March 17,2008:
Florence is in Florida with Craig and Roseanne for some sunshine and fresh oranges. She is getting ready for a new fishing season and hopes to see her friends at Viking Island again this summer.

February 24, 2008:
January and this month have been very cold. Good news for the drill crews and the northern winter roads, but not great for skidooing. Our waterline froze and we are pumping water weekly from the lake into tanks in the basement.

Red Lake is still in gold rush mode. It is difficult to get a hotel room or place to rent. The ice is covered in winter roads and the drills are going night and day. Big trucks are hauling huge pieces of equipment over the ice to McKenzie Island as they prepare to sink another mine shaft. With new equipment, experts are finding gold deeper in the earth and economics are driving the price for gold up. While other orthern towns are reeling from sawmill and pulp mill closures, Red Lake is booming. It is once again a young persons town.

February 16, 2008:
Gwyneth and Wade were at Viking Island to spend the weekend and check out the buildings. It was -30 degree'F, windy and snowing. The Fireside Cabin was cosy and a crib game seemed better than a fishing trip. There are moose tracks all over the lake, even on the island.

We found this otter using a skidoo trail as travelled along the shoreline.

Red Lake Dog Races were held in very cold weather but well attended as always.