9/16/06 9 AM – There are several new fires burning in the BWCA Wilderness. So far, none of them are threatening Sawbill. Some of the routes that our customers use are closed. Everything north of Brule Lake and east of Long Island is closed. The route passing through Long Island up to Tuscarora and Little Sag is open. The Gunflint Trail has been evacuated as a precaution. Rain is expected today, but also high winds, so we’ll see what happens.
Amazingly, there are no campfire restrictions in place. The forecast calls for much cooler and wetter days ahead, so let’s hope that it is accurate. Low water continues to be annoying on many routes. On the positive side, last week’s frost has really set the foliage ablaze.
Follow these links for more info:
Fire-related BWCAW Closures
Red Eye and Famine Fire Update

9/13/06 – As you can see from the lack of newsletter entries, this is a very busy time of year for us. While use of the BWCA Wilderness is down, many of our employees are gone, so we are busier than ever. Luckily, we have more help this fall than we’ve had in many years.
The weather has continued to be beautiful. Every day is sunny and warm, although the nights are starting to get cool. We had four nights of frost in a row last week. The underbrush is starting to turn colors and the trees will follow soon.
It is quite dark by 7:30 pm now, so we have adjusted our hours to 8 am – 7 pm.

9/4/06 – Today is yet another sad day at Sawbill. Three more crew members are leaving us. Alison Behm (Kathy) is moving to St. Paul to begin her first semester at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Missy Peschman is also moving to the Cities to attend Northwestern Medical Institute and our very own Pat Nash is taking off for a two week vacation in Alaska. We will miss you all and wish you the best of luck in your adventures.
Today also marked the end of Labor Day weekend which in turn marks the end of our peak season here at Sawbill. Our bluegrass friends and their families left this morning so tonight we will be without music. Unless I get out the guitar and start singing away, but no one wants that! -Corey

Kathy and Missy all smiles on the summit of Carlton Peak.

Missy gets two photos on the website today with this one of her and Nash just before they left Sawbill.

9/4/06 – Brianna Luduigson and her family had a great encounter with a black bear on Sawbill Lake yesterday. They were out fishing when they heard a bear splash into the water just north of the Sawbill campground. They watched it for several minutes while it appeared to simply enjoy a little soak. It eventually ambled back up on shore and into the forest. Although it was sighted within a quarter mile of the campground, no one saw it in the campground overnight. It is always fun to see a bear in the wilderness that is not actively trying to eat your food. – Bill

A large black bear enjoys a Labor Day weekend swim in Sawbill Lake. Photo by Brianna Luduigson.

9/2/06 – Yesterday was a very busy day for Sawbill. The annual pre-freshman canoe trip from Carleton College showed up in the afternoon and kept us all busy. Then in the evening we were entertained by a group of bluegrass musicians who come and stay in our campground every summer. The banjos, guitars, mandolins and various other instruments and voices rang out into the clear star-filled night. Here’s a few photos from the campfire jam session. -Corey

Pete Mathison holds forth on the bass during the bluegrass jam.

Eric Frost takes a turn on the upright.

Kathy (or Alison as some people insist on calling her) plays her cello at the jam.

8/31/06 – This is the saddest time of year as the majority of our crew is leaving. Kari and Johnny Anderson-Hermann left yesterday. The whole crew saw them off with the traditional Sawbill Salute. Today is the last night for Davey Bodeau and Matt Hartmann who are leaving to start their fall semesters at the University of WIsconsin, River Falls and the Gustavus Adolphus, respectively. We will miss you all this winter, but look forward to seeing you again next summer. -Corey

Matt and Davey waving goodbye on their last day.

8/29/06 – Today marks the 60th anniversary of the union between Frank and Mary Alice Hansen. Throughout the years the couple has accomplished much together. Together they grew, with love, a small family and small business into thriving testaments about themselves. All I can think to write is thank you, thank you for creating this wonderous place. -Johnny

Together in the middle Frank and Mary Alice are surrounded by both their Hansen and Sawbill families.

8/27/06 – As summer grows closer and closer to an end, the weather has not been informed of the change. The weather has been beautiful. By day, the sun has supplied us with warmth and by night the stars have aided our sleep with their comforting glow. These chilly nights also provide us with the perfect opportunity for the age old tradition of the campfire. Campers and the crew have indeed taken advantage of these last beautiful days of Summer. -Johnny

This little bat was found clinging to one of the buildings on campus.

This large pine beetle lounged on a Sawbill canoe in the yard. The beetle’s antena were at least 4 inches wide!

8/25/06 – We received this charming email and attached photos today:
To the staff @ Sawbill Canoe Outfitters:
My boyfriend, Tim Petricek, who’s camped several times per year at Sawbill
for 30+ years, recently took me on my very first (ever!) camping trip from
July 13-18, 2006.
Although I had no previous “outdoors” experience and had only been on a
canoe once in my life before visiting the BWCA region w/Tim, I’ve become a
major fan of the Sawbill experience! I loved tent-camping under the stars,
paddling & fishing on Sawbill & Lichen lakes, taking shelter during severe
weather, driving thru acres & acres of untouched wilderness land, and seeing
a wide variety of animals and birds for the first time, up close!
The 3 attached photos depict what turned out to be one of the biggest
highlights of our trip–driving up to a marshy clearing about 7 mi. from
Sawbill and spotting a mother moose and her baby, feeding on vegetation!
Tim & I took several photos of the moose, as well as photos of us standing
in front of them. Until that moment, I’d never seen a moose before…but
their beauty & serenity captivated me!
I loved the trip so much that I dreaded going home on the last day…and I
can’t wait to come back very soon!
Thanks again for helping to provide a life-altering experience!
Jenny Pekulik
Oak Creek, WI

8/20/06 – While the lakes in the BWCA are world-renowned for canoeing, there are several day hikes in our region that are definitely worth checking out while you’re here. Today crew members Carl Geving and Matt Hartmann hiked to the top of Carlton peak. Other great hikes in our area include Britton Peak and Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain is actually the highest point in Minnesota reaching its peak at 2,301 feet.

Matt relaxes while taking in the beauty of Lake Superior.

Carl cozies up to a mossy boulder.