August 24, 2011 -- At Leech Lake (Two Days and Counting)

This morning at 9:00 a.m. the temperature was 58 degrees, the sky was clear blue without a cloud in sight, but it was extremely windy with the wind coming out of the WNW at 17-25 mph, with regular gusts up around 35 mph. The lake was covered in white caps and large waves crashed against the shoreline. I could see no boats on Sucker Bay.

Despite the cool weather I put on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts because I've got a lot of work to do around the properties today and I know that it'll keep me warm.

I started by doing some laundry and making Joe's bed. It sure was fun having him spend time (nearly a month) at the lake and I hope we get to do it again real soon. I think it was the longest time I've ever spent with my son just one-on-one. It was a great time for us to bond and have a good time at a place we both love -- Leech Lake.

My cleaning continued and included the bathrooms, the kitchen and more laundry. I spent several hours today cleaning. However, I did make the time to go on a bike ride. I did the complete 8-mile loop.

At 4:00 p.m. the sky had begun to cloud over and there was a possibility of a thunderstorm. The temperature was 70 degrees, but it still felt humid. The wind remained very strong and had actually increased to 25-35 mph out of the WNW with gusts up to 40 mph.

After some more cleaning, I went for an ATV ride. I rode all the way down the peninsula almost to the Capone house, then all the way on Ottertail Point Drive to Sucker Bay and then back down West Shores Road. On my way down West Shores, just before I got to Norm's, a fish fell from above and landed in the ditch in front of me. I quickly looked up and spotted an immature eagle that must have spotted me at the same time because it took flight from the branch upon which it had been perched. Obviously me driving by interrupted the bird's dinner. Hopefully it came back to retrieve the fish because much of it, a sucker, was still intact.

When I came inside I did some more cleaning, but at 7:15 p.m. I went outside and lay in the hammock. The wind had died down some, but it was still breezy at 12-17 mph out of the WNW. The temperature was a perfect 70 degrees and the sky was nearly clear blue, with just a few scattered clouds at the north end of Sucker Bay.

I eventually moved to the end of the dock and sat in one of our lounge chairs sipping a cold Wild Blue while watching the sunset. I raised my bottle to Kathleen, Joe and Melissa who all enjoy a cold malted soda at the end of the dock.

After the sun had been below the horizon for some time I went inside the house. I listened to some music while I prepared some of the food that Joe and I had left over from his stay. As is typical, I'll have more food than days to eat it and will end up giving much to my neighbors the Malays.

I still have to clean the living room, the kitchen floor, the refrigerators, my bedroom and bathroom. The boat must also have all of the gear removed (rods, reels, nets, tackle, etc.), but I'll save that for last since I may have an opportunity to go fishing tomorrow. It's been a busy day, and tomorrow will be even busier. So until then, goodnight from Leech Lake.