Compiled by Adam Fornear
The excitement is building for enjoying some spring and summer sports! It’s also still building because the winter up here in Duluth continues to go and go and go and go on forever! Luckily there are a few rivers that have shaken their winter ice and allowed us to get out for a paddle. Recently, some friends and I put our boats in the stream for the first time this season on the west fork of the Chippewa River. It was a beautiful paddle upstream meandering through alders and over some newly constructed beaver damns. Birds were chirping, the aluminum canoe was breaking through some skim ice, and local mallards were around every little bend. We were paddling up to a dam that held back the waters of Day Lake. Once we arrived, we beached the canoes and went exploring for whatever we might find. And, despite the frozen conditions, there was plenty to find: some turkey tracks, wolf tracks and deer tracks along the shoreline of the icy Day Lake. We continued our hike out across the lake (there was still 24 inches of ice that day… and as of this writing there is still 15 inches!) and out to the island that we typically paddle to.
We were able to follow the same wolf and deer tracks clear across the ice, so we kept on the trail. Bushwhacking we went, through and around the island. It was such a different perspective, being able to walk out to where we normally would be swimming. We made our way back to the canoes, loaded up, and had a lovely paddle back down the river to the cabin. Just a gorgeous day to be outside appreciating everything that our eyes could see and feel.
So, even though we got our boats in the water, it still is feeling like winter… The following day, Julie and I headed to the upper peninsula of Michigan for the last weekend of lift skiing. It was a bluebird day, with soft snow and the hills to ourselves. A great way to end the season of alpine skiing. And then, last week after work a buddy from town and I headed over to the local ski hill for some late season laps of earning your turns. The ski hill has loads of snow (I’m jealous of the late season powder that some alumni are enjoying out in Colorado) but the only way to use it is to ski down and skin or boot up. I have skins for the bottom of my telemark skis that I put on at the bottom of the run that allows me to slowly ski back up the hill without slipping. Anyhow, we did a couple laps on the hill for some poor snow conditions but a great workout skinning back up. Great evening all in all! It’s a funny time of year… canoeing and skiing, all in one week!
So, with the paddling, skiing and frozen lake hike season still in full swing…I’ll just have to wait till May ??th to get out and enjoy some true spring and summer sports!
Some news is trickling in and I appreciate the help! There is one final Arrowhead to go for the season. I really could use your help in sending me News of You! Please send everything and anything to fornear@campnebagamon.com. Till next time, get outside and do what you love doing!
IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT Ace Burvall (San Diego) just picked up a new short board for surfing. Can’t wait to see some pics carving some waves! Addison Burvall (San Diego) had a recent ballet performance of Ballet in Box in Scripps Ranch. His performance was Paquita Gypsy Pas de Trois as well as several other Contemporary pieces. He is now rehearsing for their spring production based on the Wizard of Oz, Addison will be the Scarecrow. Amber Burvall (San Diego), our camp nurse, is a RN in San Diego and has also started a woman’s swimsuit line (designing and sewing herself) called Surfmade In San Diego.
Aubrey with Grandpa and current staff member Bill Hensel (’66-’69, ’73-’74, ’16-’22)
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Joe Kirkish (Houghton, MI ’52-’58,’80) has published (with the assistance of Meg Ostrum) his memoir. It is entitled, Long Exposure: My Life In and Beyond the Copper Country. Joe was camps photography counselor for decades, known worldwide for his photography work and was a beloved professor of English at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, MI. Jack Wineman (Detroit ’12-‘18) is playing juniors hockey for the Maine Nordiques.
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Sam Barrows (Chicago/Kula, HI ’97-’02,’04-‘06) and Holly Barrows (Kula, HI).
IN THE BIBS AND DIAPERS DEPARTMENT: It’s a girl, Aubrey, for Jaime Hensel (Atlanta/Minneapolis ’05-’09,’11-’13,’17). It’s a boy, Niko, for Eli Fromm (KC/Greece ’06-’10,’12-‘19) and Sophia Gatzionis (New Haven, CT/Greece ‘19). It’s a girl, Hannah Lou, for Joey Notowich (Memphis ’02-’08,’10,’12) and Rachel Notowich (Memphis). It’s a girl, Lucy Eve for Andy Cohen (St. Louis/NYC ’78-’83).