Wildersmith on the Gunflint: September 19

Another week has passed along the Trail as we inch ever closer to autumn’s equinox. Samples of what’s ahead in the atmosphere were observed during the past seven days.
           
Although it did not happen in some places throughout the territory, there was enough cold in the air on a few mornings at Wildersmith to nip our deck-side tomato plants. If the frost-tempered air wasn’t cold enough, yours truly witnessed the first white flakes of the season on one of those mornings of week two.
           
Our early cold evenings even prompted a fire in the wood stove. Plus, on a couple of my daily midweek mail runs, the smell of wood smoke permeated my senses. There’s a certain wilderness magic in a wood-fired aroma harkening back to life’s simpler times.
           
Even as we warmed somewhat into early this week, damp gray November-like skies and brisk winds did not serve to warm the soul too much. So, I bade the cool experience welcome by brewing up a nice batch of corn chicken noodle soup. Yes, there’s a magic in that too!
           
Entering the third week of the month, area lake temps are in steady descent. The reading dock-side here on Gunflint’s south shore stood at 58 degrees last Sunday. That in mind, the climatic snapshot of border country is becoming clearer by the day. A side note to this is that the cold liquid is nearing a time when there is immediate hypothermia danger, so watercraft users beware and be safe.
           
While precipitation has been scant over the past seven, a combination of cool air, clouds and less powerful sunshine has kept the forest floor sodden. This has set the stage for fallen leaves to begin their musty process of decay, inevitably lending itself to that captivating smell of fall in the forest.  I’m getting whiffs of enchantment already!
           
There’s a growing blush to the maples along our Mile O Pine pathway. While a few of them have made the full transition, most are adding a little scarlet twinkle daily. This area might be fully flashy by the time this scribing hits the air waves this weekend.
           
Further signs of these colorful times are being noted. More area snowbirds have taken wing southward, as are true avian flocks. It must be making ice somewhere north of here as Canadian geese have been wedging in a southerly direction too. I observed two airborne V’s honking low overhead since our last airwaves meeting.
           
Attention, all pre-used stuff seekers. What may be the longest garage sale on the planet opens this weekend. By longest, I imply from the initial bargain site to a last stop bartering opportunity. It runs somewhere around 22 miles.
           
Plan to head up the Gunflint Trail either this Saturday or Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Signs will lead you to the treasure you’ve probably been looking for. There’ll be many stops between Clearwater Lodge (mid-trail) and the end at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, so don’t miss it!
           
An incident of illegal refuse dumping is being investigated by county law enforcement and the USFS. The episode happened on USFS land at the Cross River brush pile site during the past couple weeks. Many items of junk and garbage were found by Forest Service employees in the area, which is only intended for public disposal of Firewise brush clean-up.
           
While this current investigation continues, all users are reminded any illegal dumping in this area will prove to be more costly (in fines) than if unwanted goods are appropriately disposed of with local haulers.
           
One of our north woods pioneer connections recently departed this heavenly place to one higher up. Word has been received on the passing of Norbert “Norbie” Mayer. Norbert was the son of Lydia and stepson of Art Nunstedt.  The Nunstedts and family were builders and original owners of the Chik-Wauk Lodge and Resort, now maintained as the Chik-Wauk Museum. Condolences are extended to surviving members of the family from his beloved Gunflint/Grand Marais community.
           
Keep on hangin’ on, and savor a fall fling along the Gunflint Trail!

(Photo by Chlot's Run on Flickr)