We are getting dumped on again today and the weather man says we could expect to get another foot-plus before it settles down. We started the day yesterday with probably 10 inches on the ground--then we picked up five yesterday, nine more overnight, and today we have already gotten another 6... and it is still really coming down. I have had to get the Zetor tractor/snowblower out the past two mornings and get the place cleaned up. And it will need to be done again tomorrow. (Abbot likes a plowed path to the woods)
Good thing we have most of our outdoor chores done for the year. We still have to go down to the wood pile and get the log splitter put away. We started splitting our pile for next year last week and hoped to continue doing so up until at least Christmas. That's not going to happen with this much snow. Hopefully, spring will come in early so we can make up for lost time then.
Deer season was also cold and snowy. Thanks to a little help from a neighbor, we now have meat in the freezer. I saw a lot of deer - one day I had 18 deer sightings, which is a bunch for someone like me hunting up along the lake shore. But I never did see a nice buck with six of more points. Hopefully, winter will be kind enough on our herd and all those spikes, four pointers and button bucks I looked at all season long will return as mature deer next year. Several guys in the immediate area were lucky enough to fill their tags.
Nothing real big taken close to home but a couple of nice eights, sevens and a real nice six pointer. But generally deer sightings were down over the past few years. The local papers came out yesterday with a short story and picture of a monster 14 pointer that was taken in the area. It weighed in at 212 pounds and green scored 197 4/8. Scored as a typical rack it measured out at 160. Possibly the second largest buck ever taken in Luce County. Someday I would like to find out if my nerves and heart would hold out enough to be able to shoot a deer that big.
Snowmobile season is now on us. This is an early start for us but conditions should be wonderful for some time. The groomers have not started up yet as some wet spots closer to town with cause them much grief if they push Mother Nature too quickly. However with all this snow all the two tracks and trails are ready to go. We have openings for our cabins from now until Christmas, if you get the urge to get that sled out give us a call we'd be glad to help you out. There is no one up north playing now, you'll have the woods all to yourself. [Trail reports: Newberry and Grand Marais]
Speaking of which, I am heading out of here to go pull our sleds out of the storage shed, I'd like to get the snow packed down a bit on our drives and get a ski trail ready to go. If you can't beat the weather - going to Florida is not an option - one might as well do what they can to enjoy it. Next on my list will be testing the ice and getting my ice fishing gear together. But that will have to wait until I use the snow blower again. Ohhh, what a life!!!
Get into the Holiday spirit(s)!!!
Mike and Monica
p.s. as always, give us a call if we can help you escape to the beautiful woods of the U.P.
(906) 658-3341
