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
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…)
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.)
Into The Brush is an art program to teach people how to paint using our fabulously beautiful Boundary Waters wilderness as our subject. Lessons taught by Ely artist, Joe Baltich.
In appreciation for your checking us out, we’ll deduct 10% from the cost of all regular programming options except the Micro Art Classes (first-time students to Into The Brush) when you reserve. Just mention the promo code “Reduce your Stress” at the time of reservation.
Boy, we’ve been having a GREAT summer this 2017! Big fish, little fish, middle fish – everybody’s livin’ the dream! We’ve been having all this fun despite the weather not really cooperating with us. Lots of rain, but the fish remain undeterred as well as our great guests! These are just June 2017 photo’s by our guests at Northwind Lodge!
Check here for last minute cabin deals – If you don’t come up and stay, you’ll be missing all the fun! Start with Cabin Specials here!
Jasper Largemouth
Jasper Walleye
Jasper Largemouth Bass
Marcus is a fish magnet
Bass were healthy and serious!
Sister Sarah knows how to reel ’em in!
Fun!
Sarah’s hubby commands the bow!
Wood Lake run
One of Croshoure brothers and a northern with shoulders.
Pair fishing – much better than pair diving in the Olympics
