Hello Summer 2010

Memorial Day Weekend came upon us quickly this year.  We spent the weeks leading up preparing the grounds, planting flowers, painting and fixing things around the resort.  Cabin 9 was sinking into the ground on old cedar log foundations so it was jacked up and a whole new solid foundation was built underneath.  Painting the Restaurant was another project we just finished up.  What a fresh paint of coat can do to a building, it looks brand new!  Now our two big painting projects are finally finished.  It took a couple of years but we are done painting the Main Lodge and Restaurant and now we can turn our attention towards some of the cabins.  Look for Cascade Restaurant to change to Cascade Pub & Restaurant this summer.  That’s right we are currently building a Pub into the old server station and gift shop area.  Dale and Michael are doing a great job with it so far.  The frame for the bar is finished and the gift shop and server station have been reconfigured.  The actual bar is going to be really cool.  Cut from a big pine tree casualty of the 9/28 blow down, it is very rustic and northwoodsy looking.  Michael has it up in his garage and treating it with linseed oil every day. 

In staff news, Matt will leave soon for an early summer vacation at his parent’s new lake home on Big Stone.  He is looking forward to spending time with his family relaxing, fishing and skiing.  Below Sonja got this great moose picture the other week right off of highway 61.  Several other staffers have seen this same moose who also has a baby moose recently.  Thanks Sonja for the great pic!  Dale is having good luck fishing at Caribou Lake so far with some big Smallmouth Bass and Matt is combing his Crappie holes and landing some dinner plate sized slabs!  The O’Phelan family finally got their slip in the Grand Marais harbor and the “Last Resort” is now parked there comfortably next to the fishing charters ready to cruise the big lake.            

Church Groups, Work Week and Much More

Cascade Lodge and Restaurant would like to welcome back the First Baptist Amery Church (WI) for their 5^th Annual Couples Retreat.  Occupying the whole main lodge, they take this last weekend in April every year to come visit us on the North Shore for some relaxing and revitalization, hiking, sightseeing, fellowship, games, dinners, breakfasts and all the North Shore has to offer.  We are also hosting a teen youth group from Faith Community in the cities.  They are enjoying the hiking and waterfalls and the game room too of course.  They are staying in the new Creek Chalet Vacation Home. 

May 9^th-16^th is “Work Week” at Cascade Lodge.  We are resurrecting a 1970’s era concept where the basic idea is that during a slow season of the year, we are able to exchange rooms and meals for your skills and efforts.  Typically, we need people skilled in painting, carpentry, electrical, plumbing etc.  The plan this year is that we will be constructing 2 large new decks, getting our flower beds ready and painting a cabin or two.  Here’s how it works:  You arrive on Sunday and check in to a free basic room.  On Monday thru Friday we provide you with a breakfast at 8am and then by 8:30-9 we begin working on projects.  We break for lunch about 12 noon and  we finish up about 3 pm.  The rest of the day is yours.  On Friday the lunch is light and we will typically finish up by 12 noon.  Saturday you are on your own for meals, but the Lodging is free, checkout is Sunday.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this new adventure and a chance at some new friends.

In Staff News, we welcome back David and Lek Ecklof from Thailand where they spend their winters.  David began cooking again already this weekend and will be serving up some great meals all summer long!  He will be joining Michael, Matt and Scott at Superior National Golf Course on Sunday for a nice round of golf.  Sunday is Cook County Customer Appreciation Day with free golf, carts, range and lessons.  Go team Cascade!  Matt saw a big moose on his way into Grand Marais the other night walking right along the shoulder of Highway 61.  It was a big Momma Moose that was about 10 ft tall!  Matt is looking forward to his first Twins game at Target Field with his parents on Wednesday and hopes the weather will be nice and the Twins hand the Tigers a big loss!  Everyone around Cook County is very grateful to finally receive some much need rain.  We received about 3/4 in. on 4/30 & 5/1 with a good chance at more precip through next week!