Bob’s annual deer hunting sabbatical

It’s time for our annual North Woods Sabbatical (also known as deer hunting.) 

 

On Thursday morning November 7 we (Genie and I) left for Blue Water Lodge on Leech Lake Walker, Minnesota. 

 

We try to have the car parked and ready to go by 9:30 a.m. (as usual we missed our schedule by being late. ( We left Albert Lea at 9:40 a.m.) 

 

Our first stop was the freeway rest stop North of Faribault. We chuckle about the time when the rest stop was closed due to the Federal Government was shut down. (Twas then just before the rest stop a sign by an evergreen tree read “Ladies”, A sign by a second evergreen tree read “Men.” 

 

We were pleasantly pleased with the new entrance from I 35 to 494 in Minneapolis. 

 

We turned at Elk River heading North on highway 169. As we drove by Mille Lacs Lake we were surprised to see Boats fishing. (The temp was in the forties.) 

 

Our lunch stop was at McDonalds in Garrison, MN. on highway 169. Garrison MN. is the smallest town population (210) to have a McDonalds. (Coffee was free to veterans.) We also stopped at McDonalds to empty out and make room for more coffee. We usually stop before McDonalds but it was closed. Why we don't know. This is the rest stop where the remains of a fully clothed man was found buried when construction was clearing of the trees for the rest stop started. The construction re-started after the remains investigation but no identification of the remains of the manwere found. (Rumors were it was gang related from the Twin Cities with the man from Mexico in the U.S. illegally) 

 

As we’re eating at McDonalds in Garrison, we started talking to the couple in the booth in front of us. I asked them where they were from. A small town in Southern Minnesota was the answer. What town I ask. Ellendale was the answer. And that is how Genie and I met Richard and Karen Holmes. 

 

Back on highway 169 to highway 6 at Garrison. And north to Highway 200 to Blue Water Lodge on Leech Lake where we stay for the sabbatical. ( of deer hunting) 

 

On highway 6 we didn't see any live or dead deer. We did see a huge deer wearing an orange outfit with an orange cap at DeerWood Minnesota. 

 

After arriving at Blue Water, we were too tired to do anything except go into Walker and purchase the evening meal at D.Q. 

 

The car trip of 296 miles to where we stayed was ok. (No rain, just a pleasant fall day long drive). 

 

The unit we stayed at Blue Water Lodge on a bay of Leech Lake is fantastic. 

 

The Kitchen, Dining room, living room are all in one open space on the same level with a thermostat controlled fireplace and fan looking out on a deck looking over a bay on the Lake.

 

Off the lower level is a bathroom with a shower and a stacked washer-dryer. The lower bedroom has a ceiling fan plus clicker tv with a big clothes closet. 

 

The second bedroom upstairs has two beds plus shower and bathroom. This overlooks the downstairs. 

 

Both the downstairs and upstairs look out the Bay with a vaulted ceiling onto a deck through sliding glass doors off the main level. 

 

On a clear night the sky is most interesting. You can see the moon, the big dipper plus many stars. Prior to nightfall, the sunset is very pretty. 

 

If you're interested in seeing birds, it is a great place to watch and feed them. We saw Chickadees, Blue Jays, Snow Birds, NutHatch, Pygmy Nuthatch WoodPeckers plus Ravens and Eagles. The best time for viewing was just before a beautiful sun down. 

 

See next week's column for the rest of our sabbatical. 

 

Yes readers, all of this column is fact, even the body found at the rest stop. 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.