silkraven's blog

Winter has officially arrived in Ely

We got our first major snow last week with six or more inches of beautiful white powder covering the ground. Since then we have gotten another inch every few days to keep it white and bright. Ely went from a warm late fall to instant winter so fast it caught many of us by surprise. So now it is time to think holidays, special winter events, and outdoor recreation in a winter wonder land. The holiday lights are up on our home, the B&B and all over town lights are beginning to shine.

Time for Lovely Fall Weather

Now that summer is ending, come cool nights, warm sunny days and not too many bugs, we are officially into fall. Soon leaves will be turning golden. It is a realy great time to visit Ely.

The Harvest Moon Festival September 5th through 7th with crafts and arts vendors and food trucks is coming. The Chamber of Commerce says that this year's festival has more vendors and several new wood working and jewlery artists. Harvest Bussiness Days sales downtown are an added attraction for visitors and locals alike.

High Summer in Ely

Given that it is warm and humid today, I have to admit spring is over and summer is here.There is so much going on in Ely that it is impossible to mention all of it. In addition to all the outdoor activities of hiking, fishing, canoeing, biking, swimming and just relaxing by a lovely lake, there is much more to enjoy.

Spring Has Arrived in Ely

This past week all of the last of the snow melted and the Crocus in the Raven's Wing gardens began to bloom. Our yard is full of Robins and the seedlings in my greenhouse are popping up. Rain showers have given us a nice green up and the grass is green and the trees are budding out.

Snow, Beautiful Snow!

We are less than a week away from Ely’s annual Winter Festival and we are so excited to have great snow for the event. The snow carvers will begin to create their amazing art work on Thursday February 6^th to be completed on Sunday. This year we have 17 professional carving teams and 10 amateur teams. There are sculptors from around the world including the United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada and Germany.

Winter in Ely--Festivals, Entertainment, Winter Activities

Celebrate winter in Ely. The winter months in Ely have so many great events and festivals that it is challenging to take advantage of everything. New this year is the Ely Dark Sky Festival ( https://www.ely.org/events/annual-events-and-festivals/ely-dark-sky-festival/ ) January 10-11^th sponsored by the Ely Chamber of Commerce.

Winter and the Holidays

Raven’s Wing is on a short break until Christmas week. We will open again on December 22^nd. Last night we had the first snowfall of the winter with about 3 inches of lovely white snow bringing hopes of a snowy holiday season. We are looking forward to New Year’s Eve when there is a party at the Historic State Theatre. The party is sponsored by the Northern Lakes Arts Association and features substantial hors d’ oeuvres, a champagne toast and a great concert. Tickets are available on line at

Fall is coming and so are the bikes

The nights are getting longer, temperatures are lower, bugs are fewer—it must be getting to be fall in Northern Minnesota. This is such a lovely time here at Raven’s Wing in Ely with the patio full of zinnias and marigolds, Hummingbirds still making regular visits, and cool comfy nights to settle in to read a good book or go out for a great dinner.

Ely's Summer Festivals, Concerts, Farmers Markets, July 4th Fun

It is full summer in Ely and there is so much to do! Every Tuesday at Whiteside Park we have our Farmers Market starting at 5:00. There are craft booths, live entertainment, homemade goodies, food trucks, and local folks selling garden produce, canned goods and homemade jams and jellies. Our local Northern Arts Association is offering concerts and musicals with its Broadway in the Boundary Waters series and outdoor concerts. Bright Star is the wonderful musical coming up weekends June 20^th through 30^th. This musical features fantastic perf

Canoeing, hiking, birding, fishing, biking and enjoying spring in Ely

Ely is welcoming its spring/early summer season now and we are seeing canoes on cars and early flowers in our gardens. The Brown Thrasher has returned to our yard and we wake up to its song. The Loons are back too and you can hear their haunting calls from the porch. The fishing opener is coming up May 11^th and folks are looking forward to catching some Walleyes! There is plenty to do on the lakes, trails and in town. New and seasonal restaurants are opening.