The Tamarack Tale

I had loaded this story on my Facebook page and decided to share it on here also. It is a story from a book by Richard Wagamese.  the book is called One Story, One Song. The excerpt below is from the chapter "Birdman" 

 

 

In the Long Ago Time, before the time of the Human Beings, one winter grew especially harsh and deadly. The snows piled higher than they ever had, and Keewatin, the frigid north wind, blew long. the cold was so devastating that the sap in the trees froze, and their limbs swelled and exploded. Every where in the forest was the sound of popping trees. It was a haunting sound in the darkness.

A small chickadee who was nearly frozen hopped along on top of the snow until he came to the base of a small tamarack tree. The wind was gusting mightily. As the little chickadee huddled close to the trunk of the tree, he begged the tree to lower its branches to shelter him.  At that time, all beings could speak to one another, and the world was filled with their lively chatter.

But the tamarack was young and proud. It revelled in its fine shape and refused to lower its branches. So the little chickadee gathered his strength and hopped on through the snow, clutching his wings about him to stave off the cold. Eventually, he came to an old pine tree and moved close to the trunk. The chickadee asked the same favor of this tree. Seeing his plight, the pine tree dropped its lower branches to shelter the small bird.

Creator watched the drama unfold. She asked the tamarack why it had refused the small bird. The tamarack replied that it did not see the need to surrender its beauty to shelter a bird who would likely die anyway. The Creator asked the pine tree why it had decided to help the freezing chickadee. The pine tree replied that it had felt the bite of many frigid winds and knew how lonely and terrifying that could be.

As a sign of the pine tree's compassion, Creator allowed the pine to keep its dropped lower branches from then on. Creator allowed the tamarack to keep its magnificent shape, but because of the tree's vanity and selfishness it would henceforth lose its needles every fall. The tamarack would always face the winter naked and cold, as an indicator of its lack of mercy and compassion.

 

 

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Click for Big

 It is the time of the year when the Tamarack gets its glow on.  They are without a doubt beautiful.

 Lake Nebagamon is a nice little community about 30 miles north and was the destination today.

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 Most of the golf courses are closed for the season in this part of world.

 Along with the golf courses being closed, the leaves that once adorned these trees are now either on the forest floor or floating down stream to who knows where.

 As some of you know I ride past the Moose River quite often. Near as I can count, I crossed 18 streams today.

 IMO...A great little sign.  I think it is a great setting.

This is the Bois Brule River.  This is looking upstream from Douglas County Highway P. Not far from this bridge, it starts its 44 mile journey to Lake Superior. 

Although it was 36° when I left home, it was warming up fast to a high of 49°.  That meant I needed to shed a layer. I am not complaining. 

We have a family tradition in which we usually have a meal when a birthday comes up. This is what was waiting for me in Lake Nebagamon.  Nuuuuuummmm.  I can tell you one thing with all certainty, my niece and her boy friend can really cook. WOW is all I can say.  Every time we go there...oooh weee!!  Of course, the company is also great. One more thing, I have leftovers. hehehe

As always, a big Thank You for those who read...and comment.  And for those that may not know, click on the pictures for a bigger version. 

Lets get outdoors and have some Fun!!

Quality

 I got out this morning to enjoy the little snow we did get.  I rode mostly two track trails and also mixed in some not so tracked trail.

 Some of the downed trees I could ride over...and some not.  Made for an adventure as there were a couple miles of this.

 IMO, these trails are the best riding we have close by.

 This kind of thing is rare, but it does occur much too often.  Three microwave ovens here.

Just a little further down the same trail, a refrigerator/freezer.  I can say this, because I try to keep this blog family friendly, this kind of thing really torques me.  I mean really!!  Are you kidding??  What kind of person does this?  I guess the good thing is, it is rare.

 I guess after all that I got heated up and needed to shed a Layer from the top.

 The bike was a mess when I got home, but a quick spray with the hose...parking it by near the wood stove to dry...a shot of lube...ready for the next ride.

Very peaceful lunch spot today.  

 Lunch was a CAD secret recipe energy bar.

 Although I wasn't lucky enough to spot it, I shared the trail with Mr/Mrs Black Bear today.

I do not think these geese will be around much longer.  I was out for over 3 hours today, but only racked up about 20 miles.  But they were quality miles. Quality vs Quantity...in this case I choose quality. 

Lets get outdoors and have some FUN!! 

Weakness for the Fatty

 Fall is more than in the air around this area.  Do not let the oaks pictured fool you.  Many of the leaves have fallen.  The tamarack trees, which are the last to do their color dance, are now starting.

    

 I rode a lot of small rut trails today.

 I have stopped at this spot for years...since the early 70's.  A nice grassy area with a great view, although my cheapo camera doesn't show it.

 Anybody else like ginger cookies?  I have a weakness for them.  The cookie along with a p&b sandwich was lunch today.

 Ummmmmm, I wonder.  Is that sign showing what is coming up...or where I've been?

 I was out for over 3 hours today and about 20 miles. I did not see one person...neither walking, biking, atv'ing or in a vehicle.  I wonder why?  

Yes, I also have a weakness for the Fatty.  Great fun!!

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Fun, fun and More Fun!!

YEP...still up right and taking nourishment.  I haven't made the time to update the blog, so I thought see if I still know how.   

We have made our now annual trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

For those that have not made the trip to this gem of an area, I highly recommend it. 

We don't do the usual tourist things any more when we travel there.  The hiking, bicycling and geocaching is fantastic there. I had to scale some rock to find the cache near the above spot.  Great area!!

Back to the North of Wisconsin.  I have made a few trips up to have lunch with my lovely bride.  The above is one of our lunch spots.  It is also a spot where my new riding partners fill their water bottles when we ride. It features an artesian well.

The above picture was from a recent motorcycle ride I.  A nice 180 mile tour through the fall foliage of Northern WI.

This was the lunch spot that day.

The above picture was from a recent bicycle ride.  I have found myself riding more roads like the above and below than roads.  It is a great time of year to be in woods.

Fun fun and more fun as of late.  I will try not to take so long to update next time.

Speaking of fun...

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Thanks for reading!

Bushes, Brush, Bumps and Ruts

 I have not been riding as often as I would like lately, but I have gotten out for a couple rides.  I needed to get some firewood cut and that is getting done.  SO...This day I decided the Fat-tire would be the best bike for where I intended on riding, and that proved to be a good decision.

 Most of the ride was gravel, sand and rut roads.

 Not much water flowing in the Sheosh Creek these days.  

 The above spot at Beaver Creek was where lunch was served today.  There is a nice little spot below the bank to rest.  Any guesses on what was served?  If you guessed peanut butter and honey, give yourself a pat on the back.

I rode through some very soft sand and the fatty amazes me as to how it handles such conditions.  The picture does not give the hill pictured the credit it is due.  It is long and soft...very soft.  I rode up that with absolutely no trouble.  This days ride was almost 35 miles.  No traffic, just bushes, brush, bumps and ruts.

Lets get outdoors and have some Fun!!

Ya Think?

 At the last minute on Friday I decided to ride up and have lunch with my lovely wife.  I do this quite often.  Not usually at the last minute, but have lunch that is.  On this day, Douglas County's Lucius Woods County Park in Solon Springs was our meeting spot. 

 

 Because it was a last minute decision, I knew I had to hammer my way up.  I did make it on time in just a shade over an hour to get there. Give it hell all the up here, and ride close to 40 miles today, to have deep fried fish and greasy french fries.  Makes sense, doesn't it?

 

 I think it would be safe to say this park has three levels.  The top level is the camping area.  the middle level is the picnic area.  Also in the middle area is the Performing Arts Center where they hold the summer concerts.  The bottom level is the beach...picture further down in this post.

 

 This is where they hold Music in the Park(linked) events during the summer.

 

 I understand it is designed for concerts.  Good acoustics' and all that stuff. Beautiful building and excellent venue.

 

 Someone has been busy.  Flowers look nice.
 

The park is located on St. Croix Lake in the village of Solon Springs. If you would like some info on the lake, this whole paragraph is linked.

 



This a shot of the beach area.  I wonder what that young fellow is up to in the picture.  It doesn't look good, but I think it isn't what it may appear to be.  I think he was talking to another young'un that was hiding behind the tree...maybe, yeah that's it.

 



This is just one of many trees that are starting the transformation adding some brilliant color to the country side.  Summer is going, going and fall is coming.

 



The ferns are also brightening up the roadside.

 

There are a lot of forest roads around these parts.  This one is named after a friend of ours.  RIP Dewey.

 

This ride had me riding across the bird sanctuary. Twice...and that is a good thing.  Although it was a bit windy on the return trip.

 



As I was hammering this ride on the way up to Solon, it had me thinking.  Three years ago I would come home from work and ride the bicycle in the evening.  In those days my rides were shorter, but at much faster pace.  Hammered almost every ride. Now a days, I might leave the house at anytime of the day and ride for 2, 3,4 or more hours.  But these rides are at a much slower pace. Last week I rode 6 days and clocked just over 200 miles.  I rode the fixed gear, the fatty and a road bike.  I do not worry about the speed anymore.  Or the miles I put on for that matter.  I mean 35 miles of sand and gravel or single track just doesn't add up quite as fast. BUT, the quality of the rides are top notch.  AND that is what is important to me.  My leisurely ride back from Solon on this day was much more enjoyable than the hammer ride up. These days I am sure my hammer rides can equal some peoples leisure ride.  OK, I will shoot from the hip on this one.  My idea of a quality ride may have changed, and may be due to age.  Ya think? I think I like it! 

 

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!