In the tradition of the great naturalist, Edwin Way Teale, I kept a short journal in which I documented the South Shore of Devil Track Lake’s journey into spring.
Winter has outstayed its welcome in this little microclimate. I’ve lived in northern Minnesota long enough to know that a cold snap in May is not rare, but this is getting ridiculous.
Saturday, May 9, early morning. A light snow cover hides the green grass. Grey ice imprisons Devil Track Lake. A robin huddles on a tree branch— looking depressed.
The Duluth television station sportscaster cheerfully reports the opening of fishing season somewhere on a frigid lake. With a snap of the wrist, I turn off the TV. I want winter to be over and spring to happen. I don’t feel accepting or good-natured but decide to do something positive.
Thinking about golf is uplifting, so I spend an hour cleaning my golf clubs and honing my putting skills downstairs on the recreation room carpet. That puts me in a better mood.
When I glance outside, the robin still looks cold and bedraggled. It fluffs its feathers to keep warm and hunkers down again.
Sunday, May 10, Mother’s Day. Yesterday’s snow has melted and the sun shines, but the cool night temperatures have kept the ice on Devil Track Lake intact. When will this ice melt?
Dick and I drive up the Gunflint Trail. We pass Swamper Lake. It’s ice free. The same goes for Poplar Lake. What is this? Ice is melting everywhere but Devil Track?
Some good things happen. We spot a chubby woodchuck scurrying into the ditch; Dick sees another one on the other side of the Trail as it goes about its woodchuck day.
A fox crosses the road and after a short distance, another. The second fox stops to inspect us. We also stop and take pictures. Goldie and Magoo bark ferociously from the back seat of the pickup, but the fox is unfazed and allows two nice photos to be taken. In the way of foxes, it doesn’t run but watches us as we watch it.
Around noon, we reach Tucker Lake and with the dogs in the back, take the four-wheeler down to the shore.
The ice has gone out so I feast my eyes on beautiful waves moving with an east wind. Above, in the blue sky, two very large hawks circle and move to the north.
Monday, May 11, a frosty morning. The bright purple of my garden crocuses is rimmed with white frost. Feeling less than cheerful, I spend the day on typical Monday chores and duties.
When I finally return home, late in the afternoon, a surprise waits. The lake’s surface in front of my house moves, unfettered and free.
Theice is out on Devil Track Lake! Trees and clouds reflect on the water surface.
When I take the dogs for their daily walk, I hear peepers in a nearby pond making their loud and unceasing but beautiful music.
Spring has finally completed its journey to the South Shore Drive.
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