A perfect time to come up to Northwind Lodge and enjoy the beauty and still social distance!
We’re a Mom & Pop resort, not a gargantuan center on a highly populated lake. We have no public access to Jasper Lake. We are surrounded by the BWCA. Bring your canoe. Go take a day trip. Hang out on Jasper. Grill a steak on the Weber. Live the simple life in the woods. Come look at art or take an art lesson. Enjoy the soothing sounds of jasper creek, the loons calling, the birds singing or just relax for a moment.
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).
Aug 15th through 29th
Cabin 5 Weekly Rate $1049.00 Special Price $899.00
Nightly Rate $169.00 special Price $129 a night (3 night minimum) for 2 people
Aug 8th through 15th and 20th- 29th
Treetop Haus Weekly Rate $819.00 Special Price $699.00
Nightly Rate $169.00 special Price $129 a night (3 night minimum) for 2 people
Aug 10th through 15th and 22nd – 26th
Cabin 6 Nightly Rate $169.00 special Price $129 a night (3 night minimum) for first 4 people and $10.00 night up to 6 people
Give us a call. It’ll most likely be me answering. If I’m not in, please leave a
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…
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 LodgeJasper Lake morning – Northwind LodgeSundown on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely MNHeading home on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely MNOut by the Rocks on Jasper Lake at Northwind Lodge, Ely, MNThrough the narrows of Jasper Lake from Northwind LodgeSocial distancing at its finest on Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge, Ely , MNPointing west on beautiful Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge, Ely MNIgnoring the rest of the world on Jasper Lake from Northwind Lodge
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
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.
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.)
Painting Classes
Get your creative juices going by taking a painting class during your stay. Classes are scheduled for Tuesday evenings. Also, depending on schedule availability, classes can be held at other times and for private groups. We paint rocks and Christmas ornaments in the two-hour sessions. Other longer classes and programming is available at different price rates as well. For more information about our regular art programming options, please visit intothebrush.org our non-profit art education organization.
Wednesday Campfire
It’s S’mores time, come to the fire ring by Jasper Creek Falls to enjoy an evening sitting around the campfire. Bring your s’more components. Wiener sticks – the whittled kind – are provided.
NEW – Thursday Potluck
New for 2020! Potluck Dinner on Thursday evening! Get to know some of the guests at the lodge and join us for dinner! Bring a dish, bring dessert, bring yourself. Dress is casual, conversation entertaining, dining is outside.
What a fun way to get together to greet and eat! Joe will be cooking as well. Who knows? It may be gastronomical adventure! That’s why “luck” is part of the word used to describe it!
