Birthday Excess

Look, I don't begrudge Roy his birthday celebration, but enough is enough. It started last night with a slab of ribs at his ( and all of the family millennials) favorite Yooper restaurant - the UP North Lodge. Fine. At least we got to watch the Cubs win during dinner.

But then, this morning, the gifts started. Apparently, for the drive up,  girlfriend Roxie filled the entire trunk and back seat with gift wrapped boxes for Roy.

As I recall, it took over six hours for Roy to open all gifts. Sweaters, spices, watches, I think there might have been a new car in there. I don't know, I lost track. That said, the coup de grâce was something special. Roxie's original oil painting of Camp The Lake House in the fall. It's beautiful. Far too good for Roy. It really should stay at the lake.

At least it was finally over. And hopefully there will be some good to come from this. I think we can hold Roxie up as an example to all the women-folk in the family about how to properly spoil their men on their birthday. Are you listening ladies?

Another Walk in the Woods

It's been a couple years since our last sojourn on the family "five forties" timberland. We're approaching time for another selective cut and thought we should take a look and do a little exploring. It's also grouse season, so - an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone - so to speak.  Of course, based on our past hunting experience, we are speaking figuratively, not literally.

Beautiful day, fall color is peaking, and the dog could not be more excited.

 Lets call it a 5 mile hike to photo document the land.  Trying to capture the majesty of a forest in a photograph is always a challenge. Panoramas are probably the closest we can get.  Some pics from the day:

This is not a Volvo ad. But it could be. 

Beaver dam and pond

Beaver art

A large stand of maple

Actual conversation on the hike:

"Did you hear that? That was a grouse." 

"No. That was me farting." 

"Oh."

As per usual, no grouse were harmed in the production of this photo shoot.

Fall Firewood

The Lake House will see some hunters this fall, some hardy arctic explorers this winter, and some early arrivals to open up in the Spring. We're going to need more firewood.  The call went out to the Barnetts - AKA the most reliable work crew in the U.P.   Unfortunately, they were too reliable and got here before my brother or nephew, so I had to unload the wood myself (along with the Barnett's of course).

 We're good for the winter. They've been hauling wood to our camp for eight years now. Hard to believe it's been that long. There are benefits.

 Apparently we have achieved an elite level in their loyalty program.  The benefits are awesome.

More Fall Fishing

Spring returns to the Upper Peninsula after a brutal five day winter.

Another glorious day on the lake.

Fishing was better too. Nothing of size, but we are making up for it in quantity.

Selfie from the live well.
Posted by Michael Wallach on Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Fall Fish

Finally. A fish dinner. 

After a week at the lake this is our cumulative catch...

3 smallish pike and 2 bluegill (caught by Dad, Mike and Robyn)

... and these are the resulting filets:

A far cry from the bounty we pulled from the lake in the spring. I guess we are reverting to the mean. If we are going to make a meal out of this, we are gong to need a large side of rice.

Brown rice pilaf with onion, garlic, parsley

We went with our current favorite "Go To" fresh fish recipe "Tasty Northern Pike"

Saute onion, garlic, tarragon & parsley w white wine

Time the fish to finish with the rice

Add fish filets

Almost done - add lemon juice and more wine

Not much fish, but a fine meal

Final Fall Farewells

Well, not really "final."  Just this crew and just this trip. But I do love my alliterative blog titles. It was a short trip, sorry to see them go, but Robyn and Jeff are heading home.

Harlan captures the action on ShagCam...

... as we make time for for the mandatory portrait.

After they depart...

... nothing much to do but settle in...

...and watch the painful end to the Chicago Bears season.