Summer Leftovers

We were all excited to watch the Packer game today at Noon. The dogs were in their Packer gear and so was Pete. Brats were on the grill, sauerkraut was on the stove and the chips were ready. When I turned on the television I was shocked to find out that the game couldn't be found.  Our local stations are out of Duluth so FOX opted to broadcast the Vikings game rather than the Green Bay game.

Nothing was going on inside; the dogs were bored.  We headed outdoors for a walk in the woods.

The leaves are starting to turn

Most are still green or yellow

We haven't had a real frost yet so there are still some flowers blooming, including wild purple asters along the roads and driveway.

A little color around
Net Lake.

Where are the Packers?

We've been out and about the past few weekends.  On Labor Day weekend Pete and I were invited to a customer appreciation picnic put on by the Pea Patch in Manitowish Waters.

Pea Patch Picnic on Rest Lake

This was a nice break for Pete, who was feeling a little closed in by the trees, woods and forests of the Northwoods. The lake was big enough for him to appreciate the wide open space.

Pete on Rest Lake, home of the famous Skiing
Skeeters Water Ski Club.

Last weekend I was working with a bass fishing tournament in Minocqua. Pete and I went to a wonderful Music in the Park on Sunday, September 11th. It was a beautiful night at Koller Park in Manitowish Waters. The music was perfect and the local fire company was serving food.

Bass Classic X
Anglers taking off at dawn.

Catch of the Day

A bag of bass
on the way to
weigh-in.

Music in the Park - Manitowish Waters

Boaters listened from the beach,

and so did a little Mastiff puppy.

Donations accepted
by the fire company

 This past week brought thousands of motorcycles into the Northwoods when Tomahawk hosted their 30th Annual Fall Ride for Muscular Dystrophy. I helped out at Northern Lights, the Harley-Davidson dealership in Arbor Vitae (25 minutes south of Mercer). We were trying to get the word out about our June motorcycle rally - Summer Thunder.

Bikers at
Northern Lights

They came up Hwy 51
from Tomahawk

Sunday morning in Tomahawk
only the Canada Geese were awake.

Back in Mercer, ready to enjoy an afternoon at home watching the Packers only to be thwarted by cable/satellite politics. A walk in the woods was the dogs' idea. The Pack will be Back! - next week.

 

Last of the Hummingbirds

John Bates, our Northwoods naturalist, wrote in Friday's Lakeland Times that we usually think of our hummingbirds beginning to migrate around September 10.  With only a few days left until their departure I caught this little guy filling up to prepare for his journey.

The hummingbirds have been great fun to watch all summer. Four or five of them regularly visit our feeders and negotiate spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 When the food runs out the birds are quick to let us know by staring into the living room window until we get the idea.

The dogs don't seem to pay much attention to the little birds; they never bark at them or bother them. If only they showed the chickens the same disregard.

Have a safe journey friends. Enjoy your winter in warmer climates and we'll see you next summer.

First Fire

It was cold and rainy yesterday with temperatures in the 50s. Last night it dipped into the 40s. We decided it was just cold enough to build a fire in the fireplace.

Pete brought in the wood and Asher helped with the kindling.

Pete started to build the fire and Asher helped as best as he could.

We all enjoyed the first fire of the season.