On Ice Lake Pokegama

The date March 17th in Grand Rapids Minnesota at Camp Mishawaka. I thought this Lake was cold enough in June and now I know why. The ice is usually long gone at Big Bass Lake by March 17th. But not at Camp Mishawaka! In fact there was still pockets of snow on the ground a week before the children came in 1969. I’m a pretty fair swimmer but I failed my swim test as a counselor because the water was so cold I could barely walk on it let alone swim. The activity area I taught was in the forest a long way from the lake. The water didn’t warm up at that camp until late July. When the camp director was taking pictures for the video he was making, the counselors were wearing coats as lifeguards while the kids are swimming and he made them take them off. I think the temperature was in the mid-60s in late June.

A Wonderful Place to Live

Being the fisherman that I am, I would love to own this home on the Sauble River. When the salmon were running so would I be getting into the river with a net. I could fish anytime right off my Pier. This would be Heaven to Me. Darlene can put up a little garden and water would be close for irrigation. I wonder who the lucky homeowner is? We could also watch the canoes going by. Oh well, now that I live in Arizona that’s only a dream.

There’s Always A Refreshing on Big Bass Lake

Even after severe storms have hit the Big Bass Lake area, a rainbow appears signifying the end of the bad weather and the return of wonderful skies and warm temperatures. I remember one storm in particular at Big Bass Lake in the 1980’s where the wind was blowing so hard that some of our trees came down. The rain pounded the area so much so that in the morning our rowboat was filled to the brim with rainwater.

I was awakened the next day by the sounds of a dispatcher from a fire truck on the opposite side of the lake. I glanced out the window and noticed one of the cottages having been burned down and the local fire department was mopping up. The night before that storm was so severe that I had retired to the basement to sleep.

Yet in the morning there was a rainbow in the sky letting me know that the bad weather was behind us and that better weather awaited. There is always a renewal at Big Bass Lake following a storm.

ULBC CAMP WINDING DOWN FOR 2019

Camp Mishawaka shut down August 9th this year but ULBC Camp will end this weekend. Here the kids are playing a game of flag football. In the background is the dining hall. The best thing about camp are making new friends. This friendship May last forever. Have a great last few days guys!

Dusk at Big Bass Lake

Dusk was an interesting time at Big Bass Lake for the majority of our trips with various boys clubs. It was largely a free time which enabled the boys to write post cards home or to roast a marshmallow or two at our secondary fire pit. Some of the kids also liked to fish nearby by rowboat.

One of the favorite pastimes was to gather at the moss which was quite close to the water and just gaze out over the lake. Some talk always revolved around the Haunted Island which was in full view of our beach. Curiosity was always peaked as to just what kind of night they would be going out there on.

Dusk was also a time to prepare for the night hike so some of the guys would catch a quick catnap. Others used the time to hang up their swimsuits or wet clothes on our multiple clothes lines which were stringed just beyond the tents.

On nights when no hike was planned, we largely stayed at the beach area and told ghost stories or took a night swim. Baths were also sometimes taken at this time. By the time it was full dark most of the boys were gathered around the campfire for stories and songs. It was a great bonding time for all concerned. They also refreshed their memories of the days events and looked forward to what was happening the next day which was usually announced at supper.

Yes, dusk was a time for the boys to enjoy the campsite area for all that it had to offer them.