Murder Most Foul

Sunday, June 8, 2009

CSI - Michigan: The Scene of the crime. The Reader may recall this photo from the May 20 Camp Opening Notes, documenting the odd combination of eggs resident in the nest under the eaves:

Wednesday - May 20, 2009

It seemed pretty clear that the smaller white eggs belonged to the caretakers of the nest, the Olive Sided Flycatchers, while the bigger brown speckled eggs were deposited by interlopers. HW and I discussed whether to intervene, but ultimately decided to let nature take its course. One side benefit of the unplanned return trip was that I witnessed the final denouement of this little drama. Specifically - the picture at the top of post - the last white egg - found on the porch mat under the nest.

The suspects were under surveillance throughout the trip. Permit me to submit the following photos into evidence:

June 3, 2009

Birds are hatching, two white eggs still visible, no speckled eggs.

June 4, 2009

The monsters emerge and demand to be fed.

June 5, 2009

Only one white egg now visible.

June 8, 2009

Only two birds left in the nest. The last white egg broken on the ground.

Motive. Means. Opportunity. Guilty as charged.

HW guessed the identity of the perps as cowbirds. Confirmed.

I was correct...

....and am delighted with the condition the last visitors left the camp. Well, except for the unsightly knapsack left carelessly on the kitchen floor. Not sure what they were thinking.

Definitely Deja Vu

I've smelled this before.

Wisco-Vu

It's Groundhog Day

Back in MG

I want this.

Without it, my life is shallow and incomplete. But - I don't think the Sprint network works where I need it to work, On the Escanaba River, at Big Shag Lake, Sea Ranch, and the Mendocino coast. I'll just have to wait six months for Verizon to get it.

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	The Palm Pre is finally here! Doors open at 8 AM June 6
Date:	Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:06:20 -0700 (PDT)
From:	Sprint
To:	mw

Who cut the cheese?

Oh wait - it always smells bad here.

We have a new favorite pastie in Escanaba

Gram's Pasties - hands down. Pictured is a beef with optional carrots and rutabaga.

Dobbers is so done. Papa loads up a couple dozen.

Rolling

As the rain starts 11:23.

Done and out

Happier about the close this time. Should be nice for the next visitors.

We are in final camp cleanup mode...

As we prepare to leave, and I reflect on the trip, all I can think of right now, is how much I miss having Brian and Roy here with us.


Brian and Roy at camp in the good ol' days.

Camp Close Notes: New Stuff

We have a new grill, which I have relocated to an old location.

It works good. Instructions are in the drawer of the bookshelf by the kitchen door.

I have new cheap waders that do not leak. They are in this box in the shed and are for my use only. You can use my two other pair that are hanging in the shed.

We have a new compass (MK is pictured here admiring it at Ishpeming Wilderness Sports - only picture I have). Recommended to bring it along for anyone wishing to explore the five forties. Stored in the drawer of the shelf unit by the kitchen door.

We have a new gate on the deck. Suitable for small children and large dogs. Construction of the gate was supervised and documented by Jonah.

Camp Notes: Spring 2009 Closing

Tin can out and leaning against tag alder stump. Paddleboat continues to support the small maple tree.

I think the charger is done. We got two full charges out of two batteries, but then the needle stopped moving on the charger and the batteries did not charge. So either all the batteries are dead, or the charger is dead. I think its the charger.

Ferrel Gas came out when I was out at the forties. Not exactly sure what they did. They talked to dad after they were done and he did not see what they did. I told them and Dad to replace the two inside tanks, which I thought were empty. They told him that the tanks we were using (outside tanks) were full. Yet one of the outside tanks was replaced. Or they changed the order. I have no idea what they did. All the valves were turned on, and the the indicator switch was moved to point to the inside tanks. Anyway, for the close I turned all the valves off. I also thought I could detect the smell of gas around the tanks when I went to turn them off. Whoever turns the gas on next - be aware and pay attention. Sniff around the tanks frequently. I also conclude from the ferrel gas guys claim that the outside tanks are full that our actual consumption cooking with gas is so minuscule compared to the tanks, that we have about a 10 year supply of gas right now.


I also turned off the gas behind the stove. Also note the ant bait. We put a bunch of ant baits all over the camp, especially the kitchen and bathroom. The ants were worse than I ever remember. Big black ants. Maybe carpenter ants. Maybe they are eating the camp.

Full salt load in the water boss before leaving. There a one partial bag of salt in the shed. Next visitors will need to buy more. ALSO NOTE: There are no supplies in the wine cellar. Zero. Nada. Nothing.

There is some beer and other liquid refreshment in the refrigerator. One bottle Sean's home brew - The Audacity of Hop, which belongs to HW. Do not drink.

Cabinet Status: Paper are plastic supplies are good. Some can goods - all new this year.

Cupboard Status: One bottle of cooking wine. No scotch. Oils are good. No decent coffee.

UPDATE 07-June-09: I felt so guilty about leaving the cupboard bare, that I made a run from camp back to Binny's on Dempster, and added some supplies. See if you can tell the difference in these two pictures.

Catching a few blugs for dinner.

Caught a few more for our farewell fish fry tonight.

Obligatory frying bluegill picture. Tried some of the creole seasoning on some of the blugs. Dad said he couldn't taste the difference.

Fried bluegill and a side of pasta with garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. We cooked 14 fish, and each ate 4. Six blugs are left for lunch and breakfast.

I continue to receive widespread criticism for my preferred way of preparing bluegills vs the more common practice of filleting the blugs. In defense of my gutting, de-finning, and scaling methodology, I offer this photo into evidence. This is what I call a post-fry bluegill fillet. Note that bones have been lifted cleanly out of the fish, leaving a boneless fillet on on the plate. As a result of using this method of preparation, the fillet is only breaded and fried on one side, thereby avoiding the "potato chip effect" so prevalent with smaller bluegill fillets. Moreover, more meat is preserved and the thin layer of fat under the skin leaves a more flavorful, moist and flaky filet. This is a far superior way of preparing bluegills.

The only downside - one must use one's fingers to ensure proper deboning and enjoy the fried bluegill properly.

The defense rests.

Post Script: I was going to prepare another "Fish Fry" movie, but decided it would be exactly the same as "Fish Fry 2008 - We Eat Bluegills" or even "Fish Fry 1992 - The Lament of Sasquatch". It is difficult to do something new with a fish fry movie.

Guest Post from Berwyn:

Abalone so good.

EDITORS NOTE: If I am not mistaken, this looks like Lou's North Beach Style recipe, an excellent choice. The preparation looks perfect. The sentiment is appreciated. The photography sucks.

Now that's a blug

Caught right across the bay on a fly rod.



Destined for a frying pan.

19th Hole

Emily is admiring my golf score and wondering about the three eights on the card

I finished with a 106 (52 54).

Drew shot an 80 (42 38).

Drew was a bit unkind. Perhaps because I was calling him "Dale" for the last few holes.

In any case, it appears that the MK Hypothesis has been confirmed.

MW Recommended: Marquette Golf Club - Greywalls Course

Despite my score, I truly enjoyed the day. Greywalls is a great course. Challenging, a unique venue, beautiful holes, well maintained, and fantastic scenery as the course wends its way through the rocky highland forests above Lake Superior. If you have the opportunity - play this course.

Bringing it home on 18

Drew says "this is a birdie hole."

He didn't get a birdie.

Neither did I.

Missed a birdie by this much.

On 16