Anyone who watches the weather 'up north' probably knows that area lakes are open.  Burntside went ice free on Easter Sunday ( in 2009 it was April 30).  No one, not even the oldest of the town’s residents, can ever recall seeing lakes without ice this early in April.  There is no snow, no ice,  not even a mud puddle.  Unfortunately there has not been any rain either and consequently, the Forest Service has qualified the fire danger as “High”.  We are all ready to do a rain dance.  Temperatures over the weekend were in the 60's;  which is more than perfect for working outdoors.  Forgot to mention the best part:  there are no bugs. 

Lou heard the first loon on Monday, then saw the first one on Wednesday (April 14th). We always mark our calendar by the first sighting of the loons.  Now we wait for more the family to return and begin their magical calls.

In the garden we are delighted to have daphne’s in bloom, daffodils in bud along with the tiny blue flags that push up through the brown crunchy leaves. We joined other gardeners and removed the winter mulch of leaves from the lodge gardens; now we hope Mother Nature doesn't deliver severe freezing temperatures.  It's exciting to see the tender green shoots of flowers to come.

Boats are going in the water.  Today the 'buoy guys' plan to mark the lake.   Lake Vermilion is first to receive them, followed by Shagawa and then Burntside.  The winds were so strong last week that they postponed doing Burntside on Friday.  A few lakes residents appeared this weekend to open their cabins; we understand there are a few docks that are 'topsy turvy' from the ice going out. 

Work is underway here at The Lodge as we awaken Burntside from winters sleep.