For thousands of years they have enchanted, beckoned, and enthralled mankind. Cultures have used them as guides to good hunting, in spiritual ceremonies and as signs of good fortune. So too, they have been viewed in some cultures as evil omens and bad spirits. Scientists today have unraveled the mysteries of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Even though the "lights" are fully understood, their beauty is not diminished.

Planning a canoe trip that will offer the best possible chance of viewing northern lights revolves around four things; a new moon, a clear night sky, a southern shoreline campsite and lots of patience.

A new moon offers the darkest night sky possible - this is critical for viewing since on some evenings the lights are nothing more than a light green mist that hovers just above the treetops. On other evenings the green mist gathers itself into swirls and spires that leap into the night sky creating the shapes of ancient campfires and dancing spirits. For those fortunate enough to visit during times of extraordinary sun spot activity, a variety of reds and blues will intermingle with the misty green forming a painter's palette of artwork across the blacken sky.

Weather systems can frequently inhibit viewing of the northern lights. Unfortunately, there's never a guarantee for good weather. Planning a trip that is five to seven days in length and lies several days on either side of the new moon should allow one or more clear nights for viewing the lights.

The lights typically appear on the northern horizon (on nights with high activity they can fill the sky in every direction), so choosing a campsite on the southern shoreline is ideal. Set up the tent so that the door faces north. The lights can actually occur 24 hours a day and vary in intensity based on the solar activity, which means they may occur at 10 p.m. or at 3:30 a.m. (or continuously through the night). There is no definite way to confidently predict exactly when they will start, or at what time they will be at their best. Scientists are able to predict the day and an estimated window of time when they believe the lights will most likely appear. As with everything thing in nature, the northern lights keep their own schedule.

Sitting around the campfire late at night is what folks enjoy most about wilderness canoe trips. Tie that in with the brilliance of a jillion stars and the experience takes one back to their youth when things were much more simple. Then out of the blackness comes the eerie green mist of the northern lights and there are no words for what one experiences next.

It's humbling, inspiring and awesome and just one of the many wonders of the northwoods.

Here's a link to a fantastic website specifically devoted to northern lights that predicts when the lights will be at their best, Space Weather Website.

Tales from the Trail

He was four when he did his first wilderness day trip. Day trips frequently consisted of wading in creeks and rapids trying to catch frogs and crayfish, trying to skip rocks from shore during lunch, and pretending to shoot ducks with his fishing pole. Then...

He was eight years old when he took his first overnight wilderness canoe trip. The trip started the first week in October at Snowbank Lake. It was bitter cold and by the time the Jitterbug Lake portage came into view the snow was blowing sideways at full force. By the time Ima Lake rolled around two inches of snowfall had accumulated. He was a good sport about the whole thing and giggled as he pelted his Dad with snowballs. With a well-stocked campfire roaring, he and his Dad decided to fish. "I'm gonna catch the biggest one - you remember what Grandpa said 'I'll pay you a dollar a pound for your biggest fish'." Right off the campsite he caught a 10-pound lake trout - his biggest ever. And yes, Grandpa did pay up, however he never made that bet with him again. Then...

His first mother and son trip occurred in his thirteenth summer. It was the year before the blow down. Knife Lake was the destination. He became a young man on that trip. He paddled the stern of the canoe, sawed firewood, hung the ropes for the food pack and helped catch a mess of fish for the evening dinners. All the skills that he watched his father do over the course of five years of canoe trips, he was now using to fill the shoes of a man he dearly admired. Then...

This year marks his ninth year as a veteran canoeist. His eyes still sparkle as the maps are pulled out to discuss our 2002 canoe trip. He keeps a map on his bedroom wall that marks each of the routes he has taken with family and friends over the years. And don't make the mistake of asking him where his favorite lake is - he has dozens of them. Unlike his first trip when he could barely carry the pack filled with his clothing, he can now easily carry two packs at a time. He also shares the load of portaging the canoe too. He's come a long way...

Yes, this is a true story, but this story isn't uncommon here in the northwoods. Whenever a parent takes the time to do something special for their child it creates a very deep bond between them. Wilderness canoe trips take each of us, young and old, back to a simpler place and time where the major decisions revolve around choosing a campsite, picking a fishing spot, and who has to wash tonight's dishes. It's a unique opportunity that creates even more unique memories for youth and parents alike. Looking to create a special bond with your child? Let our experience and knowledge help guide you on your way.

Group Trips

Tobi Mackey is our on-staff naturalist guide. Not only does she excel at offering extensive knowledge on the plant, wildlife and history of the northwoods, Tobi is also an excellent fishing guide. Tobi is offering three different Group Guided trips for the 2002 season. Her Group Guided trips are open to anyone who would like to join a combined group of individuals from across the country. You can come alone to join the group, or bring along a friend or two. Each group can have up to 9 people total including Tobi.

Can't get vacation at those times? Don't worry! Tobi does regular guided trips too. Give our office a call and she would be happy to discuss the needs and interests of your group and put together a trip just for you. Contact her at 800-322-5837.

Palm Trees, Tropical Surf and Warm Ocean Breezes...

Snow shovels, windshield de-icer, winter boots and stocking hats… yup it's winter here on Moose Lake. We've been waiting patiently for the temperatures to reach their typical twenty below and colder, but Mother Nature has had her mind somewhere else these days. We've got a few inches of snow on the ground, the lake finally froze over on December 22 (about a month late this year), and the thermometer has hit zero a few times. Unfortunately, with a lack of "bitter" cold temperatures the ice isn't as thick as normal. Some spots are still only two to four inches - almost thick enough to walk and ski on, but not quite. The snowmobilers and dog sled teams haven't been venturing out on the ice much either. What do we do when Mother Nature takes a vacation? Well, we take one too!

This year Blayne and Charlene will be hosting Williams & Hall annual trip to Belize, South America. The first trip option is called "Rain Forests, Ruins & Reefs" and it runs from January 26th through February 2nd. This segment allows you to explore with native guides; the rain forest, a jaguar preserve, a banana plantation, Mayan ruins, the Hol Chan Marine Preserve and so very much more. The cost is $1875.00 per person from Placencia.

The second leg of the journey is sea kayaking that is scheduled for February 2nd through 9th. Spend your days kayaking ocean reefs, snorkeling, fishing, lounging, and spending one of your nights camping in the rain forest. See and hear exotic wildlife and enjoy a tropical paradise far away from the snow and cold. This portion of the trip is $1740.00 per person from Placencia.

Join Blayne and Charlene for one or both of these adventures. Call our office for more details or to sign-up at 800-322-5837.

E-Mail & Website

If you haven't checked out our website in the last few weeks, please stop by. Our webmaster has been hard at work redesigning our site and it has a fresh new look. We've added a variety of information pages too. We've also increased the size of our on-line store. Many of our most popular items that you can purchase during your summer visit can be found right on the website. We also have our on-line Newsletter that is updated monthly (not with the information you are receiving in this E-mail Newsletter though!). Tobi's Nature Notes changes about twice a month with all the latest fur, feather, flora and fin stories. Even though you don't live year round in the northwoods, there's no reason why you can't stay on top of all the latest! Stop by for a visit soon...

The End... for now!

Well, this wraps up the first edition of our e-mail newsletter. We hope you've enjoyed it and are looking forward to your February edition. We do have an exciting invitation to extend to you. If you have enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to pass it on to friends and family who may take pleasure in reading it too. If they would like to receive their own copy of future mailings, they can sign up at www.tomandwoods.com/emailform.html. For each person who signs up to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter and references your name and e-mail address, we will give you a $1.00 credit that you can use towards a canoe trip this summer or an on-line store purchase. There is no limit on the amount of credit you can accumulate; you just need to use the credit by October 1, 2002. This incentive is valid through February 28, 2002.

Please feel free to contact us with questions or comments on the newsletter contents. If for any reason you would prefer not to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter, please drop us an e-mail and we will remove your e-mail address from our list. Thank you for letting us share this uniquely wonderful wilderness with you!