• Friday-What'sUP March 18 - 06:45 pm

Fort Wilkins is covered in white, but it won't be much longer with the patches of bare ground growing larger and greener as we progress closer to spring. Marsha Bertoldi supplies us with the views of the fort today, giving you a glimpse into what it might have been like to live there during the winter, with everything looking so white, including the buildings. Of course it's much easier for us modern day Yoopers to get around in the snow than it was in the 1800's when the troops were stationed at this fortress. The snow shoe tracks in the first picture started me wondering about whether the soldiers and families stationed here had snowshoes to travel around with, so I did a little digging and found some interesting history on these "Shoes on the Snow" over at www.lakesuperior.com.

Good morning. Supposed to be a pretty day.

I always wondered what it looked like at Wilkins during the winter. Beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing.

Have a great St. Urho's Day today!

Good morning,
Nice Photo's
We are planning on coming to the all school reunion for Calumet High in July. I was wondering if anyone knows the name of the motel on the beach at Eagle River.

That's the Eagle River Inn. Great place to stay.

Dang! I forgot to wear green or purple today for St Urho's Day. Oh, well, my eyes are green, so I'll count them as my green for today.

I've got it covered! I wore a kelly green top, because we're supposed to wear green at my elementary school today. I put a bright purple straw in my jug of ice water.

Thanks Sara

Here's a link to their website:
http://www.eagleriverinn.com/2/index.html

Go to www.wdio.com and click on tower cam. The first boat of the season has left the Duluth harbor and is moving out through the ice, amazing..

Great Pictures, I love Fort Wilkins.

So many memories of going to Fort Wilkins as a very young boy, four or five years old. It was an adventure then in a 37 Chev, climbing the hill at Brockway Mountain, etc. I have returned many times, each time learning more about the history. Fascinating place. Never seen it in the winter. Lovely pictures.

Fort Wilkins - how interesting and the pictures are lovely. I learn something new most every day from Pasty.com! and St Urho's Day - that's a new one also to this TN girl. But, after reading the legend of how he rid Finland of the giant grasshoppers, being strengthened by the soured milk, the fish soup and probably a few of the vodka spiked grapes, I decided what I'd have for lunch today:
Culla Mokakka (Kalakeitto, or Fish Soup), St. Urho Sundae, Grasshopper Pie, Grasshopper Hot Chocolate, spiked with a touch of vodka (just kidding about the vodka). Living in such cold country I guess it's necessary. : ) Now, to don my green and purple tops, guess I'll have to layer them as the Finnish men do, and start cooking.
grannymim in Memphis

Recipes from:
http://www.theminx.com/iss3vol2/recipes.htm

I visited the fort many times.It was always fun. In the summer of 1973 my brother and i were throwing rocks in the water behind one of the buildings.I reached into the water to get another rock. It felt differant, and when i looked at it, it was an old clay smoking pipe. I have held onto it all these years

I BELIEVE THERE'S A ST. PATRICKS DAY PARADE IN HANCOCK TOMARROW & GATHERING AT GINO'S AT NOON.

Hi
Interesting article about the snowshoes. My dad, who has always used his cross-country skiis as long snowshoes---he steps rather than strides---tried some actual snowshoes a couple of winters ago. Alas, it was no easier getting past the huge drift that forms between the road and our cabin. When he complained to the girl at the rental place, she said "most people use them on packed trails", which is also true for most cross-country skiiers. Guess we are none of us as rugged as our ancestors.

Though probably lessons would have given my dad a better experience.

Japei, I enjoyed the pictures today. It looks much like the home of Pasty.com Our homelands are beautiful places. I like snow. Fran

very interesting article on snowshoeing. Thanks for the link, Mary.