Wildersmith on the Gunflint - August 14

August on the Gunflint Trail is cruising along as we wrap up week two, and are chugging on toward fall. As a new school year is getting closer, the territory is packed full of visitors trying to cram in a vacation of sorts before a new normal closes down a summer of uncertainties.                                                                       

The autumn preview of a week ago backed off since we last met. Although conditions of summer character were not too unbearable in the upper Gunflint, the step back was disappointing. It was pretty easy adjusting to the early siege of coolness and low humidity of the previous week.                                                                                                                                                       

Meanwhile, the area has received some substantial, and always needed moisture. The Gunflint Lake neighborhood has gulped down nearly two inches in the days approaching this reporting. The recent soakings over just a few days match what it took to accumulate in both of “J” months at Wildersmith. It is comforting to finally put a knee down on the ground and come up with a damp pant leg.                                                                                                                                       
While outfitter and resort parking facilities are spilled out onto several roadside locations, there are not the usual vehicles parked in known blueberry hot spots. From what is reported, the crop of blues has been a bust, at least in this northwest part of the county. Nevertheless, the “Biggest Blueberry Contest” continues. There might have been some “plumpers” recorded, just not too many to date.                                                                                                                                     
The bad harvest kind of makes one wonder what the bears are doing in lieu of the minimal gems and other sweet berries. Humans beware of rendering temptations! Speaking of the ebony critters, the Smith’s crossed paths with three of the cutest little “Teddies” and their mom a few days ago. Guess they were likely on a mission of securing provisions, as caloric intake steps up in view of the coming long winter encampment.                                                                       

Another note of upper Gunflint critter happenings finds many folks reporting an annoying outbreak of tiny furry rodents over the summer. Holing up in cabins, garages, vehicles and more, it is mice, mice, mice everywhere.  While they are always around, their appearances are more prevalent as the weather gets colder. Seeing them in such numbers while it is warm is confusing. I’ve had a couple of reports where expensive vehicle repairs were encountered to evict the mousy intruders. And traps are snapping with daily regularity, everywhere, even here in Wildersmith out-buildings.                                                                                   

The question is if they are this bad right now, what is the onslaught going to be like when the gnawing varmints try to get inside warm quarters in a month or so?                                                                                           

Last weekend was exciting at the Chik Wauk Nature Center as a number of Monarch butterflies emerged and were released into the wild. It seemed much the same as first day of Kindergarten for kids, entering a new world. As butterfly wings dried and they were about to be sprung from their hatching venues, one could easily recognize the first moments of freedom seemed a bit unnerving. Some of the often referenced “flying flowers” clung close to their incubated chrysalis encasements while others were anxious to see life beyond. Eventually alighting from weeks of nurturing, they delighted in lighting on visitor heads and fingertips before flapping wings high and zooming low in a medley of directions. The new orange and black arrivals were soon off into the wild blue, another marvel of life in this great natural world.

The Perseid Meteor Showers have been zooming through our dark skies over the past few evenings. Hope listeners were able to observe this annual celestial happening in the northeastern heavens.                                           

Another event crosses the heavens this Sunday during daylight hours. At 4:00 p.m. the seasonal Woods, Winds, Strings and a Little Jazz concert will be projected through cyber-space virtually “Zooming” with an array of local stars performing.

The concert will precede the drawing for the kayak and quilt as a culmination to the 2020 community fundraising efforts for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. All are invited to “Zoom” in! Access Zoom here and log in the concert with ID number 979 3106 9329.

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is great, in the land of cool lakes and whispering pines!