Wind, Water, and Wings
As many of you know the North Woods is an area where one must always stay vigilant against mother nature. This past week we had one of our famous windy days. As seasoned veterans of these days our staff is never phased by the swamping of canoes or groups paddling in to escape the wind and waves.
This particular day had something interesting, we had a baby pine warbler learning to fly into our dining facility. Seeing it fly into the building, then proceed to fall and thrash about on the ground, we decided to give it a helping hand so that it could catch its breath. Once we got it calmed down by giving it steady place to rest we placed it back in a tree where it called until it was rescued by its parents.
This experience got me thinking of canoeists, oftentimes it is those who are inexperienced that jump into the wind and attempt a journey on days like that. They often do not realize how little water it takes to sink a canoe or how much the wind affects paddling. So, when you're on your trip, just remember to play it safe and don't go trying to brave the big weather. But in the end, in a place as remote as this, who knows better than yourself what you can and cannot do. Have a good rest of your summer and happy paddling.
Click HERE for more information on Pine Warblers.
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PERMIT INFORMATION
 PERMIT INFORMATION Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The lottery is over we can now reserve your permits directly. It is now $6 to reserve a Boundary Waters permit, and $16 per adult for a one time User Fee and $8 per adult. If you have reserved a permit on your own and would like to pick it up at Williams and Hall, just go to your reservation and change the issuing station from default to Williams and Hall and it will be here when you arrive.
Quetico Park Permits are issued on a first come first served basis exactly 5 months to the day before your desired start day. This year the park will open May 20th, 2011. Our Crew will be happy to help you obtain your permits at no extra cost to you. If you are going into Quetico Park, be prepared to have the names of all group members to list on your permit. Also a brief description of your tents and canoes (for search and rescue purposes) also to be listed on your permit. Update: as of last July, camping fees for entering at Prairie Portage are $21.50 for adults and $8.50 per youth (per night) |
After nearly a three week shut down the State of Minnesota is back up and running. The greatest impact to our guests was the inability to buy fishing licenses at our place. At least we had some warning and most of you where able to go online purchase licenses before the shutdown. We have heard from some that it wasn't as smooth as they would have hoped and some were disappointed to find that the website shutdown earlier than was stated. After a rough start, for those of you fishing in Minnesota, we are back in business and able to sell licenses here. So hopefully you will all be able to go out and catch the big one.
