Northern Wilds July 2026 by Nei-Turner Media Group

BLUEB ERRI ES— C A N O E R A C ES— L AKE SUPE R IOR — NIPIGON B ROOK TROUT—BI RD BA NDI NG FOR THE

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VOLUME 23 ISSUE 07

TWO HARBORS SILVER BAY TOFTE LUTSEN GRAND MARAIS GUNFLINT TRAIL GRAND PORTAGE THUNDER BAY NIPIGON

OUTDOORS EVENTS ARTS REVIEWS HEALTH DINING CALENDAR CATCHLIGHT

Mak ing a

Splash

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Making a Splash

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Do you have a question for one of our writers? Or an interesting photo, recipe, or story you’d like to share with Northern Wilds? Please send it to storyideas@ northernwilds.com.

While I’ve lived in Minnesota for most of my life, I spent my first 10 years in Iowa. About once or twice a year, I head back to visit extended family. When those visits happen in the summer, I’m quickly reminded just how hot Iowa can be. Minnesota gets plenty of hot days of its own, but these days I don’t enjoy the heat nearly as much as I once did. Fortunately, if there’s one place to spend a hot summer day, it’s on the North Shore. With so many lakes and rivers nearby, cooling off is never difficult. That brings us to our water issue. Let’s start Along the Shore, where Anne Graybeal introduces us to Siri Anderson, owner of Sail the North Shore, which offers private sailing excursions on Lake Superior out of Grand Marais. Victoria Lynn Smith writes about the Lake Superior Estuarium, a small but mighty natural history museum in Superior that works to educate the public about the St. Louis River Estuary. Michelle Johnson brings us to Red Rock, Ontario, for the Live from the Rock Folk Festival and Paju Mountain Run. Held on the shores of Lake Superior, the event offers more than music— people bring kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards, heading out onto Nipigon Bay between sets. Moving into our first feature story, Kalli Hawkins covers the history and enduring legacy of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races. This year’s races will take place Wednesday, July 15, at 4 p.m. at Gunflint Lodge and are open to both participants and spectators. One benefit of a hot summer is wild blueberries. In the second feature story, Dana Johnson covers three

blueberry-themed events this summer: the Ely Blueberry Art Festival, Nipigon’s Blueberry Blast Festival, and the Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest. Did you know our local forests are home to two species of wild blueberry? I didn’t. Speaking of food, North Shore Dish columnist Virginia George covers a couple of frozen yogurt locations while also discussing the differences among frozen dairy desserts, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. Back on the water, Northern Trails columnist Gord Ellis helps us choose the right tackle for chasing brook trout in the Nipigon system: the Nipigon River, Lake Nipigon, and Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior. Strange Tales columnist Elle Andra-Warner helps us decode fish names. Did you know brook trout are also commonly known as speckled trout? And that walleye are often called pickerel in Canada, though the two are different species? Summer is in full swing, but it won’t last long. Soon the kids will be back in school and my daughter will turn two. Time certainly flies, so let’s make the most of it.

Breana Johnson Editor editor@northernwilds.com

ENTER YOUR PHOTOS AND WIN PRIZES! CATEGORIES: Landscape, Wildlife, Adventure Lifestyle, and Macro. Prizes will be awarded to the top three photos per category. Winners will be announced in the January 2027 issue of Northern Wilds.

photo contest

ENTER BY SEPT. 30 WEBSITE: northernwilds.com/contests/photography-contest

Meet our Judges!

Photo Tip of the Month:

The best photos happen when you chase the right light. Avoid harsh, direct sunlight, which creates deep shadows. Try to shoot during the first hour after sunrise or the last hour of the day. Then the light will be soft and add a warm glow to your subjects. Wildlife is also more active at that time. Overcast days are best for flowers or close-ups.—Paul Sundberg

Paul Sundberg has done landscape and wildlife photography since the early 1970s. Paul and his wife Karla moved to the North Shore of Lake Superior in 1976 managing several State Parks until his retirement in 2010. They currently reside near Grand Marais where Paul continues to pursue his passion for photographing Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters.

David R. Johnson is a photographer from Grand Marais. A fourthgeneration resident of the area, he grew up exploring the area’s vast forests, lakes, rivers, and streams. “I travel the back country all the time taking photos of anything that catches my eye; the northern lights are my favorite, followed by wildlife,” he says.

James Smedley’s wiry frame regularly labours under a heavy pack of camera gear in search of fish, photos and outdoor adventure. His contributions to U.S. and Canadian books, magazines and newspapers have earned him an arm load of national and international awards. He currently resides in Wawa, Ontario with his wife Francine.

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JULY 2026

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 07 w w w. n o r t h e r nw i l d s .co m SERVING THE NORTH SHORE A N D T H E W I L D E R N E S S B E YO N D PUBLISHER/CEO Barb Krause bak@ntmediagroup.com EDITOR Breana Johnson editor@northernwilds.com ADVERTISING Sue O’Quinn sue@northernwilds.com

ART DIRECTOR Lauren Harrigan lharrigan@ntmediagroup.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Jessica Jacobsen Smith production@northernwilds.com DIGITAL DIRECTOR Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com

Nadine Seitz accounting@ntmediagroup.com

FEATURES

CONTRIBUTORS

Elle Andra-Warner, Gord Ellis, Jake Fee, Virginia George, Anne Graybeal, Kalli Hawkins, Jennifer Janasie, Dana Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Deane Morrison, Shelby Lonne-Rogentine, Michelle Miller, Hartley Newell-Acero, Joe Shead, Victoria Lynn Smith, Rae Wojcik, Naomi Yaeger, Sam Zimmerman

20 More Than a Race: The Enduring Legacy of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races

22 The Berry Best of Summer: Blueberry Celebrations in the Northland

DEPARTMENTS 6 Along the Shore 24 Spotlight 28 Events 37 Dining 39 Health 40 Northern Trails 42 Fishing Hole

OFFICE/SUBSCRIPTIONS Barbara Fisher office@northernwilds.com

42 Northern Sky 43 Reviews 44 Following the Ancestor’s Steps 45 Strange Tales 59 Catchlight

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Sail the North Shore offers private sailing excursions on Lake Superior out of Grand Marais. | SUBMITTED

Sail the North Shore: Teaching Confidence on Lake Superior GRAND MARAIS —“Sailing for me is very much about people,” said Siri Anderson. “I love those people.” For Anderson, the founder and captain behind the Grand Marais excursion business Sail the North Shore (sailthenorthshore.com), sailing has never been only about the water. Across decades of teaching, traveling, and exploring some of the world’s most remarkable coastlines, Anderson has found herself returning to the same conclusion: The most meaningful part of sailing is not the destination or even the vessel itself, but the human, personal connections that form along the way. That perspective shapes every excursion she offers from Grand Marais. While visitors come seeking adventure, relaxation, or a new way to experience Lake Superior, Anderson hopes they leave with something more lasting. “In the immediate sense, I love it because it requires presence,” she said. “You have to

JULY 2026

be there attending and just focused in the moment on what’s happening. You can’t be worrying. You can’t be thinking about the future or the past. You’re just in the moment.” For Anderson, that sense of presence is increasingly rare. It is also one of the reasons she believes sailing continues to resonate with people. “You can’t diddle your device while you’re sailing,” she said with a laugh. The comment reflects both her sense of humor and the perspective of someone who has spent much of her career thinking deeply about how people learn, connect, and engage with the world around them. Before launching Sail the North Shore, Anderson spent more than 30 years in education. She taught teachers at Bemidji State University and led graduate programs at St. Catherine University, developing innovative programs and recruitment strategies for graduate students learning how to teach computer science. That passion also appears in the way she

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approaches sailing. Rather than presenting herself as an expert dispensing knowledge from the front of the boat, Anderson sees herself as a guide helping people discover what they are capable of doing. “I don’t use any fancy language around anything on the boat,” she said. “I use words that people understand.” The approach is intentional. Much of Anderson’s academic work focused on accessibility and helping people overcome assumptions about their own abilities. She saw firsthand how often people—particularly women—were told that technical skills and knowledge belonged only to a select few. Now she applies many of those same lessons on the water. Unlike many sailors, Anderson did not grow up in yacht clubs or racing programs. Her introduction was far more informal, a fact she believes shaped her lasting relationship with the sport. Her own sailing journey began in fourth

grade, when a friend occasionally invited her to spend weekends aboard her family’s sailboat in Bayfield, Wisc. “We would sleep on the boat, and her parents would sleep in a motel,” Anderson recalled. Those weekends left a lasting impression, and she “fell in love with sailing on the big lake.” Years later, her father called with an unusual opportunity: a sailboat and trailer were up for sale at the Lutheran Church auction in Lutsen. The boat turned out to be missing a tiller, so Anderson used a broomstick. The story captures something fundamental about Anderson. She approaches challenges with curiosity, creativity, and a growth mindset. Over the years, Anderson has sailed off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar, and along the Great Barrier Reef. She spent two years living in Japan, traveled extensively, and taught world geography for a decade, often using those experiences to enrich her teaching.

Siri Anderson with Dave Suchy, who originally sold her the boat SoGnar. | SUBMITTED Among her most memorable adventures was an Atlantic crossing from Bermuda to Portugal during a hurricane. “There were 70-knot winds for three days with two-story waves,” she said. At times, the experience tested both her confidence and endurance. Yet even after facing some of the most challenging conditions of her life, Anderson never considered walking away from sailing. “I’ve had a lot of experiences that made me say, ‘I’ll never do that again,’” she said. “But never, ‘I won’t sail again.’”

Siri Anderson, owner of Sail the North Shore. | SUBMITTED Indeed, she went on to spend three years as a sailboat captain in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands. Sail the North Shore emerged from what Anderson describes as an attempt to build deeper connections to the North Shore community. Her family had long owned property in the region, but she wanted something more than occasional visits.

“I bought a sailboat up here on a whim, and a wing, and a prayer,” she said. “I had no idea it would change my life this kind of way.” The boat introduced her to friendships, relationships, and an entirely new community. Sail the North Shore offers private sailing excursions on Lake Superior and is expanding this season with additional opportunities on inland lakes using a deckboat that accom-

modates guests for whom a sailboat may not be comfortable or physically accessible. Much like her educational work, Anderson’s goal is to make the experience approachable. “The first thing you do, leaving the dock, is you put the least experienced person at the helm,” she said. The results can be transformative. “Now anyone can do anything, because you’ve got the 7-year-old backing you out of the slip.” That focus on confidence-building is especially important to Anderson when it comes to women in sailing. A licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain, she notes that women remain dramatically underrepresented in the field, representing only 7% of captains licensed at that level. To help address that imbalance, Anderson is launching women’s sailing nights this summer. The goal is simple: create a welcoming environment where women can gain experience, ask questions, and discover that sailing is far more accessible than many people assume. “Sailing is not like other physical endeavors in that strength matters because we have physics,” she said. “Anything you can’t lift, you can winch.” The educator in Anderson remains impossible to miss. Whether she is helping teachers develop new skills or introducing someone to sailing for the first time, the underlying philosophy is remarkably consistent. People are often capable of far more than they believe. —Anne Graybeal

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At the Schreiber Discovery Centre and Railway Museum, visitors step onto a platform modeled after a modern train station, with trains on either side. | SUBMITTED

Discover Local History at the Schreiber Discovery Centre and Railway Museum SCHREIBER —“Small Town Charm, Big Possibilities” is the tagline for the township of Schreiber, located in Ontario. Schreiber is home to hiking trails, a great beach to enjoy on Lake Superior, and quaint local restaurants and small businesses. It absolutely has that small-town charm. The “big possibilities” part goes way back. The history of Schreiber is not to be glossed over, as it really is the heart of the town. The Schreiber Discovery Centre and Railway Museum is a must-visit this summer while enjoying the rest of what Schreiber has to offer. It will help visitors understand why Schreiber is what it is today. “Climb aboard this museum and walk through the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and what it means to Schreiber as an 1880s railway construction camp,” the museum’s webpage says. “You will step onto a platform modeled after a modern train station with a train on either side of you. On the left, board a virtual reality train car and witness an incredible video put together about the history of the town. The train on the opposite side is a refurbished 1953 train car and holds Schreiber’s most unique artifacts right from the townspeople themselves.” Schreiber was established as a railway town in 1885, so the town’s history is closely connected to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Jamie Spadoni, economic development officer and manager of the Discovery Centre, has nothing but praise for the museum’s exhibits. “Visitors really love the movie in the train car. It is really well put together. It starts off like you’re driving in a real train. The side walls have screens, and it really feels like you’re taking a ride.” The artifacts included in the museum’s displays are from a collection started by the museum’s curator, Ray Gionet. “He came up with the idea of getting memorabilia from the community,” said Spadoni. “Some of the artifacts came from people’s basements. The idea was to turn it into a museum. There’s a lot that isn’t just railway stuff. Aside from the railway part, there’s a lot of local memories.” The museum is absolutely a group effort. Between volunteers, summer student workers, and those looking to donate their own historical artifacts, everyone pitches in. “Lots of people are involved in the community,” said Spadoni. “All the different stories that make up the museum are special.” What does the future look like for the museum? “Our goal is just to keep it growing,” said Spadoni. “We’re always adding stuff. This summer we’re extending hours. The next thing we’re wanting to get is a full-blown caboose. We have a good-size property, so we want to get more things for visitors to enjoy.” The museum is also looking forward to a

A refurbished 1953 railcar houses many of Schreiber’s most unique artifacts, donated by local townspeople. | SUBMITTED future exhibit on Yooperlites, or fluorescent rocks, funded by Parks Canada. There will also be an exhibit launching soon about Duke the Dog, a local canine hero. Whether looking to learn more about Schreiber’s history or just looking to revel in being a fan of trains alongside fellow enthusiasts, this museum is a fun stop. Recently, the museum was chosen by the Ontario Association of Architects to be recognized at the annual Queen’s Park Picks in Toronto. “Local history matters because that’s what built this town, and that’s what’s going to keep this town moving into the future,” said Spadoni. The Discovery Centre and Railway Museum is located at 308 Walker Lake Road. To learn more, follow the Schreiber Discovery Centre and Railway Museum on Facebook. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.—Shelby Lonne-Rogentine

Summer Bird Banding Events Draw Visitors to Sugarloaf Cove and Wolf Ridge NORTH SHORE —One summer activity bird lovers may appreciate is bird banding, where trained naturalists catch, handle, and fasten numbered bands to birds. While exploring the North Shore, consider dropping in to observe summer bird banding events that occur annually at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center in Schroeder and Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland. Both centers offer bird banding programs that are part of a long-term research project called Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS). Sugarloaf Cove, Wolf Ridge, Hawk Ridge in Duluth, and the U.S. Forest Service all participate in the study, according to the Institute for Bird Populations. The institute plans and organizes the overall project, and passersby of all ages can participate in summer drop-in banding experiences for free. Sue Fuad, co-president of the North Shore Chapter of Minnesota Master Naturalists, highlights Sugarloaf Cove as a great family North Shore stop that offers bird banding opportunities. “They have regular bird banding programs. And there is a mile-long hiking trail for a short walk,” says Fuad. “The banding that takes place at Sugarloaf Cove collects data during the breeding season,” says naturalist Dominique Menard. Banding participants can see some changes firsthand, like the appearance of brood patches. These patches are bald spots on the belly of a nesting bird parent (mostly on females, but on males for a few species) that develop so the parent bird can more easily transfer heat to her or his eggs or chicks, according to Menard. “It’s not something that you’ll see while birdwatching, but if you ever come see the bird banding at Sugarloaf Cove (or elsewhere) you might catch a bander blowing a puff of air on the belly of a bird. The bander is seeing if there’s a brood patch there,” says Menard. The site’s banding station offers visitors a chance to see what’s happening with the birds at Sugarloaf Cove. Sometimes special programs are even offered that explain more about bird banding and the birds of the area. Junior and seasoned nature explorers alike can drop in to learn more and get the opportunity to ask questions, as well as participate in other fun interactive exhibits and programs. “If you look on the website, there is a calendar of activities for the summer. It is a unique nature center in that it is also adjacent to a designated Scientific and Natural Area with incredible geology,” says Fuad. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center has recently been installing some brand-new exhibits, so check ahead regarding adjusted hours. Beyond that, bird banding is weather dependent. Rainy or windy days may result in cancellation of sessions. So it is a good idea to call the center if in doubt, according to Menard. Weather aside, Menard highly recommends bird banding as one family-friendly North Shore activity. “Come to see bird banding at Sugarloaf Cove,” she says. This will be Sugarloaf’s ninth season in the MAPS program, according to the last Sugarloaf newsletter. Last summer the cove’s banders captured and banded 235 new birds of 31 different species. Their top species last summer were American redstarts,

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Visitors can observe bird banding at Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder and at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland. | SUBMITTED

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www.woodcut.com [ABOVE] Families can combine bird watching with a bird banding visit at either location. Shown here is an ovenbird. | SUBMITTED [LEFT] Last summer, Sugarloaf Cove banders captured and banded 235 new birds from 31 species. | DOMINIQUE MENARD ovenbirds, veerys, chestnut-sided warblers, Nashville warblers, least flycatchers, song sparrows, and red-eyed vireos. In particular, American redstarts and veerys return year after year. Another family-friendly North Shore stop is Wolf Ridge Environmental Center, according to Fuad. Wolf Ridge offers free bird banding drop-ins throughout the summer as well: on July 8, July 15, July 22, and Aug. 5, from 7-11 a.m. At the Forest Ecology Building (accessible via guest-friendly signage), visitors can observe beautiful migratory birds up close and personal, learn about their health and behavior, explore the banding process itself, and hear about how banding contributes to bird research, according to the center’s website. Participants will witness bird handlers safely operate mist nets and use appropriate bird-handling skills to gently extract the caught birds from the nets. Attendees can also watch trained handlers identify the birds’ age and sex and record the data using established protocols. After the bird handlers collect data, they release the birds unharmed, according to the institute’s website. Witnessing the birds being released is an exciting experience, as participants get

an intimate view of the birds. As part of MAPS, this kind of bird banding has been taking place at the Wolf Ridge site since 1993, according to the center’s website. Naturalist/Informal Educator Lori Walewski manages Wolf Ridge’s participation in the project, as well as all of the connected bird data. “Bird banding and the associated research is a fascinating and involved process with many intricacies,” says Walewski. Since 1989, MAPS stations across the continent have collected more than 2.5 million sets of bird data connected to the capture and banding process, according to the institute. Registration is not required for bird banding drop-ins at Wolf Ridge. Like those at Sugarloaf Cove, the programs are available to participants of any age and are weather dependent. Families can easily incorporate bird watching into a day designed around a bird banding visit at either site. After observing bird banding and watching birds, attendees can also explore the Cornell Lab’s website to learn more about the birds they have seen. Together, these activities make for a well-rounded experience.—Jennifer Janasie

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JULY 2026

museum and nature center

OPEN DAILY Through October 18

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Gift Shops • Wildlife Viewing Picnic Areas • Hiking Trails Family Fun for Everyone! Mondays 1pm - 2pm

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Fridays 1pm - 2pm

Guided Nature Hikes July 12 Chel Anderson

Northwoods Orchids 2-3pm July 12 11am - 12pm AiRP Scott Krohn, workshop

Schaap Community Center July 18 4pm - 6pm

Briand Morrison concert Schaap Community Center July 19 Jo Swanson

Northwoods Volunteer Connections SNF 2-3pm July 26 Soil & Water Conservation

The Wonders of Watersheds 11am-12pm

Located on Barker’s Island in Superior, the Lake Superior Estuarium offers a serene setting for visitors, while children enjoy the play area. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Lake Superior Estuarium: Introducing the St. Louis Estuary to the World SUPERIOR —Opened in 2017, the Lake Superior Estuarium, located in Superior on Barker’s Island, is a small but mighty natural history museum. The Estuarium aims to educate the public about the importance of a 16-mile-long waterway that forms the St. Louis River Estuary. In the 1970s, the St. Louis River was one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. However, thanks to the continuing efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations, the river has made a comeback, and the estuary once again provides a habitat rich in plant, animal, and aquatic life. Entering the Estuarium is an immersive experience. Visitors step onto a wall-towall floor of pale green and blue depicting a map of the St. Louis River (Gichigami-ziibi) flowing through Spirit Lake (Manidoo-zaaga’igan), Pokegama Bay (Bakegamaa-wiikwedong), and Superior Bay before emptying into Lake Superior (Gichigami). As visitors walk around, four walls of floor-to-ceiling panoramic murals showcasing the shores of the Lake Superior estuary greet them. Expansive windows look out at the water surrounding Barker’s Island. Overhead, sculptures of aqua-blue waves suspended from the ceiling create a sense of moving water. It’s easy to imagine one is part of the estuary. Heather McDowell has been a volunteer at the Estuarium for more than two years.

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She loves her position. “When I look outside and see the water sparkle,” she says, “it’s like I’m on vacation. I meet people from all over.” After two years of volunteering in the Estuarium, McDowell says she has come to

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The Estuarium is a small but mighty natural history museum. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

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appreciate the importance of the St. Louis Estuary. Last year about 3,500 people visited the museum. The Estuarium has something for people of all ages, and its small size makes it ideal for families with children because young ones are always within earshot and eyesight. While adults peruse exhibits about the estuary’s history, importance, and ongoing restoration, young children can enjoy the play area. Surrounded by a whimsical hand-painted mural of birds, deer, trees, fish, and lily pads, the children’s area features a slide with a platform camouflaged as a boat. Stocked with nature-themed books, puppets, coloring sheets, crayons, and “water” superhero capes, it’s a place for imagination and fun. Older children can engage with interactive displays. “Zoom in on the Estuary!” uses a document camera to magnify pieces of plant life encased in plastic onto a computer screen. The “Get in Touch!” display invites children to stick their hands into a slot, feel objects, and guess what they’re touching. “Which of these St. Louis River residents can you spot on your next adventure?” is a laminated booklet featuring photographs of local animals, insects, and fish. In the center of the Estuarium stands a large table featuring a map of the cities of Superior and Duluth alongside Lake Superior. Four touchscreens mounted to the table

SAWMILL TOURS Hedstrom Lumber Co. will be offering FREE tours of the Sawmill and Planing Mill

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TOUR TIMES: 10 AM & 1 PM

RSVP REQUIRED This interactive display uses a document camera to magnify pieces of plant life encased in plastic onto a computer screen. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Expansive windows overlook the water surrounding Barker’s Island. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH each cover a different topic. Listeners learn about the 2012 flood in the Twin Ports and other impactful storms, how the estuary has changed over time, and how dredging impacts the waterway. Large colorful display panels feature stories about the estuary from the past and present. Among the stories, visitors can read about the removal of the families who once lived on Wisconsin Point after an ownership dispute with the Interstate Railroad Company. They can view a portrait of Chief Osaugie (1802-1876), who helped keep the federal government from removing the Anishinaabe from northern Wisconsin. They can read about the program to restore the piping plover, a small endangered shorebird, to the shores of Lake Superior. Another restoration program involves wild rice (manoomin), an important food source in Anishinaabe culture. Other displays feature stories about the scientific research used to monitor and study the health of the estuary system. Some exhibits change over time. Last year the Estuarium presented information about plastics in Lake Superior, educating people about how to keep plastic waste out of waterways. This year that space features information about red pines and the history of the intentional burns (ishkode) the Ojibwe once conducted on Wisconsin Point. In 2025, prescribed burns were reintroduced to Wisconsin Point in hopes

of creating a more diverse, healthier habitat, allowing native plants like blueberries and red pines to grow and thrive. The Estuarium is a contemplative space where people learn about and connect with the unique nature of the St. Louis River Estuary. But for those interested in a deeper connection, the reach of the Estuarium extends beyond its walls. It falls under the education umbrella of the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, which also sponsors River Rovers and Rivers2Lake, two other educational programs. River Rovers is a free nature program held in the summer for children ages 3 to 7. The two-hour adventure includes exploring nature, games, a snack, and craft time. Each week focuses on a different nature theme. Children may attend one or more sessions, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The program, held from 10 a.m. to noon, started on Wednesday, June 24, and runs through Aug. 19, skipping Aug. 5. For more information, call 715-399-4093. Rivers2Lake is an educational program for teachers who wish to learn how to incorporate lessons about Lake Superior and the St. Louis River in their classrooms. After completing the program, Four Corners Elementary teachers Robin Gobler and Melissa Ketola said, “We gained a wealth of knowledge.” They use that knowledge to teach their students “the difference between rivers and lakes, how important water is to an ecosystem, and how to protect it.” They highly recommend the Rivers2Lake program. This year’s application process is closed, but educators interested in participating in the 2027-28 cohort can visit lakesuperiornerr.org or call 715-399-4085. This summer the Estuarium will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. To learn more, visit lakesuperiornerr.org. In addition to the Estuarium, Barker’s Island features the SS Meteor Whaleback Museum, Capt’n J’s Mini Golf, North Shore Stand Up Paddleboarding, a children’s park, and a walking trail.—Victoria Lynn Smith

hedstromlumber.com/ sawmill-tours Questions? Call

218-387-2995

HEDSTROM LUMBER COMPANY 1504 Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, MN

Never Miss a Thing

Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery Artist of the Month: Julie Arthur

“Natural Gestures”

Featuring Emily Donovan Until 7/12

“Borderlands”Featuring Betsy Bowen, Jeanne Hedstrom, Stephan Hoglund, and Heidi Sobonja, 7/17-8/9

Weekly Email Newsletter Open: Wednesday-Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 1-4 pm 115 W. Wisconsin St. | 218-387-2314 | www.johnsonheritagepost.org

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NORTHERNWILDS.COM NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

The Stewart Trail Fire burned right up to Silver Creek along Highway 61. | JOE SHEAD The former Silver Creek Company gift shop was burned to the ground. | JOE SHEAD

Evacuated:

My Experience With the Stewart Trail Fire TWO HARBORS —It was the final evening of my Boundary Waters trip in May and my unofficial vacation before the busy summer tourist season. With no cell reception, I had never been able to contact anyone from the wilderness, but my two companions were able to text their significant others via satellite. So I asked Aaron if he could text my girlfriend, Tashina, saying I was coming home and excited to see her. The response I received was not what I expected. Something about a fire. By my house. She was contacting some of my neighbors to see if my house was going to be OK, but details were sketchy. What?! It was near dark. If I packed up everything and raced home, it would be the wee hours of the morning before I got home ... if I still had a home. There would be nothing I could do to save the house. But I might be able to save my cat, Harbor. Decisions, decisions. It was maddening. Sketchy communication. It would take minutes to send or receive a text. You had to wait until a satellite

was in range. The last text I got from her, she had gotten ahold of my friend, Dean, who was a paramedic and knows the local firefighters. He thought my house was going to be OK. I decided to come out in the morning as planned, but sleep did not come easily. The following morning, I was up and had camp broken before my alarm went off. My friends were just starting to stir in their tents as I packed my final items in the canoe to shove off. I couldn’t wait. I just needed to get home. They were supposed to stay anyway, but were now considering exiting early too because of strong winds in the forecast. Luckily it was glass calm and I made great time. There was no time to stop and fish; no time to take in the stillness and beauty of a quiet lake, and no time for the greasy burger in Grand Marais I had been dreaming about. I needed to get back to reception and to my house. It took only 14 minutes from the time my canoe hit the beach until the truck was packed and rolling. Normally I love the drive

down the Gunflint Trail, but that morning I was peeling down the road with the impatience of a New York City cabdriver. Near the bottom of the trail, my phone got signal and started pinging. I quickly began sorting through texts and voicemails. Some were just people saying hi, not knowing my plight. A bunch were telemarketers. Tom, who lives near me and knew the situation full well, had left four voicemails. He was my second call, after assuring Tashina I was OK and getting what details I could from her. There was a long, circuitous detour at Silver Bay, sending me well inland to avoid the Stewart Trail Fire burning along Highway 61 closer to Two Harbors. Normally I love that drive, but again, I was anxious to get home. As I neared Two Harbors, I wondered if I would be able to go home. I just wanted to get my cat. It may sound crazy, but Harbor means the world to me. Was he OK? Would they even let me get him? There was a roadblock at the campground on Highway 61, just outside of Two Harbors. It was a conservation officer helping out the

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local police. I explained that I lived just up ahead and needed to get my cat. “Say, didn’t I check your license a couple years ago while you were hunting up by Lutsen?” he asked. “You were camping with your cat.” How the heck did he remember that? “Yup, that was me,” I replied. “Go get your cat,” he said. The highway was eerily empty. It was like being in a post-apocalyptic world. Up ahead, near the Silver Creek Tunnel, smoke was billowing, although not nearly as much as I had feared. The fire, I had now learned, had started just inland of Betty’s Pies, about three-quarters of a mile from me. It was windy, with strong gusts out of the west. And my house was upwind of the fire. I breathed a little sigh of relief. I pulled into the driveway. The house was fine. Harbor greeted me at the door, as always. I could have hugged him to death. “OK, buddy, we gotta get outta here,” I said as I began rounding up his food, bowls, and litter box. It was a gift. I was in the evacuation zone, but I was allowed to come home. I wasn’t going to abuse that privilege, but since I was here, what should I grab? What would mean the most to me? Well, I thought about hooking up the new boat I had just bought. But I didn’t. The stuff I grabbed surprised me. I grabbed the two items I had sold on eBay while I was gone, which I thought was laughable, but hey, what the heck? I grabbed two guns—one of which my dad gave me. And I grabbed a couple moose antlers. No photo albums. No laptop (which I had planned to grab but forgot). Didn’t even grab the $200 in small bills from my garage sale the week earlier. And then that was it. Harbor and I hit the road. It was a Saturday, and it was actually hot. I was still thinking about that greasy burger. I went to McQuade’s in Two Harbors. But instead of enjoying my lunch, I was impatient. I worried about my house. And I deliberately sat where I could watch Harbor, who was trapped in a warm vehicle. I wolfed down my food and didn’t even treat myself to a beer. And then we just waited. I called and texted family and friends, letting them know we were evacuated but OK. I kept everyone apprised of the situation. I texted one gal I know who lives right where the fire is. She said so far their house was fine, but the one across the highway wasn’t so lucky. And then mostly we just sat in the truck, waiting for updates. I still had my canoe and a fishing pole. I could have fished, but I don’t have reception at area lakes and I couldn’t think

Harbor and I after our house was removed from the evacuation zone. We felt like Dorothy and Toto— there's no place like home. | JOE SHEAD about fishing anyway. I mostly sat in the truck and read. Soon, I’d run out of things to read. I still had camping gear, but Tom said I could crash at his house. I was really looking forward to a shower and a bed, so I took him up on it. That bed felt amazing after days of sleeping in a tent. The next day, it was more waiting. The wind switching back to the east. I hoped that meant the fire would just move back to what it had already consumed and burn itself out. Again, I could have done something. I could have gone to Duluth. I could have bought the new shoes I so badly need. Instead, Harbor and I sat in the truck, waiting for updates. We watched people kite surf at Burlington Bay. We went to the grocery store multiple times. Ran into Goodwill once. I was so bored. Late that afternoon, Tom texted me. He was wondering if I was allowed to go back home yet. I was sure that nothing had changed, but I checked my phone anyway. They had shrunk the evacuation zone—we were allowed to go home. I felt so cool, driving down Highway 61 when it was forbidden for everyone else. (This must be what it feels like to get to the front of the line and be let into a club while everyone else waits in line.) Harbor and I pulled in the driveway and everything was totally fine. I’m not sure what he

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Sadly, this residence along Highway 61 was destroyed by the Stewart Trail Fire. | JOE SHEAD was thinking. I’m sure he was glad to be back. He had been cooped up in the truck for hours. But for me, I saw our house in a whole new light. I felt like Dorothy waking up from a dream and repeating, “There’s no place like home.” But for as thrilling as it was to be home, I couldn’t help but feel survivor’s guilt. Many of my neighbors weren’t so lucky. In all, the Stewart Trail Fire burned 356 acres and destroyed 34 structures, including eight primary homes. My heart aches for all those affected. You hear about a fire on the news and you think, “Oh, what a tragedy.” But when it affects your friends and neighbors, it really hits home. These are real people who have lost everything. And while some have been devastated by the aftermath, others experienced close calls. Thank you to all the emergency workers who put their all into protecting the properties. Monday, after the highway reopened, I drove along the affected stretch to see the aftermath. And it really struck me how some places were consumed by flames, while at other residences just next door, the fire had fizzled out and spared them. It is a fickle world we live in. It reminded me to be thankful for

what I have, but not to get too caught up in material possessions, because it can all be gone in a heartbeat. If you’re interested in donating to help the fire victims, you can donate to the Head of the Lakes United Way fire relief fund at hlunitedway.org.—Joe Shead

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United Northern Sportsmen Club Promotes Outdoor Skills and Conservation Education DULUTH —The great outdoors of the Northland is one of the experiences that makes this area so special. The United Northern Sportsmen Club (UNS) in Duluth is ensuring the North Shore remains a place to come and experience all the outdoors has to offer through sports and conservation education. The nonprofit, founded in 1945, is a member-driven organization with the mission to provide a facility for individuals who want to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor sports. Mike Hart, board vice president, says a big focus of the club is reaching out to youth. “We want to get kids off their electronics and let them experience the outdoors and gain an appreciation for the environment,” he said. He explains that, in addition to use of the facilities, shooting ranges, and other outdoor sporting opportunities, the club also teaches students to be conservationists, maintaining the environment and, if possible, making it better for future generations. The UNS offers a variety of activities including hunting, fishing, trap shooting, archery, and skill-based classes like knot tying and orienteering (navigating with a compass). Training is conducted by club members with extensive experience and training. Hart is a veteran and retired deputy sheriff and former commander of the Duluth SWAT team. Other member trainers are licensed by

of 37 campers on the property. The shooting ranges accommodate four different types of firearms, in addition to archery targets and trap shooting space in affiliation with the Minnesota Trappers Association. Since its inception over 55 years ago, the club has grown to more than 1,300 current members and is managed by a board of directors, all volunteers. Members have access to the facility year-round and can enjoy up to 14 free days of camping each summer season. Hart adds that there is a lot of work to keep the grounds in good condition, and members are key to keeping it running smoothly and well maintained. Those who volunteer a minimum of two hours of work—tasks ranging from chopping firewood to mowing grass—receive extra free days at the campsite. Chris Mattila, UNS board member and the onsite campground summer host, says, “We are the only campsite on the lake, and it’s a pretty good deal with such inexpensive membership dues that include use of all the firing ranges.” Mattila has been a member for nearly 20 years and has family connections to the club, as his mother was on the board of directors years ago. He is from the area and, after retiring, moved back to the North Shore, making it his permanent home once again. Memberships are open to any-

A United Northern Sportsmen Club member practices at the rifle range. | SUBMITTED the state to conduct fire safety courses, and the club works closely with other local hunting and fishing organizations. The UNS facility is located on Island lake, 20 miles north of Duluth, with grounds

spanning more than 40 acres. The private, members-only property includes a boat launch with eight docks, several feet of beachfront, and a picnic area. The club also owns a modest campground with a capacity

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The private members-only club, located 20 miles north of Duluth on Island Lake, includes a boat launch and picnic area. | MICHELLE MILLER one in Minnesota and include individual and family rates. More information can be found on the UNS website at unitednorthernsportsmen.org. The club hosts two annual events that are open to the public: a winter fundraising ice fishing tournament in February and a free youth field day held in August. The field day is an all-day event featuring seven different stations for youth ages 8 to 17 to explore and be introduced to outdoor sporting activities. Participants have the opportunity to try the shooting ranges, fish, and work with retrieving dogs for hunting tips. The event includes lunch for both students and their adult chaperones, and prizes are offered for many of the activities. The 2026 13th annual Outdoor Field Day is Saturday, Aug. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is free and open to everyone. Pre-registration is required by July 31, and students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is limited and fills to a capacity of 80 students each year. Call Nancy at 218393-7176 for registration information. The UNS, in partnership with the Lake Superior Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, also offers firearm safety classes for students. These courses are open to the public throughout the year with a minimal registration fee. For training dates and more details, email Hart at: thebrute48@hotmail.com.

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The club also offers archery targets. | MICHELLE MILLER United Northern Sportsmen Conservation Club is located at 7229 Rice Lake Road in Duluth. The club can be reached at 218721-4843 for pricing, hours, and directions. Events and other updates can also be found on its social media page.—Michelle Miller

BALLY

BLACKSMITH & METAL SHOPS The Bally Blacksmith Shop has chronicled Cook County’s economic history since 1911 - progressing from horse-drawn lumber camp equipment to motorized commercial fishing rigs, automobiles, and snowmobiles. The blacksmith shop was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and has been managed by Historic Cook County since 2013. The metal Forest Service building was added to the site in the early 1960s and serves as a working fabrication shop.

Visitors Welcome Every Sat & Sun, 12-4 Blacksmithing Demonstration: August 1st, 1-4pm

AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Tofte 7231 West Hwy 61 | 800.634.3444 | 218.663.7899 | AmericInn.com

Ac�vi�es funded in part by 100 N Broadway Ave, Grand Marais

NORTHERN WILDS

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Open for Dining Breakfast: Tuesday - Saturday seating is at 8am, set menu BY RESERVATIONS ONLY

Dinner: Monday - Saturday

seating is at 6pm, with an early beverage service at 5pm BY RESERVATIONS ONLY

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The newly Leif Erikson Viking ship now has a shelter to protect it (left), while the restored depot (right) has a working train signal and United States flag rising high above its roof. | NAOMI YAEGER

Volunteers Rescue a Depot, a Fishing Boat, and a Viking Ship in Knife River KNIFE RIVER—Standing beside Old Scenic Highway 61 in Knife River is something most visitors do not expect to find: a 42-foot replica of a Viking longship. Named Leif Erikson, the vessel crossed the Atlantic Ocean nearly a century ago as a reenactment of Viking ships of the 1100s. The ship sailed from Bergen, Norway, in May 1926 and arrived in Duluth in June 1927. For decades, it moved from one location to another as supporters searched for a permanent home where it could be protected from the elements and preserved for future generations. Today, the ship has found that home at the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center. This is the story of three restored historical structures standing together on one piece of land known as the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center. Knife River is a small town about 18 miles north of Duluth. Along with the Viking ship is a railroad depot and a herring tugboat name the Crusader II. The restored railroad depot tells the story of a community that was once one of the busiest railroad centers on the North Shore. On a warm summer morning, Northern Wilds met Knife River resident and Heritage Center board president Paul von Goertz to learn how these pieces of history came together in one small North Shore community.

SAVING THE KNIFE RIVER DEPOT

THUNDER BAY, ON WWW.THEWATERFRONTDISTRICT.CA

JULY 2026

Larry Ronning, a retired building contractor, directed the rebuild of the Knife River depot and the restoration of the fish tug Crusader II, a long time icon of Knife River. | PAUL VON GOERTZ

According to von Goertz, the project began not with the Viking ship, but with a much more modest goal: saving the community’s historic railroad depot. In 2017, local residents, including campground owner Randy Ellestad and boatwright Larry Ronning, began restoring the aging structure. At the time, the depot was owned by Ellestad, who leased the

NORTHERN WILDS

what the building was like during its working years.

A HERRING TUG: CRUSADER II

Paul von Goertz, dressed in period attire. He has been president of the KRHCC non-profit board since the KRHCC was established in 2018. | MARILYN MAGNUSON land beneath it. Volunteers spent years transforming the building into a place where the community’s railroad, fishing, and immigrant heritage could be shared with visitors. Ellestad, who grew up in Knife River, remembers when the deteriorating depot served as a gathering place for local teenagers and even a “spook house” during Halloween hayrides. Today, exhibits, photographs, and artifacts help tell the story of Knife River’s past. Dioramas illustrate the railroad operations that once made the community a transportation hub on the North Shore. During special events, von Goertz sometimes dresses as a depot agent, helping visitors imagine

As work on the depot progressed, volunteers turned their attention to another local treasure: Crusader II, a 35-foot wooden herring tug built in 1938. Volunteers restored the vessel with help from Doug Hill, whose grandfather and great-uncle originally built it. Hill, who lives in Florida, visited Knife River during a family reunion and saw the boat’s deteriorating condition. An experienced woodworker, he returned the following summer and spent months helping restore the vessel, staying at the campground next door. Working under the direction of boatwright Ronning, Hill contributed hundreds of hours preserving the boat his family had built nearly 90 years earlier.

THE VIKING SHIP Then an unexpected opportunity appeared. The nonprofit Save Our Ship had spent decades searching for a permanent home for the Leif Erikson Viking ship. The vessel had become a familiar landmark in Duluth, but exposure to the weather threatened its long-term preservation. Knife River offered something few other locations could: a public site with strong Norwegian roots, room for visitors, and a growing heritage center dedicated to preserving local history. Ellestad also serves as co-chair of Save Our Ship and immediately saw the possibilities. “The Viking ship has been my passion,” he said. “To have it in our backyard is incredible.” For Ellestad, the ship is only one thread in a much larger story—one that includes railroad workers, Norwegian immigrants, commercial fishermen, and generations of North Shore families.

The dragon figurehead of the Leif Erikson Viking ship stands watch at the bow. Built in Norway and sailed across the Atlantic to Duluth in 1927, the historic vessel is now preserved at the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center. | NAOMI YAEGER “Every part of this place has a story,” he said. “They’re all connected.” In November 2021, the ship was moved from Duluth to Knife River, where volunteers from both organizations continued restoration work and raised funds to construct a protective shelter. “It lived under a lucky star,” Ellestad said of the vessel’s survival. “It’s been a long road,” said Neil Atkins, co-chair of Save Our Ship. The organization spent more than 40 years searching for a permanent home for the vessel. “We were welcomed by Knife River, and it’s quite an accomplishment,” Atkins said. “It’s pretty exciting to have a home where we are appreciated.” For von Goertz, the work is ultimately about preserving stories as much as artifacts. “We were very close to losing this history,” he said. To learn more about the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center, visit krhcc.org. —Naomi Yaeger

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UPCOMING KRHCC EVENTS:

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JULY 14 & AUG. 4

Toe-tapping Tuesdays will take place at 7 p.m. at the KRHCC depot. Bring a chair. Free.

SATURDAY, JULY 25

A gala and ribbon cutting to celebrate the shelter over the Viking ship, held from noon to 3 p.m.

DEC. 5-6

Julebyen: A Norwegian Christmas village. For more info, visit julebyen.org.

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Enjoy live music across multiple stages at this year’s Live from the Rock Folk Festival, held Aug. 7-9. | KEEGAN RICHARD

Make It a Weekend: Live

From the Rock Folk Festival RED ROCK—On one August weekend on the North Shore of Lake Superior, you can start your day with a hike or yoga, cast a fishing line off a marina pier in the afternoon, listen to live music throughout the day, and cap it off with an unforgettable mainstage performance. That’s the shape of a summer escape to Red Rock, Ontario, when the Live From the Rock Folk Festival returns to its waterfront park. The festival runs Friday through Sunday, August 7-9, with music unfolding across multiple stages—a one‑stop, multifaceted North Shore experience. Just up the road, the Saturday morning Paju Mountain Run draws runners and hikers to its 7.5‑mile out‑and‑back course, known for its 715‑foot elevation gain. It’s a separate event—with its own registration and rhythm—but many build their weekend around both. “The terrain is a mix of asphalt and gravel and the hill challenges the fittest of runners,” says organizer Ashley Davis, who also serves as Red Rock Township’s community develop-

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

ment officer and the folk fest’s raffle coordinator. Others hike the route, taking in the climb and the view over Nipigon Bay before heading back down for lunch at the Royal Canadian Legion, complete with prizes and cake. Meanwhile, at Pull‑A‑Log Park, the music is already in motion. The family area buzzes with children making art, getting their faces painted, and racing through the splash pad. Performances run throughout the day— workshops, collaborations, and mainstage sets that overlap and unfold without much need for a plan. Festival‑goers arrive, wander, and settle in when something captures their attention. The layout of the site makes everything easy. The campground and marina sit steps from the stages, food vendors, festival pub, and artisan village. Food ranges from quick bites, like poutine and pie, to full meals, like Lake Superior walleye. The whole event carries a small‑town, laid‑back feel. There’s no packing up or driving between venues—just an easy drift along the waterfront board-

An original Live from the Rock Folk Festival T-shirt from 2003. | PAUL JOKELAINEN walk from the music to the campground and back again. The lake is more than a backdrop. People bring kayaks, canoes, and stand‑up paddleboards, heading out onto Nipigon Bay between sets. Others stay closer to shore, swimming or dropping a fishing line from the marina piers. For longtime attendees and Minnesotans Judy Taylor and Larry Carpenter, that mix is what keeps them coming back. “The festival music is great, the people are amazing, the views of Nipigon Bay are spectacular,” Taylor says. “And the evening campfires are truly special.” They first learned of the festival while anchored at the Slate Islands and made the trip the following summer, sailing from Bayfield, Wisc., to Red Rock. “Since then, it is in ink on the calendar and not to be missed,” she says. Artistic director Elly Tose curates lineups that span the folk and roots spectrum, often introducing audiences to artists they might not otherwise hear. “This unknown element invites the audience to ‘discover’ talent they wouldn’t otherwise experi-

ence,” she says. Workshop sets, in particular, create once-in-a-lifetime performances thanks to the unique mix of artists, themes, and audience participation. That sense of connection carries beyond the stage. Live From the Rock is entirely volunteer‑run, and for many, getting involved becomes part of the tradition. Anyone can sign up, and 12 hours of volunteering earns a full weekend pass, a festival T‑shirt, and other perks. “It’s a pretty welcoming village,” says longtime volunteer and Jane‑of‑all‑trades Cathy Morgan. “Children and their adults feel safe to be themselves, and we look out for one another.” The crew spans generations, with many returning each year. “Many of our younger volunteers are the children or grandchildren of current or former volunteers.” For Tose, that community is also personal. “I offered to help out and was asked to take on the role of hospitality coordinator,” she says. “Hugh [Briggs] volunteered and became co‑site coordinator. We had to drive to Red Rock once a month for committee meetings, so Hugh and I shared rides back and forth. This was how we got to know each other more personally… and started dating.” Their connection grew alongside their commitment to the festival. “The amazing group of people we met volunteering, as well as the sense of accomplishment pulling that first festival off, were probably the reasons we continued,” she says. “The 2008 festival, the weekend after our wedding, was basically our honeymoon. We continued to attend to reconnect with all the people we met over years of volunteering, as well as the incredible music.” She adds that the experience extends beyond any one weekend. “The setting, the vibe, the diversity of music all contribute to the very special feeling of this event, as well as everyone’s care for the environment and respect for the community.” Evenings settle in gradually. Light fades across the bay, the crowd gathers near the mainstage, and the surrounding mountains turn into silhouettes. After the final set, the energy shifts toward the campfire, which is only open to festival campers. It’s an intimate setting, tucked away far enough from the campground so it won’t keep anyone up. There’s seating, guitars passed between hands, and a loose rhythm as people step

in to play. Songs build into impromptu jams, and people sing, hum, tap, or sway—however the music moves them. The music often carries into the early hours. For those who haven’t been—or haven’t been in a while—another appeal is its proximity. Red Rock is an easy North Shore trip, and the folk fest weekend is unlike any other. “Go,” Taylor says. “You will be made welcome, you will hear wonderful music, you will experience magic.” Some come for the music. Some come for the run. Many end up staying for both—

along with the water, the space between sets, and the sense that, for one weekend, everything you want in a Lake Superior summer is within reach. Learn more about the festival lineup, weekend and camping passes, and volunteer opportunities (all are welcome!) at livefromtherockfolkfestival.com and on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the 43rd annual Paju Mountain Run, visit bit.ly/2026pajumountainrun or find them on Facebook.—Michelle Johnson

Gunflint Trail’s

BLUEBERRY SEASON ! n o s i t n u h e Th

Enter your biggest wild blueberry at participating lodges and outfitters along the Gunflint Trail Learn more at visitcookcounty.com

If you’re above here, you belong here. We share far more than shoreline. With values anchored in communities from Duluth to Grand Portage plus resources that are deeper, smarter and more readily accessible than ever, we’re here to stay and proud to belong. northshorefcu.org

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The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races include several events, such as long-distance and sprint races, as well as the crowd-favorite gunnel-pumping competition. | KALLI HAWKINS

Over the nearly five decades of canoe races, friendly rivalries have developed among lodges, with teams eager to see how they stack up against their neighbors. | KALLI HAWKINS

More Than a Race:

The Enduring Legacy of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races By Kalli Hawkins

On a summer afternoon towards the end of the Gunflint Trail, dozens of aluminum canoes line the shoreline of Gunflint Lake. Paddlers stretch, swap stories, and size up the competition. Some have raced for decades while others are climbing into a canoe for the first time. For many participants and community members, the annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races are a beloved summer tradition. “It’s all about community members coming together to have an enjoyment of what this wilderness is built on—canoeing,” said Dan Baumann, a longtime participant of the canoe races and assistant fire chief with the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. “And having a friendly competition with it.” Behind the laughter, competition, and community gathering lies a deeper story— one that stretches back nearly five decades and has helped sustain emergency services in one of Minnesota’s most remote areas. The roots of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races date back to 1978, when resort owners and community members along the Gunflint Trail sought a way to bring people together. Gunflint Trail families and lodge owners, such as the Tuttles and the Kerfoots, were among those involved in organizing the earliest races, Baumann said. At the time, resorts along the Gunflint Trail were growing, employing more seasonal staff, and 20

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seeking opportunities to build camaraderie among neighboring businesses. A few years later, in the early 1980s, conversations began about establishing a formal emergency response organization for the Gunflint Trail. Lodge owners and residents recognized the unique challenges of providing medical assistance in such a remote area. In 1981, those discussions led to the incorporation of an all-volunteer Gunflint Trail Fire and Rescue Squad. Following the organization’s formation, the canoe races soon took on a new purpose. Rather than serving solely as a community gathering, they became a fundraiser for the newly formed Gunflint Trail Fire and Rescue Squad. “During that time period, we survived solely on donations,” Baumann said, who has been involved since 1982 as an EMT. “That was the only way we made it.” As participation increased, so did the races themselves. By the mid-1980s, the event expanded drastically. Rather than hosting a single race each summer, organizers scheduled as many as six canoe races throughout the season at lakes along the Gunflint Trail. Races were held at locations including Seagull Lake, Gunflint Lake, Bearskin Lake, Clearwater Lake, and Flour Lake.

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Funds raised through the canoe races helped purchase medical supplies, training equipment, and other emergency or educational needs. “The canoe races were a huge part of making it survive,” Baumann said. Volunteer members of the fire and rescue squad organized the races and handled logistics, while competitors and lodge staff spent the summer traveling from lake to lake to compete against one another. “It was all volunteer people planning it,” Baumann said. The expanded schedule generated additional fundraising opportunities and strengthened relationships among resorts, residents, and seasonal staff. And it also intensified the competition. Lodge staff often spent evenings practicing on the water, sharpening their paddling skills for the next race. Over the years, the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races have included several distance-based races, such as long-distance and sprint races, as well as a crowd-favorite competition known as gunnel-pumping. Participants stand on a canoe and perform a series of squat-like movements to propel it across the water, with success measured by both speed and whether the individual remains in the canoe. Over the nearly five decades of canoe rac-

es, friendly rivalries developed among lodges, with teams eager to see how they stacked up against their neighbors. “There was always competition to beat Gunflint and Seagull,” Baumann said with a laugh. “They were always the tougher ones to beat, but if you beat them, you did good.” By the late 1980s, however, the demands of organizing six separate races began taking a toll on volunteers. Gradually, the number of races was reduced. The organization itself also evolved during that period. In 1991, the Gunflint Trail Fire and Rescue Squad officially became the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, reflecting the growing number of residents, lodge owners, and staff who had stepped forward to serve as volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. Today, the tradition continues as a single annual event hosted at Gunflint Lodge. While there have been slight changes to the races since the mid-1980s, community support remains as strong as ever. The race is organized by volunteers throughout the Gunflint Trail community, including members of the Gunflint Lake Property Owners Association, who spend countless hours planning and coordinating the event each year. Baumann also credits Gunflint Lodge owners John and Mindy Fredrikson for

This year’s Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will take place Wednesday, July 15, at 4 p.m. at Gunflint Lodge. | KALLI HAWKINS their ongoing support of the event and for continuing to host the annual race after purchasing the lodge from the Kerfoot family over a decade ago. John Fredrikson also serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Gunflint Trail Fire Department, giving him a firsthand connection to the cause the races continue to support. “We’re very grateful for Gunflint Lodge and for John and Mindy’s support,” Baumann said. Hosting hundreds of participants and spectators is no small undertaking, but the lodge continues to provide a home for the races year after year. “It has such a great history for the place, and it’s such a good community thing,” said John Fredrikson. “It’s the one time in the summer that most of the neighbors get together, have fun and catch up, and do a little canoe racing, and it’s just a good time.” Beyond the canoe races, the annual event includes food and refreshments, with proceeds helping support the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. In more recent years, Fredrikson said the Gunflint Lodge kitchen staff have taken on much of the food preparation, helping ease the workload for volunteer organizers. “It’s a long day for all of us, but it’s definitely worthwhile, and it’s great for the community,” Fredrikson said.

The 2026 Canoe Races This year’s Gunflint Trail Canoe Races are scheduled for July 15 at 4 p.m. at Gunflint Lodge. Another one of the event’s most recognizable traditions also returns in 2026: the annual raffle featuring a handcrafted canoe. Race-themed merchandise, including popular commemorative T-shirts, will also be available during the event, with proceeds benefiting the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. For first-time visitors, Baumann said, the atmosphere is what makes the event special. “It really is community,” Baumann said. “You see people enjoying one another, having conversations, telling canoe trip stories, and supporting a good cause.” And while competition remains part of the appeal, victory is not always the most memorable part of the day. The stories are found in the near-collisions, unexpected upsets, and occasional capsized canoe. “It’s a wet sport,” Baumann said. “If you make it to the finish line without getting bumped or flipped, that’s a great race.” This year, there will be one new addition to the event following the races. Gunflint Lodge will be hosting The Sprigs, a local

Beyond the canoe races, the annual event includes food and refreshments, with proceeds helping support the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. | BARB TUTTLE Gunflint Trail band who will be playing following the canoe races in the Northern Lights Lounge until 10 p.m. “Just something to keep the festivities going and someplace for the racers to have some fun after the races,” Fredrikson said. Nearly 50 years after the first paddlers

gathered on a Gunflint Trail shoreline, the canoe races continue to embody the spirit that inspired their creation. Volunteers, residents, and visitors come together each year to strengthen community ties, support local emergency services, and celebrate life along the Gunflint Trail.

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Blueberries are packed with nutrients and antioxidants and are a beloved summer tradition for many across the Northland. | DANA JOHNSON

The Berry Best of Summer: Blueberry Celebrations in the Northland By Dana Johnson Blueberries may be the most iconic wild fruit found across the Northland. Considered a “super food” packed with nutrients and antioxidants, blueberries are tiny treasures, and they add up fast during good harvest years. Locals celebrate them every summer with berry foraging adventures, festivals, and events that connect the community with the land we love. Our local forests are actually home to two species of wild blueberry: Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Both are common and can be found 22

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in the same areas, though they have a slightly different appearance. The lowbush blueberry, V. angustifolium, looks lighter overall, sporting medium to bright lime green foliage and bright blue berries with a pale powder coating. The velvet leaf or Canadian blueberry, V. myrtilloides, has somewhat darker green leaves and darker berries that often lack the powder coating. While they otherwise look and taste very similar, lowbush blueberries tend to produce larger fruit, which is important to know if you’re looking for the biggest berry of them all.

Ely’s Blueberry Art Festival

Fresh-baked blueberry pies made by the Ely Kiwanis are one of the biggest draws of the Blueberry Art Festival, which will be held July 24-26 this year. | SUBMITTED

As wild blueberries ripen across the land, Ely celebrates the beloved fruit with one of the biggest yearly gatherings in the Northwoods. The Blueberry Art Festival takes place annually on the last full weekend of July, filling Whiteside Park with more than 230 vendors and entertainment for three days. The event draws thousands of visitors to the community to enjoy art, music, food, and local culture. This year marks the 46th annual Blueberry Art Festival, though the event has humble beginnings. “It started downtown, around Chapman Street, with a handful of vendors,” shares Event Director Kristen Switajewski. “Over time, the event has grown in vendors and attendees.” More than 30,000 festival-goers are typical in recent years. One of the biggest draws is the fresh-baked blueberry pies made by Ely Kiwanis, sold as part of a fundraiser to support the needs of local children. Ruhland’s Strudel Haus is another favorite, offering sweet and savory freshly made strudels. Switajewski mentions iPierogi, a notable newcomer this year, which “celebrates Polish food traditions with homemade-style pierogis and other traditional Polish favorites.” “We have many long-time favorite art and craft vendors,” Switajewski says, listing Naena Jewelry,

Bear Island Art Factory, Polly Noll Pottery, and Michelle Schwake. Exciting new vendors include Dry Creek Knives, Lily Wenndt Illustration, and HejLöv. This is the third year attendees can participate in voting for the People’s Choice Best of Show award. “The public can purchase a People’s Choice judge button and a ballot for $5,” Switajewski explains, adding “a portion of the proceeds goes to the top three vendors.” Voting runs from Friday, July 24, through Saturday, July 25, ending at 5 p.m. There is also an award for Best Food Truck, and the public can vote by scanning the QR code on their favorite truck. “For the last two years, Now That’s Waffles has taken the first-place spot,” says Switajewski, continuing, “let’s see if they can pull a hat trick this year.” Operation Blueberry is a coinciding event that runs throughout the greater community of Ely. This is where businesses come together to offer their own deals, sales, food, and beverages during the festival. Many will follow the blueberry theme. The Blueberry Art Festival takes place July 24-26, with parking available on open side streets around Whiteside Park and handicap parking on Harvey Street. For more information, visit ely.org.

The Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest “In Canoe Country, blueberries aren’t just food but a summer ritual,” says Audrey Mays-Trimble, event coordinator at Visit Cook County. “If you want to understand the soul of Northern Minnesota, you have to look at the Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest.” The tradition started in 2017 when a group of resort owners and outfitters were looking for a way to get the community outdoors together and celebrate the peak summer season on the Gunflint Trail. Inspired by the biggest fruit contests seen at fairs (where you might see pumpkins the size of small cars), the group ran with the idea and gave it a fun northwoods spin. “If you’ve ever picked a wild Minnesota blueberry, you know they are tiny and sometimes no bigger than a pencil eraser,” Mays-Trimble says. “The founders essentially created a highstakes, hyper-competitive contest centered around fractions of an ounce.” The rules of the contest are simple: Blueberries must be foraged from the wild locally near the Gunflint Trail (no store-bought impostors allowed!) and weighed at an official weigh station at a participating lodge or outfitter between July 17 and Aug. 9. “It’s charming because it turns a quiet, solitary pastime, like picking berries in the woods, into a community-wide treasure hunt,” says Mays-Trimble. Prizes will be awarded to the foragers who find the three largest berries, with an additional prize going to someone who participates in the Do North social media tag on Instagram. Simply tag @DoNorthMN and include the hashtag #DoNorthMN with your photos during the contest to be part of “a living digital scrapbook of Northwoods culture” and for another chance at winning. Prizes will be given out at the end of blueberry season. More than just a local berry hunting game, the contest has become a “regional must-do experience,” says Mays-Trimble. “The real event is a celebration of the Gunflint Trail itself and a Northwoods culture that you truly cannot find anywhere else.”

In addition to their delectable taste and eye-catching color, wild blueberries have a storied history and important cultural significance in the area. “Indigenous Ojibwe people intentionally used fire to manage the forests and promote the growth of these native sweet berries,” Mays-Trimble explains. “They represent resilience, the sweet reward of a hard day’s forage, and the idea that up north, the best things come in small packages.” After the destructive Ham Lake Fire near the Gunflint Trail in 2007, blueberries were among the first plants to reclaim the scorched earth, and they thrived in the open sunlight. By the contest’s inception, 10 years later, they were everywhere, though in recent years they’ve been fighting with growing trees and shrubs for light. “As the forest naturally regenerates and changes over time, finding those hidden patches requires more strategy, deeper local knowledge, and a closer relationship with the land,” Mays-Trimble says. “So while the scales haven’t changed, the adventure certainly has.” The Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest is about far more than finding berries. “What they are actually doing is sharing a timeless summer ritual,” Mays-Trimble says. “We now see families who entered back in 2017 returning a decade later, bringing their kids who are now old enough to scout the burn patches themselves. The Gunflint isn’t just a road; it’s a gateway into the wild. It’s a place where life slows down to the rhythm of a canoe paddle dipping into glass-calm water. This year’s celebration is about inviting people to step into that rhythm. It’s an invitation to drive up the trail, roll the windows down, breathe in the scent of pines, and immerse yourself in the forest to find that tiny, blue treasure.” “Remember, the scale only measures the weight of the berry,” she says. “The real value is in the memories made getting it there.” Check out visitcookcounty.com for a list of weigh stations and more information.

The Blueberry Blast Festival in Nipigon, held Aug. 14-16, will feature live music, a silent auction, games, dances, crafts, a celebrity dunk tank, and more. | SUBMITTED

Nipigon’s Blueberry Blast Festival The celebration of blueberries continues into late summer in Ontario, with Nipigon’s 25th annual Blueberry Blast Festival, held July 14-16. Growing every year, the event began as a way to connect the local community with live music, vendors, and of course, wild blueberries. The scene is described by Glenn Hart, advertising coordinator and owner of Lakeshore Community Publishing, as a “light and easy celebration of blueberries, music, arts and crafts, food, and more.” Music is a primary focus of the festival, with several headliners Aug. 15-16 from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 15, visitors will hear The Doghead Mountain Boys, James Boraski, and Indigenous artist Shy-Anne Hovorka. Sunday, brings The Beatitudes Choir, Jim ‘N I, Maple Sting, and the Dorion Band. There is no cost to attend, though donations at the

door help support next year’s event. Visitors can expect to enjoy a “good variety of foods, drinks, baked goods, and more,” says Hart. Blueberry-themed offerings are abundant, and wild berries can be harvested by hand on the back roads outside of town via guided berry-picking tours. Other features include a celebrity dunk tank, photo booth, daily attendance draw, and a silent auction. There are also games, dances, crafts, and other activities for both kids and adults all weekend long. The Blueberry Blast festival takes place in historic downtown Nipigon, with the Nipigon Community Center serving as a backup in case of rain. For more information, visit the Nipigon Blueberry Blast Festival Facebook page at facebook.com/nipigonblueberryblast.

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By Breana Johnson

Grand Marais Arts Festival

Featuring more than 60 juried artists working in a variety of mediums, the Grand Marais Arts Festival showcases the best of the Midwest arts scene. The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 11, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 12. See our events section for more information.

This acrylic on cradleboard piece, titled “Grand Marais Lighthouse,” was created by Carlton artist Kristen Kozelouzek. To see more from her, visit swellsandflutter.com. | KRISTEN KOZELOUZEK

Duluth artist and designer Anni Friesen created this watercolor and ink piece, titled “Bloodroot.” You can find more from Friesen online at annifriesen.com. | ANNI FRIESEN

Andrew Robar, a woodworker from Bloomington, Minn., created this hand-turned birch vase. | ANDREW ROBAR

Grand Marais ceramics artist Aleka Tomlinson created this wood-fired stoneware piece, featuring an unmercerized cotton reef knot. See more of her work at alekatomlinson.com. | ALEKA TOMLINSON

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Cloquet printmaker and illustrator Carrie Schaefer created this three-color screen print on archival paper. It is titled “Summer Solstice.” See more of Schaefer’s work at carrieschaefer.com. | CARRIE SCHAEFER

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Mazzy Flynn is a leatherworker from Grand Marais who creates functional pieces entirely by hand, including this cross-body bag. See more of Flynn’s work at mazflygoods.com. | MAZZY FLYNN

Britt Malec Finds Meaning in the Details Creative Space: By Rae Wojcik July is in the heart of summer in Cook County. From the thick green forests to early-morning birdsong to the hum of insects, every inch of the world seems to be teeming with life. Britt Malec is a local artist whose work celebrates this rich, living world around us, from the endless Lake Superior horizon to the smallest lines in leaves and lichens. Her work reflects the details of the lives that surround us on a daily basis: details that all of us can notice if we learn to be present for them. Malec’s connection to the natural world stretches back to her childhood. Growing up in an intergenerational household, she spent a lot of time in the garden and camping with her grandparents. As time went on, she was drawn to herbal medicine and began to explore the relationship between people and plants throughout history, finding a greater level of respect and awe for the land and developing a kinship with plants that would continue to weave through her life. This kinship became especially important during a challenging season after Malec moved to Cook County, Minn., in 2019. Five months pregnant at the time, Malec knew that moving would be a big transition, especially as she was leaving a flower business, a band, and a close community behind. What she didn’t know was that her daughter would be born at the start of a global pandemic, when the world was thrust into isolation. As a new parent in a new place, the move became an especially difficult time. To combat isolation and anxiety, she got to know the woods and lakes around her, writing and illustrating an essay called Lessons From Lichens. “I wrote it for myself because I needed to, but I’ve been amazed and humbled by how many people have connected with it. That project marked a return to taking my creative work more seriously,” Malec said. Although she had always made art, the move to Grand Marais marked Malec’s return to watercolor painting. She needed a creative practice she could do while parenting small children, and watercolor was a quick medium that she could put down and pick up between the many parenting tasks that shaped her days. As she painted the details of the plants, people, and animals, her painting became not just a creative outlet, but a practice in slowing down and being fully present with those around her. “Reading Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass has helped me articulate the beauty and healing in honoring our connection to the land as well as the longing for belonging that we all share,” Malec said. “When I draw, paint, or sing about a plant, a river, or a stone, I’m sending a tiny love letter that says ‘I see you. I’m learning from you. Thank you.’” Another element of Malec’s creative work is pająki, the Polish craft of making mobiles from straw, paper, and colorful pom-poms. The word pająki literally means “spiders”

Although she had always made art, the move to Grand Marais marked Malec’s return to watercolor painting. | SUBMITTED To combat isolation and anxiety, Britt Malec explored the woods and lakes around her, writing and illustrating Lessons From Lichens. | SUBMITTED in Polish; like a spider weaving a delicate web, making a pająk requires careful work. According to Polish folklore, having one of these mobiles in a special corner of the home brings luck and protection. For Malec, it’s a craft that she began as a way to connect to the ancestry on her dad’s side. “My dad died in 2012, and making pająki began as a way to positively connect to a broken lineage, but I found a deep satisfaction in the repetition and attention that this craft demands,” she said. “I like that it’s a craft that is decorative and isn’t utilitarian in the strictest sense.” In addition to her artwork, Malec also leads a weekly song circle at the Cook County Community Center on Tuesday nights: an opportunity for everyone who wants to sing to come together to build connection and enjoy the feeling of singing together. Looking ahead, she hopes to return to some personal projects like making wycinanki (Polish paper cut collages), writing more songs to sing at the song circles, and finishing another illustrated essay. Malec’s work can be found at her website, brittmalec. com, with her book available at Drury Lane Books and select artwork available at The Big Lake in Grand Marais. “Nothing I do would be possible without the artists and mentors who came before me, the community that surrounds me, or my family that supports me,” Malec said. “I live with my very supportive husband, great kids, and even my childhood best friend. How lucky! Must be all the pająki.”

Another element of Malec’s creative work is pająki, the Polish craft of making mobiles from straw, paper, and colorful pom-poms. | SUBMITTED

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A set of painted willow Pick-Up-Sticks made by my young students at North House Folk School during the Handmade Games summer camp. | SUBMITTED

My students and I proudly show off their hand-sewn game bags. | SUBMITTED

Why I Teach Games and What Games Teach Us Behind the Craft: By Jake Fee Games teach us many things. Kids play Go Fish to learn how to take turns, how to make strategic decisions, and how to read numbers. They also play Tag to learn to run, chase, and tag someone decisively but not aggressively. Scrabble teaches spelling, and Yahtzee teaches chance, and Musical Chairs teaches intense physical combat as you fight to claim a chair. I teach courses on making all kinds of games using traditional tools and materials, so I think about games often. Different people play different games. Learning games from the past and learning games from faraway places can be a way to understand the variety of human experience. One of my favorite games to teach, to make, and to play is known as Hnefatafl, or Viking Chess. Instead of two kings and two armies, like our modern Chess, this game only has one king, surrounded by attackers. The king is trying to escape the board, and the attackers are trying to capture him. I love to teach this game because you can see people learn to think differently as they play. Unlike Chess’s equal-sided warfare, Hnefatafl is a game of sneaky escapes and clever distractions. It connects us to the conflicts of the Viking Age, which were often lightning-quick raids on towns and villages. A king, in other words, surrounded by attackers. Contrast this with Chess, a game from a later era of military history, where armies lined up against each other and took turns attacking and re-forming into lines. Hnefatafl is a game of earlier times and smaller fights and scrappier warriors. We can see into the minds of the Vikings through their board game. What other games can we look to for understanding the past? What about Fidchell, the ancient Irish game of the druids? I love this game as well, and I have yet to meet someone who is not enchanted by its play. Pieces move in huge, concentric circles, forming patterns that re26

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High school students at St. Paul Great River School learn to stamp Hnefatafl boards with hand-carved wooden stamps alongside Anna Lindall and me. | SUBMITTED semble a split log eaten by fungus. Indeed, the name Fidchell means “wood wisdom,” and this game was used by the druids to teach their apprentices the secret language of the forest. There are many lessons to be learned from the game of Fidchell. For example: two pieces protect each other from capture, but one piece is vulnerable. Also, the center of the board is the most important position to control, and yet the center of the board is also the most perilous of all

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spaces. And so on. I think that if you or I grew up playing Fidchell, or Hnefatafl, we would grow into very different people, solving conflicts and reflecting upon our lives in very different ways than we do now. This is why I teach games. I think games set the rules by which we play, even when we put the game board back on the shelf and think we’re living in the real world. And many peoples around the world understood that truth as well. Take the ancient Egyp-

tian game of Senet, found in tombs over five thousand years old. This game teaches the player how to pass through the land of the dead and be born again as a new soul. It was understood as a teaching tool, as a way to practice your upcoming fate. The game of Snakes and Ladders, if you can believe it, was also created as a metaphysical learning tool, this time in ancient India, to teach morality and good behavior. The ladders all represent different virtues, like honesty and knowledge, while the snakes represent sins such as greed and rage. Isn’t that funny, that a game you’d find in a kindergarten classroom was originally made to teach spiritual transcendence and the internal battle against evil? When I teach a workshop on handcrafted games, I think hard about which games to share. Pick-Up-Sticks is a game that is enormously fun to carve in wood—you can play with pattern, texture, shape, color, and design, but each stick is a pretty low-stakes investment of time and effort, so there is freedom to carve and paint without being overly careful. When a group plays Pick-Up-Sticks, they tend to cheer each other on, which is a wonderful combination of cooperation and competition that not all games enjoy. Also, for younger kids, it is an engaging challenge to keep a close eye on a big pile of sticks to make sure nothing moves while their opponent takes their turn. And players of all ages might be surprised by the hand-eye coordination it takes to pull off a big win. Crafting our own games, and our own versions of games, is a way to have agency in our world. Games teach, and games bring people together, and games show us how we can relate to each other in different ways. Jake Fee is a traditional craft instructor in the Artisan Development Program at North House Folk School, where traditional craft is taught on the shore of Lake Superior.

ELBOW LAKE Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM LUNCH AND BAIT PROVIDED

Join us for a FREE morning of family fishing and fun activities DNR fisheries staff will provide boat rides, shore and dock fishing, minnow traps, and more!

FREE

Limited amount of fishing poles and lifejackets will be available.

Please bring fishing gear and lifejackets (if you have them)

Children must be accompanied by an adult Adults wishing to fish will need a license

Directions to Elbow Lake Travel 9.5 miles north on the Gunflint Trail, turn left on Elbow Lake Landing Road.

Waste Collection Event

TAKE A KID FISHING

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Cook County Recycling Center Saturday, July 18, 9:00 AM - Noon

Safely dispose of household hazardous waste free of charge! Acceptable wastes include (but not limited to): • Paints & stains • Acids & bases • Aerosols • Automotive fluids • Fluorescent lights • Thinners & solvents • Cleaners and degreasers

• Home & garden pesticides • All single-use and rechargeable household batteries • Adhesives • PCB ballasts

Types of wastes NOT accepted: • Electronic Waste • Empty containers • Compressed gas • Drop-In business

• Tires • Radioactive materials • Explosives • Medicine

Business Waste: Preregister with Resource Renew at 218-726-1602 no later than one week before the event. Cook County Recycling Center 630 5th Ave W., Grand Marais, MN 55604 Call (218) 387-3630 for more info.

Contact: 218-877-8559 amanda.weberg@co.cook.mn.us

entertainment [ en-ter-teyn-muhnt ]

he t n i Fun rt of hea own! t down

the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment.

Yes, we do that!

Have A Great Have A G reat Time Out! Time Out!

When it’s time to play, make us a part of your Duluth visit.

OPEN DAILY 8am - 2am 129 E. Superior Street | Downtown Duluth | 800.873.0280 | 18+ Owned and operated by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa NORTHERN WILDS

100% SMOKE FREE!

JULY 2026

The Buskers Festival, held July 25-26 in Thunder Bay, will feature an impressive lineup of world-class international performers. | SUBMITTED

CANADA DAY ON THE WATERFRONT

July 1, Wednesday Celebrate Canada Day in Thunder Bay with an unforgettable day at Marina Park. Held from 3-9 p.m., there will be live entertainment for all ages, food vendors, arts and crafts, a variety of indoor and outdoor games and activities for the whole family, and more. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/canadaday

and Ladies of Country. Saturday’s lineup starts at 12:30 p.m. and features Moonshot, 8foot4, Aftershock, Dust N’ Bones, and Richrath Project REO (playing the music of REO Speedwagon). Admission is free but be sure to bring your own chair. All ages are welcome. grandportage.com

| DUST N' BONES

Celebrate Canada Day on July 1 at Marina Park in Thunder Bay. | TOURISM THUNDER BAY

ROCK THE LAKE

July 3-4 Enjoy two nights of live music next to Lake Superior at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino’s Rock the Lake outdoor music festival. Starting at 4:30 p.m., Friday’s lineup will feature Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio, Bobby Jensen and the Dead Cowboys,

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES

July 4, Saturday Head to Tofte for a full lineup of family-friendly events, beginning with the Tofte Trek 10k Trail Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at Birch Grove Community Center

(registration required: sugarbushtrail.org). Then, head to Tofte Town Hall/Park at 11 a.m. for bouncy houses, art and craft vendors, bingo, live music, a beer garden, minnow races, food vendors, and more, followed by a parade at 2 p.m. At roughly 10 p.m., find a spot in Grand Marais, Grand

event will feature a teddy bear parade, a boo-boo bear station, live entertainment, face painting, food vendors, a first responders display, a community group expo, fun games and activities, and more. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/teddybearspicnic

TWO HARBORS HERITAGE DAYS

July 9-12 The annual Two Harbors Heritage Days features four days of family fun. Activities include live music and entertainment, a medallion hunt, pancake breakfasts, a cornhole tournament, helicopter rides, food vendors, a lutefisk toss, art and craft vendors, a zoomobile, a classic car cruise, a kids bubble dance, tours of the Edna G, a golf tournament, a street dance featuring Sammy Kershaw, and more. A kiddie parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, followed by an ice cream social at Thomas Owens Park. On Saturday is a car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as the full parade at 1 p.m. facebook.com/twoharborsheritagedays

LUTSONG MUSIC FESTIVAL Take part in The Great Rendezvous at Fort William Historical Park. | SUBMITTED Portage, Tofte, Silver Bay, Two Harbors, or Ely for a fireworks show. Or head to Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park for Fourth Fest—gates open at noon and there will be live music, bouncy houses, food and craft vendors, family activities, and more. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. and admission is free. For more info on Tofte’s festivities, visit facebook.com/toftetownship.

thing from jewelry, paintings, and pottery to carvings, photography, and woodwork. There will also be live music and storytelling all day, and food provided by Trinity Lutheran Church, Mama Bear Catering, and Stacy’s Treats. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. facebook.com/hovlandartsfestival

HOVLAND ARTS FESTIVAL

July 7, Tuesday Bring your favorite teddy bear to Vickers Park in Thunder Bay for the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this beloved family-friendly

July 4-5 The annual Hovland Arts Festival, held at the Hovland Town Hall, will showcase over 30 local artists, featuring every-

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC

July 9-12 The fifth annual Lutsong Music Festival will feature 19 acts scheduled to play non-stop music at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the North Shore Winery, both located on Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. In addition to great music, attendees will enjoy the vendor village, nightly campfire guitar pulls, food and drinks, yoga, a morning hike, and more. This year’s musicians include Humbird, Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners, Timmy Haus, Stonebridge Singers, Clayton Ryan Trio, Laura Hugo, and more. And all are invited to the free event at 6 p.m. on Thursday, featuring musical acts The Scarlet Goodbye Duo, and Emily Haavik and the 35’s. Tickets to Lutsong can be purchased online. lutsongmusicfestival.com

THE GREAT RENDEZVOUS

July 10-12 Held at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, hundreds of re-enactors from across North America will converge July 10-12 to re-create the annual summer gathering held at Fort William over 200 years ago when it was the inland

SAVE THE DATE FISHING CONTEST

August 21-23 Registration Form On Our Website

GRANDPORTAGE.COM

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

97th Annual

2026 Fisherman’s Picnic

July 30-August 2

Downtown Grand Marais, MN

All Kinds of FUN:

ffle BIG 0R,0a00 $1 rize! r G and P ther prizes Numerous

• Live Music • Fishburgers • Trail Run • Tractor Pull • Fish Toss • Craft Show • Kids Activities • Cutest Puppy Contest • State Loon-Calling

• Fireworks • Parade And much more!

grandmaraislions.com

Lake County Fair August 6-9

All American Lumberjack Show MWA Professional Wrestling RRSC Jackpot Barrel Race Live Music • 4-H Horse Show 3k Dirty Dash • Amateur Talent Show More info and full schedule can be found at

Betsy Bowen is one of more than 60 juried artists participating in this year’s Grand Marais Arts Festival. | SUBMITTED headquarters of the North West Company. Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the historic re-enactment will include artisan demonstrations, contests, a grand canoe arrival, and more. fwhp.ca

www.thelakecountyfair.com

derbirds. Other performers and attractions include the USAF Wings of Blue, B-25s Miss Mitchell and Rosie’s Reply, an F-16, a MIG-17, and aerobatic pilots Melissa Burns, Craig Gifford, Britt Lincoln, Carol Pilon, and Bob Richards. There will be aircraft displays, food and drink vendors, a kid’s zone, and more. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days. Tickets can be purchased online. duluthairshow.com

GUNFLINT TRAIL CANOE RACES

NORTH SHORE WINERY

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

BAY DAYS

July 10-12 This year, Bay Days is celebrating the 70th birthday of Silver Bay. It’s going to be a birthday bash you won’t want to miss. There will be a bean bag tournament, live music, street dances, free kids games, BMX bike shows, pancake breakfasts, golf scrambles, craft and food vendors, raffle drawings, a silent auction, a book sale, a lighted boats display, the Lake Superior Zoomobile, a photo booth, class reunions, and more. A parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday and fireworks will be held at dusk. And don’t miss the classic car and motorcycle show, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. bay-days.org

GRAND MARAIS ARTS FESTIVAL

July 11-12 Join the Grand Marais Art Colony in celebrating creativity and craft on the North Shore at the Grand Marais Arts Festival, a juried fine arts festival that showcases the best of the Midwest arts scene. Featuring more than 60 artists from across the region, the festival highlights fine art, handcrafted goods, and unique creations, along with live music and free art activities for visitors of all ages. The festival will take place downtown Grand Marais from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. grandmaraisartcolony.org 202 SKI HILL RD | LUTSEN, MN NORTHSHOREWINERY.US

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

July 15, Wednesday The annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, which began in 1976, is a fundraiser for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Held at the Gunflint Lodge waterfront on the Gunflint Trail, activities will start at 4 p.m. There will be multiple canoe races for all ages and abilities, as well as teams from various Gunflint Trail outfitters/resorts competing for the Trail Cup Trophy. There will also be food, T-shirt sales, an auction, and a benefit raffle—tickets can be purchased during the races. After the races, enjoy live music by The Sprigs in the Northern Lights Lounge until 10 p.m. visitcookcounty.com/events

DULUTH AIRSHOW

July 11-12 Minnesota’s largest airshow, the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, will return to Duluth International Airport July 11-12. This year’s headliner is the U.S. Air Force Thun-

SCHREIBER HERITAGE DAYS

July 16-19 Celebrate the culture and heritage of Schreiber with the annual Schreiber Heritage Days, featuring a wide variety of exciting events for the whole family. Activities include a baseball tournament, family and adult bocce ball, a town-wide yard sale, bingo, pickleball, a community BBQ, a merchant market, live music and entertainment, a pie wagon, floor curling, a pie toss, food and drink vendors, a carnival, and more. A full schedule can be found online. schreiber.ca

Wingwalker Carol Pilon will perform at the Duluth Airshow July 11-12. | SUBMITTED

LAKE SUPERIOR SALMON CLASSIC

July 18-19 The annual Lake Superior Salmon Classic fishing tournament, hosted by the Silver Bay PTO, will take place in the Silver Bay Marina. There are three contest divisions, with five place winners per division: king salmon, coho salmon, and lake trout. The tournament will take place from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. An air horn will announce start and stop times. The entry fee is $25 per person. There will also be raffle drawings, ($5 per ticket), a silent auction, food and drinks, door prizes for kids ages 12 and under, and more. silverbaypto.org

Classic/ Antique/Custom Car Showcase

interactive dances, DJs, yoga, food, colour throwing, and more. Open to all ages. facebook.com/festivalofindia.thunderbay

Motorcycle Bike & Shine

FESTIVAL OF INDIA & FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

BONUS - FRIENDSHIP RIDE JULY 31

July 18-19 Held at Marina Park on Saturday, July 18, the annual Festival of India in Thunder Bay is a celebration of culture, arts, music, and food. Festivities include a chariot parade (held at 1 p.m.), live music and dancing, henna tattoos, children’s activities, art and cultural exhibits, a colour throw, free vegetarian Indian cuisine, a colorful market, and more. The festival is free and will take place from 3-8 p.m. Then, take part in the Festival of Colours on Sunday, also at Marina Park. With roots in ancient India, the Festival of Colours is a joyful reminder to cast away bad feelings and throw worries to the wind. Held from 3-8 p.m. there will be live Kirtan bands,

BLUEBERRY ART FESTIVAL

July 24-26 Ely’s signature summer event, the 46th annual Blueberry Art Festival features over 230 booths filled with artists and crafters, 25 food vendors, a beer garden, and local businesses participating in Oper-

GITCHI-GAMI TRAIL RIDE AUGUST 15, 2026 55-mile, 34-mile, 28-mile & 8-mile options

TO LEARN MORE VISIT: WWW.GGTA.COM OR SCAN THE QR CODE

WWW.SOUTHCOREROAR.COM

SOUTHCORE ROAR is your multi-stage, multi-generational, multi-day SUMMER GET TOGETHER!

Music Stage Indigenous Learning Circle Food and Craft Vendors

Kids Zone Multicultural Stage Strong person competition

SOME OF OUR SPONSORS

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Loggin’ Food at its Finest

Lakeside Dining Full Bar

Sun-Wed 11am-8pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-9pm Available for banquets & weddings

Lakeside Cabins Campground 5th-wheel Tents Water & Electric Hook-up

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Enjoy music, dancing, drag, fashion, food, art, and more at this year’s Pride in the Park celebration in Two Harbors. | SUBMITTED ation Blueberry. There will be many returning artists, crafters, and makers, as well as exciting new ones. You’ll find everything from watercolor and acrylic art, to ceramics, fiber art, metalwork, jewelry, and more. And don’t forget about the food—alongside freshly baked blueberry pies, there will also be burgers, brats, pork chops, seafood, kettle corn, waffles, and more. The festival will take place at Whiteside Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (food court vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. ely.org

PRIDE IN THE PARK

July 25, Saturday Enjoy music, dancing, drag, fashion, food, art, and more while celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community at Pride in the Park in Two Harbors. Held at Thomas Owens Bandshell Park, festivities will begin at noon with the twinkle parade, followed by a welcome speech from Jesse Montgomery. Other activities during the day include live music, a poetry glam, a Trans Talk Live! panel with Sean Hayes of Trans Northland, drag shows, and more. In the evening, enjoy a comedy show featuring Danielle Thralow at Harbor Rail Pub at 5 p.m., more drag at the Tipsy Mosquito at 6:15 p.m., and a dance party with Angel Kelly from 8-10 p.m. at Castle Danger Brewery. twoharborspride.org

Trip, Kobbler Jay, Brett Oddly, Scott Jackson, and Hercinia Arts Collective. Held in the Bay and Algoma neighbourhood, the free festival will also feature art and craft vendors, food vendors, an interactive kids’ zone, and more. Festival hours are noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. New this year is a one-day Buskers School on July 24. The four-workshop event will take place at Magnus Theatre and is open to youth ages 7 to 18. Four of the festival’s featured performers will spend the day teaching participants the tricks of the trade while nurturing creativity and building beginner skills. The event is first come, first served and costs $20 per workshop. buskersfestival.ca

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JULY 2026

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BUSKERS FESTIVAL

July 25-26 The 11th annual family-friendly Bay and Algoma Buskers Festival returns to Thunder Bay with an impressive lineup of international performers, including The Twins

July 30-Aug. 2 This year marks the 97th annual Fisherman’s Picnic festival in downtown Grand Marais, and there’s a lot to look forward to. There’s bingo, live music, food and artisan vendors, the fish toss and loon calling contests, kiddy rides and inflatables, blacksmithing demos, a trail run, a kid’s tractor pull, a cutest puppy contest, pancake breakfasts, performances from the Grand Marais Playhouse, a raffle drawing with a $10,000 grand prize, and of course, the fishburger stand. Don’t miss the fireworks over the harbor at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, and the parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday. grandmaraislions.com

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Bringing the Best of Americana Music to the North Shore Friday Nights July 17 - August 21, 2026 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

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WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

AUGUST 14th

JULY 24th

JULY 31st

AUGUST 21st SATURDAY HOUSE CONCERT TICKETS

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

JULY

9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Thru July 10

Hairball: Balls to the Walls Tour

2026 Annual Member Show Duluth Art Institute, duluthart.org

5 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bayfrontfestivalpark.com

Thru July 12

July 3-4

Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

Emily Donovan Exhibition Johnson Heritage

Brittany Lyseng Campfire Comedy Club,

Thru Aug. 29

Rock the Lake: Outdoor Music Festival

Thru Oct. 4

4:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Sat.) Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, grandportage.com The Wedding Singer 6 p.m. Italian Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Artist of the Month: Nicholas Narog

Summer Exhibition: Play Studio 21,

Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Quinn Hopkins: Hyper Woodland

Thru Oct. 11

Small Scale: Tall Tale Exhibit Thunder Bay Museum, thunderbaymuseum.com

June 27-July 5

License-Free Family Fishing Week Throughout Ontario, ontariofamilyfishing.com

July 3-31

(Reception July 3 at 7 p.m.) Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, mndnr.gov/tettegouche

July 4, Saturday

Canada Day

Canada Day Celebration 10 a.m.

Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca TBME Canada Day 5k Trail Run 10 a.m. Trowbridge Park, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca Canada Day on the Waterfront 3 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/canadaday Canada Day Beach Party 4 p.m. Terrace Bay Beach, visitterracebay.ca

Tofte Trek 10k Trail Run/Walk 8 a.m.

Birch Grove Community Center, Tofte, sugarbushtrail.org Guided Wildflower Walk 10:30 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/splitrocklighthouse

Tofte 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

11 a.m. (Parade at 2 p.m.) Tofte Town Hall & Park, facebook.com/toftetownship Fourth Fest Noon, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, decc.org Fourth of July Fireworks 10 p.m. Grand Marais Harbor, visitcookcounty.com

Iron Range, northernlightsmusic.org

Gallery, Ely, elysartandsoul.com

July 1-31

Photography & Art at the Rock: Lisa Webskowski (Artist Onsite July 3-4 at 10 a.m.) Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

July 2-31

Rising: Kimberly Baerg & Ellen Cashman

(Reception July 2 at 3 p.m.) Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

July 3, Friday

Newsies Jr. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Exploration Station: North Shore Rocks

3 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/splitrocklighthouse Rock the Park 4 p.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, facebook.com/elyeventscommittee 34

JULY 2026

downtownduluth.com

July 9, Thursday

Author Talk with Erin Makela: Worthy of Trust 5:30 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com

July 9-12

Two Harbors Heritage Days Two Harbors, facebook.com/twoharborsheritagedays Lutsong Music Festival Lutsen, lutsongmusicfestival.com

July 10, Friday

Dogs Do Magic 7 p.m. Thunder Bay

Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/allthedaze

Hall, facebook.com/hovlandartsfestival Classic Days Noon, Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, Slate River, ophp.ca

Seasons of the Birch Exhibition Art & Soul

Downtown Duluth Days Downtown Duluth,

(Parade at 1 p.m.) Ely, ely.org

July 1-21

July 1-29

July 8-9

Independence Day

July 4-5

Northern Lights Music Festival

Duluth, lszoo.org

Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Ely 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

July 1, Wednesday

Trivia Night 6 p.m. Lake Superior Zoo,

Hovland Arts Festival 10 a.m. Hovland Town

July 5, Sunday

Big Stage Karaoke & Community Potluck 3 p.m. Harbor Theater, Two Harbors, lovinlakecounty.com

July 5-Sept. 13

2026 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition

(Reception July 5 at 2 p.m.) Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

July 7, Tuesday

Teddy Bears Picnic 11 a.m.

Vickers Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/teddybearspicnic

Disability Pride Film Screenings 4 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com

July 8, Wednesday

Classic Car Show 5 p.m. Downtown Duluth, downtownduluth.com

NORTHERN WILDS

July 10-11

Ride the Cyclone: The Musical

July 10-12

Bay Days Silver Bay, bay-days.org Duluth Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show

Decc, Duluth, decc.org The Great Rendezvous 10 a.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

July 10-26

Legally Blonde: The Musical 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

July 11, Saturday

Nice Girls of the North Marketplace 10 a.m. Spirit of the Lake Community Arts, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com GES Makerspace 10 a.m. Great Expectations School, Grand Marais, facebook.com/greatexpectationsschool

Starbeam Community Craft & Bake Sale 10 a.m. Ely Community Center, ely.org

Meet & Greet with Illustrator Jordan Sundberg: Northwoods Lullaby 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com Grand Re-Opening Celebration 1 p.m. Sugarloaf Cove, Schroeder, sugarloafnorthshore.org

Michael Risku Book Signing: Following the Fish 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse,

Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock Ian Munsick 5:30 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bayfrontfestivalpark.com

Author Talk with Staci Drouillard & Tashia Hart: George Morrison 6 p.m. Drury Lane

Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

July 11-12

Grand Marais Arts Festival 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Sun.) Downtown Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org Duluth Air & Aviation Expo 9 a.m. Duluth International Airport, duluthairshow.com Afro Vibe Fest Noon, Marina Park, Thunder Bay, afro-vibefest.ca

July 12, Sunday

Accessible Chasing Waterfalls Walking Tour 11 a.m. Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberryfalls AiRP Scott Krohn Workshop 11 a.m. Schaap Community Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

July 13, Monday

ALS Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. McQuade Small Craft Harbor, Duluth, alslib.info

Steve Earle: 51 Years of Songs & Stories 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

July 13-17

Member Appreciation Week 11 a.m.

All North Shore Federal Credit Union Branches, northshorefcu.org

July 14, Tuesday

Origami 2 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library,

twoharborspubliclibrary.com K-Hunters: The Show 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com Community Sing 6 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org Toe-Tapping Tuesday 7 p.m. KRHCC Depot, Knife River, krhcc.org

July 15, Wednesday

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races 4 p.m.

Gunflint Lodge Waterfront, Gunflint Trail, visitcookcounty.com/events

July 16, Thursday

Let’s Talk Monotype Prints: Sarah Smelser

4:30 p.m. Studio 17, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org Park Point 5-Miler & 2-Mile Walk 6:30 p.m. Park Point Beach House, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

RDC Summer Dance Workshop Showcase 7 p.m. Semer’s Beach Park, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

July 16-19

Schreiber Heritage Days Schreiber, Ontario, schreiber.ca

July 16-Aug. 9

As You Like It 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.)

Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

July 17, Friday

LLO Science on Deck: Libraries Love Lakes 11 a.m. Twin Ports Harbor, Duluth, bit.ly/scienceondeck Bingo 2 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com Lutsen Block Party 5 p.m. Downtown Lutsen

Free Concert: The Belfast Cowboys

7:30 p.m. City Center Park, Silver Bay, rockywallentertainment.org Delusions After Dark 8 p.m. Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

July 17-18

Ride the Shore Silver Bay, mnatvriders.com

July 17-19

July 21, Tuesday

Legacy of Lava: Interpretive Walk 2 p.m.

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberryfalls

1999: The Ultimate Prince Experience 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

July 22, Wednesday

Pull, Plant, Protect 1 p.m. Seagull Lake

Mini Buttons 2 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com Old Time Strings Jam Session 4 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Schoolhouse, Larsmont, larsmont.org TOAST: The Best of Bread 7 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

Author Talk with Michael Risku: Following the Fish 6 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library,

July 29, Wednesday

Bugs at the Library 10 a.m. Ely Public Library, alslib.info

Full Moon Poetry 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books,

drurylanebooks.com The Keeper’s View 6:30 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/ splitrock Killers of Kill Tony 7 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

Community Center, Gunflint Trail, visitcookcounty.com/events Bugs at the Library 2 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, alslib.info

Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

Bugs at the Library 10 a.m. Silver Bay Public

Free Music on the Ship: Mid Dream Band

Bugs at the Library 2 p.m. Two Harbors

July 30-Aug. 2

Rocky Wall Benefit House Concert:

Marais, grandmaraislions.com

Aug. 1-2

July 30, Thursday

Stories That Matter: Women of Cook County

July 23, Thursday

5:30 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Library, alslib.info

7 p.m. William A. Irvin, Duluth, decc.org

North Shore Winery 10th Anniversary Celebration North Shore Winery, Lutsen,

Public Library, alslib.info

July 17-26

decc.org

northshorewinery.us

Guest Speaker: Author & Cross-Country Skier Doug Edmonson 6:30 p.m. Little Red

Free Music on the Ship: Janie & The

Spokes 7 p.m. William A. Irvin, Duluth,

Free Concert: Jeff Dayton & Friends

7:30 p.m. City Center Park, Silver Bay, rockywallentertainment.org

Aug. 1, Saturday

Jeff Dayton & Friends 7 p.m. Silver Bay,

Fisherman’s Picnic Downtown Grand

rockywallentertainment.org

July 31, Friday

South Core Roar 10 a.m. Fort William

Jesus Christ Superstar Vermilion Fine Arts

July 23-26

The Friendship Ride 10 a.m. Ryden’s Border

July 17-Aug. 9

bowfest.com

WEEKLY EVENTS

Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Borderlands: Group Exhibition (Reception July 17 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org Biggest Blueberry Contest Gunflint Trail, visitcookcounty.com

July 17-Aug. 22

DefSup 38th Anniversary Members Exhibition (Reception July 17 at 7 p.m.) Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, definitelysuperior.com

July 18, Saturday

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event 9 a.m. Cook County Recycling

Center, Grand Marais, 218-387-3630 Free: Take a Kid Fishing 9 a.m. Elbow Lake, Gunflint Trail, amanda.weberg@co.cook.mn.us Family Fun Day Noon, Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, Slate River, ophp.ca

David Hakensen Book Signing: Her Place in the Woods 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

Tundra’s Summer Cooldown: Ice Cream Festival 2 p.m. Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszoo.org

Tom Toftey Book Talk: Ade Toftey Memoir

2 p.m. Cook County History Museum, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org Duluth Taco Festival 2 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival 3 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bayfrontworldmusic.com Briand Morrison Concert 4 p.m. Schaap Community Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Author Talk with Jill Swenson: The Land of Everlasting Sky 7 p.m. Zenith Bookstore, Duluth, zenithbookstore.com

Rocky Wall Benefit House Concert:

The Belfast Cowboys 7 p.m. Silver Bay, rockywallentertainment.org

July 18-19

Lake Superior Salmon Classic 4 a.m. Silver Bay Marina, silverbaypto.org

Festival of India & Festival of Colours

3 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/festivalofindia.thunderbay

July 19, Sunday

Celtic Day 10 a.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

Bowfest Mont du Lac Resort, Superior,

July 24, Friday

Bugs at the Library 10:15 a.m. Duluth Public Library, alslib.info

Free Concert: Lolos Ghost 7:30 p.m. City Center Park, Silver Bay, rockywallentertainment.org

July 24-26

Blueberry Art Festival 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Sun.) Whiteside Park, Ely, ely.org

July 25, Saturday

Woman-Made Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m.

Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com GES Makerspace 10 a.m. Great Expectations School, Grand Marais, facebook.com/greatexpectationsschool

Meet & Greet with Chris Monroe: Monkey with a Tool Belt 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

“Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure” Book Reading & Craft Hour 11 a.m. Cook

County History Museum, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org Pride in the Park Noon, Thomas Owens Bandshell Park, Two Harbors, twoharborspride.org

Rocky Wall Benefit House Concert: Lolos Ghost 7 p.m. Silver Bay, rockywallentertainment.org

July 25-26

Buskers Festival Noon, Bay & Algoma Neighbourhood, Thunder Bay, buskersfestival.ca

July 26, Sunday

Northwood Hills 5k 9:45 a.m. Parkdale

Trail, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca Garden Tour 10 a.m. Thunder Bay, theag.ca Nipigon Market Collective 10 a.m. Nipigon Community Centre, nipigonmarketcollective.ca Donuts at Dorothy’s Open House 11 a.m. Dorothy Molter Museum, Ely, rootbeerlady.com

Soil & Water Conservation: The Wonders of Watersheds 11 a.m. Chik-Wauk

Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

July 28, Tuesday

Planning Your Lake Superior Circle Tour 5:30 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com

Store, Grand Portage, southcoreroar.com

Mondays

Finland Farmers Market 5 p.m. Clair Nelson

Free Nature Presentations 1 p.m.

Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org Monday Night Cruise-In 6:30 p.m. Dawson Diner, Thunder Bay, Facebook: Lacc807 Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Tuesdays

Center, Finland, finlandfarmersmarket.com Beer Garden & Live Music 5 p.m. Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, glaquarium.org Date Night with Live Music 6 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Open Mic Comedy 7:30 p.m. Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

Fridays

Kids Day: Free Admission 11 a.m. Chik-

Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org The Listen-In: Live Music 4 p.m. Brainstorm Bakery, Ely, northernlakesarts.org Ely Farmers Market 4 p.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, Facebook: Ely Farmers Market Locals Night with Live Music 5 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Free Tai Chi in the Park 7 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, pengyou-taiji.ca

Wednesdays

Game Day 1 p.m. Two Harbors Public

Library, facebook.com/communitypartnersth Duluth Farmers Market 2 p.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com Thunder Bay Country Market 3:30 p.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca Free Concerts on the Pier 5 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, glensheen.d.umn.edu Live on the Waterfront (Starts July 15) 6 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/live Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Thursdays

Free Tai Chi in the Park 7:30 a.m. Marina

Business District, Thunder Bay, southcoreroar.com

Park, Thunder Bay, pengyou-taiji.ca Sawmill Tours 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Hedstrom Lumber Co., Grand Marais, hedstromlumber.com Thursday Art Night 3 p.m. Joy & Company, Grand Marais, facebook.com/joyandcompanymn Grand Marais Farmers Market 4:30 p.m. Community Center Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ grandmaraisfarmersmarket

Guided Nature Hike 1 p.m. Chik-Wauk

Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Live Music: Barbara Jean & Mike Lewis

4:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Community Gaming Night 7 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, friendsoffinland.org Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com Free Movies in the Park (Starts July 10) At Sunset, Leif Erikson Park, Duluth, downtownduluth.com Renegade Late Night Improv 10 p.m. Zeitgeist Arts, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Saturdays

Thunder Bay Country Market 8 a.m. CLE

Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca Duluth Farmers Market 8 a.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com Cook County Market 10 a.m. The Hub Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ccfarmandcraft

Two Harbors Farmers Market

10 a.m. Seagren’s Home Hardware Outdoors, Two Harbors, facebook.com/twoharborsfarmersmarket Children’s Story Hour 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com What’s for Dinner? 7 p.m. International Wolf Center, Ely, wolf.org

Sundays

Clover Valley Farm Trail Noon, Two Harbors and Duluth, clovervalleyfarmtrail.com Free Presentations 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org Weekend Wine Down 3:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

P O P L A R H AU S GUNFLINT TRAIL

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Northern Wilds 2026

Readers Favorites Find the complete list of 2026 winners at northernwilds.com/restaurant-awards In February, voting opened for the 2026 Northern Wilds Readers’ Choice Restaurant Awards, marking the return of the competition after a several-year hiatus. Readers cast their votes across 32 categories, from Best Pizza to Fine Dining, with the winners announced in June. Here are two of the winning restaurants proudly displaying their awards. Keep an eye out for more winner spotlights in the months ahead!

DAIRY QUEEN

JAVA MOOSE

WINNER FOR FAVORITE: Kid-Friendly Menu

WINNER FOR FAVORITE: Coffee

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

The North Shore Dish A Frozen Yogurt Fanatic By Virginia George

My 20-year-old has a real affinity for specificity; he always has. He has also always been drawn to food and cooking. A few years ago, for Christmas, we really focused our gifts on experiences for the kids and spending one-on-one time with them. It’s always fun to think about each kid’s personality and interests and come up with an activity suited specifically to them. This year, my son and I took a Community Ed class and made pasties. What a blast from the past—in my thirties, showing up in a high school home economics classroom with my own teenager. We peeled and chopped and mixed and baked, and in the end came home with a whole batch of pasties to share with the family. When he was in high school, he took more cooking classes, and general food safety and handling rules became more and more important to him. Eventually, he ended up working at a grocery store in the deli, and it may be here that he was first introduced to frozen dairy desserts, and that’s where the real specificity of food labeling comes in. As one who is critical of the advertising put on food labels, he remarked at the number of “ice cream” treats that were labeled as frozen dairy dessert, and not ice cream. This led us to ask what makes ice cream real ice cream. In the United States, colloquial terms such as ice cream must be given a definition of some kind, and in this case, the Food and Drug Administration requires that ice cream contain between 10% and 20% milk fat. Brands like Dairy Queen contain 5% milk fat, and thus cannot be officially categorized as ice cream in the United States. Products with this lower fat content can be considered low-fat ice cream or soft serve, but not true ice cream by definition. Similarly, I always wondered what exactly frozen yogurt is. Is it really just frozen… yogurt? Kind of. The Food and Drug Administration does not seem to have the same level of oversight over frozen yogurt in the U.S., just regular yogurt. Generally speaking, frozen yogurt is made from cultured dairy and is a slightly more tart alternative to traditional ice cream. It is often lower in fat and touted as a healthier alternative to ice cream, but many frozen yogurt products contain sugar levels comparable to ice cream and may offer limited nutritional advantages. Some frozen yogurt may contain live cultures, but since the FDA doesn’t really regulate the labeling of froyo, and businesses are free to maintain their trade secrets, there is no way to know how much of a live culture you may find inside. Frozen yogurt isn’t a viable alternative to a good

Chilly Billy’s in Duluth has an extensive toppings bar filled with cookies, graham crackers, nuts, gummy candies, fresh fruit, and more. | CHILLY BILLY’S probiotic, but if you enjoy the flavor and the texture, it is something a little different. Over the years, there has been a rise in the popularity of frozen yogurt shops, where you are greeted with a wall of selfserve flavors of frozen yogurt, followed by a toppings bar. After choosing the size of your dish, you dispense your frozen yogurt. (If you want to try more than one flavor, my advice is to pick two complementary flavors and come back another day if you want to try more, or everything will run together. The same goes for the toppings bar.) The toppings bar is next. There you’ll find everything from cookie crumbles to fresh fruit to popping boba and gummy worms. Be careful, though. You pay by weight, so the heavier your froyo gets, the more expensive it becomes. It’s a relatively popular model for frozen yogurt, and it truly is a lot of fun. When you have picky eaters or people with varying tastes, DIY froyo is sure to meet everyone’s needs. Tiny Treats in Thunder Bay and Chilly Billy’s in Duluth are two local froyo shops where you can try it yourself.

Tiny Treats, Thunder Bay Tiny Treats is located in the Northwood neighbourhood of Thunder Bay. There you will find a variety of sweet treats, a “onestop shop,” if you will. Tiny Treats serves frozen yogurt shakes, smoothies, ice cream rolls, cheesecake, and self-serve frozen yogurt. They have bubble tea and even a variety of frozen yogurt cakes. And, of course, their frozen yogurt bar. Tiny Treats smoothies are made from a yogurt base with real fruit, like pineapple, mango, and blueberry. If you want to try

rolled ice cream, you might go with the cookies and cream ice cream, rolled and topped with Oreo cookies and chocolate sauce, or you might try their wild blueberry rolled ice cream, made with both blueberries and blueberry sauce. They also have a variety of cheesecake flavors like tiramisu, coconut cream pie, red velvet, and, of course, a rich and creamy classic cheesecake. Their frozen yogurt bar is home to flavors like pistachio, island mango, chocolate, blueberry, and more, and the toppings bar has all your favorite choices ranging from gummy sharks to rainbow sprinkles and fresh fruit. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Chilly Billy’s, Duluth

Chilly Billy’s has undergone some transformation in the past few years, and while they’ve downsized and consolidated, you can still find them in the food court at Miller Hill Mall. Chilly Billy’s serves a variety of flavors, like salted caramel pretzel, mountain blackberry, and staples such as vanilla and cookies and cream. Frozen yogurt flavors rotate, so stop in often to make sure you

Tiny Treats in Thunder Bay serves yogurt shakes, self-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream rolls, cheesecake, and more. | TINY TREATS find your favorites. The Chilly Billy’s toppings bar is extensive, with fresh fruits, graham crackers, Nerds Gummy Clusters, marshmallows, nuts, whipped cream, and more. One of the most fun things about being a lifelong learner is having conversations that lead to oddly specific research on the differences among frozen dairy desserts, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. And while frozen yogurt might not be the healthier alternative to ice cream that many people believe it to be, it is still a delicious and fun treat with nearly endless possibilities. Visitors can try it for themselves at Tiny Treats and Chilly Billy’s.

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Blueberries Forge unforgettable memories. Summer and fall classes open now SUPPORTS THE GUNFLINT TRAIL FIRE DEPARTMENT

Gunflint Trail CANOE RACES

2026 Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters Wednesday July 15 4:00 PM - Dusk

COME FOR THE RACES 38

JULY 2026

STAY FOR THE CAUSE

NORTHERN WILDS

Blueberry Banana Bread FROM ALLRECIPES.COM

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 ripe bananas, mashed 1 cup fresh blueberries Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 mini loaf pans. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light in color and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract; beat in mashed bananas. Add flour mixture a little at a time, beating until just combined into a thick batter. Fold in blueberries until evenly distributed. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pans. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer loaves to cool completely on a wire rack. Enjoy!

Easy Small-Batch Blueberry Jam FROM ALLRECIPES.COM

Ingredients 4 cups fresh blueberries 1 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional) Directions Gather all the ingredients. Mix blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thickened, about 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

The Ins and Outs of Hydration By Hartley Newell-Acero

Hydration gets a lot of air time in today’s wellness world, and rightly so. Our bodies are about 60% water, and every organ, tissue, and cell needs enough to function properly. Virtually every task the body undertakes requires proper hydration: making saliva, digestion, regulating body temperature, removing waste products, preventing constipation, cushioning bones, lubricating joints, and balancing the chemicals the body produces. Dehydration happens when a person loses more water than they take in and the body no longer has enough fluids to work properly. For children, this most often happens when they’ve been vomiting or having diarrhea. Older people may have physical conditions or take medications that make dehydration more likely. However, dehydration can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time, in any temperature if they do not drink enough water. The signs and symptoms of dehydration differ by age. Older children, teens, and adults may feel or notice: • Thirst (Unfortunately, this isn’t always a reliable signal. Many people don’t feel thirsty until they are already dehydrated.) • Less frequent urination • Dark-colored urine • Fatigue, dizziness, confusion Babies and young children may also exhibit: • Dry mouth and tongue • No tears when crying • Sunken eyes and cheeks • No wet diapers for three hours • Sunken soft spot on top of the skull • Listlessness or irritability Everyone should take hydration seriously because the complications of dehydration can be dangerous: • Heat injury—If you’ve been exercising vigorously and sweating a lot but not drinking enough fluid, you could develop a “heat injury.” This can range in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion or even life-threatening heatstroke. • Urinary and kidney problems—If you are repeatedly dehydrated or dehydrated for an extended time, this can lead to

urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or even kidney failure. • Electrolyte imbalance—Losing too much fluid (from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating) can upset the body’s balance of minerals called electrolytes, including potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. These help electrical signals move

between cells. If electrolytes are out of balance, normal signaling gets disrupted. The most dangerous complications can include coma, seizures, or sudden cardiac death. • Low blood volume shock (hypovolemic shock)—This is one of the most serious, potentially life-threatening dangers of dehydration. Loss of fluids means re-

duced blood volume, which causes a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in oxygen delivered to cells. While dehydration can be dangerous, staying well-hydrated is simple. All we really need is enough plain, clean water and, occasionally, electrolytes. We don’t need: • Expensive gear and gadgets—You don’t need wearable devices, sweat-analyzing patches, or urine test strips. Bottles don’t need to be bedazzled, synced to your phone, or equipped with flashing LEDs. If they’re clean, safe, and reusable, that’s good enough. • Exotic water—There’s no health benefit in drinking bottled water from Fiji, France, or Lafayette. In fact, there are significant costs to both consumers and the environment. Bottled water is about 2,000% more expensive per gallon than tap water, but in general it’s not any cleaner, safer, or healthier. In fact, municipal drinking water undergoes more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring. There are also substantial environmental impacts: about 86% of plastic water bottles become waste, and transporting bottled water contributes to pollution. • Extra additives—Most people, most of the time, don’t need water with added vitamins, minerals, protein, or electrolytes. The exception is when significant fluids are lost through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Then replacing electrolytes is vitally important, and commercial sports drinks are formulated to do that effectively. For regular hydration needs though, they’re not ideal. Many contain excess sugar and acids that can damage tooth enamel. • Extreme amounts—There’s no benefit to hydrating beyond adequate levels. Enough really is enough. Ask yourself: Am I going longer than two or three hours without urinating? Is my urine dark yellow? (Keep in mind that urine color can also be affected by food, supplements, or medication.) If you answered yes to these questions, it’s probably time to increase your water intake. Being well-hydrated is important for your health, and achieving it should be easy on you, your wallet, and the planet.

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NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Northern Trails

Tackle for Nipigon Brook Trout By Gord Ellis

I am well into my 13th season of guiding for the lodge in Red Rock, Ontario, as I write this column. In fact, I have just come off the water after a day of chasing Nipigon system brook trout. With that fresh in mind, here is a look at the system, and spinning and fly-fishing gear that will help you catch one of the world’s largest brook trout.

The Nipigon System

The Nipigon River is large, deep, and swift. Lake Nipigon is vast, windy, and boulder-strewn. Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior is sprawling, wild, and can get rough. The brook trout here are larger and stronger than any brook trout you will ever catch. For this reason, tackle needs to be heavier than what many brook trout anglers are used to. Lures and flies will also lean to the big side.

Fly Gear

An 8-weight rod of about 9 or 10 feet will cover most of your needs here. A 7-weight is good for dries but will be on the edge for everything else. I highly recommend the 8-weight Coaster Brook Trout rod by JA Henry out of Michigan. They come in 9and 10-foot rods. For boat fishing, the 10foot model is sublime (jahenryusa.com). Some anglers use a switch rod, but I recommend you be relatively proficient at it before trying it out on the Nipigon. That goes for fly fishing in general. This is challenging water and not really for the beginner. Mostly it’s chuck-and-duck fly fishing, so a full-sink or partial-sink line is a must. Bring a floating line if you want to try fishing on top. Leaders need to be shorter and relatively heavy. I use a 12- to 15-pound Maxima or Trilene XT leader. Flies should be large as the brook trout are largely eating smelt and stickleback. Streamers and minnow patterns in white, olive, black, and purple work well. The Sex Dungeon, Butt Monkey, Sasquatch, and Lefty Deceiver are all good choices. Smelt-pattern flies are a staple, and a Clouser Minnow works well. The traditional Muddler (which was developed on the Nipigon) or Matuka Sculpin are also dependable. Think big. The odd time the trout are hitting dries, a large pattern like the #4 or #6 Stimulator is a great choice.

Spin Fishing

When spin fishing, an 8- to 9-foot rod is my preference, but you can get away with a 7-footer. The rod needs to be at least medium action. Medium-heavy is fine. Again, this is big water and often you will be in heavy current. 40

JULY 2026

Gord Ellis with a fly-caught Nipigon Bay coaster brook trout. | P. WESTLUND I prefer a good-quality 10- to 12-poundtest monofilament line. Braid is my preference (20-pound), but I recommend a fluorocarbon leader of at least 10- or 12-pound test. I will use 12- to 15-pound XT as my main leader. That weight of leader sounds like overkill, but these fish are not line shy and they will wrap you in trees and rub against rocks. Make sure your spinning reel has a smooth drag. It will get tested.

NORTHERN WILDS

Spinning Lures

There are many options, but my favorites include the following: Bucktail jigs (Mighty Mitch and Jungle Joe Jigflies are my favourite) of 1/4- to 3/8-ounce work extremely well. My favourites include a white head and orange body, black head and black body, brown head and brown body, and smelt patterns in black and white. The GE Jigfly style has a hackle around the base of the head and is based on

the jigflies I tied for many years. Check out the selection on Mighty Mitch and Jungle Joe Jigflies Facebook page. A 1/4- or 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jig head matched with a 4-inch Berkley Power minnow is very effective. White, grey, purple, and blue Smeltinator heads all work. Anything that looks like a smelt will catch brook trout. Spoons are a classic presentation, with the Williams Nipigon spoon of silver/brass,

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John Russo with a Nipigon brook trout that hit a jigfly. | GORD ELLIS red/silver, or gold/orange being the go-to. A Luhr Jensen Krocodile, Little Cleo, or EGB Blinker spoon (brass/green or brass/red) will also cover most situations. If you like to throw spinners, the Mepps Aglia #3, #4 and #5 with a silver blade is a killer. The Mepps Comet #3, #4 and #5 in silver or white with red dots is a great trolling spinner. The Panther Martin is another spinner that seems to shine when trolled. Many anglers think of crankbaits for bass and walleye, but not so much for trout. Yet the crankbait family of lures has accounted for a lot of very large brookies over the years. My number one is the Rapala Countdown (or Elite) #7-#9 in firetiger, silver/black, brook trout, or blue silver. The Rapala Shad Rap in #5 and #7 is another good one in silver/black, firetiger, crawdad, or blue silver. Keep in mind that when fishing on Lake Nipigon, the regulation is one hook that must be barbless. That can be a barbless single hook or a barbless treble hook. So, if you fish a crankbait on Lake Nipigon, only one barbless treble hook is allowed on the lure. On the Nipigon River and Lake Superior, there are no gear regulations. But I often debarb hooks for ease of release. I like to use a plain metal clasp when lure fishing, as it makes it easier to change baits. You only need a snap swivel when spinner fishing. If you don’t want to switch lures, bring an extra rod and reel or two that you have pre-rigged with different lures. Bring pliers, haemostats, and a hook hone as well.

BOATING SAFETY

Please Follow the Four Principles of Safe Boating A big Nipigon brook trout that hit a Rapala Shad Rap. | GORD ELLIS This is just a basic list, but it will serve you well during any trip to the mighty Nipigon system in search of brook trout. Note: The Nipigon River is a special place, and brookies are a precious resource. The bag regulation is one fish over 22 inches, but I enforce a no-kill policy on brook trout when I guide. These legendary fish are survivors in a world that is becoming less hospitable for brook trout.

The season is finally here for boating in Cook County. Always remember to: ■ Wear life jackets at all times ■ Understand navigation rules ■ Perform regular vessel maintenance ■ Stay sober and alert. Even when you follow the rules, boating accidents can still occur. North Shore Health is here to help if you suffer a boating injury. We encourage everyone to have fun on the water but please follow safety tips for all boating activities. For more information, call at 218-387-3040, or for emergencies call 911. NSH EMS services are available 24/7. 515 5th Ave West, Grand Marais, MN 55604 218-387-3040 / NorthShoreHealthgm.org Community Access to Compassionate Care

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

NORTHERN SKY JULY 2026 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

This month we bid farewell to Jupiter as it dives into the sun’s afterglow. But Venus is still blazing away in the west after sunset. On the 16th, look below Venus for a scrawny young crescent moon that’s about to set. As it waxes, the moon visits Spica, in Virgo, the maiden, on the 20th, and Antares, the heart of Scorpius, on the 24th. July’s full moon arrives on the morning of the 29th and will be best seen in the west just before daybreak, or when it rises in the southeast that evening. Above Spica in the southwest, brilliant Arcturus shines from its kiteshaped constellation, Bootes, the herdsman. And in the east to southeast, the big Summer Triangle is now easily visible. Its brightest star—Vega, in Lyra, the lyre—rivals Arcturus in radiance. The second brightest is Altair, in Aquila, the eagle. Deneb, the third Triangle star, is both the tail of the constellation Cygnus, the swan, and

the head of the Northern Cross. In the morning sky, Mars is climbing as Earth gains on it in the orbital race. On the 11th, Mars lines up between a thin old moon and Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus, the bull. Above the lineup twinkles the Pleiades star cluster. Earth’s orbital motion promptly sweeps those stars westward. They leave behind Mars, whose orbital motion makes it resist being pushed westward. July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the touchdown of the first of two Viking landers on Mars. The first spacecraft to successfully land on the red planet, Viking I and Viking II contained instruments designed by University of Minnesota physicist Al Nier to characterize the gases in the thin Martian atmosphere. Those discoveries revealed much about the history of the martian atmosphere and provided compelling evidence that a small number of meteorites collected on Earth came from Mars.

The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information on Duluth, visit: d.umn.edu/planet.

CHRISTIANSON LAKE BY JOE SHEAD WHY GO: Christianson Lake is a bit of a drive from Two Harbors but remains one of the closer lakes to that town. It has a nice crappie population and better-than-average-sized walleyes in a quiet setting.

ACCESS: It’s a simple drive from Two Harbors to reach the lake. Hop on Lake County Highway 2 and drive north for 16.4 miles. Then turn left onto Christianson Lake Road (Lake County Road 202) and follow it to the end of the road. The lake access

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

is just a right of way at the end of the road with a narrow place to turn around and very limited parking. Plus, the boat launch is very shallow, so you’ll need a small boat you can manually float off a trailer. Given the narrow turnaround and shallow launch, a canoe, kayak, or other small boat you can haul on your car or truck may be the best option.

VITALS: Christianson Lake is 150 acres with a maximum depth of just 8 feet. The lake is bog-stained, and water clarity is only 2 feet. The lake is moderately developed and doesn’t get a lot of boat traffic. The DNR surveyed the lake in 2017 and 2024. Prior to that, it hadn’t been surveyed since 1981. GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Black crappie, walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. BLACK CRAPPIE: You’ll find good numbers of crappies with good average size in Christianson. “The first survey we did (2017) we saw the type of numbers you would expect for that type of lake,” said Matt We-

berg, Finland area fisheries supervisor. “The last survey (2024) was above average.” Weberg said there are lots of 10-inch crappies in Christianson. The biggest that turned up in the survey was a little over 13 inches. As is typical of lakes in the Finland district, crappies seem to have boom-andbust recruitment, although the DNR sampled crappies from seven different year-classes.

the population. The fish sampled in 2024 could be traced to seven different year-classes. No stocking takes place in Christianson.

NORTHERN PIKE: Likewise, there was variability between the 2017 and 2024 surveys of northern pike. The older survey showed smaller fish, with the largest measuring less than 24 inches. Meanwhile, the later survey showed fish as large as 30 inches. In fact, 21% of the pike sampled in the 2024 survey were over 24 inches, while none reached that mark just seven years earlier. “It’s not probably a lake to target larger fish, but for folks who like to eat pike, there’s a fairly good population of eater-sized fish,” Weberg said.

WALLEYE: Christianson has a good walleye population with a high average size. “The last survey, walleye were pretty large to be honest,” Weberg said. “The population right now is primarily older fish. The average length of basically 20 inches—that’s quite large for the Finland area.” During the 2024 survey, the DNR YELLOW PERCH: Yellow perch are found an average of 3.5 walleyes per present as well and provide a bonus net. None were smaller than 15 inchfishery. “Abundance is a little below es or younger than 6 years old. The average for that type of lake,” Weberg survey showed a population of large, said. Although they’re not abundant, older fish with an average length of you might find some keepers. Perch 19.8 inches. During the 2017 assessreach 10 inches fairly regularly, and ment, more smaller fish appeared in fish reaching the foot mark have been the survey. Perhaps there were a few documented. years of poor recruitment, with few younger fish showing up in View all our Fishing Hole Maps at:

northernwilds.com/fishingholemaps

The Land of Everlasting Sky A Memoir of Loss and Legacy on Lake of the Woods By Jill D. Swenson She Writes Press, 2026, $17.99 The Land of Everlasting Sky is a deeply personal memoir that explores grief, family history, and the complicated relationship between people and the land they call home. After returning to her mother’s hometown in northern Minnesota, Jill Swenson uncovers a story that connects her family’s past to generations of Ojibwe history. Thoughtful, honest, and thoroughly researched, the book weaves together personal reflection and larger questions of justice, belonging, and reconciliation. Readers interested in history, memoir, and Indigenous issues will find it especially compelling. —Breana Johnson

Superior Trails A Photo Tour of Lake Superior’s Best Hiking Trails By Rudi Hargesheimer North Shore Photo Art, 2025, $24.95 Filled with stunning photography and practical information, Superior Trails showcases some of the best hiking routes around Lake Superior’s shores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. Through 320 images, the book highlights everything from easy walks to rugged backpacking adventures, capturing the region’s dramatic scenery and natural beauty. Brief descriptions throughout the book offer insight into the trails and destinations featured. Anyone who loves Lake Superior will find plenty to admire in these pages.—Breana Johnson

HOURS: 9a-8p MON-THURS 9a-9p FRI & SAT Noon-6p SUN 10 1st STREET, GRAND MARAIS

She Does Words of Wisdom from North Shore Mompreneurs By Gina Joyce & Laura Muus She Does LLC, 2026, $29.95 Through a collection of personal stories, advice, and photographs, She Does celebrates the women balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood in Cook County. The book features 38 local business owners who share honest reflections on building careers, raising families, overcoming challenges, and defining success on their own terms. Equal parts inspiring and relatable, the stories highlight strength, creativity, and resilience found within the community. Anyone looking for encouragement, connection, or a reminder that there is no single path forward will appreciate this uplifting read.—Breana Johnson

CELEBRATING SUMMERTIME AND

250 YEARS ON JULY 4TH!!

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Gidaanikeshkaagonaanig Gidaanikoobijiganinaan Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Aginjibagwesi Biiwide Goldfinch Visitor By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman After the long biboon (winter) months, I miss our bineshiinh (bird) relatives that spend ziigwan (spring) and niibin (summer) building their wadiswan (nests) in my backyard. I am always minwendam (happy) to clean off and rehang all the bird feeders every zaagibagaa-giizis (May), welcoming them back after a long biboon (winter) away. Recently I was out in my gitigaan (garden) working on weeding and planting when I saw a flash of ozaawi (yellow) hopping among the mitig (tree) branches above me. I had put the bird feeders up only the day before. My first bird relative visitor was an aginjibagwesi (goldfinch) who flew from the tree branches to the bird feeder. After about niishtana (twenty) minutes, they were joined by another goldfinch. As I continued to garden and do my yard chores, they kept babaamise (flying) from the trees to the bird feeders. To honor and memorialize this special visit, I have completed this new piece, Aginjibagwesi Biiwide (Goldfinch Visitor).

Follow my studio on Facebook and Instagram @CraneSuperior or if you have ideas for a North Shore painting, you can email me at: cranesuperiorstudio@gmail.com.

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

Strange Tales Walleye and Pickerel: Decoding Fish Names By Elle AndraWarner

When I was a youngster growing up in Thunder Bay, my father would go fishing in nearby streams with his rod and reel to bring back speckled trout for the family to eat. Later in life, I’d hear people talking about fishing for brook trout and, along the way, learned that the world’s biggest brook trout, weighing 14.5 pounds, was caught more than 100 years ago by Dr. J.W. Cook on the Nipigon River, which flows directly into Lake Superior. I didn’t think there was any connection between the names speckled trout and brook trout, but when I read an archived newspaper clipping that reported the Nipigon catch as the “biggest speckled trout in the world,” it made me question why the fish had different names. Doing more research gave me an answer: Brook trout and speckled trout are the exact same fish biologically, a type of char belonging to the salmon family. The official common name is brook trout (scientific name Salvelinus fontinalis), while speckled trout is its widely recognized nickname. According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) website, the official world record for the largest brook trout caught by rod and reel is still Dr. Cook’s catch on the Nipigon River, landed more than a century ago on July 21, 1915. After learning that fish sometimes have official names and nicknames, curiosity led me to wonder which other fish in our Northern Wilds have alternate names. While colleague and Northern Wilds columnist Gord Ellis is the real expert on fish and fishing, here’s some fish-name trivia I’ve come across. It didn’t take me long to find that rainbow trout and steelhead are both official names for the same fish species. Both are born in freshwater. While rainbow trout live their entire lives in cold-water lakes, streams, and rivers, steelhead are rainbow trout that migrate to large lakes such as Lake Superior to feed and grow before returning to freshwater streams to spawn. Though steelhead are native to the Pacific Ocean and its tributaries, they were introduced to the Great Lakes in the late 1800s. Today, Lake Superior steelhead are highly prized sport fish. Even lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a large freshwater char, has several common alternate names depending on the region. These include siscowet in Lake Superior, mackinaw or mack in Canada and the United States, lake charr (or char), gray trout, laker, and paperbelly. The OMNR website lists lake trout as ranging from 12 to 31 inches (30 to 80 centimetres) and 2 to 10 pounds (1 to 5 kilograms), with the Ontario record standing at 63.1 pounds (28.6 kilo-

Walleye are often called pickerel in Canada, though the two are different species. | PUBLIC DOMAIN

Brook trout are also commonly known as speckled trout. | PUBLIC DOMAIN

Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species, but they have different life cycles. | PUBLIC DOMAIN

True pickerel are the smallest members of the pike family, with long, torpedo-shaped bodies native to eastern North America. | PUBLIC DOMAIN grams). Lake trout are found in Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, and deep, cold lakes across the Canadian Shield. An excellent eating fish with an interest-

ing history is the splake, a cold-water, hatchery-bred hybrid of brook trout and lake trout. Stocked in Ontario and developed by Canadian biologists in 1954, its name comes

from the “sp” in speckled trout and the “lake” in lake trout. An aggressive fish, it’s also known by the nickname wendigo trout, a reference to the mythological cannibalistic creature in Algonquin folklore. And lastly, what’s the debate about Ontario’s pickerel being a walleye? Are we talking about the same fish with two names, or two different species? For generations, when Americans have said, “It’s a walleye,” Canadians have responded, “We call it pickerel in Canada; Americans call it walleye.” Have we been wrong all these years? Well, the short answer is yes. The two fish are not related. They are biologically different species belonging to different fish families. Walleye (Sander vitreus) are the largest members of the perch (Percidae) family. In French, the common name for walleye is doré, which means golden. Walleye can weigh more than 20 pounds and have a dark green back, golden-yellow sides, and a white belly. One of their distinguishing characteristics is the dorsal fin along their back. The pickerel is the smallest member of the pike family (Esocidae) and is the common name for three closely related freshwater fish: chain pickerel, redfin pickerel, and grass pickerel. Native to eastern North America, true pickerel have long, torpedo-like bodies and rows of sharp teeth. Going back generations, English-speaking Canadians have made pickerel the common nickname for walleye. One theory suggests that early English-speaking settlers in Canada referred to walleye as “pike perch,” which eventually was shortened to “pickerel.” As a result, the name pickerel became part of Canadian fishing culture. Even today in Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba, restaurants offer “pickerel dinners,” and grocery stores sell walleye labelled as pickerel. To find specific fish in a Canadian region or lake, the OMNR offers a free tool called “Fish ON-Line,” available online at home or as a mobile app.

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Sunshine Day Dreams,

Walking in the Tall Trees,

& Swimming in the Lakes!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local (218) 663-8777 Toll free (877) 664-8777

DREAMING OF LAKE SUPERIOR?

E SA L ING D N E P LAKE SUPERIOR CONDO AT BLUEFIN BAY IN TOF TE! This is a rare chance to own one of Bluefin Bay’s beautiful 3-bedroom

condos in Tofte, closer to Lake Superior than any other lodging on the North Shore! The unit sits conveniently near the resort restaurant and right across from the indoor pool, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. Enjoy your time on the North Shore in your own condo curled up next to the gas fireplace with a book while listening to the waves hit the shore, and while you are gone let it offset ownership costs with its strong rental history managed by an onsite professional company. Whether you’re playing tennis in the summer, skating on the rink in winter, exploring Tofte Park, or simply strolling the shoreline with no plans at all, this condo puts the very best of the North Shore right at your doorstep.

MLS#6124171 $560,000

LAKE SUPERIOR CLASSIC ROCK IN LUTSEN! MLS# 6124905 $670,000

Our Clients say it all, Work with us and We will work for you! “John was a pleasure to work with. He thoroughly addressed any concerns and made the whole process as stress free as possible. We would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for residential property in the area.” -Realtor.com

SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN MEETS LAKE SUPERIOR!

Stunning Scandinavian-design North Shore home with expansive Lake Superior water views. Renowned builder Clarence Kemp designed and built the modern addition to the home which combines a modern Scandinavian design with a classic Northwoods cabin and includes two bedrooms, three baths, and a couple kitchens creating ample space for friends and family. Most importantly the home has beautiful panoramic views of Lake Superior with 212ft of shoreline and 7+ acres to wander on! Enjoy the sauna to soothe those sore muscles after spending the day outdoors, or sit in the 4-season porch with a good book. Outside is a simple garage with a bunkroom awaiting your vision. The forest all around is classic Northwoods with wildlife and much to see and explore. Visit today and start enjoying your own adventures along the Big Lake! MLS#6125015 $1,200,000

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Sunshine Day Dreams,

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local (218) 663-8777 Toll free (877) 664-8777

Walking in the Tall Trees,

& Swimming in the Lakes!

THE INLAND WATERS ARE CALLING!

ENJOY THE GOOD LIFE ON THE BAPTISM RIVER IN FINLAND! A few miles outside of Finland Minnesota, 1225 ft

NEW! WILDERNESS LUTSEN RETREAT AT TAIT LAKE! Tucked in to the hilly terrain surrounding Tait Lake, this home was recently built with efficient footprint, low maintenance and Lots of Fun in mind. Oh yes, and Viewing the Auroa Borealis is top of the list! A huge wall of windows allows viewing from inside or out! Main level primary en suite, upstairs loft overflow, and a gorgeous Great room with fireplace, open concept to a beautiful and functional kitchen with island! Enjoy association lake access for launching your canoes and kayaks for a paddle around the lake!

MLS#TBA $495,000

of frontage on the West Baptism River flows happily and peacefully through 13+ acres of iconic Northwoods Real Estate with two classic cabins. The main cabin is a log home expertly built and lovingly maintained. The guest cabin is a charming hybrid of log and stick frame building spacious enough to hold a whole crew. Best part is each is year round with two bedrooms and full baths. Lots of room here, paths to walk on your own land, snowshoe, ski. Life flows like the river, effortlessly and pristine. Visit now and enjoy life on the river. MLS# 6124974 $650,000

E SA L ING D N E P

NEW! SOARING OLD GROWTH WHITE PINES AND TOP NOTCH HOME ON PIKE LAKE! 450+ ft of

NEW! NORTHWOODS LAKE CABIN RETREAT! Situated overlooking

Tom Lake, this log home is all warmth and solidity that walls of cedar logs exude. Woodstove crackling and glowing keeps you warm even in January! Get back to childlike wonder and backstroke under azure skies, an eagle soaring over! Two bedrooms, spacious living room and sprawling deck. The bunkhouse/sauna is located across the deck to accommodate guests or kids. A modern, tidy outhouse. Solar system & generator shed, or wait for the power/fiber schedule for install late this year!

shoreline, 5.30 acres, Three-bedroom, one bath 2019 built home has been lightly used, well cared for! MLS#6125611

$1,100,000

MLS#6125581 $359,000

NEW! HELLO GUNFLINT TR AIL LOVERS! Incredible

D L SO

home less than 10 yrs old ready for your enjoyment on wild and scenic Little Iron Lake with easy access to Tucker Lake. 3 baths, 3 bedrms, 3 stall garage, sprawling deck, wraparound covered porch plus a spacious screen porch with stone fireplace! Serenity is central to this property with 1300+ ft of frontage and 5.6 acres. Bring high expectations for this Lake home, and it will not disappoint!

PADDLER’S DREAM CABIN ON TAIT LAKE IN LUTSEN! MLS#6124017 $565,000

MLS#6125852 $1,490,000

VACANT LAKESHORE PARCELS! NEARLY 1500F T OF LAKESHORE ON DEVILFISH LAKE AND WILDERNESS POND! With these 67 acres of land

THE ROAD LESS TR AVELED ON DEVILFISH LAKE! 69 acres

$550,000

$600,000

comes a sweet pond and wetland area for fantastic wildlife viewing!. Go out and enjoy this boreal forest and lakeshore wilderness! MLS#6122626

and 2360 feet of shoreline! Enjoy two islands on as part of this lakeshore parcel! Large enough to build on if you are so inclined, or just paddle the short distance from the mainland build sites to enjoy an island picnic! Come experience the Wilderness on Devilfish Lake!! MLS#6122624

3800+ FEET OF PRIME LAKESHORE ON DEVILFISH LAKE, INCLUDING ISLANDS! A Rare

Opportunity to own MOST of the private land on Devilfish Lake, located up the Arrowhead Trail. This is a fabulous opportunity to own 135+ acres with of prime shoreline on Devilfish Lake! What more could you ask for in your Wilderness Lakeshore Retreat!

MLS#6122627 $950,000

VISIT US AT TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY BLOG AND FACEBOOK POSTS OF FUN TIMES ON THE NORTH SHORE! NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Sunshine Day Dreams,

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local (218) 663-8777 Toll free (877) 664-8777

Walking in the Tall Trees,

& Swimming in the Lakes!

HOMES, HOMES, AND HOMES! NEW! END OF THE ROAD AT LODGE LANE, LUTSEN!

Rare opportunity to own one of the coveted Lutsen Lodge Lane log homes, complete with an oversized two-car garage! Beautifully landscaped and lovingly maintained, 3 bedrm (primary ensuite!) 2 bath home with inviting 3 season porch!

NEW! MINUTE’S FROM TET TEGOUCHE STATE PARK! Massive views of Lake Superior. Sprawling deck with hot tub, oversees Gitche Gummi & a little creek meanders by. Former builder/owner was a woodworking genius-custom wood work throughout! 3 Bedrms including primary with his/her closets, ensuite bath! Thoughtfully maintained- many updates!! Enjoy the cute breakfast nook, four-season porch, and spacious living room! Attached garage, and RV hookup! Lots of tinkering space in the workshop and extra garage space. MLS#6125753 $599,900 PRICE REDUCED!

E SA L ING D N E P

MLS#6125793 $489,000

NEW! LUTSEN LIVING ON THE CARIBOU TR AIL!

Located in the heart of Lutsen, this 4 bedroom home places you close to Lake Superior, shopping, hiking, biking, skiing, and countless other recreational opportunities. Whether you’re seeking a full-time residence, vacation getaway, or investment property, this unique North Shore retreat is all set for you.

MLS#6125948 $499,000

E L A S ING D N E P

NEW! HAND CR AF TED LOG HOME LIVING MINUTE’S TO THE GR AND MAR AIS HARBOR!

Covered entry porch welcomes you into the home with three ensuite bedrooms/baths that exude the warmth of log home living. Main level fireplace is the centerpiece- open to the family, dining, and updated kitchen! You will love entertaining on the oversized deck-perfect for grilling. Lower walk out level has tons of natural light, with bedrm, bath & efficient kitchen, dining, living room! Be sure to check out all the owner recent upgrades, including new roof on home & garage, new furnace, A/C, SO many upgrades all you have left to do is enjoy this gorgeous log home!

MLS#6125579 $775,000

NEW! COUNTRY LIVING OUTSIDE GR AND MAR AIS! Home Sweet Home on Brandon

Ln. End of the road privacy, abutting lots of wild, public land! About 10 minutes from Grand Marias and feels like good country living! 1 bedroom, 1 bath, a lovely, lofted space that with slight modification could be a second bedroom. Darling sauna, a heated studio/workspace – or make that an overflow area for friends and family. Gardens and lively sculpture that can be included. Screen porch for afternoon naps and warbler studies. Can’t beat the price! $385,000. MLS# 6125963

VISIT US AT TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY BLOG AND FACEBOOK POSTS OF FUN TIMES ON THE NORTH SHORE! 48

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Sunshine Day Dreams,

Walking in the Tall Trees,

& Swimming in the Lakes!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local (218) 663-8777 Toll free (877) 664-8777

CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE! SCHROEDER AREA

LUTSEN AREA

NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN BASECAMP

NEW! SUPERIOR NATIONAL GOLF COURSE BUILD SITE! At dusk and the offseason,

FOR ALL YOUR ADVENTURES ON THIS 2+ ACRE PARCEL IN SCHROEDER! Room for you to build your dream getaway or just home base for your fishing and hiking trips. Great location close to many inland lakes, hiking trails and snowmobile trails! MLS#6125444 $93,000

TOFTE AREA EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON THIS PRIME, READ-TO-BUILD LOT IN TOFTE! Ideally situated in one of Minnesota’s most scenic locations on the North Shore, this 2.28 acre property offers potential for Lake Superior views, particularly from a second-story vantage point. Nice and level building site is started, and year-round access with the Association plowing the main road. Fiber and Electric are located just across the road. With this accessible terrain, you can move forward confidently and turn your vision into a reality! MLS#6125078 $89,000

WELCOME TO YOUR FUTURE GETAWAY ON THE NORTH SHORE IN TOFTE! You

have plenty of space to build your dream cabin or yearround home on this 2+ acreL lot.E Views of Lake Superior. A S Located right in the middle of Tofte, INyouGhave access to bike D N trails and snowmobile PEtrails and tons of inland lakes! Visit today and start your next adventure! MLS# 6121512 $119,000 PRICE REDUCED!

GRAND MARAIS AREA

the golf course is a hiker’s paradise or tune up the XC skis & snowshoes! Coast downhill to the Gitchi Gami bike trail and up the road is the Superior Hiking Trail! Oh yes, and it’s ON the golf course! Perfect Lutsen spot to build your dream home! MLS#6125494 $189,900 NEW! ACREAGE OVERLOOKING CLARA

LAKE IN LUTSEN WITH A THREE LE SA G CAR GARAGE ANDIBUILDING SITE N D CLEARED FOR YOUR DREAM HOME! N E

MLS#6125603 $195,000

LUTSEN DEVELOPMENT LAND! Located

on the corner of the Caribou and South Caribou, this land is high ground and magnificent in the Fall with the mature maple forest. A Syruper’s DREAM property, make this your own homestead or develop it utilizing the new County zoning ordinance for denser development surrounded by Green Space! Year round access via County roads, and electric and fiber at road. MLS#6120783 $499,000

40 ACRES A STONE’S THROW TO THE BRULE LAKE BWCAW IN LUTSEN! Sweet

views of surrounding lakes from the highest point of this 40 in an excellent location along the Grade Rd. Year round access, and electric and fiber are along one side of the Grade Road. Great location for a Fishing Camp and eventual home or development! Minute’s to the Caribou Trail in Lutsen, or keep on going to the Ball Club Road to Devil Track Rd to Grand Marais! Mature forest, great spot. 40 acres too much? Seller’s will sell the East 20 for $169,000! MLS#6120782 $299,900

NEW! GRAND MARAIS DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS! Three new parcels of land ranging from $65,000 up to $265,000 with an existing workshop building! Another parcel is perfect for a Courtyard Development! Call today for additional information! MLS#6126025, 6126026 & 6126027

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON 120 ACRES OF MANICURED FOREST LANDS AND EXPANSIVE LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS!

There’s a rough road accessing the property from Bally Creek Rd, just ten minutes west of downtown Grand Marais! Views from the TOP of Murphy Mountain are astounding, not only overlooking Lake Superior, but looking toward the North as well! Gate on property, shown by appointment only. MLS#6122477 $1,200,000

1 0th A nnu al B loc k Par t y in Lutsen July 17 th ! Live Music from 5-7

Food from Cascade Restaurant, Beer Vendors and Prizes!

Ever yone is w elcome , come join the fu n ! Sponsored by Musty Barnhart Agency, TimberWolff Realty, Lutsen Liquors and Cascade Lodge and Restaurant!

FIND THOSE NEW LISTINGS FIRST!! EMAIL INFO@TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM TO SIGN UP FOR AUTO EMAIL! NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

218-387-2131 800-732-2131 101 West highway 61 grand marais, mn 55604

LAKE HOMES & CABINS

NEW 20 Big Bay Point Custom 3BR/3BA log home on 2+ acres with 202 ft of coveted Lake Superior Big Bay shoreline. Open great room with stone fireplace, gourmet kitchen, main-floor suite, loft, in-floor heat, four-season porch, expansive deck, attached garage, workshop, trails, firepit, and landscaped lakeshore. Nearly every room offers lake views, showcasing sunrise, freighters, and ever-changing waters. Private, wooded setting with mature trees and exceptional North Shore access near Horseshoe Bay and hiking trails. Ideal year-round residence, retreat, or rental opportunity combining comfort, craftsmanship, and unmatched Lake Superior scenery.

MLS 6125851

$1,295,000

new 1534 E Hwy 61

185 Sag Lake Trail

92 Erickson Trail

41 S Bearskin Road

5.8-acre Lake Superior property with 313 ft ledge rock shoreline near Grand Marais. Vintage cottage, private wooded setting, Artist Point views, ideal future homesite.

Luxury 4BR/3BA Gull Lake home on 5 acres with 467’ frontage. Gourmet kitchen, stone fireplace, guest cabins, heated garages & workshop. Direct BWCAW access.

Hand-hewn log cabin retreat on 10 acres with 450+ ft shoreline on Pancore Lake near Tofte. Includes guest cabin, bathhouse, off-grid, native stone fireplace.

1BR/1BA year-round cabin above West Bearskin Lake with loft, deck, storage sheds, panoramic views, BWCA access, paddling, fishing, hiking and skiing.

MLS tbd • $749,900

MLS 6123462 • $1,399,000

MLS 6124626 • $759,900

MLS 6124820 • $699,000

new 38 Christine Point Rd

new 45 S Bearskin Lk Rd

new 2X Ary Point Rd

new Greenwood Lk Isl

Cozy Christine Lake cabin on 2.1 acres with 319 ft shoreline, deck, loft, dock, boat lift, sauna, outhouse, storage shed, future build site, great fishing, and privacy.

1BR/1BA West Bearskin Lake cabin with woodstove, expansive deck, big views, excellent fishing, BWCA access, nearby boat launch, and easy dock storage.

1BR/1BA McFarland Lake cabin on 2.97 acres with 171 ft shoreline, woodstove, solar/generator power, fishing, paddling, BWCA access, and privacy.

6.82-acre private island on Greenwood Lake with 900 ft shoreline, 1BR/1BA off-grid cabin, solar power, wood stove, balcony, docks, trails, and heated garage.

MLS 6125800 • $349,900

MLS 6125495 • $425,000

MLS tbd • $259,000

MLS 6125190 • $530,000

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JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

218-387-2131 800-732-2131 101 West highway 61 grand marais, mn 55604

HOMES & CABINS

NEW 96 Hoaglund Dr Framed by sweeping Lake Superior views and spectacular sunrises, this move-in-ready North Shore retreat blends modern comfort with North Woods charm. The three-level home features 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, open living spaces, a flexible office/guest room, and a private primary suite with balcony. Quality finishes include slate and wood floors, pine ceilings, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, in-floor heat, and a wood stove. Solar panels improve energy efficiency, while a detached three-car garage offers ample storage. The finished walkout lower level includes two bedrooms, full kitchen, bath, and family room.

MLS 6125462

$849,900

1804/1810 E Hwy 61

969 Devil track road

Rare 1.17-acre Lake Superior view property near Grand Marais with 4-bedroom home, apartment, and guest house. Excellent rental or multigenerational living potential.

Beautiful 3+bedroom, 3-bath home on 5 private acres with open living spaces, finished lower level, and heated outbuilding with studio, bath, workshop, guest quarters, or rental potential.

mls 6124556 • $849,900

mls 6124868 • $629,900

new 5503 E Highway 61

new 361 Moose Valley Rd

new 4635 E Highway 61

Charming 3BR/1BA Hovland home with detached 2-stall garage on 3+ Acres. Creek and waterfall, forest trails, and directly across from Lake Superior.

9-acre off-grid retreat bordering federal forest with cabin, solar and generator power, screened porch, decks, balcony, sleeps four, fire ring, lakes, and trails.

Private, peaceful getaway on this 4.7acre retreat with Lake Superior views. Charming cabin, bunkhouse, deck, wood stove, electricity, and broadband.

MLS 6125168 • $398,000

MLS 6125724 • $139,900

mls tbd • $199,900

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

218-387-2131 800-732-2131 101 West highway 61 grand marais, mn 55604

CONDOS

Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior – Unit 30

new 504-506 Poplar River Condo

Stunning Lake Superior retreat featuring breathtaking shoreline views, a custom wood-burning fireplace and beautifully updated interiors. Generating over $70,000 in annual rental income.

Lake Superior lakeside condo in Lutsen. Stunning views, and shoreline access. Flexible three-unit rental layout with professionally managed nightly rentals and excellent income potential.

mls 6124295 • $429,900

mls 6125749 • $575,000

LAND X30 Isak Ridge Road

78 Troll’s Trail

Tom Lake

Beautiful Lutsen lot surrounded by maples and cedars, offering year-round access, utilities, and endless outdoor recreation.

Build your North Shore retreat with 300+ feet shared Lake Superior shoreline and 7+ acres shared land.

Serene Tom Lake lot with over 150’ of easily accessible shoreline, year-round access and completed driveway.

MLS 6123830 • $59,900

MLS 6124369 • $69,900

MLS 6123264 • $159,900

1142 Camp 20 Rd

7xx County Road 6

new 9685 Gunflint Trl

XXX Springdale rd

Beautiful 94-acre northwoods property with trails, wildlife pond, rolling terrain, and exceptional hunting and recreation opportunities.

107 acres near Grand Marais with creek frontage, federal land access, and endless potential for building, recreation, or development.

Scenic 5+ acre Gunflint Trail property with mature pines, utilities, year-round access, public land frontage, and endless outdoor recreation.

Stunning 80-acre retreat with Lake Superior views, maple forest, wildlife trails and exceptional privacy—ideal for camping or an off-grid cabin.

mls 6125915 • $149,900

MLS 6122995 • $399,900

MLS 6125791 • $109,900

MLS 6124939 • $299,900

new

1X Mountain Ash Lane

poplar lake

Exceptional south-facing homesite offering breathtaking Lake Superior views, close to Lutsen skiing and Grand Marais attractions.

Rare 188-foot Poplar Lake frontage on 1.43 private acres near BWCAW, trails and resorts—build your ideal Northwoods getaway retreat for all seasons.

MLS tbd • $169,900

MLS 6125140 • $299,900

new Deeryard Lake Peaceful 1.25-acre private property with 200’ of shoreline, abundant recreation, utilities available, and easy access. MLS 6125798 • $179,900

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

R E A L E S TAT E

Caribou Lakeshore

for the Long Term

As the North Shore shifts into spring, so do opportunities. We don’t just help you buy and sell homes—we support what comes next. From 38 Sawmill Ln, Lutsen, MN 55612 | MLS #6124910 4

property valuation and land planning to business

$899,900

2,380

development strategy and creative financing, our Lake Superior Views

work extends well beyond the transaction. We’re here for the long haul—We’re your T R U S T E D R E A L E S TAT E PA R T N E R ,

not just your agent. 21 Turnagain Tr, Lutsen, MN | MLS #6124727 4

3,436

$889,000

Lockport Marketplace

MEET OUR AWESOME TEAM 5362 W Highway 61, Lutsen, MN | MLS #6125990 2,700

$1,475,000

SOLD

Wooded Lot

67 Snowshoe Trl, Tofte, MN Improved Value

1480 Devil Track Rd, Grand Marias, MN

MOLLY O’NEILL | Agent

MIKE LARSON | Associate Broker

(218) 370-2079 molly@lutsenrealestategroup.com

(218) 370-1536 mike@staycvr.com

265 Mink Ranch, Lutsen, MN

Inger Andress REALTOR 218-216-7141 IngerAndress@edinarealty.com

SARENA CROWLEY Agent and Co-owner

CLAIR STODDARD Co-owner

STEVE SURBAUGH Broker and Co-owner

edinarealty.com/inger-andress-realtor Edina Realty - Lutsen 5321 W. Highway 61 #6 Lutsen, MN 55612 NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

Red Pine Realty

Locally owned and operated since 1996 14 S. Broadway, Grand Marais, MN | 218-387-9599 V I S I T O U R O F F I C E T O S P E A K W I T H A R E A LT O R . O F F I C E H O U R S : M - F 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

REALTORS®: Sue Nichols, Broker • Jake Patten, Assoc. Broker • Jess Smith • Melissa Gregg • Mike Raymond Rebecca McAllister • Casey O’Brien • Alice McFarlane, Office Administrator

FEATURED LISTING

NEW! DEVIL TRACK LAKE LOT

Large 5.9-acre south-facing, Devil Track Lake parcel features 340' of prime shoreline on a highly sought after recreation and fishing lake. This property provides a great canvas for your Northwoods retreat just minutes from downtown Grand Marais. Wetland and 2 different build sites have been noted. Please request a showing with a licensed real estate agent.

Local Knowledge.

Proven Results.

MLS#6125905

$299,000

Sue Nichols

NEW!

Jess Smith

218-370-1226 sue@redpinerealty.com

218-370-2094 jess@redpinerealty.com

Jake Patten

Melissa Gregg

CASPERS HILL RD ACREAGE Nearly 20 acres of beautiful forest for your home or get-away! Remote, yet close to Grand Marais. Electricity and broadband will be extended up the road this summer. The lot has been surveyed and septic sites have been identified.

FEATURED LISTING

MLS#6126001 $69,000

NEW! TOM LAKE

218-370-8278 jake@redpinerealty.com

218-519-0446 melissa@redpinerealty.com

Rebecca McAllister

Casey O’Brien

PENINSULA LOT

Rare opportunity on beautiful Tom Lake! This 1.2 acre waterfront property features a unique private peninsula with privacy and picturesque lake views. Property includes an established driveway and build site, plus a clearing ideal for camping, a future cabin or home. Power and fiber optic internet are available, offering modern convenience in a remote Northwoods setting. MLS#6125304

$129,900

FEATURED LISTING

218-519-0282 rebecca@redpinerealty.com

www.RedPineRealty.com • info@RedPineRealty.com 54

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

218-519-0249 casey@redpinerealty.com

V I S I T O U R O F F I C E T O S P E A K W I T H A R E A LT O R . B U S I N E S S H O U R S : M - F 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

FEATURED LISTING

NEW! REMOTE

CABIN ON 40 ACRES

FEATURED LISTING

Get away from it all and experience the adventure of remote living while still having some of the comforts of home. Enjoy the panoramic view from one of the highest points in the area. Almost 40 acres of your own to explore with a secret lake full of hungry brook trout about a quarter mile away. Simple one room living means more time to relax and enjoy this beautiful area! MLS#6125529

$140,000

FEATURED LISTING

GULL LAKE CABIN

SALE ING PEND

Properties like this do not come up for sale often. This water access only cabin at the end of the Gunflint Trail on Gull Lake is a must see. The 2-bedroom, 1 bath, has beautiful views and all the comforts of home. With broadband internet, power, a spacious kitchen, and a woodburning fireplace to keep you cozy, you will never want to leave! Surrounded by lakes with direct access to the Boundary Waters, paddling adventures await at this cabin in the pristine wilderness!

NEW! COYOTE RIDGE LOT

MLS#6125532

If you are looking for acreage close to Grand Marais but with that out of town feel, look no further. With nearby access to all the North Shore has to offer, Lot 13 is a great 8+ acre parcel with nearly 520' of frontage on a creek. A peaceful lot on a private road. Please schedule your showings with a licensed real estate agent.

$418,000

MLS#6125773 $159,000

FEATURED LISTING

NEW! NORTHWOODS RETREAT HOME

Escape to your own private Northwoods retreat where privacy and convenience is everything! A short drive from Grand Marais along the shore of Lake Superior and you will have arrived at this well thought out 3-bedroom, 3-bath home on 10 acres. Property features an attached heated garage, a detached heated shop and a 3rd garage with an apartment. Established garden beds and a greenhouse. Just a short walk down the road you can hop on the Superior Hiking Trail. MLS#6125472

$725,000

www.RedPineRealty.com • info@RedPineRealty.com NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

V I S I T O U R O F F I C E T O S P E A K W I T H A R E A LT O R . B U S I N E S S H O U R S : M - F 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES

LAKE SUPERIOR SERENITY HOME Experience the pinnacle of North Shore living with this spectacular, sprawling 3-bedroom, 4 bath home. Tucked away on a pristine, wooded 13.59-acre lot, this property offers unparalleled privacy, breathtaking views and a magnificent 400 feet of Lake Superior frontage. The main home is designed for comfort with a beautiful stone fireplace, open concept floorplan bathed in natural light, and perfect for entertaining. Guests can enjoy their own space in the fully equipped apartment designed for comfort located above the detached 26'x34' garage. An additional 54'x40' Morton building offers immense space for projects, storing boats and additional parking. Whether you're looking for a serene year-round residence or an exceptional retreat, this rare gem is a must see. MLS#6125026 $2,300,000

UNIQUE LAKE SUPERIOR QUALITY This beautiful timber-frame home sits on gently sloped ledgerock shore, with coves, and spectacular views to the Grand Marais harbor. Privacy and pristine beauty on 3+ acres and 230 feet of shoreline, just a short walk to town. Uncompromising quality and charm, the 5200 sqft home has reclaimed timbers from the "world's largest railroad roundhouse” of early1900's Proctor. Masterfully crafted into a stunning private "lodge" with soaring ceilings and expert joinery showing the character of massive douglas fir timbers. Stone fireplace, wood and tile floors, professional kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, office, sitting room, cedar sauna, rec room, workout room, and more. Designed maximum energy efficiencies. Attached 3-car heated garage. There's privacy on the expansive ironwood deck with outdoor fireplace. Plus, a 40x30 shop building with the same timber-framing, high ceilings, bathroom, kitchen and lounge area. MLS#6124739 $3,760,000

I N L A N D W AT E R P R O P E R T I E S

DEVIL TRACK LAKE CABIN

DEERYARD LAKE COTTAGE

SEA GULL LAKE RETREAT

Devil Track Lake retreat on 4.7 acres surrounded by U.S. Forest Service and MN DNR land for privacy and authentic Northwoods living. Thoughtfully designed 4-season cabin features vaulted pine ceilings, warm wood finishes, open-concept living spaces, wood stove, 2 bedrooms plus a loft bedroom, and expansive lake-facing windows. Screened porch overlooking the lake, perfect for summer evenings, morning coffee, and relaxing bug-free nights.

Set on 2.11 acres within a quiet HOA, this stone cottage rests

Charming Cape Cod-inspired lake home, outstanding views of the lake

along 200ft of Deeryard Lake shoreline. Cottage features 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a few unfinished spaces, including a kitchen, laundry area, bathroom, and bedroom, ready for your finishing touches. A detached 2 stall garage with a workshop provides room for projects.

and surrounding BWCAW wilderness. Rock outcroppings and pines, great privacy, 252ft of accessible shoreline, 3.5 acres. Floating dock and great swimming. Two bedroom, 2 level home shows exceptional quality. Expansive windows and screen porch, plus upper-level deck. Home is set up for simple living. Composting toilet, outhouse, lake water system, with plans for a bath house/sauna not yet completed.

MLS#6123425

MLS#6125101 $599,000

$499,000

TOM LAKE LOT Buildable lot nicely prepped for your future plans. Driveway, parking area and a building site all ready to go. Electric and fiber optic are available at the roadside. From the building site there is a gentle slope to the waters edge that leads to a small bay with southern exposure. Special assessments in property taxes for Wilderness Trail snow plowing and county solid waste fee. MLS#6124856 $125,000

www.RedPineRealty.com • info@RedPineRealty.com 56

JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

MLS#6124149 $595,000

TOM LAKE CABIN About as close as you can get to the lake without getting your feet wet! Cabin has been completely rebuilt in the last few years including a new family room addition. Other major improvements include rebuilding the foundation, adding a lake draw water system, new septic service, new roof, kitchen, windows and flooring throughout the home. Enjoy year-round relaxation and views from the 4-season porch. The shoreline faces northwest perfect for summer sunsets! MLS#6125530 $349,900

V I S I T O U R O F F I C E T O S P E A K W I T H A R E A LT O R . B U S I N E S S H O U R S : M - F 9 A M - 5 P M , S AT 1 0 A M - 4 P M

HOMES AND CABINS

FINLAND ACRES & CABIN 6.74 acres just a couple miles from Hwy 61, an opportunity to create your own retreat near Lake Superior. Property features a partially completed 13' x 12' cabin and a shed, giving you a head start to finish the space and expand over time. Power and a drilled well are in place. A driveway is established with private gated entry. Property sits off a maintained road for year-round use.

RUSTIC CABIN WITH ACREAGE Outdoor paradise on 19.62 acres! Rustic cabin about 100 feet from Judge Magney State Park. Great hunting retreat or dog sled adventure stop. ATV or snowmobile access currently, with legal access in placeto build a driveway. Electricity/broadband coming to the road this year!

MLS#6124627

$158,900

MLS#6124300 $100,000

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July! COZY LOG CABIN ON 83 ACRES Come see this 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kit log cabin perched atop 83 acres, bordered by MN State land. Interior is accented by beautiful diamond willow railings and custom ironwork. Propane lights, refrigerator and cooking range reduce utility expenses. MLS#6125451 $249,000

Photo Credit: Terri Poe

LAND/BUILDING SITES MLS#

ADDRESS

CITY

PRICE

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

6124608 6120357 6124732 6123454 6123050 6125127 6124734

XX S LOST LAKE RD LOT 2 BLOCK 6 PINE PEAK RD XX BLACK GRANITE TR 4873 NORTH RD LOT 3 BLOCK 6 PINE PEAK RD 7AA COUNTY RD 6 820 W 5TH AVE

HOVLAND LUTSEN HOVLAND HOVLAND LUTSEN GRAND MARAIS GRAND MARAIS

$62,000 $55,000 $160,000 $325,000 $58,000 $80,000 $160,000

20.25 2.15 80.00 25.03 2.37 19.87 .24

DEEDED ACCESS TO LOST LAKE DEEDED ACCESS TO TAIT LAKE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL PREPARED BUILDING SITE DEEDED ACCESS TO TAIT LAKE MONKER CREEK THROUGH PROPERTY GARAGE & LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Red Pine Realty is proud to collaborate with the North Shore Artists League to bring professional regional work into the heart of Grand Marais. Throughout the year, on a rotating basis, the work of a local artist will be on display in our offices. The display is meant to be self guided. Visit us Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM to view the artwork and enjoy a tea, coffee or water. This month’s featured artist is Tim Vahle.

www.RedPineRealty.com • info@RedPineRealty.com NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

LAKE LOTS FOR SALE BIG BEAR LAKE, BRIMSON

Northern Wilds Real Estate Covering the communities in the North Shore area from Duluth, MN past Thunder Bay, Ont.

STARTING AT $200,000

Photos, the plat, and downloadable surveys at bigbearlakemn.com LD

Check in with any of our advertising Real Estate Agents for information on how to buy or sell your property.

Subscribe to our free online magazine with listings:

SOLD

Tony Vatalaro, R, GRI, CRS Evergreen Real Estate, Inc 218-428-7653

northernwilds.com

P.O. Box 397 Grand Marais, MN 55604 1008 2nd St. N. Stillwater, MN 55082 songbirdrealtymn@gmail.com songbirdrealtymn.com 218-370-8313

LINDA GARRITY

Broker & Owner

991 Ward Lake Rd. Lutsen, MN 55612

Lovely off-grid high-functioning cabin & bunkhouse, magical forest w/ mature cedar groves, 300’ along Murmur Creek & 20 acres of peace & solitude . Lofted bedroom, composting toilet, kitchen space, wood burning stove + more! It’s THE sweet little cabin in the woods. MLS 6125663

$229,900

Take the North Shore home with you! From Duluth to Thunder Bay and beyond, we cover the stories from the area featuring the people and places that make this place unique. You will find upcoming events, arts coverage, outdoor activities, dining, community news and more.

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JULY 2026

NORTHERN WILDS

CATCHLIGHT

MOOSE Some evenings on the Gunflint Trail are unforgettable. As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, I came across a mama moose and her twin calves. They lingered along the edge of the wilderness, completely at ease, giving me a glimpse into a quiet moment of their lives. Encounters like this remind me why I always bring my camera and why I never get tired of exploring Grand Marais.—Katie Slanga

NORTHERN WILDS

JULY 2026

on the gunflint trail

Unspoiled. Serene. Spectacular.

Unforgettable. Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, year-round resort

located on the Gunflint Trail of Northeastern Minnesota, only 30 miles north of Grand Marais. As the only residents on Flour Lake, and nestled in the 3 million acres of the Superior National Forest, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from a true wilderness setting. Each season has something special to offer; excellent fishing, canoeing, and hiking in summer and nationally-renowned cross-country skiing in winter. Visit our website to find in detail how each season can help shape your vacation. We offer fully equipped, modern housekeeping cabins to ensure comfort during your stay in the North Woods. These lakefront cabins each have their own private dock and beautiful lake views as well as high-speed Wi-Fi to keep you connected. We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation and we would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination.

PET FRIENDLY!

218-388-2203 • WWW. GOLDEN-EAGLE.COM CABINS | CAMPGROUND | WATERCRAFT RENTALS