Archive for November, 2011

There is a major shift in the weather this morning. The sky and the water are gray. The ground cover was the frosty greyish white too. General feeling about is GRAY! If winter hasn’t moved in yet, he is claiming his territory and planting his “Occupy” sing firmly in the ground before it freezes solid. The tone has gone from leisurely getting things done to “let’s move it the ice is going to be on the water and it’s a drag to working when everything is freezing!”

There are a couple of trees that are in denial that winter is a given and for the first time they are starting to shed their remaining leaves. Welcome to the November blues, kind of makes one want to follow the geese southward. As a matter of fact they are rafting here in McGregor Bay and every now and then their honking and flapping pierces the cooling air.

On a good note we strung the exterior Christmas lights when it was a lot milder!

Yesterday was damp, breezy, and colder than normal especially on McGregor Bay. Jackets, lined work gloves, and tuques were a necessity. A bit of sun every now and then, but it was mostly cold, windy, with the temperature hovering near freezing. Oh yes, don’t forget the odd snow shower.

Today the mercury is suppose to climb to 12C with a brisk breeze from the SE. That makes it a little easier especially at my age, to work outside. There were several hardy souls out there fishing last night after dark but this morning the duck hunters were out in force. From what I can gather the Northern ducks are starting their migration south. Rice Lake is on a migratory bird rout and is a natural oasis for the flocks of ducks, geese and other water foul. The abundance of vegetation and fish give sustenance to the hungry travelers. The many bays and inlets offer shelter but many still prefer to raft in the hundreds in the center of the lake. After a little rest and a chance to feed they are once again on their way south. Like most people visiting this wonderful area they will be back. Spring is only 5 short months away and we will see them on their return trip North.

Like many Resorts and Camps around Rice Lake we are shutting down for the winter. This is a long task which takes us until the mid and sometimes the end of November. The resort looks a lot different than a couple of weeks ago, all the flower beds and pots have undergone major work. The boats and docks are well on their way to be put to bed till spring. Cottages have been stripped and cleaned and winterized. The grass has got it’s final cut and the leaves mulched.

We will keep updating everyone as winter passes into spring.