My buddy, John, and his wife, Wendie, came up for a visit for my birthday/long Labor Day weekend. He brought up his Harley and had the dealer in Rice Lake mount up a new set of tires on it on his way up. We went for a couple of rides and looked at a cabin that's for sale on a local lake.
The weather has been dry and unseasonably warm the last few weeks so Nancy and I took the kayaks out for a trip down part of the Namekagon River.
As we traveled down the river, we saw at least 2 dozen turtles out sunning themselves on rocks and logs. Check out this one... He's got his hind legs stretched out and it looks like he's warming his toes in the sun.
The foliage along the river had just started to lighten. No color yet, as of the 8th of September.
This little guy was sitting in the tree watching us at the Earl Park Landing when we were getting out of the river.
About a week ago I got an email from Doug over at Coop's Corner. He told me that he was going to be up this way and staying in Herbster at a little campground the shore of Lake Superior. On Sunday the 13th, I went north and tried to find him. I found his van, trailer and camp site, but no Doug.
Sometimes, I forget that many people are far more technologically advanced that I am. I never thought to send an email before I drove up there. I figured he was like me and limited to email at home.... not thinking that he probably has a "smart phone"...
On Monday I sent him an email and told him that I'd been there on Sunday, and that I'd try to get back up there later in the day. I left home around 3:30 and made it up to the campground by 5:00. I met up with Doug at the campground and spent an hour and a half shooting the breeze. I made it home just as it was getting dark. Of course I didn't bring my camera on Monday...
It's been very windy and in the low 80's the last couple of days. I think this has made the leaves start to turn color. When I was driving up to Herbster on Sunday and Monday, I noticed that there was very little color on the leaves. That has changed in just 2 or 3 days.
Today, there are signs of color starting everywhere.... All of these pictures are from less than a half mile from home.
The first one is from a maple tree in my yard. There is ONE red leaf today, 9-16. In 2 weeks the whole tree will be a stunning red...
Now it's a race to see what happens first... my tomatoes turn red(some are getting there) or we get a hard frost(we've come close once)!!
You have been busy. Love the nature pictures from the kayak trip. It looks peaceful.
ReplyDeleteOur leaves are turning early this year, but because the trees and shrubs were so stressed from the hot dry summer not because it is cool or that less of daylight.
The Namekagon is a nice river to kayak. Here's a little more info on it. http://wisconsintrailguide.com/paddle/namekagon-river.html
DeleteWe are closest to the section labeled N1. The further down stream, the easier the kayaking/canoeing.
The river connects to the St. Croix and then the Mississippi... So you could float all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Can't believe that the leaves are turning already. Here in the Maritimes it is still green. On the one hand I was hoping to see some fall foliage, on the other... it needs cold weather, and I am so not ready for it. Went to the beach today, it had 26C(79F).
ReplyDeleteThings are changing fast now. The peak color is usually the last week of September or first few days of October... Then the snow comes. :(
DeleteErik I read about your meet up with Coop ...After reading all of his posts about the beautiful spots in that neck of the woods I really think I need to head back there. Have you and Nancy any plans next July? (And more importantly do you think you will have a jar of jam left?)
ReplyDeleteYour leaves are ahead of ours here. We've had a perfect summer (just enough rain and just enough heat) and this week have experienced a second coming of summer (we hit the 30sC again) ... none of the lush deep greens of early summer, but none of the early reds either. I know our time will come.
I don't have any plans for next year... and the jelly situation depends on how much bread Nancy bakes this winter.. LOL You're welcome to stay in our guest room, or camp in the yard, or even in the home owners association camp ground if you'd like. There's no shortage of places to camp up here in the woods!!!
DeleteErik, glad that you persisted and sent 'that email'. You're right, I was sort of watching for communication and then figured you were busy with other things. My earlier return to the campground was rewarded.
ReplyDeleteYour brief spots of color match what I found last weekend. Very localized trees, possibly stressed or just genetically early maybe? For the most part, trees seemed patient to remain green for the time being. I grimaced a bit at the corn and beans I saw that far north not yet mature, matching your concerns about the garden. As you can imagine, crops down here are brown and getting dry.
just have to remember that many people are more electronically advanced than I am!
DeleteThe color is coming in fast now. It almost changes daily. Kind of like corn growing so fast you can almost see it... I went down to Rice Lake on 9-19, The beans are drying and mostly all brown. Very little green in the fields.
Beautiful Fall pictures. I love the color of the leaves but not necessarily what it brings in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIs that your dark blue bike?
I love fall, but not so much the long winter!
DeleteYes, the blue bike is my '06 Yamaha FJR.
those trees are going to be pretty in a short time looking at those pics
ReplyDeletelove the water pics and the wildlife you get to see while canoeing along quietly
great place you live
Thanks. I'm surrounded by lots of maple trees so there will be plenty of color in a few more weeks. Lots of orange, red and yellow.
DeleteI do feel lucky to live up here on the edge of nowhere.