Still March and only 19.5 inches of Ice

Holy Shit! I will be at camp for my birthday, April 29, for sure!!

There have been years when I flew to camp on skis and shovelled snow to get in the cabins on my birthday.

Not this year, that's for sure!

Still on Track for an Early Break-Up

Here is the view from my front deck this afternoon. It is windy but warm and the ice is taking a beating.

Gwyneth, Rhian and I are hoping to fly to camp for the long weekend of April 22..... That could be optimistic!

Back to Winter

I asked for snow and here it is, but it should warm up by the weekend and it will all be gone.

Back in the Day.

Hugh and Criag's Dad, Arthur, loved to be in the bush for all seasons. Trapping was his winter passion. He taught many of us how to trap including his boys, Ron and myself. It was a unique way of life. We were out in the bush on our own natual clock; slugging through the bush when weather allowed, eating when we were hungry, playing cards and dressing for the occasion (not for fashion). We spent the time to really notice the wildlife around us. Trappers are stewards on the land.
Here is a picture and story from Ron Bell from those very good days.
"Telescope L. April 1970
Spring beaver trapping with Stupeck, Bell and Craig. Mink is out of season. We are in the small cabin on the point. Just as Bill said to watch for the scent glands, Art sliced into them. We have this framed on our wall along with Bill and John Gustafson. Hi to Florence."
Ron

Thank you, Ron, for the memories

The Trip Home

The trip home was rainy and cold after so much sunshine, but this early warm weather has us thinking as we travel. As it gets dark, the black ice looks more and more like water. The bush is already dry so we wonder about a fire season.

We are still planning on a couple more trips out west before breakup but we will need to be careful. A big snowfall in the next couple weeks would help the portages and maybe delay the fire season.
Most women skidooers will understand this. I am following Hugh and checking his load. He might be looking in his side mirror to see if I'm there....right? He made it all the way over the portage without noticing I was stuck. (Stuck going downhill, mind you. Not too smart) Then near home, he lost both sleds and made it home before he noticed me and sleds were not following.

Cold and snow welcome for the next couple weeks

A trip to Viking Island by skidoo

It feels like April as we head out for Viking Island. Through West Narrows, the ice is that spooky smooth black colour and it crumbles in spots as I speed through. Yikes! BUT of course it is March and there is lots of ice..right?
At the island I find that the beaver really did take over after we left. He did major landscaping everywhere. He took out all my composting bins with an enormous poplar. (Pudge, all that work... splat!)

With the snow gone, it is the perfect time to burn some bush so I do that. Meanwhile, Hugh works on the dock....a big job. It was totally destroyed during the flood last August. Now the water is very low and he can work on the ice. This is good. Maybe if we get a big dump of snow, we will be to haul lumber in by skidoo yet this year.

I'm not sure what Hugh is thinking as he surveys the dock,
but I'm glad to be back at camp.

High of 54' F on St. Patrick's Day

Hugh and I are headed out to Viking Island for 3 days. I hope to burn bush. Hugh hopes to work on the dock. He figures this may be the perfect time to take off the old boards and prepare to put on new decking. We would like to haul some lumber by skidoo but there is not enough snow on the portages. We will need a big dump of snow to do that.

I'll have pictures when I return.

In Red Lake, Fish in your Front Yard

Lorne Marks and his wife, Laurie, are our good friends. Lorne shovels Gramma Florence's walk and Laurie keeps an eye on Gramma daily.....the very best of neighbours!!

It is spring and time to be outside. Lorne can't resist some fishing time and guess what.....right in his front yard, he caught a 27 inch walleye. The senior citizens in town are quick to call Lorne and ask for a feed of fish. When I stopped by today, he had just caught a walleye and as we talked he caught a northern.

It's an official measurement.....

On March 13, 2010, Howey Bay has 25 inches of ice

The Ice Road down Howey Bay

There is still plenty of ice, enough for the cars and ice huts. However, the ramps up onto land are getting pretty wet.

It feels like spring

Warm weather for March!

Today, it is raining and the snow is melting from the front yard. Spring has arrived ahead of schedule. This morning on the radio, the Ministry of Natural Resources is predicting a crazy forest fire season. We haven't had a busy fire season around here for over ten years so perhaps this will be the year.
Of course, we are due another couple snow storms before the ice goes out. We will have to wait and see how spring plays out. I have learned over the years that each year is different. When the ice goes out and when the fire hazard goes up, depends most on the last minute weather events rather than the long term trends.

I'll keep you up to date.

We'll all be fishing soon.

Spring is HERE

A perfect day. Gwyneth and I took Rhian sliding. Before the sled stopped at the bottom of the hill, Rhian was yelling, "MORE, MORE"

Real Outdoor Destinations films McInnes

Craig took a film crew to McInnes last August. It aired on Direct TV last week. This week the show will be about Viking Island.

Here is just a short clip from the show.

If you would like a copy, let me know and I can mail you a DVD.

Viking Island on TV!

If you happen to have access to Direct TV, Channel 608 (HUNT),
please check out Real Outdoor Destinations
Monday 11:00 am March 8 Central time
Thursday 8:30 pm, March11 Central time

or in Canada
Wild TV
Tuesday 7 pm March 9 central time
Friday 7 am March 12 central time
For a clip of the show click here
This week they were at Viking Outposts with Craig,

Next week.....Viking Island

Harriet the Photographer

Harriet is still in Sudbury, a gold mining town but one with a vibrant art community. Harriet has switched from film to photography and is now well known for her edgy portraits. She just opened a photo exhibit put on by the Sudbury art gallery in a favourite Sudbury restaurant. She also did a digital show last week and has been interviewed by 3 or 4 newspapers. She plans to be home for the summer for some nature shots.
You can check out her website for some examples of what she is up to.
http://www.harriet.ca/Site/HOME.html