Spring - Poplar Creek Courier Newsletter
Spring on the Gunflint TrailSpring arrived several weeks early this year. The ice went out the earliest on record. Our ski trail, the Banadad closed in March- this has never happened before. The spring bird migration is well under way - robins were seen by Guests at Poplar Creek Guesthouse way too early. Not sure what is going on but it is beautiful on the Gunflint. We will likely have an early green-up, the lakes are already open for canoeing and during April you do not even need to make overnight reservations for the Boundary Waters. This is great time for a visit – join us at Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B, at one of our cabins or for the adventuresome stay at the Tall Pines Yurt. During this time Special Quiet Times rates apply.
Plant Trees along the Banadad Trails- Join Us at the Gunflint Green-Up - May 7th and 8th
Join other friends of the Gunflint Trail at the Trail's annual Green-Up for a weekend of tree planting and tree
care. At Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and cabins we plan to plant Red and White Pines seedlings in the Poplar Creek/Little Ollie area and along the Banadad Ski Trail. Please join us!
We provide tree-planting instruction, planting equipment and tree seedlings, two nights lodging with Barbara's famous breakfasts each morning. One day planting trees with a trail lunch. Also included during your stay, Ted will make a presentation on the area's "Fire history, and Reforestation." Rate for two nights is $89/person/plus taxes, double occupancy.
To register for the Green Up at Poplar Creek call 800-322-8327 or email us at bct@boundarycountry.com.
Additional Tree Planting Weekends
Unable to make the Green-Up weekend but still want to help reforest the area, no problem. Join these additional tree-planting weekends. Same deals as during Green-up To register for these weekends call 800-322-8327 or email us at bct@boundarycountry.com
· April 30 and May 1 - Rate for two night is $89/person/plus taxes, double occupancy
· May 14 and May 15 - Rate for two nights is $89/person/plus taxes, double occupancy
Banadad Trail Association Contributes to Tree Plan
- For the third year running the Banadad Ski Trail remains carbon neutral. The Banadad Trail Association is contributing $168 to offset the CO2 produced in the grooming and maintenance of the Banadad this past winter. This contribution will go towards the purchase of 372 red and white pine trees seedlings to plant along the Banadad during the first three weeks in May.
Guests Encounter Lynx along the Banadad
Early this March guests staying at the Poplar Creek Retreat Cabin had quite an experience. The event is told in the following article from our local newspaper-
Cook County News herald- Faris and Bonnie Keeling of Duluth had an adventure many northlanders can only imagine—an encounter with a Canada lynx. The Keelings spent the weekend on the Banadad Trail where they said they enjoyed “blue sky, sunny days and clear, starry nights and skiing and snowshoeing.” However, the highlight of the trip was seeing the lynx.
Reached by phone on March 9, Bonnie Keeling said they spotted the animal far ahead on the trail and quickly leashed their German Shepherd Fernando. Barely “a dot,” the creature dashed into the woods, only to appear back on the trail a few minutes later within 10- 15 yards of the Keelings and their dog. “There it was, a Canada lynx— uncomfortably bigger than we thought they were. For several seconds it carefully examined us with a fierce, intense stare. Then it apparently decided we were harmless and uninteresting, neither predator nor prey—despite ‘Nando’s yipping and whining and straining at his leash, wanting to give chase. It casually turned its back on us, showing off its high haunches, its short, black-tipped tail, and its tufted ears in profile.”
Keeling said it continued leisurely traveling up the trail ahead of them for at least a quarter mile, occasionally stopping and staring back for a few moments, as they followed at a respectful distance.
Barbara’s Kitchen
Breakfast chef Barbara-This summer at the Bed and Breakfast, I will be serving some new entrees. These were tested this past winter and came up winners. You might be served Ebelskievers filled with spiced apples or croissants filled with scrambled eggs into which boursin cheese has been stirred. The fruit plate always amazes guests as they count the number of artfully arranged fruits. Of course, I will continue with some favorites such as the stuffed French toast and puffed oven pancake. Do not forget there is always breakfast dessert.
Lesley continues on our staff. This past winter she put together and served quite a few Firepot dinners at the Tall Pines yurt. If there are four or more guests that want to order this special supper, just let us know a couple days beforehand. We still do this at the yurt during the warm months too. Lesley also cleans the rooms and cabins and guests have commented on the cleanliness. We are so glad to have Lesley here!
Earliest Ice-Out Ever- Early Spring
The ice went out in Little Ollie Lake on April 2 followed by Poplar Lake on April 6. While we have not kept records for Little Ollie, we have been keeping records when the ice went-out in Poplar. Guest what? For Poplar this is earliest ice-out date we know off. Prior to this year the earliest the ice went out was on April 16 in 2005 and 2006. Between 1990 and 2000 the ice went out six times during May with the latest May 22. After the year 2000 the ice has gone out six times in April and only three time in May.
The weather has been great here. If it continues it should be an early green up and that means we will likely be planting our garden in May instead of our usual time of mid June. Spring on the Gunflint Trail is a beautiful season - Very quiet, no mosquitoes, hike, mountain bike, animal viewing and bird watching or just relax.
Spring Quiet Season Special Rates at Boundary Country- March 29 through May 13, 2010
Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B - all rooms about 20% off-
· Dorothy's Room $95/night with breakfast for two
· Ollie's Room $120/night with breakfast for two.
· Barbara's Suite $105 without breakfast. $125 with breakfast for two.
Little Ollie Lake Cabin - Great Savings
- Regular Rate weekday $150- Special Rate $99/night
- Regular Rate weekend $175/ night- Special Rate $125/night
- Regular Weekly Rate $999/week- Special Rate-$750
Also Checkout our new last minute Specials for even more savings!
25c4
You may not be ready for winter yet or even thinking about skiing. But if the Banadad Ski Trail is going be open this winter now is time to start getting ready. If this interest you or if you might be interested in lending a hand on getting the trail open this fall you can read about it in a two part series published in Boundary Country Trekking's news blog the Edge- 
SPECIAL- View the aftermath of the BWCA's Cavity Lake Fire and the past fires on Seagull Lake. Traveling by canoe into the BWCA with forest naturalist and Seagull Lake resident Jim Raml. Paddle to the Seagull Palisades passing by the 1976 Roy Lake, 2005 Alpine Fires and the 2002 Three Mile Island prescribed burn. From the palisades you look across Seagull lake to where the Cavity Lake Fire started. Jim has spent many years as a firefighter with the DNR and USFS and he is well versed in forest ecology issues. You can count on Jim to convey as much knowledge on forest fires, nature and the area as you can absorb. The Tour lasts 4 to 4 1/2 hours and includes canoes or Kayaks and the services of guide/ecologist Jim. Rate : $75/person (two person minimum)