 11) is the annual Boundary Waters Expo held at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. This free event is an opportunity to test paddle canoes, browse vendors and attend presentations. At this years expo, our own Clare Shirley will be a member of the Panel of Experts taking place on the 11th at 11:45am. If you are at the expo, make sure to swing by and listen to Clare talk about the Wilderness and tips for having a successful canoe trip.

-Dan

5/22/23 – Before a new canoe can head out for it’s first adventure there are a few items of business to take care of.  To start we license them all at the Grand Marais DMV which is located inside a flower shop (try finding a more pleasant venue for renewing your drivers license).  Back at home we apply the license, our logo, and a unique number to each of the canoes.  Then we install our custom adjustable yoke pads before introducing the greenhorn to the rest of the fleet ready and waiting in the canoe yard. -Jessica

5/16/23 – Yesterday the crew took the customary plunge into Sawbill Lake to ring in the start of the paddling season. The following are some action photos. -Jessica

5/13/23 – Just in time for fishing season, Sawbill lake is officially ice free! Happy paddling!

-Matthew

5/12/23 – Last night Sawbill welcomed a new crew member to the end of the trail! After several fishing trips to the fire lakes, Caid decided to join us for the summer in search of walleye. Upon his arrival from Oklahoma, we loaded a B19 on the roof of Hammer’s fancy new Subaru and headed east to find some open water and sunset views. We found what we were looking for on Moore lake just south of the grade.

With the first taste of canoeing behind us, the anticipation of ice out on Sawbill only grew. As of this morning May 12th, the western shoreline is open as far as the eye can see but ice sheets remain on the eastern side. Today is mostly sunny with a high of 72 and a decent breeze, so conditions are ideal to melt some ice. – Matthew

5/10/23 – Junior checked the ice just after lunch today and reported 16 inches total with the top 10″ being very slushy. -Matthew

5/9/23 – Yesterdays measurement was 19″ total with only the bottom 5 being solid ice. The top 14″ is very rotted/slushy “ice”. With warm weather in the forecast and more open water by the minute, paddling season is just around the corner.

Today was my turn to check the thickness of the ice. Getting out far enough for a good measurement is a little more nerve-wracking now that the ice has officially split from shore, naturally an aluminum canoe is used to bridge the gap. The ice continues to hold at 25″ but today the 17″ or 18″ of solid ice from yesterday seems much more rotten and waterlogged, still about 7″ of slush on the surface. -Owen Jr