West End News: September 25

I’m happy to report that the Highway 61 construction projects that have been plaguing travel both ways from the West End are finally nearing completion. 
 
The 5-mile construction site centered on Little Marais is now completely paved with the first layer of asphalt.  The detour up through Finland and the bone-jarring stretches of potholed gravel are now just fading, unpleasant memories. The flag-person stops are now quite a bit shorter in duration.
 
The Lutsen resurfacing project is also making nice progress. It also seems to have its first layer of asphalt.  The bridge and culvert repairs are done and the traffic stops are quite a bit shorter.
 
Both projects are due to be completed in October.  Even though the construction has been a major pain in the neck for West End residents and visitors alike, there is no doubt the highway desperately needed repair. The smooth ride will make all the hassle well worth it.
 
A few days ago, I found the time to play hooky from work and ride my vintage motorcycle up Highway 1 to Ely. It was a glorious 70-degree day with no wind, a deep blue sky and fall colors at their peak. 
 
Nearly half of Highway 1 has been either rebuilt or resurfaced in recent years. The design engineers wisely kept the wonderfully curvy nature of the road, while making sure the curves are predictable and safe. It is a peak experience for any motorcycle rider, which was evidenced by the dozens of other bikers I saw during my ride.
 
I returned to Sawbill via the Tomahawk Trail and all the other gravel roads that follow the southern edge of the BWCA Wilderness. These roads have recently become popular with a group who identify themselves as adventure motorcyclists. They ride bikes that are for use on trails, gravel roads and paved highways.The riders who stop at Sawbill tell me that the back roads of Cook and Lake counties are listed as great riding destinations for this subset of the motorcycle world. 
 
All of this is good for our tourism industry, of course.  I personally contributed to the success of the Ely Dairy Queen in the middle of my recent ride.
 
In just two days last week, we enjoyed contacts with four of the most glamorous animals found in the West End.
 
After almost five years of zero bear problems, we had a funny visit from one local bruin. Our crew left a case of beer out on the back deck of the crew quarters.  In the morning, the case was discovered broken open and the cans strewn in a trail into the woods. Several of the cans had large caliber bite marks in them and had been drained of beer.
 
That same morning, a large bull moose strolled down the Sawbill Trail and straight through the Sawbill Lake Campground, much to the delight of the campers. The bulls are in the rut right now and not quite in their right minds.
 
That evening, someone heard wolves howling in the distance. One of our employees had never heard wolves, so she asked Cindy Hansen to howl into the night in the hope of provoking a response from the wolves. Cindy has a well-earned reputation for her ability to get wolf packs howling. After a few attempts, a wolf cut loose with a classic set of howls from less than 100 feet from where we were standing.  It was a deep baritone howl from an obviously large wolf. 
 
The next morning a lynx wandered through the campground and was spotted by several campers. 
 
I don’t know if all this animal activity is just coincidence, or if the turning of the season or phase of the moon is causing a wildlife gathering around Sawbill. No matter what the case, it has been great fun.
 
The fall colors are now at or near their peak.  I like it best when there is still some green on the trees for contrast.  The change is happening very fast now, so if you plan to get out for a color drive, now is the time.
 
The Honeymoon Trail is in full, blazing glory right now. The 600 Road north of Tofte and Schroeder is also gorgeous, but the Forest Service will be permanently closing the old iron bridge across the Temperance River to vehicle traffic soon, so get over there soon.
 
The gondola ride at Lutsen Mountains is at its peak right now too and makes a great outing for residents and visitors.
 
This is a glorious season here in the West End, so get out in the woods before the arrival of the grey season.