Spring has come and gone on the Gunflint. In fact, fall and summer have too. We are back to winter. On Tuesday and Wednesday we got 6-8 inches of snow. It was probably one of our biggest snowfalls of the season. Bruce says it would be beautiful in November just before deer hunting opened. In April it is not so pretty but there is not much to be done about. To add insult to injury, the temperatures have dropped too. Each of the last two mornings we have had a reading of 3 degrees. Eventually, spring will truly be here.
Two fox have been coming in regularly. They are both small but one has a short front right leg. We think it may have been caught in a trap but it is hard to get a good view of the leg. Certainly the animal moves around very well.
It is the second animal that has us wondering. We think it may be a female who is pregnant. Her lower middle seems to be dropping down. She seems very broad in the beam. Also she is very brave about getting food. She will take food from both Bruce’s and my hand. She is very gentle about it but also comes right up to us. There is a small, heavily wooded tree area between our garden and the road. That is where she goes with her food. Perhaps there is a den in the woods. We seem to think that kits come early in May. It would be fun to see them out sunning in the garden.
Not all the other animals in the neighborhood are happy to have the fox around. There are noticeably fewer squirrels and chipmunks. The other day we watched a squirrel cautiously poke his head out of his hole in our rock garden. A few minutes later he looked out from another hole. Then there was a final hole he looked out of. When he finally came out, it was to stand on his hind legs and look up at the rock garden behind him. This is the first time we have seen that kind of activity.
Today we also had a frozen, dead chipmunk outside the kitchen window. I enjoy watching the antics of chipmunks but wish they would just disappear in late June and July. That is when the garden strawberries are ripe. Chipmunks love to move in and take one bite out of each strawberry. I am not very willing to share with them.
During the snowstorm I ordered my garden seeds for this summer. One of the sales clerks was very apologetic. Their order department was so busy that they could not ship my order for two weeks. I told her not to worry. I wasn’t going to be planting anything for some time yet.
The snowstorm did bring one project to a dead halt. The weather had been so nice that I was agitating to get the garden furniture out. There were several days when it was nice enough to eat lunch outside. That dream will have to be put off for a bit yet. Instead I hauled in more wood for the fireplace.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Trail Excitement
For many years Bruce’s mother, Justine, wrote a column for the Cook County News Herald. It started in the 50’s as a way to keep seasonal residents informed about what was going on along the Trail. She would let them know that the snow load was getting pretty heavy and they better have someone check their cabins to see if they needed shoveling. Or she would comment that the ice is off a particular lake.
One of Mother’s more interesting challenges was getting her weekly column to the newspaper office. During the winter months of November through April, mail was only delivered three days a week. Even when we got daily delivery, it seemed she was always looking for a way to get the column to town. For fourteen years the most reliable way was to send it with Robert or Lee on the school bus. By the time they were out of school fax machines were in use and the problem was solved.
By April, Mom was always running out of things to talk about. There was not a lot of activity on the Trail. I can hear her voice on the phone asking, “Have you got anything for the fish wrapper?” Today I feel in much the same position. The most exciting thing I can think about is when Bruce and I burned the brush pile on Saturday night. It’s that quiet around here.
Actually it was fun. In a city you don’t get to burn leaves and brush any more. I can remember doing it as a child in the Chicago suburb I grew up in. Well, Bruce and I have a spot in the west yard where we pile up stuff all year. Every spring we give it a good burn. By now the pile is ten feet tall and bone dry.
Saturday was kind of a rainy, misty day. I went over to Gunflint Pines to get a burning permit. Then I called the sheriff’s dispatcher to inform them that we were going to burn. The only hours you can burn are between six at night and eight in the morning. After dinner Bruce went out to start the pile. He uses an “old Indian fire starting technique” to start the pile – gasoline.
By the time I loaded the dishwasher and got out, the entire thing was blazing. You couldn’t get within 15 feet of it because of the heat. By now it was gently raining and still the fire burned on. I know our neighbors, Bob and Sharon Baker, could see it all from their house on top of the hill. We watched the fire burn for about an hour until the ground was wet all around from the steady rain. Once a fire starts to die down a bit, then you have to start poking at it with a hoe or a rake to get all the little bits going.
Sunday morning the fire was out. It had rained lightly all night. The big logs were burned to nothing. Bruce will get the bobcat to re-arrange the ground. In a couple of weeks we will start another pile. The intermittent rain on Sunday and even today assured us that the fire was dead out.
So that was a thrilling activity for the weekend. We have also had a few animal visitors. On Saturday we had two pileated woodpeckers right next to the house. Yesterday the lame fox was begging. He/she has a right front paw that is shorter than the other three. I found some old freezer burned meat (I am sure you have nothing like that in your freezer) and put it out.
Next time I will try to find something more exciting to write about -- I hope.
One of Mother’s more interesting challenges was getting her weekly column to the newspaper office. During the winter months of November through April, mail was only delivered three days a week. Even when we got daily delivery, it seemed she was always looking for a way to get the column to town. For fourteen years the most reliable way was to send it with Robert or Lee on the school bus. By the time they were out of school fax machines were in use and the problem was solved.
By April, Mom was always running out of things to talk about. There was not a lot of activity on the Trail. I can hear her voice on the phone asking, “Have you got anything for the fish wrapper?” Today I feel in much the same position. The most exciting thing I can think about is when Bruce and I burned the brush pile on Saturday night. It’s that quiet around here.
Actually it was fun. In a city you don’t get to burn leaves and brush any more. I can remember doing it as a child in the Chicago suburb I grew up in. Well, Bruce and I have a spot in the west yard where we pile up stuff all year. Every spring we give it a good burn. By now the pile is ten feet tall and bone dry.
Saturday was kind of a rainy, misty day. I went over to Gunflint Pines to get a burning permit. Then I called the sheriff’s dispatcher to inform them that we were going to burn. The only hours you can burn are between six at night and eight in the morning. After dinner Bruce went out to start the pile. He uses an “old Indian fire starting technique” to start the pile – gasoline.
By the time I loaded the dishwasher and got out, the entire thing was blazing. You couldn’t get within 15 feet of it because of the heat. By now it was gently raining and still the fire burned on. I know our neighbors, Bob and Sharon Baker, could see it all from their house on top of the hill. We watched the fire burn for about an hour until the ground was wet all around from the steady rain. Once a fire starts to die down a bit, then you have to start poking at it with a hoe or a rake to get all the little bits going.
Sunday morning the fire was out. It had rained lightly all night. The big logs were burned to nothing. Bruce will get the bobcat to re-arrange the ground. In a couple of weeks we will start another pile. The intermittent rain on Sunday and even today assured us that the fire was dead out.
So that was a thrilling activity for the weekend. We have also had a few animal visitors. On Saturday we had two pileated woodpeckers right next to the house. Yesterday the lame fox was begging. He/she has a right front paw that is shorter than the other three. I found some old freezer burned meat (I am sure you have nothing like that in your freezer) and put it out.
Next time I will try to find something more exciting to write about -- I hope.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Animal Brushes
Sheryl called yesterday to tell us about an otter she had seen in front of the lodge. Apparently there is a hole in the ice by the dock. This otter is having a great time going in and out. Otter are some of the best fisherman among our local animals. We speculate that this otter is finding some very good meals down his hole.
It is not unusual to see otters along the lake shore. Bruce and I have a spot we troll along to get lake trout in early June. There is occasionally an otter there. They are not frightened off by a boat trolling past so we would see the animal on every leg of our trolling pattern.
Another neighbor was recently telling me about her encounter with an otter. Marcia likes to take a swim in the lake around 3:00 every afternoon. About three years ago, she was in the middle of her swim when something brushed her leg. Immediately after the brush, a loon popped up beside her. Each day thereafter, she would see a loon swimming back and forth in front of her dock as she went in for her daily swim. This has continued for the past three years.
One day something else brushed her leg. Up popped an otter! Marcia was out of the water like a shot. She felt somewhat intimidated by the otter’s teeth. The otter has not reappeared but the loon is still there.
Bruce can relate to Marcia’s experience of being brushed while swimming but his brushes have occurred while diving in the Keys. Sometimes it is a shark going for the freshly speared fish in his dive bag.
A couple of years ago we were down for the opening of lobster season in the Keys. Bruce was asked to spear fish for dinner along with getting his limit of lobster. He popped up rather early during the dive and quickly motioned for us to come get him. A shark has taken an interest in his bleeding fish. Bruce had hit the shark on the nose twice to back him off but decided to get out of the water rather than fight a losing battle with the shark. The fish tasted great for dinner.
It is not unusual to see otters along the lake shore. Bruce and I have a spot we troll along to get lake trout in early June. There is occasionally an otter there. They are not frightened off by a boat trolling past so we would see the animal on every leg of our trolling pattern.
Another neighbor was recently telling me about her encounter with an otter. Marcia likes to take a swim in the lake around 3:00 every afternoon. About three years ago, she was in the middle of her swim when something brushed her leg. Immediately after the brush, a loon popped up beside her. Each day thereafter, she would see a loon swimming back and forth in front of her dock as she went in for her daily swim. This has continued for the past three years.
One day something else brushed her leg. Up popped an otter! Marcia was out of the water like a shot. She felt somewhat intimidated by the otter’s teeth. The otter has not reappeared but the loon is still there.
Bruce can relate to Marcia’s experience of being brushed while swimming but his brushes have occurred while diving in the Keys. Sometimes it is a shark going for the freshly speared fish in his dive bag.
A couple of years ago we were down for the opening of lobster season in the Keys. Bruce was asked to spear fish for dinner along with getting his limit of lobster. He popped up rather early during the dive and quickly motioned for us to come get him. A shark has taken an interest in his bleeding fish. Bruce had hit the shark on the nose twice to back him off but decided to get out of the water rather than fight a losing battle with the shark. The fish tasted great for dinner.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Coming Home
Bruce and I arrived home on Wednesday. As we turned in the driveway, right at the top of the hill, Freddy the Fox was sunning himself on a warm rock. He lazily turned his head to look at us and then stayed put as we drove down the hill.
Since we have been home several other forest creatures have come to visit. The deer are all over the yard looking for any tender shoots that might have appeared. Pileated woodpeckers have regularly flown by. Last night an owl was right out our front window hooting his greeting. I turned on the outside lights but couldn’t spot him. We even saw a wolf along the road.
After two weeks of restaurant food, it is time to shed those unwanted pounds. Daily walks are now on the agenda. Yesterday was just wonderful. The temperatures were in the 60’s. The road was dry and ice free. The air smelled fresh and clean. It just felt good to be outside. Today is not quite so nice was we are getting frequent rain showers. The lake level is low and we need the rain so I can’t complain. Actually, I love spring rains.
As part of our walk we stopped in at Cabin #24. Jason is remodeling this cabin. Bruce’s job is to build a fireplace. The two guys discussed when Bruce should start, the kind of fireplace, the location of the fireplace, etc. Then we walked down to the lodge.
One of the most obvious changes this year is the remodeling of the front lawn of the lodge. The present deck is going and will be replaced by a patio that is 35’ x 80’. Access will come from a large door on the east side of the lounge. That’s just before the wall that separates the lounge from Justine’s. We are finding that the bistro needs more seats. I think eating outside overlooking Gunflint Lake will be wonderful but then I’m probably a little prejudiced.
Those of you visiting us this summer will also see more trees. Lee is determined to plant lots of trees on the grounds. We have them coming in all sizes from 12 inches to 6 feet. Birch trees are going in to help define the path going west between 4, 5, and 6 next to the lake and 7 and 8 just above them. Ronnie Smith and the dock boys will be watering them all summer to help get over transplant shock.
One of my more interesting projects is with the white pine seedlings. For years I have planted these little 12-inch buggers with very poor results. A year or so ago I talked with a man whose family had run a tree farm. He told me to plant the seedlings in a special bed of sandy soil about 8 inches apart. For two years see that they get lots of water and are protected from nibbling deer. At the end of that time they will have a full round root ball. Then it will be time to plant them around the property. So in the spring of 2009 you may see tiny little white pines planted around.
It is good to be home. My own bed feels great. I am ready to get back to Kerfoot comfort food. Except for a canoe trip in August we plan to be around all summer. There are too many visitors coming for us to leave. Maybe we will see you. Be sure to stop by to say hello.
Since we have been home several other forest creatures have come to visit. The deer are all over the yard looking for any tender shoots that might have appeared. Pileated woodpeckers have regularly flown by. Last night an owl was right out our front window hooting his greeting. I turned on the outside lights but couldn’t spot him. We even saw a wolf along the road.
After two weeks of restaurant food, it is time to shed those unwanted pounds. Daily walks are now on the agenda. Yesterday was just wonderful. The temperatures were in the 60’s. The road was dry and ice free. The air smelled fresh and clean. It just felt good to be outside. Today is not quite so nice was we are getting frequent rain showers. The lake level is low and we need the rain so I can’t complain. Actually, I love spring rains.
As part of our walk we stopped in at Cabin #24. Jason is remodeling this cabin. Bruce’s job is to build a fireplace. The two guys discussed when Bruce should start, the kind of fireplace, the location of the fireplace, etc. Then we walked down to the lodge.
One of the most obvious changes this year is the remodeling of the front lawn of the lodge. The present deck is going and will be replaced by a patio that is 35’ x 80’. Access will come from a large door on the east side of the lounge. That’s just before the wall that separates the lounge from Justine’s. We are finding that the bistro needs more seats. I think eating outside overlooking Gunflint Lake will be wonderful but then I’m probably a little prejudiced.
Those of you visiting us this summer will also see more trees. Lee is determined to plant lots of trees on the grounds. We have them coming in all sizes from 12 inches to 6 feet. Birch trees are going in to help define the path going west between 4, 5, and 6 next to the lake and 7 and 8 just above them. Ronnie Smith and the dock boys will be watering them all summer to help get over transplant shock.
One of my more interesting projects is with the white pine seedlings. For years I have planted these little 12-inch buggers with very poor results. A year or so ago I talked with a man whose family had run a tree farm. He told me to plant the seedlings in a special bed of sandy soil about 8 inches apart. For two years see that they get lots of water and are protected from nibbling deer. At the end of that time they will have a full round root ball. Then it will be time to plant them around the property. So in the spring of 2009 you may see tiny little white pines planted around.
It is good to be home. My own bed feels great. I am ready to get back to Kerfoot comfort food. Except for a canoe trip in August we plan to be around all summer. There are too many visitors coming for us to leave. Maybe we will see you. Be sure to stop by to say hello.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Future Trips
Only a couple more days and we will be returning to Gunflint. It is that time during a trip when I could drop everything and just go home. We have been lucky to spend two weeks with two sets of very good friends but I am starting to miss my own bed. On the 21st I am going to just snuggle down in that bed and remember our great trip and be thankful to be home.
One of the interesting things we have been doing on this trip is to plan some future trips. Our friends Ron and Pat and Don and Dorothy will be coming with a bunch of other friends to Turkey this fall. Then the six of us will fly to Egypt where Doug and Patty and Tony and Diane will join us for another part of the trip. Both in the Keys and in The Villages we have been talking about itineraries, flight schedules and what to bring. This process will continue through phone calls and e-mails until we leave this fall. Also during the summer months we will be scanning the TV schedule for programs on these two countries. I already have my Lonely Planet guide to Egypt plus a map to figure out where everything is. By the time the trip is over, we will have enjoyed it for several months of planning before we even leave.
When we get home, the canoe maps will come out as we plan a canoe trip with our friends Tom and Melissa. There are always lakes we (even Bruce) haven't seen or would like to go back to. As with any Kerfoot trip, planning the menu will take a great deal of time. The only sure thing is that it will include freshly caught walleye for dinner. Because we are all in our 60's, we don't fit the profile of average canoers but we have a wonderful time. Exploring the lakes along our route offers us an endless variety of experiences. Interaction with the birds and animals of the northwoods cannot be predicted but will occur. This is definitely a trip where sleeping in my own bed at the end will feel wonderful.
The next time you hear from me it will be from Gunflint. Then Bruce and I will be starting the hard part of any vacation – taking off those extra pounds we put on during the trip.
One of the interesting things we have been doing on this trip is to plan some future trips. Our friends Ron and Pat and Don and Dorothy will be coming with a bunch of other friends to Turkey this fall. Then the six of us will fly to Egypt where Doug and Patty and Tony and Diane will join us for another part of the trip. Both in the Keys and in The Villages we have been talking about itineraries, flight schedules and what to bring. This process will continue through phone calls and e-mails until we leave this fall. Also during the summer months we will be scanning the TV schedule for programs on these two countries. I already have my Lonely Planet guide to Egypt plus a map to figure out where everything is. By the time the trip is over, we will have enjoyed it for several months of planning before we even leave.
When we get home, the canoe maps will come out as we plan a canoe trip with our friends Tom and Melissa. There are always lakes we (even Bruce) haven't seen or would like to go back to. As with any Kerfoot trip, planning the menu will take a great deal of time. The only sure thing is that it will include freshly caught walleye for dinner. Because we are all in our 60's, we don't fit the profile of average canoers but we have a wonderful time. Exploring the lakes along our route offers us an endless variety of experiences. Interaction with the birds and animals of the northwoods cannot be predicted but will occur. This is definitely a trip where sleeping in my own bed at the end will feel wonderful.
The next time you hear from me it will be from Gunflint. Then Bruce and I will be starting the hard part of any vacation – taking off those extra pounds we put on during the trip.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Retirement Plans
Bruce and I are experiencing two very different styles of Florida retirement. Last week we re-visited owning your own home in the Florida Keys. It is a style we have known quite well. Most people live in their own home or mobile home. This is changing, however, as more and more small, tight condos are being built. Originally the development was started for people who enjoy water sports – fishing and diving. Canals were dug to provide more water access for all the boats. Now many people live on a canal and never go out on the water. There are lots of shops and restaurants. There is also a mix of ages in the population. Because living on the water has such a huge appeal, prices for homes are very high in the Keys.
This week we are in The Villages about one hour north of Orlando. This is a huge community built by one family starting about 20 years ago (a guess) and built on old farmland. Everyone is of retirement age. There are now 25,000 single resident homes with more on the way. In addition to all these homes, there is every kind of service and recreational facility you could ever want. All of this is connected by roads and golf cart paths. Just about every person has a golf cart to get around the area. We are talking about thousands of carts. Everything is immaculately maintained. Prices are reasonable and affordable. Homes vary in size and price.
So yesterday we spent over two hours driving around the area on golf carts. Bruce and I were luckily following Tony or we would have been thoroughly lost. Today we may rent a pontoon boat on a nearly lake and tour the chain of lakes. On Sunday we are planning to go to an international polo match held at The Villages.
Yesterday we learned of a huge flea market held in a nearby town on Monday. This one has 4,000 vendors. There is both a retail and a wholesale section. It opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 3:00 p.m. Bruce loves flea markets so I am sure that’s where we will be. Luckily we are flying home so we can’t buy much.
Both the Keys and The Villages offer very different life styles than what we are used to on the Gunflint Trail. Bruce and I are still looking forward to returning to our own home on the Trail. Meanwhile it is great fun seeing how others live.
This week we are in The Villages about one hour north of Orlando. This is a huge community built by one family starting about 20 years ago (a guess) and built on old farmland. Everyone is of retirement age. There are now 25,000 single resident homes with more on the way. In addition to all these homes, there is every kind of service and recreational facility you could ever want. All of this is connected by roads and golf cart paths. Just about every person has a golf cart to get around the area. We are talking about thousands of carts. Everything is immaculately maintained. Prices are reasonable and affordable. Homes vary in size and price.
So yesterday we spent over two hours driving around the area on golf carts. Bruce and I were luckily following Tony or we would have been thoroughly lost. Today we may rent a pontoon boat on a nearly lake and tour the chain of lakes. On Sunday we are planning to go to an international polo match held at The Villages.
Yesterday we learned of a huge flea market held in a nearby town on Monday. This one has 4,000 vendors. There is both a retail and a wholesale section. It opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 3:00 p.m. Bruce loves flea markets so I am sure that’s where we will be. Luckily we are flying home so we can’t buy much.
Both the Keys and The Villages offer very different life styles than what we are used to on the Gunflint Trail. Bruce and I are still looking forward to returning to our own home on the Trail. Meanwhile it is great fun seeing how others live.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Still Down South
Bruce and I are still enjoying the Keys.
The day before yesterday Bruce had one of this more disasterous dives. It was nothing dangerous but everything went wrong. We got out to Kemp Channel. As he was putting on this flippers, the strap on one snapped in half. He managed to jerry-rig it together. Then the tide was running much stronger in the channel than we had expected. It makes it just that much harder to explore an area. Once under the water he kept have trouble with his flippers. Then when he decided to give up, he could not inflate his BC because the regulator didn't fit properly. He swam over to the bank and stood up on the bottom. If he had been in a place with deep water all over, he could have just dropped his weight belt and popped up. By the end of the dive, Bruce was thoroughly disgusted with himself. No lobsters on the dive just added insult to injury.
Yesterday a third couple joined us. Today the three men are going out diving. By the time they got all the gear on the boat, there is no room for the three women. So we are going off to Key West to look around for a bit. One of my favorite shops down there is Fast Buck Freddie's. I love the name. They have really nice merchandise that is attractively arranged. Of course, just walking the streets in Key West is entertainment. Who knows what we will see.
We did have one disappointment today. Yesterday all three gals bought three tickets for the $6 million Florida lottery. We didn't win. Well, we almost won. Pat got three numbers on one line and she won about $5.00 with no extra zeros. Pat and I have always bought lottery tickets together when I am in Florida. It is the only place I buy them. Our deal is that we will split the winnings. Even though we have never won, we have had great fun spending the money over the years.
If you read the last blog, you know that one of the great discussion areas is where we are eating dinner. Last night we ate in and were forced to eat lobster and stone crabs. Tonight we are going out. We will meet the guys at our favorite Cuban restaurant in Key West. It is in a residential neighborhood on a back street. Ron and Pat learned about it years ago because the wife of their airplane mechanical was a waitress there. I already know what I am going to have - roast pork, yellow rice, black beans and fried plantain. The meal will cost about $10 and is more than I can eat. Afterwards we will come home for dessert -- Pat's Key lime pie that you heard about in the last blog.
I hope that you are having as nice a day as we are.
The day before yesterday Bruce had one of this more disasterous dives. It was nothing dangerous but everything went wrong. We got out to Kemp Channel. As he was putting on this flippers, the strap on one snapped in half. He managed to jerry-rig it together. Then the tide was running much stronger in the channel than we had expected. It makes it just that much harder to explore an area. Once under the water he kept have trouble with his flippers. Then when he decided to give up, he could not inflate his BC because the regulator didn't fit properly. He swam over to the bank and stood up on the bottom. If he had been in a place with deep water all over, he could have just dropped his weight belt and popped up. By the end of the dive, Bruce was thoroughly disgusted with himself. No lobsters on the dive just added insult to injury.
Yesterday a third couple joined us. Today the three men are going out diving. By the time they got all the gear on the boat, there is no room for the three women. So we are going off to Key West to look around for a bit. One of my favorite shops down there is Fast Buck Freddie's. I love the name. They have really nice merchandise that is attractively arranged. Of course, just walking the streets in Key West is entertainment. Who knows what we will see.
We did have one disappointment today. Yesterday all three gals bought three tickets for the $6 million Florida lottery. We didn't win. Well, we almost won. Pat got three numbers on one line and she won about $5.00 with no extra zeros. Pat and I have always bought lottery tickets together when I am in Florida. It is the only place I buy them. Our deal is that we will split the winnings. Even though we have never won, we have had great fun spending the money over the years.
If you read the last blog, you know that one of the great discussion areas is where we are eating dinner. Last night we ate in and were forced to eat lobster and stone crabs. Tonight we are going out. We will meet the guys at our favorite Cuban restaurant in Key West. It is in a residential neighborhood on a back street. Ron and Pat learned about it years ago because the wife of their airplane mechanical was a waitress there. I already know what I am going to have - roast pork, yellow rice, black beans and fried plantain. The meal will cost about $10 and is more than I can eat. Afterwards we will come home for dessert -- Pat's Key lime pie that you heard about in the last blog.
I hope that you are having as nice a day as we are.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Greetings from the South
We made it down to the Keys. I finally figured out how to write a blog from a computer other than my own so I thought you might enjoy hearing from me.
For those of you who don't know, Bruce and I owned a second home in the Keys for about 20 years. The first house was on Summerland Key and the second was on Cudjoe Key. Both Keys are located about 20 miles from Key West. We spent our time down here diving, fishing, and maintaining a house. The saltwater environment demands lot of maintenance. Eventaully we sold because we decided it was more fun to travel than to maintain a house.
Like any change in your life, there were pluses and minuses to selling the house. For Bruce and I the biggest minus was our porch. We had a 40 by 12 screened porch that looked over the canal. On each end of the porch, a bedroom had a sliding glass door opening to the porch. In the middle was a four-wide pocket slider that practically doubled the size of our living room. We ate most meals on the porch, we relaxed with the newspaper, and we watched the sunrise. Today we are going over the visit our neighbors and will look at the porch.
Bruce and Ron went out yesterday in the boat. Bruce did one dive but the visibility was terrible. He had about 5 feet. He tried to spear a fish but missed. The lobster were nowhere to be found. So we went down to Key West for dinner.
One of our great priorities while down here is figuring our which restaurant to eat dinner in. Last night it was a Half Shell Raw Bar. Between us all we had conch chowder, Oysters Rockefeller and grouper sandwiches. It was wonderful. After dinner we went over to a local ice cream shop. The ice cream was good but watching people walk by was better. Key West is a great place for people watching especially sitting outside on a warm night.
Today the wind has shifted to the north. It is not a good wind for diving. Bruce and Ron are going to fix something on the boat. There is always something to fix on the boat. Maybe tomorrow the wind will die down and we will all go out. The guys dive and Pat and I are the boat tenders. After 20 years we have lots of stories to tell about these activities.
So I hope you are all enjoying winter at Gunflint. Lee tells me they got another two inches. As I sit here in shorts and tee shirt with bare feet, I feel rather detached from the snow.
For those of you who don't know, Bruce and I owned a second home in the Keys for about 20 years. The first house was on Summerland Key and the second was on Cudjoe Key. Both Keys are located about 20 miles from Key West. We spent our time down here diving, fishing, and maintaining a house. The saltwater environment demands lot of maintenance. Eventaully we sold because we decided it was more fun to travel than to maintain a house.
Like any change in your life, there were pluses and minuses to selling the house. For Bruce and I the biggest minus was our porch. We had a 40 by 12 screened porch that looked over the canal. On each end of the porch, a bedroom had a sliding glass door opening to the porch. In the middle was a four-wide pocket slider that practically doubled the size of our living room. We ate most meals on the porch, we relaxed with the newspaper, and we watched the sunrise. Today we are going over the visit our neighbors and will look at the porch.
Bruce and Ron went out yesterday in the boat. Bruce did one dive but the visibility was terrible. He had about 5 feet. He tried to spear a fish but missed. The lobster were nowhere to be found. So we went down to Key West for dinner.
One of our great priorities while down here is figuring our which restaurant to eat dinner in. Last night it was a Half Shell Raw Bar. Between us all we had conch chowder, Oysters Rockefeller and grouper sandwiches. It was wonderful. After dinner we went over to a local ice cream shop. The ice cream was good but watching people walk by was better. Key West is a great place for people watching especially sitting outside on a warm night.
Today the wind has shifted to the north. It is not a good wind for diving. Bruce and Ron are going to fix something on the boat. There is always something to fix on the boat. Maybe tomorrow the wind will die down and we will all go out. The guys dive and Pat and I are the boat tenders. After 20 years we have lots of stories to tell about these activities.
So I hope you are all enjoying winter at Gunflint. Lee tells me they got another two inches. As I sit here in shorts and tee shirt with bare feet, I feel rather detached from the snow.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Cool Snow and Warm Seas
I know that most of you in Minnesota are digging out. We got more snow too. All it did was turn the Gunflint into a winter wonderland. Once you are dug out, get on the phone and make plans to come up. All the trails are in glorious condition. It is so wonderful outside.
Our animals still continue to amuse us. The wolves have been really after the deer. So the deer have figured out the best place to lie down at night. It’s in the sled dog yard! The sled dogs are, of course, chained with some distance between them. The wolves don’t like coming in among the barking dogs. The deer have figured out where the middle ground is between all the dogs. Pretty smart animals.
Meanwhile down here at the house, Freddy Fox, Jr. has a girl friend. They both appeared outside out kitchen window last night. She is a little shyer than he. Lee came down for dinner and we had just finished making pigs of ourselves over some walleye. There was one small piece left. Bruce threw it to Freddy who gobbled it up. Next we were throwing some of Tucker’s treats which seemed to go down equally well.
We assume that Freddy and his girl friend are paired up for the delivery of spring fox kits. I don’t know exactly what the gestation period is for a fox but assume about 6-8 weeks or somewhat like a dog. In the May we often see young kits sunning themselves on the warm pavement of the Gunflint Trail.
Bruce and I are about to take off for two weeks this Monday. On Tuesday we will fly to Fort Lauderdale. Then we drive down to the Keys for a week with friends. The second week will be spent with friends north of Orlando in The Villages. I am having real problems convincing myself to pack summer clothes.
The Keys are one of our favorite places. We owned a home there for about 20 years. Bruce is an avid diver especially when hunting lobster or spearing fish. I snorkel some and tend the boat. The whole area is so laid back that we practically live in shorts and sandals. Being Kerfoots, we are planning meals in our favorite restaurants.
Not too many years ago we were with the Red Cross in Florida for some hurricane. The group we were with decided they wanted fish for dinner. Their idea of a good fish dinner was Red Lobster. Bruce almost died. The next time we went out for fish, we picked the restaurant. It was a little local place that just served fresh, local fish.
Don’t forget to come up to play on our ski trails. We will miss seeing you but the skiing is so good that you won’t miss us.
Our animals still continue to amuse us. The wolves have been really after the deer. So the deer have figured out the best place to lie down at night. It’s in the sled dog yard! The sled dogs are, of course, chained with some distance between them. The wolves don’t like coming in among the barking dogs. The deer have figured out where the middle ground is between all the dogs. Pretty smart animals.
Meanwhile down here at the house, Freddy Fox, Jr. has a girl friend. They both appeared outside out kitchen window last night. She is a little shyer than he. Lee came down for dinner and we had just finished making pigs of ourselves over some walleye. There was one small piece left. Bruce threw it to Freddy who gobbled it up. Next we were throwing some of Tucker’s treats which seemed to go down equally well.
We assume that Freddy and his girl friend are paired up for the delivery of spring fox kits. I don’t know exactly what the gestation period is for a fox but assume about 6-8 weeks or somewhat like a dog. In the May we often see young kits sunning themselves on the warm pavement of the Gunflint Trail.
Bruce and I are about to take off for two weeks this Monday. On Tuesday we will fly to Fort Lauderdale. Then we drive down to the Keys for a week with friends. The second week will be spent with friends north of Orlando in The Villages. I am having real problems convincing myself to pack summer clothes.
The Keys are one of our favorite places. We owned a home there for about 20 years. Bruce is an avid diver especially when hunting lobster or spearing fish. I snorkel some and tend the boat. The whole area is so laid back that we practically live in shorts and sandals. Being Kerfoots, we are planning meals in our favorite restaurants.
Not too many years ago we were with the Red Cross in Florida for some hurricane. The group we were with decided they wanted fish for dinner. Their idea of a good fish dinner was Red Lobster. Bruce almost died. The next time we went out for fish, we picked the restaurant. It was a little local place that just served fresh, local fish.
Don’t forget to come up to play on our ski trails. We will miss seeing you but the skiing is so good that you won’t miss us.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Experiencing Eagles
We got a little snow on Thursday. It looks like more is on the way for later today or Sunday. About 6-8 inches would be great.
I have been meaning to tell you about part of our trip to Missouri. On Saturday Miranda, Sandy (Miranda’s mother), Zach and I went over to Truman Dam. They have a nature center at the dam that is set high on top of some cliffs overlooking Truman Lake. The view is spectacular from large curved windows all along the cliff side of the building.
While we were at the windows, a bald eagle soared into sight from the left and continued right in front of us. He then went almost out of sight before coming back and disappearing where he came from. Because the nature center is set to high, the eagle was soaring at our eye-level. What a magnificent way to observe the animal. There are several nesting pairs of eagles in the cliffs below the nature center which is one reason it was located there.
On the Saturday we visited the center, they had brought in two live eagles from the Springfield, Missouri, Zoo. One was a bald eagle named Phoenix and the other was a golden eagle. I can’t remember the golden eagle’s name. These are the only two types of eagles found in the United States. Every hour they presented programs about the eagles. Zach and I were in front seats for the 11:00 program.
Phoenix is a 17 year-old bald eagle. She was part of a complicated attempt to release 8 bald eagles into the wild to re-establish nesting pairs in Missouri. For some reason she was unable to forage and almost died. When her radio collared indicated no movement for two days, the monitoring staff went and found her. They brought her back to health and have used her for education ever since.
Seeing this 15-pound bird perched on the arm of an attendant just 5 feet in front of you is impressive. The eagle sits on the attendant’s arm which she rests on the crook of a stick about as tall as her shoulder. There is a rope attached to Phoenix’s leg so she can’t fly off. After fifteen years of being part of programs, Phoenix was very relaxed in front of the audience.
The golden eagle was taken into the zoo as an adult. The bird’s wing was injured so that it no longer has any ability to fly long distances. While Phoenix was comfortable in front of people, this golden eagle was not. He glared at us and twitched and was in constant motion.
The talk about the eagles was very interesting. Their eyesight is so sharp that could an eagle read, if you placed a newspaper on a football goal post, the eagle could read it from the opposite goal post. When the bald eagle picks up food or prey, the gripping strength of its talons is 2000 pounds per square inch. When the golden eagle dives after prey, he divides at 200 miles per hour. All the various facts and figures about the eagles were fun to hear but the really bonus was to just see these animals right in front of us. Zach sat still and was totally captivated during the entire show. I was too.
So if you are ever in Springfield, Missouri, try to find time to visit the zoo. If you are lucky they may even have a program featuring the eagles. If you are down by Truman Dam in Missouri, visit the nature center. Maybe you will be able to see one of the wild eagles in the air.
I have been meaning to tell you about part of our trip to Missouri. On Saturday Miranda, Sandy (Miranda’s mother), Zach and I went over to Truman Dam. They have a nature center at the dam that is set high on top of some cliffs overlooking Truman Lake. The view is spectacular from large curved windows all along the cliff side of the building.
While we were at the windows, a bald eagle soared into sight from the left and continued right in front of us. He then went almost out of sight before coming back and disappearing where he came from. Because the nature center is set to high, the eagle was soaring at our eye-level. What a magnificent way to observe the animal. There are several nesting pairs of eagles in the cliffs below the nature center which is one reason it was located there.
On the Saturday we visited the center, they had brought in two live eagles from the Springfield, Missouri, Zoo. One was a bald eagle named Phoenix and the other was a golden eagle. I can’t remember the golden eagle’s name. These are the only two types of eagles found in the United States. Every hour they presented programs about the eagles. Zach and I were in front seats for the 11:00 program.
Phoenix is a 17 year-old bald eagle. She was part of a complicated attempt to release 8 bald eagles into the wild to re-establish nesting pairs in Missouri. For some reason she was unable to forage and almost died. When her radio collared indicated no movement for two days, the monitoring staff went and found her. They brought her back to health and have used her for education ever since.
Seeing this 15-pound bird perched on the arm of an attendant just 5 feet in front of you is impressive. The eagle sits on the attendant’s arm which she rests on the crook of a stick about as tall as her shoulder. There is a rope attached to Phoenix’s leg so she can’t fly off. After fifteen years of being part of programs, Phoenix was very relaxed in front of the audience.
The golden eagle was taken into the zoo as an adult. The bird’s wing was injured so that it no longer has any ability to fly long distances. While Phoenix was comfortable in front of people, this golden eagle was not. He glared at us and twitched and was in constant motion.
The talk about the eagles was very interesting. Their eyesight is so sharp that could an eagle read, if you placed a newspaper on a football goal post, the eagle could read it from the opposite goal post. When the bald eagle picks up food or prey, the gripping strength of its talons is 2000 pounds per square inch. When the golden eagle dives after prey, he divides at 200 miles per hour. All the various facts and figures about the eagles were fun to hear but the really bonus was to just see these animals right in front of us. Zach sat still and was totally captivated during the entire show. I was too.
So if you are ever in Springfield, Missouri, try to find time to visit the zoo. If you are lucky they may even have a program featuring the eagles. If you are down by Truman Dam in Missouri, visit the nature center. Maybe you will be able to see one of the wild eagles in the air.
Monday, February 19, 2007
A Glimpse of Forest Life
Lee was down at the house with Bruce and me. We were waiting those last few minutes before Brian, Lisa and the grandchildren arrived. Part of Brian’s favorite dinner, roast partridge breasts, were waiting in the refrigerator. Bruce had taken all the bones off. The meatless carcasses would be dinner for the fox, or marten or whomever.
Suddenly, young Freddy the Fox appeared. He walked right up to those meatless partridge bones and picked one out. After hopping back to the ground, Freddie sat right in front of us and proceeded to eat the entire bony carcass. He couldn’t get the whole thing in his mouth but just sat there and chewed the whole thing into pieces. We opened the door to see better. He looked at us and kept on eating. We could literally hear him crunching the bones. Once he had finished one, Freddie took a second carcass and walked off with it. One by one he carried the remaining carcasses off until all four were hidden somewhere.
The three of us watched entranced by the show. Of course, we were all trying to figure out how to keep this show going so the grandchildren could see it. How would we keep everyone from scaring the fox away? Would the food last that long? Well, you know the answer to these questions. Freddie disappeared with the final piece and the car rolled down the driveway.
Hopefully some other fox will visit during the next few days. Sam, Max and Amy will get a chance to see one of these wonderful animals up close doing something in its natural environment. Between their parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles, we will keep looking around to show them the activities of nature’s animals that are all around us in the Northwoods.
Meanwhile chaos has come to live in the Kerfoot household. Those noisy, delightful, exhausting grandchildren are here.
Suddenly, young Freddy the Fox appeared. He walked right up to those meatless partridge bones and picked one out. After hopping back to the ground, Freddie sat right in front of us and proceeded to eat the entire bony carcass. He couldn’t get the whole thing in his mouth but just sat there and chewed the whole thing into pieces. We opened the door to see better. He looked at us and kept on eating. We could literally hear him crunching the bones. Once he had finished one, Freddie took a second carcass and walked off with it. One by one he carried the remaining carcasses off until all four were hidden somewhere.
The three of us watched entranced by the show. Of course, we were all trying to figure out how to keep this show going so the grandchildren could see it. How would we keep everyone from scaring the fox away? Would the food last that long? Well, you know the answer to these questions. Freddie disappeared with the final piece and the car rolled down the driveway.
Hopefully some other fox will visit during the next few days. Sam, Max and Amy will get a chance to see one of these wonderful animals up close doing something in its natural environment. Between their parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles, we will keep looking around to show them the activities of nature’s animals that are all around us in the Northwoods.
Meanwhile chaos has come to live in the Kerfoot household. Those noisy, delightful, exhausting grandchildren are here.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Let the Games Begin
Everything is in a state a readiness in the Kerfoot household. It’s not quite like Christmas Eve but, for a grandparent, it’s the next best thing. This afternoon the three California grandchildren arrive. Of course, their parents are bringing them but the adults don’t count.
The house is clean and ready to have kid’s games and books spread all over. Their own private indoor swimming pool (the hot tub) is clean and full. We have more snacks, treats, and junk food in the house than any time in the last six months. Kid friendly meals are planned. My only hope is to either eat enough or send home enough snack food so that Bruce and I don’t end up with lots left for us to eat.
Winter in the woods is a great time for kids. Just riding a sled down our driveway, walking back up, and coming down again keeps the kids busy and happy. Luckily their parents understand that the key to outside fun is warm clothing. For California kids, they do really well.
This year I am determined to get more pictures but don’t hold you breath. It’s always more fun to play with the kids than to take pictures of them. Maybe I will remember to get the camera out once. What I really need is Eva’s mother, Nancy, here. She is the all time greatest picture taker.
We have lots of options for things to do. Bruce wants to take the two boys ice fishing. Lee thinks we ought to have a bonfire one night and roast marshmallows. There is skiing and maybe a sleigh ride down at Okontoe. Birds and deer need to be fed. Snowshoes are available. Inside building a fire in the fireplace is guaranteed to please everyone. I think we will run out of time before we run out of things to do.
I hope that there is a special time of year in your life when grandchildren come to visit. It is often nice when that time is not a holiday but just a time to spend with the kids doing ordinary things.
The house is clean and ready to have kid’s games and books spread all over. Their own private indoor swimming pool (the hot tub) is clean and full. We have more snacks, treats, and junk food in the house than any time in the last six months. Kid friendly meals are planned. My only hope is to either eat enough or send home enough snack food so that Bruce and I don’t end up with lots left for us to eat.
Winter in the woods is a great time for kids. Just riding a sled down our driveway, walking back up, and coming down again keeps the kids busy and happy. Luckily their parents understand that the key to outside fun is warm clothing. For California kids, they do really well.
This year I am determined to get more pictures but don’t hold you breath. It’s always more fun to play with the kids than to take pictures of them. Maybe I will remember to get the camera out once. What I really need is Eva’s mother, Nancy, here. She is the all time greatest picture taker.
We have lots of options for things to do. Bruce wants to take the two boys ice fishing. Lee thinks we ought to have a bonfire one night and roast marshmallows. There is skiing and maybe a sleigh ride down at Okontoe. Birds and deer need to be fed. Snowshoes are available. Inside building a fire in the fireplace is guaranteed to please everyone. I think we will run out of time before we run out of things to do.
I hope that there is a special time of year in your life when grandchildren come to visit. It is often nice when that time is not a holiday but just a time to spend with the kids doing ordinary things.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Home Again
Greetings from Minnesota again. Bruce and I took a short little trip this past couple weeks. The most important part of the trip was going to Missouri to spendsome time with Grandson Zach on his birthday. It was nice to see his parents and other grandparents but he was the gem of the trip. We hope to have him spend some time with us again this summer. I asked Zach if he wanted a 1-night or 2-night canoe trip (his first). He answered, “One week.”
After returning from Missouri we spent some time in the Twin Cities, or at least, I did. Bruce flew down to Kingston, Jamaica to interview students for jobs in the States this summer. For 10-12 hours, all he did was interview students in an un-air-conditioned office. I, meanwhile, contended with Minnesota cold. Much of my time was spent at the Minnesota Historical Society library.
So Saturday we arrived home. Since then we have both been battling horrible colds. Bruce brought his home from Jamaica and graciously shared it with me. We both feel like death warmed over. Hopefully we are over the worst now.
Winter is still with us in the north land. The ski trails look good but there is not a huge snow base like previous years. Even so, Lee says that people are getting out and having a great time.
I see Lee is now adding pictures to his blogs. Soon he will gently suggest that I join the modern world and learn how to do it myself. Maybe later this month when the three California grandchilden are here.
As usually, one of our animal neighbors found a novel way to welcome us home. Freddy the Fox, Jr. (he is smaller than Freddy the Fox) appeared at our window yesterday morning. Underneath our kitchen windows we have built up a wall of sand held in place with rocks. It really adds lots of insulation to the exterior walls.
So I walked into the kitchen and Bruce immediately said, “Be quiet.” It’s not our usual morning greeting. He pointed and I looked out the window. Junior was crouched with his butt to the window and his head looking over the edge of the rock wall. We figured he must have smelled one of the animals that make their homes in our rock walls. For about five minutes Junior remained motionless.
Then suddenly he pounced down. He had caught a mouse. The mouse wasn’t quite dead so Junior dropped him. He rolled the mouse over so the animal couldn’t bite him. A couple more chomps and the mouse was dead. Two more chomps and the mouse was eaten. There was literally nothing left of that mouse.
It isn’t often that we see this side of the animal existence in our woods. Even though we all know this happens, we have a tendency to put these more messy parts of animal life into the back reaches of our mind, just like we bemoan wolves killing deer. Yet we need to be reminded that this is part of the natural selection process. I have to tell you, that is was amazing to see an expert hunter practice his trade.
After returning from Missouri we spent some time in the Twin Cities, or at least, I did. Bruce flew down to Kingston, Jamaica to interview students for jobs in the States this summer. For 10-12 hours, all he did was interview students in an un-air-conditioned office. I, meanwhile, contended with Minnesota cold. Much of my time was spent at the Minnesota Historical Society library.
So Saturday we arrived home. Since then we have both been battling horrible colds. Bruce brought his home from Jamaica and graciously shared it with me. We both feel like death warmed over. Hopefully we are over the worst now.
Winter is still with us in the north land. The ski trails look good but there is not a huge snow base like previous years. Even so, Lee says that people are getting out and having a great time.
I see Lee is now adding pictures to his blogs. Soon he will gently suggest that I join the modern world and learn how to do it myself. Maybe later this month when the three California grandchilden are here.
As usually, one of our animal neighbors found a novel way to welcome us home. Freddy the Fox, Jr. (he is smaller than Freddy the Fox) appeared at our window yesterday morning. Underneath our kitchen windows we have built up a wall of sand held in place with rocks. It really adds lots of insulation to the exterior walls.
So I walked into the kitchen and Bruce immediately said, “Be quiet.” It’s not our usual morning greeting. He pointed and I looked out the window. Junior was crouched with his butt to the window and his head looking over the edge of the rock wall. We figured he must have smelled one of the animals that make their homes in our rock walls. For about five minutes Junior remained motionless.
Then suddenly he pounced down. He had caught a mouse. The mouse wasn’t quite dead so Junior dropped him. He rolled the mouse over so the animal couldn’t bite him. A couple more chomps and the mouse was dead. Two more chomps and the mouse was eaten. There was literally nothing left of that mouse.
It isn’t often that we see this side of the animal existence in our woods. Even though we all know this happens, we have a tendency to put these more messy parts of animal life into the back reaches of our mind, just like we bemoan wolves killing deer. Yet we need to be reminded that this is part of the natural selection process. I have to tell you, that is was amazing to see an expert hunter practice his trade.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Making Snow
Here is our first attempt this morning to make snow by throwing boiling hot water up in the air when it is really cold out. Overall it worked pretty well, about 50% of the water froze in mid-air. The thermometer in the lodge said -38 degrees outside this morning so you know it was cold.
Today was a big check out day. We had the majority of the resort checking out today and the maintenance staff had to jump start 13 vehicles today! By noon all but 2 of the cars had been started. I still am shocked that 13 cars needed to get jump started! I am not saying anything negative about those 13 cars, more just surprised at how cold it was and how difficult it can be to get your car going.
Here is a second picture from our attempt at making snow.
I think the first picture turned out better.
I hope you are all keeping warm.
Lee
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The Mercury has Dropped
You better be wearing your long underwear if you are venturing outside for too long. It is cold out! At 8:00 AM the lodge thermometer read -24 degrees out. At 10:30 AM the lodge thermometer read -29...it was getting colder!!! The wind was blowing like crazy from the west/northwest. Like my mom said in a past blog, we only count the weather in absolute numbers. I have no idea how cold it was if you include wind chill, but I am sure it was at least -60. Now this isn't the coldest weather I can ever remember at Gunflint, but in the past two winters this is the coldest.
Growing up we used to have a couple of days every winter that were -50. That is not a misprint, yes I wrote NEGATIVE FIFTY. For those of you from the city, it probably is not something you can imagine. Growing up we didn't know any different. All we knew was you really had to be careful and you spent as much of the day as you could inside. If you had advance notice that it was going to be this cold you would try to haul in several days of wood for your wood burning stove. Then you wouldn't have to go outside to get more wood to heat the house when it was this cold.
Of course there are many things that require you to go outside even when it was this cold. Usually it was one of the most unpleasant experiences...going to school. Its not that I didn't like going to school, but it probably can be more accurately said, I did not like going to school when it was -50. Let me tell you why.
Usually when the really cold weather like this came in we were not ready for it the first night. So that means we did not, or we forgot, to plug in the head bolt heater to the car. If the car wasn't plugged in the night before then we were not going to be able to get it started in the morning. With no car that means we couldn't drive to the bus stop. We only had two alternatives left, and neither was appealing. For those of you who live in the suburbs you probably have a garage. Growing up I didn't have a garage, and we still don't today. Now back to the story.
If the car wouldn't start we would try to start a snowmobile. Occasionally we could get a snowmobile started and my parents would drive us to the bus stop. But to get the snowmobile started in that cold of weather you had to be outside for about 15-20 minutes to try and get it started. Back then you did not have electric starts, everything was done by hand.
It never was any fun to try and get the snowmobile started, but it beat the alternative.
So now you must be thinking this is crazy. It is -50 degrees outside at 6:00 AM in the middle of the winter. The car wouldn't start. The snowmobile won't start. My parents were insisting I go to school no matter how much I complained and whined. So we would walk the 1/2 of a mile to catch the bus. That was never a fun experience, but my parents never let us have any excuses for missing school.
Growing up in those conditions gave you a healthy dose of respect for Mother Nature. Several years later when I got my drivers license I never forgot those cold morning walks to the bus. I would always do a couple of things. First I would always remember to plug in the car. Second, I always had cold weather gear in the car at all times (including a down sleeping bag). Third, we would always call home from town before starting the drive...then my parents knew if we were not home in an hour to come looking for us. The phone call was drilled into our heads and it still is some thing I do everytime I drive home...of course now my excuse is that I'm calling to see if the lodge needs anything from town before I head home.
If tomorrow is just a couple degrees colder I will try throwing a bucket of boiling water in the air and seeing if it will freeze. Normally the temperature needs to be about -30 to -35 for the water to freeze in mid air. If I get a picture I will make sure to post it on the blog.
I hope you are all warm tonight.
Lee
P.S. my mother-in-law just called from CT to tell me she heard Thunder Bay (the closest town in Canada) was -36 before the wind chill. I just might have luck with that bucket of water yet!
Growing up we used to have a couple of days every winter that were -50. That is not a misprint, yes I wrote NEGATIVE FIFTY. For those of you from the city, it probably is not something you can imagine. Growing up we didn't know any different. All we knew was you really had to be careful and you spent as much of the day as you could inside. If you had advance notice that it was going to be this cold you would try to haul in several days of wood for your wood burning stove. Then you wouldn't have to go outside to get more wood to heat the house when it was this cold.
Of course there are many things that require you to go outside even when it was this cold. Usually it was one of the most unpleasant experiences...going to school. Its not that I didn't like going to school, but it probably can be more accurately said, I did not like going to school when it was -50. Let me tell you why.
Usually when the really cold weather like this came in we were not ready for it the first night. So that means we did not, or we forgot, to plug in the head bolt heater to the car. If the car wasn't plugged in the night before then we were not going to be able to get it started in the morning. With no car that means we couldn't drive to the bus stop. We only had two alternatives left, and neither was appealing. For those of you who live in the suburbs you probably have a garage. Growing up I didn't have a garage, and we still don't today. Now back to the story.
If the car wouldn't start we would try to start a snowmobile. Occasionally we could get a snowmobile started and my parents would drive us to the bus stop. But to get the snowmobile started in that cold of weather you had to be outside for about 15-20 minutes to try and get it started. Back then you did not have electric starts, everything was done by hand.
It never was any fun to try and get the snowmobile started, but it beat the alternative.
So now you must be thinking this is crazy. It is -50 degrees outside at 6:00 AM in the middle of the winter. The car wouldn't start. The snowmobile won't start. My parents were insisting I go to school no matter how much I complained and whined. So we would walk the 1/2 of a mile to catch the bus. That was never a fun experience, but my parents never let us have any excuses for missing school.
Growing up in those conditions gave you a healthy dose of respect for Mother Nature. Several years later when I got my drivers license I never forgot those cold morning walks to the bus. I would always do a couple of things. First I would always remember to plug in the car. Second, I always had cold weather gear in the car at all times (including a down sleeping bag). Third, we would always call home from town before starting the drive...then my parents knew if we were not home in an hour to come looking for us. The phone call was drilled into our heads and it still is some thing I do everytime I drive home...of course now my excuse is that I'm calling to see if the lodge needs anything from town before I head home.
If tomorrow is just a couple degrees colder I will try throwing a bucket of boiling water in the air and seeing if it will freeze. Normally the temperature needs to be about -30 to -35 for the water to freeze in mid air. If I get a picture I will make sure to post it on the blog.
I hope you are all warm tonight.
Lee
P.S. my mother-in-law just called from CT to tell me she heard Thunder Bay (the closest town in Canada) was -36 before the wind chill. I just might have luck with that bucket of water yet!
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