We had a rather cool weekend, so I spent my time and effort working on my wood pile. We have a wood burning Wilkening Fireplace in our home, which is like a wood burning furnace surrounded by masonry and bricks. We have a high efficient electric/LP furnace, but there is nothing better then having a wood fire in the evening with the heat circulated by a ceiling fan. Well anyway, I started to fill my 8' by 8' wood shed with last years wood that was stacked outside to dry out for the 2009-2010 winter. I have also been working with few other retired residents cutting some dead oak trees that we will split for the 2010-2011 heating season. Considering the time and expenses involved it's not a profitable venture, but living in the north country its part of what we do. Great exercise.
Walking in the early morning last week I saw black bear two mornings in a row. That makes four bear sighting this summer for me. Also saw a doe with twin fawns at Oak Point Estates one morning. The fawns were starting to lose their spots already.
Been a relatively cool summer so far. Have not used our air-conditing yet. Great sleeping weather with the open windows.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
4th of July 2009
Perfect weather, sunny skies, calm winds made this past weekend just perfect on Leech Lake. All the cabins and homes had family and friends. Walker had its usual parade and fireworks with many people in attendance. Neighborhood picnics, family cookouts with all the usual 4th of July foods were everywhere. Plenty of water activities, boating fishing swimming skiing. Just great family fun at Leech Lake.
Last weekend we had the annual meeting of the Oak Point Property Association. We had a speaker who talked about the history of Oak Point area, very interesting. We also had a report on the efforts to fix up the Oak Point Road. The plans for the road are still on for 2009. They plan on starting at highway 371 and take one lane at a time, pickup the old tar and lay a new surface down. This is a major project that is much needed for our area. We also had the owner of the Oak Point Resort in attendance who spoke about the great year they are having. He told me that they are full until the middle of August.
Last weekend we had the annual meeting of the Oak Point Property Association. We had a speaker who talked about the history of Oak Point area, very interesting. We also had a report on the efforts to fix up the Oak Point Road. The plans for the road are still on for 2009. They plan on starting at highway 371 and take one lane at a time, pickup the old tar and lay a new surface down. This is a major project that is much needed for our area. We also had the owner of the Oak Point Resort in attendance who spoke about the great year they are having. He told me that they are full until the middle of August.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Summer Weather
We have now had some warm weather and timely rains in the Oak Point area. The results have the summer flora in full bloom. The state flower, the Showy Lady Slipper, a rare wild Orchid can be found close to Oak Point Estates. The Showy Lady Slipper needs wetter areas with more sunlight then the Yellow Lady Slippers. We also have the ditches and open area with fieldsfull of white Daisey's and Mustard Flowers. We have also seen Wild Roses in the ditches.
Another summer ritual is under way called the Mayfly hatches. Mayflies are an aquatic insect that is present in Leech Lake. On Friday we had a rain storm with winds coming in off the lake stirring up the water. The results were a rather big hatch with the flies all over our house, garage, trees. Used my leaf blower to blow them off. Thank goodness the Mayflies are harmless and they usually last only 1 to 2 days at the most.
The walleye fishing has still been fairly good from the reports that I have been getting from my neighbors. With the Mayflies hatch on, that will put a stop to the fishing for awhile.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
First Day of Summer
Today is Sunday June 21st, the first day of Summer. The weather has been more summer like with warmer days and thunderstorms. As I was mowing my grass on top of my riding mower today I couldn't help but think about ironies of my comfortable life here in the Chippewa National Forrest. We now have high speed digital telephone, Internet and television service along ways from civilization in a National Forrest with modern communication tools at my finger tips.
Exciting news on the fauna front here in the woods. I was getting my early morning walk in on the Oak Point Road all by myself a few mornings ago when all of a sudden I look up and a big black bear was crossing the road about 150' in front of me. I just stood still while he or she ambled back into the woods. I wanted to make sure there were no cubs around before I proceeded. This morning we saw our first fawn following its mother down a gravel road. We have two pair of Bald Eagles nesting in the neighborhood, we give them wide birth so as not to disturb them.
We have new property owners at Oak Point Estates. The property was officially sold last week to some young people from the twin cities area. We have the annual meeting of the Oak Point Property Owners Association next Saturday with some interesting speakers attending.
Exciting news on the fauna front here in the woods. I was getting my early morning walk in on the Oak Point Road all by myself a few mornings ago when all of a sudden I look up and a big black bear was crossing the road about 150' in front of me. I just stood still while he or she ambled back into the woods. I wanted to make sure there were no cubs around before I proceeded. This morning we saw our first fawn following its mother down a gravel road. We have two pair of Bald Eagles nesting in the neighborhood, we give them wide birth so as not to disturb them.
We have new property owners at Oak Point Estates. The property was officially sold last week to some young people from the twin cities area. We have the annual meeting of the Oak Point Property Owners Association next Saturday with some interesting speakers attending.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
First Week of June
The first week of June is more like early May or late April. It has been cold, temps in the low to mid 30's in the morning and having trouble getting above 50 degree range. We are having a fire in the fireplace to take the chill off tonight. The Walleye's continue to bite on Leech Lake. My neighbor caught and released a 26+ incher today. A number of neighbors are boating fish with a number in the slot needing to be released.
Progress is happening at Oak Point Estates. The foundation is poured for the first home. The owner plans spending vacation time in July, August and September getting a good start on building. Glad to see the first new home being built.
Saw my first goslings and ducklings of the year this week. Its surprising at how fast those little creatures grow. The two pair of Bald Eagles continue to do there nesting in the neighborhood.
Progress is happening at Oak Point Estates. The foundation is poured for the first home. The owner plans spending vacation time in July, August and September getting a good start on building. Glad to see the first new home being built.
Saw my first goslings and ducklings of the year this week. Its surprising at how fast those little creatures grow. The two pair of Bald Eagles continue to do there nesting in the neighborhood.
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