7/16/06 – A lightning bolt last Friday afternoon birthed a forest fire approximately 20 miles northwest of Sawbill. Luckily, the fire is located in an area prescribed to be burned later this fall, and is near a larger area of previous prescribed burns. Therefore, the Forest Service has high confidence of bringing the fire under control, and it poses no threat to the Sawbill area. The fire news had to compete briefly this evening with a tornado warning. No tornadoes developed, but quite a bit of rain fell over the area as a cold front moved through and dropped the temperatures dramatically.
-Matt

Picture of the smoke cloud taken from a Beaver float plane belonging to the Forest Service.

Smoke plumage Friday afternoon as seen from Sawbill Lake.

Attempt to get a view of the smoke plumage at sunset from the loading dock.

7/13/06 – Jim Holm from Lino lakes wrote to us to say that he found a digital camera in a tin mint container on the north end of the portage from Sawbill Lake to Ada Creek. He also found a fishing rod on a campsite on the northeast end of Sawbill Lake. If either of these items is yours, contact us and we’ll get them to you. – Bill

7/10/06 – This past weekend was a busy one. Over 50 boyscouts from two troops graced Sawbill with their presence and have since been sent on trips, but not without first creating an atmosphere that only boyscouts can. Despite the eager scouts and customers the crew has found time to get out and enjoy the wonderful weather. -Johnny

Myself lounging on a rock on Kelso lake. I rock.

Finding our work done Carl and I decided to take a swim. Homer stole shotgun!

Homer excels at fetching sticks but bringing them back is another matter.

After a scare at the lake Carl and I thought it was time for Izzy’s first swim lesson. Watch out for this guppy.

7/10/06 – We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Loren McWethy, former Sawbill crew member, also swam the entire length of Sawbill Lake while here for the big crew reunion last week. Loren and Liz (below) owe their inspiration to former crew member Patti Olson who first accomplished this impressive feat back in ’97. The distance is five and a half miles.

Loren strokes steadily south on Sawbill Lake.

Loren strikes a victory pose. He reported slightly tired muscles, but no severe stiffness or fatigue.

7/7/06- It’s been a busy but beautiful week here at Sawbill Lake. With all the former crew members gone and the excitement of the reunion dwindling, the Sawbill crew seems to be in recovery mode. Bill, Carl, Clare, Liz, and Molly have all left the grounds on canoe trips, leaving the remaining crew to our own devices. -Johnny

Late arrival crewmember,David Bodeau, is finally here.

Carl finally succeeded, with the help of Corey, in reaching the fabled Hog Lake.

Finding several hours off Liz embarked on swimming the entire length of Sawbill Lake, oneway trip lasted only 3 hours!

Liz, Corey, Carl, and Kari after finishing the Tofte Trek. Way to go guys!

7/4/06 – America’s birthday seems awful quiet around Sawbill. After the wild reunion weekend, our beloved former crew members have all disappeared and we’ve been left a little lonely. With that in mind, I’m dedicating one last entry to reunion photos. We are managing to enjoy the 4th even without our old friends, though. This morning, Liz, Kari, Carl and myself ran in the Tofte Trek and tonight we are all off to the shore once more to watch the fireworks display at Bluefin Bay. Happy 4th of July everyone! -Corey

Adam Hansen, John Mlade, Eric Frost, Max Wilson and Erik Hoekstra get reaquainted at the porch party.

The Zinn girls (Ellen, Mary and Sandy) holding court on the deck.

Future Sawbill crewmember, Gus Nelsen.

Andrea Wicks, E.J. Gardner and Deborah Crowell put in long hours as kitchen helpers.

Annie Strupeck and Michele Thieman display our delicious desserts.

Pat O’Neill and Bear Cihlar cook up the brats!

Will Decker, who provided half our homebrew, and our evening’s MC John “Obie” Oberholtzer

7/02/06 – Yesterday was the much anticipated 50th Sawbill Reunion. More than 200 former crewmembers, friends, family and dogs all made their way to the end of the trail and made this year’s reunion one to remember. People began slowly trickling in during the week with the majority showing up in time for a back porch party Friday night. On Saturday evening we had an incredible bratwurst and homebrew barbeque followed by a special showing of the Sawbill Squatzi movie, a program by the crew and a late night barn dance! Thanks to all the wonderful people that made this weekend a sucess. See you all for the 60th!!! -Corey

KB puts the final touches on her cake.

Mark Boggie and Bill Hansen having a chat at the barbeque.

Jim and Fran Sampson enjoy their meal.

All the former and current employees of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters.

A bird’s eye view of the crew!

Alison, Carl and I wait in the wings for our entrance during the crew program.

The Blues Brothers dancing in the dome.

6/29/05 – This week the reunion gang has slowly started to trickle in and all of us current crewmembers are getting the chance to meet all the veterans. The reunion preparations are coming together nicely and everyone is anticipating a wild and wonderful weekend! -Corey

Crewmember Molly Breslin poses with her dad, John Breslin, after their canoe trip down the Lady Chain.

Crewmember Pat Nash dazzles us with his special lasagna dish.

Our very own Clare Hansen demonstrates her ability to walk on water. What’s your secret, Clare?

Here’s a photo of a gypsy moth trap, part of a Forest Service prevention campaign in our area.

6/25/06 – Another beautiful day here at Sawbill. The temperature is soaring into the 80’s again and a gentle breeze is keeping away the bugs!!! Not too shabby! -Corey

Second generation crewmember Tess Dornfeld reported for duty this past week. Here she is all smiles on the store.

Sawbill customer David Zeigler displays the antique Hamm’s beer can he found at a campsite during his recent trip.

6/24/06 – The last few days have been action packed as usual at Sawbill. We’ve had visits from friends and family as well as the arrival of two veteran crewmembers, Molly Breslin and Tess Dornfeld. Add to that a hail storm, Carl Hansen’s half-marathon, a wild ladies night in Grand Marais and a dysfunctional internet connection and you have the recipe for an eventful week! -Corey

Cindy’s cousin Johnny and his family drove all the way from California and came by for a canoe trip.

Crewmember Matt Hartmann sits with the wildflowers alongside the Sawbill Trail.

All of our Sawbill ladies dressed to the nines enjoying dinner at the Angry Trout in Grand Marais.

The quintessential Cindy Hansen living it up on Ladies Night.

A handful of hail. A twenty minute hailstorm hit Sawbill on Thursday causing dismay amongst canoeists and wreaking havoc in our flowerbeds!