Remembering our Friend, Henry

Two months ago my friend Henry Held went for an early evening swim in the ocean, off the coast of Mexico.  It was his last swim, as the current turned on him and he tragically lost his life.  Today I shot a couple of pictures of a memorial stone that currently sits outside his Shoe Repair Shop.  This is just the kind of day that I would've enjoyed a few minutes chatting with him in the sun - outside his shop.  He'd probably be at his favorite crappie hole, though or out for an early Spring ride on his Harley, so I most likely would have missed him.

Just like I'm missing him today.  Happy trails, my friend!

Ice retreats even more. Near Record Ice Out coming.

More pics from Shagawa Lake on April 1st, 2010. Not an April Fool's Joke, the ice is almost gone. Here's some shots from Sandy Point and also some from Semer's Park Beach where we hold our Sunsplash Canoe and Kayak Sale and Tryout Days every year. (This year it will be over Memorial Day Weekend).

It really looks like April is the month to get some early canoe trips in. If paddling is your passion and you want to beat the bugs and the rush, or you're just itching for open water, call us today to rent canoes and plan an early trip in April. We don't expect the ice to make it through the Easter weekend. Some of the smaller lakes are already open. The Kawishiwi River has been free for a while. Drew, Bert or Steve Piragis can help you. 1-800-223-6565

A good book is hard to put down

If any of you are into mysteries, WKK or William Kent Krueger writes a page turner and a half. He began of course, with a great title, "Boundary Waters". Intrigue and wilderness pull a Northwoods Sheriff after a missing woman and a pack of killers who stalk her every move. This book is the first in a series that now culminates in Krueger's newest title, "Heaven's Keep". I count 9 in the series and as Krueger's pen get's sharper, so do the mysteries themselves.

If you're looking for a good book and you enjoy great series, I suggest you give Krueger's books a read. His research is smart, his style is engaging and his popularity is growing.

of Heaven's Keep, "When a charter plane carrying Cork O'Connors wife goes missing in Wyoming, Cork must accept the terrible truth that his wife is dead. Months afterwards two women present evidence that the pilot was not the man he claimed to be. To investigate Cork travels to Wyoming where he battles the interference of locallaw enforcement, open hostility of the Northern Arapaho who have much at risk if the truth is discovered, and continuing attempts on his life. It's possible his wife is alive after all."

If you've got a favorite book from our bookstore, share a review here on our blog, just post it as a comment to this post below. Thank you for your interest in the Boundary Waters Catalog and Piragis Northwoods Company.

From the end of the road, Tim Stouffer, Ely, Minnesota

Ohhh. The ice is thin. And Rotten. And breaking up. March 31st, unheard of. Well, each new year brings something different.

Very Warm today in Ely for March. We're supposed to nearly reach 70 and we're all waiting for the ice to officially go out on Shagawa Lake. It could literally happen any day. Our newest email newsletter is online.

Discover how you can save 30% on 16 different types of paddles. Also great savings on Blem Canoes and Used/Trade-In Canoes and Kayaks

The biggest paddle sale we've ever had. Cosmetic Blems from Bending Branches Paddles now 30% off. Save like never before on 16 different paddles!
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