Wildersmith March 11

The season of cold and white is in a mellowing mood as March, week two concludes.

The ever-growing power of a rising Sol is in command during the daylight hours whether clear or cloudy. Even though mercury readings have remained below the freezing mark, it’s making teardrops trickle off roof edge ice spears, the top layer of our white carpet go soft, buds of pussy willows bulge and is causing sap to begin oozing.

Then as darkness takes over, winter regains a foothold. It’s back to zero or below by next morning with stiffened icicles and a thickening crust of snow underfoot. In terms of atmospheric happenings, it’s been monotonous as a broken record for the first days of month three.

A quick, late weekend snow refreshed us with delicate forest lace, yet the territory is still waiting for that proverbial state tournament blizzard. I wonder if that has ever happened in the upper trail region.

With winter and spring seemingly holding each other at bay, there is going to be plenty of seasonal character available for the “hot pink” blast that gets under way in a matter of hours. It appears that all is in readiness for the Mush for a Cure kick-off tonight (Friday) at Trail Center and then the skijoring and dog sledding adventures tomorrow (Saturday).

Organizers Mary Black and Sue Prom, along with their band of volunteers, are hoping for a big turnout in support for this philanthropic endeavor on behalf of national breast cancer research. If listeners/web readers want to pledge a donation to a favorite musher and his/her team, there is still time. Check the Mush for a Cure website or better yet, don a pink outfit, come out to the Gunflint Pines Resort Saturday morning, and join the rosy-hued activity.

THINKING PINK? A pink pancake fundraiser is being held in the Pines Lodge beginning at 8 a.m. Some of us Gunflint and Loon Lake boys will be grilling cakes for you, so come on out and share in the fun. Let us flip you a flapjack prior to the shotgun, sourdough start of the biggest “pink” dog sled run in the nation, for sure, Cook County!

The weekend of excitement along the Trail does not end Saturday. Sunday morning, the annual Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club trout fishing derby gets under way with registration at 9 a.m. on the waterfront at Gunflint Lodge.

It’s always a fun day as the mini-city of anglers pops up in a matter of minutes, and the lake ice is a-buzz with activity until the afternoon conclusion. Then suddenly it’s gone! Why not make a weekend of it out on the Trail?

As deep as the white stuff remains at this time, it may seem premature to be thinking about planting things. But planning is well under way for another big Trail happening, yes, it’ll soon be Gunflint Green-up weekend, May 6 and 7.

Plan to get on board and register early by going to the website at www.gunflintgreen-up.com. It would also be wise to get one’s lodging for that weekend reserved.

My how time flies by! And then it’s on to ice out and walleye season.

Keep on hangin’ on, and savor pink thoughts!

Airdate: March 11, 2011

Photo courtesy of Tom McC. via Flickr.