A Four Moose Walk

This morning Brian and I went for a walk.  It was a long walk as we looked for the elusive moose.  Just as we came back in sight of the cabin we spotted a cow and calf on the trail.

She really wanted to be where we were standing and so went around us.

While watching them we could hear crashing in the trees behind us and then heard splashing in the river.  These two were coming towards us.  When they saw us they turned and ran off into the woods where they had come from.

We continued watching the cow calf pair until they disappeared.

Moosey Weather

During this maintenance week we found time to take walks along the river and found two cow calf couples, among some other animals.  Here are a few pictures and some videos of them.

Crane in the mist

Moose cow calf pair across the river from the Furry Friends Nature Trail sign

In front of the cabin

Duck family at Big Springs

Canoeing on Wade Lake

Today we decided to find Wade Lake.  Scot and Kris went there last week and said it was beautiful with clear, deep blue water terrific for kayaks.  When we woke up it was raining, though.  As the day progressed it cleared off so we left about 2:00 pm with one canoe on the truck.

As we got off the highway and onto the dirt road, the skies were threatening.  And then it rained.




After about an hour's drive, we found the lake. It was lovely even from far off.  The rain was lifting and so were our hopes of getting on the water.

Wade Lake from the dirt road

The water in front of Mother's Beach

 As we drove into the boat launch area, the rain stopped, and off we went.

 

Boat Launch

 

We found the water just as described, clear, deep, blue, with many fish and ducks.  There was a fish ladder at the south end along with some springs.

Fish Ladder

Springs

 There were two duck families with several ducklings in tow. 

We saw a group of cormorants drying their wings, or something, as they stood like statues on the fallen trees.

The campground had three campsites right on the water, which would be perfect for taking the family to for the day.  The beach was not sand but small gravel.  The water was shallow near the shore but rocky in some places, so water shoes would be needed.

Two of the closest three campsites to the water.

There was even a sort of 'mother's beach' a little further beyond the boat launch nearer the picnic sites that would be perfect for kids in kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, with room for camp chairs on the sandy shore.

Mother's beach area

 Campground fees are enforced if you use one of the campsites even for the day, but prices were reasonable.

Wade Lake Resort from the water

Water craft for rent at Wade Lake Resort

 There was even a resort there with at least four well maintained cabins and water craft for rent.  Fishing is permitted on all but one small section of the lake at the south end where the fish ladder is.  We did not explore the north end, as the skies were again threatening and spitting.

We will bring families back here with children who are elementary school aged and up.  Canoes and kayaks for sure.  Everyone will need water shoes and life jackets.  A lunch and camp chairs are a must.

We arrived back at the cabin at 6:00 pm.  Not bad for an afternoon of exploring.

Cousins Camp Celebrates Joey's Birthday!

This summer we have hosted several birthday parties here at the cabin. Brian's cousins arrived last night and today we had a party for Joey.  He turned 12 and here is what we did for his big day.



Before breakfast, the children practiced casting fishing poles off the deck with a weight at the end of the lines.

After we cleaned up breakfast, each one made his or her own sack lunch for the day.

Then we went canoeing on the river.  

The children wanted to stop for a dip in the swimming hole.

We spotted a total of three moose.  The first was this young bull.  A little later, Joey was the first to sight a cow and calf, but we were too loud and they scooted back into the willows before I could get a picture.

We ate lunch on our favorite island.

Later we had a campfire, made tin foil dinners, roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.

Not all the foil dinners turned out, sadly enough, but most were really delicious.  

Soooo Yummy!!!

Finally we had birthday cake and presents.

Happy Birthday, Joey!