JULY 22 Terrific Tuesday

Tamarack campground again was a serene northwoods experience,  Got this coffee making on a propane grill down pat.I could use the microwave but don’t want to start up the generator just for a cup of coffee.  But where are the bears and moose and elk? All I have seen are some wild turkeys and deer.  Sheba valiantly protected me last night from some fierce beast with her ferocious barking from the steps of the Casita, but I didn’t see anything.

After my 10 o’clock  we packed  up and headed for downtown Conover to get a few of the essentials that of course I forgot. Like a life vest, fishing pole and a fillet knife. I think positively!.  The goal today was to revisit my Dad’s old  blue gill fishing hole just off the island in front of the Kressin’s cabins..  I got there by 1:30 but had to blow up the kayak and the blowup seat, figure out how the paddle went together again,  outfit Sheba in her life vest and get me appropriately clothed and life vested. The new zebco fishing gear was easy.as its meant for kids.

So off we launched and headed for the island with hopes of catching dinner.  As we got near the island I couldn’t believe it but the eagle nest was still there after all these years. Do Eagles live 50 years or were the proud Mom and Dad we saw gurding the nest great grand children ?

We then got serious about catching dinner.  "Aw Sheet" was  taking a well deserved day off and so let us forget those coveted worms from the Grand Lake cabin. We made do with artificial worms but the Blue Gills were on to us and said " No thanks we only eat organic".

We did catch a lot of Lilly pads and some how didn't capsize trying to keep the hook from puncturing the kayak, Sheba or me .Sheba thought the whole adventure was rather boring. Nothing to sniff and no where to piddle. When a pontoon full of kids came by I got them to take a picture as selfies were impossible. The wind was at our back and swept us back to shore just in time for me to call my patient who graciously agree to 6 instead of 4:00.appt.

I couldn't leave Conover without having some Walley so we returned to our Boat House grill that advertised fish fry EVERY night. Well it was good but not like my fathers and like his it was full of those darn little bones.

We then headed out of Conover for Antigo. 'Mosquito Heaven rest stop" popped up just as my eyes were beginning to close so we pulled off and ended a very nostalgic day except I know dad was watching in disbelief that we couldn't even catch a bluegill.