“Channel Talk” and Last Day Leisures

And here we are. Our last day at Cass Lake for 2022.

It’s one of the nicest days we’ve had weather-wise, which fits perfectly with our plans to do “all the things.” As usual, we try to cram in as much as we can on the last day, as if doing so will somehow stretch time and put off the inevitable leaving.

We started with a final fishing run out to Pike Bay with Seth and Maddie. There was a train stopped on the bridge. We’ve taken this trip through the channel and ducked under the bridge so many times before, but sailing under a train was a first. We began talking about the things we’ve seen in the channel over the years, and decided we should start a podcast called “Channel Talk.” We joked about the mundane and crazy topics we’d cover–turtles on logs, logs under the boat, the height of the motor needed to avoid hitting the bottom or said log, herons, wild rice, cattails, water lilies, that time the vegetation shifted and blocked the channel completely, etc., etc. (I’ll let you know when the first episode of “Channel Talk” airs, LOL!)

Out on the bay it was calm and sunny. After a couple of hours, we had 10 more perch to add to the freezer. I also caught an “Arkansas Bass” (i.e. a Little Rock). Below: It’s all about perspective.

Since we had a full day of activities planned, we headed in shortly before noon. Back at the resort we picked up Ollie from Chloe. He had yet to take a boat ride this year, so we wanted to get him out on this beautiful, sunny day. We drove him out to Tom’s Thumb, fished a little, and caught a couple throwbacks so he could see what fishing was all about. He seemed to enjoy the ride and was even brave enough to touch the fish. When we threw the fish back, he yelled, “Bye fish!”

After a quick lunch, I met Deb out by the kayaks. The lake was still mostly calm, the sky blue, and the sun warm on our shoulders. We chatted about life and kids and all things “Cass Lake”. When I think back to our many kayak rides and all of “the world’s problems” we’ve solved, I smile. Much has changed in our families since this tradition began many years ago.

Shortly after I came in from my ride, Chloe & Maddie left to go shopping in Bemidji. I started packing, and then Tom and I went down to the lodge to settle up with Tony.

Tom, Seth, Ollie, & I joined the girls in Bemidji for supper at Bar 209 around 5:45. I decided to skip the walleye tacos this time, and opted for the Peanut Butter and Jealousy burger instead. It was really good, but, note to self: next time get the walleye tacos…they were better, and maybe healthier! It was getting late, so we had to pass on Ollie’s visit to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox this year. Oh well…there’s always next year!

Back at BV, I continued packing, went for a little stroll, and reflected on the two weeks (and 17 years) of fun and family bonding we’ve had at Birch Villa on Cass Lake.