Rudy Lake!

[lydamorehouse]

 

Image: the long-sought after Rudy Lake.

I made it!

I decided to walk before lunch, which may have been a mistake as I was slogging through the underbrush under a noon sun. 

 

However, I did come across a family of… quail?  Whatever they were the male puffed out his fan tail and bobbed around where I could see him while—peep, peep, peep—the babies ran for forest cover. I did not get a picture because I was too surprised (as were they!) 

 

So now I’m trying to decide if I should push on with the same trail and make it to Flour Lake.  Having chatted with one of the Lodge owners here, I am thinking that it’s worth the extra 1.3 miles. She says that in the winter the view from Beaver Dam Trail out to Flour Lake is one of the best that these ski trails have to offer. I am told it’s a little less impressive when the trees are in foliage, but, according to her, if I poke my nose through the overgrowth, I should still “get some scenery.” (Not sure what else it is I’ve been seeing, but I will take her word for it!)

 

Image: a sign that reads: Beaver Dam Ski Trail, my "dam" obsession.
 

When I told her I’d been walking Beaver Dam Ski Trail, she said that a lot of people don’t even know about Rudy Lake exists (there is no road access to this lake), “except the skiers.” So, that made me feel kind of special.

 

But, so, if I stick to this trail and manage to conquer Flour Lake, I am thinking I will next try the Bear Cub World Cup Ski Trail, since it will give me another destination: Bear Cub Lake… and the Lodge owner showed me a secret way to get out to the trailhead that doesn’t involve me having to figure out where to park if I were to drive out to the spot where it comes out near Gunflint Road. 

 

Meanwhile, Mason is two-thirds of the way through his fourth book. In a very bizarre turn of events, he's decided to read my AngeLINK series. 

 

Though I do think we’ll be headed out on a canoe ride tonight, since he complained a bit about missing all the early morning animal sightings (otters mostly, and turtles, plus a few ducks.) After all, I reminded him that the OTHER active times is twilight. 

 

UPDATE: we did, in fact go out at night, and managed to see a beaver in the water. She slapped her tail and everything!

 

Image: my long-haired boy in his sunhat in the front of a canoe, drifting quietly and watching the shoreline for activity.

Comments

[mtbc]

Looks great, well worth it.

[lydamorehouse]

And now... Flour Lake!

[sabotabby]

Otters????

[lydamorehouse]

So many! I had no idea we had otters in the lakes, but we do!

[pameladean]

Yay you! It's a pretty classic lake, all right. Nice rocks. Have fun with your new goals. The name of Flour Lake cracked me up, but I suppose it's somebody's name. P.

[lydamorehouse]

Probably? The view is supposed to be good, I just heard that again this morning... so I guess we'll see!

[offcntr]

Might be ruffed grouse? I'm not sure bobwhite range quite that far north. I know grouse do--I flushed one once while squirrel hunting in my teenage days. They take off like a jet fighter from right underfoot.

[lydamorehouse]

Yes, can confirm is actually grouse. I just chatted with one of the owners of the Lodge and he says grouse! So, you are correct!