May 28, 2011 -- At Leech Lake

Today it's a bit warmer, already 60 degrees by mid-morning, but it's also overcast, mostly grey with sun peeking out every so often and the wind is blowing at 15-20 mph out of the SW. The flags (I fly the Australian flag as well as the US flag when Rick is visiting) are straight out from the pole, and there are white caps on the lake.

It rained numerous times throughout the late-morning and all afternoon. Occasionally the storms would subside and the sun would come out for 30 minutes or so, but like clockwork the next front would move in. There was some periods when the rain came down in buckets and the wind blew so hard that the lake was riled with big white caps and was turned a slate grey color.
I hung out inside most of the day, while Rick helped John Newman with a few projects in his garage, such as installing some new light fixtures.

I called Jeff Hancock, my deceased neighbor's son, to inquire about what will be done with Noel's old house. Jeff told me that he and his sister are trying to unload and gave me a quote of $200K for it; which, ironically, was the exact number Rick said he'd be willing to pay for it. Rick and I will probably meet up with Jerry Schiebe in the next day or two to see the inside of the house and garage. Who knows, Rick could a Leech Lake resident by the end of his visit!

I joined Rick in the Newman's garage for a beer, threw some darts and just chatted. After hard rain and strong winds, the storm finally let up as Rick and I made our way home at 6:30 p.m. The temperature was 52 degrees, the wind was out of the WSW at about 15 mph and the sky was filled with clouds, but the sun was shining. Maybe if the weather holds we'll get out to do some trolling for walleye this evening.

I got some brats in a pot of beer and onions in preperation for the grill. After our dinner, I checked the weather the best way I know how, I walked out to the end of our dock at looked. It is very windy, I'm estimating 17-20 mph out of the WSW, and the temperature is 52.

The high winds alone have me nervous about taking the boat out tonight, but there's another obstacle to deal with as well, the crowds of Memorial Day boaters and fishermen. Despite the wind and heavy waves, I counted 16 boats between our house and Second Duck Point. I don't have any desire to try to weave my way through a crowd of FIBs in search of walleye.

Instead of fishing tonight, Rick and I had a fire in the pit over at the cabin. After that we came home and called it a night. Maybe tomorrow conditions will be better for fishing.