PURE. BLISS. For a Minnesotan, ‘Up North’ is a state of mind as much as it is a location. Growing up in the North Star state, the epitome of ‘Living the Good Life’ was always intertwined with cabin life, however, a cabin on a lake and you have achieved pure bliss! Having left the 32nd state of the union in my 20s for the West Coast, it has been decades since I experienced this Minnesota utopia. That was about to change when I discovered Burntside Lodge.
Jumping into my rental car I drove north of Duluth on Highway 61 and turned left onto Highway 1 towards Ely, population 3,500 and the gateway to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. After soaking in the beauty of Lake Superior on a sunny afternoon, I didn’t expect any more surprises. That was until I passed through Finland and encountered a moose as large as they get! No time for photos, I enjoyed the experience as he sauntered across the road and I floated into the Burntside Lodge late afternoon with a smile.
At the Lodge I was warmly greeted by Lonnie LaMontagne, proprietor of this stunningly beautiful yet simple 1913 hunting lodge which has been handed down through generations. Lonnie is also the best latte and blueberry scone baker anywhere….hands down! The family’s love of the property is evident upon walking in the door where I absorbed the beautifully cared for lodge with a log on the fire, a well appointed gift shop highlighting local artisans, and finished with a well-stocked bar which was the perfect landing spot after my day’s drive. The 22 cabins scattered about the property and built by Finnish craftsmen in the 1920-30s surround the heart of the resort, the lodge.
To say I was overwhelmed with my one room cabin is definitely an understatement. How I was able to capture “One of the most photographed cabins in Minnesota”, was beyond my imagination. With Pendleton blankets, a comfortable sofa to take in the beauty of Burntside Lake, and a fireplace, Cabin 26 was a dream come true! My goal for the next three days was to soak in the sheer beauty of my surroundings, discover the town of Ely, read and relax. As it turned out, reading was difficult with the extraordinary view from my window. Besides, there were things to discover in nearby Ely like the International Wolf Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum.
If you plan a trip ‘Up North’, book well in advance as it appears happy guests return year after year. And you must leave behind your dawgs, Airstream, jet skis and husband, ok, the last one is not a requirement, but I did. More to come!
Camp Dawg 