Boundary Waters, Day 3

 

Tuesday, August 6.

Rain was in the forecast for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We felt it best to take our drive around Greenwood Lake today while the weather was nice.

I packed a lunch while Jane went to the Loon’s Nest Café for chocolate croissants. They had just come out of the oven when she got there and were still a little warm when she returned to the cabin. I love chocolate croissants!

We did not see much wildlife on our drive. We have not seen moose in several years, but Nancy, the outfitter, said that guests the week before had seen a cow moose and calf cross Hungry Jake Rd. the week before. All we saw was this ruffed grouse, tail spread and head feathers erect. Jane stopped the car so I could take pictures.

Grouse wearing a tiara

The grouse just stood there, and we just sat there, staring at each other. Suddenly a chick burst forth from the underbrush and scurried across the road. It did not wait around long enough for my camera to focus on it.

Baby grouse

We went back to staring at Mama Grouse. Another chick exploded from the side of the road and flew awkwardly to the other side. Then another, and another. Four all together. Finally, the mama moved off.

We saw a beaver lodge, but no beaver.

Beaver lodge

Happily, our favorite campsite on Esther Lake was unoccupied. We sat at the picnic table and had a leisurely lunch, enjoying the view of the lake and the exceptionally pleasant weather.

"Our" campsite at Esther Lake

I explored the back of the campsite after lunch. It is amazing how many plants will grow on solid rock. Where the rock is flat, trees eke out a living on the dead material that slowly accumulates.

Rock wall with mosses and ferns, plus trees on top growing with hardly any soil.

We finished up the loop in Grand Marais. We went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. So much cheaper than Sydney’s. Back at the cabin we grilled brats and ate the last of the sweet corn.

The whole loon family came by. We first saw them in the bay to our left,

Loon, party of three

And later right in front of us.

Closer view

Jane and I sat out on the deck until bedtime, talking and soaking up the perfect summer evening, the sun on the water, the air pleasantly cool, and no mosquitos!

Boundary Waters, Day 2

 Monday was a beautiful day. I went down before breakfast to take pictures on the mirror-like lake.

Cabin 1 dock and row boat

Jane and I sipped coffee/tea and talked, getting a leisurely start to our day. It was nearly 10:00 before breakfast was on the table. I made eggs scrambled with green pepper, onions, cherry tomatoes and cheese. Using the leftovers from dinner the night before, I made fried corn and potatoes. We had the obligatory slice of bacon, too.

Eggs with stuff, fried corn and potatoes, bacon

We sat on the deck for an hour after breakfast, watching birds flit in and out of the trees. Most of them were uncooperative about posing for the camera. Only a downy woodpecker and a chickadee stood still long enough for a photo op, and the chickadee stubbornly refused to turn around.

Male downy woodpecker

A shy chickadee's backside

When it was time for custard, we drove to town. Some of my readers expressed concern over the status of Sydney’s before we left. I can reassure you that Sydney’s was open and back in its old location. They have not yet rebuilt, however. They simply moved the shipping containers. The wood-fired pizza oven has been repaired and was functioning.

Sydney's temporary shipping containers in blue; wood-fired oven to the right

Around the back on the lake side, construction of a new dining room was in progress. The floor was littered with something that looked like insulation, but was not. It was chunks of burned pizza dough. One would not think they were intentionally trying to attract gulls, but I can’t imagine another reason. Perhaps it was an unfortunate pizza accident?

Construction at Sydney's with pizza crust crumbs scattered on the floor.

Dutch chocolate custard had returned! In exchange for—gasp—$15, we got two small cones, which we ate while sitting on a bench overlooking Lake Superior.

Small Dutch chocolate cone, market value with tax = $7.50

Superior was unusually calm. Here is Artists’ Point, northeast of Sydney’s.

Looking out toward Artists' Point

A young boy skipped stones on the smooth water. It makes me happy to see children carry on old traditions of play. 

Kids still skip stones! (The guy on the left wasn't in long. The water was probably cold.)

We spend the rest of the afternoon shopping for one thing and another. We went to Oddz and Endz, our favorite resale shop. I didn’t find any more of the glasses I got there last year, but Jane found some bowls that went with a set she had.

We were back at the cabin for 4:00 happy hour. We had refried beans, salsa, and cheese on corn chips with garden-fresh pico de gallo and margaritas.

Snacks broiled on foil, as there were no baking pans.

We had quesadilla with leftover steak and grilled poblanos for supper.

Steak and poblano quesadilla

For our evening entertainment, we put together a vacation-themed 300-piece jigsaw puzzle entitled “Lake Cabin.”

"Lake Cabin"

Not much excitement, but a thoroughly pleasant day.