The weather has been hot on the Gunflint Trail with yesterday’s high a whopping 88 degrees.  It doesn’t show signs of cooling off anytime soon either.  It’s unseasonably hot for this time of the year but I guess I’ll take it since it’s keeping the lake water nice for swimming.
     Today the temperature is expected to be in the high 80’s again and on Monday too.  Tuesday through Friday the forecast calls for a little bit cooler weather with temperatures down into the 70’s and by the weekend it may only get up into the high 60’s.  There’s a slight chance of precipitation on Saturday but my guess is the forecast will change by then.

     The Lizard Lake Fire was a little bit more active yesterday than it was the day before.  It’s still very small but with the wind conditions yesterday and predicted wind for the next couple of days the USFS decided to drop some water on the fire yesterday.  They’ll continue to monitor it to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere.  It’s not on a BWCA route, there aren’t any campsites in the vicinity and it’s still a couple of miles from any structures on the Gunflint Trail.  Let’s hope it stays that way. (Find photos and more at my Examiner site.)

     Wildlife sightings and fishing reports have been terrific.  Lots of big fishing being caught including a 34 inch northern pike, a few 10 pound plus lake trouts and lots of walleye and smallmouth bass.  A group camped on Saganaga saw 10 bears this week but none of them bothered them.  Another group saw a young bull moose and a cow and a calf.  Lots of loons and eagles have been seen as well as chipmunks and rabbits.

     The forecast for the week looks good to me and any long weekend is a perfect weekend for a canoe trip in the Quetico Park or Boundary Waters.  Make some plans to come see us at Voyageur this weekend, we’d love to see you on the Gunflint Trail.

     Until Thursday I had never heard of Lizard Lake and I hope I don’t hear about it for very long.  Lizard Lake Fire is what the most recent fire in the Gunflint District has been named. It’s currently in the middle of nowhere but that isn’t comforting to me.

     I’m thankful we only have black bears to deal with in Northeastern Minnesota.  Black bears are more of a nuisance than anything and rarely attack humans unlike their relatives the polar bear and grizzly bear.  According to the North Central Research Center black bear attacks are rare. "Nevertheless, chances of being attacked around campsites by any black bear are small. During a 19-year study of bear/camper encounters in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, only two injuries were reported in 19 million visitor-days. The study included the year 1985 when bear nuisance activity was at a record high. The two injuries were by one bear on September 14 and 15, 1987. The bear was killed the next day."

     Some years we see lots of bears while other years we hardly see any.  The berries have been so plentiful this year the bears haven’t had to come to our place in search of garbage since this spring.  I have seen lots of bear poop while I’ve been hiking and out picking berries but I haven’t seen any bears.  Our guests on the other hand have reported some bear sightings.

     While one of our guests was out in the BWCA she was surprised to find she was not alone in her blueberry patch.  Two cubs were a short distance away picking berries themselves so she decided she would let them continue picking while she found another place to pick.

     Another one of our guests saw a bear eating in the ditch along the Gunflint Trail on their way up to Voyageur.  Yesterday a group on Saganaga reported seeing a sow with triplets swimming across the channel.  It’s pretty exciting to see black bears out in the wild especially when they aren’t in your campsite.

     We haven’t heard of any bear problems out in the woods this year.  Some years a bear will be attracted to a particular campsite due to having found food there in the past.  If you see bear droppings at a campsite it’s a good idea to pick a different site.  If a bear does come into your campsite then you need to scare it off before it gets a taste of your food or it will most likely keep coming back for more.  Bears are pretty easy to scare off just by yelling at them or throwing things at them.

     Like any other wild animal it is best to keep your distance from a black bear.  Don’t crowd them or get between them and their cubs and you should be fine.  Keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll be treated to a bear sighting in the wild.

     Whenever I’m out hiking and encounter a steep cliff I urge my kids to stay away from the edge.  They look at me with their "whatever" eyes and stay rooted in their spot.  I proceed to tell them the danger of part of the cliff tumbling away while they are standing there but again I get the "whatever" eyes.  Sometimes they will even say, "Like the cliff is going to give way right now after being here for thousands of years?" 

     The odds are probably similar to being struck by lightning but the cliff crumbling away could happen, even when someone is standing there.  I was thinking about this last month as I walked the path to Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park. I saw the arch above Lake Superior from the beach and thought how cool it would be to swim or paddle beneath it.  I wondered what it looked like years ago and if it was ever something more than just an arch.

     We once visited Silver Islet in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Ontario.  We hiked out to see the Sea Lion and I couldn’t figure out why it was called that.  It didn’t look anything like a Sea Lion to me but later found out it was a "lion" turned to stone in the "sea".  This lion’s head was no longer a part of the rock structure as erosion had caused it to drop into Lake Superior.

     Just as the Sea Lion no longer resembles a lion the arch at Tettegouche is no longer an arch.  After a section fell to the Lake sometime last week it is now a lone column of rock next to the shore in Lake Superior.  No one was there to see it, no one fell from the edge as the rock gave way, but it did fall and someone could have been standing there. Don’t give me those "whatever" eyes either!

     The wind has been blowing like crazy the past few days.  Wind speeds have been consistently in the 10-20 mph range with gusts up to 30 mph.  It can’t seem to make up its mind what direction it wants to blow from.  From North to South to East to West and everything in between it has come from almost every direction. 

     Paddling in the wind is not my favorite time to paddle. But since I paddle whenever I get the chance I took my kids and two nieces out for an overnight in the Boundary Waters in spite of the never-ending wind.  It was a bit more challenging then I expected and it bothered me that I couldn’t control the canoe as well as I would have liked.

     We got a tow to the portage into Red Rock and only had to make it to a campsite.  With four kids ranging in age from 9-16 I decided to take both a Minnesota 4 and the Canak made by Wenonah.  The Minnesota 4 is 23 feet long and has 4 seats with the middle seat capable of seating two smaller kids side by side.  I figured we all could have fit into the MN 4 with our gear but thought it would be more fun to have the Canak(a solo canoe kayak hybrid) for use at camp.  

     The water level in the BWCA is crazy low right now and that made taking off into Red Rock Lake difficult.  There were rocks all over and with a 23 foot long canoe it was hard to find a place to float that wasn’t touching rocks.  Eventually we made it out of the bay and into the big wind only to realize I couldn’t get the canoe to steer the direction I wanted it to go.  I figured I had too much weight in the front of the canoe and had to head over to a campsite to reposition the paddlers.  Josh, the only boy in the group besides Rugby and the youngest was paddling the Canak.  He did a terrific job by himself in the waves and after we switched places in the canoe we were able to get to our campsite. 

     My nieces hadn’t been on a Boundary Waters trip before and they did an awesome job.  Everyone helped to put the tent and hammocks up and then we took a refreshing swim.  Josh and I wanted to go fishing since we had heard there was some fish to be caught in the bay.  My niece Chelsea decided to come along with us and thank goodness she did.  Who knows where Josh and I would have ended up without her help paddling us back to the campsite.  Needless to say, we didn’t catch any fish and didn’t venture back out onto the lake until the next day.

     The wind hardly let up during the night and when it was time to paddle back to the portage it was blowing forcefully.  This time the canoe was tracking very nicely but I had loaded the Canak too heavily in the front and Josh was struggling to steer it.  We had to paddle backwards into the waves to retrieve him in the Canak and tow him along with us because he couldn’t keep the nose of the Canak headed in the right direction.  With all of the messing around in the waves I was amazed we didn’t flip the canoe or the Canak. 

     My nieces and children were forced to listen to me cuss and yell about the wind and the waves.  I was quite cranky a couple of times when I didn’t think people were paddling hard enough or when the wind was making carrying the 64 pound canoe difficult.  I threatened both my dog and my daughter but amazingly my nieces both said they had fun.  I thinik by that time they were afraid of me so what else could they say?

     I hope they had a good Boundary Waters experience in spite of my ranting and raving.  I guess I was nervous to be responsible for everyone’s safety.  With the wind blowing like it was it would have been a struggle to make any rescue attempts and although everyone was wearing lifevests it was stressful for me. I think I need to be more like a bottle of wine, chill and mellow with age and then hopefully they’ll agree to go camp with me again.  After it quits blowing in the BWCA.

     The other morning I had the opportunity to transport a group to an entry point into the Boundary Waters.  While they unloaded one of their own canoes I noticed there were not any portage pads on their canoe and jokingly said, "I hope you have some portage pads along unless you’re into torture."  He then informed me he didn’t have any along but it would be OK.

     There are people who can portage a canoe without portage pads but why?  One word comes to mind when I think about doing it, "OUCH!"  I’ve asked people who have experienced a canoe trip without them and I’ve been told it isn’t too bad.  I don’t know what too bad is, but I know I don’t want to find out.

     I mentioned to him I could try to find something for him when I drove the women back to leave their vehicles at our place.  He didn’t want me to worry about it and of course I forgot all about it until I had left the landing the last time.  Back at Voyageur I figured I would try to bring something out to him so I grabbed some duct tape and portage pads and took off for the landing.

     Of course they had already left the canoe landing but I could see them so I decided to take one of our canoes and head out after them.  It took awhile for me to get their attention and eventually catch up to them but it was a beautiful morning for a paddle. 

     I have no doubt he could have done the trip without portage pads but again I ask the question, "Why?" If you ever find yourself at the end of the Gunflint Trail without portage pads then please stop by and we’ll see what we can find. Portaging can be painful enough with portage pads so don’t be stubborn and go without.  If not for yourself then at least for me.  I’ll feel much better knowing there’s some paddling while you’re portaging.

     "C’mon baby tell-me, you must be jokin’ right?" These were the thoughts in my head as I approached Duluth from Two Harbors yesterday.  There was a line up of vehicles waiting to turn off of Highway 61 to be re-routed onto East Superior Street as a bicycling event was ending at Lester Park, also on East Superior Street.

     To say it took awhile to get through the traffic would be an understatement.  Impatient personality combined with bumper to bumper traffic made worse by the urgent need to relieve oneself did not a happy camper make.  I played the game "Would you rather…" with my children to pass time.  "Would you rather have me squat in the ditch in view of a few people in passing vehicles or be seen with me in wet pants?"  They chose the squatting but amazingly the bladder fairy must have visited and prolonged my agony just long enough to make it to the men’s bathroom at the first gas station available(the women’s was busy).

     The city of Duluth’s ability to re-route traffic yesterday did not impress me much.  Weekend mid-day traffic headed north and south was being controlled by four way stop signs.  Could it get any slower than that?  I think not.  Vehicles were lined up on the Scenic Highway 61 turning north onto 61 to turn left from the Highway onto E. Superior Street, also backed up on Old Shore Road waiting to cross to E. Superior Street and on Highway 61 itself for miles.  The people waiting to head north had it a little easier but road rage was in the air.  I could have figured out a number of different alternatives to this traffic situation.

     According to folks who came through the area later during the day the traffic going north wasn’t too bad but there was still a line up of folks heading south.  This problem could be easily remedied. Maybe the traffic cops were off because it was a Sunday or the temporary stoplights had to be removed for the day whatever the reason I beg for the situation to improve.

     I was so unimpressed with the four corners from hell that I chose to take a detor my faithful Voyageur Crew member Kristi told me about.  Without paper in the car I wrote the directions on Abby’s leg who later when asked to read them back to me claimed she couldn’t read my writing.  She couldn’t see either because we missed every other road name written on her leg.  We missed Lissmore Road and ended up taking a gravel road for 8 miles to Knife River Road but it was still much better than dealing with the unknown situation there might have been at 61 and E. Superior Street.

     I was much happier going somewhere in my vehicle knowing if push came to shove and the bladder fairy only granted one wish a day, I wouldn’t be walking anywhere in wet pants.

     I recently had the opportunity to spend some time at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. .  One day last week they were in need of a volunteer and on Friday I brought my cousin and his girlfriend there for a visit.  Each time I go there I am more and more impressed with how awesome it is.

     There is so much to do and see at Chik-Wauk you can’t get through it in a day.  There are films to watch about people who used to live on the Gunflint Trail and about resorts that are no longer here.  There are flip books to look through about plants, animals and more.  There are tons of books to peruse with historical information and photos to look at as well. The displays are incredible and even the gifts in the gift shop are works of art.

     Outside the grounds of Chik-Wauk are just as wonderful as the inside of the building.  The hiking trails are terrific and take you through some beautiful areas.  There are benches to sit on, picnic tables to lunch on and lots of places to relax and let the beauty of the area surround you.

     I’m glad I have a membership to the Gunflint Trail Historical Society because I can get into the museum for free and bring along a guest.  As things slow down here at Voyageur I’m sure I’ll find myself spending more time next door at Chik-Wauk.  Hopefully I’ll see you there too!

     The woods are wet once again after receiving over an inch of rain yesterday.  I was happy to slosh through mud on my way back to a favorite fishing hole last night since the previous time I had been there it was "as dry as a popcorn fart" as Grandma Darlene would say. It rained most of the day quitting around 4pm with just enough daylight left to take my cousin and his girlfriend fishing.

     It was absolutely beautiful outside after the long day of rain.  The lakes were calm, the loons were singing and even the beaver welcomed us with a slap of his tail.  The northern pike were fiesty and and we even had double smallmouth on at one time. 

     The excellent fishing was interrupted by a grumble of my stomach and when I looked at my watch I saw why, it was 6:30pm.  The old saying goes, "Time flies when you’re having fun."  That was certainly true and we were having such a great time I wasn’t looking forward to leaving.  Then again, whenever I’m out enjoying the peace and serenity of the BWCA I’m never ready to leave but the real world calls.

     Lucky for me my nieces are coming up for a visit this week.  With a little luck and some tweaking of my schedule I hope to be able to get out canoe camping in the BWCA with them.  The weather is suppose to clear up and the temperature is predicted to reach 80 degrees again. That’s fine with me since the woods have received their moisture I’ll take the sun and warmth once again.

     While out roaming the woods yesterday I stumbled upon a large patch of blueberries that were as large as grapes.  I kid you not.  As far as my eyes could see it was big blue berries everywhere.  Obviously no one had been picking in this area.

     With the rain falling outside I’m a little apprehensive to go out picking today, but then again…