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