Blueberry Epidemic

The blueberry plants---they've taken over!
Picking advice: don't be tempted to stop and pick where you first see blueberries. Hold off until you just CAN'T BELIEVE the abundance--and how easy it is to pick handfuls.

Or just wait until you hear Daniel holler "Jackpot!!!"






Even Denali can't get enough.

Summer Staff---Can't live without them!

Here we are, on the busiest weekend of the summer...and they take it in stride. These competent young people take pride in the place, in their work, in each other. It's obviously important to them that Tuscarora and all the people involved are well cared for. When I think about that part, it chokes me up a little.

Justin
We all know that the crew cook is the number one morale guy on staff, and Justin makes it look easy. This morning he picked fresh rasberries for a pie at lunch. Could it get any better than that? He has also cultivated our worm recycling system, and made the perfect breeding place for the little guys as they gobble up our garbage. You can hear Justin laugh throughout the grounds—and that is a happy sound. He leaves gentle little notes places—like ‘can I be composted?’ on the garbage can, AND, he almost won the Tuscarora triathlon!

Jennifer flips canoes around with the best of them. She quietly handles any task. Ask Jennifer about the turtle that leaped out in front of her car wheels. She couldn't possibly avoid him. Amazing. It's Jennifer who prompted my sunrise memory on Duncan lake in July--one of the better ones. She is adventuresome and strong, and we like her.
Lindsay found her home in the northwoods this summer--her enthusiasm for all outdoor activities is contagious. She takes on the major responsibility for the food room, and this is no small task. She's got charisma--when she stays late to finish packing, somebody always comes in to hang out with her.

Sarah is as loyal and committed as they come. She is the one at the other end of the walkie talkie any time of the day, ready to go to the Trading Post. Coming from me who sets all of my stuff down, that is a huge accomplishment right there. She's a great cook besides. And I hear that she cleans griddles like an outfitter.

Paul came with

Cassandra. In fact, now they’re engaged. We’re glad about that because Paul may have never found his way to the northwoods of MN without her. Ask Paul about global warming—and the self importance many of us place on our personal impact. He’s quiet, he’s wise, and he can fix his own computer hardware. Who does this?

We're lucky to have Stefan back for a 4th year. He is a man of many talents (birding, physics, music, German...)... He can make a sweat lodge from an old 3p tent, and this year he also catches fish. He manages the outfitting yard with competence and energy. I’m still looking for the “owners eye” awards he facilitates---it’s my second year unable to find them.

Britta joined us in July--and she keeps getting thrown right into new tasks--and handles it all with amazing optomism. She also has a secret Brazilain way for baking black beans when she is filling in as crew cook.

If there is a good guys club, you can count Brian in. Solid, cheerful, quiet, competent. You can tell he’s played sports all his life, because he is a team player and covers his position. Always. Plus he can drive a stick shift. Brian can catch fish on any lake, and I don't believe he's been to town once yet.

You may never recognize Andy again—he has a beard and long hair that he has never had. And he says that once he goes into the real world he'll have to be clean cut again. Unless he colors his hair, adds major padding, takes a job as Santa. He's a great guy, who can take everything that he can dish out! With his sense of humor, he keeps the outfitting yard lively, and so far he has found all of the owner's eye awards, darn it!
We fondly refer to Camille as “the vegan.” She was pegged before she came. She can run very fast and very very far, and maintains a light cheerful attitude around here. We think she has the right to eat marshmallows and jello, and still call herself a vegan. She gets to eat in any category she wants!
Cass is leaving this week, and we all feel pretty sad about that. She holds it all together here---taking care of all of us, plus the guests and especially the children. Any children. I'm thinking if she had lived in an ancient community she might have been a healer.

Then there are the former staff members---those who circle around and come back and pitch in just at the right time. Carrie and Steve---and Mary---what would we have done without them today?

These are some of the best people that I know. At the end of the day, we're grateful for each of them.

The Secret To Life

Where did July go???

Boundary Waters camping---doesn't get any better....



Somehow right before our eyes July faded away.













The Tuscarora crew--we've grown pretty fond of each other.

The Tuscarora Triathlon---the event of the summer!

Daniel spends at least part of everyday mastering the fishing spots---Denali watches.

Big pines on Clearwater make me dizzy

The Gunflint Trail canoe races are held to benefit the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department--in case you didn't hear the announcer--the silver bullet (back ground) came in 2nd!

Happy Campers!






Wolf Ridge brought a highschool month long science class through--
Grand Marais Women make it into Clearwater Lake.
We love the Westreichs!






The Mikkelson kids are such sweet boys....

Avoid A Leaky Wallet Thus Summer...

The Sklar family came to Tuscarora last week---blogger Bev has some interesting insights!


Leaky Wallet


Walk Away from your four wheels

Morning Moon by Dell Boccignone

July 19th---Cabin 6 Journal entry...
Awakened at 5:20am and was greeted by a view from the kitchen window that was breathtaking. The full moon was centered between the pine and the birch trees. The lake was calm so the reflection that the moon cast appeared with a slight shimmer.
There was a hint of blue in the sky that melded from gold to hints of pink just above the distant tree line. A faint mist at the far side separated the reverse reflection of the sky scene upon the mirror-like surface of the lake.
Simply spectacular! Of course many photos were taken from both inside of Cabin 6 and outside.
We experienced some rough weather these past 7 days, but this one short clip that was witnessed this morning of our departure is what I will most remember.
Dell Boccignone (with Judy) Santa Clara, California.

Becoming a Boundary Waters Family

This summer the Outfitters of the Gunflint Trail have launched a new program----focused on making the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness more accessible and welcoming to families.





Check out http://www.becomingaboundarywatersfamily.com/ for the seminar schedule and the Woods Wisdom-pdf files. Stefan leads the Thursday night Tuscarora seminar---portaging and paddling basics.

We believe these woods hold great value for kids--for their physical, emotional, and cognitive well being. And we think that the wilderness also makes the perfect backdrop for family adventures--to build memories and make connections.






These kids will grow up to take care of what they know and love---and it is our privilege to witness some of the moments--as these families introduce their kids to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.