Week of September 20-23, 2012 -- On Leech Lake

From September 20 through September 22 I was solely focused on what Joe wanted to do since he needed to be on a plane first thing Sunday morning. And I do mean first thing. We were at the airport at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The temperature on Thursday the 20th was in the high 60's, the sky was mostly sunny and the wind was extremely strong again at 20-30 mph out of the NNW. Waves and white caps were rolling across the lake. As a result of not being able to get out on the water, Joe and I spent the day in and around our properties.

We went for a bike ride down to the Harbor and back, we walked all the trails back in the woods, and we spent time in the game room racing HO slot cars and playing pinball.

In the evening, just after sunset, the wind had calmed to 8-12 mph out of the north so decided to take Joe out trolling since high winds were in the forecast for Friday as well.

We made several passes between our house and the middle of Duck Bay pulling Rapala Minnow Raps in 9-11 feet of 57 degree water. In the 90 minutes we were on the water I caught and released a 24-inch and a 20 1/2-inch walleye. And in our final pass toward home Joe hooked a nice 15-inch walleye, which we also released. It was great that Joe could hook a walleye on what turned out to be his last time on the lake during this visit.

On Friday, September 21, the day that Autumn officially arrived in the northwoods, the weather was just as forecast, windy, chilly, yet sunny. Joe and I couldn't get out onto the water because of high waves and whites caps, but we could enjoy being outside.

As had become our ritual, we rode our bikes down to the harbor and back. Glen Zimmerman, one of the four current households at the Harbor, was getting ready for his annual walleye tournament. It started 10 years ago with just a handful of his friends competing against each other, and has grown to include up to 35 entrants and some pretty decent prize money. I fished the "Z-Man Tournament" back in 2009 but since Joe and I would be on our way to St. Cloud on Saturday I had to let Glen know that I would not be participating this year.

After our bike ride, Joe and I spent a lot of time back in the woods exploring the trails. The trees were changing color and it looked beautiful. I only wish Kathleen could have been here to go for the walk with us because she loves the Autumn colors.

I made us a very tasty grilled steaks for dinner and topped it off with cream soda ice cream floats for dessert. Then we spent a quiet evening listening to music and watching a movie on DVD. Tomorrow we make the drive to St. Cloud so Joe can see his Grandma one more time before he flies home to California.

Saturday, September 22 was a beautiful Fall day. The wind was a bit strong at 12-15 mph, just enough to keep us off the water, especially since Joe had a lot to do to get ready to leave the lake. I let Joe do what he needed to do to prepare to leave the lake. Not only did he do some laundry and clean up his room, but he spent a lot of time walking in the woods, riding the ATV and contemplative time on the end of the dock taking in the beauty of the lake.

It is always hard to leave the lake, and we all deal with departure in our own way.

At last we closed the doors of the truck, made the short drive down the driveway and then out onto W. Shores Rd., Sucker Bay Rd., Hwy. 2 and finally Hwy. 371 south which takes us nearly the entire way to St. Cloud.

We had a nice meal with Marge Coyle, Joe's grandma, and then we made our way to a hotel in Minneapolis just an exit away from the airport. Joe's flight is at 7:00 a.m. so we wanted to spend the night close to the airport rather than drive from St. Cloud in the middle of the night.

With just a couple of hours of sleep, Joe and I awoke very early Sunday morning, September 23. I walked Joe into the terminal and made sure everything was good to go. I said goodbye and left him in the security line.

I had a fantastic time with Joe at the lake and will miss him a lot. Although we enjoy each other's company when we're in California, we have a stronger, closer relationship when we're at the lake. I guess since we don't have TV, and it's a long drive into town, we spend a considerable amount of time together; which is great. And I know for a fact that Joe loves to be at the lake.

Before I left the Twin Cities I stopped at Mickey's Dining Car in downtown St. Paul -- near the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild hockey team plays -- to meet John Newman. John had left his wallet in his cabin during his last visit and I was returning it to him. It's a unique, and famous, diner and we had a great breakfast. Then by 7:15 a.m. I was on the road back to Leech Lake.

Once back at the lake I had some lunch then made my way out onto the lake to do some fishing. The weather was perfect -- mid-60s, light breeze, and sunny. While I listened to the Vikings beat the 49ers on the radio, I caught several perch and nice 16" walleye that I thought about keeping, before releasing back into the lake.

I had a very quiet night, with Joe no longer here, and turned in early since I was up and out before 5:00 a.m.

Tomorrow will begin a new segment of my stay at Leech Lake. I'll be alone for only the third short time since my arrival in May. I have a TON of work to do in preparation for the "winter close down," and will begin that work first thing tomorrow.

Good night from Leech Lake.