If you do not like the weather just wait a minute and it will change. Last week we were dripping in heat and this week I was worried about covering up the tomato plants with an overnight low of 39 degrees. The drastic temperature changes were being fueled by some nasty weather. Big winds with rain and lightning lit up the sky, leaving behind a few inches of rainfall in its wake.
A few roads and driveways along the Gunflint Trail washed out while some minor flooding occurred last Wednesday. I chose to spend the “rain day” driving to Duluth in the thickest fog I have ever seen. There were times that the oncoming headlights were not even visible until the car actually passed by. It was pretty intense until the sun finally began to burn away the fog. I think if I lived on the shore in Grand Marais I would have to have radar and GPS in my truck to navigate through the fog.
The rainfall is still a welcome sight, even though it was delivered by a violent thunderstorm. It takes a lot of rainfall to keep things green around here and I have not heard of any wildfires burning. The forest is blooming and the rivers are running hard, maybe even a little too hard. John Schei, local fishing guide, told me that it has been a challenge to get up the fast-moving rapids into North Lake from Little Gunflint with the extra precipitation this week. This is unfortunate news since I am supposed to guide over there tomorrow. I was a little worried about fishing on North Lake when I saw how high the Cross River was along the side of the Gunflint Trail. It looks like it would be fun to kayak on it—if I only had a kayak and was actually able to operate one. I think that I will stick to fishing.
Summer feels like it is already slipping away but it is not even August yet. There is still so much I want to do with the kids before it starts getting too cold for them to enjoy the outdoors. We keep waiting for the bugs to let up a little but that may not happen until the snow is flying.
Life happens so fast that Rachelle and I have decided to start making more time for ourselves and the kids. I tend to work more than a person should at times but it does not do us any good to live in paradise if we cannot find enough time to enjoy it. Everyone who lives up here year-round has made some sacrifices, but some much-needed quality time with your family should not be one of them. Get out there and enjoy the woods.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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