The Northwoods Night Sky

Saturday night was a beautiful starry clear night at Seagull. We awoke at 4 am to see the northern lights dancing in the night sky. They were incredible. Dave and I put on our robes and stood out on the deck for a long time and watched them. We haven't seen a display like that in years. It was a real show. Just imagine what happens while we are all sleeping!

We are closed for the 2009 paddling season. It is time to take a break and regenerate. Stay tuned for some website changes. Check out the following 2 new pages that Johnse has added. http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/seagull_lake_weather.htm and http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/bwca_family_trips.htm . I am fortunate to have him on staff in the off season assisting with web stuff. He and his wife Lauren recently had a baby boy. Stay tuned for more changes.

Deb

Indian Summer at Seagull

Today is September 13th and it feels like the middle of summer. We have had 75-85 degree days with lots of humidity. Some paddlers are happy while others are complaining of the hot weather. I am more of a 65 degree person and am ready for some fleece weather.

We are busy starting the close down process for 2009. Canoes are repaired and stored for winter, motors are checked and ready for 2010, boats are cleaned and turned over, the packing room is put to bed and the inventory begins. Most of our summer staff has left and we are down to 3 staffers, Dave and myself.

Life at Seagull slows down for us all and we are ready for a break. Stay tuned for more Seagull news as September moves along.

Deb

Seagull Oufitters Slows Down as the Fall Weather Comes Early

We have been working hard to get paddlers on and off the water. The weather this summer has made this a little more eventful than normal. Our August weather has felt like the end of September with high winds and cool nights. We are still holding out hope that we will get a few more warm days before the end of summer.

We have had numerous amount of customers come off of the Falls Chain, in Quetico Park, reporting great catches of walleye and bass in about 10-15 feet of water.

Here in the BWCA, the fishing has been a little more inconsistent, but our relentless fisherman have still pulled in some great catches.

The moose have gone hidden the past few weeks and the start of the bear hunting season is right around the corner.

The wildflowers and blueberries are still out in full force, but will be winding down shortly.

We hope everyone had a great summer!

Jake

August Brings Families Together At Seagull

As summer activities wind down before the start of another school year, we are beginning to see many families reunite at Seagull. August seems to draw many families for a nice relaxing get away together. It is a great time for reminiscing, teaching, and learning.

Through all the wind and the rain we've been having, smiles are still what we've been seeing when the trips sadly come to an end. The wise teach these young children that a garbage bag is just as beneficial when it comes to the week of rain that they had on their trip.












The adults may be giving the life lessons on these trips, but it looks to me as if the young ones are giving the lessons on how to catch the fish.

Hopefully the weather begins to cooperate for these families so they can enjoy their relaxing time together before the chaos of school begins once again.

Katelyn

Blueberries in Full Swing on The Gunflint Trail

The blueberries are ripe in the Northwoods. In the past week or so, we have had many of our customers come off their trips talking about picking lots of blueberries and even adding them to their morning pancakes.

With the recent fires of '06 and '07, comes alot of new nutrients to the soil. We have seen more blueberries than we have seen in awhile. They can be found on many south facing rocks and portage trails.

We have also had an unusual amount of rain the past few weeks. We hope to have a warmer and sunnier August.

The fishing has been consistent with the bass and walleyes moving to the humps and rock reefs.

Below is a picture of one of Seagull's young customers enjoying the BWCA with a little nap on a rock!

Jake

Gunflint Canoe Races

This past Wednesday the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Canoe Races. It was a great event with an eating contest, food, auction, canoe raffle, and canoe races.

Our very own Katelyn Dold participated in the eating contest. She was able to eat 20 cream puffs in three minutes. She ended up finishing a distance second.

Overall, it was a fun event for the people of the trail to come together and raise money for a great group of people that help keep our trail safe from wildfires.

Jake

Cross Bay Lake Day Trip

The weather was great and it was my day off. I headed to Cross Bay Lake to take in the sights and sounds of this gorgeous lake. I was traveling in a Wenonah Kevlar Solo Prism and I packed a lunch for the day.

As I entered at the Cross Bay entry point, I was greeted by chattering otters that felt threatened that I was a little to close to their home. I made it past the two small portages and was on Ham Lake. I saw where the origin of the '07 fire began. It is amazing to see the two year growth on the trees and to see how resilient the woods really are. I mad my final portage into Cross Bay Lake and took a few photos of wildflowers that are pictured below. I stopped and had lunch at one of the campsites as I took in the view. As I paddled around Cross Bay, I was greeted by a large snapping turtle and a cow moose wadding the shore.

All and all it was a great day to be on the water, and Cross Bay Lake will go down as one of my most favorite, peaceful places to visit.

Jake