Last Day of Winter/First Day of Summer

 

These beautiful winter photos were taken yesterday, April 29th, by Joe Martell of Grand View, WI, who put in one last ski on his old three pinners- rock skis.

While Joe skied, these two Drummond students, Alex Mertig and Alex Hill, spun around on their sleds for one last time.

On the same day, April 29th, most of the snow was absorbed into the ground in Delta.  I looked out my window and noticed a lone biker approaching.  I went to investigate and steer this weary road warrior in the right direction. 

What a pleasant surprise!  It was a summer cabin guest who is staying at a friend's cabin in Cable this weekend.  He rode up to Delta and was going back to the cabin via Mason and Grand View.  A simple 70+ mile trip.  I didn't have the presence of mind to take a photo of him yesterday.  This photo, provided by his wife through email, will have to do.  Great job Bruce!

Winter to Summer in Northern Wisconsin - it happens!  "If you use your heater and your air conditioning on the same day you know you are in northern WI!"

Check out Zach's unique artwork on:

"Haroldtheelephant.blogspot.com"

Still snowing after all these months.......

We thought winter was behind us.  It has been snowing off and on since Tuesday.  Kinda pretty, kinda ready to be over winter and kinda bizarre.

Good Dog Jake:  father of the pups, keeper of the order and
all-around fantastic dog.

  Amanda and the pups, WallE and Charlie.  They are 5 months old today.  Well behaved but still ripping stuff up on occasion.  Yesterday it was toilet paper - I can live with that.  Amanda is still sort of a pup herself so she plays with them - wrestling and keep away.



WallE is 3/4 dog and 1/4 human.  He wants to know what is going on - what am I doing with the little black square thing.  Look at those eyes!

He also is very treat-oriented.  Maybe the black boxish thing has something to do with treats.  She gives me treats when I sit down and am calm.....hope.

Phenology report - return of the loons to Delta Lodge

 

 Northlanders are particularly sensitive to phenology, the scientific study of cyclical biological events, such as flowering, breeding, and migration, in relation to climatic conditions.  (Online dictionary - thefreedictionary.com) 

We northlanders are not strictly following the above definition.  After enduring 6 months of ice and snow, we are looking for any small hopeful sign that this damn winter is behind us!

Wednesday night I was on my last pee/pooh of the night walk with the dogs (black dogs).  After a few nights of almost sunny night, full moon, it was nearly pitch black.  Something howled (howled?) in the distance.  It sounded lonely, almost like a wolf howl.  After the hair on the back of my neck relaxed, I realized that my favorite birds are back.