The last six weeks have not been good for writing a blog. We spent two weeks visiting grandchildren. Lee and Eva with Mae and Grant went down to Orlando with us. While Bruce and Lee attended a conference, Eva and I took the kids to Disney World. The guys even got to spend a little time there with us. It was wonderful! Then we came home and drove down to Missouri for Zach's birthday. Zach is really a great young man. The only problem is that he is now undeniably 4 inches taller than I am.
We were back at Gunflint by the 14th. I tried for a blog but my computer didn't connect. Just as I was getting ready to move over to Bruce's computer, his had some electrical issue. At any rate, now things are back working. At least Bruce's computer is working. Mine still has issues.
The month of February was a combination of cold, cold temperatures and lots of snow when it warmed up. Many of the snow banks around the lodge are high above my head. The lake water levels are going to be very high this spring as things melt.
One of the most interesting things to watch this past month has been the interaction between the wolves and deer. That is a polite way of saying that the wolves have been eating very well. We have had several kills that were right at the lodge. Sheryl came in one morning to see wolves feeding on a freshly killed deer right on the patio. One night at 7:00 p.m. the wolves took another deer in front of Cabin #8. The guests in Cabin #5 got up to use the bathroom around 1:00 a.m. and looked outside. The deer carcass had been dragged onto the ice and there were seven wolves feeding and playing.
Perhaps the most surprising encounter occur during our last storm. The snow was really coming down and you could only see a little ways onto the lake. Several deer were on the patio where a guest was feeding them. They were all concentrating on the guest. Unbeknownst to anyone a wolf came up and hid just over the lip of the patio. When the guest came in, the wolf jumped into the midst of the deer. It was a case of too many animals to pick from. Finally he took after a deer running to the east. At the same time a couple guests were walking to the lodge from that direction. They spooked the wolf and he took off across the lake with no dinner.
Construction on the new staff housing is coming along very well. All the sheetrock and insulation are in place. Windows started to go in yesterday. Interior painting will be finished next week. A sample room is going to be set up next week to make sure that all the cabinets and furniture fit in correctly.
Work is also in the planning stages for some remodeling on Cabins #18 and #19. New cabinets, fireplaces and ceramic tile will be going in them this spring. There is always something to spruce up.
I am started to get excited about my garden. We are still eight weeks before anything can go in the ground. Looking out the house windows, you can't even see where the beds are. It just makes me feel good to think about planting stuff.
Summer reservations are coming in very well for both the lodge and the outfitters. Bruce has a lot of packages (as usual) to pick from. If nothing seems to fit you, just talk with him. Bruce will make up something special just for you.
As I have been writing this it has started to snow. Who knows how much we will be getting. Bruce will bring the plow over and I will have my shovel to clean up the edges.
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