Posts Tagged ‘Cascade Vacation Rentals’
The Spectacular Town of Tofte
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
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
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lake Superior, Minnesota, Tofte
Posted in Travel, Uncategorized |
Historic Seagull House
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
A relatively new addition to our rental pool, Seagull House has a rich and unique history that is strongly connected to architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Below is a history of the house and it’s designer, John Howe. If you are interested in learning more about the home or booking it for your group, please view the website call 1-800-950-4361.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture or “Prairie Style” permanently transformed residential home design. Mr. Wright believed that the design of a home starts with the building site, and that the home should be an extension of the land on which it is built. He wanted each home to “open up” from its lower-ceiling entry area, leading you forward to vaulted areas and views beyond. Most Wright homes have a large fireplace made of natural stone near the center of the house.
Mr. Wright was also famous for the use of leaded glass at selected windows during the period when he designed mostly urban homes. Since these were removed from nature, he added the leaded glass to distract the eye from less than beautiful city views. However, when he designed a home in a more scenic area he did not use leaded glass where he wanted the beauty of nature to be seen. He believed that, whenever possible, natural materials of the geographic area should be incorporated in the construction of homes he designed
A number of beautiful books we have collected at Seagull House will introduce you to more examples of Mr. Wright`s Prairie Style architecture, a style that served as the foundation for Howe`s work. These can be found on the shelves just above the front foyer.
We invite you to view the PBS Frank Lloyd Wright video to get a better idea about how Mr. Wright`s ideas about architecture evolved and changed throughout his lifetime. This documentary makes no secret of Mr. Wright¡¦s character flaws which, in our opinion, also include the fact that he took credit for much of the good work of his Apprentices, each a genius in his own right. The Apprentices were often intentionally kept in the background in order to put Mr. Wright in the limelight. Mr. Howe was perhaps the most important of these under-appreciated Apprentices, and he does appear briefly in the PBS video.
Frank Lloyd Wright`s Apprentices
In 1932 Frank Lloyd Wright was gathering a band of young apprentices into what would become known as the Taliesin Fellowship. Howe, often called “Jack” within the Fellowship and is so referred in many of the references within Frank Lloyd Books, was among the first to join, and as it turned out, among the last to leave this great experiment.
John H. Howe was called the “pencil in Mr. Wright`s hand”. He was talented and worked well with Frank Lloyd Wright. Thus, Mr. Wright put him in charge of the design studio in the late 1930`s, where he became Mr. Wright`s Chief Draftsman, a position he held for more than 25 years. Mr. Wright would always wake up early with ideas and bring them in and explain them to me and then I`d lay them out, Howe remembers. (cited from St. Paul paper). Or, Mr. Wright would start a design, John Howe would take over, then Mr. Wright would work on it again, and this cycle would repeat during the day. Thus, many of the “Wright designs” were influenced by Mr. Howe. Howe was very good and extremely quick – able to turn out drawings, as was Wright at breakneck speed. John was particularly talented in creating drawings of the buildings showing the integration of the actual site.
John married his Lu in 1946. She was trained as an educator, but was working at Taliesin at that time as the transcriber of Wright`s lectures and manuscripts. Frank Lloyd Wright died in 1959 and John Howe left the group five years later to launch his own successful architecture firm called “John H. Howe, Architect”. After leaving Taliesin, Howe and his wife lived in San Francisco, California briefly, but found the demand for his work much greater in Minnesota. They eventually moved to Minnesota in 1967, and lived here until 1992.
John Howe`s work after Frank Lloyd Wright
John Howe remarked that if ever a book was ever written about him it could be called “The Land is the Beginning”. His architecture after Taliesin continued in Prairie Style, but with a more practical touch. In Minnesota alone there are more than 80 Howe buildings, which are some of the finest examples of organic architecture in the Midwest. According to Mr. Howe, organic style requires that a building be in harmony with its site, naturally expressing its purpose, and incorporating as many materials of the area as possible. “The site”, he maintained, rather than any architectural preconception, is…the primary basis and inspiration for an architectural design. “I endeavor to maintain a human scale, avoiding unnecessary heights and overwhelming structure, letting the space flow horizontally, and keeping supporting members as light as possible. A low sheltering roof remains the predominant feature in all of my houses.” (MIA brochure) These principles are clearly visible in Seagull House.
Frank Lloyd Wright and John Howe worked together for years, yet, these two people working under the same philosophy came to two completely different conclusions. Howe said (JTF Journal) “I am not continuing Mr. Wright`s work…You can`t blame my houses on Mr. Wright! That would be doing both Mr. Wright and me an injustice” Geoffrey Childs (John Howe¡¦s Apprentice) concludes: ”If you look at Mr. Howe`s work, and become familiar with it, you can tell that nobody else could have done it. Even though it does resemble the feeling that Mr. Wright had…The buildings have two completely different feelings to them. What you pick up right away is that Jack Howe`s buildings are a lot more airy. Mr. Wright`s are rather dark” (p. 14)
Mr. Howe`s starting point for a home was also different from Mr. Wright`s. “…the land is the beginning of architecture. I don`t have a preconception for a house or building. Mr. Wright, I think, often did. I rely on topographical maps the location of trees and other natural features, the views and the points of the compass. That`s where I start.” (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
Although clearly inspired by small homes Wright began designing in the 1930s, Howe`s houses are not mere imitations. Instead, Howe works endless variations on Wrightian themes, creating houses that tend to be simpler, less costly, and far more practical than those designed by Wright himself. In an interview published in the Journal of the Taliesin Fellows (Issue 23, summer 1998) Howe says …”We don`t waste any space. If somebody comes in and says I`d like 2,500 or 3,000 square feet in my house, I figure 1,500 would do them plenty well. They don`t need more. The conventional house is a big box and it`s filled with a lot of smaller boxes and the furniture is arranged around the walls…and the middle of the room is just empty. You`re just talking across to each other. It`s a terrific waste of space.”<p>Mrs. George Johnson, describes the elemental connection with nature and serenity that a Howe house provides: ”Every piece must fit, must harmonize, with the whole. Of course, one must disagree with John occasionally, although it`s never easy or too often wise. His sense of what is right for his houses is indisputable. The sense of comfort and serenity we derive from living in them (Howe houses) is proof of that.”
John Howe`s calling was architecture. He described biking around Oak Park, Illinois as a child, observing and admiring the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Later he said, “I can`t remember a time when architecture didn`t interest me. When the other boys were out playing ball or marbles, I sat in my room drawing houses¡¨.(JTF p.21) Lu Howe summed it up well: “To know all your life what you want to do and then to do it…that`s a rare and wonderful gift”. Mr. Howe began the process of retirement by about 1980 but continued working on a limited basis until his practice ended in 1992, when his failing health prevented further work. At that time, he and his wife moved to California, where he died in 1997 at the age of 84.
Lu Howe displayed John Howe`s complete works at his Memorial service in 1997, allowing all of us who attended to appreciate at one time and in one location the full scope and genius of Mr. Howe`s designs. His memorial service was held at the beautiful First Church of Christ Scientist in New Brighton, Minnesota, a masterpiece John Howe designed in 1970.
Mr. Howe summed up his own work when he said “New techniques and materials present an ever-increasing challenge to architects who wish to follow the principles of organic architecture. However, one must use these new materials in a humane way. Buildings are for people, after all.” (MIA brochure, back page) After his death, Mrs. Howe donated all of John`s architectural work from the Taliesin years to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and all of his work as an independent architect to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Mrs. Howe is currently living in a beautiful compact home outside of San Francisco. We look forward to her plan to publish a high quality volume of her husband`s works in the not-too-distant future.
Seagull House is built
Mrs. George R. Johnson worked with John Howe in the design of several personal residences. The first were in the Minneapolis area and are often featured in articles about the work of John Howe. Mrs. Johnson is very artistically talented, loves Prairie Style Architecture and worked very well with John Howe. Seagull House was their final personal residence project.
Mrs. George R. Johnson met many of the Apprentices, and met Mrs. Wright – but never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Wright. When Mrs. Johnson decided to sell Seagull House and moved to Terrace Point, we purchased her home with the intention to preserve it both for our own use and to share it with others who would appreciate it.
Interesting Facts about Seagull House:
Seagull House was designed by John Howe at the peak of his career, in about 1982. The building was completed in 1984.
The house got its name when John Howe was walking the site for inspiration. As he stood by the water`s edge, a seagull flew over. It came to him that he should create a house using the shape of the seagull, as seen from above.
Mr. Howe always created two drawings in color pencil of each home to be built. He gave one copy to the owner, and kept one. We have a reproduction of the color pencil drawing of Seagull House, framed, in the foyer of the house.
The fireplace of Seagull House uses “Carleton Peak” granite. Carleton Peak, a short distance down the shore, is one of only a few areas of the world where this type of granite can be found. The fireplace represents Mr. Howe`s commitment to using local materials.
The primary interior and exterior wood in Seagull House is red cedar. The builder purchased the cedar more than a year before building the house to assure that the wood was fully dried. Notice that the 25+ year old house sports wonderfully tight seams despite its age, because of the care that was taken.
Door knobs in the home are placed high, in keeping with John Howe`s individual style.
The seven antique Japanese hand-blown glass globes located above the built in couch were in Mrs.Johnson`s possession before Seagull House was designed, and were intended to be a part of this house. Mr. Howe made sure to create the perfect area for them when he created Seagull`s design. The globes were sold with this home, because Mrs. Johnson considered them “part of” the house.
The black leather chairs near the great room windows are “Swan Chairs”, originally designed by Arne Jacobsen of Denmark for a hotel lobby in Copenhagen in 1958. Mrs. Johnson had used Swan chairs in this spot, because of their organic, complementary design so we purchased chairs of the same design. These unique chairs also allow the occupants to face the fireplace or the large windows with equal ease. Note how the chairs bring out the black accent within the Carleton Peak Granite of the fireplace.
We have decided to leave a number of valuable books, pottery and other personal items in our home, hoping that you will treat them gently and respectfully, as you enjoy your visit.
Publications referenced:
The Architecture of John Howe. Minneapolis Tribune – Picture Section, June 12, 1983
John Howe in Minnesota: The Prairie School Legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright (Exhibit Brochure) Minneapolis Institute of Arts: Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2000.
John Henry Howe: The Consummate Apprentice. Journal of the Taliesin Fellows, Issue 23: Summer 1998
Wright Disciple Still Designing Homes. St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper, Sunday, November 29, 1987
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, rental property, seagull house
Posted in Stories and Pictures, Travel |
March Gales On Lake Superior
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
Instead of receiving the predicted blizzard on the North Shore last week, we were visited by the Gales of March on Lake Superior. The picture of our Great Lake was magnificent, painted with dark blue, green and sometimes brown. The waves came crashing in with an enormous white cap topping. To add to this beautiful and surreal scenario, was the magnificent artistry of ice sculptures found on rock ledges and cliffs. This scene, I am certain, can only be created by Mother Nature herself. Watching the waves on the shores made me daydream about the tales of Lake Superior. My speculations are that if Lake Superior could talk, the stories would fill the Lake itself. Lake Superior was named Gichigami by the Ojibwe for ‘big water’ and is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is truly the greatest of the Great Lakes measuring to be the largest, deepest and coldest of the five with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the summer (brrrrr!). The best part about Lake Superior is that it is ‘right out the back door’ and for miles and miles and miles! -Cindy
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Duluth, Grand Marais, Lake Superior, Lutsen, Minnesota, North Shore, Northern Minnesota, Tofte
Posted in Outdoor Activities, Specials, Spring Events, Travel, Views and Scenery |
New Rental Opportunity
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Lovely one or two bedroom condo available for rent by the month at a special rate for the winter. Located on Lake Superior and minutes from Lutsen Mountains, it offers the best in winter recreation and comfort. Perhaps rent for a month and let your employees rotate through as a perk. Cleaning and changeover available in between stays at an additional charge. No smoking and no pets. Please call Steve Surbaugh at 800-950-4361 ext 4
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lake Superior, Lutsen
Posted in Specials, Travel |
World’s Best Cross Country Skiing?
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
Cross country skiing isn’t as flashy as downhill skiing or snowboarding. Cross country trails aren’t usually the subject of front page articles in travel magazines (at least not in the U.S.) It’s hard to find a definitive list of the best cross country ski trails in the U.S. So, I am hereby nominating Cook County’s 400+ km of groomed trails for the title “World’s Best Cross Country Skiing.”
Where else can you traverse maple hillsides while taking in 180 degree views of the largest freshwater lake on earth? When you’re done with that trail, you can zip over to the next set of trails and enjoy river and inland lake views. How about skiing with a bird’s eye view of Grand Marais harbor? A trip up the Gunflint Trail will take you deep into the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There you can ski comfortably from lodge to lodge – or you can head off-trail to explore the winter woods. You could ski all of this in one day – but it’s definitely better to take a weekend to enjoy it.
Cook County started a new ski festival two winters ago to celebrate our amazing trail system. Even if you can’t make it for the big “Volks Ski” day on February 12, you can participate all season long by sharing trail stories and insights from your skiing days. Their website is a great source of information on trail maps, conditions and features.
Is the Cook County trail system the World’s Best? Why not give it a try and decide for yourself?
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Gunflint Trail, skiing
Posted in Outdoor Activities, Winter Events |
Guided Winter Tours
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Now it’s time to really get started with winter fun. This year, a new sort of winter adventure will be available through Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais. They will be offering guided day trips including dogsledding, ice fishing, skijouring, ice climbing and snow kiting. Never tried (or heard of) these things before? No problem. Their expert guides will show you the way. For those who are interested in half-day trips, they also offer guided snowshoeing and cross country skiing treks. For more information, including pricing, visit their site.
If you would like help planning your winter vacation, from purchasing lift tickets to choosing a dogsled trip, just give our staff a call at 1-800-950-4361. (Of course, we can also help you find a place to stay.)
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Dog Sledding, Grand Marais
Posted in Outdoor Activities, Winter Events |
Gales of November…
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
The skies have clouded up for the first time in weeks! It made me realize that I have been waiting for some “real” fall weather. To get me in the mood for stormy November, I decided to search for some videos of big waves on the Big Lake. Some of these are pretty cool – although I would not want to be standing out there shooting video in some of these storms!
Short, but very atmospheric!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiEfViHp61k&feature=related
The Lakewalk in Duluth gets pummeled:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ7bL3V1JQ8&feature=related
Big waves on Artists Point, Grand Marais:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB4G7SUSe3U&feature=related
Big waves over breakwater:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIwmU50xDo&feature=related
Tags: Artist Point, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lake Superior, waves
Posted in Fall Events, Views and Scenery |
Living on the Big Lake
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
As many of you know, the Surbaugh family normally lives on an old homestead in the woods. But, right now the old homestead is being remodeled into a slightly newer homestead, and we had to find another place to live. Luckily, we were able to move our family into one of the Aspenwood condos for a few weeks. We’ve never lived on the “Big Lake” before – and it is awesome in every sense of the word.
Every morning we wake up to the sunrise over the unbroken horizon of Lake Superior. At night we can watch the moon reflecting on the water, or sometimes a big ore boat slowly moving across the horizon. The kids love to sit on the deck and watch the waves and the birds.
Even though I dreaded the hassle of moving our family to a new place, the dramatic change of scenery has been refreshing. After we move back to our beloved house in the woods, we’ll be certain to take more mini-vacations to the shore. Luckily, we happen to know some great rental agents to help us do that!
-Kate
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lake Superior, Tofte
Posted in Office News, Views and Scenery |
MEA Weekend Activities
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
The MEA weekend is a school holiday and the last long weekend before winter. There’s plenty of fun stuff to do on the North Shore for everyone – from kids to grandparents. Here are a few to try:
Moose Madness Festival: Grand Marais goes crazy for Murray the Moose with fun activities for all ages.
Fall Birding at North House Folk School: see the rare birds of the late fall migration.
Take the “Autumn in Pastel” class at the famous Grand Marais Art Colony.
Listen to different music every night at the Gunflint Tavern.
Take in the wonderful local art exhibits at the local galleries and restaurants.
Want more…? Check out the Cook County Events website.
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Grand Marais, moose
Posted in Events, Fall Events, Fun for Kids |
Education Vacation
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Want another excuse to visit the North Shore (as if you needed one)? Take a class! Grand Marais boasts not one, but TWO totally unique learning opportunities.
The Grand Marais Art Colony is the longest-lived art colony in Minnesota, established right after the Second World War. Its founders, Birney Quick and Byron Bradley (also known as the builder of the Spirit Haven rental home) originally called the colony The Outdoor School of Painting. Outdoor painting is still part of the Art Colony’s mission, with a Plein Air painting competition every fall. The Art Colony holds classes year round featuring all types of media and taught by artists from around the country.
The North House Folk School has not been in existence as long as the Art Colony, but has already shaped the culture of the town. As you drive into Grand Marais, you pass the campus on your right, a collection of brightly colored halls and fishing buildings. If you wander inside, you’ll find big rooms heated by woodstoves and people gathered around long tables. They might be building traditional snowshoes, making bread, felting wool, making a birchbark canoe or a host of other traditional northern crafts. There really is not anyplace else like North House Folk School, and people of all ages and ability levels can find a class to enjoy. You can head home from your vacation with a sense of renewal and a brand new skill!
After you book your class, be sure to call us to reserve the perfect spot to relax afterwards.
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Grand Marais
Posted in Events, Travel |
