Winter's coming

It's been a busy, busy month around here. We've (finally) got the water system drained, the cabins closed, the canoes pretty much indoors for the winter... we've had a lot of October guests this year - canoe parties enjoying the unusual weather. It's been warm and dry most of October (well, warm for here!).

That pretty much came to a screeching whoa this week - we finally got some rain, over four inches! followed by some snow (not much) and the temperatures dropped below freezing. The lake actually came up so that the measuring stick is back in the water after spending three months sitting in dirt! What with the warm - above freezing anyway - weather and the dry conditions things are a little confused - we have pussy willows budding out up by the shop. On the other hand, I saw one of the snowshoe hares last night and he has pretty white feet and a white belly already!

Where's "Waldo"?

What an incredible October we're having! Mike had to stay up one night to keep the pipes open, otherwise it's been beautiful, warm, sunny... perfect weather. One of our canoe groups this past weekend even went swimming! When you remember that this time last year we had snow - lots of snow - this is hard to believe. We aren't pressing our luck, today we're closing the cabins for the winter; the apartment suite we'll keep open a while longer as it doesn't depend on above ground water lines.

Hunting season has been good too - lots of grouse around. Saturday morning I watched a male grouse displaying himself to two bemused females - neither of them were especially interested and I don't blame them - it is October after all! There are two grouse in this photo, hard to see among the leaves, aren't they! They were waiting for me at the lodge Sunday morning, not wanting a handout, just poking around in the rocks along the front wall. We're also seeing quite a few moose, snowshoe hares, foxes, and wolves along the trail. The leaves are pretty well fallen, but it's sure nice to be outdoors enjoying the Gunflint Trail and BWCA!

Saying goodbye

One of the hardest things about having a resort is making new friends and then saying goodbye. With our wonderful guests, of course, we can keep in contact and there's always next summer! With our student assistants... well, Chen left for home a couple weeks ago and yesterday we said goodbye to Winnie. Both are headed back to school for their final year and then... whatever.

We were blessed with good kids this year - and we'll miss them! Hopefully they'll have wonderful school years and go on to great careers in their home country - but saying goodbye wasn't easy.

Now... Mike's starting to drain cabins, I'm cleaning them for the final weekend... and then? Winter's coming!

Last duck of the season at Rockwood

Well, all of the smart ducks seem to have flown south for the winter, leaving poor "Quacker" behind. Quacker has no web between two of her toes, so maybe she got left out of the flock? Anyways, she's found a couple of bread toting duck feeders to keep her fed - here she is waiting patiently in front of the lodge for the next handout.

Things are quieting down a bit, lots of cabin guests but not as many canoe groups - enough to keep us busy, though! It's been chilly the last few mornings - no freeze yet, but some frost. Mike ordered insulation for water pipes and WinNe and I took all the flowers in yesterday, so we're getting ready for winter!

Gorgeous morning!

Happy Labor Day! Fall is arriving... this morning the lake was warmer than the air, which produced this incredible view of our lakeshore - lots of mist, lots of sunshine - perfect canoeing weather!