Clearwater Lodge Tales

Summer Happenings

2009-07-03T12:00:00.002-05:00

Summer has picked up at last. Which does not leave much time for "blogging." In the past few weeks the staff has been out and about making the most of their days off. Tori and Michael spent a day and a half out in the wilderness, mostly napping. Scott and Michael have been portaging into Rove Lake and catching bass. Erik and Tori spent 12 hours on the water last week, paddling and portaging all 40 miles of the Clearwater loop. The past few weeks has been clear, cool and calm. With the exception of the two days Scott, Matt, Michael and Tori were out camping. They spent the day dealing with cold temperatures and rain. Good times were had by all I am sure.

Canada Day eh?

2009-07-02T12:54:00.004-05:00

This Saturday is the big day. The mid-summer weekend that every American looks forward to. The historic, meaningful, federal holiday that gives us an excuse to set fire to some explosive pyrotechnics. However, we're not the only nation celebrating our birth this week. Our neighbors to the North celebrated Canada Day yesterday. I'll be honest, I was unaware of this until last night. This is really a shame because oddly enough I was in Canada yesterday. Then out. Then in. And out again. Scott and I were up on some border lakes and we walked a portage that straddled the US-Canada boundary. Had we known it was a holiday perhaps we would have stayed longer on the other side of the path. We could have enjoyed the festive atmosphere and fully realized our appreciation for the signing of the British North America Act on July 1, 1867.
Another thought that occurred to me was the whole timing of these holidays. Did these famous nation-builders work as diligently as possible, and the right circumstances came together on these days? Or did they have the forethought to consider the seasons. I can see Ben Franklin saying, "We were going to challenge tyranny and seek independence in late '75 but we pushed Jefferson's deadline back because Summer is a much better time for a barbecue."
However it happened I'm grateful for the holiday. The Fourth, like many other holidays has developed its own traditions and customs over the years and become a unique celebration that embraces some of the best things Summer has to offer. So this Saturday when you're lighting the grill, filling the coolers, and making sure the fire extinguisher works, remember....Canada undercut us by three lousy days.

Have a great 4th!

-Michael

Moccasin Flower

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

One of the most common of the temperate climate slipper ordchids found in shaded and wet bogs. It is sometimes called the stemless Lady's-slipper.

Cool weather continues today....

Lynn

Wild Flowers

2009-06-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

We had our week of warm weather and it paid off by getting all the wildflowers blooming. My fav is Wild Columbine, at least this week.

Cooler weather moved in yesterday and today we have a fire in the fireplace to ward off a little chill. The weather forecast is for a mild week with rain at the beginning.

Lynn

Family Time

2009-06-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

The Partlow family was visiting in two cabins this past week. They fished, canoed, kayaked and just enjoyed the area and their family and friends. Jim Partlow taught his grand-daughter, Sami, to clean fish. On the last morning, the whole clan sat down for a family breakfast before leaving.

Lynn

Lodge Porch

2009-06-27T08:19:00.003-05:00

The lodge porch is getting an upgrade this summer. Damanged boards have been fixed and now it is ready for a new coat of stain. Before that goes on, the hard part is the scrapping and sanding. In this picture, Matt is running the sander while Erik and Mike supervise and Scott is walking by.

Just a few things......

2009-06-24T10:45:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more pictures from Niel Ament on his recent canoe trip. You can see all his photos at http://www.pbase.com/mylesl/2009clearwaterlake. The little creature checking out the pan is a Pine Martin, the next a loon and the third their campsite with the food hanging to keep the bears away.

After a very cool start to June we are having a little warmer weather than usual. My tomato plants love it, but I am not sure I do. It will not last long as it looks like the highs will be back in the 70's in the next couple of days and the lows continue to be in the 50's at night.

The water temps have warmed up and the small mouth bass are biting. Erik, Tori and Michael have been swimming after work in the lake.

Wildflowers have burst out along the trail. Our lilacs at the lodge bloomed and it looks like the lupines will be blooming in the next few days. Along with these two blasts of purple the pink wild roses are having a great time of it and they are everywhere this summer.

Lynn

Here are a few more pictures from Niel Ament on his recent canoe trip. You can see all his photos at http://www.pbase.com/mylesl/2009clearwaterlake

Chinese Fry Rice

2009-06-22T11:30:00.004-05:00

Have you ever tried Chinese fry rice before? I made Chinese fry rice for my co-workers three weeks ago for lunch. Also, I had dinner in my home with some of my American friends last Wednesday evening. I was glad they all liked my fry rice.

Chinese people like to eat it for lunch and supper. It will give you enough energy all day, and you won't get hungry easy. And of course it is an easy way to cook. I put lots of vegetables into the rice together. Such as; tomato, broccoli, onion, potato, green pepper, green onion, mushroom, garlic, egg, and chicken. Fry rice is a really health and nutritious food. I guarantee once you try it you will never forget it.

Compared to food in the USA, cereal is my favorite food so far. I love all different kinds of cereal. I eat it everyday and will be eating it forever. I am sure that as long as I live here I will in love with American food.

The Kilts.......

2009-06-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

I want to say that I remember this group from last year becuase they are always in such a cheerful mood and gung ho to get out into the wilderness. And not that they are not cheerful and ready to go, but it is the Kilts that I notice first! The group leader is Mike Mizerny from Wentzville, MO. They are setting a new fashion trend for the BWCA canoe trips.

Waverly Iowa

2009-06-20T13:07:00.002-05:00

St. John's Lutheran Church from Waverly Iowa was up for a Father and Son adventure. When Pastor Versemann called us during the winter to talk about the trip, he felt it was important that they all camp together and not break up into groups of 9 as required by the BWCA permit. So we did something a little different. We set up a base camp for them on the edge of the BWCA and they took day trips into the BWCA and surrounding lakes. They were able to take day trips as smaller groups but still gather together each morning and evening.

We had fun with it because their base camp was only about two miles from the lodge and instead of preparing the food for the full trip and sending it out, we took food to them every day. It gave us a chance to be a little more creative with the food options since we didn't have to worry about weight. It was also nice to take things like brownies and monster bars over to them still warm from the oven.

They finished their last day with a big pancake breakfast in the lodge and then into the cars again to go back to Waverly with many stories to share.

Wade White sent us these photos. One is of Wade and his son the other of the entire group gathered on the porch of the lodge their final day.

Cabin 3

2009-06-19T16:33:00.003-05:00

I started working on cabin 3 a few weeks ago when I re-built the steps that I am standing by. I thought this would only be a one day job, but it turned out to a two day project. When I get to do little projects like building steps it hardly seems like work because I enjoy it.

Scott

summer

2009-06-16T15:09:00.004-05:00

Summer finally came here this week. Actually I have been waiting summer for a long time. I used to live in South China for many years. I really miss summer.

I love the winter here even though I have never had such cold weather in my life. It is difficult to see people in the winter. I am happy that I can see many tourists that come over here for vacation. My dog Dodo looks happy and he doesn't need to put heavy cloths on anymore. This is my first summer for me and Dodo. We both are excited to see how beautiful summer here really is. Surely we will enjoy everyday this summer.

For Whom the Jelly-Rolls

2009-06-15T15:55:00.003-05:00

We had our first true test of grit this Sunday for breakfast. Relative, of course, to the amount of "grit" it takes to cook breakfast (insert joke about grits?). But it was our largest group yet. A company of 17. I like to treat a breakfast of that caliber as if it were a well-orchestrated military offensive. 0700: We form ranks and review the battle strategy. At 0830 we're going to have 17 hungry guys bombard that dining room. The enemy, hunger. We've got to throw everything we have at it. Let's get to work. Pancakes were on the menu this particular morning. There was a flurry of preparation. Batter flying everywhere. Cracked eggshells scattered across the battlefield. I mean counter. The lone burnt sausage. He will be missed. Mmmm, I love the smell of Crisco in the morning (gettin' a little out of control with the war references, I know). As the guests began to take their seats and the food approached readiness we considered timing. Timing is everything in breakfast. Lily, my First Lieutenant was warming the spiced apples and pouring the OJ. "Alright Lily. We're going to send out the scones to test the waters. Bring the apples in shortly after. Then BAM! Hit 'em with the sausage. Just when they've settled in we bring out the big guns. Dozens of Clearwater's famous buttermilk pancakes. And to finish it all off let's get fancy and throw some chocolate chips into the reinforcement pancakes."

"Phew. Well Lily, we gave it our all. Now we just have to wait." I grip my wrist. Boy, flipping all those pancakes is a workout. I ponder the possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome. I'd be the first person ever to take medical leave for pancake elbow. After a bite to eat and a cup of coffee I allow myself a peek into the dining room. Look! One of them is leaning back in his chair. Hand on belly! Big sigh! Mission accomplished.

-Michael

Campsite Visitor

2009-06-15T13:58:00.003-05:00

This little pine martin was checking out the camp site of Neil Ament and Brad Moss on Clearwater Lake last week. I am sure he was checking to see if they caught any fish and had any leftovers for him. The photo, along with some other really great ones, was sent to us by Neil.

Lynn

Hanging Garden

2009-06-13T08:01:00.002-05:00

We had a group stay upstairs in the lodge this morning and they left really early in the morning. I could hear them outside talking about seeing our morning bears. When I went down to the lodge the first thing I checked was my bird feeder. Yep, another 10 lbs of bird seed gone and piles and piles of bear scat. Do they think exchanging seed for scat is a good bargain for me??

On to my gardening. I was raised in Indiana and the home grown tomatoes in IN are the best. I have a guests that brings me some up every summer and I wait for him to come. Our growing season is so short and the ground so rocky growing tomatoes never seemed reasonable to me around the lodge. So this summer I have 4 tomato plants in containers that I have on the side porch of the lodge and I am experimenting with upside down hanging planters. In those I have 1 tomato, 2 bell peppers and 1 zucchini squash. We will see how this works and if the bears decide these nice hanging plants might be there just for them.

Lynn

A few more wildlife sightings today

2009-06-12T16:22:00.002-05:00

I had to be up early this morning and walked out the back stairs on the lodge on the second floor. Glancing down I saw two bear cubs crossing the road right at the stairs. I thought they were so cute until the kids said that my bird feeder was down and 10 lbs of bird seed was gone. The bears ate the bird seed and left me a big pile of scat under the feeder.

Later in the day, Scott was back near the garage and had a bear sighting. He and Michael went back with the camera, but no luck, the bear had moved along by then.

Schools out and our visitors are picking up.

Lynn

Moose

2009-06-12T15:34:00.006-05:00

I saw a Moose last sunday evening on my way home. It was a very big moose, and it was very close to me. I saw moose several times in the winter.

This was a male moose. He stood on the road, and he was going to run away when he saw our car. After we stoped the car we waited to see what he would do next. He looked back and walked slowly across the road in front of our car. We were so close to each other I could have touched him.

This was a cute moose. I can tell that he was not afraid of people when I had eye contact with him. I have fallen in love with moose already.

Lily

Busy Week and Good Weather

2009-06-11T15:28:00.003-05:00

This week has been busy here at Clearwater Lodge. We have a group of 17 dads and sons base camping at Flour Lake that we bring food to every day this week. We also have a group of two men that went out this morning, and a group of four going out tomorrow morning. Its exciting to see things pick up around here. Along with the hustle and bustle the weather has also been improving. Yesterday my parents came up to visit and we couldn't have asked for a better day. I paddled with them to the Palisades and hiked to the top, which was a lot of fun. We tried to watch the sun set at Honeymoon Bluffs but the clouds weren't cooperating. My mom's mission was to see a moose on her visit, and that mission was accomplished on the way back from Trail Center. We were about half way down Clearwater Rd when my dad spotted it. It wasn't Buddy, our resident moose, but at least she got to see one. They were happy to see the historic Lodge and cabins, and they were glad to see I am enjoying myself. Lets hope this weather keeps getting better, and the canoers keep coming!

-Tori

Father and Son Trip

2009-06-10T15:45:00.002-05:00

Today at Clearwater we focused on setting up camp for 17 fathers and sons. We set up nine tents, and transported eight canoes to their camp site. The camp sites are just right down the road from Clearwater at Flour Lake Campgrounds. After we got the tents and gear ready we had to figure out a way to hang up rain flies to keep everyone nice and dry. The lack of big trees made it difficult at first, but lucky we figured it out soon after.

The sun made his way out today and it warmed up nicely. One couldn't ask for a better day, and it is nice not having to wear a rain jacket to work. I took my first over night trip into the BWCA this year a few days ago, and it was a good time. The second day there was a strong eastern wind, but it made traveling back to the lodge much easier. With the eastern wind we cruised across Caribou and then Clearwater. The small mouth bass are starting to turn on, and they are real fun to catch. We were just using some fake worms and a hook. I believe the smallest one we caught was about 16 inches. I'll keep on fishing till next time, and hopefully have a good story.

-scott

2009-06-08T15:20:00.002-05:00

Today we had more rain and high gusts of wind with the high temperature reaching the mid 40's. The good news is the fishing had begun to pick up with more guests reporting that they have caught fish. I(Matt) am the only college staff working today while the others went to Caribou fishing for the day. Hope they have caught more fish then i have...I have still yet to catch a fish.

Matt

Staff 2009

2009-06-07T13:27:00.002-05:00

Summer 2009

Matt, Scott, Tori, Lily, Erik, Michael

Rain

2009-06-05T20:10:00.002-05:00

Today showed the BWCA's weather at its finest. It rained for just about the whole day yet the sun was bright and shining for half the time as well. The rain came in short spurts some times and would down poor on others. Still continues to be a little windy on the lake and makes it hard for paddling during the day but becomes extremely calm after 7.

One fish, two fish...

2009-06-04T16:38:00.002-05:00

The sun beat down and buzaards circled overhead as Matt, Scott and I battled a stiff breeze to hold our shoreline position in the three-man canoe. I thought it all an apt metaphor for our afternoon of unsuccessful fishing. Spirits were high and confidence was brimming as we departed camp with the wind ar our backs, but after a few hours we were working to keep the canoe idle and the buzzards sensed our dying hope. So we began to paddle back with an empty stringer. The best thing about not catching fish is that it makes for an easier return portage. Who wants to add an awkward string of fish to the load? Ok, now I'm just making excuses but, anglers can't let one, or two, or three days of being skunked deter them. They must persist. Learn from their mistakes. Hone in on the holes that produce, and note the techniques that give them success. So just yesterday we had our first (minor) triumph.
"Fish on," muttered Scott as he reacted to a plunging bobber.
"That's a supper fish," I commented as he hoisted his Northern into the canoe. One today. Maybe two tomorrow. And so we progress in measured increments. Which is ok. I'm a believer in gradual change. Nothing worth having comes easy, right? With any luck our first fish fry of the season is a sure sign of many more to come.

Until next time - Gone fishin'
-Michael

I got two fish!

2009-06-03T12:44:00.009-05:00

I went to fish with my husband John a couple days ago. It was a sunny day and the sky was blue. There were many loons that played with each other on the lake. Everything is so beautiful. Clearwater lake is just like a picture that makes me feel like I am in a dream. I forgot my homesickness at that moment. Time went so quickly and I still had no bites, but I never gave up. I thought that if I were patient I would catch the fish. After two hours I finally got my first fish! It was a pretty big trout. Soon after the first bite I got another one. John got one bite, but the fish got away. He was happy for me. That was a wonderful day in my life, I love to go fishing.

Song for the trail

2009-06-02T15:53:00.002-05:00

One of the jobs that I sometimes do here at Clearwater is transport people from our lodge to a different lake, or pick people up from a lake and bring them back. I usually enjoy this job because I get to socialize with different people, and listen to what they have to tell me. I heard this bit of information through the grape vines so do not hold it against me it is false, but one group that I was driving to Breakskin told me that there has never been a bear attack in Minnesota with a group larger than three members. The reason for this is because smaller groups just do not produce the same level of noise as larger groups. I found this to be great information to know because whenever I begin a portage that thought of some animal lurking in the forest just waiting to make their move on me is there. When I twisted my body out of the canoe, and put my two feet on the Caribou portage I started thinking about a different conversation I had. Two days earlier I was talking to a man that told me he saw a dead deer with paw prints around the deer on the same portage that we were soon to begin, so of course everyone knows what I was thinking about... Our group portaged aways in complete silence, and I knew I had to do something. I got to thinking and this short tune popped into my head. I belted a few verses out, and for a little bit it was not only me singing. Animals usually do not want human company, but if a human sneaks up on an animal they may get more aggressive.

Trail Song

Aint no bear going to get me today, get me today, get me today.

Aint no bear going to get me today because I'll be singing my song.

I want all bears to turn on around, turn on around, turn around, I want all bears to turn on around when they hear me singing this song

Aint no mountain lion going to eat me tonight, eat me tonight.

Aint no mountain lion going to eat me tonight and thats a goll darn fact.

Aint no wolve pack going to track me down tonight, track me down tonight.

Aint no wolve pack going to track me down tonight and that's the beauty of the song.

Ps- Improv is key in this song.