5/16/06 – Last night was the perfect evening for a paddle. The water was like glass, the temperature was warm and the air was bug free. The north end of Sawbill Lake was void of the vaguely familiar sounds of canoeists and the smell of burning campfires. I don’t know about you but I’m ready for a canoe trip! – Lida

Heading north on Sawbill Lake.

Just another gorgeous sunset.

5/14/06 – Saturday night The Splinters, starring Bill Hansen on lead guitar, descended upon the Art Colony in Grand Marais and proceeded to rock the energetic crowd long past their 11 p.m. curfew. Rolling Stone described the performance as “inspired” and said that Bill played with his guts. It was also Clare’s first night back from college in Duluth in addition to a well-earned night on the town for the hard-working early season crew. After hitting the town hot spots (darts and ‘refreshments’ at the Tavern and pizza at Sven’s) we worked up a sweat dancing the night away to the likes of Funky Ceili and other Splinters favorites. Thanks for a rockin’ good time Bill!

Bill rocks out with his band.

The Splinters’ groupies are all fired up after the show.

Here is a nice photo of Cindy, Clare and Kathy.

Hard core death metal punks!!!

5/13/06 – It has been another fabulous weekend for the fishing opener. This weekend only the most ambitious anglers were willing to bear the wintry mix of rain, sleet and even snow for the chance to catch their prized fish. So far we have received few reports of big catches, although the high number of unclaimed permits may account for the high number of unclaimed fish in surrounding lakes. – Lida

Two orange-clad fishing swamis had luck right on par with the weather at Sawbill Lake.

Sawbill crew member Alison Behm sells fellow crew member Corey Belt an out-of-state fishing license.

5/11/06 – Congratulations to Carl Hansen! Wednesday evening he was officially accepted to study abroad in Norway for his Junior year beginning this fall. He will be living with a Norwegian speaking family who will hopefully take pity on a sweet little Swede from northern Minnesota who speaks fluent English, very little Spanish and absolutely no Norwegian. Uff-da. -Lida

Carl at his most recent band performance–see next month’s issue of Rolling Stone.

5/8/06 – Bill Walsh sent along a photo he took last week. It is an early morning view from the Sawbill Lake canoe landing. Thanks Bill.

5/5/06 –

Carl and Clare Hansen help their dad celebrate his birthday.
Happy Birthday to Bill! Yesterday Bill Hansen celebrated his 53rd birthday Cinco de Mayo style. While Bill inhaled his 16 oz. birthday steak, the rest of us feasted on steak fajitas and margaritas. Our favorite beer-brewing employee, Patrick Nash came for the celebration. He also lent a big trash and recycling hand and most importantly prepared “Nana Beans.” – Lida

Senor Carlos holds his padre’s Cinco de Mayo sombrero cake while proving that at least one Hansen male can grow facial hair.

Sawbill crewmember Pat Nash whips up his famous “Nana Beans” recipe.

5/5/06 – It is alway fun to wake up to a fresh snowfall at this time of year. Every twig and needle was coated with white, producing an instant fairyland. It even smelled like early winter. Happily, the winds switched to the southwest, the sun came out, and the snow was gone in a twinkling.

Snow covered canoes are not a good advertisement for spring wilderness travel, but soon after this picture was taken, the snow was gone and the sun shining brightly.

These small piles of snow are the last trace of the winter snow pack here at Sawbill.

5/2/06 – On the way to town today I saw the most pregnant cow moose I’ve ever seen. She must be carrying twins. She had a look on her face that said “Oooooh, my hooves are killing me!” She actually was having trouble walking because her hips and pelvis were coming unhinged. I would guess that she delivered today. – Bill

4/28/06 – Our first new crew member for the 2006 season has arrived. Corey Belt is from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He has been traveling the world for the last eight years, visiting nearly forty countries. He has lived and worked in Japan, Chile, Mexico, and New Zealand. He speaks conversational Japanese and Spanish. He is a kayaker, hiker, sailor, scuba diver, and guitar player.

Corey bonds with Homer and the new canoes.

4/21/06 – Cindy and I returned from vacation to find Sawbill Lake free of ice. Last night, Cindy, Lida, Alison and I paddled over to check on the ice on Alton Lake. We had all four of us – and both dogs – in one canoe. As we started down the lake, we were greeted by the call of Sawbill Lake’s resident loon. Only the male was on hand (we guessed that his mate caught a later flight), and as always, he swam very close to us without concern. It is hard to imagine that he just flew all the way from the Gulf of Mexico. Alton Lake was indeed ice free. We enjoyed watching a nice sunset, then paddled home while the loon continued his mournful serenade. – Bill

Alison snapped this picture of (front to back): Homer, Izzy (her first canoe ride), Cindy, Bill and Lida.

Alton Lake at sunset on April 20th, 2006. Several ancient artifacts have been found at the spot where this picture was taken. It is humbling to think that people stood on this spot and enjoyed the same beauty thousands of years ago.