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what previous guests have to say about
tuscarora lodge and outfitters
Andy and Sue I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that we appreciate the help that and info. that you gave us before our trip. Even though we didn't give much business you still treated us great.
We did take your advice and
took the Wawiag river route and didn't stop there, we went from there to Mc
Vicor, Bird, Agnes, Woodside, Kahshahpiwi, Keefer, Sark, Cairn, Heronshaw,
Shelly and down thru the falls chain. It was awesome, we did get some pretty
good storms and rain but that's what makes it a adventure. The fishing was
all right, when Mike would let me. We went 7 days without seeing anybody and
that is what we look for. I am already starting to think of our next
adventure, our dream is the tundra some day. Once again thanks a ton. P.S. I
hope your daughter is having a good cross country season.
Don Baumgartner
Mike Lawton
From New London, Wi.
Thanks, Andy.
Your staff and facilities were perfect for what we needed. I will recommend you to friends when I have the chance! Enjoy the slower season ahead, I'm sure you've earned a little quiet time.
BTW, our guests from California were very interested to see how the burned area was responding after a season of growth. It didn't seem to detract from their wilderness experience that the forest was in the early stages of turning over. I'm sure news of the fire has been a drain on your business, but our experience says that the Boundary Waters is an awesome place, even the parts that are not the "primeval" forest we imagined.
Cheers!
Don Mueller
Lake City, MN
Dear Andy and Sue,
Zion Lutheran in Litchfield has over 30 years of experience with Tuscarora
Outfitters. I think we have kept the string alive because we have felt that
we were very-well taken care of. While Pastor Harvey and myself have served
together for nearly 9 years, and both have years of BWCA experience, we feel
that the complete outfitting service provided by Tuscarora is a great
blessing to the various groups from Zion that travel to the BWCA. The
outfitting has always been good, including fitting me with an extra-long
sleeping bag! J The food choices are plentiful and tasty, the canoes, Duluth
packs and gear are always in great shape. The prices are fair and
manageable. What we appreciate the most is the service that we get from Andy
and Sue and the rest of their staff. From the moment we arrive at the
outfitters we are well-taken care of. From the trip building and planning,
which looks at our strengths and desires, to the fabulous breakfasts, Andy
and Sue do their best to give us the best experience. Since most of our
groups are made up of youth, it is important that an outfitter understand
their context, and Sue and Andy get it! We have many youth who want to come
back the next year, even with the younger class! Some of our women have
developed a BWCA retreat and have had similar thoughts and feelings. We look
forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.
Thanks, Andy and Sue! Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Pastor Tim Hansen
The boys and I had a
wonderful several days here, and thank you so much for your great
hospitality and friendship.
Sincerely,
Don Omodt
Mpls, MN
I’m the guy who first rented and then bought a yoke from you (Andy) this past week for my aluminum canoe. Although our encounter was brief I was really impressed with how friendly and helpful you were, that you would loan the yoke to me before my trip with nothing more than my business card in return, and with the reasonable deal that you gave me on the yoke.
I have taken canoe trips for many years, with and without the use of an outfitter, but I have never been to your place before. If I use an outfitter out of the Gunflint in the future I will call you first and in any event I will pass the word on about Tuscarora Outfitters and resort. Thanks again and have a good rest of the summer. I hope it rains soon…(now that I’m out of the woods).
John Goodnow
I have been coming up to
Tuscarora now for almost 20 years. Tuscarora has become part of my Boundary
Waters experience. There are many factors that have brought me back over and
over to Tuscarora. The first is the spectacular setting of Tuscarora nestled
back in the woods by itself on beautiful Round Lake. The second factor is
the incredible outfitting of my groups. I have taken 34 trips through
Tuscarora and the food and equipment have always been exceptional. But the
one factor that brings me back the most is the people. I have always been
treated as a friend and an important guest. Time is always taken to make me
feel like I am home and that my needs are taken care of. Most of my trips
have been as a leader of large middle school student groups. Tuscarora has
always been exceptional at organizing and handling my student groups. I am
planning another trip for this next summer and Tuscarora will definitely be
a part.
Tim Magnuson
Middlebury, Indiana
Dear Sue and Andy—Dear Friends,
It is you whom we have to thank for a wonderful vacation and you get full credit for its success—except for the great summer weather since that was somebody else’s doing.
We all appreciated the loving care we received from you and your most able staff and it will long ring in our ears how joyfully you would say time and again when we came with a question or a wish; “No problem.” We hope we didn’t stretch your helpfulness and patience too thin.
The cabins were fabulous and more than we needed. Everything was spic-and-span and much to our liking. We enjoyed sumptuous meals, fabulous hikes, fantastic boating and didn’t even mind that Chad had not turned off the heavenly fan when we struggled across Ham Lake-it blew mightily in our face and all too quickly turned our little boats around and in the wrong direction. But ultimately we succeeded to get home without falling into the water (the kids would not have minded…).
The fishing was good, so the boys tell us. They caught more than Northern Sardines and happily released their many catches. Although we didn’t see any moose, we loved the sight of otters, caught, handled and released a garter snake and countless frogs. Many a loon charmed us. We didn’t take it personally that vultures circled above us…
We much admired the powerful resurgence of Mother Nature, delighting us with blankets of colorful flowers and luscious green.
We fully accomplished our goal of instilling in our next generation the love for the BWCA. You so helped us in this.
Every evening we quietly went to the waterfront and sang under the star studded sky our home made prayer with a melody not to be found in any hymnal, and hopefully audible only to the one who watches over us:
Muede bin ich, Himmelvater,
Amen,
Gute Nacht.
Auf Wiederschen,
Claus Pierach and family
Mpls, MN
Many of the best memories we and our family have center around the Boundary Waters area - and many of those happy memories are associated with Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters. We love the peaceful quiet of the cabins and Round Lake (and the fishing is pretty good too!). We also love the easy access to the BWCA for both day trips and extended overnight trips. But what we most appreciate is the friendly and helpful attitudes of Andy and Sue and all of their staff. From getting BWCA permits, to providing fishing advice, to helping us change trip plans at the last minute when necessary, Tuscarora has always helped us get what we need to have a great time in the Boundary Waters. In our experience, Andy and Sue go "above and beyond". Every time we leave Tuscarora we start talking about when we're coming back before we even get to Grand Marais - it's the only way we can bring ourselves to leave!
We had a great time this summer - thanks for everything including helping our son do his solo trip. We're talking about whether we'll be coming up this winter and will let you know soon.
Jim Colbert
Ames, Iowa
Hi Sue and Andy,
The Wilderness Women from Way Back, as we refer to ourselves, have been coming to the BWCA and Quetico for 30+ years. In that time, we’ve had the opportunity to work with many outfitters both in the Ely area and around the Gunflint Trail. We ended up, kind of randomly, going though Tuscarora this year because of its close proximity to the area we wanted to paddle. Here are a few reasons why we’ll be back:
Tuscarora is obviously loved and cared for by the people who live and work there. We have never been through an outfitting business where the dining, sleeping and showering facilities were soooooo clean. (Hmmmm, funny this is the first thing I came up with, but we are
women. . .)
The equipment you provided to us was in perfect condition.
The Bunkhouse (besides being sooooo clean) was really well maintained. We’ve never had a positive bunkhouse experience and have just come to expect a mosquito infested room with no ventilation. Your bunkhouse leaves the others in the dust! The windows and doors actually had tight screens and the design was very open with good airflow. Although we didn’t need it, the little fan in the window is a great touch! We also appreciated that the bunkhouses are set apart from the rest of the property. We could go through the trip packing ritual without feeling like we were in the way of anything happening in the area.
Throughout the pre – post trip process, I always felt like both of you were really listening to and understanding our group’s needs. Although we only needed partial outfitting, that fact did not appear to influence the attention we were provided.
It is obvious that you are concerned that the individuals you are outfitting clearly understand the ethics of the wilderness. The only way we can continue to enjoy the BWCA is if everyone who travels in takes the job of preservation and protection very seriously. We appreciated your efforts to make sure that we, as a group, clearly understood current rules and regulations.
On our drive to the MSP airport, we relived the highlights of our trip. Stumbling on you and Tuscarora was at the top of the list. It was so nice to meet you. Although I’m sure it is an unimaginable amount of work, the two of you are living the dream many of us have had from the moment we first experienced the north woods. Take care and I’ll look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
-Kate Goddard
Center Pt., IA
Sue and Andy---
We just wanted to thank you for a great stay at Tuscarora. WE were so impressed with your property and your staff. We loved Cabin #2!!! It was the perfect place for our family to spend some great time together. The boys loved being able to swim and fish whenever they wanted
Thanks for everything you did to make our stay so fun and enjoyable. It was a GREAT vacation!! We lived….loved…and laughed! What more could anyone ask for?!?!. Thanks again for everything ! We hope to be back again!
The Stewarts.
Charles City, IA
This summer was the second time I have stayed at Tuscarora. In one sense I didn't have a choice where to stay. However Cal has come to Tuscarora on so many trips and has always spoken so highly of it I don't think I would want to go anywhere else.
Different owners had Tuscarora the last time I was there but you have kept the same spirit about the place which is wonderful. It is clean, efficient, comfortable and friendly. There is enough to do if you want to and yet you are not bothered if you want to be alone.
This year after experiencing a little of other outfitters by taking the basket weaving class and the canoe races, I truly appreciated Tuscarora even more. I really liked the young people's (your workers) attitudes and behavior. I felt safe around them and knew you all were there to help if needed. I like the quietness of Tuscarora rather than so much of a resort atmosphere.
Little Cabin 2 was a wonderful retreat. Just enough to make it homey, but simple enough make it relaxing. Since I am not a fisherman or even a boat person I really enjoyed the land, watching the lake, seeing the other lakes and looking for wild life. The grounds are well kept and attractive. The lake mesmerizing. You have kept this area of God's creation beautiful and available to everyone. I thank you for that. People that drive by the Tuscarora sign on the Gunflint Trail don't realize what could be waiting for them down that dirt road.
May you continue pour yourselves into Tuscarora because it shows how much you care for the land, the business and the people.
Have a good year,
Bobbi Biddle
Petersburg, IN
The magic of Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters is found in the owners: Andy and Sue Ahrendt. They have a deep abiding love for the Boundary Waters and helping others to experience this unique wilderness is what they do best.
From reservations to routing, you work directly with Sue and Andy. They have a great staff of able college students helping them outfit your journey. But it is Andy and Sue who are there to greet you. It is Andy and Sue who make sure you are ready to go. It is Andy and Sue who help you determine your route through the wilderness. It is Andy and Sue who have paddled the places you will paddle.
As Outings Director for a huge Scout Troop, I send at least two crews a year to the Boundary Waters and some years as many as five. We’ve used other outfitters. But we’ve returned time and again to Tuscarora because of Andy and Sue. At other outfitters, I’ve felt like just another rushed customer in a busy line of eager canoeists. And getting good route information was the luck of the draw being assigned a staff member who may or may not have experience.
At Tuscarora, I feel like a treasured client, that my individual trip is important to Andy and Sue. There are other crews coming through at the same time. But Andy and Sue carefully handle each group with intelligence and an easy state-of-mind. This gives me the confidence that I need when setting out on a canoe trek, together with a slower pace of living that I always seek in the wilderness.
Tuscarora’s location is
spectacular. I’ve left the crowds at Ely and Moose Lake behind
in favor of Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail. Located on the western elbow of
the scenic Gunflint Trail, Tuscarora is placed smack dab in the middle of the
wilderness. From there, the number of routing possibilities will keep you
paddling new routes year after year.
John Lorenzen
La Grange, Illinois
Andy & Sue,
After a year of working with 500 students and their parents, telephones ringing, cell phones, faxes, E-mails, web pages, school board meetings, fifty occasionally upset employees, making budgets stretch, conducting school safety drills from criminals and terrorists, and this week the death of three students in a car wreck. I want a place where the telephone doesn't ring, my cell phone doesn't work, and there is no television. It is me vs. the fish. I can read or relax. I was in the BWCA when Iraq invaded Kuwait, and I didn't know until I tried to buy gasoline in Duluth. The price was three times higher than a week and a half before. Thanks for providing a refuge from the stress of life.
The people at Tuscarora want me to have a pleasant, enjoyable vacation. Whether I bring a group of high school boys with trash bag packs or a group of business associates who are going first class, they have always treated us with care, concern, and respect. The equipment is first rate and clean. I actually like most of the pack food, except the carrots, and I am always thankful how they manage to pack fresh food that stays fresh for days with no refrigeration.
A fellow principal came with me after having gone out through Ely a couple years before. At Ely he had been basically told "fish in the blue and camp in the green." He was amazed at the detailed preparation and quality of equipment at Tuscarora. He returned the next year with his wife, and several years later brought his two boys. His only regret was that his wife caught more fish than he did.
One year I brought my best fishing buddy for what we hoped would not be his last trip. He had been to Tuscarora several times with me when he was healthy. On this trip his oncologist said the only restriction was to not let Bill carry more than ten pounds. He had just had a complete colostomy. We put him in charge of his own tackle box and rod. The folks at Tuscarora found a route that included only two moderate portages and with a long tow got us on the fish the first day. We base camped and caught more than three hundred fish in four days. Bill caught smallmouth, pike, lake trout, walleye, and largemouth. Though tiring, he had a great trip. The next month they found bill had a brain tumor. He never fished again, but Tuscarora made his last trip the trip of a life time.
We like the road less traveled. We often use two lane roads instead of major highways. We appreciate quality, hospitality, and courtesy. We grew up in the forties and fifties without instant everything. Hand crank telephones, my grandfather's draft horses, and the "path" were a part of our everyday lives. Friendship, family, and faith have always been important. Tuscarora is where you can be comfortable and enjoy the important values in life. It is more than a place. It is people who care for others.
I hope you can use some of these ramblings. I have spent thirty-five years visiting the BWCA. I have fished the Amazon, and I have hiked the Andes. When I want a non commercialized escape from the world and its turmoil I return to Tuscarora. Kerry and you folks have done it right.
Blessings,
Cal Biddle
These are the intrepid Boy Scouts of Troop 30 from Austin Texas. We had 2 crews of 9. We trekked from East Bearskin Lake to Clearwater Lake with a run down Mountain Lake on the Canadian boarder.
Tuscarora did an outstanding job for us, can't say enough about them.
We had a memorable trip, great scenery, fishing, and weather!
--Jack Randall
Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters
193 Round Lake Road
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Reservations: 1.800.544.3843
Phone: 218.388.2221
Fax: 218.388.4445
ahrendts@tuscaroracanoe.com
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