3 granola bars, 2 water bottles, and a passport.

The die-hards around here know that the best time of year starts after most of us have shoved our skis in the basement closet. Its called crust-skiing, and I was fortunate to get an invite to make a loop across several lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area along the US-Canadian border near Ely. Over a smooth layer of packed snow, it was a day of fast, blissful, wide-open skiing, with occasional stops for photos, portages (we had to walk them), and snacks. A cool rock on Moose Lake.

Elton, the speck on the shoreline, making a run (er, ski) for the border.

Some rapids along one of our several portages...walk across this log and you're in Canada.

Refueling stop, somewhere on Basswood Lake. 30-something degrees and sunny...what a way to cap off the 2009 ski season!

The pot of gold?

After a day of rain showers, we got this.

Pictures from above

I have a co-worker who is an avid pilot. She and her husband fly and restore vintage planes. It is quite amazing what they do and how many hours they log flying. I had mentioned taking aerial photos and to my delight she agreed to fly over our property. So, one early morning "Yellow-Bird" came flying overhead. These are a few of the photos they took. We are hoping to use them in advertising for Green Gate. Aren't they great? Thank you Yellow Bird and her companions!!!

Is this a funnel cloud?

Okay, weather aficionado's. Is this a funnel cloud? The day after I took this picture, I heard a funnel cloud was spotted in the Aurora area. Even if it's not a funnel cloud, it was pretty amazing. I was taking pictures and the cloud just dropped.

Winter Wonderland

Our tough little tree: Its early March and we're still enjoying temps of -20 F in the mornings. The soles of my new running shoes cracked from the cold the other day. Winter is long, harsh, but spectacular around here! Did we mention that there is another "guesthouse" on our property? This one is currently unheated and occupied by a variety of small rodents. But, the view is incredible (it sits on the edge of field, overlooking the river below). Free room and board to anyone who wants to renovate it....

Magical

What's happening here?

Its getting cooler. I haven't put on shorts in days. Green is becoming red, yellow and orange. The daylight is fading and so is my tan. And the barn doesn't have a roof yet, so we work on!

I love this bird!

This bird was great! I was up in Ely with my mom for Mother's Day and saw this bird.

It was totally enamored with it's reflection. I got to the car in the morning and this bird is on the driver's side door looking at the window and occasionally pecking at the window. I got closer and the bird would move to the mirror then to the windshield. Still occasionally pecking at the window. It finally flew away when I opened the car door. I then left and came back about 1/2 hour later and the bird was still there. Just admiring itself...Or was it admiring the Prius. Could be... Anyway, I went back and forth to the car four or so times in a two hour period and the bird was still there. I'm just glad I still have a windshield considering all the pecking. My mom and I finally left...the bird is probably still confused as to where it's soulmate went. - Lisa

wow

As of this posting, the Ham Lake fire in the BWCA is 25% contained. This picture was taken last week when we were in Ely. It was a pretty amazing site considering the fire was approximately 50 miles away.

Ocean View

I was down in Duluth last week for the Arrowhead Home & Builders Show, trying to do some brainstorming for the barn renovation project. It was a beautiful day and I had to snap a few shots of the ice flows around the Canal Park lighthouse.