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
