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Coming Soon – 2012 Catalog

We are currently working on our 2012 Vacation Rental Catalog. If you are interested in getting this catalog to help make your summer vacation plans for the North Shore, please e-mail kris at krisb@boreal.org and she will add you to the list! Each rental home is pictured with its amenities, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lake access and when they are open.

Posted on February 16th, 2012 in Uncategorized |

Winter Snow Sculptures in Grand Marais

Last weekend my boys and I took advantage of the beautiful February weather and shook off the winter blues with a stroll around Grand Marais. We got some yummy hot treats at Java Moose and then walked around the harbor.  We loved the snow sculptures. Skyler’s favorite was of course the giant cupcake. He now wants me to make a real cupcake that big. I am always amazed at the skill of the sculptors. We decided we would make a snow block in our back yard and try our hand at it. It probably won’t look like much but it will be fun trying.  -Tala Joy

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Posted on February 9th, 2012 in Winter Events |

The Spectacular Town of Tofte

I thought I would just take a moment to talk about the town of Tofte.  I think sometimes people may just pass it by on their way to Lutsen or Grand Marais, really missing all its great qualities.

For example, did you know Tofte has a great waterfront park?  This nice park, just off Highway 61, is a great area for a picnic and has a small shelter to keep the sun out of your eyes.  It also has a firepit and a great path along the lake. 

Next lets move on to some of the great shops in Tofte.  Did you know there is a small yarn shop across from our office called Tall Tale Yarn Shop? It’s a great spot to pick up some yarn and make a scarf while looking out at the lake from one of our rental homes.  Also across the street from us is Sawtooth Outfitters.  They rent out summer and winter gear like bikes, skis, and canoes and have a small retail store as well.  One of the other great stores of Tofte is WatersEdge.  It is filled with great gifts, wonderful clothing and fun jewelry.

When you are in our area you have to eat some great food.  If you decide you want to make your own meals, you can pick up some provisions at the North Shore Market.  If you are looking at dining out, you have two great options.  One is the Coho Café.  You can dine in or pick one of their takeout options.  They have breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner is weekends only in the winter).  Some of my favorites are the tuna wrap, and the Primavera and Call of the Wild pizzas.  You can also take dining one step up by going to the Bluefin Grille.  They have great food and wonderful views of Lake Superior from most of the tables.

Are you wanting some exercise and outdoor time?  Then get a guided kayak trip from Sawtooth Outfitters, or take a hike at Britton Peak or up to Carlton Peak.  If you brought your bike you can take a ride on the Gitchi Gami Bike Trail (a great spot for stroller rides with kids too).

If the kids need something to do you can take them to the playground at Birch Grove School.  They also have an ice skating rink in the winter with ice skates for rent for free (mostly kid sizes).

Next time I hope you take some time in Tofte – it is a great spot for all ages. –Kris

Some of our Tofte rental homes:
Bluefin Bay 14, 56 and 57
Aspenwood Condos (6508, 6526, 6536, 6538, 6540, 6542, 6544, 6546, 6548, 6550)
Cathy’s Cove
Eagle’s Nest
LeVeaux Mtn Lodge
Nordkapp
Parkview
Pointavu
The Phoenix

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Posted on February 2nd, 2012 in Travel, Uncategorized |

A Ski Through George Washington Pines

The weather last weekend was perfect – no wind and mild winter temperatures. What better to do on a day like that than go cross country skiing at George Washington Pines. This quiet ski spot is a little less than 7 miles up the Gunflint Trail. You still have cell phone reception in case you are alone (or want to post a great skiing picture to your friends back home on facebook). It is a 3.5k loop that runs through some of the larger pines in our area. When I got to the parking spot, there was only one other car. The trail itself didn’t have a lot of snow, but was well groomed. It is mostly a flat ski with 1 medium size downhill and one large downhill. It is a great spot for people who are new to skiing or just want an easier ski. -Kris

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Posted on January 26th, 2012 in Outdoor Activities, Uncategorized |

Family Vacation on the North Shore (Part 2)

As mentioned in my last blog, we had our family up after Christmas and enjoyed some time together and some time doing outdoor (and indoor) activities.

As some of our family left to go back home, the rest of the crew ventured north to Sawbill Lake for some cross country skiing.  A fresh blanket of snow had just fallen making everything around us covered white.  It was such a pretty drive.  We enjoyed some freshly groomed trails done by Bill Hansen who lives up at Sawbill.  He has made about a 2K loop around the campground area.  I saw a pine martin and a cute little bunny.  I had never been up to Sawbill and will definitely be returning again soon. 

The new snowfall also made it possible to do a dog sled ride.  The rides are given by Rita and Bill of Stoney Creek Kennels and are done about 10-15 miles up the Sawbill Trail in Tofte.  Each family group got a 20 minute ride through the quiet woods.  Bill mentioned the day before they saw 5 moose!  Even though we did not see any moose, it was still a fun thing to do. 

To finish up our trip the boys tried some sledding on the 310 Road which is also on the Sawbill Trail.  The road turns into a snowmobile path in the winter, but there was not enough snow at that time for snowmobiling, so we had the hill to ourselves. 

I think we made good use of our family vacation on the North Shore.  It was fun to go to places I had not been before as well show our family the great places we go all the time. -Kris

Posted on January 12th, 2012 in Stories and Pictures, Uncategorized, Wildlife |