Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
area, its headwaters at the Namekagon Lake dam northeast of Cable. The river is no white-
knuckler, though some high-water periods create medium to high hazards. For the most
part, it's an exaggerated trout stream running a wide river valley and dammed into four
flowages.
SKIING THE BIRKIE
In the depths of winter in 1973, 53 local ski aficionados headed northeast out of
Hayward and skied their tails off 52 kilometers to Cable. They were attempting, for
whatever reason, to re-create the famous
Norwegian Birkebeiner race,
an annual
celebrationofthedesperationskiingofaduoofNorwegianmilitiamentryingtosave
the life of the country's infant king.
If they had known...within two decades, the Birkie, as it's affectionately known,
has become the Super Bowl, if you will, of Nordic skiing. Annually in late February,
around 7,500 skiers from around the world—especially Norway—turn up. The
DYNO American Birkebeiner—its official name—is now the largest and most pres-
tigious ski event in North America. They do it for the spirit, but certainly don't do
it for the dough—a relatively paltry $7,500 for the winner, but still an improvement,
since no money at all was offered until 1996. And it's now a three-day blowout, fea-
turing the main Birkie, a 25-kilometer
kortelopet,
or half-race, and a delightful chil-
dren'srace,theBarnebirkie(1500kids).Eventskickoffwitha10-kilometertorch-lit
race Thursday evening after the afternoon sprint races down Hayward's Main Street.
Snowshoe races are part of the fun on Friday.
The USFS ranger office (10650 Nyman Ave., 715/634-4821) in Hayward has informa-
tion on water levels and rentals.
Fishing
To cover all the area's fishing options would be a book in itself. Muskie and walleye are
found here, first and foremost.
This author stopped counting after reaching 150 resorts, hotels/motels, B&Bs (and shotgun
shacks, private homes, etc.) in the area. One thing the area noticeably lacks is a prepon-
