From the North Country Fair

Here's what I'm thankful for. The pristine North Country and the folks at Boundary Waters Canoe Outfitters in Ely, Minnesota who keep it in their hearts and minds 24/7.

Fly to Duluth, bundle up and head north
to Ely, AKA Mukluk City

Here's their lovely Thanksgiving status report:

"As the ice grows thicker it expands.  When the pressure within the ice sheet has built up enough, it cracks at the pressure ridge, and water floods up through the crack.  The low, subtle booming, especially at night is an eerie sound ... and it drives our golden retriever nuts as he tries to figure out the unusual sound.

      Otters and mink will be fishing anywhere along the shoreline where water is kept open by some current flow. With the outflow of our lake being along one side of our outfitting base, we often have several mink living under our permanent docks.   In another couple of weeks deer will be crossing the lakes looking for spring holes to get some water.  And before too long, wolves will look for the deer."

Prose for the soul.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. And spin a Dylan song or two for the girl from the north country fair. And some Gordon Lightfoot for my dad, who showed me the all beauty of those cold waters.