Mrs Birch Looses her Leaves

As we start to close the cabin for the winter we see a big change in the weather, the ducks start to gather in preparation to go south.  By the early October Mrs Birch looses all her leaves and the tamaracks turn golden.  It is time now to leave the North Woods to return another spring.

Fall 2012

Phil came up in Mid-September to help get the toys put away for the season.  In doing so, we make that last trip out for some fishing.  Shown here is a catch and release Large Mouth, good catch Phil! 

Driving across Honeymoon Trail to view the colors

This is the fall view of one of our neighbor's drive

Fall mornings are cool and misty, this shot is just off Misty Point near our beach

Cherie and Java visit Mrs Birch

We had to borrow a camper for overflow, Java and Cherie checking things out

Java and Cassius enjoying happy hour along with Mary Jane and Seth

Cherie, Mike, Chuck, and Doug having one of those funny moments

We cannot visit Grand Marais without having lunch at the Angry Trout

The Norweigan, taken near Artist Point

Summer Fun with Mai, Seth, and Doug

Mai and the Blueberry Pie, just out of the oven

Doug caught dinner

"Every hour is Happy Hour", said Mai

Seth and Mai Double Dog'in it

 

Coffee break in Grand Marais

Summer Fun

Swimming with Hannah and Olivia

Dad always enjoys canoeing with the girls

It is Double Dog time

Sight seeing and the North Shore for the day with Amy, Bill, Hannah, Olivia, Nana and Grampa

Ten Years Today

Today, June 28, marks the tenth anniversary we have had our Cabin on Bear Island Lake.  We have enjoyed our time here beyond all expectations.  Nancy and Gary have made many new friends here.  We manage to read several books each summer while sitting in the swing or on the floating living room.  Many updates to the cabin make our stay more comfortable and satisfying, compared to our first night of sleeping on a mattress on the floor.  Some of our most pleasurable times are when family and friends come to visit us.  Lucky for us, the cabin came with a garage which we managed to fill with “toys”.   Fishing, Boating, Reading, Birding and Photography fill most of our time here.  So if you haven’t been to visit, pick up a book, pack a bag, and give Nancy and Gary a call. 

Post update #2

After the dock is rolled in mowing is next on the list.

Phil came up for some fishing and relaxation.  A mornings catch on Miners Pit, score Phil 4, Gary 1, oh well......... If I only had a red Rapala.

During Phil's visit we had 6" rain in 24 hours while Duluth-Superior had major floods.

We managed to get the toys in between showers.

Loon Fetsival, Virginia MN, Phil said, "Same STUFF, different town."

Phil and Nancy,on the deck of Grand Ely Lodge

Trying to catch up on posting!

On the way up we we spent the night in Superior WI, the following morning we drove to Riverside Cemetry.  We found Grandma Hannah and Aunt Mae's markers had been reset, the grounds are in very good condition. 

We arrived in time to enjoy the Spring Poppies.

Driving up to Ely we saw the remains of the forest fire from two weeks earlier.

Rolling in the Dock is  priorty.

Lupines are blooming.

Opener this Saturday

This picture taken this morning viewing Birch Lake, leaves budding and Opener four days away.

April 16 Whiteside Park

Winter Storm Warning Today

March Snow

Woke up this morning with 3" of fresh snow.

Fresh Snow and more Ducks

A pair of Golden Eyes appeared again this morning.

About an hour later these two Mergansers showed up.  I think they are eying the nesting box Don put up just down the lake.

Ice Out March 25th

Ice on Bear Island as we arrived this past wekend...

Ice going out early this morning as we received an East Wind...

Just as the Ice left a pair of Golden Eyes showed up, amazing how Mother Nature works!

2012 Snow Carvings Ely Winter Fest

Winter Fest is in full swing and people are enjoying the cooler weather.  A cold front is scheduled this evening firming up the snow.  Check out Whiteside Park on the attached webcam.

http://elyminnesota.com/live-webcams

"Winter Eyes"

Winter Walleye and Saugeye 

Nancy and Cherie taking a break from the action. 

Checking the Tip-Up on Bear Island

Local Photographer Jim Brandenburg Honored with a Top 50 Photo

Visit Jim Brandenburg page for details and Gallery
http://networkedblogs.com/sTjCu?ref=nf

Ely Winter Fest

Ely Winter Fest coming soon, see attached link.

http://www.elywinterfestival.com 

Gary, Cherie, and Nancy with Bill Slaughter's Dog Sled at Northern Lights Lodge.

2012 Sled Rides Scheduled February 5th, for information visit Northern Lights Lodge, http://www.northern-lights-lodge.com/

New Stormy Kromer Hats for Christmas

We gave each other Stormy Kromer's for Christmas!!!!