Yesterday the ESSP students carved axe handles under the tutelage of Don Merchant of Pole and Paddle Canoe. Starting with pieces of white ash and using draw knives, spoke shaves, and rasps, they shaped the blanks and carved the eye to just fit the axe head. It was a long, hot day in the sun, but great progress was made. While no one finished their handle, some got close and learned a lot about the process along the way. Last night we got some much-needed rain, so this morning we’ll start with one-match fire lighting. It’s been a busy week, but everyone is into the routine and things are going great.

My friend David Cronenwett just emailed me a Smithsonian article discussing evidence that there was a population of grizzly bears in Quebec and Labrador recently. Read the article here.