Line cutters are setting up stakes precisely placed right down the middle of Howey Bay in downtown Red Lake. The first producing mine in the area was right in Red Lake, close to the Royal Canadian Legion as you drive into town. Closed long ago, we are still reminded of its existence as surveyors test the ground to make sure that roads don't collapse into the old stopes.
Now it makes sense to search for gold between this old mine and the greatly successful Gold Corp Mine in
Balmertown. After the stakes are laid out, geologists search for magnetic fields under the lake and ground. High magnetic readings will indicate minerals often associated with gold. With 3 D imagery, they will attempt to map out possible veins of rock worth looking at. The next step will be diamond drilling. This is often done on the winter ice, so we can look forward to drill rigs in Howey Bay next winter.
A fresh look, new instruments, a deeper drill - always the optomist prospector....the search for the mother load continues
A friend from my hometown of Longlac, Gordie Yule, is the lead geologist on this project. He stays with us while in town and we enjoy learning about the exciting world of gold exploration. In his younger days, Hugh worked as a line cutter, a claim staker and a diamond driller so now he gets the chance to see the new techniques. He may even land a short term job....though he is shying away from claim staking.
That would be a major workout with long hours of snowshoeing through rough bush.
It is beautiful out there and just waiting for spring.
Line cutters are setting up stakes precisely placed right down the middle of Howey Bay in downtown Red Lake. The first producing mine in the area was right in Red Lake, close to the Royal Canadian Legion as you drive into town. Closed long ago, we are still reminded of its existence as surveyors test the ground to make sure that roads don't collapse into the old stopes.
I am in Thunder Bay visiting my family. When my brother and I were kids, skiing was a big part of our life. Outside of town, there was a small volunteer ski hill. It had a rope tow, powered with an old bull dozer engine. We packed the hills with our skis. The ski shack was heated with a 45 galloon drum converted into a wood stove. At night, we lite the hill with rags soaked in keresene. We had plenty of adventures out there and it was a great life. 
Just to be clear, I did not make this trip!! 
This is the largest woodpecker in our part of the country and just a pleasure to see her come to our feeder.
Hugh signed up for the Legion Funspiel, a great way to get out and see a few people. I haven't heard how well he did, but his outfit is very Red Lake.
Hugh has 20 bird feeders and 6 deer feeding stations around the house.
These pictures were taken by Curt Malinsky, our resident bird expert.
This year the theme was looney tunes. Gwyneth and her crew dressed up as the looney tune bank robbers and "shoot up the place" with great audio, lots of swearing and bargain store machine guns. Then they were taken down by Yosemite Sam and crew.
Lots of heavy snow on the wings can damage the planes so Hugh was out brushing off the wings today. He still hasn't decided whether or not to put the Cessna on skis. Now that it has warmed up some, he may be tempted.
The price for GOLD has never been higher. Lately, geologists, using new equipment, have found gold at lower depths......SO exploration is on. Here a helicopter flies over the mineralized areas in the Red Lake mining belt. Ice roads are plowed and drill sites are being set up on the ice.
The deer are now depending on Hugh and Rhian for their afternoon snack.
Grandpa Hugh is taking Rhian to day care.