Photo courtesy of Jim Brandenburg. This article was originally published in the 1999-2000 Ely Winter Times. One of the northwoods’ winter wonders is the night sky. Away from artificial light sources, the view of the stars and planets is dazzling. The sheer number is awe-inspiring, especially to urban dwellers who have become so accustomed…
Photo courtesy of LynnAnne Vesper, canoe and dogsled guide as well as ricing instructor for the Ely Folk School. When Johnnie first began ricing, she and her husband were on the same lake as Mooney and Mooney’s husband, Joe. Johnnie recalls being in awe of Mooney, who looked so relaxed and barely seemed to…
Brielle’s Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup 2 cups wild rice, cooked (preferably hand harvested – not the dark-colored commercial kind) 4 cups water 8 cups chicken stock 2 lbs chicken – thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces and lightly sauteed ½ pound butter (or combination of butter and olive oil) 1 large onion,…
The above image, Dave & Amy Freeman ricing on Nina Moose Lake, was featured in the 2018 Boundary Waters & Quetico Calendar. The following article was originally published by Raven Words Press in the 1999 Ely Summer Times. In late summer, when the wild rice ripens on the shallow, mucky-bottomed waterways near Ely…
Late July is a great time for canoe tripping in the border country—the lakes are warm enough for long swims, the black flies are mostly gone, the mosquitoes usually don’t come out until sunset, and the blueberries are ripe. Picking blueberries always reminds me of the year we transformed our canoe tripping style due to…
Photo credit: Paul Sundberg. This image and text below were featured in the 2017 Boundary Waters & Quetico Calendar. Blueberries are more than delicious, abundant, and free for the picking. They are also one of the most healthful of all fruits and vegetables. With plenty of fiber and vitamin C as well as natural…
Celebrate blueberry season with a refreshing cocktail! (Or make a tasty spritzer without the alcohol.) This recipe was generously submitted by the folks at Insula Restaurant. Serves two* Still providing delicious meals with curbside service. INGREDIENTS 1 cup blueberries 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves Juice from one lime (fresh; about 2 tablespoons) 1…
The following article was originally published by Raven Words Press in the 1997 Ely Summer Times. Helen opened her eyes. Morning. Letting sleep slide away, she listened to the sounds of guests gathering in the lodge for breakfast. The talk centered mostly on bait, weather, and how many days of fishing were left before…
This article was originally published in the 1999 Ely Summer Times. It served as a follow up to Crooked Lake, July 1950, which was originally published in the 1997 Ely Summer Times. It was a rainy afternoon early in September, a quiet time on Crooked Lake. But for one woman staring out from the pines…
The cover photo of Crooked Lake was provided by Layne Kennedy and featured in the 2019 Boundary Waters & Quetico Calendar. You can pre-order your copy of the 2021 Boundary Waters & Quetico Calendar now! It was, as it turned out, the longest paddling day of my life. (At age 72, I’m sure I…