Back to work at Seagull

Our vacation to South America is over and it is back to work at Seagull. We flew into Buenos Aires, Argentina and enjoyed the culture, warm weather and tango. We hopped on a ship and cruised to Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, the south tip of Argentina and back through the Glaciers and Chilean Fjords to Valparaiso, Chile. The scenery was outstanding. We loved Argentina and Chile and really enjoyed the king penguins in the Falkland Islands. We had 30 hours on the ship that make any day in Cache Bay seem quiet. We left the Falkland Islands on a very windy late afternoon headed towards Cape Horn. The hurricane force winds got the best of us and for 30 hours we endured 90 foot waves coming over the 12th deck of the ship and 110 mph winds. The captain sent us to our staterooms and it was one of the longest nights of my life. I didn't sleep a wink and really thought this was it! The ship was creaking and groaning with huge vibrations when the back or front of the ship would come out of the water and slam back into the sea. Surprisingly, my blackberry email worked throughout the whole ordeal and I was emailing my family and friends my last wishes! We couldn't see the horizon for many hours on end. Dave being a navy man, was more accustomed to this than I. I was never so happy to see land. Despite the storm, we had a great trip. We spent a couple days in Santiago, Chile at the end of the trip and enjoyed wine tasting at a Chilean winery.

Now it is back to work at Seagull. We are back in the office and happy to take your calls. I will be posting again soon with some permit/reservation info.

We hope you all had a great Christmas with Family and Friends.

Deb

Happy Winter at Seagull

Winter arrived with a vengeance and I don't feel like it has let up much in the past week. I was out in Phoenix and Mpls for a week and came back the night before it all started. Since Sunday, we have had snow and blowing wind every day. Evening temperatures have ranged from 0 to 16 degrees. Dave snowplows every day and I get to shovel the deck and steps. Life in the woods that most people dream of eh? It is very beautiful for sure, but I do like the more moderate temperatures and less white stuff. There is nothing quite like a Northwoods fireplace though and we are enjoying that nightly.

Check out our Christmas Tree in the webcam photo daily. We like to bring you all a little Northwoods Cheer and Holiday Spirit.

2011 Rates have been posted to the website. Reservations are coming in good already and know that we are here to help you. Call or email with any specific questions.

Deb

November at Seagull

High 50 degree temperatures in the woods on November 8th....unheard of! I like this kind of winter. Having lived on the Trail since I was a kid, I have had my fill of snow and cold. These temperatures are like May at Seagull.

I am busy working on 2011 cabin rates and changes. We will be offering published rates this year on cabin rentals of less than a week with a 3 night minimum. Johnse is working on the layout and doing a great job of it as always. We hope to have the 2011 cabin info live on the site soon. We are already getting lots of cabin interest for next summer.

Dave is busy electrifying the new garage and upstairs loft. Actually the loft will turn into some extra guest quarters with a pool table!

Our off season will take us to see the penguins in South America and the Falkland Islands. Just as you all come north to see the moose, we are headed south for penguins. It should be a good time and one of those "1,000 things to do before you die trips".

Dave and I were at UW Superior over the weekend to watch summer staffers Katelyn and Kayla play ice hockey. They play for Concordia Moorhead and we had to come watch since they were so close. (3 hour drive). Katelyn will be returning in 2011 for her 3rd summer with us at Seagull and we are very happy about that. We are hiring now for 2011.

The starry night sky has been incredible and Dave enjoys watching the stars each night. They sure do fill up the sky! Stay tuned as we update for 2011.

Deb

Time to Relax at Seagull

September was one of the coolest fall months we have seen. October is making up for it and we have had really nice weather. The fish are all confused and suspended all over the place and not biting. Dave and I have been out the past 2 days with no fish. We can't even find them. However, the sunny blue skies and calm water make for a relaxing, lazy afternoon on the lake and who cares about fishing. We are closed for the season and it is just nice to not be on a clock.

The otter has returned to our quiet bay and I enjoyed watching him playfully dancing in the lake today. Bears are still around and hungry and we have seen a moose or two as well. The animals enjoy the off season too.

Dave, Nick and Jake have been busy building and finishing a garage at our house on Seagull. They did a great job and Dave installed the garage door openers today. Our staff are all back to school now and on to other jobs. We had a great staff this summer and a good season as well.

Deb

A Taste of the Gunflint

With classes back in session, the Northwoods has definitely slowed down from its August rush. Families were planning last minute vacations to the Boundary Waters before their children had to head back to school. Fortunately, for those who are able to still come up in September, the fishing has been great. We've had great reports of calm waters, still nights, and fantastic fishing in both the Boundary Waters and Quetico.

The Gunflint Trail is hosting their 3rd Annual "Taste of the Gunflint Trail" on Saturday, September 11th. This event is a fundraiser for the highly visited Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center, as well as a promotion for the Gunflint trail. Depending on the size of the "taste" you offer, please suggest a donation of $2 or $5. Chik Wauk's pie and ice cream social will have a suggested donation of $5.

We sell the "Taste of the Gunflint" cookbook here in our store, stop in and purchase yours today! Don't miss out on other great recipes from the area, and bring a favorite recipe to share with others!

Katelyn

The Change of Fall

A number of things begin to change as fall approaches... staff begins to dwindle, the colors of the leaves are slowly beginning to change, and the cool weather begins to approach as time passes.

We have had three staffers leave so far and three more heading back to school in the next four days. Suddenly the staff is cut in half and we begin to realize that we have made it over the big hump of the summer. The cool, calm September weather is all we have left. With the cool weather comes a change of color in the surrounding scenery.

We have had quite a few customers off the Falls Chain in Quetico Park and reporting back with spectacular fishing. They stated to me they got to the point where they were even debating whether they wanted to go back on the water fishing again because they were catching so frequently! They gave us their little secret... Berkeley Flicker Shad Raps in Perch color and Red Tiger. Walleye and Bass are flucuating in water levels of 15'-23'. The Boundary Waters have not been as consistent but still have had good reports!

Many of our used Kevlar, Royalex, and Aluminum canoes are making their way to our For Sale pile, make sure you check out our used canoes that we have available on our website at: http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/used_canoes_for_sale.htm.

Thanks for making this another great season!

Katelyn

Portage the Metro

Keep your eyes peeled for the Gunflint Trail Street Team. The following are times and locations you may be able to spot them!

Week of August 16th:

Tuesday-
If you're in the uptown Minneapolis area tomorrow (Wednesday) between 4 and 7PM look for a big red canoe being portaged by the "Send your Friends Packing" street team! They are giving away Gunflint Trail Mix, and the Gunflint Trail is giving away two amazing trips. Check out our new website, send your friend packing and get yourself a little getaway! http://www.gunflint-trail.com/.

Wednesday-
To celebrate the launch of the Gunflint Trail's new website, send your friend packing! If you know someone who deserves a trip to one of the most beautiful, most pristine places on earth, then sign them up to win a trip to the Gunflint Trail, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Tell us why you think they deserve it, and they could have a chance to win a fully outfitted trip, for three days, two nights. http://www.gunflint-trail.com/send-your-friend-packing/

Thursday-
Today, the Gunflint Trail Street Team will be at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market on Nicollet Mall from 10:30AM-2PM. Register a friend who deserves a trip of a lifetime to the Boundary Waters or, register yourself for a little getaway!


Do your part to get involved! Stay tuned for more!

Katelyn

Mark Your Calendars

The Northwoods has been quite busy the past few weeks! With the peak of the canoe season in progress, things begin to slow down! In about a week and a half, the canoe country will quiet down dramatically as children are heading back to school and work is transitioning seasonal workers. Don't forget to try and squeeze a last minute trip in as there are still permits and cabin openings available.

Some dates to remember through Seagull Outfitters:

Last Cabin Rental-September 20

Last Bunkhouse night-September 26

Last Tow across Sag-October 1

If you have already visited Seagull for the last time this year, we hope to see you next year! If not, we look forward to your future stories and memories still to be made! All customers of Seagull, remember we just uploaded a new Trip Reports section on our web page! Tell us, fellow, and future paddler's your stories!

Katelyn

Big Parties, Big Memories

August is well on its way and flying by! Many parties are trying to sneak a last trip or two in before summer comes to an abrupt end. In the past few days we've had parties come off the water with such good reports that they have booked another trip for three weeks from now.

The weather has been perfect-- mid-70's as a high and mid-40's at night. No better paddling and sleeping weather. The population that comes through Seagull must agree with that as we had 38 people in our bunkhouse last night and 89 people are either starting their trip or ending it through Seagull today.

The group have been big groups, with 6-18 people each. We have had a few Boy Scouts Troops and a big group of 18 who took out four of our catamaran canoes. A picture of all the young children is posted below.

Aside from the big groups, the berries are still ripe and the fishing is beginning to pick up once again! Walleye are being found in 12-17' of waters and being caught with crawlers and leeches.

Summer is winding down, don't let that stop you from booking a last minute trip... we'd be happy to help!

Katelyn

Oh Boy, the Bass are Bitin'

The fishing has been a little hot and cold this year... as always. It has definitely picked up in the past month. The walleye definitely exist, but oh boy are the bass biting this year! Anywhere you throw a line, a bass will be there... They are averaging 5'-15' right now. You have great odds however deep you are set. Just the other week another staffer and myself went out with a five year old first time and boy was he loving it! I think we have a future fisherman on our hands. He first caught a Northern then about 8 bass in the next hour... though he lost a few of those, the smile was never wiped off his face. His Grandpa thought it would be great to be out witnessing that and that memory will definitely last with the both of them!



That is not the only time fishing has been hot. All locations... off the dock, campsites, deep water, and reefs. They have been heavy since the beginning of July and have stayed consistent throughout. These bass have been big as well. The bigger the fish, the bigger the fight. Is the fight of a bass worthwhile or are you stuck on walleye or pike? Might be time to add something new to the tackle box!

Good Luck!

Katelyn

Nothing Stands In The Way Of Getting To Seagull

Watching a big UHAUL truck pull into the parking lot makes anyone nervous when they are sending them onto the water... How much equipment can a group of six people possibly have? We watch the Bennett party whip open the back end of the trailer and and start unloading like it was normal to show up in a big UHAUL. We run out there and catch them before they start unloading everything... Apparently their car broke down and nothing was standing in their way of getting up to Seagull Outfitters and entering the Boundary Waters.

They made it onto the water that afternoon. One of the group members had their parents come pick up the UHAUL that night... they wanted to keep that bill from sky rocketing having it sitting around while they were on a seven day canoe trip. They had it planned out that their parents would come pick them up on the date that they were to return to Seagull. They must have timed it perfectly because they showed up within ten minutes of eachother.

This should be one memorable trip for not only them but us as well! Not once did they complain, they had smiles on their faces the whole time. We had a good laugh with them!

Katelyn

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

The past week, we had some great ladies staying in our Red House Cabin. Between the eight of them, they covered every time zone in the United States. They all had a mutual friend from Minnesota which brought these strangers together. Not to be strangers long, they were all out going and willing to meet eachother. Spending four nights together, you can really get to know someone. These ladies were a riot. We loved them. They were constantly doing activities: picking blueberries, paddling on our Catamaran (which we added a motor to for them), or cooking! They are great cooks! They were grateful enough to feed us twice during their stay. Still need those recipes, ladies!


Sateera and her crew were even willing to come with myself and a few other staff to our extra secret blueberry picking spot. I still don't think those ladies can believe what we brought them through. I think it was well worth it.

Ladies, you have been great. You had my stomach hurting from laughter. You were the talk of Seagull for the duration of your visit and beyond! Thank you for treating us as your own children, even though you were on vacation from your own! Hope to see you all again! Take care!

There are still many cabin openings available. Don't miss your chance to share the great experience they had. Follow onto our website for cabin availability, photos, and virtual tours. We'd be happy to help you any way we can. Please let us know how we can accommodate you!

Katelyn

Berry recipe of the Day

Day 2:

Compliments of Teresa Marrone's "Abundantly Wild":

Old Fashioned Blueberry Malt

3/4 cup fresh blueberries
2-3 heaping scoops rich vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk, very cold
3 tablespoons malted milk powder
2 tablespoons blueberry jam or preserve (OPTIONAL)
4 sugar wafers (OPTIONAL)

Combine all ingredients except wafers in blender. Cover tightly and pulse on and off several times, until ingredients are beginning to mix and have filled the bottom of the blender. Blend on regular setting until desired consistency, 30-45 seconds. Divide between 2 chilled malt glasses; tuck 2 wafers into each malt and serve immediately.

Day 3:

Our fantastic Red House Cabin customers made this delicious recipe and were generoud enough to share. Do not miss out. It is fantastic!

Berry Cobbler

Approx. 2 1/2-3 cups berries
1 cup Bisquik of self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup quick oatmeal
3/4 stick butter

Wash berries and put in saucepan. Add about 1 cup of water or enough to cover. Bring to boil. Pour in pyrex dish.

Mix dry ingredients. Sprinkle over top of berries. Slice butter thinly and cover top of mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until brown.


Day 4:

Blueberry Angel Cheesecake

1 sm. angel food cake
2 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese
1 sm. can evaporated milk
1 can blueberry pie filling (fresh blueberries)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup sugar
1 lg. container Cool Whip

Layer as follows: Break cake into bite size pieces. Layer in large baking dish. Whip together the cream chese, milk and sugar. Pour over cake pieces.

Sprinkle nuts over the cream cheese mixture. Spread blueberry pie filling over this and then top with Cool Whip.

Chill for 2 hours or longer.

Delicious Berry Recipe

For all you avid berry pickers, or even the novices that see a few berries on their portage trail. We have a recipes suited just for you. We suggest this recipe out of the "Cooking with Wild Berries and Fruits" by Teresa Marrone:

Blueberry Streusel Muffins (12 Muffins)

Streusel
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
4 Tablespoons (half of a stick) cold butter, cut into pieces

Muffin
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) butter, softened
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Plus 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Whole Milk, Divided
1-1 1/4 Cups fresh or still-frozen blueberries (4 1/2-5 1/2 ounces)

Heat oven to 375. Line 12-Cup Muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. Make the streusel: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add butter; use a fork or your fingertips to blend the butter into the sugar mixture, working then together until mixture is the texture of very coarse sand with some pea-sized particles. Set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Place a wire mesh strainer over a plate; add flour, baking powder and salt. Shake the strainer over the mixing bowl until just moistened. Add half of the milk; stir until combined. Add remaining flour and milk in the same manner. Add blueberries and stir very gently until incorporated. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Spoon streusel over batter. Bake until golden brown and springy to the touch, 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy :)

For more from Marrone, she also wrote "The Back-Country Kitchen"... Pick up both of these in our store today! Stay tuned for more great recipes.

Katelyn

It's Berry Time In The Northwoods!

The berries didn't hold off at all this year. They sprung out earlier than had expected! With the amounts of rain we had at the end of June and the sunny weather we've had at the beginning of July, they are in full bloom. With the Cavity Lake Fire of '06 and the Ham Lake Fire of '07, the new nutrients are really blossoming the bushes.




I went out last night and filled a Nalgene bottle in about 20 minutes. I felt guilty stepping anywhere around me, I was squishing them! Patches are full. Examine the brush areas on the South facing rocks and portage trails.


Time to whip out the pie crust, the jam jars, or simply just your morning cereal or pancakes. Get out and start picking before someone steals your secret spot! But feel free to share your secret spot with us... It would be greatly welcomed :)

Katelyn

Chik Wauk Grand Opening

Today marks a historical event for past and present visitors, travelers, owners, and friends of the Gunflint Trail. The old Chik Wauk Museum, which has been renovated, will be opening its doors to the public today. The renovation process has lasted about five years.






For more historical information on the Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center, please follow onto their website at: http://www.gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org/index.html.

Doors opened at 11AM this morning and have been consistently busy since then.

$2/Person entrance fee

$5/Family entrance fee

Don't miss your chance at seeing the unique history of the Gunflint Trail.

Katelyn

The Books are Here!

Over the last couple of weeks we have been receiving our book orders for the store one box at a time. This year we have brought back the favorites, stocked up on the popular, and brought in the up-in-coming.

Here are our top picks!

For Fishing...

The New Boundary Waters and Quetico Fishing Guide

Micheal Furtman did a great job at updating his 1984 fishing guide to include all of the new information to be shared, including fishing information on the Quetico. This is the best and most comprehensive writing you will find on the fishing in this area.

For Wildlife...

Wildflowers of the Boundary Waters

This was a hard choice as it could go in so many different directions. The books about plants and animals in the Boundary Waters are numerous... Anyways, this is a new book that we just got in this year. The photos are gorgeous and the text is engaging. If you ever wondered about all those flowers that you've seen on the trail, here is finally a way for you to learn about them.

For Food...

Taste of the Gunflint Trail

This book is writen by the women of the Gunflint Trail. They got together to pass down their very best local recipies. You can't beat those time-tested, hearty meals of the area. And to put a cherry on top of an already great book, our very own Deb Mark is featured on a few pages.

If you're interested in hearing more check out our website at http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/reading.htm

And don't forget we do mail order. Hope you get a chance to read some of these great books...

Danielle

With Great Weather, Comes Great Fishing

With the beautiful weather, it is evident that it is the first day of summer today! The rain has finally held back for a few days and allowed the sun to shine through! With the gorgeous weather, many people are booking upcoming trips and the off the road crowd has increased as well.




The cabins have been consistently full all season and are reporting back to us with a great word on fishing in both Seagull Lake and Saganaga Lake. Customers entering into the Boundary Waters and Quetico have also reported back with good word and great pictures.

With all the rain we've had, it has definitely stirred up the bug population. The bugs haven't been too bad thus far in the season but with the beautiful weather they might start appearing more!

Cabins are still available for the Grand Opening of the new Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center! Book now before your opportunity to be one of the first to view the museum slips away!

Katelyn

Chik Wauk Museum Grand Opening

The Grand Opening of the new Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center is arriving rapidly!

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society will house a museum, to open on July 4th in 2010. The doors are opening at 11AM. The Chik-Wauk Museum will tell the story of the people of the Gunflint Trail. On the grounds surrounding the museum, there will be interpretive trails, wildflower displays and bird watching opportunities.

The museum will include many historical artifacts, photos and stories of the Voyageurs, Native Americans, miners, and local residents.

Seagull Outfitters is offering great package deals for cabins of opening weekend!

Please check out our Chik Wauk page on our website! These available cabins will be filling up fast!

http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/chik_wauk_museum.htm

Another great reason to head up to the end of the Gunflint Trail! Please be in touch if you are interested in the Grand Opening! Chik Wauk should be a great Museum and Historical Center, don't miss your opportunity to be one of the first to view it!

Katelyn

There is More to Seagull Than Just Fishing

A cabin of ours, Davene Wolfe, who is still currently here with her husband, has had quite the trip here already and she just arrived on Saturday. She wanted to share the following:

"We arrived Saturday noon for our 6th visit to Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. The fishing on Seagull Lake is outstanding. It is now Monday noon and the fish count stand at:

-1 Walleye
-1 Lake Trout
-11 Northern Pike
-50 Small Mouth Bass

However, I am not a fisherperson. I am the bow of the boat watcher for rocks, the net/hook untangler and the ballast. Least you think that I am hopelessly bored, these are the things that I'm observed since Satuday noon, sine I was not fishing.

Bird watching was especially busy, 2 Adult Mallards, 13 Ducklings, 12 Adult Loons, 2 Chicks, 1 Adult Eagle, 2 Eaglets, 1 Immature Eagle, 1 Golden Eye, Canada Geese, 1 Blue Jay, Gulls, 3 Red Bellied Woodpeckers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, Purple Finches, Warblers ( I can't identify them very well), many more that I could not get my binoculars on or did not recognize. The bird watching at Seagull is Limitless.

On a 45 minute stroll around the Seagull Outfitters Camp, I saw more that a dozen species of wildflowers, Spring Beauties, Anemones, Fleabane, Devil's Paint Brush, Bluebead Lilly, Bird's Foot, Columbine, Wild Rose, Buttercups, Marsh Marigolds, Purple Peas, Meadow Rue, and others that I did not know.



I am always looking for native wildlife and so far I've seen 13 Turtles, 2 Ground Squirrels, 3 Chipmunks, 1 Beaver, 1 Snake, 1 Frog, and 1 Luna Moth. Isn't that great?

Lastly I am an avid reader of Minnesota's great mystery writers, historical non-fiction and cookbooks---Bumbleberry pie anyone?

Aside from the great fishing, outstanding equipment, accommodations and natural beauty, the best part of Seagull is returning home from the last fishing run of the evening to the snug and cozy cabin, watching the vermillion/crimson sunset reflected on the water and being sung to sleep by the loons' chitter and calls.

I am not a fisherperson but I love Seagull!"

Thank you Davene for a great blog! Hopefully she is able to add to that list throughout the rest of the week! Hopefully if you aren't the fishing type you can find a different passion for being up here such as this!

Katelyn

Time For A Peaceful Getaway

There is nothing better than walking down to the lake each morning to see a peaceful mirror reflection of the trees and rocks surrounding the bay. With the weather and the fish both cooperating, there is nothing better. There has also been a little black bear grazing the grasses around Seagull, just yesterday we were able to snap this picture of him eating some grass by the bunkhouse!

The warm weather is unusual at this time in May. The Seagull Lake water tempature has hit about 65 degrees! Something almost unheard of for this time of the year!

Many staff have been out swimming and fishing every night! Quite the adventurous crew, staying out until about 11PM each night fishing. The fish are biting though, so I can't blame them! Fishing has been unusual this year, the walleye, which are usually spawning in 8-12' of water and currently deep in the lakes! They are roaming around 35-50'! Many people have been making great catches trolling with Lindy Rigs, as well as the ever so simple slip bobber. Below was a walleye a cabin customer caught on Seagull just a few days ago!

Hope all is well elsewhere and that you can't wait to make your way up to the North Shore!

Katelyn

Fishing Opener

The day we have all been waiting for has arrived! This weekend we've had quite a few groups out on the water all day working on catching dinner. The staff went out early in the morning to try their luck for a hour or two before work. The first day started out a litle slow but things are picking up and we are seeing the fish come in.

And to make it even better, with Opener came the beautiful weather. It has been sunny and warm here ever since and the forcast says that its going to stick aound for a while. The fire ban was also lifted thanks to the day of rain that we had before Opener. What perfect timing for all thoes who started their trips this week.

Gunflint Green Up

The Gunflint Green Up was a success! A few staff, shown to the right, were thinning out the woody vegetation that had been growing around the little pine trees. By removing the woody vegetation, the little pines will be able to receive more sunshine and have their surrounding competition eliminated.


As the Gunflint Green Up festivities began Friday afternoon, so did the chilly weather! Though the light snowfall didn't cause a loss of interest in many, it was still very shocking to see snow as we arose! We received no snow on the Gunflint in March or April, but suddenly in May! Hopefully that was the last snowfall of the year, and according to the weather these past few days, I have a good feeling about that! It has been sunny and warm up here! Perfect for heading out onto the lake for an early paddle!

If you are lucky on that paddle, many moose have been on the move! A few staffers went out for a boat ride Saturday night and returned to a moose grazing the grounds in front of the store. They were able to sit and watch the moose for 15 minutes before leaving it to its peace.

Two of our paddlers embarked on the first journey of the year into Quetico just the other day! With fishing opener coming up this weekend, many parties will be on their way into the Great Lakes of the Minnesota Boundary Waters! Hopefully you are one of them, if not, we're taking reservations! Please call, we'd be happy to help you!

Katelyn

Spring Ice and Rhubarb is Popping

The snow is gone and we are left with lots of ice and a feel of winter in the air. While walking yesterday, the wind was howling and very chilly. The above photo was taken looking south out of our Seagull Bay. It looks inviting doesn't it?

On the other hand, the photo below shows my rhubarb sprouting through the raised bed garden down by the red house. I have never seen the rhubarb that early. I love my Mom's strawberry rhubarb pie recipe and will be baking a pie when the first stalks are ripe for picking.

How can you figure out the weather lately. One wonders when the ice will be out this year. Will it be early or will it be normal? I guess we will let Mother Nature take its course and watch with anticipation the ice breaking from the shoreline and turning honeycombed.

I found a few pussy willows today while out for a walk. I normally don't see them this early and don't take the time to enjoy them. That is one nice thing about our spring. I picked a couple cedar boughs as well and made a nice little centerpiece on the table inside. Much of my off season work revolves around the phone and email and keeps me inside more than I like some days. Therefore, a little bit of the Northwoods inside keeps me happy.

And now it is time to get some permits reserved and reservations confirmed!

Deb

Still winter in the woods

I thought you all might like to see what happens outside Seagull during the winter months. It is pretty quiet! We are planning for the summer season. Our last staffer has been hired and we now have a full crew. We are expecting a good season. I am off to a gift/apparel show in Denver this weekend. I will meet my sister and niece there and buy shirts during the day and have a little family time at night. It should be a good time. We have to fit this stuff in during our off season as it becomes a little harder in the summer.

There are still lots of permits left for both the Boundary Waters and Quetico this summer. Don't let that stop you! If we can give you ideas, quotes or help with anything please let us know.

Don't forget to get involved in the discussion forum on our website during these long winter days. You can find a link to it right on the home page of our website and get to know some of our regular customers. Before you know it, the cycle will change and open water will be all around us.

Deb

The Watson Family Enjoying the MN Winter

Father/son team of Ron and Mikey hiking the winter creeks of the Northwoods. Notice the otter in the photo above. They enjoy the contrasting seasons of the Northwoods wilderness. They also paddle the Quetico in the summer and relax in a Seagull Cabin as well. Many customers as them have a special connection to the woods. Make this your summer to spend some quality bonding time with your son/daughter at Seagull Outfitters.

Trip Planning Info

While sitting in front of the fireplace this bitter cold winter in the Midwest, it is a great time to start planning for the summer of 2010. We are submitting Boundary Waters Permit requests in the permit lottery until January 15th. And, we are reserving Quetico Permits 5 months in advance of your trip departure date. So, today (January 7) we are reserving Quetico Permits for June 7th entry. Hope to see you at Seagull this summer!

Deb