Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

[Bobby Bass]

Still breezy around the knees here at Lake Iwanttobethere but at least it seems the winds are dying some. Usually there are a few boats out on the lake but it has been real quiet here the past week. Pretty quiet down at the Masterbaiters shop, I stopped by yesterday when running errands and as soon as I came in the door I noticed the loud ticking of the clock and only one minnow tank bubbling away. Vicki looked up from her desk behind the counter and with her glasses hanging low on her nose just said "O it's just you" " Good morning to you to" I replied. I then made my way down to the spinner bait aisle and looked through the big ½ ounce lures. I was looking for a lucky one since I was going fishing on Thursday when the winds are forecasted to get down to fifteen miles an hour. I found a lure and went over to the lure making wall to get a couple extra big white willow blades. I took them to the counter and Vicki just looked over her glasses and asked if I just want to put the stuff on my account. Grabbing A Kit Kat bar I held it up so she could see it nodded yes and headed back out the door. Always nice to have an account at a bait shop.

Next stop was Big Earls. I found him outside of the store trying to keep the leaves from blowing into his store. He asked how the Kite flying experience was and I told him not well. We got back to the cabin and assemble the kite, Nana donate a pink kerchief for a tail and we tied the line to the kite. I went in the shop and got a dowel to run through the spool of line and we headed down to the dock. I held the kite over my head as the granddaughter held on to the spool with two hands. We have flown kites before so no coaching was needed. The Grand daughter yelled 'Let it go" and with perfect timing a gust of wind plucked the kite from my hand and up,up up it went. I had my back to the granddaughter as I watched the wind take the kite upwards, at a surprising pace I might add. I turned just in time to see the last of the line come off the spool and the end follow the kite upwards. The granddaughter just said Ooooo and we both watched the kite disappear, heading towards Root Beer Island.

Earl nodded his head and said he has been having a lot of repeat customers buying kites this week. He then asked what brought me in today and I told him I needed a box of shells, thinking of getting in some grouse hunting now that the leaves are all down. He sent me in and said Junior is back in sporting. I found Junior stocking boxes of hand warmers and a few of the Fellows were sitting around the potbelly stove trading true, they claim stories of the past weekend bird hunting trip. I picked up a box of 20ga shells for the side by side and listen in as they talked about it being so windy they were having to lead birds by car lengths. The more I listen the more I kept hearing about misses and not about any birds being hit. The conversation then turned to how many different kinds of meals you can make with Spam.

I paid for the shells and eyed a big box of Kit Kat bags sitting close to the pickle barrel. Halloween is a really bad time if you have a sweet tooth and you spend a lot of time outside. With these windy days you have to wear a coat and of course you have pockets where you keep gloves, sinkers, shotgun shells those disposable hand warmers and of course them little candy bars. Matter of fact the grand kids make bets between themselves on what they will find in grandpa's pockets. Lighter, pocket knife, cigar cutter, siding nails, broken bits of dog biscuits and them little candy bars along with some silver change. They ask for the change and the candy bars which is why I have them in my pocket, that's what I tell the wife anyway. From Lake Iwanttobethere. {463,638}

[Bobby Bass]

Hot Fall Fishing ! Not. Getting down right chilly in the morning here at Lake Iwanttobethere. After a week of high winds and some frosty overnights the temperature of the water here has dropped almost fourteen degrees. I think the fish have headed on over to the secret hot springs because they are no where to be found where they were just a few weeks ago. I have even made some concessions as I have put the summer shorts in the bottom drawer and have dug out the sweat pants. My neighbor Chuck who is always complaining that his jeans are getting tight was over last night. He was just finishing up his second slice of apple pie and was complaining about his jeans were getting a tad snug, I told him just to wear a different pair. He tells me they are all the same size so that is no help. I don't have that problem, I wear sweat pants and can't tell if I gain weight or not over the summer.

Even had to find socks but the hat and gloves are still sitting in the bin by the door, not quite that cold yet. This morning I had to let the Tahoe sit and warm up for a while, frost covered the windshield and the doors were a little frozen making me have to tug some to get the drivers door open. Sunshine felt good on the drive into town, had a list of things I needed to pick up at the General Store and of course there is always the Monday morning errands to do. I came around a curve in the road to see a nice buck crossing in front of me, the sun at his back he stopped and raises his head looking at the truck. He snorted a few times, not that I could hear him but I could see his warm breath come out as a white vapor in the sunlight. In no big hurry he put his head down and continued across the road before he slipped down into the ditch and blended in with the brown chest high grass.

Leaves are pretty much all down, don't know where they all go to as you would expect with all the trees along the roadway that you would be driving chest deep in leaves. No longer do you see tourists stopped in the center of the road with doors open standing and taking pictures. Now you keep an eye out for slow rolling trucks with road hunters looking for stupid morning birds. They idle by with cups of steaming coffee in one hand and the other resting lightly on well worn steering wheels. Some will wave or dip their heads as they pass, others will act like they are not hunting at all, just looking at the falling leaves. From time to time I will have one of the dogs riding shotgun with me and other hunters seeing the dog will give me a thumbs up and with out saying a word we share the hunting moment.

Have not seen another boat on a trailer for awhile I think most people in these parts have parked them and now are hunting or watching football. Mystery Creek still has a few fishermen there, the Pinks are in and they get chased for a few short weeks. At the General Store the hunting section has more guys in the aisle then the garden shop. Always seem to be someone blowing a goose call or you can hear one of them varmint recordings being played by Junior. To settle a bet with his dad, Big Earl. Junior played a dying rabbit call on the outside speaker and watched as a couple of guys walking across the street stopped and turned back towards the store and the sound of the call. Big Earl is now pondering away at how he can get the ladies to come in and shop more of his sales by using some kind of call. For awhile there he would put chocolate in the heat exhaust vent of the store, the smell of melting chocolate would drift out over town drawing the ladies in, but the ladies soon caught on to his trick. That and the fact that Junior added some buck scent which with chocolate they found out is not a very good combination.

Going to be a lull here fishing wise, always is as guys wait for the water to get hard and lucky deer season is coming soon. Bird season has been slow as far as grouse go and a few of the fellows talk of geese but it is hard to tell if they are talking about this season or one they remember from the pass. At the Lodge the deck door is more closed then open and the small fireplace has the sound of crackling and snapping wood burning in it. Seems the tables on that side of the room have more people sitting in them as old backs seek the warmth of the fire. Hot cider with a little something in it is seen cradle in hands and if a boat is seen out on the water guys wonder out loud if who ever is in it is catching fish. They watch and sip on the cider and tell each other how good fall fishing can be and then go into a story that starts off with " I remember when" from Lake Iwanttobethere {469,477}

[Bobby Bass]

I ease the Tahoe over a hump in the trail, make a sharp turn to the right and duck my head inside the cab as a branch scrapes across the roof. I chuckle to myself a little as I don't know why I am ducking my head when I am inside the truck. Windows are rolled halfway down even though they are electric. Duncan's head hangs out the passenger side, nose sucking in volumes of air, processing new scents and then transmitting his excitement to his tail which is quivering with in reach. From time to time I will reach over and tug on it just to get his attention. Bud is in the back seat, sprawled across a blanket napping I think. Getting harder for the old dog to stand in the seat as we go over another hump and splash into a pothole.

Deer Camp awaits us as we come out of the trail into the high grass of the clearing. The old shack sits on the other side of the grass clearing and the first thing I notice is the roof is still on and it is still standing. Two very important things when you have a deer shack. No other tire tracks so I drive right up to the door and park. I turn the engine off and it is quiet except for Duncan's hard breathing and the sound of Bud getting up in the back seat. I can see him stretching in the rear view mirror and he gives me the "Are we here look?" I open my door and slide across the seat to get out, before my second foot hits the grass Duncan has made his way between me and the seat and hits the ground running. Bud takes a more leisurely approach and works his way between the two front seats and looks before he jumps down to the ground.

The woods are quiet as I watch Duncan work around the shack, his nose to the ground checking the porch steps and then heads off running down the trail to the outhouse. Bud takes his time and walks over to one side of the deer hanging posts before lifting his leg. He does his thing, tears at the grass with his claws and then walks back to me tail wagging. It takes Bud just that long to be comfortable at the Deer Shack. I climb the stairs and they are still firm under my feet, the repairs we made last fall are holding up well. I turn when I reach the small porch and give the railing a shake. Bud at my side he is already waiting at the door to get in. I lift the rubber piece of inner tube that covers the padlock and slip the key into the lock. I jiggle it, the key a little to get it all the way into the lock and turn it till I hear the loud click in the quiet. I take the lock off the hasp and the old wood door creaks a little on it's hinges as it swings open. Bud enters first, like a cop at a robbery.

I give out a couple of short "Whoop Whoop" calls for Duncan. He has his own call to get his attention. He runs down the trail from the outhouse like only a nine month old pup can. Fast as fast can be he has only one speed. He does not climb the stairs but just jumps them all and lands sliding into the shack in a controlled crash landing. The noise was enough to shake a mouse loose that Bud had missed and the chase was on. Duncan's claws were loud on the old vinyl floor as he spotted the mouse and tried to right himself and give chase. Bud saw the mouse and just looked at the hole in the floor and the mouse. I am guessing he was already figuring he would not get to the mouse before the mouse got to the hole. Duncan on the other hand didn't do any figuring he was chasing. The mouse made the hole and Duncan ran out of floor before sliding into a chair.

Bud walked over and joined Duncan sniffing the hole then they slowly checked out the shack with Bud in the lead. No more mice were found and I did my inspection and wrote in the log on the table that I had been at the shack. Just a few weeks away from deer hunting and I just had to check out the shack, from Lake Iwanttobethere. {472,407}

[Bobby Bass]

October is coming to and end at Lake Iwanttobethere and deer season is here! Already a common sight around town are bright orange hats perched on top of heads. All my dogs are sporting their orange collars and even Mark the mailman has one on when making deliveries, the hat, not the collar. The bell over the door at Ma and Pa's grocery is not quiet for long as hunters are coming and going to the little shop. We have a standing order with Pa who always sets us up with a choice selection of cold cuts for sandwiches for opening weekend and steaks for Friday night. The cold cuts are always sliced thick so you just need to grab a slice and slip it between hunks of bread from Amy's bakery.

This time of year some things are stocked on the shelves that are not normally seen during the summer. Cheese cloth comes to mind as a lot of the old timers will wrap their sandwiches in it, I tend to like the quiet of unwrapping a nice thick bologna sandwich on the stand and having a built in napkin. Now Pa does stock cheese cloth year round but during deer season he has it in blaze orange. I should mention that Big Earl also stocks toilet paper in blaze orange, you can find it right next to the camouflage stuff.

Weather wise the days are staying cool but not cold. From time to time the sun will come out and if you are lucky enough to be out of the wind it can be comfortable sitting outside. Water is cold though and most of the fellows are now officially done fishing. Lower unit oil was almost as big a seller at the General Store as was Halloween candy this past week. I did pick the last of my apples as I didn't want any to be left on the trees, no need to give any trick or treaters any ideas. A poor year for apples but I did get a couple of pies from my trees and along with some fresh fish caught from the dock we had a good dinner last night.

Yesterday was spent cleaning up the yard and putting things away. Does not seem to take that long to put things out but sure takes an afternoon to put everything in it's place for the winter. Rain barrels were emptied and turn up side down, Wood was piled near the fire pit and the box inside the cabin was filled along with the rack outside the back door. Candles and cushions were stored and rakes have found there way to the back of the shed to be replaced with snow shovels and ice picks. Tiller was started and made a few passes through the flower beds before it ran out of gas and was pushed back to it's winter spot in the garage.

Today I will empty the Puddle Humper and haul batteries inside. Rods will be brought in and placed in there winter resting spots in the back hall rack. Lures will be dropped in plastic tackle boxes and stacked on the hall shelf till sometime mid winter. Then they will be taken down and hooks sharpen and tag lines cut off. Reels need to be cleaned and oiled but that will be for a snowy day in February. Tarp will cover the Puddle Humper and a few dryer sheets will be stuck under to keep them mice away. A liberal spraying of some WD-40 for hinges and safety chains and caps will be snapped on to the trailer harness. Back of the Tahoe will be empty to as life vests and waders will go inside the cabin. Extra set of summer clothes will be replaced with winter ones. Funny thing about boat storage that is the opposite of the yard, Takes but a few hours to put the boat away but a few afternoons to put it back together come spring. Of course some of the problem will be that a fire will be burning in the pit and chairs will be close enough to get heat but stay out of the smoke. No sense in rushing this time of year. From Lake Iwanttobethere {475,519}

[Bobby Bass]

From time to time getting old or older does have it's advantages, take deer hunting for instance. Being older and having hunted for longer than I would like to admit when this time of year comes I head to the back bedroom and inside the closet I have an old knapsack or backpack as they call them now. Inside left the same as I did last season is all of my deer hunting gear. No need to transfer stuff from the bird knapsack or the fishing knapsack each has just the right stuff that it is intended for. See as you get old you need to buy stuff with the idea it is going to last you a long time and if you have to buy a few of the same things that is OK. Gives the kids something to buy you on them holidays and birthdays that us old guys don't want to talk about.

You also at a certain age no longer out grow things or for that matter wear them out. The only way you need to replace them is if they are borrowed or stolen. I don't remember how old my bird hunting boots are, they are well worn and comfortable. For the most part they keep my feet dry and warm but then again I don't walk through the middle of potholes filled with water any more. Like Bud we both tend to walk around them and stay in the dry grass and out of the mud. I bought shells last year for the trusty 30-30 so need for any to be bought this season. Knife is still sharp but I think I will replace the lemon drops with some fresh ones. Already Elmer has his knapsack in the back of his truck, the topper door is propped open with a stick so the air can circulate around his hunting clothes. Elmer did buy one of the used orange sleds from the ludge run. He will use it to drag his deer back to camp with and will borrow it for a price to any one who needs to borrow it.

Sunshine Ray is calling for some rain showers looks to stay to warm for any snow. Guys are split on the weather as some like the snow and others like the warmer temperatures. Don't much matter to me as I can stay out the entire time, don't have anything on my schedule that needs to be done. Opening Saturday the town will be run by the wives. All the stores will have normal hours but the men will be in the woods hunting along with kids and in some cases their wives. The Lodge will be open as Gus does not hunt but it will be quiet till well after dark. Some of the guys will show up for a Hamms then and of course stories will be told and maybe backed up with a deer or two in the back of pickups on their way to Ma and Pa's to be hung in the cooler.

Yesterday I did get the Puddle Humper put away. I put all the tackle boxes away and except for one small problem it went according to plan. The hitch was the hook box clasp was not secure and when I went to put it into the cardboard box it open and the contents spilled out. Decision time. Let it sit till spring or take the time to sort it out, I took the box and dumped it on the table and sorted the hooks back to there small little compartments. I know I always say you can never have enough hooks and sinkers but after doing the sorting I think I might have enough hooks.

House phone has been pretty quiet but the emails are coming and going. All the guys are talking back and forth making plans, changing plans shopping for gear and checking up on each other. Some are tweeting and others are just texting, my neighbor Chuck only uses one text and it is the same answer every time. If he gets a message all he texts back is OK which always confuses who ever text him as they don' know if he is agreeing to what ever they said or is just saying OK he got their message. I don't even bother, I can talk way faster the I can type and my fingers are to fat for my little phone keyboard. I tried that texting once and not only did I get the wrong number but she called sheriff Tim on me for what I texted, which was nothing even close to what I thought I was typing. I guess certain letters are abbreviations for some things. Phone is ringing, must be another old guy, from Lake Iwanttobethere {477,935}

[Bobby Bass]

Instead of counting weeks to the opening of the "Hotel" as we refer to the deer hunting shack we are down to a few days. Everything is packed and everyone is accounted for as far as when they will arrive. Food and beverages are waiting to be picked up from the Lodge and Pa's grocery store and Big Earl says he has a few extra items he will be bring up this season. On the home front I am just finishing up a few last chores and the cabin will be just fine with out me for awhile. Puddle Humper is secure and the tarp is cinched down tight. It can snow away and I will not be worried. Yard and deck look pretty empty with just about everything put away. A few chairs still sit on the deck and I will be using one of them today. Sunshine Ray is forecasting a little warmer weather before a storm system moves in. Today it is already a blue bird sky and the sunshine feels fine as I do a little putsing in the wood shop. I am cutting up some scraps for kindling for the Hotel's potbelly stove. Don't need a lot as once we get a fire started it will stay burning for the next two weeks.

Yesterday was an errand running day. Was in town trying to get things done but I think I spent more time chatting with locals that I have not seen much of during the summer. With the fishing tourist season complete the town is empty except for the early hunters that come into get their camps ready. Of course some of the seasonal residents also return and there are more lights on in the evening around the lake then there has been since Labor Day. The Masterbaiters Shop has been closed for the past few days as Vicki has taken a short vacation. She will be open again on Friday in time to be a weigh in station. Car wash has been quiet, not even a water trail coming out from the building. No rain so no mud just a lot of dusty atv's on trailers seen around town. Farmers have been in town to as of late. Crops are all in and now they have time to come to town and do some shopping and meet up with others. Dew Drop Inn seems to have a lot of full tables with guys drinking coffee and chatting.

At the Lodge we can tell there is a change as we have cut back on the candy order. Fewer tourists mean less kids which means less candy sales. Gus is still working the BBQ a couple of times a week though. Lunch crowd is always steady and Coney's and bowls of chili are always in demand. I think Hammering Hank and Skinny will be cleaning picnic tables with the power washer today. I will make it a point to drive by with my window up as they will try and hose my truck down like they always do. County street cleaners came through and all the leaves that were down are now gone. With the bright sunshine and almost no waves Lake Iwanttobethere is looking inviting. I think the only one still fishing is my dog Barney. He is still sitting on the end of the dock looking into the water. Duncan from time to time will go down and sit next to him, but Duncan does not have a clue as to what Barney is doing. So Duncan will get bored and go find someone else to go harass. He is becoming fast friends with Mark the mailman and Jessie the paperboy. They both just give him my mail and paper and he proudly carries it up to the cabin.

The wife and Duncan are still working on coming to terms with each other. She the wife, complains that Duncan does not listen to her. I point out to her she is talking to Duncan like he is eleven years old like Bud and Barney are. In fact he has just turned nine months old and just does not have the commands down like the older dogs do. Matter of fact I have had many a conversation with Bud and Barney over the years and I find them to be patent listeners and understanding. They never interrupt me and for the most part know when to keep quiet. Duncan is learning that listening is a big part of any conversation and right now he is working on his non verbal skills. He does how ever show signs of being bored with some of my stories and just gets up in the middle of them and wanders away. So on that note I guess I better get back outside and continue to make it look like I am busy, from Lake Iwanttobethere. {479,636}

[Bobby Bass]

It starts around noon or so in town, you notice a few vehicles that you don't normally see around town. Lake Iwanttobethere being a small town tends to notice unusually things. Of course people who travel to the lake tend to think the town is somewhat unusual. Anyway the cars and trucks star arriving in early afternoon and are scattered about town. The two parking meters have some late model pickups parked at them but just about every parking space has something in it. The bell over Ma and Pa's grocery is ringing so much it sounds like a door buzzer that got stuck. Hunters carry out boxes and paper bags filled with white wrapped packages. On one of the rare days of the year the small black and white TV on the shelf behind Ma is not turned on to her favorite afternoon soap opera, she is to busy turning the crank on the old brass and wood cash register.

Not seeing someone wearing blaze orange would make them stick out. Signs hang from store front windows welcoming hunters and offering free coffee or discount for cash. Amy at her bakery is wearing her special Lake Iwanttobethere apron that the business association is promoting this season. All the owners are sporting the blaze orange apron with a target on the center and a picture of the lake in the bulls eye. Owner's wife's help man the stores and some are being refreshed in what they need to do tomorrow as the season will start and the husbands will be gone into the woods. Even Big Earls wife is at the General Store. She stands along side Earl wearing her apron and holding her broom just like her husband.

Shortly after three or so the caravan starts to form, not by any plan I don't think it just that everyone wants to get to their shacks before dark settles in. From my vantage point at the Lodge I can look down main street and watch it form. Pickups all shinny and new are mixed in with old campers and station wagons. Seems like every other truck has a snowmobile trailer with a atv on it. Still other trucks have rolls of carpet on them and I even saw one with several used kitchen cabinets. I am guessing there will be some remodeling done at more then one shack. A big guy rides in an old Buick four door, the car leaning heavy to one side on aged springs. I think I have seen that car on the lake during ice fishing season, If I remember right he has a few holes through the floor boards and never needs to get out of the car to fish.

Guns hang from gun racks and as I watch them weave their way out of town I am thinking it looks more like some kind of exodus. Something is missing I am thinking then it comes to me, no dogs! With that I see a few stragglers follow the others and the town is quiet. The parking meters have no one at them and the space for Doc Burrien car is once again open. Big Earl and his wife sweep the sidewalk in front of the store and I watch Earl give her a kiss on the cheek and hand her his broom. He then walks around to the side of the store and gets into his Suburban and with a wave he drives by and heads towards the Lodge.

Another caravan forms, this one heading in my direction. Big Earl in the lead followed by Elmer and Marv, Chuck pulling his trailer and Reed the Realtor in his Bio-disel RV Hammering Hank with Skinny appear coming down the service road, moving a little quick, I am guessing they didn't get to fixing the brakes on the work truck. Mark the mail man shows up at the post office, looks like he is running a little late. In a few minutes they will all stop here at the Lodges parking lot and we will wait for a few more in our party to get off work and then we will all be off, heading for the Hotel. Looks like we are just a few hours away from deer season, from Lake Iwanttobethere {481,846}

Be safe out there.....

[Bobby Bass]

Well the opening of deer season started off with a BANG but not the way I am guessing most of you who read this are thinking. Our excitement actually started on Friday evening. The caravan left the Lodge and made good time on our way to the Hotel. Funny how it always seems to take a little longer to get there no matter if it is a hunting or fishing trip. Return trips are always driven at a more leisurely pace but you seem to hit every green light and arrive home early for the most part. We made the turn off to the Hotel and since it has been so dry we had no potholes with water to negotiate and no muddy trail. No surprise fallen trees to block our way and even Reed's RV made it through the stand of popple without scrapping the sides.

We were surprise to find two more of our crew already at the camp and a fire in the potbelly stove. They greeted us with ice cold Hamms and a story about a ten point buck they saw on the drive in, yesterday. They had left early this year making sure they were not going to miss the opener. We settled in and unload trucks, boxes finding their way to shelves and sleeping bags to the built in wall bunks. Fridge was filled and empty coolers stuck back into trucks. Ice levels were checked, as you can never bring enough ice. It was already to warm inside the Hotel so we retreated to the fire ring and started a fire there. Butts of Maple trees that long ago had been chain sawed into chairs were moved with some huffing and puffing to form a semi circle around the blazing fire.

Almost on cue a pesky red ground squirrel showed up and started chirping away. Another one could be heard high and out of sight in one of the big pines. Normally someone will make a hunting trip to the shack to remove the pests, this year it was Elmer's turn but he was quote "Busy" Big Earl went into the hotel and reappeared a few minutes later with the small pump .22 that is kept just for such occasions. With Marv as his spotter the two old guys set off after the red squirrel who was now barking at them and running across the roof of the Hotel. The rest of us made bets and then side bets as to how many shots it would take for Elmer to bag the squirrel. More bets were made that Elmer would miss and the squirrel would follow Elmer to his stand the next morning, announcing to everyone and everything in the woods that Elmer's was there.

A shot rang out from behind the Hotel in the area of the outhouse, a loud curse followed by the sound of Marv harassing his friend. A few guys around the fire doubled their bets and odds were increased as the sun started to set and time was running out. A loud CLANG as the next shot rang off the stove pipe and we saw the squirrel doing his Carl Lewis imitation, running across this side of the roof heading for the power line. Elmer came around the side of the Hotel and headed inside, Marv just looked at us and shrugged his shoulders. Elmer reappeared with his 30-30 and levered in a round. Big Earl made a prediction to the group that something big was about to happen and Doc Burriem, glasses perched low on his nose looking over his silver flask said simply " I got a bad feeling here boys" and then it happened..

The squirrel jumped to the power line and like a trapeze artist began running the line towards the woods. A shot rang out in the growing quiet of twilight and a bright flash where the squirrel was is the last thing any of us remembers before, Boom Boom out went the lights. We sat in the growing darkness as the sound of the 30-30 echoed in the small clearing. The Hotel's lights did not even flicker, they just disappeared. The ensuing quiet was overwhelming, broken only by the New York accent of Marv telling Elmer " I think you were a tad low with that last shot" from Lake Iwanttobethere. {482,954}

[Bobby Bass]

Well, if you are looking to read about the deer I shot this weekend you can stop here. No one at camp even saw a deer let alone took a shot at one. But having said that it was still a good opener for us. Having Elmer shoot down the power line on Friday night has already been spun into a tale of remarkable target shooting that the likes of Wild Bill would have a hard time duplicating. It, the story in just a few short days has already spread to other camps in the area and Marv has been quoted as saying that Elmer even called his shot like Babe Ruth did. It should be noted that the red squirrel was seen the next morning and identified as the same one from the night before by it's burnt tail but that part of the story is not being past around.

The top story for the weekend has been the wind, it has been without a doubt one of the windiest openers that anyone can remember in the stands. Today the power line should be replaced as we contacted Jim from the co-op on Saturday morning, actually he called us to tell us about the story of someone shooting down their power line. The cell was quiet when I told him it was Elmer who had done the deed then I heard the laughter break out. He promised to have us up and running by mid day today. We were however not without power, Big Earl who was sitting at the fire pit at the time of the incident took a burning branch from the fire and walked over to his truck holding the branch high in the air. Kind of looked like one of them men discover fire pictures you see in the national geographic magazines at Burt's barbershop. A moment later he was pulling out a small generator and within minutes the fridge was back up and running as were a few cabin lights. When Earl was asked how he just happen to have a generator in his truck he acted like it was no big deal, Said he needs it in case he had to change a flat tire, because he has an electric impact wrench. Guess owning a General Store allows you to carry some of the inventory with you.

In Friday nights draw I got one of the newer stands for Saturday morning. I was kind of hoping to get the swamp stand where I have seen that big buck but Junior got that one. The new stand as we call it is about five years old and is a hike from the hotel. It sits looking out over the marsh and in the past a few deer have been ambushed there as they try to sneak out from what we refer to as the "Valley" With all the wind I was not looking forward to spending time on that stand but as luck would have it the wind was coming from the valley blowing out over the marsh so it was not that bad. Elmer and Marv both drew stands on top of the ridge, they did not complain to much Saturday evening but when then came in on Sunday the first thing they did was clip their safety harness to their chairs at the supper table. The two of them sat at one end of the table swaying back and forth and yelling at each other about the roaring in their ears. Doc Burriem gave them both something for motion sickness and they settled down after awhile..

Won a few dollars at poker on Saturday night and then lost it all on Sunday night. Wild Turkey was poured in generous amounts Sunday night and the air was thick with cigar smoke and the smell of beans. With the wind blowing steady all weekend long we found several places in the shack that will need some caulking. Most of the guys were content to stay in the shack and the fire pit was all by forgotten. The meat pole looked pretty lonely with nothing hanging from it. A few guys had to go back to town to go to work while the rest of us made a quick trip to our places to get things we had forgotten. I posted a story and grabbed my ereader so I will have something to do in the stand later this afternoon. As long as it does not rain we should be OK and with Junior gone I can hunker down in the swamp stand, from Lake Iwanttobethere {484,564}

[Bobby Bass]

It gets cold on the deer stand, no matter what you do. I was reminded of that when I was down on the swamp stand and woke up just as the sun was easing into the brush and something woke me up. Might have been a deer but I was thinking it was more likely this squirrel that had been running in the dry leaves on the raised mound that was off to my right. I had gotten into the stand early in the afternoon and settled in with everything I needed close at hand. The sun was actually shinning and the wind was just a slight puff from time to time to be felt on your cheek. Perfect time to spend in a stand and enjoy some quiet time by myself. Hotel had only about half the bunks filled as some of the guys were back at work and would return for the weekend. Doc Burriem had to go back to town as he was having his annual flu shot day and Big Earl was back at the General Store so Junior could come up.

Tuesday two does found there way to the meat pole as both Elmer and Marv scored. The two of them were taking the south trail to there stands early in the afternoon and had stopped to take a breather when two does popped up on the trail not forty yards from them. The does looked at Elmer and Marv and Marv looked at Elmer then they both looked at the does and when it was all done, the two old guys shot and two does were down. The old guys were happy, they were done hunting and had their venison. The two does were not happy at all I am thinking. Junior had just made it to camp and helped the old guys get their deer to the meat pole before he went to his stand for a few hours.

I missed out on it all, including the heavy lifting part. I was back on my favorite stand down in the swamp and tucked away out of the wind and with the sun shinning was very comfortable. It never fails as I was sitting in the stand that a couple of grouse flew in and worked the sun covered hillside over. Scratching around like chickens I watched them for the better part of an hour before they flew off for no reason other then to startle the hell out of me. Last Christmas I had gotten an ereader for a present and I loaded a few books that I wanted to read onto it. This was the first deer season that I could use it. Instead of bring a paperback out to the deer stand I brought the ereader and I sat and read and every time I needed to turn a page I would look up and check out my shooting lanes. The ereader is quieter then turning a paper page so that is a plus. Also the ereader has a writing function so I might just start writing right on the stand.

I don't know about you but when I am sitting out there on the stand I always seem to come up with a lot of good ideas, Of course I forgot almost all of them before I get back to the Hotel but now I will have a way to write them down. Of course I can see one problem right away and that is no way will I be able to type with my gloves on, keys are to small. But it should work out for them warm afternoons that I would otherwise just nap away.

With Elmer and Marv done hunting they took over the evening meal yesterday. They roasted chicken that was so tuff you had to cut it with a steak knife. I had a sandwich that they cut the breast up with the meat slicer, I must admit it took me awhile to eat it but it is still with me, filling to say the least. So no deer for me to report but I am enjoying the quiet, no snow and it is cool out but not really cold. There are certainly other things I could be doing worse then sitting in the woods, from Lake Iwanttobethere {485,608}

[Bobby Bass]

Well, I guess I can't blame being cold on the deer stand all to mother nature, After being looked at by Doc Burriem who found me sitting in the Tahoe with the heated seat on high he declared I had a fever and told me I should leave deer camp and go home. I didn't argue to long with him as I saw as soon as he was done talking with me he turned off his hearing aid. I left my gear at the hotel and headed back to the cabin and made a bee line for the bed. I slept twelve hours straight and finally got warm. Bud and Barney sleeping with me might have provide some extra heat and I am hoping it will be just a little cold that will go away quickly. Of course Doc Burriem in his wisdom told me before I left that he can give me something for the cold and it will last about a week or I can just leave it alone to run its course and it will last seven days.

Wish I could say I was feeling better today but I am sore and grouchy. Dogs think they are nurses and I am never out of the sight of at least one of them. I almost got breakfast in bed till I realized I was just dreaming and had to make my way to the kitchen to eat some jerky and have a Hamms. Sunny outside and I let the dogs out, I stepped onto the deck and was greeted with a brisk wind and cold air. With a shiver I headed back to the living room and tossed a log on the fire. Duncan came and sat with me on the couch and we shared a moment together, that is about how long he can sit still before he left me to check on a cat that walked by.

No one is home so I can't complain to anyone how I feel, I could complain to Bud but he will just roll his eyes at me and ignore me after awhile. Elmer is not home, I saw him and Pepper leave a little while ago heading to the cigar and magazine shop. We had talked on the phone some earlier but our conversation was short as he started to tell me about the deer he and Marv shot. I had to remind him that I was there, remember. I went through the mail on the desk and sorted it into bills and garbage. I called the Lodge but Gus was busy and he reminded me I was on vacation and all was well. Before I could say anything more he hung up on me.

With nothing to do I sat in the chair in the den eyeing the computer knowing I could kill time on the Internet but I was on vacation and that it is just not sit right spending your vacation on the computer. So as I sat in the chair I saw the fishing cigar box resting on the shelf, maybe just maybe I have a cigar there that the wife does not know about. I had made a promise to the wife that I would only smoke cigars on my fishing trips and no more smoking just for the sake of smoking. I got the box down and I could hear a rattle in the box, I open it to find not one but two cigars inside. I clipped off the end of one and grabbing my cigar lighter I headed to the greenhouse. One of the deck chairs was already in the green house and I lite the cigar and blew a lazy ring in the still air upwards. A comfortable eighty degrees with no breeze and I cracked one window to let the smoke out. Still a few tomato plants in pots and I shook them and got that plant smell in the air. A few tomatoes still hung from vines but they are never really going to ripen out here with no heat on in the evening.

The wind shook the greenhouse a little from time to time and leaves blew up to slide back down the sides to the ground. I had my feet up on one of the planting tables and was starting to feel pretty good, the ash from the cigar was being knocked off into an empty pot and when I got done I told myself all I needed to do is put a handful of dirt on top and no one would be the wiser. Of course it was not deer hunting, but I was spending some time outdoors on my vacation, sort of. From Lake Iwanttobethere {487,149}

[Bobby Bass]

Spending time in the greenhouse was such a success that I decide to try it again today. No sooner had the wife left for work then I got the last cigar out from the fishing box and with a cold soda, something else I am not supposed to have I headed to the greenhouse. This time I had a plan in hand and I brought out a few other things with me. A cushion for the wood deck chair and a radio. I set the chair up facing the lake and moved the pot that I had dumped ashes in closer. I put flame to the cigar and sat back in the chair with a grand view of the lake and the patch of woods that separate my cabin from Elmers. I popped the top on the soda and sipped it like fine wine. Not supposed to have soda anymore as the wife is holding me to my promise of giving it up along with the cigars. A fair trade off as she has not made to much of a big deal of the walnut and beer diet which to her surprise has actually lowered my cholesterol.

My cold is still here at least it feels like a cold, no cough so I am thinking if I can get through another day I will return to deer camp. Still have a little fever so sitting in the greenhouse feels just fine. No wind today and very few clouds, sun is shinning and I am thinking maybe I should have brought some ice for the soda. I tuned in KCUM on the radio and Sunday morning is all music and no talk. I was about halfway through the cigar tapping my fingers on the arm of the chair to an oldie but goodie when I saw a flicker of movement in Elmers woods. I blew a ring of smoke into the air and turned my head waiting to see if either Edd or Eddie the squirrels would appear. I had to wave some of the smoke from in front of my face out of the way and stood up to open a window which I had forgotten to do.

As I stood at the window I watched as a big nose attached to a big head which had a big rack separated itself from the woods. I froze as I looked at a monster buck, at least for these parts emerged out from the leafless underbrush and stepped out onto the green grass of my lawn. Dang, is what I think I said but I might have said something else. The big buck with his head down walked slowly across the yard, almost looked like he was eyeballing every place where he was going to step. His tail swayed from side to side slow like. Almost halfway across the yard he stopped and raised his head quickly looking straight at the greenhouse and of course I am thinking me. We locked eyes and for me we had a staring down contest. I didn't blink but it was getting hard not to with the smoke from the cigar hanging from my lips rising into my eyes.

I don't know how long we both stood there, time has a way of standing still when you have moments like that. I do know that I had time to count points, I went from the right side to the left and counted twelve of them. I saw he was thick in the neck and he stood like a buck who had been around for awhile. His tail looked like a big feather duster and no longer was it swaying from side to side, now it just kind of hung there. His coat looked clean and healthy and I was thinking to myself this guy has been getting fat in my gardens. As I watched he raised his head in my direction and he was close enough that I could see his nostrils flare as he sniffed the air. He turned his head away from me and took a step then snapped his head back in my direction. I have seen this before and I was ready for it. Then I coughed, maybe it was from the cigar smoke or maybe the cold but I coughed loudly and that was all it took.

With a turn that would make a running back proud and with a start that would leave anyone behind in the quarter mile he was gone in but a few strides, or was it bounds. Always am surprise how much ground a deer can cover when they want to exit someplace quickly. A few sips of the soda and I was back in the now repositioned deck chair. I was now facing the woods and deer hunting, from Lake Iwanttobethere {489,257}

[Bobby Bass]

I made it back to the Hotel and deer camp yesterday, To late for the morning hunt I arrived to find both Elmer and Marv relaxing on the small stoop of the hotel. Junior along with Doc Burriem were in the woods and Marv said they expected them out for lunch here shortly. Hammering Hank was in the woods but had brought a lunch and said he was going to be in the swamp stand for the day. Kind of changed my plans some as I was figuring that would be a good place to be on this day. I checked my gear and stirred the stew pot that was simmering on the potbelly stove.

With the sun trying to break through the low clouds Junior and Doc wandered down the North trail. When asked if they had seen anything they just shook their heads no and Doc went inside following his nose to the stew while Junior headed for the outhouse. With Hank at my preferred stand I decide I would head out on the south trail to one of the ridge stands. After a hundred yards or so I was debating if that was a good idea as the walk up the incline was already making me think twice. But steep hills always make ya walk slower and hunt better as Elmer would say. That and my way back would be all down hill so I kept walking.

I followed the trail taking several breaks, stopping to check the lay of the land and maybe my breath also. I do have the excuse of having a cold but for this story we will just say that I was hunting slowly. A stretch of trail runs along a small ravine and as I came around a bend in the trail I just got the glimpse of a big brown rear end slipping off the trail and into it. I have hunted the ravine for birds many times in the past, there is an old shack there and some junk. The grouse like to sun themselves on the hillside and a small creek runs along the bottom. Seeing a deer heading for it in mid day was not to much of a surprise.

Cradling my rifle in the crook of my arm I reached in my side pocket and got out my little video camera. I was thinking I might just get me a good photo of a deer for the next Lake Iwanttobethere calendar. I moved slowly up the trail to where the deer had slipped into the ravine and trying not to walk on the dry leaves I used a big old maple as cover to look over the edge. It took me awhile but I once again saw the big brown rear end and it belonged to one big doe who was on the other side of the creek looking back at me but standing in some thick brush. Several things were running through my mind, It was a big, I mean a big doe down there. I did have a shot but with just me and the old guys back at camp it was going to be a real deal getting her out of there.

I left the rifle in the crook of my arm and moved around the tree to try and at least get a good piece of video on her when I was distracted by some movement on the ground. I was thinking squirrel and I did see a gray on the base of a tree flicking it's tail, I dismissed it as soon as I knew it was a squirrel but the I saw some more movement and as I watched it was the front foreleg of a deer tapping the ground. I followed the leg upwards and could make out that it was buck looking in my direction. I froze and watched as the buck kept tapping the ground like it was trying to make up his mind on what to do next. For the next several minutes I worked to try and get a clear picture of the buck around the tree and did get some footage of the buck as he started to follow the big doe.

The doe must have had a better angle on me and she spooked taking the buck with her, but I did get him on the camera, although it does not look like I will get anything good enough to put on this year's calendar. Here is a picture and some of the footage, From Lake Iwanttobethere {491,484}

[img:center]

[Bobby Bass]

One sure fire way to make ya feel miserable is to have a cold and then go out and sit in a chilly rain. Yup, that is what I did yesterday afternoon in the swamp stand. An overcast sky and the day started chilly and never got any better. I made my way to the swamp stand and settled in, even brought an extra sweatshirt cuz I knew I was going to need it. Don't think I was sitting in the stand for thirty minutes before I got the first chill that ran down my back and shook my toes. Broke out a couple of them big heat packs, shook them and stuck one under my seat and another on the small of my back. One more found it's way on the back of my neck and ten minutes later the chill went away and I was thinking the afternoon might not be so bad after all.

The first rain drop woke me up from a nice restful nap. Or maybe it was the third I don't remember. It did sound loud as it hit my sleeve and I open my eyes slowly and without moving my head I checked around the stand. Been deer hunting for many years and napping for just as many. A loud rumble was off to my right and I was thinking it was a funny sound for a rife shot, after you spend a lot of time in the woods you can tell the difference between a .308 and a 30-30 this did not sound like either. I heard it again and now I knew what it was, thunder. Great, just great a thunder storm was heading my way. I made another look around and all was quiet, I slowly stood up and adjusted my seat, shook the heating pads up some and sat back down. I pulled cuffs down over my boot tops and sleeves down over my gloves.

I adjusted my hood, pulling it up some but still leaving it away from my ears so I could hear. Not much I could do for the old 30-30 but keep the barrel pointed down and I sat back and waited. It not take long for the few scattered rain drops to start falling with friends. I watched as drops of water on my sleeve ran toward each other to form a little river that ran down to join up with others before dropping off to splat on the floor and then form up with others to fall to the swamp floor. Before I could stop it I let out with a back shaking sneeze and shook like a bear. Figuring if anything was around they must have heard me I took the time to shake a little and adjust the 30-30 to try and keep some of the rain off it. I sat back and was glad I had that extra sweatshirt on.

It did not rain for long but it did rain long enough. Water dripped from the leafless trees and the swamp was no longer quiet. Except now everything was wet and no longer did the leaves give away the sound of a rabbit moving down the trail. I was dry for the most part but the weather was changing again, the wind was picking up and it was feeling cooler, maybe because I was a little damp or because I was used to the heating pads but another shiver shook me. When the first snow flake fell I was thinking that has to be a sign. It landed on the barrel of the 30-30 and melted as I watched. Another and yet another fell around me, I sneaked a peek under the cuff of my coat at the old watch, with no sun I could not tell the time. A few more minutes I would wait before climbing down to the ground and heading back to the hotel.

Nothing showed itself, any deer back here were already settled in and were not moving. They were probably under some cedar with a bed of dry grass and a full belly. More than likely they were watching me sitting wet in the air, out in the wind on a wood seat, chuckling to themselves, that is if deer can chuckle. I climbed down from the stand and decided to call it a day. The layers of clothes feeling heavy with dampness I shook some of the water off and made my way slowly and quietly down the trail towards the hotel. I was moving pretty quiet and almost convincing myself it was my hunting skills rather then the fact everything was wet as I quietly walked the trail. At the fork I met up with Big Earl who looked like Jeramie Johnson only in blaze orange. We both nodded at each other and walked side by side down the trail not saying anything but our first look said it all. We were wet, we were cold and we were both looking forward to a fire and something warm in our belly. I guess a lot like Jeramie Johnson would be doing on a day like today, from Lake Iwanttobethere {492,065}

[Bobby Bass]

Deer season and the weather, a sure bet not to be the same every year. Season is long enough here at Lake Iwanttobethere that we can go from one weather extreme to the other. Opening weekend found fifty degree temperatures but winds so strong that the trees were leaning to get out of the way of each other. What leaves that were left soon found their way to the ground and nothing could move in the woods and be quiet. We had a few days of sunshine and since then it has been cloudy and getting colder every morning. Mid week found us with a thunderstorm which made everything wet and come the next morning ice was common. Yesterday afternoon snow started to fall and this morning some of the guys are finally happy as there is now tracking snow on the ground for the first time this season.

A couple of deer hang from the meat pole including a doe that I dropped yesterday afternoon. Not a real story to tell as it was about as simple as a hunt could be. I was at the Hotel and had just finished lunch and was debating on making a sandwich for the stand. I decide not to and that is all it took, if I had spent the few minutes putting a sandwich together I would not have seen the doe as I headed down the south trail. I was thinking that it is getting about time to get myself a deer as I had a craving for some deer sausage, still had that sandwich on my mind I guess. I went about a hundred yards from the hotel and slowly took the sharp turn in the trail, sometimes there are grouse hanging out there. I came around the turn to find a doe sanding broadside to me not thirty yards away right in the center of the trail. Nothing big, nothing little, actually as I raised the 30-30 I was thinking just about right.

I started to squeeze the trigger and about a hundred things were being processed in my mind. Sometimes a shot is a quick think, just instinct takes over and practice allows you to do it right. Shooting a grouse is a lot like that. Bird flushes, you pull up on it, allow for a lead and squeeze the trigger and then send the dog while watching for another flush. If you think to long the bird is long gone. A squirrel in a tree might take a little stalking and some out foxing and a rabbit might surprise you jumping out from under your feet. Deer hunting can be a long day of anticipation ended in a few seconds or it can just slow down for you and seem to take minutes. Like a car crash, you know it happens in a split second but retelling it might take you several minutes.

In the time it took to raise and cock the rifle and rest the stock in my shoulder the decision had been made. I didn't feel the kick of the gun, I never do, the shot echoed away from me and the deer took but a single step and crumpled to rest in the center of the trail. I looked over the barrel of the 30-30 but a second shot was not needed. I lower the rifle and remember taking in a deep breath. I watched for a few minutes letting my heart slow down some, I could hear the thumping and was looking around for the noise before I realize it was me. Kind of chuckling to myself I was thinking I must be getting old. I walked slowly forward taking my time getting to the down doe and poking her with the barrel making sure she was not going anywhere. I took my day pack off and set it down on the trail. I patted the doe on her rump and told her I would be good to her.

I set off back to the hotel to borrow Elmers plastic toboggan. Skinny was sipping coffee on the front stoop and when I appeared he waiting till I was close before he asked if I had forgotten something. Told him about the doe and he tossed his coffee out on the ground and said he would give me a hand. An hour later and the doe was hanging from the meat pole, the 30-30 was in the rack and I was on the stoop with my coat unzipped. A few snow flakes were falling and steam was rising from me and the coffee cup in my hand. I tipped my hat to the doe and started thinking about deer sausage sandwiches and fishing in the ice shanty, from Lake Iwanttobethere {493.966}

[Bobby Bass]

First thing I noticed this morning on my drive into the Lodge was there are a lost less orange hats sitting on top of heads. No longer is the school bus full of orange and deer hunting has officially come to a close here at Lake Iwanttobethere. There are still some orange to be seen as some of the fellers will wear their orange till it is time to change into white and go yote hunting. Might be that some of the older fellows will still wear their orange making it easier for them to find each other at the Dew Drop Inn. Not that bad of an idea when going to get the mail from the box in early in the morning. The Hotel was closed up and I was greeted by the dogs when I returned to the cabin. Bud and Barney kind of brushed up against me and got their rub behind the ears then moved to the living room to flop down in front of the fireplace. Duncan did not leave my side for the rest of the evening, I was glad to see him to but he was almost a pest in that he had to make sure I was not going anywhere without him. The wife was happy to see me to, but only because Duncan was bothering me and not her now.

I arrived at the Lodge and found an envelope from Gus hanging from my office door, not a bad envelope just one telling me what is going on and that he will be back from his vacation in a week. I turned on some lights and stirred the ashes in the fireplace, a few sticks of kindling and I got a little flame going. When it was tossing a little heat back at me I added some birch and some maple and stood back to watch the flames. Drapes were pulled back from the deck windows but no sunshine greeted me. Overcast sky and the lake was white with some skim ice that had formed and was now covered in snow that had fallen over the weekend. Radio was turned on and Sunshine Ray was on vacation. Stormy Clearweather was cheery this morning talking about how we are getting some southern flow and temps should hit forty by midweek. I looked back at the lake and figure that the ice will be gone for Thanksgiving.

Lodge will be quiet this week as we will have the lunch crowd in but it is a short week for most with the holiday. Not to many of the guys will be around as after two weeks of deer hunting they will be spending time with their wife's to make up for the time they spent with their buddies. Stacks of pink slips sit on my desk, mostly messages that are just glanced at and then thrown in a box to be burned. Most are way too late to be returned and as I go though I keep out but a few. They are ones that have something to do with the Lodge meeting on the last Tuesday of the month. Lots of planning committees need to be set up for the ice house fling, luge run, our annual cross country ski event and of course the ice fishing contest. Some of the hard core guys want to shoot a few weeks of trap out back and there will also be the drawing of names for the Lodges annual gift exchange.

Have to get in the volunteer fire dept. meeting in and the Lodges siren was not tested while I was away. Maybe I can combine the two somehow and try my hand on Gus's big BBQ. I poured myself a big glass of orange juice, not one of them little glasses that we sell and sat down behind the bar. I turned on the laptop and see that Gus has not been keeping up with e-mail to the Lodge. I can see where my morning will be spent as I start to look over picture's from Lodge members showing off bucks and does and even a few fishing pictures. Couple of guys walk in and say morning, Not members but I still reply HIYA in return. One says " Can a guy get some of them Coney's this early in the morning" I slide off the chair and grab an apron " Not a problem, they for here or to go?" From Lake Iwanttobethere {495,379}

[Bobby Bass]

Today was somewhat of an adventure here at the Lake Iwanttobethere Lodge. I had totally forgotten about the women's auxiliary monthly meetings that are held in the small meeting room. I am willing to bet that Gus had not forgotten, and it might have come in play for his vacation coming when it did. The meeting is held every fourth Tuesday of the month and a few months ago the ladies in a dispute with Burt lost the upstairs room over his barbershop for their meetings. I never got the entire story but it was something about the fellows listening in to the meeting through the duct work and scheming on ways to disrupt some of their fund raisers. I might add here that the Ladies auxiliary and the old fellows have a running feud. The fellows did not mean to do any one harm but were bored and it seemed like a good idea at the time. There was some damage done when the step ladder collapsed and some plaster may or may not have been damaged. Either way Burt got into with Ms. Betty and she threaten to take her ten dollar rent to some place else. Hammering Hank's wife Tess told Ms. Betty about the small meeting room here at the Lodge that is almost never used and for a small donation it could be reserved. The Ladies made us an offer I was told we could not refuse and so they showed up at ten this morning.

I was having a nice quiet morning at the Lodge, had the radio on quiet like in the background, some talk radio channel that a couple of coin guys were talking about the value of wheat pennies. This did have my attention as I have a jar of wheat pennies and I always told the wife if you hang on to them long enough they would be worth more than a penny each. There were just talking about some 1944 pennies when both of the wood front doors the Lodge flew open and an assortment of ladies came through them and I swear every single one of them was talking at the same time. They filtered there way through the tables and chairs making their way towards the meeting room. They reminded me of a group of ducks. Motionless on top but their feet were moving briskly under petticoats and long dresses. As they moved along everything in their path was gone over and inspected. Table tops were rearranged, chairs moved, salt and pepper shakers aligned and drapes were pulled back letting in daylight.

I must admit I was taken by surprise and just sat on my stool with my orange juice clenched in my hand. Tess broke away from the others and nodded at me and said good morning. She slipped behind the bar and went through the swinging door to the darken kitchen. "What, no Gus" she said. "Vacation" is all I managed to get out before she dismissed me. " No matter, we know where everything is" And with that the lights went on in the kitchen, a few more broke away from the pack and waddled their way pass the doors. I picked up the paper and made my way around the bar and sat as far away from the meeting room as I could. Several minutes later and pots of tea were brewed and carried into the meeting room, Cookies appeared from I don't know where and even some small cakes which looked kind of tasty. I stood up but Ms. Betty gave me a glare that made me look at the fire like I was interested. I looked back when I heard the click of the meeting room doors only to find Ms. Emma sitting at the door with some wicked looking knitting needles, I think Gus said she was their Master at Arms. Just another day here at the Lodge on Lake Iwanttobethere {496,400}

[Bobby Bass]

Turkey day has arrived and we are all thankful for the past year, also for a lot of guys that means we get to cook one last time before the BBQ is buried under snow till late spring. In recent years the arrival of the deep fryer has now allowed the men of households all across this great nation to help prepare the family feast. We now have another option besides a roasted bird as now we can also have a deep fried one. First off I wanted to go on record that there is nothing wrong with a roasted bird, laying in bed at six in the morning hearing the sounds of plates and pans rattling from the kitchen. Perhaps a soft curse word or two from the wife as the bird is placed in the roasting pan, if you have done your job right you ordered a bird so big that it will not fit in the pan and there is enough room for stuffing that you could park a VW in there and still close the legs.

Now we are not going to use the BBQ but the deep fryer is generally kept in that area. Far enough away from the cabin that nothing of value can be ignited and yet with in easy traveling distance of a table to rest your beer on. Over the course of several years of experience we have learn the proper way to prepare a bird for the deep fryer. Kind of a trial and error kind of cooking not unlike BBQing. We have all seen and heard of ways of not deep frying your bird and through family, friends and Lodge members know what not to do. Peanut oil is best but don't fill the pot to the top. Thaw your bird out and don't dunk it, plunk it or drop it into the boiling oil.

Heavy gloves are a good idea as well as building some kind of sand bag moat around the deep fryer. Fire extinguishers are always a good idea along with a back up bird. Speed is a factor here as a deep fried bird takes a fraction of the time that a roasted bird does to cook. Here we like to test a chicken first so we have something to nibble on while the big bird bubbles away. Makes sure you drain the bird completely of the hot oil as a draining bird on the table can created a panic at the dinner table. Remember guys that the bird is the highlight of the table and the corn, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, home made bread and pies are merely an after thought. I do recommend that you do not mention this to your wife as you may find your self being an afterthought in the after life.

Enjoy your dinner, be safe with your bird and thank your family and friends for showing up. Remember to put a dollar and some spare change in the tip glass so people get the idea. I am going to sit back and watch the football game and wait for Chuck to bring the bird over, You see even a better idea for a deep fried bird is having someone else cook it, From Lake Iwanttobethere {497,969}

[Bobby Bass]

Several men paced along the grassy area, no snow on the ground as the night is warm for these parts. The day before the sun had made an afternoon appearance and melted what little snow had fallen over the weekend. Younger men actually teenagers not knowing what awaits them were gathered at the doors standing in small groups of twos and threes. It was just after eleven when the first lights started to glow over the horizon. The teenagers continue to listen to music from ear buds but the men walking along the grass took notice. By eleven thirty the glow was almost bright enough to read by and the older men had retreat inside. Each guarding a door they stood looking over plans, pointing fingers at week spot in their defense and hoping the boxes and crates stacked on each other would at least deflect some of what was coming.

With the tower bell moving closer to midnight they were as ready as they were going to be. From behind them there was sound of feet on street, A Breach! Someone had not secured a rear exit and all their plans were for naught, First one then two forced their way in making room for others behind them, the men facing the front were unaware of the gathering hoard approaching from the rear, like locusts they swarmed over the boxes now facing the wrong direction. The first wave hit the front just as the tower clock struck the first bell of twelve. I wish I could say it was over quickly but it was not, they came in waves in mini vans and some in pickups, entire familles of sisters and mother in laws arrived with a plan in hand. The boxes and young men at the entrance were washed away, some even swept outside to try and regain entry but failing.

With the sun rising it was all but over, checkers lean against counters, sale signs hung from broken cables over empty pallets. Older ladies poked at scattered boxes on the floor with wooden canes. A young clerk sat at a chair which supported a blood pressure machine, his head in his hands moaning slightly. Managers appear from behind the secured blue steel door at the rear. They offered encouragement and pats on the back to employees. A head count was taken and there were three missing. One clerk offered that he thought he over heard the employees shout out they quit as they fled out a fire escape door, the door failed to sound as someone had taken the battery for a toy.

A distant roar could be heard as the tower clock hit the first bell of seven, another store was opening down the street. Men bowed their heads and hoped for the best, it was after all Black Friday {498,764}

[Bobby Bass]

Today is national shop small business day and that pretty much covers all the business we have here along Main Street at Lake Iwanttobethere. If you have been reading about our small town you may have already been in to several of our shops. As a tourist we hope you were welcomed with a smile and as a local you were greeted with a HIYA. Of course Lake Iwanttobethere is not a big city and we don't have them big box stores but we can with enough time get ya just about anything you need. From Stan and Jeanies mobile tackle and ice cream truck to Big Earl's General Store. Maybe I should just list some of the stores around town and you can see if you remember being in them or what they look like. Ma and Pa's grocery store features a full service meat counter and also does the bulk of the deer processing here in town.

When you think smells you got to think of Amy's bakery with all her fresh bread, rolls and pies, home to the loose meat sandwich, a favorite for both hunting and fishing lunches. Del's Pizza and Sub Shop, known all across the county for the famous pizza cannon. You can call in an order and have a pizza skipped across the bay to your waiting landing net. Howard and Polly's Fine Chocolates, a little out of the way but the ladies all seem to be able to follow their noses right to the quant white house that serves as a store. Do Drop Inn features the twelve egg omelet along with sit down meals daily. Come On Inn is the only eatery in town that features no menu, if you want something just ask and they will whip it up for ya, always a surprise to the tourist. Gulp-N-Go gast station, if you can nuke it you can get it from the coolers at the Gulp-N-Go The Gray Gull restaurant features sit down dinning both indoors and out on their deck and carries a variety of wines from around the county.

Big Earls General Store has to be a first stop for just about anything you need at the cabin, From hunting and fishing supplies to seasonal decorations, ladders, tools, hardware, and the always 'Last One" sales on mowers and snow throwers. Right next door is his son's Junior's ninety-nine cent shop where everything is always less than a dollar. Marv's Cigar and Bookstore not only let you sit down and read in the shop but you can put fire to a cigar at the same time. Long day hunting in the woods or got a sore back from fishing Mabel's Sauna will help work the kinks out and you can take home her fresh spring water for a fraction of the price that the big city would charge you. If that don't work Lake Iwanttobethere always has Doc Burriem on call to cure ya with some wisdom and sixty some years of experience.

Johnson brother's brewery makers of Needabeer and Whynotale offers free tours and tasting year round. Speaking of tasting is there anything better then some of Lake Iwanttobethere Maple syrup or Mindy and Mandy's Root beer? Spend time in the park at the Hot Pretzel truck where they will dunk your pretzel in that weeks special. Check out Burt's barbershop, Visit Mike at the golf course, Dug at the town garage for all your small engine repairs. Reed the Realtor for all your real estate needs and don't forget his used car lot. Many more places but we must not forget the Lodge, Home of the best Coney and the bottomless bowl of chili. BBQ twice a week and a full service bar that will mix you anything that the bartender on that day knows how to make. So if you find yourself out shopping today stop at one of these fine little stores and look forward to a handshake and a pretty good deal, from Lake Iwanttobethere {499,947}

[Bobby Bass]

With Thanksgiving now behind us and the National Small Business day celebrated we now looking forward to some ice making here at the lake. The bay did have some ice but I took a walk down around the shore this afternoon and I was greeted with open water and a single duck. I don't have a clue what the duck is doing here and I am thinking it might be one that was being fed by a local. Deer are still hiding out, even though deer season is over, it will take a little while for them to start creeping back into my yard. They will check out the ground around the apple trees which has long ago been picked clean, still looking for something they might have missed. Some times I will toss a few apples on the ground just to mess with them.

This morning I had to drive the wife into the big city, she had some errands to do and had to go and buy some chocolate covered cherries. Now Big Earl is already sold out of these special cherries and will not get another delivery till late next week, the wife had a craving for them today. So I was not doing anything and I told her I would drive as long as I could smoke a cigar on the trip down. To my surprise she agreed and I dug a cigar out from my secret stash and we were on the road. The trip down was uneventful, listen to the radio some as the arm chair quarterbacks talked about yet another loss for our pro football team. Some sunshine along the way but mostly just speeding cars going where ever they were in a hurry to get to.

After a few stops at smaller stores and bags tucked away in the back of the Tahoe I was getting to feel like an armor car driver. We made a stop at one of them big Walmart's in search of them cherries and I told her I was going to park and come inside with her. I think we stayed together for about five minutes before she took a left and I took a right and that is the last I saw of her for about a half an hour. I waited by the registers by the door we came in, I figured that sooner or later she would have to leave that way. I was standing and waiting in the aisle looking like I was a greeter, people kept saying high to me and older guys would just nod their heads as they walked by following their wife's wake. I figured out what was going on and backed off some to get out of the way.

A few minutes later as I was just watching shoppers I saw an older guy in one of the little electric scooters troll by. He was looking around like he was looking for someone and I noticed he had a small two way radios in his hand that he kept bring up to his mouth every few seconds. I was thinking that is not a bad idea as I have a couple of radios that I use when fishing. If my wife had one of them then I could track her down. As he went past I saw an older lady in a matching electric scooter going the other way. I figured this must be the other half of the two way conversation but then I saw she did not have a radio. I watch the old guy circle the bananas a couple of times before he came back my way. As he got close I could hear him saying he was heading to the onions and where was she, I am guessing his wife. No sooner did he pick up speed and go by me then I saw a rather tall lady pursuing him on foot, with a radio at her mouth. From time to time she would put the radio down and shout at her husband, he would put his radio closer to his ear and shout back into it. I loss sight of both of them as they disappeared behind a rack of French bread.

I was chuckling to myself and rethinking the idea of bring radios to the store when the wife tapped me on the shoulder, no cherries but she did have some baking supplies. Guess the trip was not a total loss, from Lake Iwanttobethere{502,339}

[Bobby Bass]

We have been waiting for awhile, but finally some snow is falling. The Lodge looks like a scene from a beer commercial with the frosted windows and the white snow covering the walkway to the front doors. Over the past few days Skinny and Hammering Hank along with Gus have been stringing up the outside Christmas lights. We have a law here at Lake Iwanttobethere that Christmas lights can not be turned on till after Thanksgiving and then have to be removed before ice out. The city fathers did not want to get caught up like the big cities and push holidays on people months before they are celebrated. Having lived here for so long, I feel it is one of the better laws we have. I can't stand seeing Christmas decorations up in the big box stores before the pumpkins have been taken off the shelf's.

The Christmas tree stand has been stocking by Hank out on the highway, and last night Hank dropped off a small tree here for the Lodge that was decorated by members. As is our usual tradition the small tree was nailed to a couple of scrap two by fours and as the night went on it was decorated with swizzle sticks and beer coasters. Some popcorn was popped and a little food coloring borrowed from the kitchen and with some four pound line the popcorn was strung together and hung on the small tree. The coasters were numbered and later there will be a drawing for Lodge members for our annual gift exchange. We are doing it a little early then usually as Tess, Hanks wife and some of the other ladies have taken it on themselves to decorate the Lodge " Proper"

The falling snow is a welcome sight as things were starting to look a little dirty around town without the white stuff. Now with the turkey painting cleaned off of the store windows we will start to see Katrina our resident artist, go to work as she will be painting winter scenes on windows. I am curious to see what this year's theme will be, I had heard it was going to be snowballs. Out at the highway stand Hank said they had hardly gotten the trees unloaded and people were parking and coming over to tug and roll the fresh cut trees. One year a guy stood a tree up and shook it to see how big it was and a grouse flew out, now that's a fresh cut tree!

Grand kids are all going to be here this weekend and we will all take a hike out back to cut our own Christmas trees. A few trees have already been marked for this year as the kids have picked them out months ago. They are marked with small signs that the kids made in the wood shop from scrap boards. Painted in bright blue with red trim they were hammered in the ground as a notice that no one else had better bother them. Duncan was scolded one afternoon on a hike when he decided to relieve himself on one of the "Chosen" trees. He was caught by number one granddaughter who then went back to the cabin to get a bucket of water to rinse the tree off with. Come spring we will plant several seedlings to replace the trees we cut. If the tradition continues the grand kids will take their kids down the trail to cut their own tree's years from now.

Tomorrow I have it on my list of things to do is head over to Marv's bookstore and Smoke shop. He is going to order some kid's books that I can record my voice to. As the kids turn the pages they will hear me read the story to them. Thought it would be a nice surprise for the kids and I am sure the wife has not thought of it. Black Friday has come and gone and this year I didn't even get out of bed when the wife left with the daughters. Matter of fact she was back and what ever she bought has been hidden and the receipts either destroyed or hid so well I would need a P.I to find them. But between you and me I think the empty bedroom over at Elmers would be a good place to look if I was looking for presents. Snow is still falling and it is dark out, the Christmas lights add a nice glow around the windows. I hold up my beer mug and look through the glass, the little decorated tree looks good next to the fireplace, from Lake Iwanttobethere {504,580}

[Bobby Bass]

Water dripping off the eves here at the cabin on Lake Iwanttobethere today. The little snow that we had on the roof is melting as the red needle on the bass thermometer hanging on the wall is pointed at the forty degree mark. For the first weekend in December a very nice day and almost a perfect day to go out and cut Christmas trees. Grand kids all spent the night and were up way to early this morning ready to head out into the woods. I managed to sidetrack them for a while as we got the griddle out and they each got to make their own pancakes. One or two of the pancakes might have even been mistaken for being almost round. Butter from old McDonnell's farm and of course maple syrup from Chuck's next door was added to the pancakes and the kitchen went quiet. Just the sound of forks on plates and smacking lips with dogs patiently waiting for anything to fall to the floor for them to clean up.

The silence was replaced as the last plate found it's way to the kitchen sink and the ladies started dressing the kids for the trek into the woods. Snow pants, snow bibs, sweaters, scarfs, mitten's hats tied down tight under chins and several minutes later they were lined up at the door ready to go out. My oldest son reached for his coat when his oldest son put up his mitten hand and told his dad "We got this" They then filed out the door and I followed, chuckling at the line my grandson told his dad, don't have a clue where that came from but I must admit I was a little proud. We soon found out we were all overdressed as it was nice outside. A quick stop to pick up the bow saw from the wood shop and we were headed to the trail that would take us to the little tree farm.

We had just reached the edge of the woods went the door to the cabin open and all three dogs came barreling out. Duncan in the lead and now we had a escort heading into the woods. Not much snow but the kids all knew the way to the trees and I hung back some and carried the saw. Duncan spent time trying to get attention from each of the kids as Bud took over the point. Bud was hunting and I half expected him to kick up a grouse. Barney trailed off to the side, weaving his way through the woods. He was acting like one of them cowpokes whose only job is to keep the herd together. Scarfs started to get undone and hats untied the deeper we walked into the woods, I took my gloves off and stuck them in my pocket, the boys seeing me doing it did the same with theirs.

After a ten minute walk or so which for five and six year olds can be adventure we arrived at the signs marking the trees. Grandsons took the lead here and soon the two of then were under the first tree with the bow saw cutting it just a few inches above the wet ground. Bud and Barney sat and watched, still acting like sentries. Duncan was more interested in stealing mittens and getting chased by the youngest grand daughter. The oldest granddaughter stated to throw out directions to her brothers and the youngest one complained that sissy was bossing him. I just told him to get used to it. First tree was cut quickly, second tree and the boys were losing some of their enthusiasm as it was becoming work. The third tree was cut by the oldest granddaughter who told the boys they were burning up daylight, I think she got that line from Elmer. With the dogs leading the way we headed back to the cabin, Girls were dragging one tree boys another and I took up the rear with the third tree and a variety of gloves and scarfs that were being discarded as we made the walk back.

Sons are tying trees to tops of cars and hot cocoa is being served in mugs to the kids. Small argument over whose tree is nicer and dogs have made their way to the living room to nap. Supposed to snow today but it is going to have to cool off some for that. I hold a mug of hot cocoa in my hands and watch the water drip outside the window from the eve, not a bad day to collect trees and I jot it down in the journey for us to read about next year, from Lake Iwanttobethere {507,742}

[Bobby Bass]

Chilly out, down right chilly! I know it is already well into the first week of December but deep down I am still holding out for one last nice warm day, with soft southern winds and the sound of ice cubes clinking in my glass as I sit out on the sun drenched deck. Ain't going to happen I think. Baseball is nothing more than a passing story on the back page of the sports section. Hockey is halfway through its season and football playoffs are just a month away. Deer season has come and gone and Christmas is only three weeks away. What we need here is some snow! A nice twelve inch dump would work out just about right I think. No wind, so we don't get any bare spots, just a nice steady falling snow that buries everything under the white stuff.

The gardens would look better with a white blanket covering them, would not have to look at brown ground and dried leaves. If the Puddle Humper is sitting under a tarp then it should have some snow on it so it won't stick out so much when I walk by it. Grouse need a place to hide and bunnies need something to make tracks on so the dogs can follow. Pickup's with plows at rest are parked on clean driveways. New shovels stacked neatly on the sidewalk outside of Earl's General Store, the yellow tags with sale prices tangle from white strings attached to wood handles. Bags of ice melt along with shinny ice chippers close by. Christmas lights flash their red blue and green around store windows but just not the same with out some snow to reflect the glow.

Only in the mid teens as I write this, sun is shinning but so low in the sky that it is not warming anything up really. Making ice but it has been slow, with no snow there is chatter going on over at the Dew Drop Inn of winter not looking to good this year. Ice House Fling has already been set back, not even enough ice to launch a test log out on to the lake. But there are a few bright spots, Hammering Hank said it was one of the better seasons to harvest Christmas trees and he is back in the woods doing some logging. Grouse hunters have been showing up at the Lodge at dusk in two's and threes. Guys who can get away mid week from work are getting out and finding birds. I have seen a few guys with long rods casting off Mystery Creek, I didn't stop and talk but they must be fishing there for a reason.

Sunday night the Lodge was a busy place to be, with the football game on and some bird hunters coming into warm up, the place looked like a bowling alley on league night. Lot of background noise, a few cheers a lot of I told you so's and the steady sound of beer mugs sliding down the bar top to waiting fingers. Colored lights flashed in the windows and feet pounded the floor just in side the door shaking off snow that was not there. Headlights driving in are swallowed up by the naked brush and birch trees surrounding the parking lot. If we had some snow the lights would reflect and things would not look so gloomy. The answer is Snow, if we had some snow that would answer a lot of questions. Snow would lighten up the woods, Snow would make them Christmas trees stand a little taller. Snow would make Gingerbread houses, well look like Gingerbread houses. Snow would put smiles on plow driver's faces. Snow would help shoppers go to more places. Let's face it folks, we need some more snow around these places.

Sun has gone behind some clouds here and it looks just a little dark and gloomy, if we had some snow.... Fireplace crackles with sparks and smoke rises up the chimney, Popcorn machine drops it's white load from the hopper and the smell of chili mixes with the sound of clinking spoons in deep bowls. Lunch crowd is in and guys sit in their familiar places, someone shouts out SNOW and all their faces turn to the window to watch a lonely flake drift down to rest on the deck. So small it crushes everyone in the place. The sound of clinking starts back up and a quiet returns, what we need here is a little snow to liven up the place, from Lake Iwanttobethere {509,909}

[Bobby Bass]

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Lodge, that is as long as you keep the drapes closed. Ladies came in yesterday afternoon and after several trips down to the secured cage in the basement all the boxes of decorations were carried up. Last year Tess, Hammering Hank's wife had him build a wire cage around a corner in the main storage room in the basement. The idea being it would be a secure place to store decorations which we, the Lodge never really had before. We have gone years just decorating with swizzle sticks, colored popcorn and coasters with wet beer rings on them. Add a fresh tree and a wreath and we were good to go. Keeping the lights low and the fire high in the fireplaces it worked for us, but not now. Right after Christmas last year several boxes arrived, taped secured and mark Xmas Decorations they were placed in the basement storage cage and forgotten.

Gus and I just sat behind the bar and out of the way, the ladies arrived right after the lunch crowd left. They came through the door and swarmed the boxes, moving like worker ants on the move. They quickly swept from the center of the main room to hanging bulbs from ceiling fans, garland around doorways and replaced the checkered table clothes with green ones with red berries. The small tree was striped of it's swizzle sticks and covered in small blinking lights. It was all we could do, Gus and I to collect the coasters with our drawing numbers on them before they were placed in the trash. Gus made the mistake of suggesting to Tess that the tree looked just fine the way it was. She gave him a look that could weld steel and Gus looked away.

Maybe an hour it took for the transformation, the Lodge now looks like a ski lodge, we just need some snow to complete the picture. A week ago we had it looking nice I thought, like a north wood's beer commercial, now it looks like something from one of them fancy candy catalogs. Gus and I stood at the door and thanked the ladies as they filed out, I think I overheard one of them saying they were heading over to the General Store to "Help" decorate. No sooner did the Lodge doors close then Gus and I looked at each other and removed the Santa Hats that we had been instructed to keep on. We made our way back to the bar and didn't even try to rearrange anything, we both being married knew that the ladies would return and check on their work. It might not be today, maybe not tomorrow, but they would return and they would check.

The day had been sunny, windy but not all that unpleasant. The lake is making ice, we figure about an inch a night and a few guys have ventured out away from shore a ways. One thing is for sure, when the sun starts to settle it does it quick, almost like someone pulling a shade closed it is lights out and then it is dark. You don't get that nice long twilight like you do in summer where it seems to take an hour to get dark, leaves you plenty of time for that last cast or two or three. Maybe even time to get another beer when you sit on the deck.

The Lodge was quiet, late hockey game on the TV and most of the guys had decided it was too late to stay and watch. They filtered out into the night and soon all that was left was a few of the regulars and the sound of shifting logs in the fireplace burning. Elmer was sitting over at the old upright piano, tinkling the keys some playing bits and pieces of some old Christmas songs. The music was slow, maybe because Elmer played it that way or just that Elmer has gotten old and that is just the speed his fingers moved these days. Tess came in with her husband Hammering Hank, they wee all dressed up like they had been to the big city for something special. One of them rare times other then a funeral that I have seen Hank wearing a suit. He helped Tess out of her long coat and she walked over to our postage stamp dance floor wearing a red dress that fit her curves like a new coat of paint on a fifty-five Chevy. Elmer started playing White Christmas and Big Earl joined in with his voice low and slow matching the music. Hank and Tess danced slowly, must be a special night. The rest of us just kind of smiled to ourselves and thought of what we will tease him about come tomorrow, from Lake Iwanttobethere {511,287}