Posts Tagged ‘Cascade Vacation Rentals’
A Visit to the Big City
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Cascade Vacation Rentals has enjoyed some publicity lately, and I got to go to Minneapolis to appear on TV! Over the last 10 days, I appeared on Fox9 news, KARE 11 news and Twin Cities Live. It’s always fun to have an excuse to spend a few days in the big city. I went shopping, ate some good food, and got to wear my “fancy” clothes (as opposed to jeans and a fleece jacket – the northwoods uniform.) Everyone who worked with the TV stations was incredibly friendly and helpful and being on camera was nowhere near as scary as I’d imagined. It was really neat to see behind the scenes of a live TV show.
Still, two days is about all I need of city life. By the time I was driving home last night, I was really happy to see the traffic thin out as I neared Duluth. Once past Duluth, I was the only car on the road and even my headlights couldn’t dim the amazing stars over the lake. I passed many deer, a wolf and a skunk. With every mile that passed quietly, I could feel my body relax. I suspect that many of you know what I’m talking about, and that’s why you come up to the North Shore year after year. For those of us who live here, we sometimes need a little “vacation” to the city to remind us of the beauty of home.
If you’d like to see my TV appearances, where I talk about tips for a fall getaways, click on the links below:
Twin Cities Live
KARE11 (I don’t have video yet, but here’s a nice article they posted using my tips for fall vacations on the North Shore.)
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Highway 61, TV
Posted in Office News, Stories and Pictures |
Serenity in the Wilderness
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Last week I went on my first canoe trip into the BWCA and the Quetico in Canada. It was the experience of a lifetime. We started at Lake Saganaga at the end of the Gunflint trail and paddled our way north into Canada to do what is call the “man chain.” The winds were whipping the first day as we battled Sag! I have never worked my arms so hard in my life! There were white caps over the open areas which were pretty intimidating. That night we checked into the ranger station in Canada at Cache Bay with a wonderful woman named Janice who has lived on an island 4 months out of the year working for Canada Parks for over 20 years. She had so much knowledge and insight. After watching the moon rise over the lake we got a great night sleep listening to the calls of the loons.
The rest of the days were filled with sun, huge trees, beautiful water and so many loons-sometimes in large groups. We did not see many other animals or birds which was kind of a bummer. I take that back, my friend Matt saw a beaver who smacked its tail about 5 feet away, but no one else saw it!
I am not sure I can accurately describe the quietness and serenity in those woods and on those lakes. It is something we could all use in our lives once in a while. I think we only saw 5 other people while in Canada which was pretty amazing, especially when I think about how busy we are here at Cascade Vacation Rentals.
The best part of the trip was probably when we decided to sail our way across Knife Lake - attaching the footprint of our tent to our canoe paddles to make the sail! Boy did we cover some water then! The miles flew by. Sunday after departing from Saganaga we stopped for breakfast at Trail Center. Boy can those people cook a great meal. Be sure to try the fruits of the forest pie no matter what time it is! A trip like that is definitely something I would love to do again if I have the chance. Such fond memories of my first canoe trip. - Kris
Here is a picture of one of the many loons we saw on the trip. This one is a baby.
Tags: Canada, Canoeing, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Minnesota, Quetico, Saganaga
Posted in Uncategorized |
“Our Family Up North” Story Contest – Win a Free Stay!
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Did you read our family’s story in the Star Tribune this weekend? It’s all about how the Surbaugh family came to live on the North Shore and own Cascade Vacation Rentals. Now, we’d like to hear your story. The top 3 stories picked will win a 4- night, 3-night or 2-night stay at Aspenwood on Lake Superior. It’s simple: just send us a story about a trip your family took to the North Shore, and you’re entered in the contest. The story can be any length, any style – it just has to be about your family venturing up north together. Read the submission details here.
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, contest, North Shore
Posted in Specials, Stories and Pictures, Travel |
Homestead Life Up North
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
We’ve finally got our goats! The Surbaugh family has been talking about getting goats for years, and we’ve finally taken the plunge. Having plenty of acreage in Northern Minnesota just seems incomplete without some livestock. We received 3 Nubian-breed goats from a friend/breeder in southern MN. The mother goat, Almathea ,provides delicious milk. Her daughter, Cookie Doe, will hopefully do the same in another year. Cookie’s cousin, Stewie, rounds out the group. As you can see from the picture, the kids love them and spend hours every day playing with them. Goats are very social and love the attention. Maybe we’ll have to add “petting zoo” to the list of Cascade Vacation Rental’s services?
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, goats, Northern Minnesota
Posted in Fun for Kids, Stories and Pictures |
Lake Superior Coastline Finds
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
I recently stopped with my son at Cutface Creek to practice our rock skipping skills. When we walked down the steps to Lake Superior we noticed some pretty impressive rock cairns. They were so precariously perched that I almost wondered if they were a new permanent addition to the Cutface Creek shoreline. I will have to go again soon to see if they are still there. It was pretty fun to see other people’s reactions to these unique rocks structures. I think others wondered if they were some how drilled together, but no one dared to touch them. It also spawned a bunch of new cairns as people tried to make something bigger and better. Rock cairn building – another fun activity to do when vacationing at Cascade Vacation Rentals on the North Shore. – Kris
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Cutface Creek, Lake Superior, North Shore, Rock Cairns
Posted in Uncategorized |
2010 North Shore Vacation Rental Guide
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
We received our 2010 Cascade Vacation Rental Guides today! If you have rented from us in the past you will receive yours in the mail. If you would like a copy or know a friend who would like one, please send an e-mail to krisb@boreal.org. It is a nice way to look at our rental homes and see some great pictures of the North Shore of Minnesota! – Kris
Steve and Kate Looking at the 2010 Catalog
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, North Shore of Minnesota
Posted in Office News |
The Life of a Northwoods Chicken
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
I thought I’d update everyone on the Surbaugh family chickens. They arrived at our office right before Easter (see previous super-cute post). We took them home and kept them sheltered from the elements for the past 6 weeks. (Between the chilly weather and the fact that they were losing their baby feathers, they weren’t ready for the great outdoors.) But, now that summer weather is here – the hens have the run of the place. They enjoy roaming where the woods meet the meadow. That way, they have a place to run for cover when a hawk or eagle flies over. They love to peck in the grass for tasty bugs. Pine beetles are a big favorite, as are wood ticks, which we appreciate them eating! When evening comes, they mosey back to the coop, and we close the door before dark to protect them from foxes, pine martens, bobcats and various other beasties who might want a chicken dinner. By the end of summer, they should start laying eggs. All the green grass and yummy bugs will be reflected in gorgeous, bright orange yolks and a “fresh egg” taste you just can’t get at the grocery store.
In the past, we’ve had enough eggs to bring dozens a day to our office in Tofte to give away as “staff bonuses” or sell to vacation rental customers. Stop in next time you’re on the North Shore and see if there are any super-fresh eggs in stock. -Kate
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, chickens, Grand Marais, Northern Minnesota, wildlife
Posted in Stories and Pictures, Summer Events, Wildlife |
Wildflowers Bloom in Grand Marais River Valley
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Wildflowers and trees are already blooming on Lake Superior due to the warm spring weather. But inland, at the Surbaugh family compound, the blossoms have just now appeared. The first wildflower to bloom in the spring woods is the marsh marigold. It grows with its “feet” wet in streams or swampy places. It’s very striking to see the sturdy, yellow marsh marigolds glowing against the still-brown creek banks.
Our kids love to play in the seasonal creek (which feeds into the Cascade River) during the spring. We’ve spent many happy hours squishing through the mud in rubber boots, jumping the creek and racing stick boats. Those are Tristan’s (5 yrs) brand new “puddle boots” in the photo. – Kate
Tags: Cascade River, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Grand Marais, Minnesota
Posted in Stories and Pictures |
Lake Superior Beach – So Calm
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
It is not very often you see Lake Superior in a calm and quiet state. It seems like there are always waves rolling in, sometimes big, sometimes small, and sometimes there are waves that fishermen call the Walleye Chop. On my drive to work this morning there were no waves at all. Large Lake Superior was like a sheet of glass. I stopped at the Schroeder boat launch to take a picture and could see clearly all the rocks lining the bottom of the lake. I do love seeing the big waves roll in as it is exciting to see how high they can get and how they hit the rocks, the sounds they make, but something about today was a nice change. It would have been a great time to practice my rock skipping. Maybe next time! - Kris
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lake Superior, Minnesota, North Shore, Schroeder
Posted in Stories and Pictures, Travel |
Lutsen Wildlife Returns for Spring
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
We had the first ducks of the season in our Lutsen-area pond. We usually get mallards in pairs- male and female. It is fun to see them swim around and explore. They don’t stay for very long, some only 15 minutes and some for a couple hours. Below is a picture of the first pair.
The frogs have also started to pipe up. It isn’t as loud as last year, but we can still hear them inside with the television on and the doors and windows closed. I have found a large amount of frog eggs which I am keeping my eyes on. If that many eggs hatch we are going to have a frog infestation!! – Kris
Tags: Cascade Vacation Rentals, Lutsen, Minnesota, wildlife
Posted in Office News, Stories and Pictures |
