Friday, December 29, 2006

More Snow!


It's snowing heavily as I write this. 80% of the trails are open and we got two inches of new snow a couple days ago. Conditions are good, and we have a 6 to 8 inch base.

posted by Palmquist Farm at 12:01 PM0 comments

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Jessie James Gang Treasure Hunt


Palmquist Farm has something a little different to offer their guests this winter season. The Palmquist’s daughter, Anna, wrote a treasure hunt involving a stolen horse, outlaws, and a prize at the end (the two girls are pictured above with prize in hand). This hunt is divided into three skill levels so that 4-year-olds as well as teenagers and adults can play. It will take players all over The Farm and even out onto some of the ski trails for the older players. Over-night guests can play for free, but there is a five dollar charge for everyone else. The guests we had over Christmas loved playing. Even a couple of women in their twenties gave it a try. The following is the poem that you will receive as part of your first clue if you want to play. Come out to The Farm this winter and give it a try.

Remington’s Long Walk
Or
How the Jessie James Gang got away with 2 left-footed ski boots, a ski pole, and a horse named Remington

Late one evening before moonset,
a gang of rider’s galloped with threat
across the snow, deep and wet.

The gang’s leader was Jessie James,
and if you looked into his eyes, you saw flames.
Don’t believe me? Just ask all his kidnapped dames.

This dark night he was headed to the Palmquist Farm
because he had a plan to steal a horse there named Remington, who had charm.
He clutched his firearm and didn’t think he was causing much harm.

The gang neared the red barn and slowed their steeds.
Jessie James dismounted and said, “Boys be ready to tare out’a here like a stampede.”
With that, he ducked into the barn and was out with Remington on the lead.

But before Jessie James could mount his horse,
two skiers who had been out on the lighted ski trail course
came upon the gang with a violent force.

For they had seen the mayhem that Jessie James intended to do,
and they wanted to stop him from stealing Remington too,
so they both ripped off their left ski shoe
and away they flew at Jessie James’ crew.
Both whipped toward Old Blue
but he caught them like his hands were covered in glue.
On one last attempt, the couple launched their ski poles, hoping to skew
one if the outlaws, but it was to late. There was nothing they could do.

Jessie James grabbed one of the thrown poles out of the snow.
Then he mounted his horse with Remington’s reigns in tow
And crowed to his gang, “Boys, it’s time to go.”
Then he waved the pole in the air for show
And galloped back into the dark night with Remington as his escrow
For he planned to ransom the poor horse to get some doe

This is the tale of our lost horse.
Jessie James wants $100,000 or say’s he’ll use force.
We know that you can rescue Remington if you stay the course.

posted by Palmquist Farm at 11:46 AM0 comments

Monday, December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas to everyone from Helen and Jim Palmquist at The Farm. Here's a picture of the ski trail. Our holiday guests are skiing and having a great time doing the Jessie James treasure hunt that we have set up this year. More on that later.

posted by Palmquist Farm at 11:11 AM0 comments

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Snow Just in Time for Christmas

We have about 6-8 inches of snow, and 5 KM of ski trails are open! More trails will open as we clear tree branches off the trails from the heavy wet snow that came down. Temperatures have cooled down and snow conditions are good for skiing.

posted by Palmquist Farm at 11:12 AM0 comments

Friday, December 08, 2006

A Word from Helen on getting The Farm Ready for the Holidays and on Holiday Openings

Kathy, the neighbor lady, and I have been making real wreaths and other natural balsam decorations for the cabins and lodges. Each cabin will have one on its door all decked out with real pinecones and big red bows. One 6 foot wreath will go on the White Pine Inn and another on the red barn. These will be lit up with Christmas tree lights. Outside lights and garlands with red bows will go up this weekend. After that, I’ll start in on the 5 or 6 live Christmas trees that we put up around The Farm. We will get the trees and decorate them next week. This picture of a Christmas tree shows some of our antique straw ornaments.

The 3 inches of snow we have right now make things feel Christmassy. I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. The time goes so fast, but I’m happy to start the season because it means seeing many of our regular guests that have been coming for years.

We still have some openings over the Christmas holiday and between Christmas and New Years. There is one suite in the White Pine Inn and 3 rooms in the Farmhouse open over New Years weekend. We will be celebrating the New Year with our traditional Finnish Polka dance and bonfire. Pictured below are Helen and Jim Palmquist, owners of The Farm, dancing at the New Years Party. The next picture is our New Years bonfire.

posted by Palmquist Farm at 2:00 PM1 comments

Words from Jim on the Close of the 2006 Hunting Season

Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president, was a great hunter and wrote a number of books on the subject. He is quoted as saying that a hunt has three parts: planning and preparing for the hunt, the actual hunting itself and discussing the hunt afterwards.

Here at Palmquist farm we have had a successful grouse and deer hunting season. Most of our hunters are repeat customers and come from as far away as Virginia and Mississippi. We are now in the third part of phase of the hunting experience, according to Roosevelt, which is discussing the hunt that has taken place.

The success of a hunt should not be measured by the amount of animals one has harvested. Rather, a successful hunt should center around spending time with like minded companions in the world of nature and returning with a sense of renewal to your regular routine.

The ruffed grouse is a beautiful bird and arguably the most difficult game bird to hunt. Persons often walk miles before seeing one and when one is come upon, the hunter has very little time to react. The same can be said about the Whitetail deer. They are very good at hiding and eluding even the most experienced hunter.

In thinking about next year’s hunt, we are hoping for an even better grouse population as the cycle is definitely on the upswing. We also are confident that our deer hunting will be better than ever in the Fall of 2007. Let us remember our 26th president and start planning and preparing for the next hunt.


posted by Palmquist Farm at 1:29 PM4 comments