Meet my newest BFF's. Joe, Jacqueline, and ... Joe!

December 29, 2020 - Tuesday morning

-13 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Now we're talking winter weather! With a plunge in temperatures along with a forecast for several inches of snow beginning tonight, it finally feels as though we're living in the UP. 

I guess those to the south of us are going to get quite a bit more, up to twenty inches. Us? Only a paltry six inches or less are to fall on Pentoga Road and that's enough. No sense going overboard, eh?

Check out what came in yesterday's mail.

A belated Christmas gift from Sargie

Isn't that a pretty flag? It will be hung from a special pole at the entrance to the garden next spring. 

Now about my BFF's that I met on the ice Monday afternoon. I was fishing in the Clam when I heard voices close by. The three kids were attempting to drill a hole in the ice to determine if it was safe to walk around the lake. Seems Grandma has a camp and they were up from Chicago visiting for the week.

Joe, on the left, is an engineering student at MIT. Jacqueline is also a college student, and the last Joe is an engineering student at UW-Madison. 

What sticks in my mind about all three was their manners. Pleasantries and respect from under twenty year olds is a rare occurrence these days and I haven't been referred to as sir for even longer.

After observing a year of anti American looting and demonstrations, much of it from young people, it's comforting to know that there are still those with values and respect, young people who expect to work in their adult lives and are much too busy earning an education and preparing for adulthood for such nonsense.

I hope to meet the Joes' and Jacqueline's parents someday and congratulate all on doing such a great job raising their children.

Talking with those three almost made me miss teaching at the university. (Note the emphasis on the word almost.)

Oh, and Joe's last name, the one on the far right? It's Kuhl, but phonetically pronounced Cool.

Joe Cool. 

If the name fits, wear it proudly, Joe Kuhl.

Monday morning's walk was a bit nippy. Temperatures were in the single numbers accompanied by a howling wind out of the north. 

I came across this set of bobcat tracks going across the road.

There were mouse tracks alongside where he was walking, so no doubt, he had dinner on his mind.

I'm glad I took the picture of his tracks as it wasn't long before the county plow came roaring through. The driver stopped and wished me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We gabbed out in the middle of the Pentoga Road for fifteen or twenty minutes before he moved on.

Sargie Pants and I made a quick trip to town before returning home where I donned my heavies and headed to the lake. Though conditions were horrible, very cold and extremely windy, I HAD to try out the new fish sonar.

Fishing was lousy, but the sonar worked great.

I had one hit, a monster, no doubt, (when gets away, it's always a record breaking fish) but it got off as I was bringing it to the hole. 

I talked a bit with the kids before towing the Clam and equipment the quarter mile back to the parking lot. 

Once home, I freed the Tundra from any snow that had covered it over. It started on the first pull and a quick trip around Jambo's pasture proved it is ready to be pressed into action.

My next trip to the lake will be on the snowmobile. Just a mile away, I can leave the drive towing the Clam that is mounted on skis and be fishing within five minutes anywhere on the lake.

Needless to say, after inhaling all the fresh air yesterday, I slept well last night.

Sargie and I are heading to Iron Mountain today to take advantage of a one day pizza sale at Papa Murphy's. They offer a $10 special for a large pizza each Tuesday. Since Sargie's boys and all are coming this Saturday to celebrate the family Christmas, we'll be well prepared to fill empty bellies. 

It's almost daylight, time to go for my morning stroll. One thing's almost certain. I'd bet good money that not one mosquito will taste my blood.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Free from this winter's early snow, the Tundra is once again ready for a season of work