12/7/09 – Sawbill Lake officially froze over (for the second time this year) on Thursday, December 3rd. It had been half frozen for about a week with only steady winds keeping the other half open. As of today, the older ice has about 4″ of snow and the newer has about 2″.
This evening, I broke out the skis for the season’s first foray up the lake. The first ski using the classic style each year feels awkward for the first few kilometers. The subtle combination of motion and balance just don’t happen right away. The muscles that are sore after the first ski aren’t the major leg muscles but the stabilizer muscles in the legs and torso. Those are the muscles that work the hardest until the hang is re-gotten.
In spite of my lack of style, I was really enjoying the beautiful post-sunset light and the otter tracks that I soon encountered. The otters travel on the frozen lakes by running four or five quick jumps and then flopping on their bellies for an eight to ten foot slide. I began to wonder if the otters experience the same annual learning curve that I do as they return to their winter style of travel.
From there, my mind turned to slush – the slush that forms on top of ice that can make winter travel in the BWCA Wilderness difficult. I wondered if the otters are bothered by the slush? Just as I was pondering the otter’s state of mind, I noticed that the tracks I was following suddenly turned off the lake up onto the shore. I skied past, wondering why, when I skied right into a large patch of slush. Smart otter.
My style deteriorated even more now that each ski weighed a few pounds more and the bottoms were covered with a layer of ice. After crossing the lake, I angled south and encountered a crisp set of very fresh wolf tracks. I followed the wolf’s route south and noticed that the wolf also avoided the occasional slush patches. As the day turned to full night, I could only see the tracks for about ten feet ahead. A rock loomed out of the dimness and looked just like a wolf curled up in the snow. Finally, the wolf and I ran out of lake. The wolf headed up into the woods and I turned up the canoe landing and headed home. – Bill

11/30/09 – Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Adam Hansen came home for some turkey and grouse hunting. We spent quite a few hours hiking the back roads around Sawbill and had a wonderful time without appreciably decreasing the grouse population. We did throw a good scare into a few. Although we didn’t find many grouse, the pictures below show a few of the cool things that we did find. – Bill

Adam found this elaborate lean-to at a campsite near the Temperance River. Someone clearly had a lot of time on their hands.

This ice coated beaver dam on the upper Temperance River was a delightful discovery. Just a few feet upstream were the ruined pilings of and early 20th century logging railroad bridge. In the north country, the beavers win in the long haul.

This white pine was struck hard by lightning recently, gouging out this impressive splinter. Twin scars spun in a helix to the very top of the tree.

11/24/09 – Just a few days ago, I was standing on the ice (albeit tenderly) and the dogs were running all over the lake with confidence. Today, the ice is completely gone. Cindy and I are going for a paddle tomorrow, weather permitting. I remember many years ago there was no ice on Thanksgiving and everyone was astounded – it was unheard of. Now, it is almost the norm. – Bill

Not a trace of ice left.

While on our walk this afternoon, we found this old boot down by the Forest Service cabin. It has a very old fashioned look, including an all leather sole. It was also small and narrow – presumably a woman’s boot.

11/21/09 – The temperature dropped into the teens for the first time last night and the lake ice firmed up enough for the dogs to walk on it. It’s still too thin for skating, but one or two more cold nights and we’ll be flying! – Bill

Phoebe and Roy carefully check the ice before attempting to walk on it. Dogs seem to have a good sense of whether or not the ice is safe.

Phoebe is happy to discover that the ice will support her.

Off they go to explore new territory.

11/17/09 – As day broke this morning a wonderland of fog and frost was slowly revealed. Each twig and needle frosty white and standing perfectly still in profound silence. Even the lapping of wavelets was absent as Sawbill Lake froze from shore to shore overnight. – Bill

A cedar branch wears its crystal coat.

The island slowly reveals itself to be surrounded by ice on Sawbill Lake.

The “moose pond” along the Sawbill Trail waiting for a moose to come along and break up the skim ice.

11/16/09 – Ed Dallas, Sawbill’s Poet Laureate, sent along this morning hiaku:
companions ~~
wind and smoke travel
in the same direction

11/11/09 – Mike Tincher, from the Twin Cities, was kind enough to send this cool composite picture and beautiful sketch of his recent canoe trip. Thanks Mike! – Bill

11/10/09 – Cindy and I went for a paddle today – with all three dogs, of course. This may be the last day for paddling in 2009. – Bill

The ice was too thick right at the canoe landing, so we portaged to the far end of the canoe storage area and still had to break ice for 100 feet.

Phoebe doesn’t like the getting in the canoe (she doesn’t like cars either), but seems happy once she’s in.

Last moment of the last paddle of the season.

11/9/09 – Jacqui Larson, from Silver Bay, sent along this picture from mid-October. The canoeists are University of Minnesota – Duluth, students in an outdoor education class. The weather was cold, windy and wet, but all the students reported having an awesome trip. – Bill

Intrepid UMD students canoeing in October winter weather.

11/7/09 – Roy Wonder, Sawbill’s Deputy of Outfitter Security, turned two years old today. He celebrated with a gourmet breakfast of dog food mixed with cottage cheese and an extra long w-a-l-k in the campground. – Bill

Roy ponders his next move against the invading squirrel army.