UP NORTH by Julie Engle
Up North. Much more than a place; it’s a state of mind.
Are we there yet?
Slow down. There’s no speed limit, Up North.
Marvel at the magnificent pine trees.
Listen. It’s quiet up here, but not so quiet. The breeze
in the trees; the birds; noises the woods make.
Watch a squirrel navigate from branch to branch on the
tree-top superhighway.
Smile a little. An eagle glides effortlessly over your head.
Breathe deep, really deep. The woods have a smell all their
own. Fresh, sweet. Let it fill you.
The loons are calling you to the lake.
Stroll out on the dock; the waves quietly lap along the
shore. Skip a rock across the water — three, four, plop!
A motionless heron watches from his one-legged perch.
Feel the sun on your face, the sparkles on the water.
Sit back. Put your feet up. Notice the ripples on the lake
— a fish jumped.
Feel a thrumming hummingbird whiz past your lawn chair.
Watch the clouds roll slowly by and the sky glow pink with
the sunset.
Pull on your favorite sweatshirt, the soft comfy one that
reminds you of the woods.
Set another log on the crackling campfire. Hold your
marshmallow stick down near the coals. Puffy, toasted
golden brown, a wisp of steam escaping: perfect!
Relax; let your shoulders sag.
Soon, you too will arrive, Up North.
copyright 2004, Julie Engle/Edgewild Resort
Winter Letter
Hi There! It’s going to be in the 30’s today and the snowmobile trails are groomed! It will be a busy place this weekend. We aren’t open this winter, however many other lodging establishments are.
To let you know, our winter letter is a little behind schedule this year. It will be mailed this weekend. If you’ve already sent in your deposit to make certain your reservation is set for 2019 simply disregard it. Thank you!
Our bookings for 2019 have picked up, as they usually do after the holidays. To secure a cabin at Shing Wako Resort for the coming season you can check our availability here and I’ve included a copy of our 2019 rate sheet in this blog.
FYI – We have a May Special of Stay 3 Nights Get the 4th Night Free!
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and see you soon!
How Well Do You Know Minnesota?
The Minnesota state bird is the ?
The Minnesota state butterfly is the ?
The Minnesota state drink is ?
The Minnesota state fish is the ?
The Minnesota state flower is the ?
The Minnesota state fruit is the ?
The Minnesota state gemstone is the ?
The Minnesota state grain is ?
The Minnesota state motto is ?
The Minnesota state muffin is ?
The Minnesota state mushroom is the ?
The Minnesota state sport is ?
The Minnesota state tree is ?
BIRD -Loon
BUTTERFLY – Monarch
DRINK – Milk
FISH – Walleye
FLOWER – Pink & White Lady Slipper (or Showy Lady Slipper)
FRUIT – Honeycrisp Apple
GEMSTONE – Lake Superior Agate
GRAIN – Wild Rice
MOTTO – L’etoile du Nord (translation – “Star of the North”)
MUSHROOM – Morel
SPORT – Ice Hockey
TREE – Norway (or Red) Pine
2018 August Newsletter from Lake Edward Conservation Club!
Inside –
“KEEP LAKE EDWARD HEALTHY
What can loons tell us about a lake ?
Loons are good indicators of water quality because they need clean, clear water to observe and catch
food. They are sensitive to disturbance and lakeshore development and indicators of the effects of
contaminants like mercury and lead in the environment. Plus they are enjoyable for Minnesotans to
watch!”
Click the link below to see more!
Please – No Vaping in Your Cabins
At Shing Wako Resort we treat smoking and vaping the same. No smoking or vaping inside your cabin – Please feel free to smoke or vape outdoors! We have some really nice ashtrays for your use and ask you not to toss cigarette or cigar butts on the grounds or in the lake. (Serious pollution for the lake.) And not so fun stooping over and picking up butts behind any guests who choose to toss them on the grounds. Thank you!
We appreciate erring on the side of caution, as there seems to be a fair amount of controversy on the topic of vaping; new as it is.
This is what we agree with at this time, “It’s not safe to use vape pens or e-cigarette devices around kids. The vapor from e-cigarettes has chemicals in it that can be harmful to kids. There’s another serious problem with e-smoking devices: Kids can get poisoned if they drink the liquid in nicotine delivery devices or refills.
There’s another serious problem with e-smoking devices: Kids can get poisoned if they drink the liquid in nicotine delivery devices or refills. Kids can even get sick if the liquid gets on their skin. Because the candy flavors in many vaping solutions appeal to kids, a child might drink enough liquid to get seriously ill or even die.
Your best approach is to leave all vaping supplies at home. That way you can’t accidentally put a device or refill where a child might find it. If you leave a device or cartridge in your bag by mistake, lock it away like you would cleaning products, knives, and other dangerous items.
Parents should always keep their e-cigs or vaping devices locked up. But as more and more people vape, there’s a chance kids might find the devices or refills.
Call your local poison center (1-800-222-1222) right away if you think a child has been exposed to e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine. Signs of nicotine poisoning include:
The child feels sick or is throwing up.
The child looks pale.
The child is sweating or drooling.
The child has the jitters, is shaky, and has a fast heartbeat.
In large enough amounts, nicotine liquid can cause kids to have seizures or pass out. If that happens, call 911 immediately.
Even adults can be poisoned from being in contact with too much nicotine liquid. As you use or refill your device, be sure not to get any solution on your skin. When it’s time to throw away a device or solution cartridge, follow the disposal instructions on the product label. That way nicotine solutions won’t end up where kids or pets can get them.”
Happy Fourth of July 2018 Newsletter
Click HERE to view our Happy 4th of July Newsletter!
Free Appetizer!
Today Luke & Becky stopped into Shing Wako to introduce themselves, and to offer you, our guests, a free appetizer when you purchase a meal at The Woods Bar/Restaurant!
Just ask for a guest card at our office and head on over!
They also have BINGO on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.
Their address is The Woods 19624 County Road 3 Brainerd, just 6 miles south of Shing Wako.
Tell ’em Marty & Sue sent you!
Power Loading Boats Can Cause Damage
Hi! The following covers any power loading of boats, however my intention is to help keep our guests at Shing Wako Resort informed so they have a positive experience launching their boats at the public access on Lake Edward.
“Power loading”, can cause damage to launch ramps that may not be visible from the surface of the water. “Power loading” is a term used to describe using the motor to load and unload the boat onto and off the trailer. many of the state’s 3,000 public launch ramps were not designed to sustain the forces generated by today’s larger and more powerful boats or the practice of power loading. Propeller wash creates a significant force that can erode the lake-bed and create a large hole at the end of the ramp. Eroded material is often deposited beyond the ramp to create a mound, which can result in a barrier for launching and loading. Boats and equipment can incur damage if the boat or lower unit runs aground on the mound or if the trailer becomes stuck in the hole. In the worse cases, the end of the ramp could collapse, resulting in an unusable launch ramp. In low water conditions the mound created from propeller wash can obstruct launching and loading.
DNR crews have been busy rehabilitating damaged launch ramps statewide. Staff are repairing the holes and extending the ramps by adding additional concrete planks. When possible the mounds are leveled with excavation equipment. These launch ramp repairs are time consuming and expensive.
The DNR recognizes that some boaters are accustomed to power loading. However, it is preferable that boaters do not race their engines while on the boat ramp. Slightly more than idle speed should be all that is necessary to load and/or unload the boat. The best practice is for boaters to refrain from power loading and use the winch to load and unload their boat.
Power loading boats causes damage to launch ramps!
2018 June Newsletter – Fishing At Shing Wako Resort
Click HERE to view our June 2018 Newsletter!
New Northern Pike Fishing Limits
10 in possession if less than 22″
The new northern regulation limits took effect this spring. Lake Edward is in the north-central zone, the largest of three zones in the state.
Overpopulation of small pike was the reason the DNR requested the change. Anglers will be able to keep 10 northern pike. All from 22 to 26 inches must be released. No more than two pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches and one longer than 26 inches.
The last DNR survey conducted on Lake Edward was 2014. The next scheduled survey is 2020. In 2014 3% of the northerns surveyed were 24″ or larger. The average size trapped were 17.1″ and 2.0 pounds.
Birds of Shing Wako Resort
Both of these birds were caught on our webcam in May 2018. A red-winged blackbird and a black tern? I enjoy viewing our webcam, which is set up and away from the beach – our goal is to provide you with our Beautiful Lake Edward sunsets, the weather and a few birds and other surprises year around at Shing Wako. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Swimming and Paddling Memorial Weekend 2018!
May 24 – 29, 2018… what glorious weather. We had temperatures in the 90’s! Swimming and paddling were happening and all three of our pontoon boats were rented out – guests were busy all over the lake! At Shing Wako we don’t see this every year – especially when the ice just went out on Lake Edward May 4th this year. Some areas the frost was still in the ground… Minnesota weather makes great conversation. Guests were catching fish and one caught her first fish ever, actually two, both were Northern Pike. fun, fun, fun…
In Honor of Memorial Weekend 2018 – In Appreciation
In Honor Memorial Weekend 2018! In Memory of all who served and continue to serve our country. Thank you!
Last year at this time the daily high temperature was 75 degrees and the low was 52. This year we have a high today of 91 and a low tonight of 62. We have guests playing in the lake today; swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, pontooning (?), boating and of course fishing! What a treat to enjoy Beautiful Lake Edward on Memorial Weekend! Yea!
You still have 5 days left of our May Special – “Stay 3 Nights, Get Your 4th Night Free!”
Newsletter – Fishing Opener 2018 at Shing Wako Resort
Click HERE to view our 2018 Fishing Opener Newsletter!
Grilling Recipes for the Lake
Dinner In A Packet
Prep: 10 min. Grill: 30 min.
1 boneless pork loin chop (4 ounces)
1 medium potato, sliced
1 large carrot, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon onion soup mix
Place the pork chop on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. x 14 in.). Top with potato, carrot and peas. Sprinkle with soup mix. Seal foil tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30 – 35minutes or until the meat juices run clear, turning occasionally. Yield: 1 serving.
Pineapple Doughnut Dessert
Prep/Total Time: 15 min.
5 cake doughnuts
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple, drained
10 maraschino cherries
Cut doughnuts in half horizontally; spread with butter. For each packet, place two doughnut halves cut side upon a 12-in. square of heavy duty foil. Sprinkle each with about 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Top each with a pineapple slice; place a cherry in the center. Seal foil tightly. Grill over indirect medium heat for 2 -4 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 10 servings.
Service Animal Bill
The service animal bill has been given final approval and sign by Governor Dayton.
CHAPTER 106—House File No. 3157
“NOTICE – Service Animals Welcome. It is illegal for a person to misrepresent an animal in that person’s possession as a service animal.”
Why does this affect resorts? We have had service animals at our resort. They are highly trained and we hardly notice they are with us. I have heard accounts where pets passed off as service animals have actually attacked service animals and the service animal is trained not to fight back and was badly injured.
There are also those grocery store incidents where service animals are trained to void at appropriate times and places. Pets being passed off as service dogs may be using your groceries to relieve themselves. Seriously.
I have a brother who is blind and find it disheartening to hear folks who simply want to take their pets on vacation with them would try to pass their pets off. There is a real need and laws for service dogs and their person, and we take this important job they do seriously. Hopefully the possible fine this new law may pass will discourage people who misrepresent their pets.
More snow….
Another couple of inches of snow yesterday, along with ice and some pretty treacherous driving. I hope you are all safe! The photo is simply a shot from our webcam of snow falling in the night. Spring is really here and we will get to work outdoors again soon I hope. Somehow it works out – right?
There is always the weather to talk about(-8
New clothing for sale in our office/store!
Well, I ordered new clothing for our store last week. Here are some samples to look at. We will have some ladies performance wear, that is longer in the back than the front and has thumb holes in the sleeve. What a comfy and flattering look! They come in black or pink.
Snowmobile Trail Update
The trail groomer went by the resort this morning! Lots of fresh snow and super snowmobiling!