Wildersmith on the Gunflint - June 12

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
June 12, 2020    
           
Wrapping up week two of June finds the wildland of border country settling into early summer in a sea of green. The countless shades of green are just amazing. “Mother Nature” must have chlorophyll of all hues in her veins.

Weather in the territory has been pleasantly refreshing with some natural air conditioning. Last Sunday was even more than cool as another load of firewood was consumed by the wood-burning stove taking the chill off forty-degree temps. It has since warmed a bit.

A blessing from the heavens surely lowered wildfire danger on the same day. I don’t have reports from other places along the Byway, but the Wildersmith gauge gulped up over one and six tenth inches.

We haven’t had a rain like this one in ages. The forest had its’ thirst quenched at least for the time being. This is good too as there have been a number of small fires set in the Superior National Forest during the past two weeks, all blamed on ill-advised human decisions with campfires. Some folks will never learn!

This liquid happening not only created mud puddles we haven’t seen since the ice and snowmelt, but likely was critical to blueberry crop development. So it seems 2020 opportunities for the blue gems could be great with both moisture in the ground and those terrorist, black fly pollinators, buzzing at the ready.

It is likely with the big rain renewing depleted streams, running water will bring on another wave of the bloodthirsty critters. While berry augmentation is so important to our sweet tooth, we’d better be careful for that which we wish. There will be an increased surge of bites and annoying itching. And, if they don’t get you, the mosquitoes will surely pick-up any slack in this seasonal insect picnic with humans being the featured entre.

If the word hasn’t reached some listeners yet, the Covid-19 has resulted in the cancelation of the annual fundraisers for support of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Nevertheless, organizers of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races and the Mid-Trail Property Owners Auction festivities recognize a continuing need to sustain operations and equipment replacements for our Trail Heroes. So things are going to look different in 2020.

It’s “bearly” a day when I don’t see a picture of some north woods “Bruno” posted on line. There must be more than a “sloth” of the ebony critters, or else a few are making widespread travels through the forest for photo ops.

On another note, the Chik-Wauk Campus staff is re-energized at the return of the missing loon pair. The hope is re-nesting will result in the miracle of a new generation which could be expected around 4th of July.

In other news from end of the Trail, after months of winter weather delays and the Pandemic, there is a chance the all-sky camera will be up and running on the Chik-Wauk Campus by next week at this time. Check Chik-Wauk .org for an official announcement.

Finally, in Gunflint Trail Historical Society news, although the usual June, General Membership meeting was cancelled, due to the Pandemic, the Board of Trustees met in Zoom on June 8th.

The Board is pleased to announce results of mail-in balloting for the election of new Trustees. Elected for two year terms were; David Coleman of Clearwater Lake, Lee Hecimovich of Poplar Lake, Bruce Kerfoot, Tucker Lake and LaRaye Osborne of Poplar Lake.

The GTHS welcomes our new leadership, and with deep gratitude, thanks Barbara Bottger, Judy Edlund, Bud Darling and Les Edinger for their dedicated contributions over multiple terms of service.

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is curious, and naturally amazing!