Blaze The Trail

On the trail...

• Ice Fishing Adventures

  Today, I was driving from Milwaukee, WI to Duluth, MN to get closer to my snowshoe event that I have going on tomorrow in Virginia, MN. And on my way up, I got to thinking about some of the great ice fishing adventures I have been on over the past couple of years. Today, I drove past some of my favorite bodies of water to ice fish: The Madison Chain, Chippewa Falls, Waupaca Chain, and Hayward just to name a few. Each place has a different story about not just the biggest fish but also the time and memories that I had catching the fish.
  
  For instance, this is a picture that I took last year on Lake Delavan. It isn't the biggest Northern Pike by far but it did bring up a good story. That day, we ended up catching a bunch of "snakes" and the best part is, is that we were able to get someone new to ice fishing just as excited as I am with it. Now, she is ice fishing, fly fishing, and regular fishing as much as she possibly can. She never had an experience like that before and she loved it.

  This is one of the many stories that come to mind with ice fishing and I would love to hear your tales about your biggest fish through the ice, or the best trip that you were a part of. Post some comments on your story and I would love to read them, and if you have some pictures, be sure to put them in our galleries.
  
  I am off to the Snowshoe event and look forward to seeing some of you there. But if you are out ice fishing, make sure to keep the line tight!
  
  Good Luck!
  

  Posted Jan 4, 2009 by Trailblazer_Josh | 7 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Ice Fishing Talking Points trailblazer josh

• Beaver Dam Ducks Unlimited Sponsors Banquet

  So on December 16^th, my travels took me near my favorite goose hunting spot, Horicon Marsh. This is where I grew up waterfowl hunting with my dad and my brother so I decided to drive past it and see what it looked like. Snow... the marsh was frozen and it was a winter wonderland out there. So far, this has been the snowiest December in the central part of the state of WI. So with not much for me to see, I continued on my way to the Ducks Unlimited event that was being held at the Bayside Supper Club in Beaver Dam, WI. Once again it was snowing out but that didn't deter people from coming out to help raise funds for the Ducks! Overall, there were about 130 people there that were telling stories about this past year hunts and the successes and near success. This was a pretty cool event because it was for all of the sponsors who have given a substantial amount to this Ducks chapter. I was able to set up a tasting booth and tell my hunting and fishing "lies" with everyone and really felt a great vibe throughout the entire night.
  
  Before dinner, I had an opportunity to taste everyone there and talk about our wine. Once again, everyone loved our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay! In fact, I actually ran out of both because some many people tried it and then told their friends who loved it as well! It was great to see everyone really enjoy it.
  
  But beyond that, we had everyone have a glass of Merlot during dinner service. I must say that the Prime Rib, Baked Potatoes, Fried Shrimp, and Cheesecake were some of the best I have ever had. Bayside Supper Club's food has some amazing taste to it and it paired up beautifully with our Merlot.
  
  After the event, everyone hung out for a little longer trying to wait the snow out but it kept falling. So off into the winter wonderland we all went. I hope to see a lot of the same faces at the Ducks Unlimited State Convention coming up on Jan 23^rd-25^th at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells.
  
  To everyone that is reading this, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing you all blazing the trails in 2009!
  
  Happy New Year!
  

  Posted Dec 31, 2008 by Trailblazer_Josh | 1 Comment | Share It
  Filed under: ducks unlimited Redwood Creek trailblazer JR Wisconsin

• Happy Holidays!

  

  The holiday season is officially in full swing here at Blaze the Trail!

  The galleries are abuzz with festivity for the season thanks to all the Wonderful Holiday Recipes, Traditions and Deck the Halls photos that you all shared, and I can't wait to try ALL of your holiday recipes with my own family.

  It's hard to believe 2009 is just around the corner and to help celebrate the New Year, we have posted a New Years Resolution Activity and a New Years Poll.

  Share your holiday plans with us. We'd love to hear how you'll be celebrating.
  Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!

  Posted Dec 23, 2008 by OUTDOORGIRL | 1 Comment | Share It
  Filed under: holidays

• Banff Mountain Film Festival

  

  The Banff Mountain Film Festival is an international film competitionfeaturing the world’s best footage on mountain subjects. The festival began in 1976 and is held annually on the first weekend in November in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The year 2008 marks the 33rd anniversary of the festival.

  
  Redwood Creek is proud to be the Official Wine for the Film Festival and World Tour this year. Immediately after the festival in November, a selection of the best films entered in the festival goes on tour. The host organization in each tour location chooses a program that reflects the interests of their community. Each community creates a unique celebration of local adventure and adventurers. Redwood Creek will be a part of many of the screenings across the US, check out to find out more about the tour and where each screening will be. Make sure to also view the trailer on this link to see clips from some of the amazing films that will be shown.
  

  

  Posted Dec 22, 2008 by Trailblazer_Dan | 0 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: trailblazer dan

• And the winner is...

  I am very excited to announce that a winner has been chosen in the quest for the first ever Redwood Creek Consumer Choice Vintage Poster.

  We are happy to announce that the winner is the MOOSE inspired by Blaze the Trail member Baby_Shrew from Mt. Pleasant, MI, who wrote: " I suggested this quite some time ago an sure it’s not the first you’ve heard of it but…I still think a moose lifting his head up from the water would be cool. Stuff hanging from his antlers and his beard dripping wet. Lol. What could be more refreshing?"

  Congratulations Baby_Shrew for your awesome idea and for being crowned the winner. To everyone who has submitted Vintage Poster ideas, THANK YOU and keep them coming! You never know when the next Consumer Choice Vintage Poster might makes its way into production.

  And to the other two finalists - your ideas are amazing and I think we all hope to see them come to full-colored life at some point in the future.

  The Moose will be printed in 2009 and will be available soon for you to receive via the Blaze the Trail Vintage Posters section.

  Thank you to all of you who voted and commented, stay tuned for the finished poster and keep stopping by to say hello here at Blaze the Trail.

  Happy Holidays from your friends at Redwood Creek!

  Posted Dec 15, 2008 by outdoorsman | 18 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Consumer Choice Vintage Posters Redwood Creek Vintage Posters

• San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival

  The inaugural San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival was held at the Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion, celebrating mountain culture and the winter sports lifestyle.

  The first day of the Festival featured wine tasting, interactive booths, resorts and a huge pre-season winter gear and clothing sale.  The festival had Redwood Creek written all over it.

  
  

  Posted Dec 11, 2008 by Trailblazer_Dan | 2 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Redwood Creek san francisco trailblazer dan

• SNOW DIVAS

  Over 100 women gathered in the Outdoor Divas store in Boulder, CO to gain advice from pros on tele & nordic skiing.  This is one of several workshop series intended to educated and excite women within the winter sport industry entitled, SNOW DIVAS!  Stay tuned for the next event...

  Posted Dec 11, 2008 by Trailblazer_Andrea | 0 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Redwood Creek snow divas trailblazer andrea

• Vote for the (first ever!) Consumer Choice Poster

  For months we've been asking YOU what the next Redwood Creek Vintage Print should be. Over 2,000 of you have shared your amazing ideas.

  The Redwood Creek team read through each and every idea (so many great ones, so hard to choose!) and have narrowed down to our three finalists for the first ever, Consumer Choice Poster!

  The winning poster will be printed and distributed with the other Vintage Prints. We had artist Jeff Foster do pencil sketches of the three ideas so you could see what the winner could look like. He'll do a full fledged design of the winning poster and give a signed version to the member with the winning poster design.
  

  This is where you come in. We need your help in choosing the winner, so please take a few minutes, review the three finalists and then cast your vote by clicking here!

  Without further ado, take a look at the three finalists here. You can click on any image to see a large scale version of the image.
  
  Float Plane. Inspired by member KimMcBean from West Bloomfield, MI who wrote: "I picture a lake surrounded by pines with a 50’s style float plane with a couple of fishermen inside in flannel coming to this remote spot."

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Moose. Inspired by member Baby_Shrew from Mt. Pleasant, MI, who wrote: " I suggested this quite some time ago an sure it’s not the first you’ve heard of it but…I still think a moose lifting his head up from the water would be cool. Stuff hanging from his antlers and his beard dripping wet. Lol. What could be more refreshing?"

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Wildflowers. Inspired by member minnick from Cedaredge, CO, who wrote: "Maybe you could consider doing a wildflower scene. You could picture a meadow full of wildflowers with mountain peaks in the background and your trademark bottle of wine in the corner."

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Keep submitting your Vintage Print ideas. You never know, your idea might become a Redwood Creek Vintage Print someday.

  Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know which poster is your favorite below.

  I can't wait to find out which poster you think should be crowned the first ever RedwoodConsumer Choice Vintage Print!

  Posted Dec 3, 2008 by outdoorsman | 122 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Consumer Choice Poster Contests Redwood Creek Vintage Prints

• Friends of Robert "Fro" Frohlich

  Alpine Meadows Ski Resort hosted the Friends for Fro Benefit where Redwood Creek donated all the wine and food came from 6 local restaurants to serve the almost 2,000 friends who attended.   100% of the proceeds were donated to Robert “Fro Frolich to provide financial assistance during his battle against cancer.
  
  Through his writing, award-winning author Robert “Fro” Frohlich has touched countless of people who love the Tahoe and Truckee area and the Sierra Nevada.  Frohlich recently underwent major cancer surgery; and readying himself for chemotherapy treatment. In order to assist him with his medical expenses and care, the Friends For Fro Benefit was planned to garner as much financial assistance for him as possible.
  
  “Who doesn’t know Fro,” says Bill Jensen, publisher of the Squaw Valley Times and one of the benefit organizers. “Fro is a literary icon that has spent his life devoted to the mountains, writing about them and those who have lived, worked, and played here. He’s recognized and respected at every level-- from ski bums to ski resort CEOs; but most importantly, Fro is our friend. He has given so much to the community and individuals; and his benefit is a way to help him in his time of need,” he added.

  Posted Dec 2, 2008 by Trailblazer_Dan | 0 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Alpine Meadows Ski Resort Friends for Fro Benefit Robert Frohlich trailblazer dan

• DAVIDSON LANDS CONSERVANCY

  On the evening of November 17th I joined the Davidson Lands Conservancy for a very special evening celebrating the preservation of 90 acres of beautiful land within North Carolina.  Of the 90 acres that are now preserved 23 acres are natural wetlands.  These wetlands have over 100 different plant species and wildlife that are very important to the state North Carolina. Throughout the evening we listened to two professors from UNC Charlotte on land conservation versus population within North Carolina, enjoyed some local art depicting outdoor scenes within the Davidson area, and had a slice of cake that was decorated in the scenes of the wetlands while enjoying a nice glass of Redwood Creek wine.
  
  The mission of Davidson Lands Conservancy is to provide the citizens of Davidson and surrounding areas alternatives to urban living by protecting natural lands and other open spaces for ecological and aesthetic purposes. The conservation has the following objectives:

  • To preserve ecologically valuable lands: to protect diverse wildlife habitat and environmental balance;
  • To maintain open space: to conserve woodlands, wetlands, productive farms, timberlands and open spaces in town;
  • To sustain water and air quality: to protect stream corridors and lake front; to promote walking and cycling; and
  • To enhance the lives of residents: to inform land holders and others of conservation advantages; to preserve historic and aesthetic sites; to develop trails and greenways; to offer opportunities for educational, artistic and recreational activities in natural spaces to all people in the Conservancy area.
  
  I will keep you updated on other events that I have coming up with other Land Trust organizations within North Carolina.
  
  Cheers!
  
  Kimberly Forrester

  Posted Dec 1, 2008 by Trailblazer_Kimberly | 0 Comments | Share It
  Filed under: Davidson Lands Conservancy Redwood Creek Trailblazer Kimberly trailblazers