Winter arrived at Burntside with the first serious snow on Monday. After an unusually warm November the ground had just started to freeze this past week; Sunday brought an inch of snow and then yesterday we received another 3 inches. The lake is still open; but neighboring smaller lakes and the bay shore are developing a thin layer of ice. As one looks out the window you know this is it...winter is here.

December Snow from Cabin 26

In mid-November I finally took time to visit Listening Point. Chuck Wick met me on a frosty morning and shared this special place with me. So many of our guests have visited here and return full of enthusiasm and a sense of connectedness. I am always amazed at the unique beauty of Burntside Lake; from the tall pines and craggy rocks to the soft silty beaches and birch, the feeling is spiritual and touches so many. Sigurd Olson recognized this and we are fortunate that Listening Point has been preserved. Tours to Listening Point definitely make my "top 10 list" of things to do when at Burntside.

The days are incredibly short, one feels the twilight by 4 pm with complete darkness now by 5; such an extreme difference from summer days of long light. Today we lose another minute and a half of daylight and you do indeed notice the difference.

Snowy Woods

Even though summer is gone we continue to plan: ordering new supplies, planning projects. We are pleased with the phone calls from guests already planning their return next summer. This is also a special time of year for us as we take the time to remember our summer guests and begin addressing our Christmas greetings. Every year we do this, I'm thankful that we have never decided to get on board with the "point, click and print" mail merge on the computer. Each address and greeting gives us time to remember our guests and how fortunate we are they have chosen to spend their vacation time with us.

- Lonnie