Wilderness Solitude at a Wilderness Resort

One of our cabin guests just came in to say the reason for he and his wife come here to stay is because when he sits out on his cabin deck looking out at the lake, all he hears are loons calling, the creek flowing, and seagulls overhead.  He was quite moved in his describing and couldn't find all the words one needs to describe what it is to experience true wilderness solitude.  He said he couldn't find anything like this at home.  I understood completely.

Momma Loon on her nest on Jasper.  She and the father have been raising two
 young loons all summer long.  A Loon family of four on Jasper Lake.

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Fishing Next Door on Tofte lake

Delilah and I headed out with the truck for neighborhood trout fishing when the clock struck 7 PM at Red Rock.  I grabbed an ultralight Shimano Compre rod and with a Shimano reel and 4 lb. test line, found my tackle box with Ugly Ducklings in it and dropped it in my Kondos Pack and set it all int the box of the truck.  Then, I chased Delilah around the parking lot as she looked like I wanted to kill via an evil death ray (?) until I caught her at the store's door and put her in the cab of the truck as well.   Goofy dog...

The evening was cooler and spectacular with no wind.  Tomorrow's sun was peeking through today's clouds. It was a precursor to its plans for the next day.  A hint of what would be coming like an enticing movie trailer before it hid behind the treeline for another night.  I was pretty sure that despite the spectacular evening, the trout would not be cooperating.  I didn't care either way.  Fishing has very little to do with catching.  The two are unrelated as far as I can tell.

At the Tofte Lake parking lot, I unloaded the dog, and my light gear and walked to the boat landing.  I followed the ages old, shoreline trail west to the flat point which is has been favorite spot for eons.  When we were kids, my brother and I used to ride our bikes to that spot and cast nightcrawlers with hook, a rock and a well-placed trucker's knot.  The terrain today is very rugged and surprisingly overgrown.  Some have passed through here but not like in the years long gone.  Getting a bike to that point is no longer possible.

Once we made it to the rock clearing, Delilah checked out the perimeter to make certain it was secure.  She may have also been interested in who was there before us, the number of rabbits walking by, an occasional bear, etc.  Who knows for sure?  She's a dog.  Nonetheless, any new area is "dog heaven" to a new dog and Delilah was enjoying the evening immensely.

I set up with various lures and cast them upon the glassy, beautiful water.  There was no wind to chase away the striking clouds above so you could see them without looking up.  As the sun fell towards the horizon to my left and after several casts and enjoying the northern beauty of Minnesota, Delilah and I packed up and headed back to the truck.  The rainbows of Tofte had eluded me once again.   That's why Spaghettios are so easy to catch.  Tomorrow, I'm working on canoe repair in the sun.

Come on up and enjoy the summer and fall at Northwind Lodge!

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