Our Spring Return

Northwoods Journal

Thursday, April 17, 2014

It was a crazy-busy day with working this morning, then I had a follow-up appointment with my gastroenterologist who says I can go off the colitis medication and see how I do – Yea!  I stopped and filled the FJ up with gas then made a quick run into the grocery store for a few supplies before hurrying home.  Mark got off work at 2 o’clock and was home when I got there so I quickly finished packing while he loaded everything up.  I made us a couple of low-fat turkey wraps to eat on the way and we pulled out of our driveway at 3:45.

I75 is torn up at the Zilwaukee Bridge again, this time they are re-doing the northbound lanes.  (Last year it was the southbound.)  So once again we have to detour through/around Saginaw.  Not a problem when traffic is light but it will be a nightmare on the heavy-traffic weekends this summer.  With not having to stop for gas or to get something to eat, we made good time, arriving at our northwoods hideaway in just under four hours.  Unfortunately, for the last hour or so we had to listen to Milo’s non-stop whining and crying since it was way past his supper time and if there is anything a beagle hates it’s missing a meal.

We saw plenty of deer between our exit and Atlanta but it was impossible to count how many since they are still the same color as the stubbled fields in which they graze.  I did count 13 in one field and then there were two right next to M33 where we turn onto our road.  Then another ran through our neighbor’s yard as we pulled up.

Everything appeared in good order when we arrived.  It was 55 degrees outside and 50 degrees inside.  Why does 50 degrees inside feel so much colder than 50 degrees outside??  We did have quite a good laugh.  While Mark was disposing of the dead mice he found one of the birdfeeders the bears dragged off last summer!  Sadly it was not the nice, new log-cabin feeder but the old, cheap one.  Surprisingly I think it is salvageable.  Not bad for a “cheap” feeder that has had two run-ins with bears!

Our road still wears a crusty shawl of white on its shoulders, thanks to the snow plows no doubt, but overall the snow is gone except in very shady or low-lying areas.  Mark set to work on the pump right away and praise be water came out on the first try!  Unfortunately there was a leak going to the toilet so he will have to get an elbow joint at the hardware tomorrow.  Once again, the plumbing in this place proves to be the bane of his existence.

I was still in the midst of unpacking when he suggested we take the dogs for a quick walk up the road a bit before dark fell completely.  We didn’t even bother to change into hiking boots.  We just went around the corner up Stevens Spring.  There were two deer in the gas field so we quickly detoured down the two-track back to Sportmens before the dogs could get the scent and set to howling.  There is a narrow cut-through that goes back to the road, making a triangle, so we took that and then came back home.  Nothing exciting but enough to burn a bit of energy.  The spring peepers were peeping, always a sign that spring is really here – even if it doesn’t look or feel like it!  Just as we got back to our place, a strong gust of wind blew in and the temperature immediately dropped.  It’s ushering in a cold front and the high tomorrow is supposed to only be in the 40’s.

No lights shone in any of the other cabins around us, so it appears we will have the place to ourselves this weekend.

I finished unpacking and when dark fell Mark went out on the porch to see if there were any night sounds.  All he heard were a couple of raccoons fighting off in the woods.  I am tired from rushing around all day and am looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  I’m so happy to be on spring break now!

Sorry there are no pictures for this post.  It was way too dim to take any photos when we took the dogs for their quick walk.  Hopefully the birds will arrive tomorrow!