Fishing trip at Long Lake

Wade and I took a short trip to Long Lake on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. On Saturday we put in at Umsaskis Bridge and motored down to the Grey Brook Campsite.  After setting up camp, we motored to Ross Stream and fished.  We each caught a 16" brook trout which we kept to cook for dinner.  Several smaller trout were caught but we released them.  Overall excellent fishing!!  We had hoped to pick some fiddleheads for dinner but it's still too early.  On the way by McNallys Ross Stream Camps we saw The Richardson's relaxing out front enjoying a glass of wine and taking in their amazing view. We stopped to say hello and visit for a while.  Someday I want to stay there, it is charming and very remote.  After a trout dinner we relaxed by the fire and listened to the loons.  On the opposite shore from our campsite we found an old logging camp site with a spring house still standing.  You could see where the old buildings once stood but they were gone.  We were surprised to find 6 or 7 big  bunches of rhubarb still growing strong like they had been tended carefully.  On the way home we picked up a car at Round Pond to drive back to Allagash and checked our bait trap.  We caught at least 6 dozen but had to let they go because we forgot to bring our cooler to transport them home with.  In all we saw four deer, one moose, one nice bear, and  six partridge.  We both agreed we need to camp out more often.

Tylor turns 75

 We celebrated Tylor's birthday today.  Roger Tracy came for a visit and brought a dozen lobsters for us to enjoy.  We had dinner at camp and had a great visit.

Canoe season begins ~ Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Talking over the trip with  Churchill Dam Park Ranger

Dropping off gear at Bissonette Bridge below Chase Rapids

Today we had our first transport of the season.  We took two guys from Virginia to Churchill Dam to start their canoe trip down the Allagash.  On way the way back we stopped at Henderson Brook Bridge to leave a rental canoe for another couple coming in this Saturday.  We also threw in a bait trap.  The roads were in good shape and we made the trip out in three+ hours.  The round trip took seven. Only saw one moose, a bull at Clayton Lake.  Lots of bear sign on the 1212 road and we went along the California Road and saw where Wade yarded wood this winter.  The ranger at Churchill said the canoe season was getting off to a slow start, he only knew of two other parties that have made the trip this Spring.  I left my camera sitting on a rock by the put in and we had to turn around and go back for it.

The History Center is worth a look

An old time batteau built with ribs made from rounded tree knees.  The bottom was all scarred from the loggers calk boots

Carved inside the batteau was the signature of the late Percy Jackson from Allagash

Mothers Day weekend

Two ships passing

Abby working on her B Pond windchime

 Wade and I met Abby and Ryan at B Pond for the weekend.  We left Allagash around 1 pm and arrived at camp around 5pm.  We saw 3 moose on the way in.  Camp was cozy and warm since my father and brother had just left earlier in the day.  Camp looks great and we loved the new woodshed.  We fished Saturday morning until it got too rough and the fishing was decent.  Abby and I crafted some B Pond windchimes from fresh cut fir and pine cones. Abby and Ryan rode to Guantlet Falls. We did puzzels and  played a wicked game of Parcheesi that lasted late into the evening.  Sunday morning was beautiful and after a big breakfast we went out on the pond and caught 9 trout between us.  Cleaned up by 2pm and headed for home in opposite directions.  It was a great weekend.

Brook trout

Salty's first boat ride

Rainy Days

Steady rain today.  Wade burned some brush this morning but it was too hard to keep the fire burning.  I went to Fort Kent to buy some groceries for the upcoming weekend.  Gas prices are down to $3.99 per gallon in town…. better than the $4.15 we had been paying recently. 

Problem solving

Bunkhouse gets a new door

Today was overcast but warm in the 50's.  We have been working in the bunkhouse bathroom.  Last week I painted it and today Wade replaced the bathroom exterior door.  We will be utilizing the bunkhouse bathroom for campers to use. He is building a deck and steps for a separate entrance.

Side entrance to bunkhouse bathroom under construction

Salty is learning to ride in the back of the truck

Camp Wood

Drove out to camp this morning and picked up a load of firewood that I split last week.  I wanted to make some bundles of firewood to sell at the restaurant to campers.  I used hardwood and split some cedar for kindling.  After some practice, I got 10 nice bundles held together by shrink wrap.  We are going to ask $7 a bundle.

Wade is cutting wood up on the land by the Little Black. He found some high grade spruce today and is hoping to cut enough for several loads to sell.

Raining this afternoon so I started a fire and it feels warm and cozy here tonight.