Signs of spring in Ely MN and the lodge remodel continues forward!

Geese, pussywillows, and sprouting flowers - things we typically don't see in Ely Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in late March, but have arrived early because of our unseasonably warm temperatures this past week.  The ice is receding away from the shoreline and what was once solid white ice, has turned a few shades of grey as the top layer turns slushy and starts to honeycomb the ice.  It might be a first for us, but we might just paddle a couple of canoes up the N Kawishiwi River prior to our Ely MN resort opening and go camping!

This 'warm' weather has been nice to have during the lodge remodel. Easier to replace the lodge windows in 60 degree temps rather than 0, nice to be able to put the table saw outside without having to shovel a spot, and being able to open the windows to air out the poly and stain odor without running up the heat bill. Northwoodsy accents like these antler light fixtures were added in a few places to bring nature inside.  Next week we will be moving on to tiling the 1200 sq ft floor. Then on to baseboards and finishing the check-in desk and we will be looking good for opening in May! 

In addition to completing the lodge remodel, we still have lots to do both inside and out before our official opening!  Raking leaves, cleaning out the flowerbeds, power washing boats & outside of cabins, deep clean the cabins, putting boats in the water, cleaning out the firepits and the Spring Opening 'To Do' list goes on and on..... ;o) 

Winter is still here in Ely MN in March during our lodge remodel!

We might have had a few unseasonably warm days here and there in January/February of this year, but winter is still here in Ely MN just outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  We've had about 10" of fresh snow in the past week and it's snowing right now. 

Cross country skiing conditions have been fabulous this year. Our kids both reached the 100km goal in the MN Youth Ski League 7 week program that ended last Sunday. Lots of time was spent either at Hidden Valley, Trezona Trail around Miner's Lake or South Farm Lake on backcountry trails.

Our big project this winter at our Ely MN resort has been gutting and remodeling the entire lodge (front to back).  Two years ago we enlarged the awning area outside the lodge and now we have enclosed part of it and added to our lodge space.  Lots of big windows/skylights and recessed lights were installed along with pine tongue/groove on the walls/ceilings to create a warm and welcoming lodge. 

(picture is of new lodge entry door looking from the new check-in desk) 

The wood walls/ceiling were just sprayed with polyeurathane and now we are moving on to trimming out windows/doors/walls and then on to the laying of the tile on the floor.  Guests have loved our newly remodeled lakeside cabins over the past couple of years and now it's time to move on to the lodge to complete the look. Jim and I have spent many quality 'spouse' hours working together making it happen!

Hope you are all having a safe and healthy winter season and we look forward to showing off our newly remodeled lodge in a few months.

Don't forget MN Fishing Opener is May 12, 2012 - call 218-365-4106 to reserve your cabin on Farm Lake today!