Wildersmith September 17

 Our trek into autumn continues throughout the upper Gunflint Territory…and senses are being excited, both visually and also with a caressing from chilled Canadian air currents.
The area seems to be back in a more normal weather groove as we conclude the first half of September. An increasing frequency of 30-degree nights and 50s during the day is most invigorating.
We’ve been experiencing some November-like days in terms of wind conditions. In fact, last Sunday, area lake waters were raging in the winds with waves of four feet and maybe more at times here on the Gunflint. Rollers were splashing over the Wildersmith dock that is now several feet above the depleted lake level…so this is no exaggeration.
The passing of our Labor Day weekend has brought to an end a summer of recreation, rest and relaxation. A lot of wilderness dwellings now stand vacant, with spirit-like memories all that remain of warm season activities.
Almost overnight the sugar maples along the Mile O’ Pine and in a few other border country patches have exploded in scarlet. Guess that shows you what I know, because a couple weeks ago, I had my doubts that the annual color show would amount to much due to the strangling drought.
Adding the crimson treetops to the burgeoning birch and aspen gold has brought the spotlight toward the coming equinox. It is leaf-peeper season: a time for which we autumnal enthusiasts have been longing since the ice and snow departure of month four.
I’ve got to believe that smoke signals from the Lizard Lake fire a couple weeks back got through to the rain gods. A rather unexpected overnight rain spelled another inch or so for the parched Gunflint wilderness last Friday. So that’s two successive weeks now where we have seen the long dry spell somewhat tempered.
The much-needed moisture lifted human spirits too, as bubbling trickles have re-appeared in any number of dry creek beds. And although the area could stand many more days of dripping skies, we’ll take the last effort with smiles and hope for more.
Additional spice has been added to the northern wilderness world--I’ve detected the first fragrance of plant fermentation from our damp earth. Some folks would argue that the first smell of mud in the spring has an incomparable natural essence, but to yours truly, there is nothing equal to the aroma of an end to a northwoods growing season. Aaah…the scent of Dagwagin (fall).
An inquisitive bear made its way into the yard last Sunday, but found nothing that smelled like nourishment. So it didn’t spend much time nosing around, particularly when the neighbor lady made her presence known.
Meanwhile the harvest and storage season for area critters is continuing at a maddening pace. I think the squirrels must have enough stashed for at least two winters, based on all the items that have been cut down from high in the conifers.