BWCA Finale

Our last day and a half were great. After another portage we saw several bass swimming so Todd tried some new lewers and caught one. Misty had to inspect it.

Okay.......if you won't give it to me, I'll just rip the net and take it from you. This bass wasn't too big so he was returned to the lake to grow bigger.

We usually rent an aluminum canoe, this time we tried something different. It's a kevlar, much lighter to carry, but you have to be much more careful around the rocks. I found the seat to be more comfortable and I think Misty liked it too because it's not cold like the aluminum ones.

Beautiful scenery.

Misty got her daily brushing; not sure if it helped or not. Todd brushed out a lot of fur but it may have also encouraged more shedding.

Thinking abour our next trip.......................

BWCA - Day 5

After our big fishing day we found a nice camp site next to Eddy Falls; so we checked out the falls the next morning.

Misty climbed onto a fallen tree; I think she was a bit concerned about Todd (see him in the background?).

My turn for a picture.

It was another hot and humid day and this time we had a 120 rod portage. I attemped it with the large Duluth pack, both paddles, life vests, and a fishing rod. Here I am approaching the end of the portage.

I didn't think I'd make it, the pack was way too heavy, there were tons of skeeters, and I thought I just might pass out. I love this picture because Misty seems to be looking at Todd as if to say, "I'm concerned about mom, help her out."

Here's the broken lewer. If that northern pike can take off the three pronged hook that was hanging in the middle and remove one of the three hooks from the tail end........just think what it could do to your hand?

Misty catching some sun and patiently waiting for lunch.

It's cookin'.

Todd checking to see if it's done.

Delicious; can't get fresher than that! The fish was so big it provided Todd and I with two meals.

BWCA - Day 4

Day 4 was a FABULOUS day - I finally caught a fish. We were leisurely paddling, the day was sunny and not too hot, there was a nice breeze. We passed some rocky areas where we thought the fishin' might be good and low and behold it was!

After we got the fish on the stringer, Misty had to inspect it. The water was crystal clear and so beautiful.

Here she is trying to pet the fish, "I'll just pet it, really I won't hurt it." I was so happy because we'd have fish for lunch. We continued paddling and by 12:30 we figured we weren't going to catch anymore so we landed the canoe at the next campsite for lunch.

I thought to myself, "I'll just try casting a couple times, see what happens." On my second cast, I thought I snagged a branch in the water and was bummed, then I thought it was a small fish, then the "small fish" started fighting back and I yelled to Todd, "get the net, I got a big fish." I reeled it in and as it came closer I actually got scared when I saw how big it was. The net we had was way too small so Todd grabbed the line and flung it onto shore before we lost it (we've lost others). The fish flopped around violently and unhooked itself. I was afraid the fish would flop himself back in the water so Todd managed to somehow grab it and kick it further onto land.

This is no fish tale, the proof is in the pictures (ignore the fat girl, check out the fish!). This Northern Pike could literally bite off a finger or two; thankfully Todd cut through it's spinal cord so it would stop flopping all over. I had a hard time holding it up for this picture; it measured 26 inches and weighed about 15 pounds. Four guys passing in canoes heard the commotion and stopped to have a look; Misty was happy because they gave her some attention (she ate it up, as if she's so neglected, yeah, right).

It was so big, Todd had to turn the canoe over so he'd have a flat surface large enough to fillet it. Check out it's head - fierce lookin' thing but makes for some good eatin'.

Oh yeah - can anyone say "LUNCH!" And it was a VERY lucky day for the bass I caught earlier; the Northern was so huge, we released the bass back to the lake. I wonder if the bass knows how lucky it was?

Now.................you have to get rid of the evidence; anyone for a fish carcass tossing contest?

Big splash...........some critters (probably crayfish?) had a tasty meal at the bottom of the lake.

BWCA - Day 3 Con't'd

We had a great campsite on day #3 - the camp fire area was sheltered all around and you walked further up to a nice area for the tent, even the pit toilet had the nicest view. That afternoon a huge storm was blowing in so we covered everything, put on the rain gear and watched the white caps form on the lake. Even Misty was worried, but nothing came of it - thank goodness. The wind was blowing so strong I thought it would bring down a few trees on us. Here I am cooking up the northern pike Todd caught.

A nice swim, fighting the northern pike, and weathering a possible storm will make anyone tired.

View through the trees.

Peaceful end to a good day.

A cozy camp fire.

BWCA - Day 2 & 3

Since there were a couple of rain showers on the first evening, day 2 was hot and humid with no breeze. It felt like a blazing hot day in July rather than the end of May. The insects liked the rain, so they started coming out - time to get out the bug repellent.

As we were paddling, we came around a corner and I caught something out of my peripheral vision. Your brain goes a mile a minute, so at first I thought, "oh my, it's a bear swimming in the water." We've seen them do that before.

Then I saw what looked like rabbit ears, but rabbits don't go in the water.

It was a mama moose and her two calves. Upon seeing us they swam to shore and headed into the safety of the woods. Misty got really excited; don't know what she thought of them. I just knew I had to hang on to her tight so she wouldn't try to bolt and capsize the canoe in the process.

Day 2 was leisurely and uneventful because the fish weren't biting. However, on day 3, Todd caught a Northern Pike. This northern really fought and in the process, broke the lewer and almost stabbed Todd in the foot with the broken lewer. A second lewer was lost when I got it snagged on a submerged tree. Todd decided to take a swim, fully clothed, to untangle it. Misty got alarmed when he dove; so she jumped in too, to save him. She's such an awesome dog! Todd managed to take a "lake bath" and give his clothes a good rinse, all at the same time. It was another hot day so I decided to take a dip too.

As usual, Misty had to check out the catch, giving it the sniff and lick test. At the campsite where we caught it, someone had constructed a "holding pen" for fish, so we put the northern in there until dinner. Later, Todd noticed leeches around the fish; the smell of blood must have attracted them.

Misty "hunting" for fish.

Annual BWCA Trip - Day 1

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) here we come! We were dropped off at American Point, mid-day on an overcast Sunday. We paddled the Canada - US border at a leisurely pace and trolled the fishing line. A half hour later we got lucky and caught this lake trout - dinner!

Here I am, unloading the canoe.

Beautiful scenery.

Around the house

Now that warmer weather is here, there's lots to do around the yard. Todd rigged up the spouting turtle in the pond; it's now ready for the fish to move back to the pond for the summer.

A year ago we planted this clematis; it took a while for it to take hold, but now it's going good. We have two large blooms and 3 more on the way.

While in the Desert..................

We took the opportunity to see the Glee concert. For those who don't know, it's a popular tv comedy about a high school singing group. Well, they went on tour and we got to see the concert.

Here we are before the show.

It was a fun show - great music and lots of dancing!

We had some great Mexican food too.....here's my chicken mole. It was good but not nearly as good as the chicken mole made by mi amiga, Silvana, in Fort Collins.

Another evening we tried the restaurant across our hotel; we didn't want to go far as we had just finished shopping. Ellen and Julia are happy about the scrumptious desserts.

This chocolate cake was HUGE; see how big it is compared to the i-phone?

And the flan was good too, if you like lots of almond.

AZ Fun With Friends

It's been 10 years (much too long) since I last got together with my friends from childhood. To celebrate a milestone birthday, we gathered in Scottsdale, AZ. We had a great 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen.

Nice sleeping areas and huge, spa like bathrooms.

A BIG MAHALO to Julia for bringing the Portuguese sausage all the way from Hawaii! It was so ono-licious!

Cici having her coffee and relaxing; thanks for brining the rice pot!

Miss Ellen - getting the beverages poured and keeping us entertained with her great stories!

Karen and her cute smile (and her adorable purse)!