Poplar Creek Courier Brought to you by Boundary Country Trekking

It is official now the ice on mid size lake along the trail is now out- Poplar Lake was ice free on Thursday May 26. Swamper, Iron Road and the other smaller lakes ice was out earlier in the week. According to Shari Baker at Gunflint Pines Resort, the ice on Gunflint Lake should be out by days end or tomorrow.

Editors Note: In an earlier post I stated that it appeared that this year's ice out on Poplar might be the earliest in my memory. I was total wrong in 2005 and 06 the ice went out in Poplar on April 18th. And I believe there has been a couple of years prior to the last two years when the ice went out before this years date. Sorry about my error; short term memory loss I guess.

However this certainly does not diminish the fact that over the past twenty or so years it appears the average annual ice out date is much earlier. Global warming! Climate Change! Somethings going on with our climate. I certainly agree with the vast majority of the world's scientific community that this change is man made and that we all need to start addressing this issue now.

New Ulm was the host city to this year's Minnesota Bed and Breakfasts Association's annual meeting - held April 22 -April 25. According to Suzanne Tweten, President of the Association, "the city treated us royally, the city was a great venue and what entertainment! The welcoming address by New Ulm Mayor Joel Albrecht was the first time we have ever been greeted by a town mayor at any of our conferences. The hospitality New Ulm showed us was truly outstanding."

This year's conference was attended by 84 bed and breakfasts hosts and venders representing 42 bed and breakfasts from throughout Minnesota. The industry venders came from throughout the country. Among the new initiates announced at the conference was a planned collaborative birding program with the Minnesota Office of Tourism. Conference attendees also agreed to continue their partnerships with other associations and groups including Renewing the Countryside through their Green Routes program and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

New Officers elected were:

Vice President (president elect), Barbara Young- Poplar Creek Guesthouse

              Treasurer, Gary Sonnenberg - Auf Deutsch Strasse

              Secretary, Deb Middelstadt- Heritage House Bed and Breakfast

Regional Representatives Elected to the Board were:

  Arrowhead: Alan Fink -Mathew S. Burrows

                     Mary Grover - Solglimt on the Water

   Heartland: Florian Ledermann - Cedar Rose Inn

                   Jill Ward-Pillar Inn

  Metro: Debbie Wallace -Ticknor Hill  

             Lindsey Lein -Bluff Creek

Southern: Zig Gudrais- Candlelight Inn

               Shannon McKeeth- Bingham Hall

Suzanne Tweten from Log House & Homestead on Spirit Lake, will continue as president, fulfilling her term of office until April of 2009.

Click-on New Ulm Journal, to see their article on the conference. "Hospitality abounds at Bed and Breakfast conference."

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Editors Note- In case you were wondering why nothing has been post for the past several days I have been in California visiting my son and attending a national cross country ski conference for the past two weeks. While I have returned to the Gunflint for a few days I now am leaving for a Sustainable Tourism Conference in Minneapolis and a State B&B conference in New Ulm and will return to the Gunflint on April 28.

While there was plenty of snow in the California mountains and the skiing was nice, it is certainly great to return to the Nordic heartland- the Gunflint Trail. The snow on the Gunflint is mostly gone although still quite a bit along the Banadad Ski Trail. The ice on some of the smaller lakes is close to going out. Little Ollie and Poplar Lakes are still ice covered but they will most likely go out with in a week or so. If they do go out then this year's ice out will be the earliest in my memory. It hard to understand why anyone would question whether we are experiencing "global warming."

Boundary Country Trekking is pleased to offer the following  Scheduled Guided Group Canoe Trips by St Paul based Adventure Vacations-

Boundary Waters Canoe Trip for First-timers (3 days 3 nights)

June 7-10th, 2007 and August 9-12

Paddle in pristine wilderness, camp in remote areas and enjoy the daily journey on beautiful lakes of the Boundary Waters.  Our route will include a fantastic area of the BWCA that boasts cascading waterfalls, old-growth forests, towering palisades and the famous ‘Stairway Portage’.  Thursday night we will leave from Eagan at 5:30pm, drive up to the North Shore and stay in a basic hotel.  Friday morning will continue up the Gunflint Trail and begin our paddling journey.  We will travel through a several lakes with a few short portages, setup camp as a home base and explore the area by hiking and canoeing.  We will end each evening with a warm fire, in the solitude of the back country.  This trip is an easy level trip, no experience is necessary.  We will emerge from the BWCA Sunday afternoon; have a nice lunch, shower and then drive home.  Trip includes transportation, canoe rental, camping gear, permits, great food and trip guide for 3 days and 3 nights.  $449 per person. 

For more information or to schedule this call 866-910-0300

Boundary Waters Canoe Trip, Women’s Adventures (4 days/4 nights)

July 11-15th, 2007

Enjoy the spirit and companionship of women with an enthusiasm for the outdoors as we paddle on pristine lakes surrounded by beautiful forests in the BWCA.  We will end each day with a warm fire and good conversation in the solitude of the back country.  Wednesday evening, July 11th we will leave from Eagan at 5:30pm, drive up to the North Shore and stay in a basic hotel.  Thursday morning we will head up the Gunflint Trail and begin our paddling journey.   The 4-day route will take us through several lakes and portages as we move campsites each night.  We will pass cascading waterfalls, old-growth forests and towering palisades.  It will be a fun and enjoyable daily challenge for all!  We will emerge from the BWCA Sunday afternoon; have a nice lunch, shower and then drive home.  Trip includes transportation, canoe rental, camping gear, permits, great food and trip guide for 4 days and 4 nights.  No experience necessary.  $549 per person

For more information or to schedule this trip call 866-910-0300

At Poplar Creek Guesthouse we have always felt that providing services to our guest was just what we do and we never thought any more about it. Beth Gauper, St Paul Pioneer Presss, travel editor, in her article, "Host With the Most, - At smalll inns, a knack for hospitality makes a few stand out." thought enough of the service we provide to select Poplar Creek Guesthouse as one of the "few that stand out."