Gunflint White Out?

Seagull Lake landing; tree planting station #4

May 3rd, 8AM

May 3rd, 3PM

Group #4 gathering for information

At our planting destination

Off to plant

Our instructions were to plant 60% red pine and 40% white pine

This past weekend was the much anticipated Gunflint Green Up. Over 450 people came to show their love of the north woods and to support this community by planting a total of 50,000 trees in one day!

The weekend began with a 6 1/2 hour drive up, in the rain for me. It was cold and wet that evening for the dinner in the big top tent but propane heaters helped keep everyone warm. It continued to rain throughout the night until roughly 4AM when it turned into snow, on May 3rd! I awoke to 3 inches of the white stuff on the hood of my car. I must say it was beautiful and if it had to be precipitation then I much prefer snow to rain.

The wet ground didn't seem to dampen the moods of the volunteers. We all arrived at our planting stations at 9:30AM to get our instructions, tools and trees then off we went. The day quickly from dark, wet and white to bright, dry and sunny.

Meeting new people was one of the highlights of this trip back up north. In my planting group were numerous people who live seasonally on a lake northwest of Gunflint Lake called Seagull Lake. One couple lost their home in the Ham Lake fire last summer and were all smiles when announcing that their new home would be completed in 2 weeks. One women retired from teaching and moved to the north woods. Amazingly, she handmade her very own timber frame home!

I was so happy to have been a part of this event and to have met so many wonderful people that have the same love for this place. Only 7 1/2 mos before the sled dogs and I head back up Gunflint Trail!