We survived 5 months of winter up north!

 According to news articles and local residents, the winter of 2022 has been the snowiest, the coldest and the longest since Ely began recording weather.  We picked a great year to move here, right?

The forest is gorgeous and very quiet.

We walk or snowshoe our trail almost daily.

Sometimes we stop in at the local bar for a Bloody Mary. 
It appears as though the bars compete to see who can make the best one.

Felicia and Ruby visited us in January, unfortunately on the coldest week of the winter.  It was consistently 20 to 35 degrees below zero each night.  Daytime didn't get above zero.  Brrrr!

Felicia and Ruby on White Iron Lake

We attempted cross country skiing, but really, it was just too dang cold.

Rusty built a fire in the wood stove, hoisted the canoe (upper right) and unpacked 
much of his shop equipment.

Gretchen spends most of her day in front of the jotul.

Filling up the LP tank. $$$$$$$$

Fat tire biking in the snow is all the rage here.
I borrowed a friend's bike to try it out.

Rusty is hiking on a dog-sled trail on the lake.  
The snow is deep enough that without the trail, hiking would be nearly impossible.

On some afternoons I hike to the Winter Camp.  Yes, people do camp
outside all winter long.

Duluth in February

We welcomed Lincoln friends, the Streichs, to our cottage home in Duluth.

We toured some of Duluth and stopped at Lief Erickson Park to see Lake Superior.

This is the Spirit Mountain ski area in Chester Park, just a few blocks from our home.

I drove 20 miles up the shore to Two Harbors and 
purchased a fat tire bike.  Love it!

Back in Ely...

In March we had 2 days of 50º

Puffy egg mixture with fruit and creme fraiche.
It's called Baby.

The temperature swings in one day continue to amaze us.  It's not uncommon to see a 40 to 50 degree change in one 24-hour period.

The ice on the trees lit up as the sun began to rise.

That same afternoon the trees were again covered in snow.

I took a break from the cold and visited Olivia and family in KC.

Olivia is a kind and generous host.  Love this girl!

We had a fabulous evening at Ocean Prime!
Pierce, Reece, Olivia, Di, Chris

Biking friends of ours from Lincoln visited our Ely cabin in March.

Mary and Bob Torrell did a 3-day dogsled trip.

Even Bob, who wasn't so sure about it, said he had the time of his life.

It was fun hearing about their adventure and catching up on old times.

Our social life in Ely is evolving.  

The "Elyites" meet weekly for lunch and a speaker.  The topics are very interesting.  For example, during the Ely Winter Festival, snow sculptures are done in the park.  A local sculptor and artist talked to us about the process.  

This year is the 10-year anniversary of the Pagami Creek Fire, so Foresters from the area shared information about fire-fighting and what has been learned.  

Tall trees emerge from the 10-year old fire.

Another speaker shared pictures and stories of his peony farm in MN.  Every 6 weeks or so, new Elyites are invited to introduce themselves and tell their story.  Rusty and I were featured in March and made both of the local newspapers.

On Saturday mornings I go with Ely Field Naturalists to hike and observe wildlife. Our guide is a knowledgeable professor from the college.  A few weeks ago I saw 25 trumpeter swans, all paired and one juvenile.

I've also joined the American Association of University Women as well as a more local group called "Empower" (women).  Awarding a scholarship for an Ely woman to become a Forest Ranger and another scholarship for a middle school girl to attend STEM camp are among most recent projects.

We joined some friends for a wine and dinner event.  
The chef from "the cities" (Minneapolis/St.Paul) served and elegant meal!

Once the dog-sledding season is over, Wintergreen hosts what they call "The Mushers' Ball."  Rusty and I were invited and had a great time.

Rusty played the washboard.

Sue and fellow musher 

The Ely State Theater hosted a performance by the"Duluth Transit Authority," a cover band for "Chicago."

Winter on Sunset Road

Spring on Sunset Road
(the potholes in Duluth aren't any better)

Meanwhile, Rusty and I are very anxious for the last 20" of ice to melt so that we can paddle our canoes.

My new, lightweight, Northwind Solo canoe.

This past week was spent in Duluth again.  As with any home purchase, there are things that need to be done.  Our first priority was changing all the locks.  Then we had an electrician correct things that were noted on the house inspection.  The decorating is very dated, so we've hired a carpenter to do some things.

JB uses careful measurements to add a decorative touch to dining room walls.

Painting the entire living-dining area will happen at the end of the month.  I can't wait!

We have a silver maple in the back yard that measures 48" at the base.  It has spread its branches over our house, the garage, and even into the neighbor's tree.  Time for a trimming.

Jason of Tettegouche Tree Care begins the trimming.

Living in a cabin in the woods is not for everyone, but know that you are welcome to pay us a visit.