Points Unknown from the Air

Points Unknown is the little tan spot on the left.

Thinking out of the Box

Mosquitoes are definitely an issue in our remote location in the woods. We're thinking out of the box and are trying a container garden of mosquito repelling plants, thanks for friend of Points Unknown, Francine Alt-Greene. We've got the dirt all ready and now we just need some warm to get them planted. I have a feeling they'll be too small to do much good this bug season but if we keep them inside until next spring, they should be filled with mosquito repelling power.

I began some seeds in the house several weeks ago and they sit in a bright window, waiting warmer temperatures.

We've come to realize that if we want a garden up in our north woods paradise, we have to think out of the box and use a bale! You see, we have no soil to speak of so our research brought us to the use of straw bales for planting vegetables. Not only is this value to us but the blossoms will be valued by the honey bees. As far as the sled dogs know, it's just another object for urination. Thankfully, they're only hitting the sides!

It takes 10+ days to condition the straw bales to make them ready to plant. We've been using organic fertilizer and water in various amounts on specific days. Now if we could only get some nice warm temperatures so that the bales begin to "cook". With a low of 25 degrees expected over night, I think we're a ways off! Stay tuned.

Once the bales are set out with the cut side up, we've been adding organic fertilizer every couple of days and soaking the bales with water each day.

The bales still need to be conditioned for several more days and then we'll pound stakes into the ground on either side, put a 2x4 in between them at the top for stability and then string them with electric fence wire so the vine crops will have something to climb. Stay tuned for updates. If you'd like regular updates about this and our life with the dogs, "like" and follow us on facebook!

Zola Turns Two Today!

Zola at 10 weeks

Zola in her Mush for a Cure outfit on Gunflint Lake this winter

Our smart and beautiful rusty colored girl turns two today!

Happy Birthday, Zola!

Points Unknown in Cartoon World

This cartoon was inspired by a photo of the Points Unknown sled dogs heading into the woods on an early winter run. From Dik La Pine - "Last November Linda Newman of Hovland ordered some greeting cards from Ice Box Cards, and I blotched up her order. She was so gracious not to be upset with me that I had to look her up on facebook to see what she was all about. She is living my cartoon dream of living as a dog sledder in the Far North regions of Minnesota. On her page she had a pic displayed that I tried to make into a cartoon. Let me know if you all think I caught it. I call the pic, "Not Knowing Where We Are Going But Getting There Fast." Thanks, Linda, for the purchase and the inspiration for this cartoon."

 

Here's the photo that inspired the cartoon. How fun is that?!

We did it!

Well, we did it! We finally made our move up to the remote north woods of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region where we're living and working entirely OFF GRID using solar energy. It's been a long and complicated journey to get to where we can begin living more simply.

Having just finished a very successful winter season for Points Unknown in our new location, we are looking forward to putting our efforts into creating another exciting set of dog sledding experiences and adventures for our guests for next winter!

What projects, additions and excitement do you have planned for 2014, you ask?

• Once mud season disappears in the dog yard we'll begin installing our new kennels! When we made our move, we had to move quickly so smaller temporary pens were constructed to get us through until we could take the time to plan the permanent ones. Each pair of dogs will get a new kennel that will be double the size of their current kennel and they'll be configured in such a way to provide more privacy with less neighbors, sharing two sides with other kennels versus three. They will also be more play areas added!
• More dog houses will be made.
• We're looking into having an Open Dog Yard for summer tourists to come up and meet the dogs.
• More trails will be added to our existing system of trails.
• Our current covered porch will be transformed into a four season porch which will be the perfect spot for the dogs to pass through before coming in the house. During mud season this will allow muddy feet to dry before tracking mud into the rest of the house. In the winter, this area will house a number of crates so that our senior and more vulnerable dogs have a warm, yet not too warm, bedroom of their own. It can get too hot in the main part of the house for them during the winter. In the spring, it will be the perfect place to frisk them of mosquitoes before those blood suckers can hitchhike their way into the main part of the house on the dogs. This is also where we will set up our whelping box when we have a litter of puppies in the future, with a doggie door going out to a fenced in area for mom to get away from it all.
• AND we hope to add two puppies from a frozen artificial insemination between Phoenix and one of our Topa/Oken 2011 puppies, Chetan, who now lives in Alaska. Frozen Phoenix will be shipped over to Thom Swan at Star Dancer Historical Freight Kennel at the right moment and they'll take it from there.

Follow us to hear about our progress! You can also check us out on our Points Unknown Facebook page. Be sure to "like" our page!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Points Unknown Dog Handler Position

Points Unknown is a small, educational Sled Dog Adventure and Touring kennel and we're looking for a qualified, mature and responsible dog handler. The applicant must have a love and respect for dogs, a desire for adventure and a thirst for knowledge.  A dog training background in obedience and/or animal behavior will be helpful. Offering room and board and all of the sled dog cuddles and slobber you can handle.

At times, you’ll work longer and harder than you likely ever have before. You’ll get tired and fatigued, sore, sometimes wet, and really dirty. At times, there will be plenty of time to relax and just soak up the beauty of the woods while hanging out with the dogs in their play groups or to head out to explore the area.  You’ll likely learn more about yourself and canine working companions than you ever thought imaginable and you’ll have the time of your life. There is potential to guide tours in the winter for a little extra pocket money.

We live entirely off grid, using solar energy, in the remote wilderness of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region but have all of the modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and wifi. We’ve been called one of the cushiest handler jobs around!

Long term preferred, however we will consider shorter term for the right person. Hours are flexible in the off season, so a paying job in town is always possible. During the winter, it will be more difficult to have an off-site job. We have excellent internet service for telecommuting and descent boosted cell phone coverage. Must have a Canadian cell phone plan.

Available immediately. Please send inquiries and resumes to linda@points-unknown.com

Please feel free to visit our website to see what we're all about by clicking here.

Points Unknown Testimonial

Hailey's team was led by Journey and Oken with Wyakin smiling behind.

Testimonial taken from the Points Unknown listing on Trip Advisor

“Exceeded my expectations...more than an adventurous trip- it was the experience of a lifetime!”

Reviewed February 9, 2014 via mobile

"Ok, first of all- I am NOT an employee of Points Unknown, I was simply so impressed and thrilled by my experience there that I had to write a review while it was fresh in my mind (and I'm still running on the adrenalin of the experience!)
This adventure is SO MUCH MORE than a few rides In a sled, this is a well constructed all-out introduction to a sport and a lifestyle so many folks (including me) know little about!

After a few short 1/2 day recreational dog sled trips with different outfitters- my interest was further piqued by my love of dogs and Nortern MN. I was expecting to simply get a few extra opportunities and a few informative talks on dogsledding, but what I got from the experience was 10x better!

It really should be called " Mushing 101" as this 4 day trip provided not only TONS of insight into the life of mushing, the history and development of a mushing lifestyle and care of these unique animals AND thorough instruction but multiple experiences driving your own sled, with competent coaches and dog teams on beginner and challenging courses.

It wasn't a ride- it was an once in a lifetime ExPERIENCE! ( I told them this should be their tag line!)

They kept our trip group to 4 people so we got lots of one on one attention, and they truly made each of us feel supported and comfortable. A few participants had NEVER been dog sledding prior, but simply wanted an outdoor adventure and loved dogs.

My mind was opened to an amazing sport- I even feel somewhat ready to launch my own team! (Ok a little more experience would help!)

This will Definitely be a must on my calendar again next year!!!!

Visited February 2014"

Sonja Birkeland
Andover, MN, USA