Well, temperature records are being broken in Bayfield and all over the north land. Just a couple of weeks ago we were digging ourselves out from under a few feet of heavy wet snow at Pinehurst Inn, and just yesterday we were hiking the Mt. Ashwabay sugar bush trail in 78 degrees wiping sweat from our brows. It goes without saying this has been a strange Bayfield winter. I don’t recall a St. Patrick’s Day where I was able to spend the entire evening outside without a jacket – which is exactly what I did. On Saturday morning some friends of mine saw some kids jumping off of a dock on Madeline Island into Lake Superior! Granted, they weren’t staying in the water, they were wearing swimsuits and jumping in the lake in March! These beautiful days certainly do seem a blessing. Just watching the world turn from sloppy whites, browns and greys to splashes of blue and green here and there. These are the days when we look forward to the extra special aspects of living in Bayfield. Before we know it there will be strawberries, raspberries and blueberries filling our bellies. That certainly would have tasted wonderful yesterday!
While it also makes you wonder… are these early warm days really a good thing? Days like these also seem to raise the subject of global warming. Just in the month of March alone (only 19 days in) there have been 805 record high temps throughout the US (*thinkprogress.org). This truly is a double edged sword. Many of us are incredibly concerned about the environment and why these things are happening, yet we also find ourselves outside feeling so very grateful for these warm days so early in the season.
Here are the real questions though. Are we going to be surprised by that mid-April blizzard? Is it really time to put the shovels and snowblowers away? I certainly haven’t. Living on Lake Superior you never know what Mother Nature is going to decide to do.
In the December Pinehurst Inn Newsletter, Whispering Pines, it was announced that for every 2012 reservation made during the month of December, we would donate $10 to the Bayfield Regional Conservancy. We joyfully announce that during that month, we got 19 reservations for 2012 resulting in a $190 (actually we rounded it to $200) donation.
We are so pleased to support the great work of this land trust organization. BRC works with citizens, local government, private landowners, tribes and state and federal agencies to protect important habitats on Lake Superior, northwoods forests, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and farmland. They have worked to protect some critical lands in our region including Mt. Ashwabay, Nourse Sugarbush, Frog Bay Tribal National Park to name a few. These are places that both locals and visitors can enjoy while knowing the land preservation is critical to the health of the land, the waters and forests.
A healthy environment is vital to healthy communities and nature inspires us and nourishes our soul. We hope you will visit some of these specialplaces and consider the work and funds it takes to make this preservation happen.
Winter in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands magical and a magnificent opportunity for outdoor adventure.
Pinehurst Inn offers packages that set the stage for adventure and our Pinehurst and Wolfsong Dog Sledding Adventure is the perfect example.
Wolfsong Dog Adventures in Mushing has operated out of Bayfield, WI since 1997. Over that time, John and Mary Thiel have built a class operation – the greatest dogs, fantastic guides, great knowledge of the area … and they’re good people. Thanks to the location by Lake Superior, our winters typically provide great snow from December through March. The trips vary in length but are consistent with great training, ability to actively participate or simply ride along.
All Pinehurst Inn amenities including sauna, common areas with fireplaces and more.
Weekend package rates range from $697 – $817 depending on room booked. Weekday package rates range from $612 – $732. Does not include sales tax and room tax on lodging.
Book online (exact pricing shows when room & package selected) or call 877-499-7651. We are happy to customize this to your needs as able.
Looking for a shorter adventure – check out the Wolfsong Afternoon Run. Call for pricing and more details.
Enjoy this feedback from our guests:
“This was such a kick! The dogs were fantastic and the guide superb. We’re coming back again with our kids!”
“I was nervous about being able to keep up with the dogs, but this was totally doable. I loved the dogs and it was so lovely on the trails.”
Just one more way to embrace winter while enjoying Pinehurst Inn and Bayfield.
We would like to wish a Happy Easter to all of our guests. We can only hope that your day was as absolutely perfect as ours. Yesterday was the first truly warm and beautiful day of spring in Bayfield. The Sandstrom family spent the whole day essentially enjoying each other and this beautiful place we live in. Our day began with a scrumptious french toast breakfast and then a long hike in the Sugar Bush (these trails are just two miles from Pinehurst!). It is always amazing to me how much fun it can be to go hiking with a 3-year old. The things that they notice are truly amazing and remind us to really appreciate this place.While the ground cover and trees are still fairly brown up here, Aidyn was eager to point out many little green spots along the trails, animal tracks and more. The moss on the rocks, the small saplings breaking through the leaves on the ground, and even a croxus here and there peaking up at us. Things are really coming back to life around here! The higher we got on this trail the more we could see. Off in the distance we could see the sparkling waters of Lake Superior.
Of course as our day continued, we dyed eggs and had a brief Easter Egg hunt. The day ended with a perfect meal including chickens from our local farmers, asparagus and carrot cake cupcakes! What more could we ask for?
With the warmer temps here we are so excited to get into our gardens, paint a few more walls and simply make Pinehurst look as good as possible for all of our spring and summer visitors. We look forward to sharing our amazing home with you all very soon!
A huge congratualtions to Mary Bergin, author of the just released “Sidetracked in the Midwest: A Green Guide for Travelers” (Itchy Cat Press – www.itchycatpress.com).
Pinehurst Inn is so pleased to be one of many wonderful examples of green tourism opportunities. We particularly appreciate this most recent post to her blog, Roads Traveled, which provides a quick peek at a few green efforts and philosophy of our business.
Bergin’s book examines four categories of ecotourism: food and drink, lodging and retreats, nature and wildlife, and the old and the new, including festivals, parks, lodges, tours, farms, museums, nature centers, factories, wilderness areas, and retreats and more. A great must have for those seeking eco-friendly travel opportunities.
Thank you, Mary. And thank you to all the businesses, organizations and individuals who work to make these eco-friendly options available.
From 350.org.: So will you be turning off your lights?
Tonight, all around the world, people will be shutting off their lights at 8:30pm as a part of this year’s Earth Hour celebration (http://earthhour.org/). It’s a great moment to pause and remember that in addition to the community and political organizing we do, committing to real change in our personal lives is important too.
We can start with turning off our lights, and use that moment to think deeply about how we can go “beyond the hour” (this year’s Earth Hour theme) and commit to making other changes in our personal lives – getting out of your car and onto your bike or feet, hanging up your clothes instead of popping them in the dryer, eating food that is locally grown. We know these changes alone won’t get us to 350ppm, but they’re a part of the work we’ll need to do, and as organizers, it’s up to us to set the example of how we can all live happy, healthy, low carbon lives.
September and October bring hearty guests to Pinehurst Inn in Bayfield seeking opportunity to get and out enjoy the beautiful fall weather, changing
leaves and sparkling waters. Enjoy an outdoor biking adventure with the
glorious oranges and reds of the leaves in late September or October.
It will take your breath away as you cruise past orchards just outside of Bayfield on quiet country roads or on biking trails within the plentiful forests of the Chequamegon National Forest. Stop in at any of a number of Bayfield orchards for apple sampling, wine tasting or simply enjoying the views. Be a participant in some non-motorized tourism activity!
Pinehurst Inn is pleased to be partnering with Bayfield Bike Route to provide bike rental, helmets, maps and great advise on the best routes, and more. Owner and all around great guy, Tom Hart can give the inside scoop.
PLUS! Biking Madeline Island just got easier! From September 7th through 19th, Madeline Island Ferry will transport non-motorized bikes free with the purchase of a round trip passenger ticket. Experience the beauty of Lake Superior from a whole new angle – bring your bike over and enjoy an early autumn ride.
Sound good? Consider adding biking to the Pinehurst Inn Bounty of Fall lodging promotion – stay 3 nights (Sun- Thursday) and get the 3rd night at 25% off. PLUS a Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau Gift Certificate for $25 to be spend during your stay.
Just our way of saying “Welcome! Enjoy your stay!”
This includes a wonderful group of inns that have innovative and creative practices highlighting their green efforts. Happy to be among such a great group.
More information on our sustainability efforts can be found on the Pinehurst Inn Website.
Spring in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands is normally a beautiful time of year, but this year is even better! The early, warmer Spring has brought blossoms out about three weeks early and Pinehurst Inn guests have been out and about enjoying the beautiful blossoms.
The lilacs are in full bloom at Pinehurst Inn- ah, the smell of lilacs is incredible. We are just starting to see the iris and oriental poppies – flowering plants that have been in Pinehurst gardens for over 50 years. The lupines are just beginning their blooms, something to behold as you drive along Highway 13 adorned with the purples, lavenders, and other shades of beautiful spiked flowers. Then there are the apple blossoms, the wonderful reminders of all the fruit to be enjoyed during this summer and fall harvest season.
Our guests have been enjoying these spring blossoms and more. Whether wandering our gardens, laying in the hammock simply relaxing or biking the Bayfield Orchards, the setting brings a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.
If you have a green thumb (or even if you don’t!) remember that the Bayfield in Bloom Garden Tours are this Saturday, June 5th from 10am – 3pm. This self guided Garden Tour takes you to some of the most beautiful gardens in Bayfield.
We always think of this incredible garden mecca as the icing on the cake to Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, and the quaint community of Bayfield. Enjoy!
Pinehurst Inn guests have discovered that kayaking on Lake Superior among the Apostle Islands is something of a dream. And who better to work with than Living Adventures, a Bayfield based kayak outfitter.
Living Adventures offers a variety of kayaking trips, each with experienced guides who know and understand kayaking, Lake Superior. The trips are open to both beginner and experienced paddlers, providing great instruction and a strong emphasis on safety on the water.
Their philosophy rounds out their trips:
A “Living Adventure” trip can be the thrill of an outdoor experience, the satisfaction of art expression, or the quiet knowing gleaned from an insightful conversation; experiences that create new perspectives on ourselves and the world we live in.
Sea Caves Full Day Trip (includes fantastic lunch!)
Red Cliff Point Day Tour (includes fantastic lunch!)
Ship Wreck Half Day Trip
Overnight Trips are available as well.
Pinehurst Inn Innkeepers are happy to work with our guests to set up a Living Adventures “adventure” – consider combining this with some Enso Day Spa services and you’ll have it made!
Have you paddled among the Apostle Islands? Share your story!
Well, temperature records are being broken in Bayfield and all over the north land. Just a couple of weeks ago we were digging ourselves out from under a few feet of heavy wet snow at Pinehurst Inn, and just yesterday we were hiking the Mt. Ashwabay sugar bush trail in 78 degrees wiping sweat from our brows. It goes without saying this has been a strange Bayfield winter. I don’t recall a St. Patrick’s Day where I was able to spend the entire evening outside without a jacket – which is exactly what I did. On Saturday morning some friends of mine saw some kids jumping off of a dock on Madeline Island into Lake Superior! Granted, they weren’t staying in the water, they were wearing swimsuits and jumping in the lake in March! These beautiful days certainly do seem a blessing. Just watching the world turn from sloppy whites, browns and greys to splashes of blue and green here and there. These are the days when we look forward to the extra special aspects of living in Bayfield. Before we know it there will be strawberries, raspberries and blueberries filling our bellies. That certainly would have tasted wonderful yesterday!
