Deer Park Lodge

Did I say something about Spring?

Since last writing and announcing "spring is here", I think spring decided not to arrive and delay it's visit for a bit.

Trout season opened up to really high waters and cold, cold, spring weather. Those individuals who made the trip north to spend time with friends and family at the traditional "Trout Camp" sure had to keep the fire going and the extra layers of clothing on. The weather has not improved this week either.

Yesterday we woke up to white ground cover and today it is trying it's hardest to snow again. The seven day forecast doesn't look very spring-like to us. The snow piles in the yard refuse to melt away, but at least now the snow fencing is cleared enough that we can take them down.

We heard several stories last weekend about guys getting stuck in the snow trying to get back into their favorite fishing holes. Since then, though, it seems almost all the two tracks are now open. I should mention that there are steelhead and some brookies being caught.  Fresh silver steelhead are still coming into the river system with most of them being taken on either spawn or crawlers.

In addition to continued winter run off we have picked up an inch or two of rain which, of course, has added to the runoff and is helping fill up all the lakes and frog ponds. Muskallonge Lake is showing good improvement in water amounts over what it looked like last fall. We will be in much better shape water-wise this summer, as long as we don't go into one of those prolonged dry spells again.  Lake Superior water levels have to be up - we're just not sure how much yet (here's a report from the Sault Star;  another report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and, real-time data from the Pt. Iroquois NOAA tracking gauge). The word out of Grand Marais last week was that they had 282 inches of snow this past winter.

Our neighbor reported seeing a deer in his yard yesterday which is the first sighting. Lots of ducks are on the lake and flying over, and the spring birds are really hitting the feeders and singing throughout the day. They've got to be wishing for warmer days too.

We have recently taken two cancellations for cabins that were reserved for August. The week starting August 9, we have our big cabin open, one of the two bedroom cabins and also one of the one bedroom cabins open.  In addition we still have several openings throughout the month of May. As always, if we can help you out, please give us a call.

(906) 658-3341

Get outside and enjoy the day!!

Mike & Monica

Spring has finally arrived!!!

The last few days have been absolutely excellent with sunny skies and high temps. Not enough, yet, to melt all the snow but we are making progress. Even today I wouldn't attempt to drive our truck down any of the two tracks in fear of getting stuck in the snow. The snow piles in the yard are getting down under four feet.  That's a bunch of snow, but things are certainly looking spring-like.

The county road commission will only be going through and opening up just two of the seasonal roads this year. They spent so much of their budget dealing with the winter that the funds are just not there as in years past. This will be the first year since we have been here (1992) that we haven't seen all the roads opened up by the county. (If you're interested, here's info on the County Road Assn of Michigan, that's right, CRAM)

So yesterday they punched a hole through to Grand Marais and today they hope to get County Road 410 opened up to the Reed and Green Bridge State Forest Campground. This will allow the fishermen to get to the river as trout season opens up this weekend. These fishermen and women will have a tough go at this weekend as water is way up due to run offs and will probably stay that way for another week or two.

Muskallonge Lake is now open for the most part.  There are a lot of migrating ducks flying around, as well as several different species of sandpipers and geese. And, yesterday we had three Trumpeter Swans visit the lake and rest up before heading out to the north. Kingfishers are back, Warblers are coming in, Sandhill Cranes are going through in bunches and of course the raccoons and skunks are now out making their presence known. Plus, the agates hunters are out looking for rocks again.

It sure is nice to be able to walk or work outside without a jacket or heavy boots.  We heard yesterday that the unofficial snow amount for Grand Marais was over 280 inches. That's a bunch of work no matter how you do it!!!!

We now have the store open and we are ready to go.  We still have several openings throughout the month of May and a few scattered openings throughout the rest of the summer.  Give us a call if you are planning a trip.

Call (906) 658-3341 for information and to make your reservation.

Hope to see you up north!!!

Mike & Monica

Winter sunset over Muskallonge Lake

Gotta love a winter sunset over Muskallonge Lake, with nothing but snow and trees between our window and the far shore.

Hope the sky is just as beautiful wherever it's setting for you.

Cheers,

Mike and Monica

Lake Superior shore ice bluffs

Took and trek out to the south shores of Lake Superior with our new camera to get some pictures of the ice bluffs which have been forming along the beach all winter. Thought you'd like to see them.

Later - Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring in the air? Where?

We are really hesitant to say anything about the chance of spring taking over. We started this past week with just gorgeous skies and then, by midweek, got 5 inches of snow overnight. Our cabin guests who were up to snowmobile last week could not of asked for better conditions.  It actually warmed up for a couple of days and things were melting around the resort.

Then on Sunday night our third blizzard of the year hit. We had wet heavy snow for the most part and by the time it ended Monday morning we must of gotten well over 12 inches. A lot of trees throughout the area took a big hit. Limbs are everywhere. We lost power for over 12 hours.  But today showed hope again that Spring will not far away.

The Two Hearted River is free of ice now. There is still a ton on snow in the woods, and snowmobiles are a must for getting around out there for the time being.  We have seen one robin to date, and also a broad-winged hawk. The coyotes sure have been vocal the last few evenings and the raccoons are now out raiding the bird feeders.

We went down to the bluff by the rangers station the other day during the storm. It was so windy that it was difficult to stand and stare at the lake - plus the snow was pelting us. But it was so neat to see these huge waves come crashing into the ice bluffs. This wall of ice in now about 100 yards off shore and must be 25-30 fee tall with several odd peaks extending much higher. The spray from the waves crashing in and the wind getting hold of it was really neat to see.

Please keep in mind the resort in now closed until the end of the month. We will have the store open on April 22.

Here's hoping spring comes soon!!! It's not too early to start planning your trip. Give us a call and book your favorite cabin soon.

Mike and Monica