Emma Froh is an architect from the Twin Cities. She recently spent a week on Mallard Island, the former home of wilderness advocate and Boundary Waters paddler Ernest Oberholtzer. Emma and two of her colleagues, Mary Springer and Natalya Egon, were staying in what’s known as the Cedarbark House at Mallard Island. The structure used to be a floating brothel on Rainy Lake, before Oberholtzer bought it and stationed it on the edge of the island. Part of the structure still hangs over the edge of the shoreline, so water splashes on and under the building. During the week at Mallard, the sound of splashing water mixed with the calls of birds, the chatter of humans, and the cracking of thunderstorms.

In this episode of the podcast, we explore the sounds of Mallard Island. The sounds are shared through stories and human connection to land and water. Also featured in the episode are Tanya Piatz, Bon Mott, Pebaamibines, and Bambi Goodwin.

This episode is supported by:

Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfitters

Cascade Vacation Rentals

Friends of the Boundary Waters

Loons Nest Coffee

Solbakken on Superior