Wildersmith on the Gunflint: March 20

Out Gunflint way, it turns out that “old man winter” is exactly as the phrase denotes -- he’s old. Like us other “old geezers,” he can’t carry on with much zest anymore. The old guy of the north coughed, sputtered and limped away last week, and caved in to “old Sol.” In addition to shrinking snowbanks, he left us with dripping roof tops, backwoods roads in various states of ice, slush, mud, and running water along with a few grumpy winter season fanatics.

Yep, today kicks off official spring, ending the winter and sending us northern folk into “mud” season. Then it will be back to getting ready for winter. This area is luckier than most in the upper Midwest, as we still have a goodly amount of snow left where the sun can’t reach, but too many more days like the past week and our white landscape, too, will be history. Ours has hung on because we are still freezing back up at night. Thus, the month of the “crust on the snow” moon is fitting.

A positive in regard to this early thaw is the Gunflint black-top is now clear and dry. Since November, “hold your breath” winter driving conditions have been the order. At least for the time being, those slippery hazards have disappeared. The daily meltdown definitely has drawbacks as most wilderness walking surfaces are treacherous ice due to nighttime “Zamboni” re-enactments, my driveway included. A fall on such ice a few years back reminds me of my age and difficult recuperative capacities. Now, my daily runs down the drive are more like creeps (toes down first, followed by “baby steps”). So far so good, as I’ve maintained an upright position during 2014-15.

One more adventure this time of year is bringing my vehicle down the same greasy incline. Those who might be familiar with my passage situation know it’s a bit steep. And I know I don’t have a lock on difficult private roadways, others out this way have similar driveway scenarios. Over the years, learning to navigate the descent has taken some time. After initial “white knuckle” attempts during our first winter (1999-2000), while hoping to not end up in the snowbank and/or lake at driveway's end, I finally figured things out. The process is simple; put the “tranny” in neutral, creep it down foot by foot, caring not to lock up the brakes and pray a little. However, in spite of currently being pretty sure of myself, trepidation still commands my attention. So much for the look at a few idiosyncrasies of north woods life.

The woods are alive, not with “The Sound of Music,” but with the racket of returning crows. A “murder” of the ebony critters flew into the Wildersmith neighborhood on recent thermal wings, setting off noisy morning jabbering. There’s real off-beat harmony when both the crows and bluejays announce daylight is breaking. Along with the black and blue voices, there seems to be a renewed energy among the smaller avian, both winter residents and migrants headed back north.

I’ve noticed an unusual number of north woods “chicken birds” (grouse) scurrying the byway roadsides. I would guess this could be a dangerous time of survival for them as crusted snow makes for less than easy access to hiding places under snow cover. Another couple weeks of this warmth and those sleeping growlers will be coming out, among them, many momma bears with new babies.

I did see another of those cold season sleepers out and about the other night. A skunk crossed the path of my vehicle in the mid-trail area. So all kinds of slumbering beings are, or will be, getting our attention soon. Speaking of garnering attention, trout fishing season has minimal days left. Many anglers are still waging the finny wars through the ice. It would be well they pay close attention to those troublesome spots where ice is known to decay upon early warm-ups. Guess there’s already some open water around the access to North Lake from Little Gunflint and the narrows from Gunflint Lake into Magnetic Lake also looks to be open. All are encouraged to be safe in their on-ice exploits until lakes are liquid once again.

In closing, a sad note has been received of another Gunflint Community member passing away. Ms. Douglass Cutcliffe, a seasonal resident of Loon Lake, departed this heaven on earth for one higher up not long ago. Survived by husband, John, the couple enjoyed many summer visits to their cabin on Loon. The Gunflint Community extends peace and comfort to her family.

Keep on hangin’ on, and savor the beginning of renewal time along the Gunflint!

(Photo by Len Matthews on Flickr)