Spring is Coming North

This is one time of year when we can really feel the length of our state. Minneapolis is enjoying small leaves on trees; International Falls is looking to a lake with ice “mostly out” but no immediate signs of spring. The Rainy Lake One Stop “web cam” however makes me think that open water is truly happening!

Big news from the Mallard Island volunteers– we’re getting a new dock this spring! David Markwardt of Ely, Minnesota (long-time volunteer working with Pam and Darrell Rundell to open / close the island) is building an amazing floating dock. See photo from his Ely back yard!  It will be rotated into place as the main dock, north of the Wannigan, while the Wannigan dock (with a lot of good life left) will rotate around to the Library channel.  When you drive up to the island for the first time this summer, I know you’ll have a new feeling of stability, and the east winds whipping into that bay may be surprised by the strength of this new dock.

As for me, I think I’ll eat breakfast out there every sunny morning! — Beth Waterhouse, Director