The Great Frog Mystery

On July 19, 2020July 19, 2020 By Red RockIn Rental Cabins, Things to See and HearLeave a comment

Lauren, mom of the Johnson family in Cabin 8 came to report that in the screen door, they had a frog stuck between the 3/8″ metal mesh (inside so kids and adults don’t destroy the screen door on weekly basis) and the actual screen. She couldn’t figure out how the little guy got in there because it is sealed on all sides.

Both sections of the door are stapled down and then sealed off with wood finishing strips. I know because I built that door. I went to look at the door and sure enough, there was a small frog inside bouncing around. Well, if I don’t extract the frog, he’s going to stink in about a day. He’s still healthy because the sun isn’t up high enough to roast him at 9:30 AM.

Upon my examination, there is absolutely no hole in any part of the screens on either side of the door that would allow that frog to pass. His eyes alone were almost 3/4 of an inch across and there was NO WAY for that frog to get in there without tools. He had enough room to hop around and that was it. Everything was tight on that door.

The Johnson dog looking at the magic frog

I tried to remove the bottom wood strip with my pliers but this job needed more tools. They always do. I return to the office to get a screwgun, screws, claw hammer, and a flat screwdriver. I’m gone for about 5 minutes, tops.

I get back to the screen door and start prying the bottom strip off when I just happened to look for the frog. I stopped immediately when I noticed the frog was gone. I looked and looked again. No frog. No holes. Pulling either mesh side of the screen off, definitely needed tools. No visible sign of tampering. Short of bringing in a forensic examiner, there was zero tampering. Nobody touched the job in the five minutes I was gone. But, the frog was nowhere to be found. I reexamined the door for something loose or a hole – one – more – time. Then I began to wonder if David Copperfield was at the resort this week. This was one heck of a magic trick.

I told the story to the Johnsons who opened their main door when they heard me pounding the partially loosened trim back into place. Lauren said she was happy that I actually witnessed the frog as well. We all were head scratching.

Oh, well. It was better than having to destroy the bottom of the door to get the frog out. Another mystery in the vacation industry…

Weekend in Review – 4th of July, 2020 – What you missed

On July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 By Red RockIn Fernberg Gallery, Into The Brush, Things to Do, Things to See and HearLeave a comment

Well, despite the less-than-savory news outside of the wilderness bubble in which we are fortunate to live, Northwind Lodge guests appeared to have had a GREAT time social distancing with family and friends.

They caught a bunch of fish in Jasper. The Rust/Ramsland party in Cabin 6 reported nice-sized largemouth bass caught on weedless worms that we stock in the Fernberg Gallery (weird, I know…but good tackle is like art!) Cabin #2, the Smith family also caught fish, ate fish, disappeared with their canoe for a day and took painting classes when they weren’t outside having fun. I didn’t even see Cabin #8 for the entire weekend. Same with Cabin #3 with the exception of them coming in to see about checkout today. They wanted to go for one last, Jasper Lake kayak ride on this beautiful morning after our first major rain in months. They are somewhere out there right now. TreeTopHaus is still here until tomorrow and I haven’t seen them since yesterday morning. For several days, the air smelled like pine needles, clean water and mouthwatering barbecue. Yeah, it was really miserable here with the loons flying overhead calling.

I always conclude our guests are having a good time when we don’t see them for long periods and they check out at the last possible second. The last thing I want to see are guests chomping on the bit to leave. They rarely, if ever, seem to do that.

Art lessons with me are pretty hot right now. I only teach related groups due to China virus these days, but it seems to be working well. Six, micro art lessons (2-hours) in four days was a lot of fun and many people took home a rock that they painted as a souvenir and inspiration to pursue painting. I’m going to have to take another run to Lake Superior for more rocks! Darn….

In other news, Ely held what could be defined as an almost impromptu (and greatest) Patriotic March on the 4th of July. I attended as a member of my organization, Fight For Mining Minnesota. We brought along my painted canoe that, when not being dragged around in patriotic marches, otherwise reside inside the Fernberg Gallery as a large historical display. A handful of patriotic renegades in Ely cobbled together a parade that was probably the best I have ever seen. They extended the route for social distancing purposes, worked with the Ely Police Department and City of Ely, acquired the permits, and even arranged insurance via a quick, really-successful, fundraiser.

It was about 92 degrees F, as I walked the route handing out “Iron Range Proud” yard signs along with two young and very motivated helpers. Ahead of me were logging trucks, fire engines, classic cars, old jeeps, American flags and blue stripes to support law enforcement officers. The wildly popular, Ely Klown Band played brashly and slightly out of tune to the beat of rattling, pounding drums. There were heavily decorated ATV’s, side-by-sides, heavy-equipment trucks with Fight For Mining Minnesota banners, more Jeeps, motorcycles, someone with a really huge, old, twin-screw boat on a trailer that I was told was worth over “a hundred grand”, and on and on. There were “Iron Range Proud” signs for as far as the eye could see plus we handed out another 250 of them to whoever wanted one. Our Congressman Pete Stauber was there with a trailer and looked me up in the lineup to say “hi”. As he shook his head in amazement, he said “Ely is going to be put on the map for this one”. We were both in awe of the spectacle. It was stunning. There were Trump/Pence signs from one end to the other for as far as the eye could see. No other signs were present. None…

As I walked the street handing out signs next to my canoe (Greg & Jane Mosher pulling the trailer with their SUV in air-conditioned comfort), I got to an area where there were so many people yelling my name for signs and just to give me a thumbs-up, I didn’t know which way to look/turn/run next. It was pretty crazy and lots of fun!

Then, there was Zup’s market. I swear Jimmy Zupancich is one of Ely’s most creative business owners. As per usual, they were almost shoveling candy with snow shovels out to the socially-distanced crowds. Spectator kids were standing with buckets full of cavity forming goodness. It was a sea of Tootsie Rolls and a wide variety of other sweets. They were also tossing what looked to be packages of cookies, and all sorts of toys and potato chips. As we approached the end of route, a Zup’s, un-decorated, windowless van, suspiciously squeezed off from an avenue into the parade line right behind me as I sat on the back of the trailer. When it straightened out on the road, the side doors were FLUNG open. I could have sworn I heard someone yell in a thick, Spanish accent “Say ‘Hello!’ to my little friend!”. The innocent, unsuspecting bystanders were unmercifully pelted with even more bags of chips, plastic toys, toothbrushes (?) and cookies. Jim Zupancich, Sr. was sitting white-haired in the passenger seat laughing his head off.

But the pièce de résistance was the funniest part of the parade: Toilet paper. Zup’s had a huge trailer full of toilet paper and was tossing rolls to the crowds. I’ve never seen people holding toilet paper while standing on the side walks before. This week’s Ely Echo is going to be pretty fun, I’m sure.

As the parade approached its end near Whiteside park, we had run out of Iron Range Proud signs. Me and the little red-cheeked kid sat on the trailer until Mort Tome was seen standing on the north curb with a garden hose. The kid and his sister (Mike Banovetz’ grandson and granddaughter), both stopped off to get hosed down in the street with cool water by Mort. Towering Mort laughed in his usual, bellicose manner, the soaking wet kid thanked him and hopped back on the trailer. It’s little things like that which add life to any painting or story.

All this activity was officiated with two USAF F-16’s blasting low and westward down Sheridan Street (Steve Saari organized that) and ended in a raucous fireworks display on over Miners Lake later that evening.

It was great to “feel American” again.

You missed this year’s Ely parade. Doesn’t mean you have to miss staying in the woods for a vacation in northern Minnesota. We’re very proud to be Americans up here in Ely.

Painting, Painting, Painting!

On July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 By Red RockIn art program, In The Brush, Things to Do, Things to See and HearLeave a comment

Now’s the time to come up to the northwoods with your family and take an Into The Brush Art Lesson in the Fernberg Gallery at Northwind Lodge! Everybody is having a good time!

Rock paintings are where its at!

Happy 4th of July from Northwind Lodge

On July 4, 2020 By Red RockIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful 4th! Get out in the backyard and burn some good ol’ American hotdogs to celebrate! Remember who you are and who we all are! If you are in Ely, join the Patriotic March – line up by the school prior 1 PM. It’s going to be hot, damn hot, and we don’t care. I’m going to be there with bells on (or at least black jeans and a Fight For Mining Minnesota T-shirt). Continue social distancing and wear your mask if that is not possible. I’ll be handing out “IRON RANGE PROUD yard signs and will be wearing a blue stripe on my shirt to show my support for Law Enforcement Officers. For those who don’t like the stripe, I dare you to come try to peel it off. I’ll be carrying a roll of blue tape for anybody who wants to join the cause. We need to take back our country.

Happy 4th, everybody!

Social Distancing Guidelines at Northwind Lodge – Ely Minnesota

On June 29, 2020 By Red RockIn Rental Cabins, social distancing, Things to Do, Things to See and Hear, Travel Gear, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Social Distancing Guidelines

We’ve been social distancing for 76 years at Northwind Lodge on Jasper Lake by Ely, MN. We just never had a fancy name for it other than “going out on the water” or “fishing”. At Northwind Lodge, our guests “virtue signal” by disappearing in kayaks, boats and canoes. We all feel safer when they are out on the water doing what people have been doing for the last 76 years here. The closest human can be anywhere from 100 feet to a half mile away. Some would conclude that some of our guests are less into virtue signaling & social distancing and more into being anti-social. We all can appreciate that. It works well. If you just want to wave and hit the water, that is your prerogative.

Whatever title you want to assign it, there is a lot of open space here at Northwind Lodge and our guests seem to really be enjoying it this summer and last summer, and the summer before that, etc. We are very fortunate to have a lot of room for our guests to spread out and have a great vacation. …and that’s not to imply we have guests who are anything less than wonderful people. We have really great guests and they all get along. It’s just times such as these (well, this IS the first) wherein having space and a beautiful wilderness resort makes sense to get out of the chaos of the world to hide for a very relaxing week.

Relaxation redefined: We’ve had a bear in the yard for the last 4 days. People have shot videos of him. He’s a big one and some people get twitchy around bears. So far, everybody here has been OK. Whacking garbage cans and making a little noise, then he’s gone into the night. Typical bear….

The following photos are by one of our guests, Ashley Myhre. She and family made a fun vacation great along with art lessons to boot. Thanks, Ashley!

Jasper Lake evening - Northwind Lodge — Jasper Lake evening – Northwind Lodge

Jasper Lake morning - Northwind Lodge — Jasper Lake morning – Northwind Lodge

Sundown on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely MN

Heading home on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely MN

Out by the Rocks on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely, MN

Through the narrows of Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge

Pointing west on beautiful Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge, Ely MN

3 kayaks from Northwind Lodge floating on Jasper Lake — Ignoring the rest of the world on Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge

Painting Cool Art – in the Woods near Ely

On May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 By Red RockIn Bears, Fernberg Gallery, Rental Cabins, Things to Do, Things to See and Hear, UncategorizedLeave a comment

From what I can see, there are not too many resorts in NE Minnesota who have a resident artist on staff who teaches painting lessons. I’m not trying to toot my own horn here so much as point out what really makes Northwind Lodge a different northwoods experience than all the rest. We are the only resort where our guests get to go fishing, paddling, and play outside in real wilderness with the option to visit an art gallery and take art lessons – all just steps from one’s cabin. Heck, you can even commission a painting to be done, here. That’s definitely not “in the ordinary” among “ma & pa” resorts.

So, think about this: Your family comes up and avoids the crowds.

Go fishing. Take a kayak out. Sit outside the cabin and listen to the birds. Take an art lesson with only your family members. Barbecue. Sit by a fire at the beach in the evening. (RULE: Last one who leaves is responsible for putting it out dead with water – we don’t need a forest fire). Go back to your cabin. Avoid petting any bear in the dark. Sleep like a log. Ignore the outside-world insanity. Take advantage of our variable internet connection and ignore the internet. It’s win-win.

Most recent art lessons at Northwind Lodge.

Fade from white to yellow to red

Elaine laying down some color at Northwind Lodge

Grandma, Mom & Daughter focusing on color

Fade from white to yellow to red

Elaine laying down some color at Northwind Lodge

Grandma, Mom & Daughter focusing on color

Call to reserve your cabin at Northwind Lodge, 15 miles NE of Ely, MN. We’re 5 miles south of the border and surrounded by the Boundary Waters park on three sides. We’re easy to get to and enjoy.

218-365-5489

For painting-specific programming we offer, visit our education site: intothebrush.org

Water is Where it’s at! (and a bear …)

On May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 By Red RockIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Northwind Lodge, since the day it was started back in 1939 has always been about the great outdoors and water. Fishing, paddling, moving, etc., you can’t do it in a parking lot at Walmart – although they DO have the seagulls.

When you visit Northwind Lodge, especially in May/June, you can’t help but notice the constant chatter of birds. Everybody’s singing. I have to pay attention for them because I grew up here and have become a bit jaded. Yup, there are a zillion out there right now. After 59 years of being in the woods, you only notice the unusual sounds, sometimes. I notice the crashing of garbage cans as a bear is tossing it around and the barking of Delilah as she smells a bear in the distance sitting/waiting at the edge of camp for darkness to fall.

Three days ago, one of our guests in Cabin 3 when for a walk to Ojibway Lake. As he was returning down the road past the Fernberg Gallery, he thought he saw a bear ahead going to Cabin 3. So, he walked down to his cabin and the bear was nowhere to be seen. He moved to the front of the cabin and looked down the slope to the lakeshore – nothing there. He decided to walk back to the path at the corner of his cabin and intersect Cabin 7’s path right at the corner of Cabin 3. He walked straight south and a 300 lb. bear walked east from Cabin 7. Don and the bear met at the corner of Cabin 3.

Needless to say, there was a bit of shock had by all for one “Whoa!!!” moment! Don said he could have reached out and petted that bear between the ears without bending forward. They almost ran into each other and clearly, neither Don nor the bear makes any noise when they walk – an admirable quality for a human, and normal for a bear. Both Don and the very startled bear, reversed course quickly. Don went into his cabin and the bear went into his woods. The bear was all about social distancing.

Just a day before Don met the bear, the Smith family had a great time outside in what was really spectacular weather on Jasper Lake. It’s always been about being outside at Northwind Lodge. Our guests seldom come to look out the cabin windows. They can do that at home. This is what is done at Northwind Lodge when we aren’t trying to pet the bears. (Don’t mess with the bears, ever. They only look cuddly. Not cuddly at all. Opposite of cuddly. Better off hugging a cactus. Let them pass freely -scream loudly – and only observe, always!)

Northwind Lodge cabin guests have free use of kayaks, paddle boards, beach canoes, and paddle boats on Jasper Lake. Just go!

May paddle-boarding Dad on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge. Water is still cold!

Stand up paddle boarding with Dad on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge

Are you sick of being cooped up with Covid drama? If you are well, come on up! Get away from the craziness!

218-365-5489 Northwind Lodge – Jasper Lake, Ely, MN

Calista Lands a Beauty!

On May 25, 2020 By Red RockIn Fishing Report, largemouth bass, Rental Cabins, Things to DoLeave a comment

Jasper Lake Bass — Calista Lands A Beauty!

Calista Smith, age 7 and 1/2 with her nice largemouth that she caught right off the dock at Northwind Lodge. Holding up her catch is her dad Kevin who is here with her mom, Carrie over the Memorial weekend enjoying dark skies, very temperate weather, calm water and good fishing. Calista has now put several fish on the dock including more largemouth and several nice northerns. Mom, Dad, Grandma and her husband have been enjoying fresh, coldwater fish this weekend as well as art lessons with Joe up at the Fernberg Gallery.

First Weekend Gone – and it was a beautiful one!

On May 18, 2020 By Red RockIn Fishing Report, Internet Specials, Rental Cabins, Short Stay Cabin RentalsLeave a comment

Our first weekend with lodge guests went by beautifully. We had sunny blue days, temps in the high 60’s, low 70’s and everybody was hiding somewhere. Well, hiding is perhaps the incorrect word but one party was fishing from their kayaks on neighboring Triangle, another took their canoe on a day canoe trip from Lake One to Ojibway and another spent their days fishing on Jasper. Sounds like everybody caught fish, too. Usually, when the days are this beautiful, fish are less cooperative. Apparently, the fish are fed up with quarantine as well.

Two of our our groups stopped in to see my growing, but un-hung art collection. That’s always fun for me. Many paintings have stories and while socially distancing, I waved my arms, pointed and told a few. It’s a bohunk thing.

I spent a good part of the time painting and figuratively “guarding the fort”. It’s insanely quiet so I’ve been able to get a long way on a whimsical landscape I working on right now. It’s almost done. Then, it’s back to a larger commission for which I developed painter’s block. Going whimsical/abstract-ish, helps me break out of the creativity killing fog that sets in once in a while.

For those of you sick and tired of watching and waiting with this China plague, if you are healthy, you can come out and play in the woods. Please practice social distancing when in the presence of people outside of your group. (yes – we know, we don’t like it either but it’s ridiculously easy here) Stay in a nice housekeeping cabin for ONLY $89.95 for the first 2 people and $10 each additional person. That’s for any cabin! (We try to fit it to your needs and size. Taxes not included. Total 9.875% Three night minimum rental required.) These rates apply THROUGH May 26. We still have openings and we’re a Mom & Pop resort, not a gargantuan center on a highly populated lake. We are surrounded by the BWCA. Bring your canoe. Go take a day trip. Hang out on Jasper. Roast a steak on the Weber. Live the simple life in the woods. Come look at art.

Give us a call. It’ll most likely be me answering. If I’m not in, please leave a message. We’ll call back. 218-365-5489

Jasper Lake Near Ely MN - cabin rentals near Ely, MN

May & Memorial Weekend Special – NEW! Personal Shoppers!

On May 7, 2020May 10, 2020 By Red RockIn art program, Bears, Fernberg Gallery, Fishing Report, Internet Specials, Rental Cabins, Short Stay Cabin Rentals, Things to Do, Things to See and HearLeave a comment

We all need a break from Covid-19. While we all struggle with getting back to normal, we do have an advantage out here in the woods. Unlike every metro, or big commercial operation, we are not an overdeveloped facility with large numbers of people moving around, big meeting rooms, etc. Social distancing is very easy. If you don’t have mask on when you leave your cabin, nobody’s going to shame you if you even see anybody. That’s the nature of living in the woods when the closest cabin is 100 feet away through the woods.

Jasper Creek in early May with Cabin 3 in the background – at Northwind Lodge

Our guests arrive to relax and enjoy themselves here at Northwind Lodge, a traditional, “ma & pa” Minnesota resort. I was once told by a MN state official that small resorts are a dying breed and our relevance was fading as to our importance in tourism. I wish I could find that dude now. I wonder how his big convention centers on over-populated lakes with a spas, restaurants, and golf courses are doing right now? Sorry, but after that insult to our type of lodging experience for many years by people who were supposed to be helping, I feel the need to rub this new truth into his face just a bit. Don’t worry, I’m working through it….

New for 2020 – Personal Shoppers!

If you feel you don’t want to go shopping, we can do that for you. Put together a list, work with us over the phone or email, and for a cost 10% of your bill at the grocery store, we’ll get your groceries for you. (If your total bill is $200, your Personal Shopper cost is $20) We have good groceries in Ely with two stores available. We’ll put them in your cabin fridge for you. If you need an item that you forgot from your main grocery list, (if you can wait a bit) we’ll take a run to town for you at our earliest convenience if we don’t have the item here. Hey, gas is cheap and we want you to have a good time. Just know that this is Ely and we may not have hydroponically-grown arugula and radicchio. You might have to settle for romaine. Once you get here, you can be on your own, enjoying your exotic salad and listening to the loons. They have been here for about two weeks at this writing. Yes, they are noisy right now as you would expect to hear from a jaded dweller of the north woods who is writing this blog post. Every day at Northwind Lodge is like watching a Tarzan movie, whereupon deep in the jungles of Africa, a hired loon from northeastern Minnesota is calling hauntingly in the background just before the drums begin their chant of danger. Cue the loon! (That loon looks silly with all that bling and those blue sunglasses he wears inside all the time…and, what’s with that five pound wristwatch, anyway!? Actors….SMH…)

Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, May 2020 — Note the clarity of the water here in NE Minnesota.

So, let’s get back to normal together.

We know times are tough on many fronts for all of us. We are feeling it all too well. But Northwind Lodge is here for you to provide an escape that won’t break your bank account while giving you some respite from the new, untamed, wilderness out there. We’ve been doing this since 1944 officially and actually a bit earlier than that. That’s 76 years, now! How many places do you know have been around for 76 years and run by the same family in the same spot on the same lake? Apparently, we are NOT fading away.

Beginning May 11th through May 26th – Rate special!

Cabins for 2 people at only $89.95 a night. Three (3) night minimum stay requirement, and $10.00 per night for each extra per person. Personal Shopper fee is 10% of your grocery list bill. Of course, should you have a question about any of this, give us a call or message us in Facebook under our “Northwind Lodge” page

Our intention is to help get back us all back to normal so you can buy your own beans & weenies – not that we mind one bit. We’d love to have you come stay. Our only request is that you minimize your human contact on the way here and, of course, please stay home if you are ill. If you have a mask and want to wear it, please do. Please bring your own bath towels, personal effects and fishing gear. We do have some tackle here for sale. Motors are available for rent on request. Kayaks and beach canoes are free to use. Have a fire by the beach or waterfall but give everybody some space. It’s pretty much common sense for the times. Campfire conversation from 6 feet away is optional and doesn’t spread anything but maybe some humor and good cheer.

The deposit required is $300 or the cabin total, which ever is less at the time of the reservation. Sorry, but we cannot refund deposits for any reason. Please be able to commit to the time you have reserved. Thank you for understanding.

Call now 218-365-5489 to book your respite at Northwind Lodge. (you may need to leave a message – we’re running around outside, in and out. We’ll call you back.)