Sunday, July 11, 2010

Rambling along...



I am posting this in a McDonalds (the only place I’ve found today with working wifi). I’m still not getting around to reading everyone blogs, except to congratulation Leni and her native land of Spain for winning the World Cup. When I get home, I’ll get around to catching up, but now I'm on the road. When I get home, I'll also take out my Guinness World Cup beer mug and offer a toast. Here is a post about where I spent last night—next to Pike Lake, way north in Michigan.

Yesterday I traded up my four star room in Minneapolis for one with four thousand stars. This far from the electrical grid, the stars really shine at night. Of course, my new room lacked things like hot and cold running water, but I didn’t hear a single siren all night. The only neighbors were a pair of loons across the lake. Their call is one of the most beautiful sounds given to any animal on the planet and that includes Grace Slick and Stevie Nicks. My new accommodation included a kitchenette where I could fix my morning coffee and oatmeal. Notice the mattress in the bed of the truck (I'd alrady stuff my sleeping bag).

Before bed, I waded out into bed with a fly rod and caught four bluegills in about 5 minutes. I’d brought my smallest fly rod thinking I’d be stream fishing for brook trout, but it worked okay in the lake. After tormenting the bluegills, I changed to a spinning rod with a jitterbug, hoping to hook up with one of the bass I kept hearing in the grass, but that wasn’t to be. I caught a few more bluegills in the morning.

Right before I left, one of the loons paid me a visit. They are beautiful birds.

In my last post, I forgot one restaurant I ate at one evening. It was Brit’s Pub and I had their Shephard’s Pie (with lamb, potatoes, carrots and some other stuff) along with a pint of Newcastle. Even though I’d forgotten about the place, it was good and so was the company as I was with about 15 friends and colleagues. The last photo is of Pike Lake this morning. Notice the building clouds. In about 15 minutes, I was driving out in a downpour. We’ve had numerous thunderstorms today. Catch everyone later!

17 comments:

  1. Ideal. Thanks for the pics and the description. I'll take those 4000 stars . . .

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  2. I wouldn't mind sleeping outside on some of these hot nights. Did you eat fish for breakfast?

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  3. I love the loon photo. Sounds like a great excursion.

    Cheers.

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  4. I would trade up to these sleeping accommodations anytime, especially if I was up north where it isn't so darn hot at night.

    Many a time, I have started a frying pan heating up before I step over to start fishing so there isn't any lag time between hook and pan.

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  5. You really need to start a quick reference service, sort of a Sage-a-pedia. How often I see a fish or flower and wonder what kind it is.

    Grace Slick was the female singer in Starship, right? I think that's as far back as I go. Yeah, she was good.

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  6. Great pictures and write up. I always enjoy reading your reflections.

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  7. As usual enjoyed reading your writes. The pictures are sharp.

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  8. PS: I much preferred those old meet-a-hiker personal ads to these political ads.

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  9. I love listening to loons, but not much chance around these parts. It sounds like a lovely time you are having, Sage.

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  10. Beautiful. A ceiling of stars....who wouldn't love that? I'd like it better with central air, though...and could we trade the loons for the ocean surf? (I know...I'm pushing it)

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  11. Wow! I was catching Bluegills with ya for a minute there!

    J

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  12. First dear Bone--Grace Slick was in the Jefferson Airplane. how you don't know that Mr Wiki...
    Sage just had to clear that--so many nights I've wanted to sleep outside but the mosquitoes are biting. Thinking of getting a mosquito net!

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  13. First and foremost, Sage, thanks! I appreciate!

    I reeally loved this beautiful sentence in your post:

    "Yesterday I traded up my four star room in Minneapolis for one with four thousand stars."

    I bet you had a beautiful night in the nature. Loved the pictures and your music choice, :)

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  14. I like Bone's idea of Sage-o-pedia. I agree 100%!

    I love McDonald's free WiFi. I've only used it once so far, but it's always on the back of my mind :)

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  15. Just wonderful. Especially the loon picture... I haven't heard a loon in years. May have to change that. Glad you had a nice trip.

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  16. I love seeing and hearing loons. I looked forward to that when I camped in Maine.

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