Wildersmith on the Gunflint - Dec 13

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
December 13, 2019    
 
Spirits of the Gunflint are being reflected not only around our snow covered landscape, but from the heavens as well with the Ojibwe, “little spirit” moon shooting beams from afar to the forest floor.                                                                                                                                            
The splendor of a lunar experience on a cold winter evening in this wild territory stirs of mystical romance. It’s like days of old, lounging in comfort around a hot wood burning stove with a cup of steaming beverage and either reading material in hand or contemplating the good or not so good tidings of humanity.                                                              

That’s the way life’s been along the historic old Gunflint Wagon Road as momentum builds for this special season of celebration.                                                                        

A swell turn-out of Trail residents kicked off the Holiday Season last Saturday night at the Schapp Community Center. The hall was decked out in twinkling splendor, and folks were treated to a grand assortment of party appetizers and a fine dinner. Thanks to organizers from the GTVFD, EMT’s and Emergency Responders for a swell evening of friendly renewals and reminiscing.                                                                                                                                                                

While the territory does have a measure of white, we are experiencing a mini drought. Since our big snow dumping on November 21^st, the Wildersmith neighborhood has collected a measly three and one-half inches through last weekend. As is often the case, the hinterland has seen the major snow producers hit in areas where residents don’t have the same appreciation as do we Gunflinters. A little more has been added since, but we need more snow!                                                                                                                                                            
As the Solstice of “Biboon” (winter) is nearing, more serious cold has finally settled over the area during the past few days. With the lake’s west end being frozen for about ten days, it’s a good bet preliminary ice skimming on the remainder of Gunflint Lake is a thing of the past. Ice thickening is underway in earnest with a shivering thermometer, and it looks like December 10 will be the date of record for the Gunflint in 2019. I’ll confirm next week.                                             

On a related note, I have no hard water report from Saganaga Lake, but do have word Seagull Lake gave way to ice a couple weekends ago. Settling in for winter is always tough for the Gunflint Gal and her two big water cousins to the northwest.                                                                  

But when the cold fitting begins, the process is seemingly supernatural as the first minute crinkle locks splintered fingers with another, then another and another and yet a zillion more. This is an exhilarating natural experience that most take for granted, and few ever get to observe.                                                                                                                                                        
 
This treasured resource can converse in distinct voice at various times of the year, and often will be quite a conversationalist. During a recent morning as daytime winds grew, the ice from darkness hour skimming bit by bit broke into fragments like shattered glass. The silence of the woods was broken at times, in deafening tones as mini-chards chimed against the granite shoreline in a xylophone and tambourine duet. This is much in contrast to the murmuring, screeching and thunderous clamor we will encounter after the icy coat thickens. Nevertheless, whether it is broken glass babel or a roar of ice on the move, water, in either state, is a cherished blessing. After all, “Water is Life!”                                                                                                                                                                         
 
I don’t know if it is a sign of changing climatic times or not, but while we still have avian visitors, there just doesn’t seem to be as many as we’ve had in years past. Of particular note are chickadees and nuthatches. These little folk have been here in droves, but not this year to date. The only birds of consistent numbers of course are Blue Jays, with occasional Canadian Jays and a couple species of woodpeckers stopping by. Maybe with less than harsh weather to date the MIA’s are finding enough sustenance to get by. In any event, they are a missing part of north woods spirit.                                                                                                                                                    

If one hasn’t been in the Christmas spirit, such a condition could have moved into the positive by attending the Borealis Chorale and Orchestra Concert last Sunday or Monday. The local musical artists put on a stunning Holiday performance. Congratulations to all and thanks!

And if being in attendance at this event wasn’t inspiring enough, the Smith’s trek back to Wildersmith afterwards was like dreaming of a “white Christmas.” A starry, moon lit night on the snow covered Trail was reminiscent of “dashing through the snow” only with three hundred horses toting the load.                                                                                                                                    

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is great, as we are waiting, waiting, waiting, for the “winter express” to slow to a stop over border country!