Friday, March 27, 2015

Spring into a Fall

This is the hardest time of the year to live up here in the Northland. The ice fishing season for Lake Trout is about to close. Almost nightly, the Minneapolis television stations show a piece on about people out jogging or about people out playing golf. We have already had a few calls and e-mails from people wanting to plan canoe trips in April. The outfitting equipment that we expect to need for this summer has already been ordered.

In a normal year, it is likely to be six more weeks before the ice is off Poplar Lake. But we always tell ourselves that it looks like the ice could be gone early this year. Now we have to wait for warmer weather so that we can get into the cabins and start getting them ready for this season. I wonder how many times I can organize my tackle box before the fishing opener arrives? I wonder if the lakes will be open by the fishing opener?

The warmer weather of a week ago has covered our driveway and paths with ice flows. I took a fall yesterday on the way to the mailbox and Lin doesn't go outside with her Yak Traxs. The water from the snowmelt that ponds between the remaining snowbanks along the driveway has turned into ice! The slick conditions have done nothing to stop our 11:00 daily visit from Mr. Fox.

Once I get over my fear of freezing waterlines, I like to start our season by getting the bunkrooms ready in early May for the Border Route Trail clearing crews. These are the folks who open and maintain the hiking trails in our area.  We are busy getting everything ready here at the Lodge in the Spring and don't have time to actually help wtih trail clearing but we try to do our part by giving them a warm place to stay before they go out to work.

         

   

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