Time to Stop....

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On the same day that the lake was so busy blowing all over the place, our rosebush decided to burst forth in a rush.  I had noticed a couple of buds, but wasn't expecting a full bloom for at least a week. Once again the air is filled with the lovely perfume of our Hansa rose bush.

I just went to check and see if I had spelled Hansa properly. While reading, I learned that many people love this rose because it reminds them of their grandmothers.  Funny--that was one of my thoughts!  I don't remember much about my grandmother, but I do have faint pictures in my memory of her rosebush.

The wild roses have gotten in on the act also.  We have a few bushes on our property that are now blooming, and down the way, our neighbor has a large patch on the roadside.  I remember lots of them up by Seagull Lake, too, so the perfume must really be filling the air up there.

Not to be outdone by all of this pink, my blue bachelor buttons are popping as well. 

New flowers are showing up all of the time these days.  A group of guests went hiking on the Magnetic Rock Trail last week, and reported seeing many there, including some wood lilies and nodding trillium.  I've seen the usual suspects on our property: bunchberry, blue bead lily, and star flowers.  It's a wonderful time to be in the woods and see all of this color.

And of course, it's all the more important right now to stop and smell the roses, as the season flies past way too quickly.

High Energy

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Gunflint Lake was loaded with energy today.  The  morning brought southwest winds, which made for some smaller waves, but still allowed for some fishing activity.  Some of our fellows went out and found some decent smallmouth bass activity at the east end of the lake, near the islands. 

By mid-afternoon, a bank of clouds rolled through, bringing with it a bit of rain, but a huge change in the wind.  Our old friend, the northwest wind, came whipping down the lake, and the waves started to roll.  Just another one of the many faces we see on this big lake out in front of us. 

Wake Up Call

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This fine June morning brought me this view when I first looked out.  The lake was veiled in a haze that obscured the opposite shoreline.  This must be summer's version of "I can't see Canada."  In the winter, that means the snow is falling heavily.  For me, it meant the perfect moment to grab the morning cup of coffee and head to the dock to watch the early day unfold.

I guess that even morning has to have a wake-up call on occasion.  The breeze was light, keeping the mosquitoes at bay.  Only one bothered to find me, and she was quickly dispatched.  Two seagulls kept me company, floating near, ever watchful of the opportunity for something to eat.  Lately, I've seen a bird or two lunching on the dock.  Scattered around me were morsels of fish flesh from yesterday's meal.

As the sun grew stronger, the haze began to recede, revealing that familiar view across to Canada.  The waves were lapping the shoreline and the dock, and a motorboat sped past on the north side of the lake.  Headed east, I'm certain that they were out in search of those walleyes and bass I've been hearing about down in Little Gunflint Lake.

Soon enough, the cloud curtain had pulled back almost completely, with just a bit left at the west end of Gunflint Lake.  The trees and the lake were showing off their colors as the morning sun shone on them.

What a way to start the weekend!