Working at the Sag Property

Dave is busy adjusting the Sag Docks as the water levels fluctuate and securing them for winter. He is always in the background at Seagull making sure that all mechanical things are working smoothly. Note the water over the top of the ramp going to the Sag Docks. Dave is busy working on some upgrades for Big Sag Cabin---stay tuned.

In the meantime, Sadie is enjoying a "dog's life" at Seagull. She is enjoying the view and relaxing on the rocks on the Sag Property.

It was a cool 19 degrees at Seagull this morning but is turning into a lovely day. Deb is working on the rates for 2008 and getting geared up for the Mediterranean. Life is good at Seagull.

Sunshine in the Woods!

It was a blue sky day on Seagull today. It was one of those rare late fall moments when you know you should be outside enjoying the day since this won't last. Sadie and I went for a walk in the cool, crisp afternoon. The woods are beautiful with the changing colors of the underbrush. The moss is so alive with all the moisture and everything is full of life despite the falling leaves. These days won't last as we had a dusting of snow this morning.

New in 2008 are some Boundary Waters Permit Reservation Fees Increases.

The BWCAW Permit Fee Increase was approved and will take affect in 2008.

The Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) has approved fee increases for BWCAW permits. This is good news for our wilderness program because it means additional operating dollars through the Recreation Enhancement Act (formerly Fee Demo) monies returned to the Forest.

Just to make things clear, what this means is that for the next (2008) season, fees will be as follows:
Adult per trip fee: $16.00
Youth per trip fee: $8.00
Adult Seasonal Fee Card: $64.00
Youth Seasonal Fee Card: $32.00
Golden Age/Access $32.00

The Boundary Waters Permit Reservation Lottery will start December 1, 2007. You can read all about it at the new Permit Reservation site at www.recreation.gov .

An October Day at Seagull

As you see from the current photo, we continue to get more rain. Notice where you would normally put in your boat or canoe on the dock and how high the water is. We are thankful that fall levels are very high, yet we are also ready for a break in the weather to finish some
fall chores.

A loyal Seagull Customer, Steve Volkening just returned from his canoe trip south down the Granite River from Saganaga to Gunflint. Here is Steve's report:

"I had quite a paddle on the Granite... It was my fourth solo on that route, but it was brand new because of the high water and the burn. I remember a beautiful hill near Cross Bay that used to be solid gold with aspen leaves against the blue sky. Now , its just charred trunks. The portage at Horse Tail Rapids was three feet under water at the base of a steep ledge. I had to bushwhack through on the opposite side, and it took 1 1/2 hours instead of the normal five minutes. Navigation wasn't a no-brainer, but actually a challenge. Parts of the route reminded me of a southern cypress swamp, with trees with 3 feet of their trunk submerged. I stuck the paddle in to measure the waterline, and it really was 3-3 1/2 feet. I saw Black- Backed, Pileated, Downey,Flicker, and Three-toed woodpeckers. First trip that I didn't see any loon."

Steve was our last paddler of the year! His story entitled "Back Again to Hunter's Island" is in the Fall Issue of the Boundary Waters Journal. Check it out!

Addition of the Seagull Blog

New for the 2008 season, Seagull will be providing frequent updates via our new blog page. Throughout the offseason, we will post on a weekly basis with information and thoughts from the Gunflint. As the season draws closer and as we have more information to share, we will post on a more frequent basis to keep all of you interested paddlers busy as you count the days until your next visit.

Be sure to return on a frequent basis to stay tuned to the happenings at Seagull and the BWCA/Quetico.

Thanks for your patronage.

Seagull Outfitters

It is still raining!

We are continuing to get more rain. It seems as though the faucet won't turn off. The ground is saturated and the lake levels are rising. Let's hope it soon turns to white stuff for all the winter businesses. You can see the lake level rising on the Seagull dock photo at right.