Dawn on Clearwater Lake

Photo taken by John Amen. John's family has a cabin on the lake.

Weather Note: It was 40 degrees when I got up this morning and is turning out to be a beautiful day. I noticed we are starting to get a few fall colors in the understory of the forest already. Due to the dry weather, fall colors might be coming a bit early this year.

swimming away....

This is my second picture from Monday morning of the moose and baby. They passed by the lodge and headed toward the water and swam away. That morning Sarah, my dog, knew they were coming up the road before I saw them and she was barking. Either mother or baby was startled by this and Sarah got a good kick from one of them. She has been laying low for the past few days and is pretty stiff. She has a moose print on her side. Never come between a mother and her baby!

Weather note: After two days of rain we are enjoying a sunny and mild day. We haven't heard yet if we got enough rain to lift the fire ban, at least partially, for the holiday weekend.

Canoe Trip

Dear Clearwater Lodge:

We just got home after a canoe trip that was partially outfitted through your facility. Though I've been to the BWCA numerous times, it was a first for my brother-in-law, Charlie Luke. He was absolutely blown away with how great an experience it was and I view it as one of the best trips I've ever had as well. Without a doubt, THE best fish I've caught were on this trip--thanks to your man, Ed, for some great fishing advice. I'm forwarding a picture of a smallmouth bass we measured at 20" (and it wasn't the only one we caught that size) and a picture of Charlie admiring the scenery as we entered Rat Lake. Thanks again, we had a great time!

Jim Gruenke
St. Cloud, MN

Weather Note: We started having rain about 7:00 PM last night and then had a nice night of steady rain. Not sure at this point how this rain will impact the fire restrictions.

Moose Morning

While I was in the lodge kitchen ths morning about 7:00 AM two moose walked up from South Clearwater Road went next to the lodge and walked down to our waterfront and swam off. I was able to get a couple of good pictures.

Weather Note: We are hoping for some rain today and tonight. Along with this weather change will be some cooler weather with highs in upper 60's and lows in the 40's.

Fire Ban: We continue to be under a complete fire ban. No open fires (wood or charcoal) outside in the county including the BWCA.

Owl

I am not sure what type of owl this is but another great picture from the Abbott family.

Weater Note: Tuesday we had a wonderful day of rain all day but not enough to lift our fire ban so that continues. The days are sunny and in the 70's and the nights in the 50's. Perfect paddling and cabin weather.

American Goldfinch Carduelis Tristis

The Abbott family came from HI to take a canoe trip in the BWCA in June 2007. They took some wonderful pictures of their family, birds, bugs and wildlife that they sent along.

This one is of the American Goldfinch. From the Birds of MN field guide, these are both males. Females are dull olive without the black forehead and brown wings and white rump. In the winter the males change from this bright yellow to the dull olive.

Weather Note: Much of southern MN has gotten too much rain over the past week. We continue to be dry but it did rain this morning and we are hoping for more tonight. The days are mild in the 70's and the evenings in the 40's or 50's so if visiting, bring cloths to layer for the wide temperature changes.

News

Everyone has been sending us great pictures for the blog and I have to apologize for not putting them on yet. This time of the year is always busy and it is also when our college staff start leaving to head back to school, which makes it even busier for us.

Yesterday was Vince's last day. He was the cook this summer for our breakfasts and then helped out a lot with other areas. Erik leaves on Sunday. This was Erik's second summer here. He is starting EMT school next week and we wish him the best of luck. We will miss them both but hope to see them in the years to come.

Fire restrictions continue and have broadened to include the entry county and surrounding counties. No camfires, wood burning or charcoal in or out of the boundary waters.

Weather Report: Surprisingly we are having a week of cool weather. The lows at night have been into the 40's and the days in the upper 60's or low 70's. Personally I love this weather!

Paddling Fun

Tallmadge Church of God Youth Group, Tallmadge OH.

Shooting the Rapids

This photo is from Boy Scout Troup 72 of Mitchell SD showing two of the troup leaders paddling the rapids between Vista and Horseshoe Lakes.

Weather note: Our days have been warm with the highs in the low 8o's and nights in the 50's. We have a chance of rain Monday and Tuesday. The total fire ban will continue until we get a good amount of rain.

Annual Canoe Trip

Paul and Cole Cool were here last week for their annual father and son canoe trip. Cole is 10 years old now and really enjoying the wilderness experience. It will just get better every year!

Weather Note: We had our cold front come through last night and today it is sunny, cool and you just wanna be outside to enjoy it!

Lake Trout

Clearwater Lake is a good place to fish for Lake Trout. Since Lake Trout like the cooler water, they usually go pretty deep in the summer and the best trout fishing is in the winter. Joe Gilbertson has been trying to catch a Lake Trout during the summer on Clearwater for a number of years. This year he succeeded!

Weather Note: It is hot with highs in the 90's and lows in the 60's. According to my weather forecast, it will start cooling down and be back into the 70's during the days by the weekend. The DNR has enacted a full fire ban starting midnight on Thursday August 2nd. All cooking must be done by propane or gas stoves. No wood or charcoal can be used.