Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

January 10, 2009

Quiet morning here at the Lodge. I was perched on a well-worn wooden stool at the end of the bar. Just a few steps from my office I had been feeling kind of closed in. With a new year here the desk in the office is covered with paperwork and boxes. Tax season is here and the Lodge books need to be gone over and of course friends and family have been dropping off shoe boxes with taxes needing to be done. So I had moved out to the bar where I could have some elbow room and spread out the papers that I am working on. A couple of clean, empty beer mugs holds down papers from the breeze that comes when the back door to the Lodge is opened. The curved bar top keeps my pencils from rolling off to the floor. The Lodges lap top is open and sitting with a picture of Windy the windmill as its screen saver.

Looking up I saw a couple of guys come in the main door and stamping their feet on the wood floor weave their way through the tables to the fireplace. Tossing hats and mitts on the closest table they briefly stood in front of the fire before one of them turned and walked to the bar. "Howdy" he said " HIYA" I returned. Gus came from the kitchen and asked what he have. He orders up some hot ciders and a platter of wings. Turning to me after Gus went back into the kitchen with the double swinging doors closing behind him he said " You have changed things since I was last here" I just nodded and looked around. He grabbed a bowl of popcorn from the bar top and turned to rejoin his buddy.

I watched him as he sat down facing the fire and looked around the Lodge. Thinking to myself we changed things. What did we change? Crossing my arms I turn on the stool to look at the Lodge. Bar is the same, the well-worn cherry top with the brass kick rail. Square bottom beer mugs so we don't leave round beer rings on the surface. Gus has been here forever. Popcorn machine in the corner, nothing different there. Heavy old tables with the high back wood chairs. Still the same plastic covered menus stuck between the catsup and mustard bottles. Black and silver napkin dispensers and same glass salt and pepper shakers. Old wicker couch in front of the TV heavy drapes pulled back from the deck windows to let in the morning sunshine in. Both fireplaces burning, same wood fireboxes heaped with maple and birch. Maybe the chip rack is what he sees, that is kind of new and the display case with candy bars, but that has always been there, just now it has candy in it. Before it would hold wax worms and an assortment of cigars.

Same yellowed log walls, no new fish hanging on the walls, pictures are the same and the chalkboard with the fishing contest is in its place. I stand up and start to walk around the Lodges main room. Now I am trying to find out what is different. I can't put my finger on it but something is different. He is right, something has changed. I could just go and ask him but I should know my own Lodge. Hurricane lamps are filled with oil and on the fireplace mantel, just in case we lose our power. CB is on its shelf, extra umbrellas sit in the bin by the door. Wood chairs can be seen through the deck windows. Buried under snow they are still there. Ceiling fans are lazily turning over. Ahh the new light bulbs, that must be it, but they are all off. Hmmmm I keep walking, I nod my head at the two guys at the table, I get a return nod from the one as they are fingers deep into their hot wings. I return to the bar and sit back in the stool. Back bar is the same, a few bottles have a little less dust on them since Hunterdown had to buy a round. Cash register is the same, jar of pencils the same. Pickle eggs are in their place and the extra heavy glass ash trays are stacked in their spot. O well, I think to myself the guy is just imagining things.

I am back at work on the paper work trying to figure out how the Lodge went through 700 rolls of toilet paper when the guy came to the bar wanting to pay his bill. Gus comes through the swinging kitchen doors and I waved him off. Coming around the bar I take the money and bill from the bar top and ring it up on the till. Turning with his change I tell him thanks for stopping by. He tells me how they always make a point of coming to the Lodge when they drive through. They gathered their mitts and head for the door. I called out " Wait a sec" when you came in you said we had changed, what has changed? The guy looked at me and pointed at the wicker couch, Elmers couch. " You have the same pillows as my wife" and then he turned and went out the door following his buddy. I looked at the couch and the pillows that Tess had made for Elmer, "O ya" I said to myself. From Lake Iwanttobethere {90,263}

January 15, 2009

OK, it's cold out... Even for Lake Iwanttobethere. A cold snap has settled in over the past few days and it will be here for a few more. Has been so cold that people are passed complaining and are now bragging about how cold it is. A minus 30 was recorded this morning and with the wind it felt like minus 50. I myself think anything after minus 20 is just plain cold and it doesn't really matter to much after that. Surprisingly it does not seem to make to much difference here at the lake. There are a few more trucks running out in the parking lot and we have been having a run on hot cider with a cinnamon stick at the Lodge. Car wash is closed but will reopen as soon as they get the door unfrozen from the floor. The morning smell of bread from Amy's bakery hangs heavy in the air and stays longer. The good thing about a cold snap like this is the days are filled with sunshine. No snow in the forecast and Sunshine Ray is about beaming as he walks around town.

Of course you should allow for the cold but we still have people out cross country skiing. They come into the Lodge and have to sit by the fire for a while before the frost loosen up from around their scarfs and they can get then undone. Gus has been taking the hats and mittens and tossing them in the Lodges dryer. When the skiers have warmed up they can slip on the dry mitts and without a second thought they head back out on to the trail. Gus just shakes his head and talks about city folk under his breath. Bud and Barney rode down to the Lodge with me today. After a brief stop in the bushes they both came in the Lodge and have not moved from their spaces in front of the fireplace. Even Elmer is taking a snooze on the wicker couch in front of the TV. Marv had to run into the big city and Elmer told him he had Lodge work to do. Lunch crowd has pretty much returned to work and the smell of conies and chili still hangs in the air. I had a few conies myself and since I was not going to be doing any driving I had a nice chilled Hamms. The frosty mug made more than a few guys shiver when they came in the door.

From our vantage point here at the Lodge we can look down on the ice and the shanty town. Not to much movement but you can see the tell tale curl of smoke coming out of several shacks. With the sun up high in the sky it gives the impression it is nice out but the thermometer still is holding at minus five. The talk on the CB is not so much of any fish being caught but of stories starting off with "I remember when it was so cold that......" Lucky for us Elmer is sleeping or we would have heard some of his old trapper stories of his overnights with nothing but a knife and a deer hide. I for one am in a comfortable position. Standing in front of the deck doors, the warm sunshine beaming in and the heat of the fireplace at my back. A full belly of conies just starting to digest and a few burps allowing me to enjoy the conies a second time for free.

One of those morning where Earl is not standing at the front door to the General Store. He is inside and is wearing not one but two bibs, hospital style. One covering his front and the other his rear. He is not moving to far from the heat off the urn of free coffee on one side and the popcorn popper on the other. Junior is on the ice at the shanty store and until he calls in saying the fish are biting Big Earl will stay at the store. The sale cart is parked just inside the door and today it has electric heaters and sleeping bags stacked on it. The box of hand warmers on the counter is half empty as there has been brisk sales of the little plastic packages. Down at Ma and Pa's grocery Ma is huddle under her hand kitten shawl behind the counter. An electric heater is on at her feet and the small TV on the rear counter is turned into her afternoon soap. Pa is back behind the butcher counter slicing up some ham, you can hear the whine of the cutter as it slices. The bell over the door makes a muffle jingle sound, I think it has frozen.

When the sun starts to set the Town of Lake Iwanttobethere will grow quiet, Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather both agree that tonight will be the coldest night of the winter and then it will warm up. As soon as that sun dips behind the hill a few extra logs will find their way to fireplaces and people will turn in a little earlier tonight. A few hardy souls will still be out on the ice. The CB will be on in the Lodge till the wee hours of the morning, just in case someone needs help out on the ice. Even after hours there always is someone at the Lodge. Late night card games are quite common this time of year here. Frank the plow driver will make a pass through the Lodges drive and stop in to fill his coffee cup. Mark the mailman will be in a little while later as will the garbage man. Tim the sheriff will check in to see if the night went well on the ice and Gus will roll in around eight to turn on the grill. Some chatter on the CB of crappies going on the bite. A few guys fill their thermoses and head out on the ice. I think I'll man the CB and stay warm tonight. From Lake Iwanttobethere {90,491}

January 17, 2009

HIYA from the hard water at Lake Iwanttobethere. After a little overnight snow the sun has been peeking in and out of the low cloud cover. Bass thermometer on the Lodge wall reads a balmy 16 above zero! Taking a break here at the Lodge, ice fishing contest going on here at the lake. I guess I forgot to make a note about that but there still may be time for some of you to make it to the lake. Of course the fewer people here increases the odds that I might win something so maybe I did that on purpose, forgetting to say anything. Lot of activity going on the ice as you can imagine. Access has several trailers parked neatly along the snow bank and sleds and atv's are running back and forth across the snow and ice. Bon fires going back on shore and the smell from the mini donuts trailer is everywhere. My shack is open and the grand kids and their dads are manning the holes. Several holes are just outside the door and the kids are having fun. We ran out of minnows the first hour, not because fishing was good it was just that #1 grandson decided the minnows needed more water and dumped them in one of the holes. We did scoop some back out but I am afraid the rest are in trouble. Fishing around us did seem to pick up there for a while.

Some kids are playing football and another group stands listening to music from a boom box watching their tip up's. When a flag goes they all make a mad race for the flag and first one there gets to claim the fish. As the day goes on the it takes longer to get to the flag, might be the beer or they are getting tired. Even though it is in the teens it is still a little cool out if you are not dressed right. Much better then the minus teens we have been having but care must still be taken. More than a few grills are out on the ice and brats and cans of beans are slow cooked over them. The more serious cooking fires are on shore and people are making their way from fire to fire chatting and staying warm. Hank and Skinny have brought in a truck load of hay bales from McDonnell's farm. The contest weigh in station is behind the bales. The bales are stacked high and a blue tarp flaps in the wind overhead. A long card table holds a coffee urn and another has hot cocoa. The chalk board from the lodge holds the score of fish caught so far. As a fish is taken to the station to be weighed eyes follow. The fish hits the scales and then you can hear the click of the bull horn and the weight is announced across the ice. Cheers can be heard for anything over a pound and pats on the back or cat calls are delivered to the lucky fishermen or woman on his or her trip back to there hole. If it is a decent fish you can see movement in the ranks as fishermen will move a little closer to the hole and the sound and smell of augers will fill the air for a few minutes. Quiet will then return till the next fish caught and weighed is announced.

Down on the ice Big Earl has his shack open and business is good, the door at the Masterbaiters shop has the sunlight reflecting off it as it opens and closes with customers. Standing out on the ice you can see the flash and just make out the customers as they walk in and out. Windy the windmill is slowly turning over and a few of the locals are using the windmill and the water tower to mark up their spots on the ice. I have seen a few tourists coming in and using them hand held GP'S units. Dragging there sleds out to the point off Root Beer Island. Last year that was a hot spot with the new brush piles that were put down. Little do they know that the piles were tangled up in Weird Willie's nets and pulled off into deeper water late last fall. We are not going to say anything as the more entry fees, the bigger the pot.

Lots of people are not even fishing just glad to be out for the afternoon. Some are skating and a few are even tossing the horseshoes over in the pit. We have banked the snow up there higher so we don't have any more accidents. Doc Burriem is here, sitting on the wicker couch at the Lodge. Just in case we need him. Has a cute young gal with him who everyone is wondering who she is. He mumbled something at the Lodge meeting about needing an assistant, we are thinking this may be her. Skinny is trying to get up the nerve to go and talk to her but says he needs an aliment of some kind to break the ice with her. The guys are busy at the bar offering up suggestions, most of which I can't repeat. Well I am going to be back heading down on the ice. I see Hammering Hank just came up from the ice with a load of plastic sleds. I am going to take the luge down and save myself the walk. I have enough clothes on that if I flip I will be well padded. Hope to see ya on the ice here at Lake Iwanttobethere {90,555}

January 21, 2009

We lost a dog this afternoon to diabetes. We knew it was coming but always hard to prepare yourself for a loss of what has become a family member. Stories from Lake Iwanttobethere always have had a little truth in them. Some stories are certainly embellished but most of the exploits of the dog known as Pepper were true. One of the nice things about Lake Iwanttobethere is that the dog known as Pepper will live on here. There are still stories to be told about her and she will still make that run over to Elmers cabin and will still chase rabbits and bark at them pesky grays squirrels. I hope when you read these stories that your dog is close enough for you to reach and pet between the ears and when they bark and want your attention you stop and give it to them. They deserve as much love from you as they give to you.

It may take me awhile but Pepper will get a story of her own, she deserves that. Bobby

January 21, 2009

Sorry to hear that Bobby. Losing a good friend is never easy. Think of the good times and remember the life she had with you.

January 22, 2009

HiYA from Lake Iwanttobethere. Well it is official, Pepper has moved in with Elmer. The other day Elmer came and picked up Peppers food bowl and with Pepper at his side they took the trail over to his cabin. Elmer has been dog less for years but Pepper has always sought him out when he is outside. Since she spends more time over there then here it was time for Elmer to pay for her dog food. Elmer did not put up to much of an argument and calling Pepper Anne by her full name they officially became a couple.

With a few warm days here the pesky Gray squirrels are back out and Pepper went right to work, running around the cabin and barking away. When Mark the mailman came by Pepper raced the length of the drive and barked away at him. Mark drove up and brought me my mail and started complaining about Pepper, I just pointed to Elmers cabin and told him you have to go talk to the owner. Chuckling away I went back to smoking my cigar on the deck and watched Pepper run around Elmers cabin in hot pursuit of a squirrel on the ground.

Bud and Barney came out to enjoy the warm day as the Bass thermometer was just pointing at the thrifty two degree mark. If the sun was out we would have some dripping water off the roofs but it is a cloudy day. Sitting on the dry spot on the deck the two dogs watched as Pepper made another circuit around Elmers cabin. For a minute there I thought they were expressing some interest but then they both just laid down on the deck and with head on paws watched. Following a smoke ring as the slight breeze caught it I looked back at the boys and thought to myself now that I am back down to two dogs it might be time to start looking for that new pup. Been thinking about picking up a chocolate lab and have Bud and Barney help train him or her for me. The boys are both going to be nine here soon and they should enjoy some retirement time here on the deck with me. Besides I own the two best fishing and hunting dogs here at Lake Iwanttobethere, what better teachers!

Looking out over the frozen waters of the lake I am thinking I should get to work on the Honey Do List. Got several projects going on in the cabin and keeping me busy during the dead of the winter is something the wife is very good at. We are about seven or eight paychecks from open water, makes it seem shorter than counting days. Only about three paydays away from starting seeds in the greenhouse. The heavy catalogs have been making Mark the mailman days a little longer and harder. Talking to him he said he has noticed a drop off in junk mail that he must deliver. Seems the economy has affected the junk mail that is being sent out. Of course the fishing catalogs are also starting to come out but that is always a good sign of summer coming.

I am interrupted in my thoughts by the flash of brown as Pepper Anne bust through the brush and runs across the yard. With a well practice bound she clears the steps and lands on the deck. Going over to Bud and Barney she drops two milk bones to the deck, gives a bark and jumps off the deck and fly's back across the yard. I can hear Elmers voice calling her by name. Bud and Barney look at me with the what was that all about look and then pick up the milk bones. They head to the deck door and wait for me to open it, I do. Pepper disappears and I smile, she is home.

These thoughts are for Pepper and my good friend Elmer, both are gone but they both live on here at Lake Iwanttobethere.

{90,783}

January 24, 2009

Well a sign of spring today here at Lake Iwanttobethere. I was driving out by the car wash and I about lost the Jeep in a pothole, wishful thinking on my part perhaps, but spring is just down the road. I was down by the car wash because I had just come from the grand opening of Marv's new bookstore/smoke shop and craft store. Since Marv has moved here he has been working a deal on the hush hush with Reed the Realtor to buy the old Woolworth's building that has been vacant for many years. The Gentleness club is housed on one end but they are only open in the summer months and on the other side Marvs daughter and Hammering Hank's wife Tess has her decorations shop. In between the building space has been vacant ever since the Cheeze Whiz house of crackers closed up and the Anything on a Stick store dried up.

With some quiet fan fair Marv open his shop this morning. He knocked the wall down into Tess's shop and that has given her more room to spread out from her shop and a bigger work area for Hammering Hank. Marv noticed on his trips to the lake that we only have a bookmobile come in once a week and decide he would help out the town by starting up a bookstore. Of course he can't have his own library but it is a good start as he has his collection on several bookcases that Hammering Hank and Skinny have built. Also he has order just a ton of magazines. He now has a bigger collection then Bart at the barbershop does. So here is the deal, you can come into Marv's and pour yourself some coffee, enjoy his magazines and browse his bookshelves. He has a couple of computers set up so you can even get on the Internet. Near the windows he has several couches with a view of the car wash that you can sit and smoke a cigar if you like. He has several display cases with cigars from around the world and he has a story for just about every cigar in the case. He has another display case with a wide selection of jerky in it. Even some of that hard to find turkey jerky and the even harder Goose jerky.

Elmer, who always has been a big reader is a silent partner in the venture. When I was there Elmer was busy emptying boxes of paperbacks from his cabin and placing them in some metal paperback racks. He was stamping them with a big rubber stamp that said "Stolen from Marv's " Pepper Anne was busy looking through the old cardboard boxes for any mice that might have made the trip. The books are for sale and you are just asked to place a donation in the old fishing creel on the main counter. If there is a bookmark you are asked to please wait for whoever is reading the book to finish it. Another wood bin is by the door if you want to donate books. There is even a section to donate old vhs tapes and a TV is set up where some "How to Fish" tapes are playing. In the background you can hear someone calling out "SON "on the TV.

I did a little browsing and found myself looking over an old lure making book and before I knew it I had lost an hour. Pepper Anne came over and laid next to me, head in my lap as I sat on one of the couches. I got a few ideas from the book and stuck a book mark between the pages so it can't get sold. I waved at Elmer and went back out to the jeep just as Big Earl was heading in with some books under his arm. I think Marv and Elmer might have found a place to hang their hats, from Lake Iwanttobethere {90,840}

January 29, 2009

Finally a little dusting of snow here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Things were looking pretty dirty around town as it has been nearly three weeks since we have gotten a decent snowfall. Here at the Lodge we decide to get a group of members together and with shovels and brooms did a proper cleaning of the decks and pathways. Hammering Hank even got the leaf blower out and got the snow out from between the railings. The big ice storage building was open and the few cakes of ice that were left were dragged outside. Like honey to bees it did not take long for D.T.'s dog Grace to show up and start dragging ice away. Bailiff was with her and he just found a spot under the pine tree and with head on paws watched the cleaning. With brooms and shovels the old sawdust was removed and bagged and then hauled down to the fire rings at the access. It will be used to start fires with and for those who want to take the time it will be added to fires and slowed burned up. Skinny brought in a new truck load of sawdust from the sawmill and that was moved by wheelbarrow to the bin inside the building. A few more weeks here and we will have the ice harvest out in the bay, When last checked the ice was a little better then twenty-four inches thick.

During this time Elmer sat on the wicker couch watching his afternoon soap operas. When I asked him why he was not down at Marv's he told me that was work and you don't mix work with relaxation. Only place to relax was here at the Lodge, so can't be doing no work when you are relaxing at the Lodge. Makes sense to me, I guess. I was at the Lodge because I was hiding out from the wife. On her Honey Do List was to repaint the cabin kitchen, an easy project. But now it has grown to remodeling the kitchen to look like a galley that she saw on one of them decorating shows when she was in the city visiting her sister. Lucky for us here at the lake we don't get them channels, But when she goes into the city she comes back with all these ideas. Since the shows are only a half hour long she figures I can duplicate it in an afternoon. Well let me tell you, paint takes longer to dry in the real world then on TV. So I told her I will have to do a lot of running into the general store and the lumber yard because I just don't have everything that is needed on hand. That worked the first few days but when I left her alone she just kept adding ideas to the Project as it is now called. Last night supper was made on the BBQ on the deck. As the stove was out of action and moved to the other side of the kitchen. As they say marriage is a compromise and when it comes to the kitchen we are fine just as long as I get the last word in on a decision. To bad that is usually " Yes Dear " o wait that is two words.

I do have to make a few more cabinets for the Project so that means some shop time for me. Weather is not as cold as it was but still chilly during the day. The potbelly stove is trying to keep up and warm the wood shop. Been doing some cleaning in there as I have wood up in the rafters saved for projects that either have been done or forgotten. They get cut up into small enough pieces that can be burned in the wood shop stove or packed into the milk crate to be hauled out to the ice shanty, New base cabinets are put together and now door fronts need to be made, The base cabinet sides are held together with glue clamps and I can stall for time there begging off any other work as I wait for the glue to dry. Kind of nice just feeding the fire and making smoke rings with my cigar while the glue dries, almost as much fun as watching paint dry! I am looking forward to staining everything and waiting for that to dry.

Fishing has been slow out on the ice or no one is talking. A few houses have been moved since the fling but mostly everyone seems to be happy where they are. No reports of any problems on the ice and Sheriff Tim has been spending a fair amount of time in his shanty. The lights are on late into the night out at Marv's silver shack, Don't know how much fishing is going on out there. Always seems to be a lot of people stopping out at the Johnson brothers place. I think they are still offering free samples of their brew. DT is out by his shack a lot, mostly fishing tip up's and he has landed a few decent northerns. I think he has a little hot spot out that way. Chuck my neighbor has been working in the evenings in the garage, He's getting ready for another season of Maple syrup cooking, not all that far away. Already the end of January and I am hoping the cold weather is about done, I can sure use some deck weather. From Lake Iwanttobethere

{90,997}

February 1, 2009

Well here we are the first silent Sunday in February and I am working the bar at the Lodge. A quiet morning so far in the Lodge but not outside. Already the Bass thermometer hanging out on the deck wall is showing it is thirty-three out and with just a few clouds in the sky the sun is shinning brightly and being reflected off the snow. A few guys are sitting on the now very clean and very dry deck out of the wind. It was a good idea to do that clean up the other day as what little snow was on the deck has melted. Not much snow on the roof on this side of the Lodge and what is there is melting and running down to drip off the eves. A nice sound, that of dripping water here on the first day of February. Today has promise to be as nice as yesterday was. Although the day started with heavy cloud cover it was calm out and the sun burned through around midday and by three in the afternoon it was forty-five out, in the shade.

A long line at the car wash as we can see it here from the deck. The spotting scope that we use to track houses during the ice house fling is set up on its tripod and out on the deck. Normally the scope is just out on the deck in the summer time or in early spring when the leaves are off the tree and we have a straight shot looking across the lake at the John Deere painted cabin that is home to some nudist Today it is pointed down at the ice of Lake Iwanttobethere as just about every shack door is open. Tip ups seem to be scattered everywhere and from time to time you can make out someone making a dash to a red flag. A few ATV's are out with their dozer blades and they are working on pushing back that last little snowfall we got and cleaning up the walkways and side roads of the ice town.

The Luge run is busy, seems every few minutes we can hear someone screaming as they take off down the hill. The screams get a less loud as they hit the ice and get out of ear shot. A foolish few tourist came and trying to save money they did not rent a plastic sled from us here at the Lodge but unloaded an old wood toboggan. The six of them then loaded themselves onto it with legs wrapped around the person in front of them. They then eased their way off the lip of the Luge run and I think maybe it took about five seconds to realize this was not such a good idea. The driver, either from a planed escape, or he just fell off rolled off the front of the toboggan. The now driver less toboggan hurled its way down the luge run gaining speed. Of course Hammering Hank and Skinny has built the Luge run and banked its side walls for two man plastic sleds weighing in at around five hundred pounds. I would guess there was better then a thousand pounds on a waxed unguided missile hurling down the hill. The guys on the deck seeing this stood at the rail to gain a better view. The toboggan several times ran up to the very top of the run in some of the down hill corners. We being the concern people that we are quickly placed wagers on if the riders were going to make it to the lake ice or be flipped out over the sides of the course. Well they did make it to the ice but they took some huge air when then hit the ridge that is the start of the lake ice and the end of the hill. This is where separation took place, they were so busy holding on to each other that no one was holding on to the toboggan. The riders as one rose in the air as the toboggan flew out from under them to make a graceful landing onto the ice and continue across it. The riders, as one crashed to the ice with a sound that made most everyone on the ice look back at their direction. I know I winced at the impact and I was no where close.

About this time the driver who had fallen off at the top of the run made his way down the hill on his back. Not nearly going as fast his friends he was still making good time when he hit the bottom of the hill and went airborne to land on his buddies. Kind of looked something like a bowling ball shot as he scattered his friends when he landed on top of them. One of the guys on an ATV retrieved their toboggan and brought it back to them. They made their way back up the slope but did not take a second ride down the Luge. I can see them all here from the deck, sitting at a picnic table in the sun passing a bottle of Wild Turkey back and forth and holding and rubbing different parts of their bodies. Just a few more visitors to Lake Iwanttobethere with a lasting memory. From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,075)

February 5, 2009

I think I saw a robin today, well maybe not. I was in and out of the wood shop staining the wife's new kitchen cabinets and it might have been the fumes that made me see that bird that might have been a robin. Getting to be that tricky time of the year when if you look out the window at the sun shinning you are fooled in dashing outside in just a tee shirt and your bedroom slippers. A few steps out on the deck and that wind hits ya off the lake and reminds you that it is still winter out. While I was in the shop working today I had a feeling that I was being watched from time to time. I did peek over my shoulder a few times expecting to see either Elmer or Chuck standing in the doorway. When I was in the kitchen checking some measurements the wife asked me how long the squirrel has been living in the wood shop. She was standing at the glass deck door coffee mug in both hands tilting her head towards the outside. Coming up behind her I was just in time to see a rather fat gray squirrel come out from the wood shop eve and jump to the fence. Watching the squirrel run across the fence tops I felt for my coat on the wall rack. Grabbing my coat I went out the door in the direction of the fence but did not go too far before breaking through the crusted snow. To much snow on that side of the shop for a closer inspection so I had to just stand and search the tree tops for the culprit. I guess Peppers battle with the squirrels has just added another warrior.

Kitchen remodeling is moving along just fine, so far. Wife keeps adding things she wants done and I keep saying yes. Of course I seem to have forgotten some of the things that I am suppose to be doing and my excuse is that she just keeps changing her mind. Rather then argue with her I just say yes we can do that and then forget to do them. I watched my daughter do that to her husband, my son in law and it works well for her so I thought I would try it on the wife. So far so good. However I have argued on a few things with her and then grudging gave in. Good thing she does not read this because I really agreed with her. Just can't let her find out. Boat show in the big city here in a few weeks and I am thinking some improvements need to be done to the Puddle Humper. With all of this work being done on her kitchen I should be good to go on some purchases, more on that later.

Ten inches of snow fell on the far side of the lake the other night. Not a flake here so that makes it almost six weeks since we had any real snow. Not complaining, at least not too hard. I like the shovel leaning up against the door and the snow blower will last that much longer. The Puddle Humper has been calling my name from time to time. When I walk by I give it a little pat on the side to let her know that I am thinking about her. I even have the clip board by the door with a do list started. Inside I have a few tackle boxes out and when I get a chance I will start to do an inventory. I learned my lesson last year as I thought I was running low on spinner baits and every time I was down by the Masterbaiters shop I would go in and chat with the owner Vicki and buy a few lures. Come spring I did inventory and got all my little bags out of their hiding places and found out I had bought over fifty spinner baits! Pretty sure I am good on spinner baits this year. Now I just got to check on them floating worms, seems I bought a few bags of those this winter already. Well I better get back to making noise in the shop so the wife thinks I am still working on her project. From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,161}

February 8, 2009

There's a storm coming! Well at least that is what I heard. I was having breakfast at the Sundown Cafe this morning and Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather were in a corner booth. They had some maps spread out and were going over wind charts and checking graphs in a book. I am not a weatherman, I mostly just go out on the deck and look skyward. I feel for the wind on my face and check the surface of the water and then look across the lake to see if any dark clouds are coming and in about five seconds or so I make my forecast. Is it a good day for fishing or do I need to hide out in the wood shop. Sometimes I also take in effect the gray squirrels and if there are dragon flies buzzing me. Winter time I have to rely on Sunny and Stormy and they could not agree with each other right now. Stormy had a stack of flapjacks on one side of her plate and was pouring Lake Iwanttobethere maple syrup in a pool in front of them. I think the flapjacks are the hillside here at Lake Iwanttobethere and the syrup is the water, or in our case the ice. She was making a point in her forecast as Sunshine Ray was attacking the pancake shoreline with his fork What I got out of it was that the temperature was going to stay right around the freezing mark and we are going to have rain. This time of the year that makes for an ice storm and it sounds like, between the clicking of forks on breakfast plates that we might be in for some serious weather.

I paid for my breakfast and with the free complementary toothpick stepped out on to the sidewalk. Sunshine greeted me and juts a slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky and looking out at the frozen waters of the Lake there was nothing that I could see that would indicate the pending storm. Wilbur drove by and tapped his horn and I gave a wave as he went by. Setting off in the direction of Marv's bookshop there was a little chill in the air. Hard time to predict the weather this time of year. Still is winter but we are on the back side of it now. A lot of good ice on the lake and the bite seems to have been getting better right at sundown. Adding a few minutes to every day and nice to be out in the light at five in the evening. Hard to believe that in a little over four months we will be able to be fishing top water in a setting sun at nine at night. With that thought I pulled my collar up around my ears a little as a small breeze coming off the lake caught me with a little chill.

Been a few weeks since Marv and Elmer have open the bookstore. More shelves are in and more books are stacked on them. I enter the door and hang my coat on a recently donated coat rack. One of the old free standing ones with the curved metal hooks at the top. I put my coat opposite of the one already on the rack to keep it balanced. I hear the scratching of nails on the hardwood floor and turn just in time to be greeted by the wagging tail of Pepper as she rubs up next to me to be petted. I reach in my back pocket and pull out the milk bone that she all ready knows I have. She takes the bone and then turns to head back to her overstuff pillow on the floor by the smoking section. Elmer sitting on a couch reading the Sunday paper looks over the top of the sports section and gives me a nod of his head. Marv with the outdoors section is standing or I should say leaning on the display case housing the cigars. His mouth is wrapped around a stogie and a small curl of smoke drifts upward from his mouth. He to gives me a nod of his head and I return the same.

Making my way over to the hard bound books I find the one on lure making and take it to an overstuff chair with a view of the car wash. Busy for a Sunday there is a line of trucks that are going in white and salt covered and coming out in blues and reds and greens on the other end. The sunshine poring through the window feels good and the old chair seems to fit my body like it was made for it. Well maybe because it is a chair I donated and it does fit me. Don't need much of a reason to take a nap and since it is silent Sunday and I am in a bookstore no one should disturb me. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good Sunday. {91,280}

February 11, 2009

Lake Iwanttobethere ice storm of the century.... Did not happen. After all of Stormy Clearweather and Sunshine Ray work, mother nature threw in some warmer then expected temperatures and we receive rain. Been drizzling now for the past two days. In town here it is not bad but out in the country the rain on the snow covered dirt roads has made them slick. There has been some ice there, enough to sneak up on you if you are not careful when walking down to the mailbox. The Lodge parking lot is clear of snow but the runoff has signaled the demise of the luge. The Johnson brothers being the Johnson brothers were the last to go down the luge doing it in a canoe. Which was a good choice as there was standing water where the luge dumps out onto the lake. Several houses have been removed from the lake and are at the access waiting to be either taken home or dragged back out on the ice again. Right now it does not look to promising.

Last night for several hours the town was without power. The Lodge was still bright as Windy the windmill was doing her thing and there was a lot of credit being taken by Lodge members over the installation. Funny I don't remember to many guys out there cutting and clearing the brush and prepping the site but that is the way projects are remembered when they work. We did test our siren, so we got that out of the way. Hammering Hank drew the short straw and had to climb up on the wet roof and turn the hand crank. Of course the first time up he dropped the crank and if had not been tied by a rope to his ankle it would have fallen all the way to the ground. As it was it jammed itself in the rain gutter and that was a good thing because as Hank was making his way down the slippery roof he slid right off and the rope and the jammed crank stopped his fall just before he would have hit the snow. With the ladder moved to that side of the Lodge and some help he was soon free of the rope and the crank was retrieved and a second attempt was made to reach the siren. It was a good thing to that it took two tries as we could not find the box with the ear plugs in it. We ended up cutting pickle eggs from the jar on the bar top and sticking them in our ears. Surprising they worked quit well, a little messy but better than having a ringing in your ear or ears.

Gus has been busy working on his menu for the Saturday night Lodge Valentines dinner. Just a few nights away and already we have all of our tables booked. Tablecloths are at Tess's for mending and washing and the box of decorations has been found and along with the candles are ready to be put out. Yesterday along with our order of Coney buns from Amy's we also got some free samples of some heart shaped rolled she is making for the dinner. A nice touch. By the way I think Amy's is the only bakery that makes buns in packages of eight, which when you buy hot dogs in eight packs actually makes sense. Del's Pizza and Sub shop has been having a special on their heart shaped Pizza's with extra extra sauce. I was told today that if the weather stays mild he might be able to fire off orders with the Pizza cannon to the ice houses on Saturday night. Earl at General Store has changed the cart outside from salt and ice picks to boxes of candy and flower arrangements. Even the window over at Ma and Pa's Grocery has a Valentine ham in the window. Funny how winter is slipping away quickly here. Already halfway through February and the tax season.

Back at the cabin, the Project is continuing. Bought one of them new style microwaves that you hang over the stove and they have a built in fan in them. Installation was pretty easy after rebuilding the upper cabinet so it would have someplace for the microwave to bolt into. There was slight problem with a mounting screw that might have nicked a power line in the cabin wall. Seems the circuit breaker kept tripping until I remove the said screw. Was working fine till I came home last night and there was no power in the cabin. Wife was blaming me and my installation. I thought I was going to have to do some major wall removing till I noticed no lights on at either Elmers or Chucks. Just a power failure, we lit some candles and watched a dark Lake Iwanttobethere. A few hours later the power came back on and the dogs Buddy and Barney got out from under the covers and we went back to working in the kitchen. I made a mental note to buy some more candles and that with a nice box of chocolates from the General Store and I will have Valentines Day covered. From Lake Iwanttobethere.. {91,351}

February 14, 2009

Well the Lodge is humming, seems the ladies are making a big deal out of this Lodge Valentines Day dinner that we have on the schedule for tonight. It now has become a dinner dance as the fabulous fine fiddle fingers of Fiona and Fred Fiddle will be making their way around the Lodges main room fiddling for our patrons. I thought they would all be just Lodge members but now they are being referred to as patrons and we have to treat them better than Lodge members. Gus was told that he can't carry more then five drinks at a time by sticking his fingers in the beer mugs and that he is suppose to write everyone a check, not just ask if they want it added to their tab. Table cloths cover all the beer rings on the tables and we have candles and flower arrangements. Even have a non smoking area with some red rope being held up by brass holders that were borrowed from the old closed movie theater. They were put in storage here in the Lodge basement and Tess found then while she was looking for extra table cloths. With the lights down low and with some soft music playing in the background you won't even hear the other patrons licking the hot wing sauce from their fingers. It might even look kind of romantic, I think we can get an extra five dollars for them tables.

Typical mid February weather, overcast with the sun coming out from time to time. Light dusting of snow over night but not enough to even leave a track in. Some ice houses went back out on the lake and the slush has froze again. A few guys had water inside but working as a crew several guys made the rounds and houses were chopped out of ice and lifted up. Some were moved to better locations and today it looks like a regular day on the ice. Smoke curling up from a few houses and chairs are sitting outside of open doors as guys watch tip ups while sitting out of the light breeze. Luge has a few gapping holes in it and Earl has collected all the plastic sleds and has them for sale at a discounted price. Barney the dog has a following as yesterday he was at three different shacks and as soon as he came in the fishermen were on to the crappies. Barney has a knack of being able to follow the crappie school as it moves around the lake. A group of guys are following him around the ice town this morning and every time he stops someone drills a hole and drops a line.

Wife is working today so no need for me to go into town and hide out at all. Been doing some work on the Project and it is coming right along. Wife has given up on adding more ideas so I am adding a few of my own. Relocating chips in a cabinet so they are closer to the Hamms in the fridge. Adjusted the shelves in the wine rack to hold the Wild Turkey bottle. Grand kids candy jars are lower to, otherwise they are just going to climb the shelves. Wood box with the wiping rags are at the back door so we can have them handy to take care of Bud and Barneys wet paws. I over heard Stormy Clearweather and Sunshine Ray talking about we are over the bad stuff and any snow we get now is going to be the heavy wet stuff. Won't be long now and the sun will work on them snow banks and we will start to see some bare ground under the pine trees. The rain we got did clean things up some. The greenhouse is clear of snow and it won't be long till I have to go out and start cleaning things up inside. I can't say it has been a long winter it really seems to have moved quickly this year.

Boat show in town this next week so I will make the drive into town and spend a few hours looking over some rigs and picking up brochures for hunting and fishing camps. I will get in free because Lake Iwanttobethere will have a booth. I will be there handing out town literature and answering questions. You are welcome to stop by and look at our fishing books and maybe sign up to stay at one of our resorts. Will even give ya directions to the Lodge and tell ya the code for a free car wash at the car wash. Well time to put another coat of stain down on some trim, have to keep it wet so when the wife comes home I can point to it and tell her I can't do nothing till it dries! From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,440}

February 17, 2009

Black Snow.... Had to go into the big city yesterday for a funeral and I notice the city is covered in nothing but Black Snow. Black snow or dirty snow what ever you want to call it is along the main streets and side streets. I guess it is from them city graders pushing up the snow onto the sidewalks and now that it is melting all that is left is dirt on top of the snow. With the sun staying out longer the dirt warms up and melts more snow underneath it causing the banks to get smaller and just dirtier. I noticed the chain gang as I refer to the day care kids all walking in a line side by side holding on to their rope can now be seen over the tops of the slowing melting banks. I saw another group of harden kids, More like four year olds with a handler at the front and another at the rear of the rope line. Unlike the young kids these guys were pulling at their rope and were all over the place. Some lighter jackets were being worn and I even saw some hair peeking out from hats. Another sign that winter is losing its grip and spring is coming. Now that I think of it I even saw a few puddles of water from snow melt.

Boat show in town starting tomorrow so I will make it down there and hook up with a friend. He is in the market for a newer camper so we will spend some time kicking tires and looking at things we can't afford. I am sure we will hang over the sides of a few boats and run into people that we have not seen for a while. Buy a warm beer and watch the young fishermen work tired old flies on short rods at the Trout tank. The gurgling of water and seeing some fish swim that are bigger then minnows will do nothing to push back that feeling we get this time of the year. Cabin fever will start affecting everyone here soon.

Come Friday we will be on the ice of Lake Iwanttobethere for the annual ice block harvest, should take a few days and we will have the ice house fully loaded with ice blocks for all the Lodges events for the upcoming year. From our test drilling the ice is clear and thick and we should not have any problems. I have order an extra keg of Hamms and it is already resting in the ice house on the core samples that we have taken. This year we moved it closer to the door so it won't be misplaced like last year. No one wants to go through them beer brain freezes when you drink beer that is too cold.

Valentine's dinner was a huge success! I think we even made some money off it. Nothin happen out of the ordinary that night other then Gus's truck was stolen from the parking lot. Sheriff Tim found it right away on the road leading to the freeway. It was out of gas. Not surprising as Gus only puts a dollars worth in a time and he was due to get gas that day but had forgotten to stop at the Gas-N-Go We don't have any idea who took the truck but nothing was missing and actually Gus told me he came out ahead as someone left a pack of smokes on the seat. Hank took Gus to his truck along with a five gallon can of gas. After some priming they got it running and brought it back to the Lodge. Gus now has enough gas in the truck now for several days. Using the stick he keeps under the seat he slides it into the tank through the fill pipe. Pulling it out and checking the wet spot he has enough for five days now. Along with the free smokes he is good to go. Guess the gas gage is stuck on full, might be why the thief selected Gus's truck. Yup, even Lake Iwanttobethere has crime. Our first auto theft in hmmmm twenty-two years. A regular crime wave going on here.

Well, Earl at the General store has his rack sitting outside the door. Some good discounts on flowers and box heart shaped candies. Even has a lawn mower out with last years "Last One" tag fluttering in the breeze. Few ice fishing poles standing upright with red tags on them and plastic sleds are stacked along the wall. Already green decorations are showing up in shop windows as Saint Patty's day is coming. We make a note of that because it of course means green beer and there is always some left over for Lodge members in the know. Well, I hope your day is going well, fishing has been decent at sunset and a few more houses are off the ice. Already mid February and Vicki at the shop is starting to change around some of her displays. I even saw some smelting hoop nets outside her door the other day. From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,532}

February 22, 2009

One week out from the end of February, where did the month go? Looking forward to a lazy day here at the Lodge. Sun streaming in through the deck door over looking the ice on the lake and the crackling of fire can be heard in the fireplace. Friday and Saturday we harvested our ice for the rest of the season. The ice house is now filled to the rafters and we have all the ice cutting tools back in storage in the Lodges garage. The weather was perfect for the harvest as it was in the twenties with some sun peaking through the low clouds from time to time. Using McDonnell's mules and wagon we loaded up the ice blocks and brought them up to the ice shed where they were sorted and manhandled into position. The smell of clean saw dust was heavy in the air as they were stacked and covered in the sawdust. Hard work no doubt and the keg of Hamms by the door was in demand. Several different crews worked on the project, from laying out cutting lines down on the ice to actually cutting to hauling ice out from the water to the sled and getting it to the ice house to the stacking and clean up.

DT's dog Grace was there of course, Dan had her in her own harness and this year like last she was responsible for hauling her own ice blocks to the building. As some of you may know Grace has a thing for ice. She is constantly in search of it. During the winter it is not so bad as we of course have ice everywhere. During the summer she can be a pest as you have to keep an eye on your cooler and your drink as she will use that long tongue of hers to snake cubes out of your glass before you can react. Bailiff and her make an interesting pair, they being the towns rescue and search dogs. Of course we all know of Bailiff drinking problem so it is wise to hold any drink you have in your hand when either one of those two appear. Pretty much an old crew working the ice harvest. Most if not all the younger members are on the far end of the lake chasing pouts and using it for an excuse to mingle with the gals from other towns. Reed the Realtor is there of course, along with the battered RV of his that he uses for road trips. Any gathering is an excuse for Reed to go pass out business cards and shake hands.

A little dusting of snow the other day, maybe an inch where the wind didn't grab it and blow it away. Just enough to cover ice on sidewalks and make walking a little bit of adventure. With the lack of any real new snow we are winning the battle of the driveways as with the sun showing itself a bit longer every day the banks are creeping back. Won't be too much longer now and people will start shoveling snow on to the blacktop to watch it melt. Ice shacks have been coming off the lake, and it does not seem that anyone is in a real hurry to put them away as they sit parked outside garages or next to pontoon boats covered in blue tarps. Down at the General Store Earl has a shipment of seeds on display. Already there are a few empty slots as people are buying up the tomato seeds and picking up potting soil. Funny how as we get older that is something we look forward to get us through cabin fever. Planting little seeds and waiting for some green to appear. Going down to the Sunshine Cafe if you still back in a booth and take the time to filter through the conversations going on around you plant growing is a hot topic. Big burley guys talking of watering and which brand of tomato is the best. We do have a lot of farmers who come into town and the home growers are rubbing shoulders and talking pH

Guess the same can be said about fishermen. When sitting in a boat or shore casting everyone is the same. In search of that common thing, a fish on the end of the line. Looking for that tap that makes you stop talking and concentrate on feeling for the next tap. That grin that comes on everyone's face when they know they are fooling something deep beneath the surface. Funny how sitting here basking in the sunshine looking out over the ice and seeing guys pulling off houses that I am thinking of fishing. Going to be awhile before the ice is gone and then we will have to still wait a few weeks before we can put the Puddle Humper in the water. Of course there will be smelt to catch and early trout season. Fishing shows on TV to watch and some tales to be retold here at the Lodge. It being near the end of February just means we are due for a nice winter storm, or maybe two. The snow will help us forget about cabin fever for a while but this time of the year when the snow falls we know it is not going to be here long. It will melt and we will have puddles hiding potholes. We will have mud and wet dog paws. Squirrels will be out in full force, at least the ones who made it through the winter and guys will be at the Cafe talking of tomato plants and the raids being made on their bird feeders. For now I am just going to sit back in the old well-worn Lodge chair here. Enjoy the free heat coming through the window and take a nap, If I am lucky I'll dream of calm water and a good top water bite! From Lake Iwanttobethere. {91,635}

February 26, 2009

Was surprised yesterday with a sunny day and although it was not really a warm day it was good enough weather to take a stroll. I started off by just talking a walk across the yard to Elmers cabin. I knocked on the door and entered the kitchen to be greeted by Pepper. I gave her a bone from the dog treat box and she and the bone headed to the living room couch. Calling out Elmers name I did not get a response but I could hear the faint sound of music coming from the basement. Making my way to the basement door I could make out the Grateful Dead's One More Saturday Night coming from the old eight track stereo. Bet ya didn't know Elmer was a deadhead! Carefully easing my way down the narrow old wooded stairs I could see Elmer on the far side of the basement, his hair, what is left of it wrapped in a red bandana. His wired rimmed glasses hanging low on his nose and his arms cover in fine sanding dust. Standing on the stairs I look down at the Lucy II The boat was looking good under the glare from the hundred watt work lights surrounding her.

Working my way around the boat leaving boot prints in the fine dust on the floor I got Elmers attention. He gives me a nod and I watched as he worked on some fine detail sanding up on the bow of the boat. After some small talk and turning down an offer by Elmer to do some sanding I was back on my way. Sun up a little higher in the sky and I made by way along the path and back to my side of the pines. Getting into the old Dodge I headed off for town. I had the thought of a couple of slices of pizza on my mind for lunch. I came around the bend and found Hammering Hank and Skinny along with Reed the Realtor parked along side the road to the old trailer park. The road had been widen and the snow banks pushed back with Hanks plow truck and now it went deeper into the old park past where Del has his trailer. Stopping I rolled down the window and Reed in his brown suit and parka made his way to the side of the truck and gave me a HIYA. Marv was going to need to get his Air stream trailer off the ice here soon and has been in discussion with Reed over buying the old trailer park. Del from the Sub shop has a trailer on the property and has been acting as a caretaker in the summer. Looks the deal is going thorough and they were making a site to park the Air stream. A few more minutes of small talk and I was again back on my way into town.

Drove by the Gulp-N-Go and see they fixed the new electronic sign out front. Last week they had a new sign installed so they could flash the prices of gas and sales going on inside the store. They had one of the high school kids set up the sign and he had a bunch of gibberish that no one could understand on the sign crawling across. We found out later that he was text messaging which worked out well for the high school kids but us older people need things spelled out for us. Now we might have to pull over to read the sign but at least we under stand what it says. On to town I went passed Reed office and saw that Doc Burriem was in. The tell tale sign of his car tied with the rope to the parking meter gave him away. Doc still can't forget the days when he made his rounds by horse and buggy and had to tie the horse to the railing so she would not head home without him. I pulled into a parking space right in front of Del's Pizza and Sub Shop home of the famous Pizza Cannon.. Going in I was greeted with the smell that only comes off a pizza oven. A few people were sitting at the red and white checker covered tables enjoying the afternoon buffet. Del was behind the counter twirling a circle of dough for show. Not making a pizza he was making pretzels. We made small talk while I waiting for the next round of buffet pizza to come out of the oven.

Told him I saw that Hank was out working on the trailer park and he said Marv comes in a lot and that he was going to buy the park and Del could keep his trailer out there. Del lives upstairs of the Pizza shop and likes to get away when he can to the old trailer. Someday Del confided in me that he would like to have a house with a basement. Just a dream of anyone who lives in a trailer. While I was waiting on my slices I looked over the Pizza Cannon. It is on the deck just off the main shop looking out over the lake. The cover was off and a grease gun was laying on top of it. Del told me he was working on it before the lunch rush and will be firing off a few pies later in the day. Picking up my slices my next stop was the Lodge.

Well I didn't make the Lodge, the pizza was smelling so good that I started to eat while I was driving. It just so happens I ran out of pizza the same time I was waiting for a car to pull out from Amy's The thought of some apple pie was a good one so I took the just vacated parking space and I went into the bakery. Amy had already seen me coming and as I came through the door she held a man size slice of apple pie and a matching size glass of milk. Amy went back behind the counter as she was busy. Lunch time here at Lake Iwanttobethere and not much time for chit chat. I went back to the Dodge and decided a stop at Marv's bookstore and a nap in that old stuff chair was next on my list. I'll have to finish my stroll another day. From Lake Iwanttobethere. {91,704}

March 2, 2009

With readership tailing off to almost nothing the Lake is going to shut down on this site for awhile. The story continues, you will just have to look a little harder to find Lake Iwanttobethere...

March 2, 2009

Please say it isn't so.

March 3, 2009

i can always find my way to the lake. i have it on my gps. ... paul

March 3, 2009

A quiet has settled in here at Lake Iwanttobethere. We are in that time of the season where the town goes quiet. Local business owners are off on vacations and wife's and relatives are in town running the shops and stores. Even the Lodge has reduced hours but the back door is always open. A few fishermen chasing pan fish on the lake but most of the houses are all off now. The orange barrels are stacked neatly on shore and with the snow melt they will find there way back behind the Lodges garage. The best ones anyway. The others will be returned to the county storage area to be picked up in a few months when the road construction season begins again.

Smelt run is a few months away and now we will work on projects around the cabins and the ever present Honey Do List. Cabin fever will set in here soon unless we get a few snow storms to get us active. Sun is a little higher in the sky every day and the snow is going down some from the warming days. Most of the Lodge member have left town, they are all on a cruise. Me, I have stayed behind because I am the caretaker of Lake Iwanttobethere. Kind of nice to have the Dew Drop Inn all to myself. So I am going to sit on the deck and enjoy a cigar, watch snow melt and look forward to spring. I am sure there will be new stories to tell when the cruise is done. From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,813}

March 6, 2009

The past few weeks have been hard on me, I went and saw Doc Burriem and he put me on one of them Carb diets. Well he sent me to this nurse named Cindy in the city and she put me on the carb diet. Well so for the last few weeks I have been counting carbs and reading the back of cans. Finding out that I have not been eating as healthy as I can. Have to rethink eating cans of them little Vienna sausages with crackers in the boat and my pasta dinners can no longer look like the plates on the packages. Can't have my can of pop anymore and now when I do have pop it is poured three fingers deep in a tumbler and savored like it is a fine double malt. You sip it instead of drinking it. I had French fries last night and that was a treat. The wife counting them on to my plate two at a time. I made her stop and do them over one at a time so it would seem like I was getting more. I know it is good for me and I will be better off in the long run, But I sure do envy the grand kids wolfing down them chips and hot dogs and following it with cans of pop. Maybe that is why us grand parents keep feeding the kid's goodies when they come over, someone should enjoy themselves.

Town is quiet, not many tourist walking the streets and I think almost everyone is on the cruise. Just me and Marv in town as he did not think he should take a vacation from the new bookstore so soon. Even Amy's bakery is quiet. No smell of bread in the morning and I do miss that. Warm out today, 45 on the bass thermometer and that is with a cloudy sky. There is water running down the drive and I had to go out and chip out a trench so it would find it's way to the ditch and not run down the center. Since I am the town's caretaker I did have to make my rounds. Was down at the Masterbaiters bait shop and checked the level on the water in the back tank. Those in the know will enter through the unlocked rear door where on the porch there is the self service minnow tank. It is on the honor system and you can either drop money through the mail slot on the inside back door or wait till Vicki comes back from the cruise and settle up. The only business in town that is staying busy is the car wash. With the warming weather the floor is staying wet as people are washing the salt from trucks and cars and I have seen a few trailers with snowmobile's come out.

The cruise seems to be going well. Vicki has sent me a few short e-mail's and she must be staying busy as the messages are short and rather abrupt. I wish she would send me more information but I guess I will get updated when they all return. From what I have received so far the Johnson brothers did go water skiing behind the cruses ships zodiac, they were wearing extreme weather survival suits and other then a brief encounter with a killer whale they made it back to the ship. Skinny has found dating the local gals interesting as they are bundle up so well all you can see is their nose. He figures that is why you just rub noses with them. He did have a brief encounter on shore with a polar bear after mistaking it for one of the local gals just dressed in white fur. He blames it on some bottle brew that they just call Parmigan. I guess it is not to be confused with our Wild Turkey. Well I have to return to making rounds, still have to take a stroll down main street and make sure all is in order. From Lake Iwanttobethere {91,900}

March 6, 2009

I just got this email from Elmer on the cruise ship

. . _ .

.

-..

.- - .

.

. - - .

.

. - .

I think it is Morse code!

March 8, 2009

Mr. Bass,

I wanted to try and read Elmer's message and so I downloaded some software that was supposed to translate things into English. I ended up with some &&^$# stuff called Babylon that has now taken over major portions of the way my computer does business. If you feel the urge I suggest you do not encounter Babylon on your computer and limit those contacts to books you may pick up and read while in your old recliner. If possible it would be appreciated if you would translate Elmer's message. Or if there's some old Navy guys who could do it that would also work.

Tom

March 9, 2009

Received a message from Elmer on the cruise. He did not know if I had receive his Morse code message that simple said f e e d p e p p e r Which I had of course already done. His latest message was better then the Morse code but still was not as modern as I was expecting, here is what I received.

Hiya STOP trip has been interesting so far STOP should have packed more warm clothes and food STOP fishing has been excellent off the fantail STOP skinny has met a native girl STOP also has met her family, they are pretty good shots STOP johnson brothers think they might have found another flavor for their beer STOP think the trip might be longer then we were told STOP hope to break free of the ice pack before the current takes us farther north STOP feed pepper STOP

That is all I got. Some kid on a bicycle delivered this to the Lodge early this morning. It was typed on some old faded yellow paper and he asked if I wanted him to sing it to me. I could see no reason why so I just gave him a quarter tip and he was on his way. There was also some GPS numbers but I have misplaced them. Looks like there will be some stories from this trip when they return.

Sunshine Ray went on the cruise but Stormy Clearweather is still here manning the station. She is predicting a snowstorm here in the next few days. Might be interesting as most of the town is on the cruise including Frank the plow driver. Ten to fourteen inches of heavy wet stuff is heading our way. We will have to see if it actually makes it as Stormy is still pretty new here and she does not know the effects that Lake Iwanttobethere can have on the weather. If worst comes to worst I can drive the snow plow. I had some practice on it and now that I know not to drive in reverse trees should be OK. Besides how hard can it be to just plow forward? You can see most of the mailboxes now and no one has any garbage cans out since they are all gone.

Saw Hunterdown off the point fishing yesterday. Was out there most of the day along with a few others. Houses are all off and just a few people sitting on buckets fishing. Might be me but I thought this season went by pretty quick. Now with daylight saving's time already here it is still light out at seven in the evening. If it would warm up some we will take some of the Lodges deck furniture out and get that's set up. This snow might set us back a little but this time of the year it will be a good chance that a few days after it falls it will be melting. Well, that's all I have to say today, Going to take a shift by the short wave radio, we have been keeping it on in case we get a call from Elmer. Good excuse to sit by the fire with Bud and Barney. From Lake Iwanttobethere {92,021}

March 13, 2009

HIYA from the Lake. I am thinking that we might just be over the hump here and spring might really be on its way. The far side of the lake hit minus thirty-eight the other night so it has to get warmer because I don't think it can get any colder. Snow storm came and went, not a typical March storm as we only received four inches here at the lake and some strong winds but no damage and nothing really to write about. Stormy Clearweather was a little off in her prediction as the storm went around the lake to the West and was not much of an event here. I was looking forward to driving the grader and after an hour long search I did find the key to the locked cab. You would think Frank the plow driver would have a better hiding place then in the bottom of the can of coffee grounds.

Here at the Lodge the heavy drapes have been pulled open and some of the heavy chairs have made it out on to the deck. Even a picnic table was pulled out to the edge of the parking lot so it now can get some morning sunshine. Received a stack of postcards from the cruise ship. The temporary mailman was making his deliveries and was in here having lunch and was complaining about some of the address. Looking over the cards I offered to just stick the cards in the Lodge members boxes as they were all to members. Having nothing better to do I was sitting at the bar sorting through the cards and having a Hamms..

From Tess to her father Marvin, We are doing fine dad, good trip so far, like a second honeymoon as we are fishing.

Elmer to Chuck, Make sure Bobby feeds Pepper.

Big Earl to Junior, Try and get rid of that valentine's candy or start rewrapping it to make it look like Easter stuff.

Mindy to Nytelyter, O Honey I am so sorry about leaving you at the dock, call me!

Frank the plow driver to Marvin, Please check on my plow I have a bad feeling about Bobby.

Sunshne Ray to Stormy Clearweather, winds out of the North at 15 temp 12c pressure rising

Doc Burrieum to Doc Burrieum, Wish you were here!

Johnson brothers to their dad Gus, We found this beautiful beach. It was right on the water.

And a lot of cards with just pictures of icebergs and polar bears and one from Skinny showing a scarf with a nose sticking out from it. With the word HOT printed next to it... Well I sorted the cards and put them in their proper mailboxes and went back to my Hamms. Sun a little higher in the sky and Stormy is in here having lunch. She says that we may hit the mid forty's here on Saturday and Sunday. Sounds to me like good days to do some BBQing on the lodge's deck. So for now have a good day from a quiet Lake Iwanttobethere. {92,142}

March 15, 2009

A quiet Sunday here at Lake Iwanttobethere so I decided to take a drive. From my secret stash of cigars in my office I selected a long burning one and I grabbed a bottle of pop from the cooler. Lodge was pretty much empty and Gus was drinking coffee alone with the Sunday paper at the end of the bar. I gave him a short wave and headed out to the Dodge. Thinking maybe I should stop at the car wash but decided to head out in the other direction. Past a lazy rotating Windy the windmill I settle in with smoke curling up from my cigar and the window rolled down with the heater on medium. Driving along at just a littler better then a grouse hunting pace I followed the road as it winds around the lake. Dangerous time of year to be driving as the pot holes are hidden by snow melt water. A few were deep enough that a small dog would have to swim to get across.

Sunny and warm but not so warm that a little heat was still needed from the Dodges heater, but you had to have the window down to take in the fresh air and to let the smoke from the cigar escape. The sound of tires crunching on gravel was a welcome sound, so much better than traveling in snow. Even the sound of splashing water going through the pot holes was a sound missed. I did however have to re lit my cigar once as I had my hand hanging out the window and hit a pot hole with a little to much steam. The water splashing up to get the windshield and fender dousing my cigar. No problem as I just stopped and put flame to cigar and was back moving a moment later. This is the time of year when there is no color in the woods. Just dirty snow and the white of birch trees. A few green pines and the flash of a mailbox. A few or Reed the Realtors signs are scattered about, marking cabins for sale. The blaze orange standing out against the drab landscape.

Drove by the Chicken Shack, shades pulled down tight covering the windows and a sheet of plywood across the entrance door. The awing covering the parking spaces where you can park and place orders for chicken and burger baskets was dripping water. Snow still looked cold in the drifts underneath, protected from the sun by the awning. The road sign said opening May First, still six weeks away. I drove by and had the thought of crispy chicken, coleslaw and french fries planted in my head. Up ahead another truck coming from the other direction, slowly creeping along. Someone else was out for a Sunday drive and like me they to were in no hurry. We past slowly and gave each other the nod of the head and a passing wave. An older gentlemen and his wife I am guessing, she was looking off into the woods and he was driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hanging out the window. Like a young kid he was catching the breeze in his hand, letting it dip and then go skyward. I looked up and followed them in my mirror as they paused at the Chicken Shack before moving on. Thinking to myself that the Chicken Shack missed out on a few customers just now.

I found myself at one of the small lake access that is somewhat hidden and pulled in and parked at the frozen water's edge. Getting out I brought my pop with and I lean against the warm fender of the Dodge and looked out on the frozen lake. Standing water puddles were scattered on the surface and it did not look like it was something I wanted to drive on. No tire tracks that I could see and the garbage can was empty. Cigar half gone now I got back in the Dodge and headed towards the Lodge. Hard to drive slow as I was going back the way I came. A few minutes later I came up on the old couple. I eased up on the gas and followed at a distance. I didn't want to make then drive any faster than their relaxing pace. They must have seen me and pulled off to the side, the hand of the driver waving me to pass. I drove by and the lady in the passenger seat gave me a little wave and I returned it. Soon they were gone from sight in my rear view mirror. Heading for the car wash, dripping in pot hole water I thought it was a lovely day for a ride here at Lake Iwanttobethere today..{92,185}

March 19, 2009

Still quiet here at the lake, town still has some traffic moving along the street but that will change here in a few more days. Have received word that the cruise is just about at an end and everyone will be back on the road and heading home here on Sunday. Some more post cards arrived yesterday and from what I read on them they were tired, hungry and looking forward to getting back to Lake Iwanttobethere. Several cards did make reference to the lack of Wild Turkey and no one up there had even heard of Hamms. Skinny should have most of his stitches out by the time they return back to the lake and food poisoning is not all that fun. But all n all it sounds like everyone had a good time, the scenery was great food was good as long as you liked a lot of fish.

Back home here the last few days have been a little on the cool side. Lots of sunshine but just not warming up much. All the easy snow has melted and what is left has a hard crust that just dares the sun to try and melt it. A few geese went over the cabin yesterday and I was looking for the old goose to peel off the flight but they just kept flying. Might be a little early for that. St. Patty day at the Lodge was pretty quiet, we had a so so crowd as most members were out on the cruise. We still have some green Hamms left so there may be a glass or two to share. Has been cool enough that we have a fire going and we are not alone as I still see smoke curling up from chimneys at sundown. Wood pile here is getting down and I will have to go to the main pile and haul a few loads closer to the cabin. I did take the hose out from the greenhouse and washed down the sidewalk around the cabin and garage. Just could not go any longer looking at that loose rock and twigs that had gathered over the winter.

On a more promising note the cucumbers and a few of the tomato seeds have popped up and are showing some green. A good sign when I see something growing in the window sills. Looking forward to moving them out in the greenhouse here in a few weeks. Have been spending some time out there doing a little cleaning, never seem to get that all done in the fall. Had a fire in the fire ring to, that helped move the snow back some more. Will be able to put a chair out there and will not have to sit on a log much longer. The temporary mailman has been under load. I think Mark the mailman might have planned his vacation at the right time. A lot of seed catalogs and fishing catalogs have been arriving this week. A young guy, every time I see him he is talking to himself. In a brief conversation he told me he is from the big city and most of his mail routes there are in apartment buildings. He just has a bank of boxes to deliver to. Here he has mailboxes that he has to drive in four wheel drive to get to and cross over down trees and puddles that make him want to put on a life vest. Guess I never thought about what Mark the mailman takes for granted. I didn't mention that the mail is delivered by boat in the summer.

Well March is better then half over, April next up to bat and we should start greening up here. Small creeks are flowing with water and still lots of ice on the lake but it is looking a little weak. Early morning is best as the nights are still cool and the skim water is freezing over on top. Few fishermen are still making the walk out with sleds and five gallon pails. Crappies have been hard to come by but gills are still biting. The river down on the far side of the lake has been putting up catfish, of course you have to know what you are doing but D.T. and his dog Grace have been down there every evening doing well. Bailiff has been at the Lodge as he is not one for walking on the ice when he can be laying in front of a fire with unattended drinks close by.

I did spend a few hours working down at the Masterbaiters shop this past week. Some deliveries came in and I did not want Vicki to have to fight her way past the boxes to get into the shop. I did some unpacking for her and I saw she has a lot of them new swim baits with the paddles on them. I had mentioned them and she went out and put an order in. I set a few packs off to the side for myself as it looks like something I will try out this summer. It's good to work at the bait shop as I get first pick. Well back to paper work here at the Lodge, have to take advantage of this quiet time. Fishing contest to work on for the Lodge and then we have all the events that go on during the summer. Before you know it opener will be here and we will be having get togethers and the tourist will be coming through the door. Fish to be caught, stories to be told and cigars to be smoked. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good one. {92,235}

March 24, 2009

Hard time to get to the Lodge today. We seem to have a little weather outside. Freezing rain is falling and anything and everything has a coat of ever thickening ice on it. It is suppose to warm up this afternoon so it should start melting here soon and then we will just have the rain to contend with. Place does look like a ghost town as there is no traffic moving that I can see here from the Lodge and no one has ventured out onto the ice of Lake Iwanttobethere. I think we can put it on the board that ice fishing has come to a close here at the lake. Can hear the sound of the sump pump running in the Lodge basement. The ground is still frozen and with all the water it is pooling on top of the ground and finding it's way into the basement. Gus has the fans on down there and made sure the pump was working. Only a few guys here in the Lodge as we are still waiting on the arrival of the charter bus and Reeds RV returning from the cruise. They were due today but I am sure the weather will delay them. Last I heard they were making good time after they had to pass the hat to buy gas. Seems Reeds RV needed a few repairs and the travel fund was running low.

Saw a few more geese winging across the lake, freezing ran does not seem to be a problem for them. Nothing else moving that I can see. Glad we have a full wood box, even though it is not really cold out that damp rain seems to make ya sit a little closer to the fire. So I have paper work spread out in front of me, drapes are pulled open but no sunshine coming in. Seven weeks till fishing starts, and the days are dragging a little. Rain in the forecast from Stormy Clearweather so this week is pretty much a wash. Might even get some snow in a few days, that will make things interesting. I am not going to complain as the rain and new snow melt will add water to the streams and keep our lake levels up. Smelt will be making their way to Mystery creek here soon which means the park will have the tent up for fish fry. Skinny and Hammering Hank have a long list of things that need to be tended to on their return. Digging out the mini donut trailer is right there near the top. Can't wait to smell donuts again. With all of this rain it is going to take care of our snow to. Soon as that is gone the gulls will be back in the morning doing their march across the park and the softball field.

Next day--

Lost power yesterday afternoon so I could not continue with my update. Windy the windmill was working but others were without power. I left the Lodge to see what I could do to help and found several tree branches down on the access road and also a few trees. The rain had stopped but the wind had picked up and now you could hear the sound of breaking branches and the wind making a whistle noise through the ice covered branches. Driving back towards the cabin trees hung out over the road under the heavy weight of the ice. I thought I heard thunder once or it might have been a bigger tree off in the woods falling. I arrived at the cabin and there was a large branch down across Elmers drive. Changing clothes and keeping an eye over head I got the chain saw out and open the driveway up so Elmer could get in when he gets back. I took a few pictures and made my way back up the drive to my cabin.

Seeing all the ice on the trees and having been in a few ice storms before I retreated to the deck and took out a cigar. In the half hour or so that it took me to clean up Elmers tree the temperature had gone up a degree and that was the difference maker. The rain had started back up again and was no longer freezing. The ice was starting to loosen its hold on the trees and without any warning ice started to fall from the trees and with the weight of the ice gone the branches shaking themselves stood upright again. Like a Lord of the Rings movie the trees came alive, fling ice from themselves to rain down on what ever was below. Ice falling on the tin roof of the shed sounded like small arms fire. Some ice even made it as far as the deck and it shattered when it hit at my feet. I moved back a little closer to the cabin wall and watched. Like a hail storm there was to much to see at once. From small little piece to tubes of ice as long as your arm the ice fell from the trees. It lasted a good twenty minutes judging by my cigar. It left me with some more branches for the fire ring and a hole in the greenhouse. I am sure not many people got to enjoy the falling ice and now it was just raining again.

This morning as I drove into town I had the window down on the Dodge. Sounds of chain saws working echoed around the lake. The zid zid of branches being trimmed along with the long zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee of someone cutting a tree could be heard. I expect we will have chain saw music for a while. Most residents of the lake are not here and will have a surprise when they make it to the cabins in early May. By then we will have green up and the broken branches and down trees will stick out or be hidden from view. Neighbors will clear neighbor's drives and cabins will be checked for damage, Calls will be made and Hammering Hank and Skinny will have more index cards with jobs written on them. For most they will have missed the storm and the trees are not very good telling they're stories. For me, it will be another memory of Lake Iwanttobethere.

{92,440}

March 25, 2009

Dear Mr. Bass,

Now that you have received proper clearance, let me officially introduce myself. Let me start by apologizing again for the presence of black, unmarked SUVs in the Lake Iwanttobethere area over the last few weeks, a necessary precaution, you will, I'm sure, agree.

As was shared with you previously, my husband and I, heretofore known as Sissy Fishy and Dewey Fishy, are looking to be relocated, I mean retire, to a rustic out-of-the-way spot in the north woods. Lake Iwanttobethere is the perfect retirement retreat for us, according to tourist testimonials, local reputation, and satellite imagery.

The work on our new lake home at Little Bay Around the Corner is nearing completion, and we hope to use local help for the finishing touches. We are eager to be assimilated into your community; it is important to us that we be seen as locals to your area. We may even hire you to coach us in the local dialect.

We are also interested in operating a small shop in town, in the spirit of the local flavor, called Fishy Gifts and T-shirts. We will contact Reed, the realtor, regarding store-front availability.

I look forward to meeting you; I have read so much about you in your file, I mean your Fishin report, I feel like I know you like a brother.

Looking forward to a quiet, anonymous retirement, Sissy Fishy

March 29, 2009

Keeping to your cover story I will from this point on refer to you as Sissy and Dewey. I must remind you that the lake here is a small town and does lack in some of the things that you may have become accustom to. We might be called "Quant" by some but I prefer our small town ways. Cell phone coverage is not that great and as you settle in you will find some rules we have here might seem old fashion. I should also point out that everyone knows everything about everyone here. I had to really reach out and squash this message here as I am assuming you want as few people as possible to learn of your cover story. Lucky for you most of the town has been on a cruise and just in the past few days have returned. The SUV was not noticed and with your prefab cabin going up on Little Bay the ice storm covered it. As soon as the trees green out it will be fall before anyone can see it from the road.

You can use the Lodge a drop point and I am sure Dewey would enjoy joining the Lodge and using it as cover. Of course you will have to get your mail from Mark the mailman unless of course you use a p o box in which case you could just go to the post office. I am sure you will have that all covered. So enjoy your stay here at the Lake and I am looking forward to your new business venture. {92585}

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Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

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