tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2085998807615071462024-03-19T05:01:14.084-05:00Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters NewsTuscarora Lodge and Outfitters NewsTuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-84958877306493558482014-08-26T23:05:00.000-05:002014-08-26T23:05:35.341-05:00May your paddle be true and deep<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
Our beloved Jerry Vandiver....Nashville singer songwriter and really good guy....had a particularly fabulous annual concert this year. He also invited Danny and Liz to join him for a couple of his songs.</div>
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He's something.</div>
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-84588264227967296802014-08-26T22:56:00.002-05:002014-08-26T22:56:35.315-05:002014 Crew<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0230.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0230.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0230" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0230-1024x736.jpg" height="575" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0230-1024x736.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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The other morning I sat on my deck and watched the mist rising to meet the clear day, and my heart started pulling hard...to hold that mist down, to stall the start of the day, the end of the summer, this point in life. It was so so beautiful, and I know it's futile to try to hold onto something so beautiful and fleeting, but sometimes I can't help myself.</div>
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Summer is closing. Even though it seemed so endless and fresh 20 minutes ago (12 weeks actually) when the staff were arriving....old staff and new staff---to form the crew. Now...as they start to trickle away, I want to hold them here. Each one of them. Let me introduce them to you.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="10557010_10100944538963780_4001508635223208330_o" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10557010_10100944538963780_4001508635223208330_o-1024x681.jpg" height="532" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10557010_10100944538963780_4001508635223208330_o-1024x681.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Already we miss that bubbly cheerful Amy with her contagious happiness. I could always hear Amy coming and going in the outfitting building- her chatter and laughter were not so subtle. Also, I often scheduled her on late shift for those crazy busy nights, because this girl can multi-task ....from the fishing machine to the permit snafus to the phones, to the computer, to the store---simultaneously with the same bright confidence. She's something.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0099.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0099.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0099" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0099-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0099-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Liz was hired in May--as our fill-in-for-any-position person. Lucky us, because she can do it all. She joined Amy in finding humor in everyday things. You cannot help but laugh a little at the things Liz finds funny. But honestly, you should have HEARD her play the violin with Jerry Vandiver. You cannot help but get choked up a little by the sound she gets out of that instrument, either. That's pretty special when a person can make you laugh and cry in the same day.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0097.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0097.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0097" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0097-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0097-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Allie has been here for 3 summers, and I'm starting to feel like we cannot live without her. She was a flawless food packer this year--but more than that, she quietly takes on the pulse of the staff-- and she makes sure that everyone is welcome in her adventures. My favorite moment with Allie this year is when we went blueberry picking in her jeep. Well, I was going blueberry picking, she was actually off-roading. We're still hoping she can come back for one more summer before she heads into the real world of architecture.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0102.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0102.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0102" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0102-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0102-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Allie brought her sister Anna, who we hired without even blinking. I should have known better than to expect an Allie-clone. I mean, they both are really high quality workers, and great people. But-while Allie sits at the dinner table and I have to strain to catch her very quiet funny comments--Anna sings show-tunes. And when the two of them planned the staff adventure list for the year--complete with a system of points and grids and "must dos"...Allie planned a cooperative effort for all to achieve, and Anna planned a competition. Because Anna wins, or she'll die trying. Or in the case of the triathlon, she might just drown trying. Style and form don't necessarily count. Winning counts. Anna wins.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10506796_10100944540625450_8924798583526189496_o.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10506796_10100944540625450_8924798583526189496_o.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="10506796_10100944540625450_8924798583526189496_o" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10506796_10100944540625450_8924798583526189496_o-1024x681.jpg" height="532" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10506796_10100944540625450_8924798583526189496_o-1024x681.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a>Kyle was in the fishing boat for part of every evening all summer. Somebody asked him at one of our loud...everybody-talking-at-once..dinners--"What do you DO, what do you THINK ABOUT out there? And Kyle--who always has a really good answer, but won't give it to you unless you ask him--- concisely replied "The quiet is really nice sometimes." This guy has such common sense life intelligence, and he's so quietly kind to everyone...I just can't get over how lucky we are to have him.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0100.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0100.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0100" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0100-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0100-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Claire usually operates behind the scenes. The most common thing I heard her say this summer was "Sure, I can do that." I really appreciate the way that Claire unloads the details out of my head and into hers. It makes my load lighter, and we never run out of coffee. One thing Shelby says is that people who bake are put together. I tell you what, Claire can bake.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3454.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3454.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_3454" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3454-1024x764.jpg" height="596" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3454-1024x764.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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See sweet Lucy in the bottom of the boat, navigating? She is our camp scout, and she takes her Tuscarora perimeter patrol job very seriously. She also has a hold on Rachel's heart.The thing about Rachel--who is our year-round manager, is that she always does things well. Everything....from creating spiffy google website route pages, to repairing canoes, to cleaning corners, to training staff. All details. How lucky is that for us to have her at Tuscarora?</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10298121_10100944542371950_1484424830551459428_o.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10298121_10100944542371950_1484424830551459428_o.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="10298121_10100944542371950_1484424830551459428_o" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10298121_10100944542371950_1484424830551459428_o-1024x681.jpg" height="532" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10298121_10100944542371950_1484424830551459428_o-1024x681.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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Kelly is our crew cook. First of all, let me tell you that having a good crew cook is an amazing thing. I just show up, with everybody else, and we line up for something really good, and hang out together. Meals are a great part of the day. I'll bet we all have our favorites, but ...whoa...her macaroni and queso, or her margarita pizza, and all the salads...to die for. We've had great food this summer, thanks to cute Kelly.<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0105.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0105.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0105" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0105-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0105-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a>Grant's quirkiness amuses us all. "Geez," he said the other night. "I don't think I was ever funny until this summer". After hours, you can usually find his head and snorkel somewhere in the bay---not to be mistaken for a headless loon. Sometimes he even fishes that way---with a little rod and hook he dangles right in front of his mask. Grant notices the little details that can save us from catastrophes later. He's a good one to have around.</div>
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<dt style="color: black; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/10390492_10202328618276284_6872697770832479101_n.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/10390492_10202328618276284_6872697770832479101_n.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Shelby's Summer" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/10390492_10202328618276284_6872697770832479101_n.jpg" height="720" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/10390492_10202328618276284_6872697770832479101_n.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> For the first 11 weeks of this summer Shelby pursued an adventure-internship in Colorado. Isn't that the bittersweet part of being a parent? We WANT her to have her own dreams, her own places-her own adventures of a lifetime---even though that means we lose her. We're genuinely happy when she's happy. Still, my favorite part is that we get her back for August, and now she's a certified sawyer too.</dd></dl>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0235" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2911" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235-1024x689.jpg" height="538" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0235-1024x689.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0238.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0238.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IMG_0238" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2910" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0238-1024x768.jpg" height="600" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_0238-1024x768.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a>Daniel is the outfitting manager. It suits him. As a mom, I worry that he's taking on too much responsibility and becoming too old too fast, and developing a little twitch next to his right eye. As an employer, I have to admit that he sure is great at his job. Sometimes before he goes to bed he still comes around and says "hug" just like he did when he was three. He's a competent man and a sweet boy all at the same time.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10580732_10100944541668360_784710469626752323_o.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10580732_10100944541668360_784710469626752323_o.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="10580732_10100944541668360_784710469626752323_o" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2895" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10580732_10100944541668360_784710469626752323_o-1024x681.jpg" height="532" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10580732_10100944541668360_784710469626752323_o-1024x681.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a> Macky is just a handsome little feller.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10325539_10100944538704300_3534703019220621754_n.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10325539_10100944538704300_3534703019220621754_n.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="10325539_10100944538704300_3534703019220621754_n" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2892" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10325539_10100944538704300_3534703019220621754_n.jpg" height="960" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/10325539_10100944538704300_3534703019220621754_n.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="639" /></a>Joe is absolutely perfect for hospitality because he offers the same friendly helpfulness at the end of a long day that he did that first day of the summer. He's is an optimist...in the flesh....even after he just fails the gallon-challenge. He's just game for everything---and I hear he doesn't miss anything going on...ever. You can't help but like Joe.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Staff-b-007.jpg" href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Staff-b-007.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="2014 Staff b 007" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2912" data-mce-src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Staff-b-007-819x1024.jpg" height="1000" src="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Staff-b-007-819x1024.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="800" /></a>There they are--our 2014 crew. Can you see why I love them? It has been an honor for me to be part of this group of young people, and watch how they became a family who takes care of each other---and who are honestly committed to doing the hard work to take good care of every one who visits Tuscarora. So, while I'm directing my heart to let go, I'm also really grateful for this slice of time and for the 2014 Tuscarora Crew.</div>
Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-14639343550326047292014-08-09T15:01:00.002-05:002014-08-09T15:05:12.099-05:00Chasing Shadows<a href="http://<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/n0BH_2-nF5g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/n0BH_2-nF5g" width="560"></iframe></a><br />
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Here’s our Mack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has the self-appointed job of hunting down all the shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent entire exhausting sunny days in the
outfitting yard when the dragon flies first hatched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the shadows also travel to the lake,
so he follows them right in and cools off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s all very serious and important so he cannot be distracted.</div>
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It’s funny what his antics will stir up in people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The futility of it all is irresistibly endearing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, for me who lost her best Denali a
couple of months ago---he simply lightens my load in all kinds of ways.</div>
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But then, his antics also make me reflect on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the way I’m living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time of year, there is so much
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are sump pumps and
bunkhouses, punctured canoes and a cute little black bear down the road who
hasn’t found his meandering way to us….yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are sprained ankles and ice cream shortages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phone rings, the food truck pulls up,
and the wheel on the trailer needs to be tightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be really fun, but it also can turn me
into the Mack of the video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all
very serious and important, so I run around and cannot be distracted.</div>
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Sometimes, I really wish I could back up and see the whole video
of my life….before I make my choices about what is very serious and important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every once in awhile, I stop running around for
a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened yesterday when I paddled
across a clear calm Missing Link to deliver Grant and Anna to the Tuscarora
portage for a gear-rescuing mission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens some evenings in my favorite
blueberry patch, where there is only one focus: find ‘em, and pick ‘em.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It’s only when pause that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that I might want to be deliberate about my time….I want to be right with the people around me, ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be satisfied, I want to be
grateful, I want to finish what I start, I want to walk in a focused line.</div>
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As for Mack, the truth is that he often makes folks stop and
smile. That’s value right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
adores the guests, especially the littlest ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His course is charted one day at a
time….sleep, eat, play, practice hunting by chasing shadows…greet people.</div>
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Wouldn’t it be great if life were always so
straightforward?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, maybe I
should just stop racing around and remember that it really is.</div>
Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-28655719570130070472014-03-31T14:13:00.000-05:002014-03-31T14:58:22.727-05:00Tribute to Denali<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LfDpcwjGQQggYhujE4-qwsxUA0zacVmVqkt9_YKGPAFLRF8q5NNi2W2DY54rKURBf-6Bov7gfTw9M9SPc1FcSTT2jkChD16UVfexuRbljt893sjMg4WvLLhhWe_QhsKBqQSLQtIToqU/s1600/Daniel+and+Denali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JAbvRHIrC29b-Rv_uJQ92RwLuar4KW97atyex2n2Qx1HdrTuv2lsdFTgZ1wcAKqACp9NPl1m0jh5X2GOHbjC-9eugHxq9qGkcF-_-iaxJ9XV-BqWGkKH6DiGdONyXpvi6ZKAoAhzaaM/s1600/Denali+at+the+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JAbvRHIrC29b-Rv_uJQ92RwLuar4KW97atyex2n2Qx1HdrTuv2lsdFTgZ1wcAKqACp9NPl1m0jh5X2GOHbjC-9eugHxq9qGkcF-_-iaxJ9XV-BqWGkKH6DiGdONyXpvi6ZKAoAhzaaM/s1600/Denali+at+the+door.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>You know, it has been a huge honor and responsibility to have another being devote her whole life to our family. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3MeEoHz8xdrBwqdf3vD__wA8Uz3yxHmFPpTS15EEz8RBgx7FibVmuOCX7SGyxz69UUrJcR3FlC49hkCa8jXfto0VLWplY2bacaTQh4crWoTNDOi9GXnR9rQesjO8uBtmxr2ky-6Y1RE/s1600/Daniel+on+the+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3MeEoHz8xdrBwqdf3vD__wA8Uz3yxHmFPpTS15EEz8RBgx7FibVmuOCX7SGyxz69UUrJcR3FlC49hkCa8jXfto0VLWplY2bacaTQh4crWoTNDOi9GXnR9rQesjO8uBtmxr2ky-6Y1RE/s1600/Daniel+on+the+fence.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>This weekend we had a chance to reflect on Denali's life. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LfDpcwjGQQggYhujE4-qwsxUA0zacVmVqkt9_YKGPAFLRF8q5NNi2W2DY54rKURBf-6Bov7gfTw9M9SPc1FcSTT2jkChD16UVfexuRbljt893sjMg4WvLLhhWe_QhsKBqQSLQtIToqU/s1600/Daniel+and+Denali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LfDpcwjGQQggYhujE4-qwsxUA0zacVmVqkt9_YKGPAFLRF8q5NNi2W2DY54rKURBf-6Bov7gfTw9M9SPc1FcSTT2jkChD16UVfexuRbljt893sjMg4WvLLhhWe_QhsKBqQSLQtIToqU/s1600/Daniel+and+Denali.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAdpZ4uMQh99X_8YTUW0pe1s1Hy59K07OtbAtZzV-HJsIYnjQFP-9mC0nS_YJVGcQKP9UnnIr6ap0MrLJSldFGxTtiMkUW_GKxl8zTiB74znrlyVkrf2I5VmJji2Q9YX0DsHcwqxx8As/s1600/Snow+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAdpZ4uMQh99X_8YTUW0pe1s1Hy59K07OtbAtZzV-HJsIYnjQFP-9mC0nS_YJVGcQKP9UnnIr6ap0MrLJSldFGxTtiMkUW_GKxl8zTiB74znrlyVkrf2I5VmJji2Q9YX0DsHcwqxx8As/s1600/Snow+Dog.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a>She was a great woods companion for Daniel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4of7cwlv7wvOCLc5QgCj-QSs4jd2GiICHVNjLjFGCUUwqyBBDZpKCTvB03nhxskqCw-9hX9nlREJ86n8rGOsFp761uO6O39qRDCwKrZ5ihkBOiG9jvWgyUfSBuLUFE7oeHtZZMRju4_w/s1600/skating+with+Denali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4of7cwlv7wvOCLc5QgCj-QSs4jd2GiICHVNjLjFGCUUwqyBBDZpKCTvB03nhxskqCw-9hX9nlREJ86n8rGOsFp761uO6O39qRDCwKrZ5ihkBOiG9jvWgyUfSBuLUFE7oeHtZZMRju4_w/s1600/skating+with+Denali.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJ7rfDItF-PFRWSS7-dVWqeUVNXE_-e7seOVKp2Fq2DRDfTdyV2osDdzbdg0vU7H_-paLeTsaNyc61UFpcYN7zfay8b7dHSJFbKLbNm2ndzZAdnkiNY8D2HRP1piEoIoDouK163ZuJnw/s1600/Shelby+skiing+with+Denali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJ7rfDItF-PFRWSS7-dVWqeUVNXE_-e7seOVKp2Fq2DRDfTdyV2osDdzbdg0vU7H_-paLeTsaNyc61UFpcYN7zfay8b7dHSJFbKLbNm2ndzZAdnkiNY8D2HRP1piEoIoDouK163ZuJnw/s1600/Shelby+skiing+with+Denali.jpg" height="400" width="202" /></a>She accompanied Shelby on all her workouts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyRB8WsNfMusO-FIh0Rf0mWPHHliCxHfBq2n54p8BGAz6fQSWw8Ti6pDVgMDC_ro37UisgnZXZ7RSKTTMDgsihyphenhyphentuoc4rt6FPfN_CBr3TVfCvvr6-hlEyX_jON4YgsIH7NdR3lSxnrA8/s1600/Dog+with+Andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyRB8WsNfMusO-FIh0Rf0mWPHHliCxHfBq2n54p8BGAz6fQSWw8Ti6pDVgMDC_ro37UisgnZXZ7RSKTTMDgsihyphenhyphentuoc4rt6FPfN_CBr3TVfCvvr6-hlEyX_jON4YgsIH7NdR3lSxnrA8/s1600/Dog+with+Andy.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a>She kept Andy company.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlL4YVe8fOyjmwaQwzfvd7Lqn82C35jfUS1raHxaBu8ukemwWcw7G4_x-wZ8ZrfgO2qIFqcg6wEjGji1KbGBYmTcY1YsH67NtlxkVi9X3S6_v5xAzDRmwDUqSPzqN50P_Wj86d2dUTMQ/s1600/Andy+and+his+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlL4YVe8fOyjmwaQwzfvd7Lqn82C35jfUS1raHxaBu8ukemwWcw7G4_x-wZ8ZrfgO2qIFqcg6wEjGji1KbGBYmTcY1YsH67NtlxkVi9X3S6_v5xAzDRmwDUqSPzqN50P_Wj86d2dUTMQ/s1600/Andy+and+his+dog.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY50QXklpLreIfGWj198Qu2xWy5jQfmbeTjYRDw7ofZiEGW0XgI2qzh99hwPoFQgngwwudrVbr14AaUnqOG0seE64dhzO2c9B1TTV6ygiXtlqCtr7PsAUxD_0ZX7m5uh7XbvRT9KIqHI/s1600/Denali+with+the+Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY50QXklpLreIfGWj198Qu2xWy5jQfmbeTjYRDw7ofZiEGW0XgI2qzh99hwPoFQgngwwudrVbr14AaUnqOG0seE64dhzO2c9B1TTV6ygiXtlqCtr7PsAUxD_0ZX7m5uh7XbvRT9KIqHI/s1600/Denali+with+the+Ball.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a>She was tireless retriever.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjVwY2lUqGmIc_O0Nn_x1LfV_Ec5VbHqnotQdf7qJVYJqYj6BSarUOcBUKgEve5X821IHNGaOsmWHHMVGi1UAO0MUDUDyeMlfCUeSjlhjzMOVzGzvQ12Md2n0xSfKyEHPk9TZHTyVfK4/s1600/Denali+with+the+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjVwY2lUqGmIc_O0Nn_x1LfV_Ec5VbHqnotQdf7qJVYJqYj6BSarUOcBUKgEve5X821IHNGaOsmWHHMVGi1UAO0MUDUDyeMlfCUeSjlhjzMOVzGzvQ12Md2n0xSfKyEHPk9TZHTyVfK4/s1600/Denali+with+the+stick.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lwkiyPG5bzuE3mhCEKOiIu6LuGOWl3TJ0AfHO8fguQwh1n-JLCpZFMTws5lmbYwaxP6qqe3qphnQ6HWc9sbbdRgc9U5rQqK8fosZAbZsadKc3fWJavKASWXBl5lPIa-iFYkhqvLAhS4/s1600/Denali+in+the+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lwkiyPG5bzuE3mhCEKOiIu6LuGOWl3TJ0AfHO8fguQwh1n-JLCpZFMTws5lmbYwaxP6qqe3qphnQ6HWc9sbbdRgc9U5rQqK8fosZAbZsadKc3fWJavKASWXBl5lPIa-iFYkhqvLAhS4/s1600/Denali+in+the+Car.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>And she was my faithful girl.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsmdL4UyPtO8p69FrCu8yA-l0FScU7wi9weZlAEs8daueeVP4PKz_D5HBRbIhGog94fqbkNaPBHn2Oxaqv2LMJbei_zujj5YoMny51xnTSnqYn7-EIgjR6ImarlJPoqIhquHdwklM5To/s1600/Dog+at+my+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsmdL4UyPtO8p69FrCu8yA-l0FScU7wi9weZlAEs8daueeVP4PKz_D5HBRbIhGog94fqbkNaPBHn2Oxaqv2LMJbei_zujj5YoMny51xnTSnqYn7-EIgjR6ImarlJPoqIhquHdwklM5To/s1600/Dog+at+my+feet.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlv1JzbZNcrJDaLMhpID14u93PMabUd72C-LdSjtqE3jwntIH0Lpael7OuH8fuqsnnS0iVGPNEe3fyPZqZ-7d61HChijYuOCbiaTLfNJ8r7ItMi4jCZ4ryP35HNiO4yxoBCYkT1V1yyk/s1600/shelby,+dan,+cass+Denali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlv1JzbZNcrJDaLMhpID14u93PMabUd72C-LdSjtqE3jwntIH0Lpael7OuH8fuqsnnS0iVGPNEe3fyPZqZ-7d61HChijYuOCbiaTLfNJ8r7ItMi4jCZ4ryP35HNiO4yxoBCYkT1V1yyk/s1600/shelby,+dan,+cass+Denali.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a>She was so devoted to figuring out what we wanted her to do, and then doing it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg3AXl1BzyF6rj7KWC5LiVNB_KjNJK29ohh3ps4JkMFrszQPxSqUJ_MCmZzZ7XKChZXIamUlDjn_DtVBDCEJv8dieLHWragf5wb2grCsujkJ5oljWbet5x3APqNiX1Bw_qxpJImxFbm4/s1600/on+yogi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg3AXl1BzyF6rj7KWC5LiVNB_KjNJK29ohh3ps4JkMFrszQPxSqUJ_MCmZzZ7XKChZXIamUlDjn_DtVBDCEJv8dieLHWragf5wb2grCsujkJ5oljWbet5x3APqNiX1Bw_qxpJImxFbm4/s1600/on+yogi.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
This morning, she was mighty uncomfortable--but when I asked her to follow me into the vet's office, of course she did her best to comply. I whispered into her ear---I thanked her for watching out for us, for being such good company, for her absolute loyalty. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8SE9FFuZMc9v6AqO7C8W3OCkGo1C2BT0QJURRCclsFFtKkq9K7561oCzuzo4SVs6UFoo-zGJGaLwGCZ_dEuGb1M3GbS2qjUZRu-IbYgAiBC3tmz4U3tX_wOE6SpOLerWk9kFfIIYBeA/s1600/Curious+lab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8SE9FFuZMc9v6AqO7C8W3OCkGo1C2BT0QJURRCclsFFtKkq9K7561oCzuzo4SVs6UFoo-zGJGaLwGCZ_dEuGb1M3GbS2qjUZRu-IbYgAiBC3tmz4U3tX_wOE6SpOLerWk9kFfIIYBeA/s1600/Curious+lab.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a> I told her we loved her, and that she was a good dog, the best dog. And then I said goodbye.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-HoqCZvuYTTVMYU4X3KASwgnci71Kb_VUO04LDM2BH7aLwDsP1A2oQaDWK5jLjKJYbA7jYkkZ5SyEobWMHxzHyQs6_QjexrBT5WeioVo13jEa0wBjE_c5lALu3KvVXggvl8HuU22phU/s1600/Denali+walking+into+the+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-HoqCZvuYTTVMYU4X3KASwgnci71Kb_VUO04LDM2BH7aLwDsP1A2oQaDWK5jLjKJYbA7jYkkZ5SyEobWMHxzHyQs6_QjexrBT5WeioVo13jEa0wBjE_c5lALu3KvVXggvl8HuU22phU/s1600/Denali+walking+into+the+sun.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a><br />
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She took a little chunk out of each of our hearts with her, that's for sure. <br />
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-77562348142722585342013-08-09T16:33:00.001-05:002013-08-09T16:57:48.659-05:00Savoring Life<style>
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I went for a walk yesterday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about 40 degrees, so the fog was on
everything, but lifting in the sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t know how we got so lucky to have September weather the first
week in August, but it’s golden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My heart and head were both swelling, with the details of
the day, and with the enormousness of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually they don’t both hit at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on this particular morning they did.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2qdHuvMbkPjh0TivOEo7ClXCQKRaS7HZRbbDINlElXQSHMFGUIz6p4UM0ezXU43F-403xuauJq6U6XInsO8SMWLYn_R-4pSFid1JqpHy8octHKK_Cf-LbWRZ03W-BrbckSdjJZEiEyY/s1600/cabin+dock+boat+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2qdHuvMbkPjh0TivOEo7ClXCQKRaS7HZRbbDINlElXQSHMFGUIz6p4UM0ezXU43F-403xuauJq6U6XInsO8SMWLYn_R-4pSFid1JqpHy8octHKK_Cf-LbWRZ03W-BrbckSdjJZEiEyY/s400/cabin+dock+boat+photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by Rachel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And in the afternoon, a worn out young man trudged up the
outfitting steps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was coming back early, I had already spoken with a deputy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Because </span>I’m a mom, I opened my arms to him, and ….probably because I am <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a mom, he stepped into
them and started to sob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I could feel the grieving brother's heart breaking right through
his chest.
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In another story--one of our Gunflint Trail neighbors who
has been picking blueberries around here all his life, went out a week ago, and hasn’t
come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> His truck, parked in his favorite picking spot, is still the only clue.</span></div>
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You know, usually, I’m all about figuring how to minimize
risk, avoid death at all costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
while that’s a really good point (and I’ll continue to make it….remember, I am
a mother to the core)…… that is not THE point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Here I am on the periphery of all this grief, and it strikes
me that the main point has to do with the way we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those fine young men were in the boundary waters because they have always shared a profound love for this place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when I’m 82, I hope I still have the spunk and independence to drive
my truck up to the BEST spot in the woods, and pick my own blueberries.</div>
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As a witness to this incredible sadness, I feel a strange combination of melancholy and reverence which isn’t
completely comfortable, but it does feel like my heart is running at full
capacity.
I cannot control all of life and death. It's simpler than that. I can look around, I can be kind, I can feel grateful for where I live and who I am with, I can vow to savor it all for this lovely day.</div>
Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-83796394168778801322013-06-24T10:12:00.001-05:002013-06-24T10:12:43.815-05:00Our Blog is Moving!We are excited to announce the launch of our new Tuscarora website. Located at the same spot - <a href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/">http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/</a> - our new site is full of great info, pictures and features we think you will enjoy. In addition, the Tuscarora blog has found a new home here <a href="http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/news/">http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/news/</a><br />
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We sure appreciate all of you who have followed Tuscarora through this blog. We don't want to lose you! Please update your bookmarks, readers and whatnot to stay current with all the happenings at Tuscarora. For those of you who have subscribed to receive email updates of new blogs, please navigate to our new site and enter your email address to join our new mailing list. Look for the "Subscribe to Tuscarora News" field on the right side bar -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5C0lAlxR4xlqS1CXksKXrTtvMUSsIbZc3S824gNXmCsICQS9o4Eq0HFkDW_15Drzh0gPAdNsJMd4DgrDCDzdM1O53itdjLhxFIjZbko1kne0rhvsG0RdgOA-ICq_JsRcbopUoeTyeEM/s1600/new+site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5C0lAlxR4xlqS1CXksKXrTtvMUSsIbZc3S824gNXmCsICQS9o4Eq0HFkDW_15Drzh0gPAdNsJMd4DgrDCDzdM1O53itdjLhxFIjZbko1kne0rhvsG0RdgOA-ICq_JsRcbopUoeTyeEM/s640/new+site.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-41351492534160467652013-06-14T19:50:00.000-05:002013-06-14T20:42:56.990-05:00Family of Four<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdME9VyefiAMPQ_ym1EUpZUgzrFRQsUOwZr6IjpKmHbDlUJ7K35fQSJpntUINKbUHEPf0j8honetmxw7G1t5jAMh39GFaTKscyxSqUgd6fmr-cPsickMF3eKNUZ6Q790yV6bWpoJ47c4/s1600/Kiecker+family.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Last week the Kiecker family rented a canoe and headed out to Little Sag for the week. Traveling from our dock on Round to Little Sag is no small day-trip. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdME9VyefiAMPQ_ym1EUpZUgzrFRQsUOwZr6IjpKmHbDlUJ7K35fQSJpntUINKbUHEPf0j8honetmxw7G1t5jAMh39GFaTKscyxSqUgd6fmr-cPsickMF3eKNUZ6Q790yV6bWpoJ47c4/s1600/Kiecker+family.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdME9VyefiAMPQ_ym1EUpZUgzrFRQsUOwZr6IjpKmHbDlUJ7K35fQSJpntUINKbUHEPf0j8honetmxw7G1t5jAMh39GFaTKscyxSqUgd6fmr-cPsickMF3eKNUZ6Q790yV6bWpoJ47c4/s400/Kiecker+family.JPG" width="400" /></a> But they assured me that they were up for it--their boys regularly backpack the Appalachian Trail, last year they averaged 10 miles a day. I knew Mom and Dad loved the challenge--they'd been on trips here in the past, and could put on the miles. I knew that their healthy boys were certainly capable of it, but was it going to be any fun? Did they really want to travel that far? How hard were these little kids going to be pushed on this "vacation?"<br />
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Well, I happened to be down at the dock with my camera when they were loading up, and I happened to witness the conversation. Todd was a really kind dad, patiently coaching his two boys as they entered the boat. And although he was excited, and raring to go (a little contagious for me...so just imagine how his sons felt!)....he sat there and explained where the Missing Link portage was, and what they were going to do next. And as they were paddling away, I could hear one of the boys asking "Do you want me to paddle on this side, Dad, or on the other side?"....and Todd replied---"You go ahead and paddle on whichever side is comfortable, and Mom and I will adjust." Nice. They had a great trip, they proudly made it back from Little Sag in a little over 7 hours, ---and I'm going to venture that along with the fun, the guys got a healthy dose of actual self esteem and sense of belonging by accomplishing the trek as a family team. Does it get any better than that?<br />
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Then...I got thinking about our family team....our family of four. The thing is---Andy and I met on Seagull Lake, in a tandem canoe. We were happy campers when we were first married....so we briefly wondered if we wanted to actually transition out of that two person canoe..and make room for any more. Did we really want to invite two curly blond heads on our canoe trips? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifW2GEwvUr6ztiJYT-cYW1tH-lgI9gZgKMbJM67Vft5sQeN3VaH6OJjC6j3CYbOlfJGniR-4oS6AFFS77Rp7JAE-uKjvAhI5zxo0LS7yf7edGTow0vMSQeSrzHnubEiXjnA26fVIlVk4/s1600/J+75.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifW2GEwvUr6ztiJYT-cYW1tH-lgI9gZgKMbJM67Vft5sQeN3VaH6OJjC6j3CYbOlfJGniR-4oS6AFFS77Rp7JAE-uKjvAhI5zxo0LS7yf7edGTow0vMSQeSrzHnubEiXjnA26fVIlVk4/s400/J+75.jpg" width="277" /></a> And then....well, it seemed like POOF, suddenly we were a family of four. We made room in our lives for two more. We made <i> permanent</i> room in our hearts.. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-YLmjUxSI5iV0SNU8z7NVtged3wMbp9jYCIoD8dxeyFRvm21I0bGSCKD7E4Oy_SYRa7dbCtPDfJQBxR-XU_1Vz5XnuowBY0zYRtvF7l5cvdPMEZ419WA6eZK0aTw5kTShBQa7zHih2w/s1600/christmas+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-YLmjUxSI5iV0SNU8z7NVtged3wMbp9jYCIoD8dxeyFRvm21I0bGSCKD7E4Oy_SYRa7dbCtPDfJQBxR-XU_1Vz5XnuowBY0zYRtvF7l5cvdPMEZ419WA6eZK0aTw5kTShBQa7zHih2w/s400/christmas+6.jpg" width="400" /></a>And, somewhere along the line...although we knew we were preparing them to grow up, and go into the world, I started assuming that we would ALWAYS be a family of four. We'd always find our way back to the dinner table where we like to linger and talk about the high points and low points....it was every day, it was years and years.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI4Ecr51ioXhxKpAhFf3tVI158Gjt6kv_ZScAZ50HSNjW_dVxuij4yPoea4tDFHO1U2tPO0XoXjsiZ91TREw9TIUyC7plyNIAjy5sIllvOgOb0mHB0ZjNjxSmLaeMa_8PjxJGk3Qv4lM/s1600/3-7.4+001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI4Ecr51ioXhxKpAhFf3tVI158Gjt6kv_ZScAZ50HSNjW_dVxuij4yPoea4tDFHO1U2tPO0XoXjsiZ91TREw9TIUyC7plyNIAjy5sIllvOgOb0mHB0ZjNjxSmLaeMa_8PjxJGk3Qv4lM/s400/3-7.4+001.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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When they're this age...well, who expects it to ever be any different? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenSHv93FHRPa4VqzexXGuclzXHFgFf1cxTJUraK3r7KaBxw1OuJv4QzSYU4S6G_pkU4hf7zKCAfEmvCDTBElGnW7jhnzlIcxMvKX8cW7AALPFXoGPxDoLcrN0ioKpDXquBEGHUzdtOZg/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Last weekend, Shelby graduated from highschool. She's set her standards high, we're really proud of who she's become. She's working in the outfitting yard this summer, then heading to college next fall. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenSHv93FHRPa4VqzexXGuclzXHFgFf1cxTJUraK3r7KaBxw1OuJv4QzSYU4S6G_pkU4hf7zKCAfEmvCDTBElGnW7jhnzlIcxMvKX8cW7AALPFXoGPxDoLcrN0ioKpDXquBEGHUzdtOZg/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenSHv93FHRPa4VqzexXGuclzXHFgFf1cxTJUraK3r7KaBxw1OuJv4QzSYU4S6G_pkU4hf7zKCAfEmvCDTBElGnW7jhnzlIcxMvKX8cW7AALPFXoGPxDoLcrN0ioKpDXquBEGHUzdtOZg/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="400" /></a> She's so ready to go, and we couldn't be more pleased. I always knew this day would come, but I never bothered to tell my heart about that. Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way...in my head. Yet, in my heart, she'll always be part of my ordinary days...and next fall, she'll be missing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziRlm83WMG6Z7wGeEL-X-S5QW6cVBCtSd5fCXNFQDst2410aVpBEOd26elvG7FvKkTt1PBmc3op4V04cI_6ppN2qMFuSC9dvhlJ3taQp2EuzoKB_4cMS1phltnqEaeVbIXDZWpcxt_4s/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziRlm83WMG6Z7wGeEL-X-S5QW6cVBCtSd5fCXNFQDst2410aVpBEOd26elvG7FvKkTt1PBmc3op4V04cI_6ppN2qMFuSC9dvhlJ3taQp2EuzoKB_4cMS1phltnqEaeVbIXDZWpcxt_4s/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" width="400" /></a>So, I felt a little wistful as I watched the nice Kiecker family paddle away together in their canoe. They're in the "this will last forever"stage. I just have to scrunch up my head around the fact that this transition we're in happens to every family eventually, it's just ordinary. Graduation is a celebration of course, but who expects the grief that comes with it? Can my heart really imagine the big gap? Inviting Shelby and Daniel into our canoe has turned out to be the most significant thing we'll ever do in this life.....the best decision for sure...both my head and my heart can agree on that one. And eventually, I supposed I'll convince my heart it's OK to let her go, and look forward to the times she's back at the table, telling us of her current adventures, paddling her own canoe.<br />
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-45825282434258783042013-05-24T11:57:00.000-05:002013-05-24T11:57:00.611-05:00Cold Water and Hot FishingIf you have not heard yet, the ice is finally out on all the lakes near us, even big Sag to the north. It was a little challenging for a while there to get back to the good lake trout lakes like Tuscarora and Gillis. For eager lake trout fishers that were willing to sit on smaller lakes and wait for the ice to go out, the reward was some good fishing and a lot of adventure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07HqNkp4tx2oxGZoGMNYY5meinCB-nZj2sii1LdRgPfAhB-7Zg8u6cAXaA8pmg0D70Pf1bmIWH7SK0omp9ZweVuu71UJxJR7IFMTYN6cA4zDaKFRqVYHyXtR5zzfxSLR35bwqoCWgY1g/s1600/2013.05.20+Vogt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07HqNkp4tx2oxGZoGMNYY5meinCB-nZj2sii1LdRgPfAhB-7Zg8u6cAXaA8pmg0D70Pf1bmIWH7SK0omp9ZweVuu71UJxJR7IFMTYN6cA4zDaKFRqVYHyXtR5zzfxSLR35bwqoCWgY1g/s400/2013.05.20+Vogt.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mike Vogt and his guys found out first hand what ice out trout fishing is like. They found the "glacier" on the Missing Link portage (which is still there by the way, but receding)! They spent a little time on Missing Link waiting for the ice to go out on Tuscarora. Strong spring winds kept them close to shore for a while. Eventually their patience was rewarded with some beautiful northerns and lakers, even enough to eat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-mtblYAf1bV7yfiHV-c-rIBks-keKWQQv4ZMtPFJlRXixgh9UQyIBu8OoRORhQkRKtXlnYWDleHJ7lvvEcSP3cQtmqDRzmnqlYOqFxp8FWCZGgqAQSx4rENqAfZVHt2ZbU-KeD-ULQY/s1600/2013.05.20+Vogt+%283%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-mtblYAf1bV7yfiHV-c-rIBks-keKWQQv4ZMtPFJlRXixgh9UQyIBu8OoRORhQkRKtXlnYWDleHJ7lvvEcSP3cQtmqDRzmnqlYOqFxp8FWCZGgqAQSx4rENqAfZVHt2ZbU-KeD-ULQY/s320/2013.05.20+Vogt+%283%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is actually the first time I've ever seen Mike in a hat that is not a baseball cap. Can you tell what a likeable guy he is? I can hear him laughing right through that picture. It is not a leave-no-trace kind of laugh, it is a leave-you-laughing kind of laugh.<br />
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Suddenly it is Memorial Day weekend . The lakes are ice free, the temps are rising , the sun is out, and the fish are waiting! Come on up and share your fishing pictures with us!</div>
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<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-14218085809431636922013-05-16T08:43:00.000-05:002013-05-16T08:53:41.369-05:00The trout are OUTThe best fishing for lake trout is ONE week after the ice goes out. Ask anybody. People catch them by accident in the shallows during that week---and the Tuscarora Lake die hards are usually chomping at the bit to get in there the minute fishing opens. This year---the ice was a little late, so technically nobody has to miss that week. <br />
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Last year, one Saturday in June, my friend Monica and I headed
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted two things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lake trout, and a work out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zTWzV9e3nW9LZ7221AWxwHi7SxG8JA2FSvHDtl0XcYKARMYSyJeZu2KrUY2MKMC11E3_RvUwkBsa1Pfa-d50-QCN4oVz1my-YrVyuSWe_tkzquETZ512dMeWdCXAAdmWwLlJH5g22R0/s1600/DSCN0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zTWzV9e3nW9LZ7221AWxwHi7SxG8JA2FSvHDtl0XcYKARMYSyJeZu2KrUY2MKMC11E3_RvUwkBsa1Pfa-d50-QCN4oVz1my-YrVyuSWe_tkzquETZ512dMeWdCXAAdmWwLlJH5g22R0/s400/DSCN0686.JPG" width="300" /></a>So here’s the thing….we have a group of guys who go out
every year in May---to one certain lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot give away their private destination on the internet, but let’s
just say that I hadn't fished it before, and they always always catch
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But mostly, they also catch
fun, and they're usually laughing so hard when they are telling their stories that it made me want to visit THAT lake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call themselves<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The THAT (name changed to protect their
secret) lake boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Monica and I headed out for THAT lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s also just say that it is more than 7
portages in, so we also accomplished our workout--actually two work-outs, because it was also more than 7 portages out, with our lake trout.</div>
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Ever since I worked at Wilderness Canoe Base, and we hoisted
the well cared for (heavy!) standard Grumman canoes around, and it hurt my shoulders
from start to finish, I’ve craved portaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot explain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the
way it hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would think I would be a
good runner as well, with that craving, but I’m just not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I run really really slow: I don’t happen to
LIKE the way that running hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But portaging, the activity where nobody ever wins a medal,
I like to do until I’m shaky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Go figure. </span>Away we
went.</div>
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To paddle away on a busy Saturday was such an indulgence
right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to have an
uninterrupted chat with my friend that I don’t get to see enough---second
bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when we got to THAT lake, the
wind was just right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I also knew the
trick, ….paddle right down the
middle, and let the wind drift us back toward the portage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy as pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only---it was
such a warm year that I knew the fish were….40-60 feet down, so we were letting
out a lot of line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had torpedo
weights to pull down our Sutton spoons—tipped with minnows…we couldn’t fail,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we were seriously fishing,
we thought we’d leave the dog at home, but she HEARD us talking, and it was
like she was attached to my knee, and the minute I put the canoe to float she
was patiently in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We had to take her.</span></div>
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So we paddled, we floated, and BAM, we both caught
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same time, first pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They felt like snags, classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we reeled and we reeled and we reeled and
we reeled, and the wind picked up in the meantime and we started floating into
the rocks with our beautiful Escape, so I had to stop reeling and put the rod
between my knees,and start to paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Monica kept reeling, and my rod started to bend until it was obvious
that somehow our fish were wrapped around each other, or our lines, or….oh, the
trickiness of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denali was very politely trying to stay in
the middle of the boat but she did have to supervise every move, so there was
also THAT challenge to stay steady.</div>
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We were a little surprised after the fiasco of the landing
to end up with one trout actually in our boat (her name was Edith)…….the other
line broke….the wind picked up….we were tangled beyond belief, but we had
Edith!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Then we had to eat our lunches, and blow around, and re-tie our lines,
and blow around and get tangled in the weeds and blow around…and….then, it
really was time to take Edith and head back...we knew it would take us almost 3 hours..so we paddled and portaged….by the
moose and her calf in the weeds, we couldn’t have been happier under the sun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we pulled the stringer up, and …….no
Edith……we had to paddle back and retrieve her from the mud at the last portage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Whoa, were we ever tired when we got back---<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where Caleb was waiting, to clean
up little Edith, so Monica could take<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>home the filet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Work out, check, lake trout, check. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubYlcvYUYi5mZ4gFewwYi67JBISRsTC-xTbrxRdMaxR7l779AosfedlRvMhCwV3o9aMlXf4vLMaNkGZLi3UHjaNfQtzRbwx-Zsea4g2tnbGJe3Eyif9vMve-ytYKeuu5CCyHlTQuz2Y0/s1600/DSCN0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubYlcvYUYi5mZ4gFewwYi67JBISRsTC-xTbrxRdMaxR7l779AosfedlRvMhCwV3o9aMlXf4vLMaNkGZLi3UHjaNfQtzRbwx-Zsea4g2tnbGJe3Eyif9vMve-ytYKeuu5CCyHlTQuz2Y0/s400/DSCN0682.JPG" width="300" /></a>Isn't it funny how a day in the woods can feed a person's soul in so many ways? I was feeling just a little more commeradarie and
gratefulness for the exhuberance of those THAT lake boys, for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>passing on their expertise, for Edith, for our
tangled adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I hope everybody gets a "day in the woods" this spring....and if you stop by the office, I can point you to the secret place where Edith's cousins are waiting...hungry....in the shallows.</span></div>
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-73609947030297219312013-05-13T16:46:00.002-05:002013-05-13T16:51:33.629-05:00Round Lake Is Open!!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Round Lake is officially open!!! This group just left our beach and paddled across to the Missing Link Lake portage. They are hoping to reach Tuscarora Lake. We are looking forward to hearing how they did! ~<i>Rachel</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-31460866896935379352013-05-12T17:16:00.001-05:002013-05-13T07:20:55.969-05:00Fishing Opener 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vcfwjX-HSuOLuTete_-0NjmwIS5qpbNIiD_aa15zXFeRj9stcMYcQOeJCobSp8wYRoopKOyZ9CZbJ02TYB5V3j1jqrlt75vFf2Exk8pJCDrJbMz0yM4N1Cw_7a6Xne_EboxebmoIhIM/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vcfwjX-HSuOLuTete_-0NjmwIS5qpbNIiD_aa15zXFeRj9stcMYcQOeJCobSp8wYRoopKOyZ9CZbJ02TYB5V3j1jqrlt75vFf2Exk8pJCDrJbMz0yM4N1Cw_7a6Xne_EboxebmoIhIM/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fishing opener has come and gone with out the usual excitement. We sent out one brave father and son team to try their luck on Ham Lake. They didn't come back the same day so they must have made it to a campsite! They were a pretty determined duo. The day before they did some exploring up the Gunflint Trail, taking in a few hikes while waiting for the ice to break. While exploring they heard some favorable reports about the ice on Larch Lake and Ham Lake so they gave it a try.<br />
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Today (Sunday) the wind has kicked up which is breaking up the ice on Round Lake. The sheets are crashing into each other making a cool tinkling sound and fracturing the ice into impossibly sharp shards. Andy watched one group paddle around the ice plates from public access all the way to the portage for Missing Link Lake. They had to do a lot of zigging and zagging, but they got there. Another group will be trying it tomorrow morning. Not sure yet about how Tuscarora Lake looks, but that was their goal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6C5F4HUKAmEUdwMiqnTdfMsZgpVRD3KK2HGG8iRYCE_Unxp5JO9MgOGw3ruY44AB9b6Kuhao0zBKKI4FaE_uoU36RRQR8EeKv-nAHJKVfyxzS8CR-ZiJNImUE_OV3LYuGAg0XwMlkT0/s1600/P5127184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6C5F4HUKAmEUdwMiqnTdfMsZgpVRD3KK2HGG8iRYCE_Unxp5JO9MgOGw3ruY44AB9b6Kuhao0zBKKI4FaE_uoU36RRQR8EeKv-nAHJKVfyxzS8CR-ZiJNImUE_OV3LYuGAg0XwMlkT0/s1600/P5127184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice shards on Round Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of open water!</td></tr>
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Staff members have been busy raking, raking, raking! All of the canoes are out and ready to go as soon as the ice clears. We are slowly getting the water turned back on to the summer buildings. Our dining hall is all set and ready for our first French toast breakfast. The shower house is back in action too so we are ready for guests! If the weather keeps getting nicer each day as forecasted, we should all be out paddling any day now!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denali supervising the raking</td></tr>
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<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-48206591302357515292013-05-08T09:53:00.000-05:002013-05-08T09:53:16.191-05:00Getting Closer!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtshaVAUzXOPocM3_sojhGbeyeIGal4ZiVyRgk8lPF4Bdumlj4ovo2yfDCKldlW7OP1Hu4qujLEJJj9CeUDrMLuPujNq56Vk9xrkrbliWk3APE49oOiDoTkUcr52vK4Vow-LkrfVwehGM/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtshaVAUzXOPocM3_sojhGbeyeIGal4ZiVyRgk8lPF4Bdumlj4ovo2yfDCKldlW7OP1Hu4qujLEJJj9CeUDrMLuPujNq56Vk9xrkrbliWk3APE49oOiDoTkUcr52vK4Vow-LkrfVwehGM/s320/IMG_0966.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Lake from our beach this morning</td></tr>
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To answer the question on everyone's mind, yes we still have ice on Round Lake. However, spring is happening in fast forward all along the Gunflint so we are getting closer! Last weekend was pretty chilly again. Nights were below freezing and grey skies shed a wintery mix on us during the day. It felt like we spring had stalled for a while there.<br />
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We opened our gates for the outfitting season on May 1st, technically speaking, even though it didn't feel like summer yet. We have been juggling jobs based on what the weather is doing. We are trying to get some raking in. It is a little strange to be raking around the slow melting snow plow piles but at least we are outside. We are doing some spring cleaning inside as well and getting the suburbans tuned up. Summer staff is starting to arrive which gets everyone excited. With more hands around, we started to pull out the Kevlar canoes from winter storage. A sure sign of spring if ever there was one!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the Kevlar canoes out of dining hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shuffling the canoes from the dining hall to the canoe yard</td></tr>
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We drove up to the End of Trail campground to check things out on Sunday afternoon. The creeks and ditches along the side of the road which were full and overflowing two weeks before have slowed down some to a more normal spring level. The smaller beaver pond ice is starting to turn black and break up into chunks which is a good sign. The rapids into Gull Lake were flowing fast and strong. Seagull Lake and Saganaga Lake are still frozen but there are some good sized holes and fissures showing up. It is definitely at the point where it is a little sketchy to be walking on it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull Lake rapids</td></tr>
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On Monday, the staff couldn't resist the urge to paddle on Cross River just down the drive way. We put in along side the road right above the rapids and paddled towards the portage toward Ham Lake. The portage was still covered in a layer of snow so we didn't get to far, but at least it was a paddle! The Cross River dock is still surrounded by ice flows, but the waterfowl are enjoying the open parts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling on Cross River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirting the edges of the ice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just making sure you can't paddle through the ice...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross River rapids by Round Lake Road</td></tr>
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Yesterday we ran to Duluth to get some summer supplies. All the small rivers were flowing fast and rock cuts along the road were covered in ephemeral water falls. We couldn't resist a stop at Gooseberry State Park to take a look at the falls! Along the way back we spotted 137 deer, 3 fox, 1 bobcat and a wolf all on the side of the road! For those of you planning on traveling up Highway 61, please be careful! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gooseberry State Park</td></tr>
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This week has been warm, sunny and just beautiful! We still can't tell you for certain when the ice will be out. The larger lakes like Saganaga will take longer than Round Lake to clear. We are still thinking we will have ice for fishing opener on May 11th. The following week we have high hopes for however! For those of you with early trips, keep checking in. Don't worry, when the ice goes out, we will be posting on everything from the blog to Facebook. We are just as impatient and excited as all of you! <i> Rachel</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Lake this morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Lake this morning</td></tr>
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-86054742710406214582013-04-28T16:43:00.000-05:002013-04-28T16:43:24.655-05:00Melting!Suddenly, spring is in a big hurry to get here. Starting Thursday, the temperatures have been up into the high 50's, low 60's. The sun is shining warmly, the birds are singing, and Denali is basking on the deck. The 2 feet+ of snow that is on the ground has been melting with force. Round Lake road is suffering a bit from the rapid melt.<br />
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The driveways and outfitting yard are clearing nicely. At first the melt was dammed in by the snow banks creating a slushy pond in the center. This morning things are looking much better. The mud is pretty thick but at least everything is flowing in the right direction now.<br />
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The Cross River, just down the road, is open and flowing down the center. The ice is still around the dock, but it is looking more and more slushy each day. The open water is attracting all sorts of birds who arrived looking for spring but are now forced to wait it out with the rest of us. So far I've noticed common & hooded mergansers, common goldeneyes, Canada geese, mallards, a kingfisher, bald eagles, and a turkey vulture all hanging out around the open water.<br />
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Round Lake is covered in watery slush. Almost a good foot of it. Ice reports in the area still are in the 20"+ range, but at least things are starting to move in the right direction. The snow may be in a hurry to melt, but the ice can't be rushed. We still can't tell when the ice will be out for sure. The forecast calls for rain and wind, both will help. If the temperatures stay warm, that will help as well. We need to wait and see how things progress, but it is feeling decidedly spring like around here! ~<i>Rachel</i><br />
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-6949796828688473852013-04-22T12:52:00.004-05:002013-04-22T12:52:56.239-05:00Ice Conditions <br />
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We sure have been having a chilly spring this year! The temperatures feel a lot more like what a northern Minnesota springs should be like. We have been a little spoiled the past few springs! A slow moving weather pattern has been dumping some wet, heavy spring snow on us for the past week now.</div>
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I went out last week to drill a hole in the ice on Round Lake. We still have a foot of snow on top the ice which is keeping it very insulated (this was before received about 18" of snow on Thursday night!). The ice is still around 26 inches thick. Reports from Sagananga Lake and Gunflint Lake are reporting around 30 inches of ice as well.</div>
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For those of you concerned for you upcoming canoe trips, we will keep you posted! It is a little to soon to tell for sure when the ice will come out. What the weather decides to do next week will make a lot of difference. We do know that the late spring should keep the water temps down making for some nice fishing opportunities. All this snow should keep the water levels up for the spring and the fire risk down as well!</div>
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The DNR has a nice website that shows ice out conditions across the state - <a data-mce-href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html" href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html</a>. Keep your eye on that and on our blog, we will let you know as soon as the ice goes out! <i> Rachel</i></div>
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Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-21639707369620929892013-04-11T08:49:00.001-05:002013-04-11T13:03:40.644-05:00Parenting Puzzles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD6-jWBohvmyVOmHI_qJSfon0Gw5HPmB9FZT9T-Pt0bSdj8yi1mTMBfbmo_HYPcc26_zm21Cikoh7EVLS-a9znXjlPQR1nwBmYZjylaXKvlgHklrW-kxt76thA7yLV56XLxILax5_3wY/s1600/puzzle+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD6-jWBohvmyVOmHI_qJSfon0Gw5HPmB9FZT9T-Pt0bSdj8yi1mTMBfbmo_HYPcc26_zm21Cikoh7EVLS-a9znXjlPQR1nwBmYZjylaXKvlgHklrW-kxt76thA7yLV56XLxILax5_3wY/s400/puzzle+kids.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
I pulled a puzzle out of our Christmas box this year, and I started piecing it together lately. Hint: those puzzles that the photo places make are a really cool idea. But they have a uniform piece, and if you have a photo with....say....a lot of white legs, or green leaves, or rocky ground, you can mix up the pieces. I mean, pieces actually fit where they don't belong--as in knees on the wrong legs, and toes on the wrong feet. <br />
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Another thing though, is putting pieces together of these kids I knew so well.....I could recognize one crinkled eye, or the twisted way the kid held his foot, and I loved that part. It was such a wash of nostalgia. I don't know if you can recognize Daniel on the far left end of the hammock, but he is holding up an apple speared with a knife. Only I cropped the knife out, because---our kid was only 8 and...what could I have been thinking? He never actually speared anyone by accident, and he was so proud of being the Sam Gribley woodsman, that.....he had a pocket knife at age eight and I didn't want it recorded.<br />
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I remember .....3 moms, 6 kids, 2 for each mom---made a perfect 9p Seagull Lake trip. We promoted independence, which meant we hovered from afar. I was casually swimming with my hand practically at the scruff of one particular swimmer's neck -one who had no business swimming to the rock, but was too cool to be the only one in the lifejacket. Because that is what we moms do, for anybody's kid There was a kids' tent and a mom tent, but....when it got dark, I remember one little guy padding over to the moms' tent with oversized feet in footy pajamas, and a little while later one Shelby wanted me to sleep out under the stars with her. So I took my pillow and went of course. We were making memories.<br />
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But the thing is, as nostalgic as I always am (honestly, I never missed a single chance...I even felt waves of nostalgia every time my kids switched to bigger diaper sizes. ) I believe all this sappy savoring that I do has helped me treasure every age. Because I miss these kids in this puzzle. A whole lot. But not enough that I would give up the kids I have today for the kids I had in that puzzle.<br />
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It's hard to explain how much I like the kids I have now. Back then, I was responsible for the field trips. Now I'm responsible for the restful home. I used to plan and hope that they would like adventures, that they would spend their time in the woods rather than in the computer room. I used to wonder if they would learn to pitch in--be good team players. Now I watch them lead their teams. If I'm home, I get to meet their friends. I get to visit colleges with Shelby...and anticipate how much she will like it there. <br />
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These days, I get up before they get up--rather than the other way around. I've traded those early mornings looking for a spare moment to myself for ---struggling to keep my eyes open late enough to hang around while Shelby completes an art assignment, or being available in case Daniel wants to play the riff on the guitar. I don't have to stay home to take care of them anymore, but I want to stay home just in case---. Ironically you'd think,after all these years, I'd be something of an expert at it, but still I screw up. I still fight
with Shelby about her sleep habits. I guess I don't have to head/knee lock
Daniel to get him to brush his teeth, but we do have some headlocks
about other things....some too trivial to even mention. <br />
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Some parents with younger kids thank me for taking the carpool turns...when I'm thinking...are you kidding me? I have about 2 months left in this stage in my life, and it's the only time I get to listen to 15 year old boys banter. I'll take every chance.<br />
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And I still get to see the other kids once in awhile. Guess what? They all turned out to be pretty good campers, so far. If you look closely at this video---as they planned and practiced their own Grand Marais parade flash dance, you'll recognize them amid the crowd. <br />
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You know, I expected to feel more loss in all of this. I really liked being a mom to those little kids, I liked planning birthday parties, reading the books aloud, taking them camping. Sometimes they ask me to help them figure out their independent camping trips, once and awhile they let me plan the scavenger hunts, but I'm in the background. They choreograph their own dances now. Maybe later in life there will be a time when the growing up will make me sad, but for the moment now....it feels just about right. Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-39514837118116422942013-03-10T20:33:00.000-05:002013-03-10T23:04:16.654-05:00Ice Fishing to Tuscarora<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggKVegFvqriC49lVV0b5hs5m5jEzR75pZ7xXTpaVF9fYee4sSIWL7IR45HskCPbeitzTKnEgo4_N2EDYY75Os3l3CnE5g5yspsFc5AgbElqoRNXAbZcuTFR9CfbU7ex185mA1MwwzN6E/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggKVegFvqriC49lVV0b5hs5m5jEzR75pZ7xXTpaVF9fYee4sSIWL7IR45HskCPbeitzTKnEgo4_N2EDYY75Os3l3CnE5g5yspsFc5AgbElqoRNXAbZcuTFR9CfbU7ex185mA1MwwzN6E/s400/photo.jpg" width="298" /></a>Cousins Daniel and Joe were done with their hockey
seasons. We thought...QUICK! Time to go fishing. A
person never knows when it’s time for hockey to start up again, and that is the
truth about that sport. I’m glad that
they love it, and there’re all kinds of things about sports and teams that are
valuable and worthy. Hockey is a unique
beast, and I’ll go anywhere gladly to cheer him on, but let’s just say
I’m not missing the way it smells.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyhow, this
particular Saturday, the lake trout were calling. They never call me as loudly as they call
Danny, but there was one that was taunting me. (Darn it). My brother Mike
joined us too, and he kept saying “well,
I never really expect to catch fish in the winter,” and I kept thinking…..this is a really long
way to go if we’re not expecting to catch fish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To hike into Tuscarora…..snowshoe, ski, haul….is somewhere
between 8 and 10 miles. In the morning,
when we’re packed up and ready to go, we like to say…maybe it's a little more than
six miles. At sundown, when I limp back in the door, I like to think it’s more like
10. It’s a day, that’s for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Joe is sold on winter hiking over summer portaging, and
–I think I might be with him on that. I honestly like summer portaging quite a bit,
but the Tuscarora portage on this particular winter day was pure bliss. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7siojQ2a_wUTLFCBETJT-RdsC9k_NMZQHQr2NecgSVTWu7VwiLbQLhwvrsVECgSXkeiXFMVKzGIv_eKFGwQ-jBOJjeMiaKd4u7Zn95d31T7-GUimXWF7egrtEK0hVWBol_ve5sLTps/s1600/Joe+dan+mike.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7siojQ2a_wUTLFCBETJT-RdsC9k_NMZQHQr2NecgSVTWu7VwiLbQLhwvrsVECgSXkeiXFMVKzGIv_eKFGwQ-jBOJjeMiaKd4u7Zn95d31T7-GUimXWF7egrtEK0hVWBol_ve5sLTps/s400/Joe+dan+mike.PNG" width="400" /></a>It was a great photo-shoot on Tuscarora, we
thought…hey, no problem, we made
it! The sun came out…but actually it was the longest stretch from the portage to our favorite spot. Daniel plowed ahead with the sled,
breaking trail for a good chunk of it this time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphengwy0L6JDTsNMAye8mNl21b6qs9i6IJ5pMNPPPOyfgZ-_yDWSye-uynx_8BDhZhX9fcG1pGGkXuDRGJWIlAer5B6oeTlacQ0QlUBUDw5YTS3emPUXojFfFCiTyx1PHZTMOEBgqpVKG4/s1600/Tuscarora+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphengwy0L6JDTsNMAye8mNl21b6qs9i6IJ5pMNPPPOyfgZ-_yDWSye-uynx_8BDhZhX9fcG1pGGkXuDRGJWIlAer5B6oeTlacQ0QlUBUDw5YTS3emPUXojFfFCiTyx1PHZTMOEBgqpVKG4/s400/Tuscarora+trail.jpg" width="297" /></a>And I trudged along chanting in my own head about Sam McGee, from
Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the south to roam round the pole, God only
knows. He was always cold, but that
land of gold seemed to hold him in its spell.
Though he’d often say in his homely way that he’d sooner live in hell.
….</div>
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Tuscarora had about a dozen people on it, which at first seemed like a ripoff to travel all that way, and join in the party, but in the end, no one occupied in our spot at the ledge so,
it was rather cheerful to have them across the lake---and hear an occasional yelp
when maybe somebody was catching something.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iZ-9pM5sOBE-vGiTQ8Ngc0I6c7wHvPoxmEflNlbbHIkIxvoIpR7mFUyjSNTCpyO9aFUDzBt_LSarWIFJb9dmwdjjiypQp_QALHXT1uJeQVcLz6zrYKwT9fCQSZiXnXAb3y3TdzQ4JDM/s1600/build+a+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iZ-9pM5sOBE-vGiTQ8Ngc0I6c7wHvPoxmEflNlbbHIkIxvoIpR7mFUyjSNTCpyO9aFUDzBt_LSarWIFJb9dmwdjjiypQp_QALHXT1uJeQVcLz6zrYKwT9fCQSZiXnXAb3y3TdzQ4JDM/s400/build+a+fire.jpg" width="400" /></a>So here’s the secret, when a person stops trudging, a person
has perspired, and a person is sort of wet, she gets cold fast. So, the trick is to drill holes sooner than
later, and then change the base layer.
Yep, change the entire base layer.
I’m here to tell you, it’s painful, but the only option. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then after all that, and after I traded my ski boots for
my beloved toasty Neos, I stood by the hole and sloooooowly lifted the pole up, and lowerd the pole
down. Moving the minnows sooooo
slow. Just the right speed,
up…………..and down……..up……………….and down…reel a little, try a new depth….up………………..and down………….up………and
down………..then, I start chanting in my head again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not
fail; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked
ghastly pale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home
in Tennessee; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam
McGee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MCAh42pv-13sMhw7vo9CaPrnHVBpiB6wW_GepD6rUi_Udm-5shfhr15PSrwCfyqzefE0AvXrcvzbfMMlMBHrVCvdKGmLgRrAzE9eaj5u8Z93aEHVwHIDDVZ3036nnYb96eBv-Z1GsG4/s1600/Daniel+at+the+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MCAh42pv-13sMhw7vo9CaPrnHVBpiB6wW_GepD6rUi_Udm-5shfhr15PSrwCfyqzefE0AvXrcvzbfMMlMBHrVCvdKGmLgRrAzE9eaj5u8Z93aEHVwHIDDVZ3036nnYb96eBv-Z1GsG4/s400/Daniel+at+the+hole.jpg" width="298" /></a>Up…….and down……………up……..and down…….FISH ON!!!! Or…in my case…..Hey! HEY!!!!
I have a fish.<u> YOU GUYS I HAVE A
FISH!!!</u> So much for outfitter cool. The boys came running over, and the ice rebounded
just a little sloshing a little water up all the holes. So
much for sophomore cool. We were
peering in the dark hole, still reeling, and they’re telling me how to reel,
faster, slower, set the hook, don’t jerk it---finally I just handed the pole to
Daniel. But shoot……the line slacked a
little in the handoff, and I lost that fish.
ARG! Snap. Cannot believe I let him get away. I STILL can’t believe it got away from
me. What was I thinking??? Darn it. We had plenty of fish for dinner, but I’m still
snapping about that one that got away.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD53uddA3yEU5yf5wLldKqUSP2XFlYB55UMC_Is7fd3r4WvjiZyZG6ievdccYvh0PimMMoikA8kb84O4NG8NwivutxQjvNJ0DWg12cC09YmsBTsrKu1chehEx8D_6Lvc0w83wIctwkR0/s1600/Fish+on+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD53uddA3yEU5yf5wLldKqUSP2XFlYB55UMC_Is7fd3r4WvjiZyZG6ievdccYvh0PimMMoikA8kb84O4NG8NwivutxQjvNJ0DWg12cC09YmsBTsrKu1chehEx8D_6Lvc0w83wIctwkR0/s400/Fish+on+ice.jpg" width="298" /></a>Funny how that FISH ON gets everybody's adrenaline going, so we switched up a
few holes, and we all hurried up to stand by the holes again….up….and down,
up……………..aand up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They caught some, lost a few, lots of action, Denali supervised. Mike caught a few that he didn't really expect to catch in the winter, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl4yUPPb_spTIYIXhB31HjlvZaJDajhfbdgdUtk7gpxPmF7XsiuxLTABjWQKGH_plQM3gLiw9gi-ELewRJNk1L6eCxHG3vmDooejdsjB_qDMbQcnkzRI2gvhN4rv7WGuIQrlUg0CuTLY/s1600/Mike+denali+fish+removal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl4yUPPb_spTIYIXhB31HjlvZaJDajhfbdgdUtk7gpxPmF7XsiuxLTABjWQKGH_plQM3gLiw9gi-ELewRJNk1L6eCxHG3vmDooejdsjB_qDMbQcnkzRI2gvhN4rv7WGuIQrlUg0CuTLY/s400/Mike+denali+fish+removal.jpg" width="298" /></a>we hauled it all back,
and shuffled through a fish dinner…..unbelievably tasty, it’s true. Something about fresh, cold, water
trout—well, we had to smile before our heads dropped. I had one dream that I was 90 years old, and was a really good sport about it. Everyone thought it remarkable, how I could get around so cheerfully with all that arthritis. I was THAT sore, in my dream, in my bed, in my sleep. Had to be 10 miles....</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9VgOw6ddNkd8_WHJAcdN8vzbmnQE_Pi57XdRrWk6dYsifjq-r28PIAS_dZfd8RLrHr5xU9CPqb0m_GeNwfyHghPQD6SsqKX-gSP9BoLKpjiQkH46bMj3O-iq8n4ywU20KL-XJLZf-xM/s1600/Joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9VgOw6ddNkd8_WHJAcdN8vzbmnQE_Pi57XdRrWk6dYsifjq-r28PIAS_dZfd8RLrHr5xU9CPqb0m_GeNwfyHghPQD6SsqKX-gSP9BoLKpjiQkH46bMj3O-iq8n4ywU20KL-XJLZf-xM/s400/Joe.jpg" width="298" /></a>Good day, good guys.
It doesn’t escape me (or my brother Mike)…that our roles in these cousin
adventures are fleeting. I look forward
to the stories that Joe will retell—it’s a gift he has, to make it almost
better than life. And I’m grateful for
freezeframes that make up my the movies of my memories. It was a good one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But darn it. I still can’t
believe I lost that one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Snap!</div>
<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-80726022547560033712013-02-16T18:23:00.000-06:002013-02-16T18:29:59.267-06:00Jerry the Connecter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM2Ss1vJPd7BXaNvyOpfmxd8eNINqGDeDSvyUoF_v72jXCA_yA9msHuM4WqDcpLthMZ_Yzu5B7qvpbJdw3mw2KVgX_MJ64K49mK_wYR-mEqG5cVwJ1Xb7M4rWlyB6YhSmhXMwCwdIA_A/s1600/tippingpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">E<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM2Ss1vJPd7BXaNvyOpfmxd8eNINqGDeDSvyUoF_v72jXCA_yA9msHuM4WqDcpLthMZ_Yzu5B7qvpbJdw3mw2KVgX_MJ64K49mK_wYR-mEqG5cVwJ1Xb7M4rWlyB6YhSmhXMwCwdIA_A/s320/tippingpoint.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>Have you read Malcolm Gladwell? One of his books, The <u>Tipping Point</u> is about ...well, a lot of things, but one of the themes is "epidemics" and how they spread. Here at Tuscarora, we're in the business of promoting canoe trip epidemics, right? So this is why it became part of my job to read this book. I liked it so much I've read all of his books so far. I like the way he writes, sort of causally researchy...brings up lots of interesting topics. So, we're still figuring out how to share the North Woods with everyone we can---introducing new people, setting up the seasoned people --talking about trips and campsites, recommending canoes, listening to stories. <br />
At one point in the book, he talks about CONNECTERS. Connecters are people with a gift for bringing folks together. They seem to know people across borders of society---and make friends easily, and then connect them all. They are like the network hub. Most of us know somebody like that---particularly likable, or somehow gifted with a combination of curiosity and energy and general appeal. <br />
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Last week, we got an email from our Nashville friend, Jerry Vandiver. I thought...aha! Here's a connecter in the flesh, and we are really lucky to be in his web. Jerry uses his music and love of the North Woods to bring lots of folks together. Definitely his network spans the country.<br />
This summer....he'll be back to do one of his <a href="http://tuscaroranews.blogspot.com/2010/08/nashvilles-jerry-vandiver-performs-at.html" target="_blank">Dining Hall Concerts</a>, and we're pretty excited about that---we're even going to set a date soon! We plan to combine it with our Unnofficial Tuscarora Triathlon....which is all good for me, because it might even mean that I schedule it ahead of time...so .....people might even be able to PLAN on these events, if you can imagine. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sl0AWWTcv0A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Anyhow, I'm recommending that you connect with Jerry, however you can. Part of his charm is that he'll remember you, and make you feel special. You can catch him at <a href="http://canoecopia.com/" target="_blank">Canoecopia</a> in March, or at Tuscarora in July! Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-7637091545453044682012-11-26T14:49:00.000-06:002012-11-26T14:49:03.982-06:00The Snow MakersChip, Kari, Kristoffer, and Meaghan of the Anderson family have started a tradition of bringing the snow with them. They visited Tuscarora a few years ago for Thanksgiving. That year they raced a blizzard up here from cities, arriving just in time for the snow to start. This year they made a last minute decision to come back up for Thanksgiving. On Wednesday they arrived in time to see fall. The met a nice buck on the road (not saying where!), hiked on the crunchy, bare ground, and listened to waves lapping on the shore of Round Lake. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hJ61mx5r2eMT5PDbObyeNGTqOQBkoEFbDge06nCnO-UdVCxSwYlB6xHskhfSocoH4OQrYzjZHyX1ioWdDM8aA4HCIwaK1MYlnIcMNmoD8pnqJ57PQ12JME-cgYep2P0c8PpdaPeEnVA/s1600/Before.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hJ61mx5r2eMT5PDbObyeNGTqOQBkoEFbDge06nCnO-UdVCxSwYlB6xHskhfSocoH4OQrYzjZHyX1ioWdDM8aA4HCIwaK1MYlnIcMNmoD8pnqJ57PQ12JME-cgYep2P0c8PpdaPeEnVA/s400/Before.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbEejYtYdnf5plADzSlk2xc6ytj0SdZJFJdmazupOqzy8Gi4elGLmZE8ZpOqi9_psAodMXSUc7DWIaGhnjHzq_3O-mSmX5CkTOkNl987Ae8JE6WQ1V8CZXhGXjev153hAdMQeshDYD98/s1600/On+dock+before+.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbEejYtYdnf5plADzSlk2xc6ytj0SdZJFJdmazupOqzy8Gi4elGLmZE8ZpOqi9_psAodMXSUc7DWIaGhnjHzq_3O-mSmX5CkTOkNl987Ae8JE6WQ1V8CZXhGXjev153hAdMQeshDYD98/s400/On+dock+before+.JPG" width="400" /></a>After their turkey was devoured, the snow started. The next morning they were out snow shoeing in a picture perfect winter day. Heavy snow lay on all the trees and from their perch in cabin 5, they watched the ice form on Round. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7umluQOvNNz_5TvlagLXtPGn1VAsa8_XTyrbRK9ii_cz508H96Br1oMhR4I7z-1j8rE-zL_GEnpBaKnwtsCJMYaRubdJk9koNYIuD8wdt2_KtKuYUFGgdy1v4rCCrg9nvnDhVj4cHe8/s1600/After+shot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7umluQOvNNz_5TvlagLXtPGn1VAsa8_XTyrbRK9ii_cz508H96Br1oMhR4I7z-1j8rE-zL_GEnpBaKnwtsCJMYaRubdJk9koNYIuD8wdt2_KtKuYUFGgdy1v4rCCrg9nvnDhVj4cHe8/s400/After+shot.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5zCrAqXOnWy3w-Xv_lCZhd7TXSPJrvSytd9CynajWtdvPM9TIBuCK4-X5XzhDgO5FpDSnsoGpDNEWuXRhm4PbNq4j9iLSigY8PrtLrx2Hzo33-x9UuxicD7ADM0wf_D64CK5NDz0uOo/s1600/Snow+on+Dock.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5zCrAqXOnWy3w-Xv_lCZhd7TXSPJrvSytd9CynajWtdvPM9TIBuCK4-X5XzhDgO5FpDSnsoGpDNEWuXRhm4PbNq4j9iLSigY8PrtLrx2Hzo33-x9UuxicD7ADM0wf_D64CK5NDz0uOo/s400/Snow+on+Dock.JPG" width="400" /></a> If the snow is pokey next year, we will give this nice family a call and have them bring up some snow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrxOJd2WVFAlO7XXqC5dhpd1COwI_aHJKgbqODWY-gkum9L0gcjhmR5gG6KRX0Q80xYnwUoS2nEC9fpBt8GCE_JJcfyhxUD8CxaqMhe-aPZa7jSwiNjJ1Ps7FkvXwKeN_LphR93n0glk/s1600/Cute+happy+shot+.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrxOJd2WVFAlO7XXqC5dhpd1COwI_aHJKgbqODWY-gkum9L0gcjhmR5gG6KRX0Q80xYnwUoS2nEC9fpBt8GCE_JJcfyhxUD8CxaqMhe-aPZa7jSwiNjJ1Ps7FkvXwKeN_LphR93n0glk/s400/Cute+happy+shot+.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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photos courtesy of Kari KennedyTuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-5179815093985444712012-11-05T22:15:00.002-06:002012-11-06T12:59:41.811-06:00Reflections in November<br />
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Denali and I went for a walk yesterday. It seemed like typical November. Bleak, stark, bare. Cold. Still. Bland. Boring.<br />
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The thing is, Denali wasn't bored. All her muscles were on alert, she was listening to the silence, tense and aware. She loves it so much, it's contagious.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUQ9T1Xue-UW8O84WpVlmhIzDH9U6E4X9JIWsvIJTU3FqL23eF3_dZjaU_dHH6vZWpTg9iI8DMBgxIhmkgsNpn3WPSV6LcEUZJ4MwhuhB8XDt9GdYSNE3b3ZmVN0DUDRkQIXZGJdXYRo/s1600/denali.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUQ9T1Xue-UW8O84WpVlmhIzDH9U6E4X9JIWsvIJTU3FqL23eF3_dZjaU_dHH6vZWpTg9iI8DMBgxIhmkgsNpn3WPSV6LcEUZJ4MwhuhB8XDt9GdYSNE3b3ZmVN0DUDRkQIXZGJdXYRo/s400/denali.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Also, up close-the wilderness-even completely at rest, is the most beautiful place to be- if you ask me. Very subtle. And incredibly quiet. The only sound, the only life I could pick out besides Denali was a lone merganser who wouldn't stop splashing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHjBCQ_4I3bz1IKfBjqLPB7aY-6jWsO0TfWx03U9iBbJU_ntBjm7Z0b9anaFpVpqRzANdjDGBMV9Ga1B_asxk-GzWadfoeN6PxrLxf6Q2kDIi3ViRc0kqdZjz0d2z-PaqEzi_6ka5clk/s1600/Merganser.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHjBCQ_4I3bz1IKfBjqLPB7aY-6jWsO0TfWx03U9iBbJU_ntBjm7Z0b9anaFpVpqRzANdjDGBMV9Ga1B_asxk-GzWadfoeN6PxrLxf6Q2kDIi3ViRc0kqdZjz0d2z-PaqEzi_6ka5clk/s400/Merganser.JPG" width="400" /></a> Fishing? Staying warm? No kidding,the entire hour we walked she was swimming and splashing and diving. It looked miserable to me, but I don't actually know if it was.</div>
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I think the woods set a good example for us. They are frantically busy sometimes, with the growth, new life, the activity, the fires the storms, the winds. This weekend it just all stopped. And I stopped too, long enough to notice the ice forming along the shoreline.</div>
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I've been reading about math teachers these days-- the literature seems to agree that people who don't reflect on how they teach will default to the way that they were taught. It doesn't matter if it worked well for them as students. If teachers don't work on becoming reflective practitioners, they're bound to repeat their own classroom experiences.<br />
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How many more things in life are like that? If we don't take the time to reflect on our decisions, will we simply default to the way things always were? Is it that way for parenting? If I don't reflect on the way I'm spending my time, I default to...what? You know, maybe November in the woods reminds us not to default our entire life away. Maybe the woods are practicing a little deliberate sabboth time, just plain reflective rest.<br />
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Then I started trying to be ultra-aware like Denali. These are the little mosses from our hike. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2hyphenhyphenOtFe5hVq2qED2GhZNIpIpmS7MAfDb1pd6-rMIkthyicomTJn37MAGwB-GWaW-IwOCVkt3O2k9yNLrM1pdL8uPvejbsU22RY41t92EdQIOaxqN5cqCgB8u4DNYctniFBnqV_NJarQ/s1600/Moss.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2hyphenhyphenOtFe5hVq2qED2GhZNIpIpmS7MAfDb1pd6-rMIkthyicomTJn37MAGwB-GWaW-IwOCVkt3O2k9yNLrM1pdL8uPvejbsU22RY41t92EdQIOaxqN5cqCgB8u4DNYctniFBnqV_NJarQ/s400/Moss.JPG" width="298" /></a> I didn't even know what they were until a minute ago, when I googled moss trumpets. Maybe there is such a thing as trumpet moss, maybe other people made that up like I did. I know that the tiny trumpets aren't there in the spring. Well, that is what I think, but it could be that I'm too busy in the spring to notice, or all the lady slippers are too arrogant, and command any available attention.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22TMCwgrXLPn1lJGnTMbrXYzTMttUrlWLx42yaHlmkglhJURDaM8bfGmpxqNFhDqHPVK3JAPhTCtnHlAuOwwq0QfLPz3517yKxG5GQEbf9nnghMLMydLZ-KgB1oHQKO483ZTmK9pC3ns/s1600/Frost.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22TMCwgrXLPn1lJGnTMbrXYzTMttUrlWLx42yaHlmkglhJURDaM8bfGmpxqNFhDqHPVK3JAPhTCtnHlAuOwwq0QfLPz3517yKxG5GQEbf9nnghMLMydLZ-KgB1oHQKO483ZTmK9pC3ns/s400/Frost.JPG" width="400" /></a>The frost heaves are also cool looking in their own subdued way, cultivating the path and displacing the soil like tiny little spiky gardeners.<br />
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As I sat on BA point I realized that I was watching the ice form on Round Lake. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLcG7YauxArbNKGvufv-McHBrUa9u6OxiH4axUAo3uUCJeSMKmPse_AJliXJLyd9k4CTjJgqdSg1WrYnHNoqSD2Jpxeg-dO5J9NyPwjbGF6PeYpg1Vkh1tbZEOSXbzFvZw4rWW7iHFtI/s1600/Ice+In.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLcG7YauxArbNKGvufv-McHBrUa9u6OxiH4axUAo3uUCJeSMKmPse_AJliXJLyd9k4CTjJgqdSg1WrYnHNoqSD2Jpxeg-dO5J9NyPwjbGF6PeYpg1Vkh1tbZEOSXbzFvZw4rWW7iHFtI/s400/Ice+In.JPG" width="400" /></a> I suppose it's like sitting around watching the grass grow, but I was sort of excited about it. I'm not sure I've seen the actual minute of ice-in before, and it was growing in crystals. Can you see the little finger? This was not ice at the start of our hike.<br />
<br />
For such a dull day, I'll remember it, that's for sure. I don't know if I'll change anything, or live my life any differently, but I do appreciate the reminder. And as much as I like the action and the people of my days, I do soak up the time when I can be still and marvel at the tiny trumpets. And have a little ice-in thrill. And consider my own defaults, to become a reflective practitioner of life.<br />
<br />
In the 11th month, the northwoods rested. And it was good.<br />
<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-42485899462203045422012-09-23T16:31:00.000-05:002012-09-23T16:31:09.170-05:00Secret of September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGrmYHeLCxuBYhoeLjzhyphenhyphenwBMWOY4ngAXszH6iPryihQ2WTmgl3cSL6H3eLL0tBJTJdy6Lbp2x7yB900w64rCD8iS_081C-dpBGhVs-1iixX_nO4zR9im-613txYv5TOFMJPDCuhK-10Y/s400/september+denali.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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People definitely have discovered September paddling. In the olden days--well, it seems to me that the woods were deserted in Septembers back then..am I remembering correctly? </div>
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The last three weeks have relatively busy at Tuscarora--and, well, I start to get worried that if I get too loud about it, even the bugs are going to find out. Right now, it's a big bug secret.</div>
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Do you know Denali enough to read her body language in this photo? I was sitting on the dock, doing the hard work of holding this floating canoe with my feet while these nice guys loaded it. She was sure we were going canoeing and there was no flipping way she was going to let me in that boat without her.... Then, when they took over, and I said goodbye--happy paddling....her tail drooped and she stood and stared at me. "When is it OUR turn? this is what she would like to know. I'm right with her on that question.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusrvf4oWlLJNN5VHFk3BPda7zVH6TOG3M0dyIy-TKgSXtcbvJIPsYCv-eYdtwBUyhdTXZuKoOBXHPM59WdLefgPcY5wtrOrkflvxqBGUOcKpUwO9E7fZEec8zy3RCRMTApVstf8lHHBo/s1600/Emerald+Knife+Fire+9-15-12+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusrvf4oWlLJNN5VHFk3BPda7zVH6TOG3M0dyIy-TKgSXtcbvJIPsYCv-eYdtwBUyhdTXZuKoOBXHPM59WdLefgPcY5wtrOrkflvxqBGUOcKpUwO9E7fZEec8zy3RCRMTApVstf8lHHBo/s400/Emerald+Knife+Fire+9-15-12+%283%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This photo (note September 15th), is taken from the US side of Knife Lake. The Emerald Lake fire stayed in Quetico, but it was big enough to have us worried about people on Ester and Hanson and Cherry area for awhile, until the rains came. Warm dry Septembers make for happy fires. Everything is laying low now. Andy's begun to shut down water in the non-winterized cabins, and fish surgery and crew cabin. Chilly nights, golden days, but fleeting..</div>
Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-66985472355253004252012-09-09T20:50:00.001-05:002012-09-09T20:50:32.433-05:00Jerry's Groupies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Apple Casual";">I watched an old video
of Bruce Springsteen singing Born in the USA the other day,
he had so so much energy that all the people watching him were in some sort of shouting
trance along with him....and I was thinking....hmmm...I've never had that. Never really been a groupie before. In fact, when I used to listen to the Stranger Album in Jr High over and over and over again, I didn't even want to look at Billy Joel's photo who wasn't even part of my musical experience. In fact...his mullet might even ruin some of my favorite songs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Apple Casual";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Apple Casual";">And James Taylor is so smooth, but doesn't he sort of look like a wide mouth frog when he sings? I just want to listen to him. It's almost as if the existence of the real singers took away my enjoyment of the songs....like a movie that gets the book all wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Apple Casual";">This July, Jerry
Vandiver came back to Tuscarora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
off, we just really like that guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t like mullets or the wide mouth frog look, and Jerry doesn’t have either,
but I’m saying if he DID, I wouldn’t even mind, I’d still want to
watch him sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our staff and guests were
part of the honored ones of his concert BWCAW tour (see link below, if you have the bandwidth for it, ((ahem)).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sits in the same spot in the dining hall
each summer, Andy and I sit on the same table in the back, and I want him to sing my list
of favorites, repeat the same concert, and he makes me really happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The audience changes a little, he writes new
songs, but overall, I get the same exact experience, and that is what I want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Apple Casual";">I don’t know if
groupies like the person first, and the music second, or the music first and
then the person second or if it’s just a big mishmash of admiration, but we’ve
got it for Jerry around here, that’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t really care if he’s popular or sells a lot of albums, although I
want him to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can name the songs, I
feel like singing along with him….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep—can
you tell from the photo?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely
groupies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhlh1nBNJei3oGczNllN5iXtAdPoHH3F3U-miDRW-bSr65VS_4Sqp4LnQw_J-cdsRTDmnow0yle7RwSpBkACQguKCyxFdElS58y_h_FnXkEob-qgnHmepOR6OYF-E4twVUR79FPPuIjQ/s400/Jerry's+Groupies.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r9RkezvsJyA?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-20536821715368896662012-08-19T20:23:00.000-05:002012-08-22T11:49:16.380-05:00WE like our team....we LIKE our team....we like OUR team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ00HClwhe-8EnAdDS6Hwbp4FA8wAIrp3cJomzLMMR7u08kNerWEXkGlcHKR-ZId-odwdNme0kY5LhiLHe5rclvd8u0cr26fh-SasyfuZZr6MtoIgIoepzwtUCFhFYPMYleofEdpIH4VE/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JfHMiyvyOywXKESPEmaoE0eoVtqRzwt-4jq8nJ_V8CkkguKxmmLoq0WRr2CgbjChIKtS6UQvY2S6NggBa0pJEH-grKrfnYfk6EFuERCztalnuZaaucDsXovhRuFvXxSTquoQqpB0r-4/s1600/100_6115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vt6IvKoiULA37gya7CfMByGTEiIz7pmkRiqgloo-Sjv0LylRb8wBW8zeN4VSOw3QVN-7mPSFarqQ5DxmrfkZyUnTaA3_7OcrfqbMFo3A8iRR4lnBWYmcoYPMMosjPv5RQ5LNF31ox30/s1600/DSCN0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-NexlMWWOI35cqoEWZG46z9HmI6sYj3f-LnyCnSZlRCa8mxlEKz_JuAV4odv5OfoBuQiPSZ6u-QQz24JewffijStz6ObL_GkutSeeePuxjcK8qpMC23TvRaSgYEHLiIyzIF3aFkd_sQ/s1600/Staff+2012.JPG"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-NexlMWWOI35cqoEWZG46z9HmI6sYj3f-LnyCnSZlRCa8mxlEKz_JuAV4odv5OfoBuQiPSZ6u-QQz24JewffijStz6ObL_GkutSeeePuxjcK8qpMC23TvRaSgYEHLiIyzIF3aFkd_sQ/s320/Staff+2012.JPG" width="307" /></a>Around January we start interviewing our summer staff. They come from....all over really. Some of them have connections to Tuscarora, some of them have connections to former staff, some of them see our ads on their college job sites, some of them have worked with us before, some of them just want to live in the north woods, so they find us.<br />
<br />
We've collected questions over the years, for applicants and references, so we can try to figure out if the staff members are trustworthy....if they work hard, if we can trust them, if they can get along with others, if they are trustworthy, if they know how far into the woods we actually are. Secondly, we like it if they have a sense of humor, if they are trustworthy, if they are willing to scrub, and if we can trust them. Then...we invite them to join our family.<br />
In May they start coming. Some years are exciting because we have a lot of returners, some years are exciting because everybody is new,........ usually there is a mix. We share meals together---you know, the family dinners that all the literature supports for building strong families. And they start out a little quiet and a little awkward....and pretty soon.......well, basically, strangers become family. <br />
<br />
Every week we have a staff meeting--and we go around the table, and bring up any issues. As in....Justin wants us to rinse the dishes before they go in the dishwasher, or Dave reminds us to double bag the fish gut trash can--that sort of thing. Only last weekend, it was the last staff meeting for a couple of our people, and on our way around the table there was a lot of appreciating going on...a lot of 'awesome summer' comments. It was a sweet moment as I looked around the table and wondered how I was now supposed to say goodbye to these kids I've grown to love. I really mean it when I tell them the Number One Rule is not to die. And as the seasons go around, a poignant moment like this where people go around the table and tell each other how much they care about each other is larger than life. It's August again, especially in the morning when I sit in my office listening to the witty chatter on the walkie talkies I realize another summer has slipped by.<br />
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They make me laugh with their playfulness. I poked my head in the crew cabin a few minutes ago and asked if anyone was up for getting three canoes from Cross Bay. Twenty seconds later Caleb and Alex were madly racing to the truck, in ridiculously long gangly legs and sandals. They're kids really, but when I see how hard they work, and how committed they are to Tuscarora guests, they make me a little limp with gratefulness.<br />
Let me introduce you to this years' Tuscarora Team.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHK6n6tOYpoGRnQ7bDLw3IyYEowa8IUsHiDDXhm4fupsuavauiOznDpTtAdj2fdpDKhL9cp84VtA_mYkA-sZdsWziuoF7A-Z4zCSxo4ta6EdnvqXZFBD3XiSg_xZIDS0B6Vg8ZqKk_D8/s1600/Dave.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHK6n6tOYpoGRnQ7bDLw3IyYEowa8IUsHiDDXhm4fupsuavauiOznDpTtAdj2fdpDKhL9cp84VtA_mYkA-sZdsWziuoF7A-Z4zCSxo4ta6EdnvqXZFBD3XiSg_xZIDS0B6Vg8ZqKk_D8/s400/Dave.jpg" width="323" /></a> Not sure <b>Dave</b> came to Tuscarora with a plan to be the outfitting manager, but...come on, he's been here so many years....how can he NOT be the manager? Besides that, he's a natural. He is gentle and kind, and almost never flusters. Except maybe once. He keeps track of everything, and he keeps <i>us</i> on track with all of those details in his head. He sports his widest smile when a tree falls-and he takes out his happy chain saw. Every once in awhile---after hours---you might see him with the roll of pink flagging tape, marking the dead poplars that will come down in the fall.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPBwMRDpACNn4AhNjUA45tJl_dTW2sYnOhXEHTdEWXy887yhMqnLeW5s3DjEnaTuVf4RPYhuJ58RxshjaytzKyckxKbqmSKSWeE2W18OvayMGSuNQaxJjzMsv9VPHJEnpXgUdhyphenhyphenYhIgQ/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPBwMRDpACNn4AhNjUA45tJl_dTW2sYnOhXEHTdEWXy887yhMqnLeW5s3DjEnaTuVf4RPYhuJ58RxshjaytzKyckxKbqmSKSWeE2W18OvayMGSuNQaxJjzMsv9VPHJEnpXgUdhyphenhyphenYhIgQ/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" width="239" /></a><b>Elizabeth</b> is sunshine personified. No kidding, I don't think I've ever met anybody with such an optomistic outlook on life. One time, at lunch, we decided she might be the only true extravert on staff. Most of us were pretty deliberate about working in the woods---Elizabeth sort of stumbled on us I think (lucky us). I think she'll probably live longer for this kind attitude. Definitely the people around her can't help but absorb some of her cheeriness. It is fairly remarkable.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JfHMiyvyOywXKESPEmaoE0eoVtqRzwt-4jq8nJ_V8CkkguKxmmLoq0WRr2CgbjChIKtS6UQvY2S6NggBa0pJEH-grKrfnYfk6EFuERCztalnuZaaucDsXovhRuFvXxSTquoQqpB0r-4/s1600/100_6115.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JfHMiyvyOywXKESPEmaoE0eoVtqRzwt-4jq8nJ_V8CkkguKxmmLoq0WRr2CgbjChIKtS6UQvY2S6NggBa0pJEH-grKrfnYfk6EFuERCztalnuZaaucDsXovhRuFvXxSTquoQqpB0r-4/s400/100_6115.JPG" width="340" /></a><b>Shelby</b> left first to start her tennis season. She had a blast on the housekeeping trio. When they told their stories at lunch, they filled in for each other, as Shelby and Elizabeth's voices get higher and higher and faster and faster and they'd all just start laughing. They are full of inside jokes. Shelby is learning the big life lesson about saying goodbye to people she really cares about. I think it is the hardest lesson that there is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE03kw9W1RxWcFac2vCoGglN4fLaaSCQkPQ3rJX59IEVhq2z8fhbPE1MZuEdsMrJNs8vxbO5PUPPCLoDWG2C66f3iYBwE_pKVA9YPaHbeOUCSUnpbwRP6huboe-wNRFWX802DycuXw8M/s1600/Staff+Alex.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE03kw9W1RxWcFac2vCoGglN4fLaaSCQkPQ3rJX59IEVhq2z8fhbPE1MZuEdsMrJNs8vxbO5PUPPCLoDWG2C66f3iYBwE_pKVA9YPaHbeOUCSUnpbwRP6huboe-wNRFWX802DycuXw8M/s400/Staff+Alex.JPG" width="147" /></a><b>Alex</b> has been camping in the BWCAW since he was 6 years old, his family has been everywhere, and he can talk tirelessly about the rules video for a long long time. He has passion for the woods, and the details about portage etiquette and leaving no trace. I heard someone say we are all ages in our life, at all times. If that is really the case, well, when Alex smiles, he is a very charming 6 year old. Six years old, 6 feet 5 inches tall. He's tidy and consceintous and he runs 80+ miles a week while collecting trash on the Gunflint Trail. When he does a trash run, they stop the truck (Trashy Pete) to get his current stash of road garbage from behind the mailbox. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vt6IvKoiULA37gya7CfMByGTEiIz7pmkRiqgloo-Sjv0LylRb8wBW8zeN4VSOw3QVN-7mPSFarqQ5DxmrfkZyUnTaA3_7OcrfqbMFo3A8iRR4lnBWYmcoYPMMosjPv5RQ5LNF31ox30/s1600/DSCN0680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vt6IvKoiULA37gya7CfMByGTEiIz7pmkRiqgloo-Sjv0LylRb8wBW8zeN4VSOw3QVN-7mPSFarqQ5DxmrfkZyUnTaA3_7OcrfqbMFo3A8iRR4lnBWYmcoYPMMosjPv5RQ5LNF31ox30/s320/DSCN0680.JPG" width="225" /></a> <b>Rachel</b> packs the food and is fiercely protective of our fleet......both the canoes and the staff. She supervises general canoe maintenance, housekeeping, the store, the food room, phones, and ....is our all-around
support person . You might think she runs the place, because honestly, she runs the place. What would we do without Rachel?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuQZDY7F7nCuYc4fjfyh-2ciU4WagPT5OTEGVUiWrE66WFIRCYGIg5EXH9SuWbet0HUm8JiftQgADcrwmHCX3Cf9XZmBpvW34uHKcEPkexFChU1P8RBHp52fp5kFPLEksBzhCZPUJ0Ww/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuQZDY7F7nCuYc4fjfyh-2ciU4WagPT5OTEGVUiWrE66WFIRCYGIg5EXH9SuWbet0HUm8JiftQgADcrwmHCX3Cf9XZmBpvW34uHKcEPkexFChU1P8RBHp52fp5kFPLEksBzhCZPUJ0Ww/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" width="227" /></a><b>Daniel </b>I overheard Pumper Pete, our local saint who pumps the septic system once a summer (whether we need it or not) telling Andy that Daniel is as "good as they come". Well, coming from Pete, that is the no small complement. It sort of choked Andy up, in the tough guy with a shovel in his hand kind of way. When Danny gets too serious, and he gets his scrubbing face on, I must step up to the very important job of taking him down. I still can, you know.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_9ONt9O2PkhlIYsV-uMksfK09dcWVnHM6EdIeczOxfWTkdNyueV1TOFEgWQllY0l15Yila0Q7NqTvXi1BYzIElLAjyDOfjPM-OKOX6tzpYSd_Wyc8HtMsaZ0RaiItOLEebyLqQFntPQ/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_9ONt9O2PkhlIYsV-uMksfK09dcWVnHM6EdIeczOxfWTkdNyueV1TOFEgWQllY0l15Yila0Q7NqTvXi1BYzIElLAjyDOfjPM-OKOX6tzpYSd_Wyc8HtMsaZ0RaiItOLEebyLqQFntPQ/s200/IMG_8825.JPG" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZk1OSOKLXOHrVJwXmDSIdRQi16OdXQ3Mj92bvQJJQm8ltJXZN5ko99NmF8ZKqZ0rx8xpqNNazZF3-1n1h3zYCFsE0CY0u34uuFh_uKr1A8_DpSC8a-mI5tRRecIAYV_B8ZhyrrCQDvs/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZk1OSOKLXOHrVJwXmDSIdRQi16OdXQ3Mj92bvQJJQm8ltJXZN5ko99NmF8ZKqZ0rx8xpqNNazZF3-1n1h3zYCFsE0CY0u34uuFh_uKr1A8_DpSC8a-mI5tRRecIAYV_B8ZhyrrCQDvs/s320/IMG_0489.JPG" width="245" /></a>Granny and Gramps/<b>Sheldon and Jane</b> (my mom and dad) came to help cook, pick berries, fix stuff, maintain the calm, and do any dirty work they could find. I still lean on them-and they're as steady as they have ever been. I sometimes wish that all people in this world could grow up with the kind of support that I've had. And also...they're pretty entertaining. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_deiKYikkQ16l4aLGFn5rguPE90oXWtmCh66ptq7v1zrM_sr2Mn6bjC7NclFncagNJyJGrbrQ7_6MyHkYE5kcwqLUdvn38AScD-2PWL5W0Ade0PKzC9J8oBZa-oPX2sJGfQI4Y6fG8Y/s1600/Staff+Tom.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_deiKYikkQ16l4aLGFn5rguPE90oXWtmCh66ptq7v1zrM_sr2Mn6bjC7NclFncagNJyJGrbrQ7_6MyHkYE5kcwqLUdvn38AScD-2PWL5W0Ade0PKzC9J8oBZa-oPX2sJGfQI4Y6fG8Y/s320/Staff+Tom.JPG" width="195" /></a>My nephew <b>Tommy</b> is between med school semesters, and is our summer handyman, volunteer, and happy hippy. I like it that he likes it here, because he's a good kid, and I get to see him, and he loves the stuff that I love. I'm just really sorry that I missed him singing Mack the Knife at Karaoke Night. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUyUW5kW8I9ayimAOfjMV5eG0vbcEU3Uhq0PUvQvYve6sB9HMBoPquTxpjHlPrfIwkjpsLGOHF6D5I2JinWiSQHrNPc7SzKRIUY1m2ThEtamtfWAr0h_JWzhdmlJ80mEe3YJL_VxySUA/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUyUW5kW8I9ayimAOfjMV5eG0vbcEU3Uhq0PUvQvYve6sB9HMBoPquTxpjHlPrfIwkjpsLGOHF6D5I2JinWiSQHrNPc7SzKRIUY1m2ThEtamtfWAr0h_JWzhdmlJ80mEe3YJL_VxySUA/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="280" /></a><br />
I've never met anyone so excited to become an old man and putter. So, if Alex is 6, then<b> Karl</b> is 85. He's a very kind young man who already has an old man chuckle. He plays the guitar like a pro, and makes up songs about Denali on the trolly, which I understand is very entertaining at the bonfires. It turns out that his proclivity for puttering is perfect for re-surfacing kevlars, and fixing low-riders, and taking the time to listen to people of all ages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRFX98z5DlLwqq7EeudTtwkHKXhDJYIaQR0HU382e7Fv4bEpXXGfbfpex7_cU-HWh1S4v25VAxLi36ju_-qFG9w-4OmSltALfZm085-Bw5VGREFGmRIk5gOzAmPxLo4v8RJ23lxwE-JE/s1600/DSC07206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRFX98z5DlLwqq7EeudTtwkHKXhDJYIaQR0HU382e7Fv4bEpXXGfbfpex7_cU-HWh1S4v25VAxLi36ju_-qFG9w-4OmSltALfZm085-Bw5VGREFGmRIk5gOzAmPxLo4v8RJ23lxwE-JE/s320/DSC07206.JPG" width="240" /></a>When we realized <b>Justin</b> might actually come back as crew cook, we
thought we'd died and gone to culinary heaven. He keeps it simple, he's great,
and he leaves stashes of cookies and lasagnes and meatloafs and pies in
his wake. He laughs hard, and he can tow, clean, paddle, and charm
just about anybody. As if all that weren't enough.........well, there is
always pizza night. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyylVvmt1LxjCBoBesFJD1nQuVgIPNeYxieAcmXSoHY9XRfRdAhVY00h0tZHdV1B-uzNWiIl7zw0k-sKNRvh5CTtpC_bpOJ2ND8wvUAlAL7hMf5txNWN3Qp37EebL7u8eigz1IYnJJSU/s1600/IMG_8829.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyylVvmt1LxjCBoBesFJD1nQuVgIPNeYxieAcmXSoHY9XRfRdAhVY00h0tZHdV1B-uzNWiIl7zw0k-sKNRvh5CTtpC_bpOJ2ND8wvUAlAL7hMf5txNWN3Qp37EebL7u8eigz1IYnJJSU/s320/IMG_8829.JPG" width="320" /></a> <b>Jen</b> is actually the naturalist at Bearskin, but she joins our family on weekends. She's such a solid boost, matter-of-fact about any job. She's a Tuscarora veteran. I hear her called on the radio "Jen to the outfitting yard please" and I can also almost hear her shrug and say..."OK" and off she goes. We like her style, and we like the way her presence marks the passing of the weekends.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA_PhRxtKcKoO-PgGvSfIYi601SX683XFt7TUVNvsgIdd_X9iKhlX08KOET89t12rtwdUPot_CPxlytUCsWOyhz86kIMD2MlPs7HbGp_6hWxAQO7CvWovherc5Nbu22rUf9U5PcarYgI/s1600/DSC07199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA_PhRxtKcKoO-PgGvSfIYi601SX683XFt7TUVNvsgIdd_X9iKhlX08KOET89t12rtwdUPot_CPxlytUCsWOyhz86kIMD2MlPs7HbGp_6hWxAQO7CvWovherc5Nbu22rUf9U5PcarYgI/s320/DSC07199.JPG" width="250" /></a> You might wonder if <b>Caleb</b> is a farm boy or a suburban Indanapolis kid, and you are right. We still wonder about that. His grandparents homesteaded then sold land to the suburban development where he lives. Yet he can't remember a time when he wasn't riding on a tractor, and still helps his family maintain the piece of The Homestead that is left. We like to tease him about Jimmy, his 4H hog...but we also realize that he works as though Tuscarora is also his personal farm. He sat in my office at the beginning of the season, when it was raining too hard to fish, and I said...."Well, Caleb, what are you going to do now?" And he shrugged and said "I'm used to working sun-up to sun-down, is there anything else I can do for you?" (add in ma'am here, to get the true picture). He'll be here all winter, and next summer too... lucky us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbDdID_C_tc2DwWm-skwINRrbJ4tePg6I9_WjnroEFFxHLS4oXBZYomyyFIE2gESAshuuQewObnxEoUmrkqirUwcSZvgApnRmIm5brVWcHkLMi96BMgIZlNcfe6DQHakeThVtSFvOY5Y/s1600/IMG_8595.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbDdID_C_tc2DwWm-skwINRrbJ4tePg6I9_WjnroEFFxHLS4oXBZYomyyFIE2gESAshuuQewObnxEoUmrkqirUwcSZvgApnRmIm5brVWcHkLMi96BMgIZlNcfe6DQHakeThVtSFvOY5Y/s320/IMG_8595.JPG" width="206" /></a><b>Allie</b>: Easy going Allie notices everything. Sometimes when she quietly makes a comment, it is so surprisingly witty and ironic that I look twice and wonder if she really meant for that to be funny, is she really that smart? Yes, she is. She's calm, professional, hardworking, and effective. On her way to becoming an architect, we're hoping she'll pass through Tuscarora for another summer--and bring all her Pladson sisters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ00HClwhe-8EnAdDS6Hwbp4FA8wAIrp3cJomzLMMR7u08kNerWEXkGlcHKR-ZId-odwdNme0kY5LhiLHe5rclvd8u0cr26fh-SasyfuZZr6MtoIgIoepzwtUCFhFYPMYleofEdpIH4VE/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ00HClwhe-8EnAdDS6Hwbp4FA8wAIrp3cJomzLMMR7u08kNerWEXkGlcHKR-ZId-odwdNme0kY5LhiLHe5rclvd8u0cr26fh-SasyfuZZr6MtoIgIoepzwtUCFhFYPMYleofEdpIH4VE/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" width="224" /></a><b>Mata</b> cleaned bunkhouses during the summer of 2004--and this week...she's at it again. Her family worked for Tuscarora back then and the I'm still hearing stories about the antics that summer-with Shelby and Daniel and her siblings, Allison and Joe. She was about 10 at that time. In between her summer job and starting college she's become a full time housekeeper, server, all around everyjob. Since she's a Tuscarora veteran, she fit right in---and she has brought an energy with her that has been a big boost. <br />
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Here's <b>Andy</b>. It's our anniversary today. You know one of the tricks to staying married all these years? He always takes the blame. I'd say it falls where it falls, but I'm going to admit....... I had statistics class, and I know it can't fall in his court 100% of the time. What are the odds? I'm on to that trick, and I appreciate it almost every day. Also, he does know how to hustle. I'd recommend him on any staff, any day of the week. Without a doubt.</div>
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There you have them.........We like our TEAM!Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-34993280268225028602012-07-18T12:03:00.000-05:002012-07-18T13:49:01.504-05:00Blueberry AbundanceMy friend Ingrid visited a few days ago, for a little less than 24 hours. I'll bet she picked blueberries for 8 of those hours. Whoa, did she ever find an abundance of blueberries.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M_xbGVv4V4yQh63FnJUEv3NLV1yq-QdK6bKGDqFfzpJJPesYBHPIhSS7qfadLiPnf0zyKxbWCVTwl2N9YYmiJ-3N89yak3hezN0crnnIAWhFcyB2AVESsxEhssFePWoc7pLxsgirDrc/s1600/handful.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M_xbGVv4V4yQh63FnJUEv3NLV1yq-QdK6bKGDqFfzpJJPesYBHPIhSS7qfadLiPnf0zyKxbWCVTwl2N9YYmiJ-3N89yak3hezN0crnnIAWhFcyB2AVESsxEhssFePWoc7pLxsgirDrc/s400/handful.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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She's always had a harvesting talent. One summer before we had kids she took me to her secret patch in the Chequamegon National Forest.......so really it was my turn to show her some of our secret spots. Honestly though.... on the Gunflint Trail beyond us...the abundance goes on for as far as you can see. And then some. The staff have their own secret spots, and come back with blueberry loads for muffins and pancakes, and cookies, and cakes.<br />
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I divvy up my summer hours a little differently than Ingrid does........I take my vacations in little doses. After the office closed the other night, I went out with her for a couple hours. Which means Ingrid picked steadily for two hours, and I picked for one, and then I sat on a rock near her and chatted for the last hour. I take my breaks in doses too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdE9qCp99JkahGlvMEKnyflJrNqz9psQjZyb-fuf_de1yjFAKX1RwmbnCnRXTALB9GX52REy9DrjfB5bkfBPaYccbyUOQbVHDZuCDVAV0Ub5reVLU1m39om8WG6dM3Q7eQv4TXnIo14U/s1600/at+my+fingertips.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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She sticks her nose in the blueberry patch, and there she stays. As she was walking in with her bucket early the next morning, she passed two friendly people and she asked how it was going. They shrugged with their empty buckets and were heading back to the car. "It's all picked out." Ingrid smiled........and came out 4 gallons later. Hint: 6 years ago, acres and acres and acres were perfectly primed for blueberries. If you want some of the abundance, you can trust that it is out there, you just might have to keep walking.<br />
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I've decided that a great life trick is to figure out what is abundant in the current season, find it, and bury yourself in that particular patch..If you can't find it, you can trust that it's out there, you just might have to keep walking.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdE9qCp99JkahGlvMEKnyflJrNqz9psQjZyb-fuf_de1yjFAKX1RwmbnCnRXTALB9GX52REy9DrjfB5bkfBPaYccbyUOQbVHDZuCDVAV0Ub5reVLU1m39om8WG6dM3Q7eQv4TXnIo14U/s1600/at+my+fingertips.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdE9qCp99JkahGlvMEKnyflJrNqz9psQjZyb-fuf_de1yjFAKX1RwmbnCnRXTALB9GX52REy9DrjfB5bkfBPaYccbyUOQbVHDZuCDVAV0Ub5reVLU1m39om8WG6dM3Q7eQv4TXnIo14U/s400/at+my+fingertips.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I can remember in mid July, my grandpa used to eat raspberries all day long. Sweet corn=same thing. I remember asking him if he was tired of eating corn. Really, he had a simple sustainable slant: When the corn's ripe, a guy eats the corn. He had those progressive practices well before writers like Barbara Kinsolver and Michael Polen were writing about alternative food movements. He could carry on a good conversation with most anybody, but somehow, I think if those writers would have run into him on the Greyhound bus between Milwaukee and Minneapolis those years ago, they might have been a tad bit turned off by the great big Nixon and Reagan stickers he posted all over his suitcase. If they had met him, and been inclined to chat, they would definitely given him the thumbs up on this particular eating practice.<br />
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I can still remember the look on his face, sitting at the kitchen table in the morning, eating a big bowl of raspberries still warm from the patch, doused in cream. Without a doubt, he was living a life of abundance--he was on to that trick! He was completely satisfied, and relishing his moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdE9qCp99JkahGlvMEKnyflJrNqz9psQjZyb-fuf_de1yjFAKX1RwmbnCnRXTALB9GX52REy9DrjfB5bkfBPaYccbyUOQbVHDZuCDVAV0Ub5reVLU1m39om8WG6dM3Q7eQv4TXnIo14U/s1600/at+my+fingertips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>On the Gunflint Trail, it's our season for sun, for visitors, for blueberries. I hope I have learned something from my grandpa. I hope that sometimes my face reflects that same look of richness, of satisfaction, of appreciation for whatever happens to be in current abundance.<br />
<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-81894543027905196662012-07-11T11:39:00.001-05:002012-07-11T12:53:38.290-05:00Hit the Reset<br />
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<img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHJc5xiix0EEqzco5IpQJkdBMl8ZyXuGgfpVJFFu-4Rzcso9d5eqHl7r8LuIxCdtMAAtIIOmMfb8GlLjkuPLuT2fN0bzPI5j-VajVJE4HrZLVcT0qi4ACgQmhyuuuMJ07HuGVapvES6c/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" width="400" />The other day the fax machine quit working. So I found the manual, and stood on the desk to reach the shelf and started paging through, skimming the directions and pushing buttons. I was talking to a friend of mine about fixing those electronic things. Really--I didn't fix anything. It occurred to us that in the end, most things just need to be turned off, and rest for a minute, and then they magically reset. And so it was with the fax machine</div>
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Last week was a little hot here at Tuscarora. Once it gets into the upper 80's...it's hard to keep the zest for working. So about every two hours, it was time to hit the reset---we call them "safety swims" but really--they're a fabulous fix for morale and productivity...<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fqst7ACvgnGQsrpjq8kA4r81yv0_iNJPrIfU2TwpFMeS5ypf8vTWggsmktNTqXF5k2R1iIujzdT2-07rePT0I2wm-q4ObFDfqUcbk-Rneru2g9qwnxcYIL9Bb0hSPnsvCZJXDYOLDZs/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" width="400" />.and just to remind us that life is fun. It's amazing how a lake can do that for people. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwZ7Bp-BeDzG_4F59-qWQt2euxMtEspZHEbDavybte8LuaqqRYaRH1uTY26nhhtwtOjJqdubry3DlzYb6xs8GuzRC1sZVvb49ru4h1OQaPXMtS-x7RqyTLY_NAVOx-et85-j87o6W0Qs/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwZ7Bp-BeDzG_4F59-qWQt2euxMtEspZHEbDavybte8LuaqqRYaRH1uTY26nhhtwtOjJqdubry3DlzYb6xs8GuzRC1sZVvb49ru4h1OQaPXMtS-x7RqyTLY_NAVOx-et85-j87o6W0Qs/s400/IMG_0530.JPG" width="400" /></a> And you can bet, every two hours, we're grateful for the cool waters of Round Lake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdr2IgQjYmN53aUsKiWeQ9HjiH26pw4L5yhOhZKe-hNCDhzeq_lvojFY8vMIoZ3YLHgn0BUyZWr23avMnKBGxfV6x2qlyilgXELUh42-3hoanp8Hw4bEwjpdqxPTRxohgO-RtiYhgkI0/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdr2IgQjYmN53aUsKiWeQ9HjiH26pw4L5yhOhZKe-hNCDhzeq_lvojFY8vMIoZ3YLHgn0BUyZWr23avMnKBGxfV6x2qlyilgXELUh42-3hoanp8Hw4bEwjpdqxPTRxohgO-RtiYhgkI0/s400/IMG_0564.JPG" width="253" /></a>I'm convinced that the reset button improves creativity too. One afternoon after work, the staff took up dock bowling.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj4ZRGHva7TfYPkV90l5BhA0LIRwCmZs1ZriVWT6rWtdyytvfzj2w_HEWpzx7uEW2gYW66T6p9rhV0Z9EoaDXeHlNUYMXDsxFSC8a4Nln1ukphcDBnFObZpW1o1mK3VWNUUFt83VfDoI/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj4ZRGHva7TfYPkV90l5BhA0LIRwCmZs1ZriVWT6rWtdyytvfzj2w_HEWpzx7uEW2gYW66T6p9rhV0Z9EoaDXeHlNUYMXDsxFSC8a4Nln1ukphcDBnFObZpW1o1mK3VWNUUFt83VfDoI/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="313" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUweZuwwYJgO4OnXOqxiQj_xALv59i-zRur8n2duaAeL9IgP4CwZO7rBrTB-rTzL-AD9lbsOaKMadRzElO4MQjwnbRKvt7JeHTq6cIeZlvyLpkikLilyYn3Y4-E9aJ8G_zBp3DjdLrXG0/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Jenny (Jen-ay) was the pin and ball retriever....the water is mighty comfortable, a person can float for a long time..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUweZuwwYJgO4OnXOqxiQj_xALv59i-zRur8n2duaAeL9IgP4CwZO7rBrTB-rTzL-AD9lbsOaKMadRzElO4MQjwnbRKvt7JeHTq6cIeZlvyLpkikLilyYn3Y4-E9aJ8G_zBp3DjdLrXG0/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUweZuwwYJgO4OnXOqxiQj_xALv59i-zRur8n2duaAeL9IgP4CwZO7rBrTB-rTzL-AD9lbsOaKMadRzElO4MQjwnbRKvt7JeHTq6cIeZlvyLpkikLilyYn3Y4-E9aJ8G_zBp3DjdLrXG0/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lucky for us in Minnesota, we're not experiencing the drought so familiar to some of our southern guests. Cross River is up--and last Saturday my nephew Tom and I hit the reset---<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QpaRPV_rTu0aFiZ_3IcaauQkDdsuKmCgOH5Xx3NBWEUZtDwB-3lMqzrU_IS5bUoLtiQXHIFAU8loBLhGeeIfFYHkmoqUWpzJtBHq4twrOqVsoxXounCu5mIQuoWWi1XNurHWRpVzw38/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QpaRPV_rTu0aFiZ_3IcaauQkDdsuKmCgOH5Xx3NBWEUZtDwB-3lMqzrU_IS5bUoLtiQXHIFAU8loBLhGeeIfFYHkmoqUWpzJtBHq4twrOqVsoxXounCu5mIQuoWWi1XNurHWRpVzw38/s400/IMG_0552.JPG" width="400" /></a>and we tubed down the river from the bridge on the Gunflint trail to the bridge entering Gunflint Lake. It's rare for me to get such an uninterrupted 2 hours with this kid these days..well, he WAS a kid about 10 minutes ago, ....The adventure was mostly a gentle float, but there were a few rapids thrown in just to keep us awake....yikes! </div>
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Tommy is on reset from medical school this month....but our lazy river sleepy discussions seemed to wander between woods and life and relationships and his classes. He has sort of an interesting perspective on the ways that the earth systems all mirror internal life systems. As in....the narrow rapids were fast moving arteries, and the lazy parts were the capillaries of the Cross River. The entire universe is a human anatomy metaphor or would that be the other way around? </div>
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All I know is, on a day when the water is the same comfortable temperature as the air, it is a great thing to just lay my head back on the tube and close my eyes half way, and hit the reset button.<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa3jcNYlI9mHuye_fgd2dbqD97YiFRNTLEI-fiJVlZZRNMA_IUoW85tp3IKJvrIislx38cD1dUGyNITb6t48tphXorYa2tPTSPAInn9qARpIaMbXrVNv877OnkrJI2YLDWrqWIAWR1t8/s400/IMG_0550.JPG" width="300" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QpaRPV_rTu0aFiZ_3IcaauQkDdsuKmCgOH5Xx3NBWEUZtDwB-3lMqzrU_IS5bUoLtiQXHIFAU8loBLhGeeIfFYHkmoqUWpzJtBHq4twrOqVsoxXounCu5mIQuoWWi1XNurHWRpVzw38/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1350734287"></span><span id="goog_1350734288"></span>Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208599880761507146.post-56182624450674516432012-06-26T06:59:00.001-05:002012-06-26T08:11:10.706-05:00Flowers with Magnetic Personalities by Rachel<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sue's
note: I have such fond memories of hiking the Magnetic Rock Trail
through the old growth forest...and those friends I hiked with back
in the 80's...before wind storms and fires cleared it...and when I think about it.....especially those friends that I hiked with... Now I'm so happy with my little route by the pond, over the bridge, and to the windy
overlook on top of the alpine meadow, that the other day I found myself
wishing away the jack pines that have taken a growth spurt lately. Yikes, they're going to take over the meadow!! And
then I have to slap the side of my head and say.....'Let it go Sue'. I know I can't stop the
change by clinging, but I sure can expend a lot of energy with the
struggle. Life is change, it was good then, it is good now. And aren't the woods full of metaphors?
Thanks to Rachel for sharing her hike. P.S. The blueberries are a little sparse this year, but some are already ripe!</i></span><br />
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On Wednesday, Justin, Denali and I went
for a hike along the Magnetic Hiking Trail just across the Gunflint
Trail from Tuscarora. We're glad to navigate guests through routes of old forest upon request, but variety is beautiful when you are walking through the sunshine
through fields of flowers. So what if there are no towering pines or
thickets of alder shading your portage? Without a dense canopy, the
wildflowers go nuts in the spring. Every ecosystem needs variety,
and here that means a riot of color. The yellow hawkweed is blooming
so abundantly I gave up on taking pictures of it a while ago. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU3m61QLV_BLOm51YYug1trzlSeU2QvJgPyoyFTDFmM9O_wnifuMYy7u9JHzG-L7fzV17AS9I1XOAf83Gxmq42Aadt-wr7Ce_zC-XtLtCQsTYwIZ8oibUUsABM5Kp9dilVDxP1bQdFFU/s1600/P6135541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU3m61QLV_BLOm51YYug1trzlSeU2QvJgPyoyFTDFmM9O_wnifuMYy7u9JHzG-L7fzV17AS9I1XOAf83Gxmq42Aadt-wr7Ce_zC-XtLtCQsTYwIZ8oibUUsABM5Kp9dilVDxP1bQdFFU/s400/P6135541.JPG" width="400" /></a> The
wood lilies are so charismatic it is hard to not stop and take a
picture of each one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjuXyx4_ZrDp07NbRcBTNeFhNmHLdKsERhXeOkxBuLBZTb-E6ip-46DiId0ThvWESXQ6lnNFFSrQwOkpOJT6ixlP2fqBS942V236ZSvcYpei2HLZvqT5T0xf2tI9R7fWQzkjhnVamGdQ/s1600/P6135559.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjuXyx4_ZrDp07NbRcBTNeFhNmHLdKsERhXeOkxBuLBZTb-E6ip-46DiId0ThvWESXQ6lnNFFSrQwOkpOJT6ixlP2fqBS942V236ZSvcYpei2HLZvqT5T0xf2tI9R7fWQzkjhnVamGdQ/s400/P6135559.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tVaNxjeuH_HHTJcmM5VuxRrqCZb5PcshQe2c9QQd1nqbC472C_bhYRFT_aZ-5y2UwBJTluuxYRJAuK9Jir5QZYZWguYxsRFEDCnP_wpjc_Vuii92U_GqhoyXK-yPao3Uad95sauEv3M/s1600/P6135578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tVaNxjeuH_HHTJcmM5VuxRrqCZb5PcshQe2c9QQd1nqbC472C_bhYRFT_aZ-5y2UwBJTluuxYRJAuK9Jir5QZYZWguYxsRFEDCnP_wpjc_Vuii92U_GqhoyXK-yPao3Uad95sauEv3M/s400/P6135578.JPG" width="400" /></a>Harebell is one of my favorite delicate little
flowers that tenaciously hangs on to bare rock.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJG1xByDjOSCohWHUWivwPQYG-kpnUKl34OzSd5ng_phONdlQH_g-OJdqiyXlOmdSA2VPD7QCyyM4OlU_1e2aA6yVrnslsogXOM2D4QuKQWi_o9wVk-sftixg0c2HhI2o9Xofi5kzpxM/s1600/P6135577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJG1xByDjOSCohWHUWivwPQYG-kpnUKl34OzSd5ng_phONdlQH_g-OJdqiyXlOmdSA2VPD7QCyyM4OlU_1e2aA6yVrnslsogXOM2D4QuKQWi_o9wVk-sftixg0c2HhI2o9Xofi5kzpxM/s400/P6135577.JPG" width="300" /></a> I spotted one little
columbine being attacked by a neighboring hawkweed. Little splotches
of pink vetch were here and there along with blooming shrubs like
serviceberry.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tVaNxjeuH_HHTJcmM5VuxRrqCZb5PcshQe2c9QQd1nqbC472C_bhYRFT_aZ-5y2UwBJTluuxYRJAuK9Jir5QZYZWguYxsRFEDCnP_wpjc_Vuii92U_GqhoyXK-yPao3Uad95sauEv3M/s1600/P6135578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> I know not all of these beauties are native to this
part of the world, and that they indicate a disturbed soil
environment, but when I walk through miles of them in the bright sun
sometimes I like to forget all that and just enjoy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxPPY1igqnlDNiK10MjhsZPwFNsP0GRz_ovSqMQxsBNvX2_IS1h5n3qVouCNa7itm1dM6etEYhoIJXTuFJDY9WbpJgBXvJvMdstl63wpiMB_75bO7BnORjcIb7dnI4EtdBvyhGEUDktg/s1600/P6135510.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxPPY1igqnlDNiK10MjhsZPwFNsP0GRz_ovSqMQxsBNvX2_IS1h5n3qVouCNa7itm1dM6etEYhoIJXTuFJDY9WbpJgBXvJvMdstl63wpiMB_75bO7BnORjcIb7dnI4EtdBvyhGEUDktg/s400/P6135510.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm1bZX-deg3NRk-6qJiurp9nPH5U8_aKuum309So-K1MMIzjH-Cbl_TNekhCaGncWhnM2lvnNduDe-nWni5WnH5OxUsqw8gY2XlbrpeU6OZOQiPSaSo7P4zo3p6gQ8PKtXBZZ7wmBzEA/s1600/P6135525.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm1bZX-deg3NRk-6qJiurp9nPH5U8_aKuum309So-K1MMIzjH-Cbl_TNekhCaGncWhnM2lvnNduDe-nWni5WnH5OxUsqw8gY2XlbrpeU6OZOQiPSaSo7P4zo3p6gQ8PKtXBZZ7wmBzEA/s400/P6135525.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<br />Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885149445531864463noreply@blogger.com1