Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

May 18, 2011

Halfway through the first week of fishing here at Lake Iwanttobethere and the town is settling in. Weather has been all over the place and as many have hoped we are into a spell of no rain for a change. Still real cool at night but sunny during the day and warming up some. Wind might have blew itself out over the weekend when fishing conditions were not the best. A few fish made it to the chalk board at the Lodge, but nothing really to write about. We call them "Seed" fish, just fish big enough to post so you have something up there to talk about. Down at the campground maybe a third of the spots are open but by Friday all the spots will be filled again.

Business in town seems to be a little down for opening weekend, at least that is what the talk is. Long time regulars have returned and it is hard to call some of them tourists. More than a few have been coming to the lake for opener for so many years that they know the secret word that will get them discounts at the shops. Once again conversations are being held on the street as people are past the buzz of opening weekend and now have time to chat again. Marv and Elmer have settled into their new summer routine. The Book and Cigar shop is open by ten in the morning, would be earlier but they have found a new part time side job. My understanding is they stop at Amy's Bakery and buy up some of her day old Danish then drive over to the strip mall where the outside exercise class is held. They of course sit on the tailgate of the pickup and eat Danish just to bother the instructor but now they are selling Danish to the class when the instructor goes back in the building.

Speaking of food you know we are in summer mode when you can hear the thumping of the Pizza Cannon coming from Del's Pizza and Sub Shop. Always a good sight to see and hear when the pizza's go skipping out across the bay to a waiting pontoon or fishing boat. Boats are scattered like a bag of marbles dumped out around the tip of Root Beer Island. Report of Crappies and Walleyes being taken out there. Mark the mailman is back making delivery by water as is Jessie the paperboy. The Lodges pontoon is ready to start making its trip around the lake for Lodge members but right now we can't settle on a schedule. Seems some of the wives have heard about it and don't want the last run to be at closing time, they would rather it be at sunset. Something about having their husbands home before first light.

Sound of lawnmowers in the air as with the longer days and warming weather the grass has turned green and now is starting to grow some. Earl at the General Store has rolled the snow blower away, hopefully for the last time and a new lawnmower takes it's place. Garbage cans and ladders and a wheelbarrow along with a tiller all connected by the same cable weaved through their handles take up sidewalk space. The two metered parking spaces always have a car or truck in them now even though the next spaces over are empty and free. Pickups drive down main street at a grouse hunting pace. Windows are rolled down and arms hanging out, waving at passerby's who in return wave in kind. Kids play the license plate game as they walk the sidewalk looking for a plates they don't have in their notebooks.

In the evening the pontoons come out, trolling along the shoreline you might see a long line or two trailing behind them. You will see a lot of heavy coats on this early in the year and you might hear the clinking of cocktails being served. We for years would just call them drinks but to keep in step we now refer to them as "Cocktails" and there has even been a little push at the Lodge to have a "Cocktail Hour" but since I am the Lodge manager I still prefer the "Getting Hammered Hour" so no change has been made. I was out on Marv pontoon the other night, we did a little run and had a few Hamms. Something I did notice is when we went by Nytelyter place the catamaran was tied to his dock but there was a couple of kids bikes laying in the grass. A conversation was started on how Nytelyter has been kind of scare around the Lodge and some speculation about the kids bikes. I didn't say to much but made a mental note to ask the wife in passing, I should have a report in a few days. From Lake Iwanttobethere {328,957}

May 21, 2011

Just a reminder it's not summer just yet! Yesterday on the water it was a mild sixty plus day with some sunshine and calm winds. By later afternoon the sun was gone, clouds were thick and the wind had come up. The red needle on the bass thermometer had fallen about fifteen degrees and I was lucky that I had brought a hooded sweatshirt with. The water that felt warm on the fingers earlier got cold real quick and soon it was like I was fishing in the middle of October again. Today finds darken skies and some rain drops falling from time to time. Not a lot but just enough to keep the deck wet and to make plopping sounds when hitting the roof of the covered swing or the tin roof of the shed. Bud, Barney and Duncan ran out the door and made a quick stop on the wet deck. Seeing I was not going to let them back in they headed for the grass to take care of morning business. Bud kicked up a rabbit and a brief chase ensued with the rabbit quickly outdistancing Bud. Duncan just saw a blur and didn't have a clue as to what was going on. The rabbit might have a big surprise in a few more months as soon as Duncan learns how to use them long legs he is sporting.

I am not going to say Duncan is housebroken, because for sure we will have an accident but he has done very well. His crate stands open for him to come and go as he pleases. He is not spending the night in it as he has proven he can be good. This morning after letting all the dogs out I turned to see the big tom cat Smokey sleeping in the dog crate, so I guess it is getting used. Cats are introducing themselves to Duncan. No longer do they run as soon as they seem him. Having grown up with Bud and Barney they don't have a fear of big dogs but they don't really know what to do with this puppy that is all legs and wants to play with them. For now the saying around the cabin is labs can't jump but cats can fly. When they have had enough of Duncan mauling them they just jump to a table top or counter and game is over.

Still looking for a nice summer night to sit on the deck and enjoy a warm breeze and a sunset. I know it's only May but this is looking like a long dragged out Spring. Trees are in bud and a few leaves are just starting to open, the wife's flower gardens are starting to see some color and Duncan has already been scolded for walking through them. Bud, Barney and me just looked at each other and roll our eyes, we all have been scolded by the wife over her gardens before. Edd and Eddie the squirrels have been working over the bird feeders pretty good but the wife keeps going out and refilling them. Which brings me to another little problem here at the lake. The old goose has returned, as a matter of fact he and his mate have been around for several weeks. I had not really noticed them because they have moved further down the shoreline to a more isolated part of the bay.

I am guessing that like most females once she hooked up with the old goose they had to move to a better living area. I have seen them several times now as they take off and look like a pair of fighter planes, one being the wing man for the other as they slowly climb together and turn towards Root Beer Island. They have been the topic of several conversations at the Lodge as they are getting a name for themselves. I should say instead of looking like fighters they are more like bombers. Several guys have said that they felt they were the target of bombing runs by the pair as they have flown right at their boats before turning up and away as they released some ah, fertilizer in the boater's direction. Most guys would just say it was one of those things that happen but a few guys were chatting at the Lodge and several had the same experiences. A few fingers were pointed at me saying that they were my geese, like I have any control over them. I smiled a little thinking of the gunny sack of corn in the back of the Dodge. From Lake Iwanttobethere {330,399}

May 24, 2011

OK, so it's raining nothing new in that but on the good side the lake level continues to rise and landings are deep again. Actually the falling rain has been pretty good as I am just about done with the office remodeling job and I don't feel so bad when there is water dripping off the eves as I fill the shelves. Pictures are finding their way up on the walls and some serious housecleaning has been going on. Of course I know that I am just making more space so more stuff can be added in the office, as the walls and shelves are full at the cabin. Duncan has been coming down to the Lodge with me, I think he was a little under the weather the first week he was brought home. He had a few accidents in the cabin the other day and had some stomach troubles. Now that he got his system cleaned out he has been nothing short than a wild man! Even the wife suggested that I bring him with today.

Duncan has found a new friend, a big stuffed lion king animal just his size that he mauls and drags where ever he goes. This is better than the rocks he has been digging out of the potted plants that sit on the floor in the living room. He carries the rocks around the cabin till he finds something else to go after and then drops the rocks where they can be stepped on. Here at the Lodge there are plenty of fingers he can chew on and he is getting lots of attention from patrons. Gus said we should train him to retrieve beer bottles off the tables since Bud and Barney no longer do it. Bud and Barney used to do that at the Lodge but somehow they found out that they could take the aluminum cans to Big Earl where he has a recycling station. Earl would then pay them off in dog bones. Gus no longer lets them pluck the cans at the Lodge anymore.

Fishing has been slow here at the lake, but I am sure fish are being caught as the bright pink fishing cleaning house by the landing is being used. With it raining most of the weekend the campground has already cleared out. Hammering Hank and Skinny made a few extra trips stocking firewood as that is what a lot of people did for the weekend. Just sat in the drizzle and tried to keep fires burning. At least there has been no reports of any mosquitos sighted! Lodge has been pretty busy as a fair number of people have come in and used the rest rooms and then ordered up food and sat in front of the fireplaces. I always enjoy the way people try and ask in a round about way where the fish are biting and then the ones who just come in and demand to be told where they, the fish are.

Candy display case has fingerprints all over it from muddy kid's fingers pointing at what they want, I have already restocked it this morning with Duncan helping me, he takes the empty candy boxes and runs off with them. One table close to the fire has a group of roofers sitting at it playing cards. Mugs of Lake Iwanttobethere Root beer are being sipped as they kill time waiting to see if the weather will clear and they can go to work. Most are Lodge members and if they weather keeps dripping they will go down to the locker room and change into some fishing duds and just go fishing. Their wife's will never be the wiser but knowing my wife I am sure their wife's know what they are doing.

Gus has the crock pots simmering away with chili and Coney sauce, the smell is fresh in the air. Normally I don't smell it as when you are around it all the time you just get used to it. Kind of like fresh cut grass, I can always tell when Elmer is cutting his grass but I don't notice it much when I do my own. Chuck on the other hand never cuts his grass so only when McDonnell offers to bail it can you smell anything coming from his yard. My thoughts are disturbed as Duffy the roofer goes lumbering by, Duncan running ahead of him dragging his nail pouch in his mouth. From Lake Iwanttobethere {332,086}

May 26, 2011

Did I miss the memo? When was summer suppose to arrive? This morning I was greeted by cold winds and there might have even been some trace of frost on the old dodge's windshield. Duncan woke me up to go outside and I followed, of course it took a little while to find my slippers which Duncan thought should be moved to better locations. I was glad I took the time because no way was the deck warm enough to walk on in bare feet this morning. Kind of half penciled in the day to go fishing but I can see it is turning into a better day to mow the grass. So I figure I must have missed the memo when summer is going to start, I know I didn't miss it, summer that is.

A few more days till Memorial holiday and then it will be time to put the Puddle Humper in the water. I always get a late start to the season as I like it to warm up a tad before getting my feet wet so to speak. I have had the old wood row bow out with it's fresh coat of paint a few times. Mostly just to get in a little rowing and toss a spinnerbait a few times, casting arm is no where close to being in mid season form. Even have gone to the river to toss a few there and talk with the old fellows. Couple of kids on bikes rode up with rods laying across the handlebars their baseball hats were on straight which was a good sign to see. They asked me if I was doing anything, fishing wise and I told them if I had a bike I would take the trail up river to where the big willow tree hangs over the water and try my luck there. They told me thanks and called me Mister Bass and then rode off on the trail. I am not sure but I got the feeling that I was an "Old Fellow" to them. Hmmm

My neighbor Chuck has been busy of late. He got himself one of them four wheel drive little mini farm haul everything thingies. First thing he did was put a hitch on it and has been hauling a Jon boat on a trailer with it. Making trails he is checking out long forgotten ways to the lake and some of the small bays that you can't get into from the main lake. With a case of Wild Turkey strapped in to the cargo area he uses the bottles to get him past landowners he doesn't know. For those that don't drink he also has some Lake Iwanttobethere Maple Syrup to barter crossings with. He has not fished much, just laying the ground work for later he tells me.

With the frost I guess I can tease the wife some about not having tilled the gardens up yet. To cold to plant but the tomato plants in the greenhouse are doing well, a few are already flowering. The granddaughter was here the other day and I could not get her to put on a jacket, I figured if I was getting cold then she must be to. I got her to go in the greenhouse where I know it was a lot warmer and she soon was helping water little seedlings and asking two million questions. After we were done she went back outside and said she did need a jacket because it had gotten cold out.

Barney is spending time sitting on the end of the dock, watching and waiting for some fish to show up. Bud has been staying out of the wind and sunny himself on the deck. Every now and then his ears will perk up when the wind brings the sound of a grouse drumming. Duncan goes where ever he can get into trouble and I think I saw Barney try to bump him off the dock into the water yesterday. Surprising Bud and Duncan are playing together, which was a secondary reason for me to bring Duncan home. Nothing like being around younger folks or puppies to keep ya feeling young yourself. So summer is still coming I just got to find that memo, from Lake Iwanttobethere {333,471}

May 27, 2011

So there was a recent tremor here at Lake Iwanttobethere over the past few days, nothing was damaged and everyone is safe. There was a small wave on the lake that splashed up on some docks and Alice who was tangling here feet overthe edge of her dock got her toes a little wet. The local TV station reported that the Town of Lake Iwanttobethere has by some magical way moved North some and now is found here. We have new neighbors and I hope everyone can find us in our new home. One good thing is you will no longer have to scroll down so far while holding your coffee cup. Bobby {334,139)

May 27, 2011

Up again well before seven this morning, guess this is going to be my new routine till I can get Duncan to sleep in later. Bud and Barney just look at me and go back to sleep when I get up. They are both sleeping till past nine and it don't look like they are going to change their schedule to meet mine. So me and Duncan have some quality time of about an hour before Duncan decides it is time for him to go back to bed, meanwhile I am wide awake. So this morning I went over to Chucks for coffee, he is always up early as he has to take care of the girlfriend's horses. I used to give him a hard time about having to get up early to take care of the animals but now I can't say to much. Elmer on the other hand is usually gone before eight to hang with Marv and with Pepper now leaving with him there is no barking dog to yap at the morning crows.

Has been cold in the morning and during the day it has not been much better. If you are not working out in the sunshine you know what I am talking about. Leaves have been filling in the trees and now as you look across the bay the black and gray is being replaced by the green foliage. The blue of tarps is disappearing as more and more pontoons are being unwrapped and with the holiday almost here I am sure we will hear a few jet skies buzzing this weekend. The sound of lawnmowers can be heard and the lack of sound when a mower hits a forgotten stump or rock and the quiet and curse word that follows. Funny how them single curse words can travel so far over open water.

I did mow yesterday and got it all done, even the trimming. When I was done Duncan ran through the grass and managed to find a rather large frog. I was sitting on the deck sipping on a soda when I saw him chasing the frog. I went to see what he was chasing and managed to grab the frog. I am thinking this must be an omen as I never catch frogs this early in the season. Putting the frog into the frog bucket I am thinking this is about the right size to use for an excuse to visit the lair of Mister Big. I was proudly showing off my catch to Elmer when the daughter and granddaughter arrived for a visit. The granddaughter saw the frog and quickly named it. She asked what I was going to do with the frog and I told her I was going to take him fishing. She told me I can't, since she had already named the frog and it was now a pet.

Yesterday did have a low point, I was staining some trim at the cabin outside when I did a dumb thing. I had a quart of dark walnut stain open on the deck table and was staining a long piece of floor trim when I knocked over the can of stain. It hit the deck and splattered across the deck, table and two of the chairs. I quickly looked for someone to blame but I was all alone. Before the echo of that single curse word came back to me from across the lake Duncan ran across the deck, through the stain and back to the grass on the other side. Big puppy footprints exited from the stain across the deck. The wife came to the door as I carried Duncan to the cabin, looked at the deck and simply said " You were going to stain the deck anyway " guess I am now.

So I went back on the deck finished staining the trim and sat to lite a cigar and guard the wet stain. Rusty the well digger stop by to see if we were still going fishing next week and took the time to tell me he likes what I have done with the deck, what a guy! We chatted for awhile and just about when the cigar was done Rusty was on his way. I went back in the cabin to find Stain Deck already on the Honey Do List and a note from the wife saying she had already talked to Big Earl and he has our stain in stock. Lucky for me it is too cold... From Lake Iwanttobethere {334,226}

May 28, 2011

The tent rests on a piece of high ground, the new deep green grass matted around it. The tent is blue with panels of gray sewed in to highlight and maybe even give it some kind of modern camo look, but more likely just to catch the eye of a buyer at the store. White rope runs from rings to yellow plastic tent stakes pounded in the soft ground at an angle. An old metal clad cooler looks out of place sitting on top of a well-weathered cedar picnic table. An even older blacken coffee pot rest on the edge of a square fire pit grate. Hot coals raked to one side still glimmer with heat and from time to time a drop of rain falls and you can hear the splat and sizzle as it, the rain drop hits the coals to burst into steam and then disappears.

Another length of white rope stretches from an old paint can filled with concrete, one of grandpa's old home made anchors still being used. The anchor sits up right on shore, the rope stretched out behind it tied to the eye of the aluminum boat pulled part way up on the gravel covered beach. The small outboard hangs out of the water on the transom and oars rest in their locks with the blades on the front bench seat. A yellow plastic minnow bucket with a pink stringer looped through the handle and then tied to the back seat bobs in the water. An old fiberglass rod with a dangling daredevil rests in the bow, the hook on the lure tangled in the anchor rope.

The lake is gray just like the sky above it, even darker clouds form the horizon in the distance. Everything is wet and drops still fall from the surrounding trees. Robins are still out, a little rain is not going to stop them. They fly low carrying long pieces of old grass in their beaks. Nest building season is in full swing for them and they ignore the camp, it is just something in their way right now. A chipmunk appears from behind the cooler, probably has been here for awhile but now he has grown bold and makes his way into the camp. Moving in control bursts of speed like John Belushi would he moves from one piece of cover to another. He or maybe she pauses when a loud snore is heard from the tent. Darting to the small wood pile he or she emerges on the other side to watch and wait some more.

It is a three day weekend and there is not much rush in camp. Last night a small fish was fried along with some steaks and a heated can of beans. Cigars were smoked and some stories retold, when the rain started to lightly fall it was time to try out the new cots and call it a night. This morning some wood was added to the coals and some coffee was brewed. A few yawns were released and maybe just another hour of sleep would change things. A few more drops of rain falling was all that was needed to seal the deal and a moment later the sound of the zipper being closed was heard. From Lake Iwanttobethere {335,267}

May 31, 2011

Holiday weekend has come to an end with the best part being we are already almost half way through another week. Well, that is if you count today as already being here and tomorrow being Wednesday. Sunshine Ray is calling for some more rain this morning but then it is going to warm up and get real breezy. The wind should dry things up nicely but the humidity is going to be high. No mowing grass today and it might be a better afternoon to sit on the swing and smoke a cigar. The holiday weekend could have been better weather wise but as far as weekend goes it was not bad. Some time was spent around the fire pit and some fishing was done. Granted the dock was a popular spot to fish from as when showers did come the boat house was close by to duck under.

Duncan was kept busy by grand kids and Duncan kept grand kids busy in return. I think just about all the kids went to their parents and at some time asked if they could get a new puppy. I just sat back and enjoyed the parents, my kids squirm as they tried to give their kids, my grand kids excuses why they could not have a puppy since they all have a dog already. Just one of those things that a grandparent enjoys. We had free light shows every evening as mother nature provide some good lightning. The kids slept in the tent till their mothers worried to much and made them come back into the cabin where they bunked on the floor near the big glass window. The lighting flashed across the ceiling and dogs snuggled mixed in with blankets, pillows and kids. They all did fine till about five in the morning when a loud clap shook the cabin as lightning struck close. Kids then scurried to parents beds, not as brave as they were at sunset.

I am not ready to say summer is here but it is getting closer. Windows are cracked open at night, not to let heat out of the cabin but just to get the smell of the pine woods back into the cabin. Shorts are being worn because it is almost June and it is time for shorts and no socks. Watermelon is back in the fridge and hot-dogs are now cooked on sticks in the fire pit again. Marshmallow and candy bars along with graham crackers are stocked on the lower shelf where kids can get to them. Ma and Pa's grocery had some sweet corn brought in and a dozen ears were bought and roasted over the hot coals of the fire pit. The corn was slavered in butter from Old McDonnell's farm and Duncan found out he likes licking faces with butter on them.

An attempt at making some birdhouses was made in the wood shop by the kids during a rain shower. They need some paint and a little remodeling done to finish them. The oldest granddaughter said she was the bird house inspector and her brothers need to work some more on theirs. Of course by then the rain had stopped and the boys were on their bikes riding through the big water puddle in the middle of the drive. Didn't take them long to find that the dirt along the drive had good makings for mud and soon it was hard to tell them apart. Bud and Barney along with the mothers avoided the muddy boys who were told they would not be let back in the cabin till they either jumped in the lake or got hosed off. The boys ruled out the lake as to cold and came to me to let them back into the wood shop. As luck would have it the rain returned and I directed them to falling water off a rain gutter. The rain water soon rinsed them off and I tossed them a bar of Lava soap. Their mother and grandmother took exception with the fact that during the rinsing off part they had lost all of their clothes and were now naked. Granddaughters wanted to know why they could not go out and take a shower like the boys. Somehow I got blamed for it all. Grandsons were over at Elmer's raiding his beer fridge and missed it all. So it was not all that bad of a holiday at all, From Lake Iwanttobethere{337,944}

June 2, 2011

Finally a nice evening last night, a little breezy but at least warm enough to sit outside with out the need for a jacket.. Got all my mowing and trimming done around the cabin in the morning and was looking forward to doing some fishing. At least that was the plan. Made some final checks on the Puddle Humper, everything was all loaded up and in it's place. New tackle stowed away in boxes and even the stuff that was bought over the winter has found and filled empty spaces. Gas tank was filled and extra clothes stowed in the back of the Tahoe, all that was needed to be done was put the trailer on the hitch and check the lights.

Which did not work, I knew it was to good to be true and then I did kind of remember that the right tail light was not working last fall and the side marker had been blinking. So the afternoon was spent rewiring the trailer. Had a bad brown wire that of course had broken loose somewhere inside the trailer frame so I pulled new wire and while I was at it I just replace the side marker and rear light. It took a couple of hours to do by myself as is always the case. I did have a new helper as Duncan was there under the trailer with me. Reminds me of when Bud was a pup and would always climb under the truck with me when I changed the oil. He never wanted to miss anything back then but now he and Barney just lay on the deck, head pointed in my general direction and watch Duncan run off with my wire and tape. I could almost see it in their eyes, It was better that Duncan was bothering me than them.

Well Duncan likes attention, quickest way for a puppy to get attention is to take something you are just reaching for, drag it away and wait for you to chase him. I kind of knew that was going to happen and I took some time to play a little with him and donated a roll of black tape that he had already started to chew on making it worthless. I did have to take a forced time out as I was laying on my back under the trailer and ignoring Duncan. Out of sight he ran up and jumped on my midsection. As you might have guess his landing was a little lower than I would have liked and I did an involuntary sit-up banging my forehead off the bottom of the trailer frame. Now I did not see stars but I did see several Duncan's there for a few seconds. Rolling out from under the trailer I was met with a wet tongue and puppy breath. Duncan was escorted to the cabin and placed under house arrest till I was done with the wiring.

With the trailer wiring complete and all the lights now working again I checked my watch to see that I just might have enough time to get in a little fishing. I got in the Tahoe and turn the key only to hear clicking sounds. I had forgotten to turn off the headlights while I was rewiring the trailer and now had a dead battery. The battery charger was hooked up to the truck and I let Duncan out of the cabin and headed to the swing. Bud was on it already and Barney was down at the dock fishing by himself. I sat back in the cushions and Duncan with an assist climbed up and laid with his head in my lap and was soon asleep. Got to love them puppy naps that just seem to come at anytime with very little notice.

So today finds me eyeing a blue bird sky and tree tops swaying in the freshening breeze. Rain coming again this afternoon. I have some things on the Honey Do List that I can check off, thinking maybe the day might not be a total loss. Good "Bank" day as I can tell the wife. " Remember when I stayed home from fishing so I could work on the Do List" now that sounds like a plan. I am thinking I will be due a long stretch of fishing days here when the wind finally dies and the rain stops, it's going to happen, I hope. From Lake Iwanttobethere {339,604}

June 3, 2011

As I drove on into the Lodge this morning their was a time there that I thought it might turn out to be a decent day. The sky was overcast but as I parked and got out of the Dodge and made my way to the back door of the Lodge I paused and I suddenly realized that there was no wind. Tree tops were still at the edge of the parking lot and the lake was calm. The next thing I noticed it was quiet. I stood with my hand on the handle to the wood screen door and tilted my head and listened. It was almost so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Well that is just a saying because I don't know about you but I have never really heard a pin drop. Can't really say that I have ever dropped a pin just to see if I could hear it drop, nor do I know anyone else that has confessed to having heard a pin drop. Now thinking about that I have heard what happens when you step on a pin that has dropped, but that is a different story.

Maybe it was as quiet as a mouse! Na that's not it because I have been in deer stands and have had mice under the tree and they can be really loud running through the dry leaves and squeaking. So as I was trying to think how quiet it was, the quiet went away. Now that I was listening I could hear the sound of a mower. Not a push mower, but one of them commercial walk behind mowers. They have the same sound the whole time they are mowing, does not matter if they are cutting two inches or ten inches of grass they have that high whine to them. So I was listening to the mower and then I noticed no crows cawing, now that is a little weird, always crows making noise this time of the morning.

Ding! Ding Ding there it is. Rain drops hitting the metal roof over the door way, Splat .. A direct hit on the tip of my cigar, what are the odds of that. Ding Ding Ding drops are bouncing off the plastic pink flamingo marking the trail down to the lake. A low rumble is felt rather than heard and the drops are coming to quickly now to be picked out. Gee what a surprise, it's raining again. The wind comes from no where, not even a gust just a constant breeze comes from no where and does not let up. I turn by back to the direction it is coming from and take a few puffs on the cigar to see if it is still burning. The rain drop did not put it out and smoke rises from the tip and I am rewarded with a little red glow.

Growing darker out and the floodlight over the screen door starts to flicker on. The sensor has turned the light on and now I hear the sound of a window sliding close. Gus must be closing windows on this side where the wind is blowing. A station wagon with out of state plates pulls up to the split rail fence and parks. Wiper blades stop as the engine is turned off and an older gent with a highway map covering his balding head gets out and makes a dash for the main entrance. Well kind of a dash, actually more like a quick walk. I can see someone still sitting in the passenger seat of the wagon but the windows are fogging up and soon they are out of sight. A bright flash just off to the West makes me blink and a long second later a crack of thunder rumbles and rolls overhead.

Just like that the rain stops, once again I can hear the Ding of drops falling and the floodlight flickers and then goes out. The wind falls off and I the sky turns from dark gray to dirty white and I can see strands of darker clouds moving quickly by. The cigar has served it's purpose and I snub it out in the wet sand of the outdoor ashtray by the door. A crow flies by looking down at the closed lid of the dumpster and keeps going. I turn back to open the door and I can once again hear the sound of the mower, for sure now I know it is someone mowing on a schedule. From Lake Iwanttobethere {341,767}

June 5, 2011

Everyone got a little scare the other morning as we heard that my neighbor and best bud Chuck had a heart attack. He is OK as far as heart attacks go, Doc Burriem saw him and then he was taken down to the big city hospital by the township ambulance. They did surgery on him and sent him out the door the next day. He is now at the girlfriend's cabin and she is making sure he mends. Not a whole lot of funny you can write about having a heart attack as that is getting pretty serious in my book. I know Chuck will be reading this so we just want him to take it easy and get well. He always gets mad at me when I say we are getting old, but we are. Of course this all started when he said his jeans were getting a little to tight and he went on an exercise program. Started jogging and drinking some health juice drinks. I told him all he needed to do was just buy some sweat pants and he would not even notice the tightening of his belt.

Hospital told him he has to go on some healthy heart program and stop smoking, that might be a little tuff. Elmer and Marv said they would do their part and if he joins the health club at the strip mall they will stop selling donuts from the back of the pickup down there. Chuck told me the doctor told him he can't lift anything over ten pounds for awhile so he can't go fishing. I told him that now I can't even use him as my net man. So while he recovers I guess I can go over and mow his lawn for him, maybe cut down that tree between our two places. I'll just tell him a storm took it down and I just cut it into firewood for him. As luck would have it since he went into the hospital the weather has been summer fine and today the sky is blue and not a cloud to be seen. So with Chuck laid up I better get on with my report for Lake Iwanttobethere.

As I mentioned the weather has been summer fine the past few days. I have not been fishing as I have been working on putting the Puddle Humper together and have gotten a little sidetracked. Town has been busy and getting to the point now that there is just to much going on to mention it all. Moe down at Moe's-Tel has been booked all week and all the spaces have trucks or cars filling the spots, even the trailer parking area is full. Friday was busy as that is change over day where new tourists and fishermen come and go. The last group had a lot of bad weather but the new group has been seeing some warm evenings and calmer water to fish on.

I have been finding myself getting up earlier in the morning as Duncan don't sleep past seven in the morning. Some quiet time for us as we get to read the paper together and he gets first chance to chase the rabbit out of the yard. One bad thing about getting up early is that now I have to wait longer for Mark the mailman to arrive but I did get to wave at the garbage man, have not see him in years. Elmer seeing that I am up earlier now makes a point to wander over with his empty coffee mug. He fills it up and chats for a few minutes before heading out to hook up with Marv. Pepper and Duncan run a little together and already Duncan is as tall as Pepper and is getting faster every day.

Today I am going fishing, weather looks good, wife wants me out of the cabin. Daughter will keep an eye on Duncan and Chuck says he wants some fish for dinner. All I need to do is go visit Big Earl and get some bug spray, all the cans I found were empty and the summer size mosquitoes have arrived. I noticed them last night sitting on the deck, I heard them coming before I even saw them. Just another sign that summer has arrived in these parts and the crows are back making a racket at six in the morning. Well, I better get to buying that spray and maybe a stop at Amy's for a loose meat sandwich for lunch. For a joke maybe I'll see if she can make me a rice cake for Chuck. From Lake Iwanttobethere {342,594}

June 8, 2011

Well, the Puddle Humper sits in the boat house drying, the battery charger plugged in and a soft hum can be heard if you stand close enough to it. Rods have lures dangling from them and there is a few spots of dried sand on the carpet. The black bow rope is coiled on the front deck and it to is drying. It took awhile but the Puddle Humper finally hit the water and some well-needed time fishing was had. The first fishing trip always takes the longest time to get ready for as the boat needs to be "Put back together". Fishermen who are not boat owners have no idea what we do to our boats. I wish I could say that I just park it in the fall and come spring I charge the batteries and a way we go but that is never the case. There are always things to fix and add, the Puddle Humper is now twenty-three years old and like any girl that age she needs some maintenance.

Some trailer wiring and lights replaced this year along with a new rack added on the back for hanging rods. Carpet cleaned and motor looked over. Then all the tackle boxes and life vests are stowed, rods and reels cleaned and new line added, I am sure you know the routine. A few days were penciled in to get out but the weather took the eraser to them. The other day it was only sixty at the cabin but a buddy called and told me it was in the eighty's over on the north end of the lake, that is all I needed to hear and the trailer was dropped on the ball and I was gone.

Around the Lake to the north end is about a forty-five minute ride. No sooner was I out the drive and I had the windows down and a cigar burning. I don't wear a watch, have not for years so when I go fishing I measure travel time by smoking a cigar, I should be at the landing with about two inches of cigar left and I was. For a Monday I was surprised to find a pick up and a car parked at the landing, neither one of them had a trailer attached. A lady and I am guessing her daughter were casting from the landing, bobbers with worms floated out right where I needed to enter the water. An older gent sat on the tailgate of his pickup truck parked at the water's edge. A fish basket half in and half out rested in the water and he to was fishing with some worms. I said HIYA to the man who returned the greeting and the lady just said hi back.

With the trailer parked I waded in to push the Puddle Humper out into deeper water, Getting in I checked the temperature on the graph and it came up at eighty-one I thought it felt warm but I was a little surprised at seeing that. I had already pre rigged my rods but I could see I was going to have to change a few things. With a wave to the old gent I eased out from shore and when I was clear I started the big motor and cruised around the point and out of the little bay where the landing is. Sunny and eighty-nine out and some spray flew up on my face and I am wondering why it took me so long to get on the water, it doesn't get much better that this I am thinking as I come to a small bay that I have fished many times in the past.

I let the Puddle Humper slow and turn off the big motor coasting to a stop. With the bow motor down and rod in hand I make my first cast, nothing. What were you expecting I would catch a fish on my first cast? It actually took me three casts and a small northern was caught and released at the boat. A few more casts and two little bass had been pulled over the side and released back into the water on the other side. So as I reached for a buzz bait I was kicking myself for not getting out sooner. About an hour later as I was lipping a fat three pounder with the white buzz bait hanging from her lips and I once again reminded myself I got to get out sooner. From Lake Iwanttobethere {343,275}

For the video go here

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2600472#Post2600472

June 10, 2011

Decided to go northern fishing last night, I think I did mention that to Gerry who was fishing with me. I had to bring that up because an hour or so into fishing I had caught eight northerns to Gerry's three bass. Since I had yet to catch a bass I had to remind him that I had said that I was northern fishing. Gerry replied that the bass fishing was not bad either and I should try it.. Catching another northern I turned to Gerry in the back of the Puddle Humper and said " As your guide and since you are bass fishing it is my job to clear these northerns out in front of you" I thought I was doing a good job and of course pointed that out as I lost a small northern at the boat. The wind had been coming out of the NE at about ten miles per hour which made the 60 degrees feel a lot cooler out on the water. Of course the good part was no bugs but we are a third of the way through June and it is suppose to be a lot warmer. Gerry had gotten off work early and he was penciled in on the fishing calendar for Bass fishing. So we hooked up the Puddle Humper at the cabin, and made the short drive to a northern landing on the Lake Iwanttobethere where I hear fishing has been good..

Finally I get a small bass to snatch up my spinner bait and I declare that I to am now Bass fishing. A moment later and Gerry goes quiet in the back of the boat. When he does this I know he has a fish on and I turn to see him pulling a northern over the side. So now I am bass fishing and Gerry is doing the northern fishing. Fishing up the other side of the bay we are out of the wind and have some slack water to fish. I start tossing a buzz bait and the northerns like that too. Gerry not to be outdone lands a nice plump sixteen inch bass that does a little tail walking before coming to his waiting thumb. Gerry shows it off for me before releasing it back in to the water.

Talk between catching fish is like someone with a TV remote control, every time we catch a fish the subject gets changed. From wife's to kids to grand kids. Baseball and how much it cost to fill the gas tank. Someone is cutting grass and we discuss whether it is better to weed whack before or after mowing. Another fish is caught and we talk about summer projects. Still catching them small eighteen to twenty inch northerns we talk out loudly about maybe keeping some to pickle but they all find their way back over the side and swim away not knowing how close they came to be resting on a cracker this winter.

I am interrupted by a harder pull and a nice bass tries hard to toss my spinner. A moment later and she hangs from the digital scale at three pounds five ounces. I don't give her a kiss but I do tell her thanks for letting me catch her and she swims back to do what ever she was doing. The topic has now changed to where are the big northerns? We have caught twenty little northerns but nothing big enough to make the rod bend good. Gerry tells me his thoughts on how the big ones are eating them big suckers and not messing with our little ¼ ounce spinner baits. We spend maybe ten minutes between fish still talking big northerns when I feel the tap tap of something chasing the trailer on my spinner. I tell Gerry another little norton is chasing me and I give the lure a slight pause and then a few hops before starting my retrieve again. I feel some weight so I set the hook and am rewarded with the sound of the drag and a bowed rod.

A few minutes later after being netted, measured and weighed a photo is taken and seven pounds twelve ounces of Northern is swimming away. Like I said, I was Northern fishing yesterday, From Lake Iwanttobethere.{343,842}

June 14, 2011

Been awhile since it has rained any here at Lake Iwanttobethere, not complaining just thought I would mention it. Matter of fact the only reason I brought it up is I still don't have my rain barrels set up and the wife has decided to mention that fact to me on a daily basis. I did win the battle with the robin and there will be no nest of babies to worry about under the boat house roof this year. They finally gave up building and went somewhere else. Matter of fact it is that time of year when babies are everywhere. New bunnies are hiding in the deep grass along the edge of the property. Chuck taking it easy from his heart scare is spending a little more time sitting back and relaxing has reported seeing a fawn on unsteady legs the other day. Speaking of Chuck he is getting better and has taken on a project. A new Jon boat is being decked out and has already been fished out of. I got the report just yesterday of how he lost a big one in it already.

Grass is all cut and I got out fishing three times last week, hope to repeat that this week but one of the fishing days will have to be a short one as the wife will be having her birthday on Friday. If I want any thing for my birthday next week I have to find her something for hers. Speaking of birthdays I will be turning 696 next Wednesday I plan on being on the water fishing and hiding out from relatives. But I will start accepting Hamms and Wild Turkey shots at the Lodge as of today. Heck if I am not there you can still leave me one if you would like.

As I said I have been out fishing, Sunday night I was lucky enough to go out with my youngest daughter who had the urge to fish. Even though Sunshine Ray was saying it was going to rain she still wanted to go fishing. Since I did well on the North end of the lake on Thursday we trailered the Puddle Humper up there and fished under some dark sky. It was her first time out this season and we started off fishing for some sunnies and I didn't need much of an excuse to get out the long ten foot pole and play with the little guys. After a few of them she was ready to go fishing for some bass and she boated a nice two pounder before I even got my lure wet. I landed a few northerns but I was pretty much playing the guide this day. When I know I am going to suffer a beat down I just say I am the guide and get out of the way.

Just like a few days before I was clearing the northerns out of the way so she could catch bass and in a quiet little bay she made a nice cast to a grassy bank and was rewarded. I had my video camera with and as I shot video she fought and landed a nice four pound four once bass, squealing like a little girl the entire time. Holding up the fish I don't think I could get all of her smile in the picture. With the fish released back into the water she sat back and spent the rest of the evening pointing out to me what I need to do to catch a fish like hers. Not much I could say, she did have big fish for the day. Later I did have a big hit by a bass and of course I failed to hook up, she laughed at me, maybe a little too long but it was the kind of laff that said she still had big fish for the day.

We shared sandwiches and cookies and traded stories of past fishing trips. I did have to ask her to turn her cell phone down as she was getting texts from friends wanting to know what she was doing, instead she just turned it off. Without the buzz of the phone and the wind gone we went back to tossing little baits at bluegills. We quietly moved down the shoreline and were right under the eagles nest when ma arrived with supper. A big bird she flew over head and landed just out of sight, a memory for us to share, along with that big old bass and the smile of my daughter, From Lake Iwanttobethere{344,878}

video here http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...s_d#Post2603243

June 17, 2011

OK I guess I am going to have to take the blame here, I said it has been awhile since we have received rain and look at it now. Stormy Clearweather has rain or mention of rain every day for the next week. So glad I got the grass all cut but now when the rain does stop I will have to do it all over again. Not a good start to gardening this year as my poor apple trees had almost no blossoms to speak of. Tomato plants are out of the greenhouse and in their containers scattered around the deck. With the week of wet and gloomy weather I might just put them back in the greenhouse. I did get the water barrels all cleaned out and they are in place so the wife has moved on to other things to remind me about.

Puddle Humper sits with the cover on it and is waiting for a break in the weather. I don't mind the overcast sky but the temperature today is only in the mid fifties. I like it to be a little warmer when we are in the middle of June. Daughter is walking around the cabin a little slow today, went bike riding yesterday and might have over did it a little. I even got up on the bike and rode it for a little ways, OK maybe a few yards, all right I coasted a few feet. Daughter told me maybe I should look into getting a trike, I sure hope they are not thinking of getting me a trike for my 696 birthday next week.

Duncan continues to grow and be a pest to Bud and Barney. Just a bundle of energy racing all over the yard and in the past week he has learned to fly! Well that is what the wife calls his jumping as he races through her flower beds and leaps over the steps to get on the deck. He still gets puppy naps which hit suddenly. It is like someone throws a switch and he is asleep usually hiding where only a puppy can go. We then have to go looking to find him, Bud and Barney take the time to rest themselves before Duncan rises to find them. Mama cat still has issues with Duncan and she sounds like a small mountain lion telling him to stay away from her. The two tom cats are becoming friendly and seem to have come to an understanding. If they don't run Duncan won't chase and so the three of then sit in a circle and spend time just looking at each other.

Fishing has been good when I have had a chance to get out. Did have an overnight trip planned but that got washed out. Have to reschedule the little walleye trip I had planned but it is early and right now I can say there is a lot of summer left. We are still a few days away from summer actually arriving and the longest day is the day before my birthday. Of course after that to some it is all down hill. Speaking of birthdays it is the wife's birthday today, I can't tell you how old she is, if I did she would put some kind of curse on me. Something about a lady never tells her age. We will have cake and ice cream and a BBQ here. All the kids will be over and some family friends. More than likely it will rain and I will be left outside tending to the grill, kind of my duty so I have already hung a tarp to keep the rain that I know will fall away.

For now it is quiet, dogs are all getting in their first morning nap. Wind is, well there is no wind and the lake is like dark glass. Not very warm but it is not raining. Out front of Elmers dock I can see the top of a big red bobber sitting still. No wait it is moving ever so slightly, he must have a sucker minnow hanging below it. I am thinking maybe I might go to the compost pile and dig up a few worms and take the old row boat out a few strokes and tease some fish. Rain coat and a cigar are both a must just in case it decides to rain. Can't really do any work around the cabin when it is an in between day like today. That and I don't think it would be polite to work on the wife's birthday. Come to think of it everyday is somebody's birthday, from Lake Iwanttobethere {346,079}

June 19, 2011

Rain, has been the topic of conversation for the past few days here at Lake Iwanttobethere. If you are a fishermen you sit on shore and watch it drip waiting for an opening to get out on the water. If you are a camper you sit under the rain fly enjoying it along with wood smoke blowing back in your face and mud under your feet but after awhile it starts to get a little old. Kids ride bikes in it but you can't play baseball in it all week. Golfers sit at the clubhouse and listen to ice cubes clinking in glasses and the click of cleats across the tile floor as they pace back and forth. The air heavy with moisture carries the horn of the ten o'clock freight so loudly it sounds like it is passing right behind you.

Duck hunters are happy, they have another week to wear their rain coats and show them off to their wife's. "See honey I told you we would get our money out this rain coat" Dew Drop Inn and the Sunshine Cafe are doing a brisk business as is Amy's Bakery. Patrons sit a little longer holding on to warm coffee mugs and watching dripping water from awnings fall. The water at the landings are up, so that is a good thing. Firewood sales are good reports Skinny and Hammering Hank. The walking trail around the lake is taking a beating, both the walking lane and the passing lane are muddy. Bikers are easy to pick out around town, You can identify them by the muddy line of dirt thrown up from their bikes with no fenders on their back.

The big garden at the cabin looks like a rice field, standing water on it so deep I was thinking of throwing a buzz bait across it just to see what would happen. Duncan has also found the garden and has taken a few runs through it. Bud and Barney have learn long ago to just walk around a big puddle, but puppies like little kids have only one way and that is straight away. After a few passes through the garden Duncan comes out the other side dripping mud and flapping ears to clear them. He has the look of a teenager who has invented mud bogging on their dads four wheeler. Lucky for us he has also discovered the water and soon he is running in the direction of the lake. If he could bark "Cannon Ball" I think he would as he makes a puppy dive into the water from the shore and comes up coughing water and wearing green weeds. Bud and Barney sit in the boat house and just look at each other and dip their heads. I can't tell if they are thinking "Kids" or thinking about doing the same thing themselves.

So it has not been a good week for roofer's golfers and most fishermen. Campers are a toss up as those without kids seem to enjoy the falling rain. They spend time reading books and just catching up on their sleep. Must admit hard not to sleep well if you are in a dry tent and you get to hear the rhythmic beating of rain drops overhead. That and of course the smells that a long rain releases, People from the city refer to it as Mother Earth, people in the country refer to it as dirt. Either way it just smells good after a rain.

So summer is in full swing here at Lake Iwanttobethere when the rain does stop the tourist will be back out walking main street. The General Store will be busy and Big Earl wearing his red apron and holding his push broom will greet everyone that comes into his store. The bell on the top of the door at Ma and Pa's grocery will be ringing and the smell of Danish and oven fresh bread will drift down the street from Amy's Bakery. Marv will be behind the counter at his smoke and magazine shop and in the evening the boom of the pizza cannon will be heard from Del's Pizza and Sub Shop. The sweet smell of mixed gas burning in outboards will be on the wind and the sound of a beer can opening will remind you of being on vacation. For now it is the sound of dripping water and seagulls flying low looking for someone's unattended lunch, From Lake Iwanttobethere {347,129}

June 21, 2011

Just when you think you have said all you can say about the rain we get another little twist, Wind! After the morning thunderstorm moved through dumping even more water into my rice paddy the wind picked up. Something I have noticed in just the last few days is that the leaves on the trees have suddenly went from small green fingers to full size palms. They have really open up and now with the wind are acting like sails bending and swaying trees in the opposite direction of the wind. I was on the deck with Duncan as he was a little timid going out at first and was pelted with seed pods. Must be perfect timing that the wind has arrived at the same time the seed pods are ready to be released. The deck and yard is covered in hundreds if not thousands of the pods blowing around in the wet wind.

I made the drive into the Lodge and had to go around a few branches that had been broken from the high winds. Saw a few gulls flying but they moved quickly with the wind, crows must be hunkered down as none of them were seen. No one on the golf course and the lake looked a little angry with waves throwing the pods back up on shore. I made a stop at the General Store and Big Earl had his yellow rain slicker on standing at the door. No broom in his hand this morning as he was holding onto the door handle making sure it didn't get away, the door that is when a customer came in or out. First thing that caught my eye was a small hand written note that said " We are sorry but we are temporarily out of tarps, they are on order" that has to be a first I thought, but it has been raining for awhile and going to continue for several more days.

Campground looks almost abandoned, there are a few campers parked and one lonely tent. Several trucks with boat trailers are parked in a row and all the boats have travel covers snuged down tight. I can see several guys in the pink fishing cleaning station with the windows cracked open and smoke coming out. I am guessing they are using it as a dry place to catch a smoke and watch the waves. Getting out of the truck I keep my head bent down low to keep my hat from being blown off, I glance out at Root Beer Island and no boats are off the point, I would have been surprised if there was. All three dogs are with me, Bud and Barney head right to the fireplace and plop down on the hardwood floor. Duncan follows me in and whines a little. Elmer is sitting on his wicker couch with Pepper at his side. Duncan sees Pepper and his tail starts wagging, the two of them meet halfway and then head off together I am sure to get in trouble.

Gus sits on the stool behind the counter looking over the morning paper with his glasses down low on his nose. "HIYA" is all he says before turning the page, the noise loud in the quiet room. I pour myself a large glass of orange juice and take it to the glass deck doors. Sipping on the juice I glance at the clock and see it is ten o'clock, I cock my head and listen for the sound of the freight but hear nothing. Wind is so strong that it is even drowning out the sound of the train, or it's late. There, I can just faintly hear the horn of the train but I can't tell if it has already past or not because I just heard a few blasts and now the sound is gone.

Some more dark clouds are coming across the lake and I will be willing to bet they are full of water. The local radio station KCUM-AM is playing softly in the background, interrupted by screeching static so it is a pretty safe bet there is some lightning heading in our direction. Gus did have BBQ on today's menu but I see he has already wiped it off the white board.. In small block lettering he has written "Can't light the grill" and instead has SOUP specials. So with it one day before my 696th birthday it looks like it is going to be a windy and wet one. From Lake Iwanttobethere {347,921}

June 24, 2011

The lake is already a busy place this morning, I was making the drive into the Lodge when I noticed several boats already out on the water. The sun was up and it is something we have not seen in these parts for the past week. No rain in the forecast today and it was the the first time in over eight days that the morning paper is not wrapped in plastic and still wet. My first stop of all places was the car wash, I know I am tempting fate but the old Dodge was covered in Maple seed pods and if you let them dry they stick. Not to mention these days the Dodge does not get driven much and I didn't want to start growing trees in the box. I had to wait in line for a few others who were already in front of me so I took the time to clean out the ashtray and shake out the floor mats. Now the Dodge should be good to go for at least another month.

It might just turn into a really decent day here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Sun is shinning, hardly any breeze and the lake is like flat glass. I don't even see a cloud let alone a dark one. I drove in with the windows down and heard the distant sound of a lawnmower, will be a lot more of them running today. As you all know we have a law against running power equipment like chain saws and lawnmowers on the weekend. The law is on the books to let people enjoy their weekends here at the lake and a week of rain will not change anything. Grass is getting a little deep though and the ditches along the road are filled with water and some pretty lush looking grass. I had to slow down coming around a bend as a caramel colored doe was standing at the edge of the road watching me. I would bet there was a fawn or maybe two behind her in the deep grass.

Friday here and it is moving in and out day. Resorts around the lake will be saying good-bye to some water logged guests and welcoming new ones to take their places. Sunshine Ray is predicting some sunny days and some rain but nothing like what we had this past week. When I got to the Lodge it was like opening day down at the landing. At least a dozen dripping trailers parked next to each filled the first row of parking and there were a few more trucks and trailers just rolling in. I could see a few boats bobbing off Root Beer Island and the morning sun was reflecting off several more boats at about the edge of where the ice town sits in the winter. A handful of cars and trucks were in the Masterbaiters lot and the minnow truck was parked out back. I can see Elmers truck parked in the group and I am sure he is hand picking his minnows from the new ones that are being delivered.

I parked the Dodge and came in through the back door, the wood screen door banging close behind me. Gus was no where to be seen but I see in big letters on the white board "BBQ" so looks like brats and burgers for the lunch special today. Like I thought Elmers couch was empty and the TV was off. Drapes were pulled to the side and widows were open. Ceiling fan was slowly turning and there was no fire burning in the fireplace. Now this looks a lot more like a Friday in June is supposed to look like. No one sitting at the bar and the morning paper does not even look like it has been opened. No rain coats hanging from the hall pegs and no roofers sitting at the cribbage table. One coffee pot sits on the warmer and the only noise is the sound of the compressor for the beer cooler running.

Who know maybe summer has really arrived this time, by lunch hour the regulars will be here and some of the fishermen will tie up down at the campground and walk up the hill for some lunch. We will hear if fishing was any good but the common thought will be it is better to be fishing than watching it rain. So I am thinking there is not much for me to do around here and I am already planning on leaving early and go do some fishing myself, From Lake Iwanttobethere {349,738}

June 26, 2011

Quiet morning here at Lake Iwanttobethere all the grand kids are over and are still sleeping at this hour. Last night was spent around the fire pit and marshmallows and chocolate was in demand. A few bluegills were caught off the dock and a brief battle with a northern was had and lost by the youngest grandson. Of course every time he retold the story of the battle the fish seem to have grown a little, the fight lasted longer and somehow the other grandson got involved. Right before bedtime the story was now that the youngest hooked a northern that just about dragged him the length of the dock and he was on the brink of being pulled into the lake until his brother riding his bike down the hill came to his rescue! In the nick of time he leaped from his bike, fought through the cat tails to climb on the dock, dashed to his brother aid and wrapped his arms around his brother's waist stopping the huge northern from dragging his brother over the edge of the dock to the dark and deep lair of the northern.

This story was retold several times as the boys sat together on the edge of the fire pit cleaning sticky marshmallows from between their fingers and swatting at the occasional mosquito. This morning I was up first as Duncan came and woke me up to be let out. Duncan slept with the grand kids on the living room floor along with both Bud and Barney. When I walked by this morning all I saw was arms and legs wrapped in sleeping bags, blankets and pillows. The two big dogs commanding the pillows and the kids used the dogs as their pillows. Duncan under close watch from me made the early morning rounds of the grounds and jumped the rabbit from the flower garden. He is making progress as he is learning to use them long legs of his and he is getting quicker but the rabbit makes turns that leave Duncan tied in knots and far behind.

Duncan returns to the deck and sits waiting to be praised for almost catching the rabbit. He gets patted on the head and I tell him small lies about how a good hunter he is. Sun is trying to break through the cloud cover but it is not working, some rain in the forecast but I think it will not happen to later this afternoon. Few boats on the water and the smell of wood smoke in the air. Birds are singing, well not really. Birds are calling would be a better description. I don't really think birds sing they just put a few calls together. Now if I saw a robin with a few back up crows doing 'I heard it through the grapevine" on the deck, now that would be birds singing!

Must have music on my mind and I can blame the youngest grandson for putting it there. Last night as we sat around the fire pit the kids got to talking about what they want to do when they grow up. Pretty usual stuff and when one had a better idea then the other they would change their minds. The youngest grandson chewing on a long pretzel like it was one of grandpa's cigars announced he was going to be a truck driver. Showing off I blew a big smoke ring towards the stars and said just like your uncle eh! The grandson blowing his own imaginary smoke ring towards the moon said yep! I am going to be a truck driver right after the band breaks up..

Five years old and he already has a back up plan. Kind of makes a grandpa proud. Ladies came out and brought the kids inside, dogs followed. Boys and I sat around the glow of the fire pit and talked about some early morning fishing. This morning finds me and Duncan up and everyone else still sleeping. Think the boys caught one to many bottle bass last night. Maybe it is safe to say summer has arrived and there is nothing wrong with sleeping in late on a Sunday morning here at Lake Iwanttobethere. {351.058}

June 29, 2011

The youngest daughter's birthday today, 288 months old she is. When asked earlier in the week what she wanted to do on her birthday her reply was "Fish at Church Bay" so this morning finds me getting ready to go fishing while she gets to sleep in late. We have been watching the weather slowly clear the past few days and it looked good for today so her birthday party was moved ahead a day to last night. She got her presents and cards and there is but a single piece of birthday cake left on the platter for her breakfast.

When she was very little fishing was a little less of an event, some night crawlers were picked after dark the night before. Her trusty rod known more for how many times it had been dropped overboard and recovered was checked for line and the brown bag lunch. A bologna sandwich made with a little mustard some butter and the crust cutoff wrapped in wax paper. A baggie with five oreo cookies and a ten cent bag of potato chips, plain. One bottle of Lake Iwanttobethere Root Beer floated in the fish basket to stay cold and the almost forgotten dill pickle in it's own plastic bag. This is all she needs for an afternoon of fishing, well maybe a mason jar to catch fireflies if we stayed out till dark and a couple of Quarters to stop for an ice cream on the way back home.

The trusty rod is still around but it hangs in the rafters of the boat house, it still gets used but now by grand kids who still tend to drop it overboard or step on it. The daughter now brings almost as many fishing rods on board the Puddle Humper as I do. Hooks are sharpen and she spends as much time doing it as she would if she was doing her nails. Lures are preselected and tied on to rods and she spends time on the computer exchanging e-mail with her uncle Chuck on how the fish are biting. Batteries are charged and the gas tank is filled. For what it cost to fill the boat tank I used to be able to fill up the Dodge to.

Back from Ma and Pa's grocery this morning, I had gone into town to pick up some deli bologna from Pa. Standing under the single light dangling over the meat counter he sliced a few thick slices from the roll of bologna and then wrapped it in white butcher paper folding over the edges and sealing it with some of that freezer tape he has. He carried it up to the counter where Ma sat on her stool and put it on the worn wood counter in front of her. I made by way to the counter picking up a bag of double stuff oreeo cookies and a ninety- nine cent bag of potato chips, plain. Ma put the chips, cookies and cold cuts in a paper bag and pushed it across the counter to me " Tell your daughter Happy Birthday from us" I took out my wallet and Pa raised his hand and said " Your money is no good here today" I nodded and thanked them both.

Fresh bread from Amy's bakery was added to the bag and I stopped at the Masterbaiters shop and bought a small container of Canadian nigh crawlers. I open the top and checked the crawlers nestled in the cool moss, I added them to the small cooler where I had already had a few bottles of Lake Iwanttobethere Root Beer chilling. Now I was back at the cabin cutting the crust of a few slices of bread and making sandwiches. In a few hours we will be making the drive to Church bay and I will be fishing with my little girl, from Lake Iwanttobethere {353,154}

July 2, 2011

Church Bay, one of them special places here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Just around the lake from Bacon Bay, Church Bay can be a real good place to go fishing or as in the case the other night a place where you need to do a lot of praying to catch a fish. There was a lot of standing and sitting and even some kneeling all in order to catch a few small bass that thought they were doing us a favor letting us catch them. No stories to tell you about the big one that got away cuzz we never hooked one to talk about. Did have one big northern follow a lure to the side of the boat and then just hover there looking upwards at me. We locked eyes for a few seconds and I knew nothing was going to happen. She made a tight turn and dove under the Puddle Humper. I did see a broad dark back and a swirl broke the surface of the water where she was.

So we worked the shoreline and the reed beds, followed the deep break for awhile but it was pretty slow. Went to the little rods and caught a few rock bass and some really small sunfish. At least they put a bend in the poles and we were hoping for a fish or two with some size would come along and gobble up our little lures. There are a few cabins on Church Bay and there was the sound of people mowing grass and just getting ready for the upcoming holiday. As we came along the shore a guy wearing dark slacks and a white tee shirt was at the edge of the shore filling a bucket with water. We exchange greeting and I knew right away he was not from around these parts.

He told me his neighbor told him he had some bass nests out in front of his cabin. Looking down I could see a few beds in the clear water and told him his neighbor was right. The guy was very interested and asked if the fish really do build nests. Well as I said it was a little slow fishing and I tipped my hat back and started to explain how the bigger bass would haul in sticks and weave the green reeds to build nests. Where it is sunny and the water clear like out in front of his cabin they would sometimes put a roof on. The guy just looked at me and nodded his head a few times thinking it over.. I told him to have a good afternoon and moved on down the shore, my daughter was trying hard to stay on her seat and not laff out loud to much... Like I said, fishing was slow.

Ten minutes later Mother Nature had her payback on us. We were coming along a section of shoreline clear of any cabins or docks. We were in close to shore when A fully grown and old bald eagle burst from a limb off a pine tree not twenty feet above our heads. The bird was huge and her wings blocked the sun for a moment as she flew right overhead, we had never even noticed it perched on the limb at the water edge. Would have been a great shot on my video camera if I had had it on. We watched as it flew away slowly and could almost feel the air move with each wing beat, we were that close. A good memory to share but it would have made a few awesome pictures.

Today finds me mowing the lawn and keeping an eye overhead, not for the eagle but for the line of thunderstorms heading in my direction. Lake has gone still and it is hot and muggy out, starting to hear the quiet rumbling of the coming storm. Think I will finish this and put stuff away on the deck and get an umbrella out and lite a cigar. I like these July light shows that don't cost me anything. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good evening! {354,287}

July 2, 2011

4th of July weekend here at Lake Iwanttobethere and it is shaping up to be a busy one. With the state parks all closed because of budget problems the local campground has had a steady stream of campers looking for any open spaces. Local farmer McDonnell did open up one of his hay fields to tent campers and as soon as the word got out he was swamped with suv's and pop up campers. Sheriff Tim and his dog Bailiff have already been down at the public access asking people to move campers and Skinny and Hammering Hank are standing guard protecting the softball field from tourists who think it would make a great place to pitch a tent.

Long list of activities going on this weekend with go cart and lawnmower races on the 4th Daily fishing contests, a parade and Sunday we will be having pontoon drag races off Root Beer Island. Golf course will be open with a hole in one contest and the newly dug pond filled with water after the downpour we had last night. Good timing on the golf pond as Hammering Hank just finished installing the mechanical alligator and put up the warning signs about the gator and not to try and retrieve your lost golf balls from the pond. Mike at the golf course figures he should see a big increase in his used golf ball sales with the pond and fake gator. He got the idea from his cousin who runs a course down south.

Last night several thunderstorms rolled one after the other across the lake to pound campers who had already pitched their tents. Early morning fishermen had to bail water from boats and Mystery creek is running high with runoff. Town's Laundromat has people waiting in lines for the dryers. Main Street is clean but a few cross streets have gravel washed on to them. Earl at the General Store was out early with his big push broom cleaning his sidewalk and parking spaces whenever someone would pull out.

I must admit the town looks good. Flags are hanging and just enough of a breeze to make old glory flap some. Shops are all open and the smell of fresh bread from Amy's hangs in the air. Del's Pizza and Sub Shop's pizza cannon thumps every few minutes and tourist stand on shore and applaud as the pizza's go skipping out across the bay to waiting fishermen in their boats. They act like they have never seen a pizza cannon before! Reed the Realtor is standing under the awing in front of his shop. Shaking hands with anyone who walks by and leaving a business card in their palm. Red white and blue sacks cover the two parking meters out front. No charge for parking during the holiday weekend.

"Born to be Wild" can be heard coming over the public address speakers down at the softball field. Just about time for the softball tournament to start and our first game is with a rival town down the road. Both teams are gathered around first base where the first keg is stationed singing loudly with the song. Perhaps I should mention that here at Lake Iwanttobethere we play beer ball. Just a little after noon here and it is warm and sunny out, just enough of a breeze to keep the gnats away and make a good walleye chop out on the lake. Smells of BBQ and wood smoke drift by and occasionally you get a whiff of the mini-donut trailer. Mindy and Mandy are working their Lake Iwanttobethere Root Beer trailer and wearing their hot weather bibs, the low cut ones, they are getting a lot of repeat business from some of the younger guys. Actually I see there are a few older guys standing in line too, still holding their first root beers in their hands. Well time for the first pitch and pitcher at the ball game, you have a good day from Lake Iwanttobethere. {354,458}

July 4, 2011

Halfway through the day here on the 4th of July and it has been a good one. Sunshine Ray called it straight and the bass thermometer is hitting ninety in the shade. Softball field is empty as it just got to hot to play ball but drinking beer is still going on under the shade of the bleachers. A lot of the guys are reliving some of their high school playing days when they drank in the same spot. I did well in the lawnmower races this morning I got through five laps without a problem, thing was it was a six lap race. I ran through some horse dropping from the parade and I lost traction, good thing I had fenders because I was flinging that stuff in all directions. Race officials flagged me off the course and sent me to the car wash.

Lodge has been real busy, Gus has the big BBQ down at the park but sales of ice have been real brisk at the Lodge. I don't know if you remember but late in the winter we cut a mess of small ice blocks and put them in storage in the big ice house. Well today they were used in a sliding contest that the Lodge sponsored. For one thin dollar you could buy an ice block and a piece of burlap. You then set the burlap on the ice block and you sat on the burlap and with a little push you rode the ice down the big hill to the water. Kids could make several trips down the hill before the block was to small to ride. We had about two hundred of the blocks and they were all gone in the first hour. Best part is no one got hurt so we are making a notation to cut more ice next winter for the event.

Dog jumping contest off the dock was held early this morning, high point of that contest was Dan's Saint Bernard Grace took 2nd place and Dan took 3rd. Grace who has a real problem taking ice stole a block from the ice house and Dan caught her in the act. He gave chase and somehow the two of them went off the dock and into the drink. They were last seen with Dan swimming after Grace around the point. Barney did not enter this year, he preferred being a judge in the pontoon races held of Root Beer Island. Only the first year for the drag races and we can see we will have to move them closer to shore so more people can watch. Races had to be moved from Sunday to Monday because of the fishing contest. We had small large and unlimited classes and the rules need to be rewritten. We also have to make sure that all ropes tied off to Nytelyters fishing pier are released before we give the GO signal. After the section of dock was recovered and reattached by Hammering Hank the races continued.

As for the rules rewrite in the open glass Duckslayer was pulling away with that thirty footer of his with the twin two hundred horse engines on it till Tinker in his float plane dropped out of the sun and touched down at the starting line. With just the tail end of his pontoons in the water he left a hundred foot rooster tail behind him as he caught up and passed Duckslayer before the finish line. A protest was placed but Tinker did have a point of saying the contest was for pontoons. He was awarded first place and he promised Duckslayer a fishing trip as a peace offering.

Guess my break is over and I need to get back and do some bar tending, Lodge does not have a empty table and we long ago stopped taking orders. If ya want a beer now you have to come to the bar. I should try and restock the candy case but I have nothing but empty boxes in my office, I think somewhere I still have a few boxes but I will have to make a notation to order more. I might have to make a notation to check my notations. Fireworks in about six hours maybe than I will get my next break, from Lake Iwanttobethere {355,234}

July 5, 2011

It's hot and muggy here at Lake Iwanttobethere today and a good excuse to just sit around the Lodge and take it easy. Last night's fireworks went off without a hitch I was told and everyone enjoyed them. I did not see them as I was changing out the tanks for the soda machine and when I went back to the big walk in cooler I just kind of sat down on a crate and let the cold chill me for awhile. After the tanks were filled I came back out and heard the last of the fireworks explode out over the lake. The softball field lights were turned back on and after the applause died off you could hear the sound of truck and car doors slamming and then the long trail of headlights leaving the park and heading out to Main Street and home.

A few members wandered back into the Lodge for a night cap but after the events of the day most went home. This morning finds the campground pretty empty and the seagulls spent more time then usual as they marched across the green grass sorting through wrappers and eating anything that looked like it could be eaten. Crows of course were here, picking at overflowing black trash bags hanging from the dumpsters. The welcome whine of the garbage truck was heard early and he made a couple of trips to collect the gold of his trade and hauled away the extra dumpsters that had been ordered.

The celebration is not yet official over yet as there is still one event going on. Marv and Elmer were or are still entered in the two man saw bucking event, senior division. Actually there is no one else in their division so they are competing against themselves. They have been sawing on a thirty-two inch yellow pine since Sunday morning. Thing is they get up and oil their saw blade, line it up and take a few pulls before returning to their chairs to towel off and have a beer. When they make a return trip to the saw they go through the same routine but now have to check and see if they are making a straight cut. They are easily distracted by onlookers and are looking to set a new record in the timed event, we just did not know we would have to time them with a calendar.

With the ice storage house almost half empty lunch was held there today. Gus set out platters of "Cold Cuts" on the ice and a keg of Hamms was tapped and ice blocks were stacked around it. More than a few guys got caught holding their head between their hands as they suffered the Beer brain freeze. After they recovered they join others and sat on the ice blocks waiting for the next person to come through the door, pour a beer and suffer the same fate.

With lunch being held in the ice house the Lodge was empty and given a good cleaning by Tess. We hired a few high school kids to help and lured them with the promise of some evening fishing. The luck of the draw will see who they get to go fishing with. I am spending the afternoon doing some supervising which means I just stay out of Tess's way. Hammering Hank, Tess husband is very good at this and as soon as he heard his wife was going to be at the Lodge he and Skinny dug into the bundle of index cards held together with a rubber band and found a job on the other side of the lake. I saw waders in the back of the truck so they are either going to do some dock work or go trout fishing. Me, I just found a cushion for one of the big deck chairs and with it out of the sun I am just watching Elmer and Marv getting ready to take another few pulls on their saw. This supervising is some tuff work but I can mufti task. From Lake Iwanttobethere {355,674}

July 7, 2011

Thought I would share a few pictures of Lake Iwanttobethere with ya, since a picture is worth a thousand words, well maybe 900 with todays prices. So here we go...

Rain Barrel outside of Big Earl's General Store

Big Fry Pan that Gus uses for Sunday pancakes cooked out on the Lodges Fire Ring

One of the eating tables here in the Lodge

Poster of upcoming events at a local resort

Of course a cooler behind the bar

And a look at one of the shelf's behind the counter at Ma and Pa's Grocery Store

{356,879}

July 9, 2011

Rain falling here at Lake Iwanttobethere this morning, just a lite drizzle, the kind you would fish in if you are on vacation. I on the other hand am not on vacation but with the wife working today I was left instructions to get some work done around the cabin and to look at the Honey Do List if I could not find anything to do. So I started off my placing a check on the "Water Gardens" and then took a break which lasted just about as long as it would take to water the gardens. Next I saw a notations about washing winter coats, I figured that if I did it the way the wife would it would kill pretty much most of the day. So I gathered the winter coats took them outside and hung them with extra clothes pins from the clothes line that goes from the garage to the work shed. I waited for the lite drizzle to soak the coats and took a break while I waited.

After the drizzle picked up for a few minutes to a lite rain I had to end my break. Next I went in the garage and got the power washer out. I added some laundry soap and a few minutes later I was ready to rinse the now cleaned winter coats off. Now this does take some experience to do as the first time I did it I used dish soap and that makes way to many bubbles. Matter of fact it makes so many bubbles that it is hard to see what you are doing and I might have been a little to close and might have held the wand in the same spot a little to long. They just don't make ladies coats like they used to and I found out they are not as tuff as Carharts are. It was almost six months before she discovered the missing sleeve on her coat and by then even I had forgotten what had happen and was totally honest about not remembering.

With the winter coats now drip drying on the line I am free to check off "Winter Coats" on the do list and go on about spending a relaxing summer Saturday. With robins calling and Edd the squirrel trying to find a way to raid the bird feeder I am eyeing the end of the dock as a place to spend some time. The old goose and his mate are swimming with a mess of their kids just off Chucks dock. The granddaughter when she was here last named the old Goose Graham and his mate Cracker she started to tell me the names of all the kids but it was way to much for me to remember. Looking at the two of them I am thinking they have it made. Won't be but a few months and they will be flying south for the winter, warm open water and plenty of food. Of course there may be the minor distraction of hunters shooting at them, O well never mind, maybe not such a good life after all.

Just a fine drizzle falling now and I decide that maybe I will wander over to Elmers and check his minnow bucket for a sucker minnow. Elmer is not around as there was a cancellation at Tinkers fly in service and he and Marv decide to reward themselves for their performance and new senior record in the two man saw bucking contest. They hung a closed gone fishing sign in the book and smoke shop window and headed to one of Tinkers cabins. They were saying the one that was open has the hot boat. I was thinking fishing but they are talking about an aluminum boat that is berthed above a fire ring. When filled with rain water and a good fire burning under it, it becomes a Lake Iwanttobethere Hot Tub, lucky guys.

So that is pretty much it for a wet summer Saturday here at Lake Iwanttobethere, still better than cutting grass or staining siding. I might have to start cutting firewood though winter is coming, just kidding. It's not on the wife's do list, From Lake Iwanttobethere.{357,407}

July 13, 2011

HIYA from here at Lake Iwanttobethere, before I get to far I want to answer a few question from the mailbag in regards to the power washing of clothes. Now I am an experience clothes power washer and I suppose it would have been a good idea if I had written a few more answers to unasked questions. I had a few disgruntled remarks in regards to clothes line poles bending and clothes lines themselves breaking from the weight of soaking wet coats. So here are a few tips, It is preferred that the clothes line be replaced with some aircraft cable with loops on them. This makes it easy to run the cable through the sleeve of the coat and to come out the other sleeve. Also the cable should be attached to buildings not post or poles. You can easily explain the need for the cable by telling your wife's the extra heavy clothesline is for her winter quilts, she will thank you for it.

This evening I spent some time relaxing after a busy afternoon of hardware selling. Yup, today was Hardware Day here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Think of it as a rummage sale day, but only for men. One day midweek during the summer the men of Lake Iwanttobethere hold a hardware sale where we take out all the wife's rummage sale tables and sell off our excess hardware. First off we like to think we are well organize in this sale of ours as we hold it in the middle of the week so there is no conflict with the wife's weekend rummage sales. Secondly we trade sides of the road so there is plenty of parking and you get to attend the sales. You see one year all the odd fire numbers hold the sale and the next year all the even fire numbers hold the sale. That way you only have a sale every other year and you get to go to a sale in your off year.

Last year I scored on several five pound bags of pop rivets in different colors and a dozen twelve inch x ½ inch eyebolts which looked real good hanging from the pegboard next to my eight eight inch x 3/8 eyebolts. I would proudly stand in my wood shop with my thumbs in the straps of my bibs as fellow lodge members would eye my eyebolts and ask if they were for sale. Today I laid out the pop rivets still unopened in their bags along with the twelve inch eyebolts on one of the rummage tables with a sticker asking for offers. Of course I also had a lot of nuts and bolts and wood screws along with some stove bolts and brass screws. Had an entire table of washers and lock washers and locking nuts to. A few prop nuts some lengths of aircraft cable suitable for clothes line and some sheet metal for some project that I have long forgotten about.

Elmer was holding his sale and he kept yelling on his bull horn that he had a better selection and they were older and worth more. Never fails you get some guys who just mess up your display or try to bother you asking if you have a mate for some short legged ¾ bolt with a fender washer. Elmer starting yelling that he had square nails for sale and I lost a few guys who trampled through the wife's flower patch trying to get to his yard. I grabbed my bull horn and yelled back at the guys that that the old man's nails are all rusty, they stopped in their tracks trying to decide if they should keep going or come back. Elmer shouted out he was willing to go two fer one and they swarmed over to his table.

Four of my twelve inch long by ½ inch eye bolts were sold and I quickly snatched up the other eight and hung them back on the pegboard inside the work shed. Would not be right to have more eight inch than twelve inch eye bolts hanging from the pegboard. By the end of the day I had a few lighter coffee cans and now I have room to buy some more hardware, from Lake Iwanttobethere {358,689}

July 14, 2011

There is going to be a super fine just plain outstanding fall coming! I say this because summer has been a dud so far. More rain in the forecast and both Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather agree it is going to be wet for the next seven days. With summer at the halfway point the days to go fishing are leaning towards not waiting for a perfect day. Gardens are not doing all that well with the late start and lots of rain and lack of heat. Next few days are calling for rain, heat and thunderstorms, Good to grow grass but not so good for fishing. I am thinking the fish are more confused than we are.

There is some good things though, blueberries have finally arrived almost a month late though. I went down to the Dew Drop Inn this morning and ordered just one of the platter sized blueberry pancakes. I ordered late so I counted it as breakfast and lunch. After a breakfast like that either a nap or some time sitting in a boat would be in order. Of course it was raining and I just took my time walking to the Dodge and I was wet when I closed the door and wiped my face off with the towel I had on the front seat. It being midweek here at the lake most of the tourist know their way around and a few were making their way to the General Store in the falling rain while others made their way to the door at Ma and Pa's I could hear the bell jingle when it was opened.

Old McDonnell's farm truck drove down the street with old man McDonnell in the driver's seat and the back of the truck was taken up by his two year old mastiff Tatter. Big friendly dog who does not make it into town much as he takes up the back of the pickup. As Tatter moves from one side of the truck to the other the leaf springs bow some and the trucks sags to that side. I can hear McDonnell yelling through the sliding window at Tatter to sit still. Tatter spots a French poodle in the arms of a tourist and lets out a friendly bark, the tourist holds on a little tighter but the poodle looks a little interested in Tatter.

Spent a few hours doing books for the Lodge and I am pretty much all caught up. With all the rain I have had more than enough time to work on books instead of going fishing. A few boats out on the lake as the fishermen who are here on vacation don't have much of a choice. When you are on vacation you will pretty much fish during a monsoon. Us locals are just kind of waiting our time and there is always the group that will go out at prime time. When the sun is about an hour from going down the pontoons will slip away from docks and small outboards will be started. Bows will push small waves as the fishermen start their trolling runs. Row boats will be pushed off and oars will slip in to calm flat waters and strokes will be counted off before the boat is allowed to coast to a stop over a brush pile dropped long ago. Jigs will be lowered to waiting crappies and supper will be caught. The sound of sucker minnows hanging below big bobbers will land with a splash off docks as still others pull up a chair to watch the sun set on their bobbers.

Wood smoke will tickle the nose and voices carry far on the calm waters. A few rain drops may fall and umbrellas will open. Beer bottles will be held with hands covering the tops so the rain will not get in and dilute the beverage. Smoke will roll off the fires and hopefully keep the skeeters from the marsh at bay. Gulls will fly by in ones and twos going where ever is they go at sunset and crows will fly by in threes making enough racket that it sounds like there are many more of them. Has been a wet summer so far but all in all it is still better than a lot of places where the tourists are here to get away from. From a mid summer's day here at Lake Iwanttobethere {360,882}

Tatter

July 16, 2011

HIYA from beautiful Lake Iwanttobethere, come join us and wade in our warm waters and walk on our sand covered beaches while taking in the deep smells of hundred year old pines. Walk our many trails around the lake and discover hidden catches of agates. Catch stringers of fish from secluded bays and get to see wild life close up. Partake in the antics of scampering chipmunks seeking hand outs while eagles and hawks soar overhead. Be careful driving our roads, as our deer and moose are curious and may step out in front of you. Black bears and red foxes may delight you at several popular spots. Gather around the campfires at dusk to build smores and you may hear the howling of a distant timber wolf or the screeching of an owl. The sound of a wailing loon will be a sure thing to make that loved one of yours sit a little closer to you. The sky is so clear here at night you can't tell the difference between a star and a firefly. Lake Iwanttobethere, you should be here..

I was just looking over the brochures that Skinny dropped off this morning here at the Lodge. The town fathers hired some guys from the big city to write up and print brochures that are going out to surrounding towns advertising Lake Iwanttobethere We in turn will show off their flyers in a mutual sharing of advertising. As a matter of fact I have a whole box of flyers from surrounding towns in a box under the basement stairs here at the Lodge, all you need do is ask and we can dig them out for ya.

From the flag pole out in front of the Lodge below the American flag and the Lake Iwanttobethere flag another flag is flying today. We, that is the town has been placed on a heat index warning for the weekend. Not something we do often and most people don't have a clue as to what it means. The flag hangs downward as there is not a breath of wind today and already it is ninety in the shade. Humidity is way up and no one is moving to fast around town. As a matter of fact when I left the cabin this morning Duncan was chasing one of the cats and they were both walking.

Gus has the BBQ burning and there will be no cooking inside the Lodge today. The ice storage building is open and locals as well as tourists are welcomed to go in and sit on the ice blocks for a spell. Of course we do have a couple of kegs of Hamms resting on ice and I will bet we will be tapping another before this day is done. Did have some outside work that needed to be done but that is on hold for the weekend. Local county fair is going on but with the heat warning some of the farmers have decide not to bring their livestock in. I had heard that the fair is going to stay open till one in the morning so people can still enjoy the rides in hopefully cooler weather.

I am thinking about going fishing but not till it gets later in the evening, Today is more of a day for just sitting in the shade or in the basement tinkering. I do have to go to the Chicken Shack before the day is out, I have a "Frequent Fryer " coupon that is going to expire here and I need to use it. Maybe I'll make a stop out on the highway and see how about getting a deal on some fresh corn and maybe a watermelon from the farmer's market. Right now though the thick heavy logs of the Lodge are keeping it comfortable in here and as long as we keep the drapes closed people think we are closed. Poor Gus out at the BBQ is staying busy though but he is enjoying being surrounded my tourists in halters tops and bathing suits. From Lake Iwanttobethere {363,144}

July 18, 2011

Well, we all know that it is hot! Not only here at Lake Iwanttobethere but pretty much everywhere. High temp for the day was ninety-seven with eighty percent humidity just outside of the pink fish cleaning house. You can imagine the smell down wind from that place. Sheriff Tim was called to this end of the lake on an assault call. As the story goes Elmer was sitting on our park bench in the town when yet another tourist asked him if it was Hot enough for him. Elmer is a patient man but sitting in ninety plus degree heat, dripping sweat from his brow and not being able to lick his ice cream cone quickly enough to keep up with the melt was enough. He reportedly tossed the cone and some remarks at the tourist. The cone landed in the mans portable fan that he was carrying and splatter on his wife and son. The wife and son licking the ice cream from their faces turned and walked over to Jean and Stan's ice cream truck where as the man took offense to Elmers actions. Sheriff Tim arrived to find Elmer still sitting on the park bench but the man and his wife were long gone. The wife was overheard telling her husband to leave the old folks alone. He was lucky as Elmer's next stop was the smores cart and he was eyeing the long forks for cooking the marshmallows.

Yes, it is hot here at the Lake, even the heavy logs of the Lodge are heating up and the ceiling fans are on high trying to create a breeze. The golf course was kind of busy, at least the first three holes were. But there is a big rest lean to on the fourth tee with vending machines and Mike several years ago installed beer in one of the converted soda machines. After putting in several anchors so the local teenagers could not remove the beer machine it is a popular place to pause and take in some suds. It being as hot as it was yesterday most of the tourists joined the locals and just stop playing golf after the third hole. The fourth tee is out of eyesight from the clubhouse so there were several wives waiting for their husbands to appear when their round was supposed to be over.

Mabels Steam and Sauna was another popular place, not for the sauna but for her bottle spring water that she bottles right in the basement of her business. An underground spring bubbles up there and she has been doing business for years selling the nearly ice cold water to several eating establishments in the big city. Here it is kind of an unkempt secret as outside of her door she has a drinking fountain that is always on and after you have drank your fill you can go inside and buy some of the tasty water in bottles to take with you. Tourists are always happy to see that she sells her water for quarters not dollars. As she says it is just water.

Today looks like another excuse to cook outdoors for supper. I can almost taste that steak sizzling on the grill along with a couple of ears of sweet corn that have been soaked in spring water before being roasted over the hots coals of the grill. Add some of the wife's homemade potato salad with some baby tatters from the garden and some farm fresh eggs. A newly open jar of pickles from the pantry and maybe a beer poured into a frosty mug from the freezer and the night might just be bearable. I am hoping Sunshine Ray is right and the worst is almost over. It is going to be hot for the rest of the week but will cool off enough when the sun goes down that the cabin will cool down. Fishing for the past few days has been slow and most boats are out at the crack of dawn and back on trailers well before mid day. Afternoons have been spent watching grass grow and looking for ways to distract the wife long enough to get to the fridge and grab a beer. Not all that bad of a way to spend a summer day, it is supposed to be hot in the summer, for at least a week anyway, from Lake Iwanttobethere {364,837}

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Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

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