I'm enjoying the pics!

Good pic, today! Thanks for making the climb!

Jimbo  8-)

Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif] [smiley=cool.gif]

Today's POD gives me a Easter vibe.
Like something on a religious card.
Very nice  [smiley=cool.gif]

The ONLY thing missing from today's POD is the Kitchen Sink  ;) ;D

Clever idea right there  ;D ;D

Today's POD reminds us when we find out if our portage shoe of choice is the right one  ;) ;D

Wet or dry those Granite slopes can be problematic.

Fabulous POD today!

Jimbo  8-)

I call that time of the evening Magic Time  [smiley=cool.gif]

Always a thrill to see cow and calf this close.
Also something to be cautious with too.

Nice sighting!

My guess as to the location of today's POD would be next to a campsite on an island in Veron Lake. 

Overhanging trees much like today's surely exist in many dozens of locations but, or some reason, this one reminded of the tree at the edge of the Veron Lake campsite.  I also chased a moose across the lake very near there when returning from a day trip down to Delahey with MagicPaddler.  Furthermore, I remember cramming a note into the over-stuffed "Olive Jar" down on nearby Delahey Lake. 

Funny how one pic can rev up a hundred memories... and it's probably not even the tree I'm thinking of.

Regardless, I find myself wondering if that Olive Jar survived the big fire. I hope the moose and that campsite did, too.  That region got roasted.

Oh, well.  Nice series of PODs, wherever there were taken!

Jimbo   8-)

Today's POD = an interesting technique for keeping favorite lures handy.

I suspect that all of those dangling trebles would raise havoc in my canoe, however.  I can easily envision clothes, flopping fish, fish nets, skin and just about everything else in my vessel getting caught up in them sooner rather than later.

Any Star Trek fan among us will clearly appreciate this age-old problem, you know... "the trouble with trebles."

Yep, Fridays have been a notoriously slow day on QJ for decades.  Best day of the week to get away with a crack like that one.  Later.... 

Jimbo   8-)

I hate treble hooks. I've replaced all of mine with single hooks. No front hooks at all, just belly and tail.

I rarely have multiple lures out like that but when I do, I put them in a flat plastic tub with snap-on lid that fits in canoe seat bag. Single hooks don't tangle like trebles do.

They say the hook-up rate is a little less with single hooks but it's better for the fish you release.

Also better for the fisherman who gets one of them embedded in him/her.  ;) :'( ;D

I guess this is just asking for big treble then.

---

jimmar wrote on Oct 25^th, 2024 at 9:05am:

I guess this is just asking for big treble then.

   Good one  ;D ;D ;D

Jimbo wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 11:59am:

My guess as to the location of today's POD would be next to a campsite on an island in Veron Lake.

Doubtful.  Getting to Veron would be way too much work for Mike. ;D

This made my mouth water  ;D
Just need a steaming hot cup of coffee to go with it.

  Today's POD makes me think back to when I used to split wood that way.

  I learned here there was a better/safer way.

  Thanks QJ  ;)

Personally I never have seen the point of cutting or splitting wood when camping. I carry a saw for trail trouble- can't imagine spending the time sawing wood for a fire. Just bust it on a sharp rock and move on.

---

solotripper wrote on Nov 4^th, 2024 at 9:32am:

Today's POD makes me think back to when I used to split wood that way.   I learned here there was a better/safer way.   Thanks QJ  ;)

I was thinking the very same thing. I use my Gerber LMF or mini K-bar and smack it with a small heavy stick.

jimmar wrote on Nov 4^th, 2024 at 10:06am:

solotripper wrote on Nov 4th, 2024 at 9:32am:   Today's POD makes me think back to when I used to split wood that way.   I learned here there was a better/safer way.   Thanks QJ  ;) I was thinking the very same thing. I use my Gerber LMF or mini K-bar and smack it with a small heavy stick.

  I like a small axe because when I go in my favorite time, Spring I often have to cut/split wood to get that dry inner wood for fires.

  I use a little Gerber axe. I lay a couple of cut logs on the ground and put one on top to split. I do the same as you, hit it with a heavy stick to split.

No danger of hitting your fingers AND if the log splits to easy, the edge of your axe or knife isn't going into the rock or dirt to dull it.

  Works for me but whatever works for other's is cool as long as they do it in a safe manner.

Many a canoe trip has been ruined when someone whacked their fingers/hand or foot whacking away with a hatchet/axe.

That's not great technique but I do enjoy splitting as much as fishing. I love the sound that nice dry pieces make as they are stacked too. All part of the experience for me.

It was worth the climb to get today's POD.  Thanks!

Jimbo  8-)

I appreciate the effort it took to get this great shot 8-)

Hawthorne's.  Nice trail nibble if you can find them.

portage dog wrote on Nov 8^th, 2024 at 2:33pm:

Hawthorne's.  Nice trail nibble if you can find them.

Just make sure you spit out the seeds  ;) ;D

Postcard quality [smiley=cool.gif] POD today

This series of misty shots is just breathtaking!   My favorite kind of morning in the canoe country!   :)

Where was today's POD taken?

  Don't think I've ever seen something like this before where I've been.

Precisely my reaction when I saw the POD earlier.

Jimbo   8-)

No clue. My guess? Piers for a temporary (annual) snowmobile trail. Let me know.

Someone grabbed this POD from QJ (not sure if that requires "permissions" or not), put it on Facebook Quetico Group page, & raised the same question.  Most guesses had to do with bridge &/or pier base supports.  Someone indicated they've seen similar structures in the BWCA and over in the LLC area (or maybe it was Crane Lake, can't recall exactly). I didn't read all the comments but those first few guesses seemed fairly reasonable.

Today's POD features another "unknown" something...unknown to me, at least.  Looks like there might be some sort of "step" or ledge in the background &, possibly, a pathway.  Would be nice to know where these pics were taken.

Jimbo   8-)

On the drive up the east side to Atikokan you see them in rivers with a power pole sticking out of them.
Piers for a snowmobile trail seems reasonable but don't the rivers freeze over up there?
Plus once the thaw comes that would be a hell of a job removing the wood planking from a small boat.

Now I'm more curious that ever? Knowing where the pics were taken would help as well.

My guess is old bridge' pylons and sign posts for the Kekekabic trail near Thomas and Hatchet lakes.  Photo stream with the pictos and shoreline elevation make me believe this general area of BWCA.

PhantomJug wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2024 at 1:05pm:

My guess is old bridge' pylons and sign posts for the Kekekabic trail near Thomas and Hatchet lakes.  Photo stream with the pictos and shoreline elevation make me believe this general area of BWCA.

:D

If I had to bet, I'd put money on PJ's response.

I know what ST is thinking of but the ones I've seen were round metal culverts in a ditch as opposed to wooden cribbing in a stream.

So what did FaceBook decide, Jimbo?

I'm the one who grabbed the photo and put it on Facebook.  I apologize if I overstepped any boundaries, I was sure to crop out the photographer's name.  It was driving me crazy wondering what these things were.  The general consensus is that these are "dock cribs" used as the base for pilings for a dock.  No one can identify where they are. 

topwater wrote on Dec 4^th, 2024 at 10:48am:

...I was sure to crop out the photographer's name.

Why would you be sure to do that?

db wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2024 at 2:21pm:

PhantomJug wrote on Dec 3rd, 2024 at 1:05pm: My guess is old bridge' pylons and sign posts for the Kekekabic trail near Thomas and Hatchet lakes.  Photo stream with the pictos and shoreline elevation make me believe this general area of BWCA. :D If I had to bet, I'd put money on PJ's response. I know what ST is thinking of but the ones I've seen were round metal culverts in a ditch as opposed to wooden cribbing in a stream. So what did FaceBook decide, Jimbo?

Topwater pretty much summed it up...no conclusions.

Footings for a Nazi spy tower that was removed shortly after WW2?
Probably not, huh....

Jimbo   8-)

no worries

topwater wrote on Dec 4^th, 2024 at 10:48am:

I'm the one who grabbed the photo and put it on Facebook.  I apologize if I overstepped any boundaries, I was sure to crop out the photographer's name.  It was driving me crazy wondering what these things were.  The general consensus is that these are "dock cribs" used as the base for pilings for a dock.  No one can identify where they are.

And here we are

db wrote on Dec 4^th, 2024 at 11:28am:

topwater wrote on Dec 4th, 2024 at 10:48am: ...I was sure to crop out the photographer's name. Why would you be sure to do that?

Well, I assumed she sent this photo to this site thinking it would only be used here.  You could argue that I shouldn't have posted it elsewhere based on that, but it looked like a pretty simple snapshot so I thought it would be ok if I opened up solving this mystery to the outside world, but not share her name, as it's not my place to share her name with anyone who saw my post in the larger online community where I posted it.  Circuitous logic, arguably, but that was why I did what I did.  Apologies to the moderators of this site, and the photographer if I was out of line. 

topwater wrote on Dec 4^th, 2024 at 5:02pm:

db wrote on Dec 4th, 2024 at 11:28am: topwater wrote on Dec 4th, 2024 at 10:48am: ...I was sure to crop out the photographer's name. Why would you be sure to do that? Well, I assumed she sent this photo to this site thinking it would only be used here.  You could argue that I shouldn't have posted it elsewhere based on that, but it looked like a pretty simple snapshot so I thought it would be ok if I opened up solving this mystery to the outside world, but not share her name, as it's not my place to share her name with anyone who saw my post in the larger online community where I posted it.  Circuitous logic, arguably, but that was why I did what I did.  Apologies to the moderators of this site, and the photographer if I was out of line.

As for my raising the question, I did so because, MANY years ago, some outside parties were lifting photos from the QJ website for use on personal & business websites.  There was considerable discussion about it here at the time (the picture of a simple "steaming coffee cup" comes to mind for some reason) and some cautions & restrictions were established here about acquiring the photographers' permissions before doing so.  Those restrictions may no longer exist for all I know.  I do recall they were shown on a page that no longer exists on QJ where members could post pics/memories from their trips.  Whether such protocols still exist OR where I would even look to find them I can't say.  Maybe db can speak to that.  I just know it was a bit of an issue back in the day....

It could be that etiquette/rules on the internet have slackened considerably over time.  I, myself, have been guilty of lifting a pic every once in awhile to be my new "screen saver" for a period of time.  It may no longer be a big deal. I just don't know.  As someone who submits stories for magazine publication fairly frequently, I DO know it can be a big deal there with legal consequences for failure to do so.

Bottom line, I raised the question mainly because I simply do not know how it works on the internet anymore.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

There is a gray area here, I guess.  It was my photo of two steaming coffee cups that I believe caused the first controversy, as someone not only used my photo, but they represented it as their own.  DB contacted me about it.  It was a favorite photo, and actually one that I have sold in photo shows a few times, and I really did want the credit for it as my own photo.

Today’s POD is gorgeous!!  Took my breath away!

I miss so much when I don't check in here regularly.  :)

PS. The recent PODS have been beautiful.

Today's POD is perfect for a Sunday morning  ;)

Yes!  God-light!  Another beautiful shot!

Great moody POD today.  I've never been to That Man but there are definitely lakes in Quetico that give me an eerie feeling.  Dore is one of them, I've only traveled through it and can't get through it fast enough.  Always gives me the creeps.

If you really want the heebie-geebies, try paddling through the Baird Lake echo-chamber on a dark, rainy evening.

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo wrote on Dec 12^th, 2024 at 1:28pm:

If you really want the heebie-geebies, try paddling through the Baird Lake echo-chamber on a dark, rainy evening. Jimbo   8-)

Especially if you exhausted yourself walking in from Keats.......

Today's POD made me laugh.
My ex-wife was born in Germany.
Married her when I was in the Army.
Her first birthday here I bought a nice German Chocolate Cake from a local bakery that was famous for their cakes.

When I asked her how she liked her German Chocolate Cake, she started laughing  :-?

I had no idea it was a American invention. :-[ ;D ;D

Which lake did you find German Chocolate Cake at?  :)

i had a chance to do the Man Chain in the Q some years ago. My plan was to go in Knife after a tow up Moose Lake on the US -Ely side. LaTourell's had a devil of a time getting my up to the Indian portage between Sucker and Birch. It was early May, I think the 6th or so and ice out was on a day or two passed. Lots of ice pancakes were blocking Moose and the two boat had to ram them like an ice-breaker to get through. When I reached Knife late that day, the lake looked eerily quiet and gray. It turns out there was considerable ice just under the surface and the lake was still very much locked in. I was able to paddle to an island and set up camp to wait for the ice to break up and move out. Long story short, I never made it up Knife to access this chain via Ottertrack--- which was my plan to loop my way back out via Carp.

I'm enjoying these Man Chain portage shots as it shows what I missed....it's still on a bucket list for me somewhere tucked away probably with the remnant spare parts of several whisperlite stoves in my basement. Someday...

Great Shot today!

So, you think he shot the bird? If the eagle was only wounded, it would be an illegal ill eagle… :P

Today's POD made me shiver but not in the good way  ;) ;D ;D

My Spirit Animal is looking good  ;) ;D ;D

I been missing out on my Man Chain photos.  Sorry I’ve been absent, but fortunately Spartan 2 notifies  me when you rerun my photos. We always take October trips to avoid the crowds and normally the weather cooperates, but this trip was usually cold, miserable and snowy. Not complaining but it’s always great to have a couple sunny days. Always make sure you pickup stuff in camp the evening before a six inch snowfall. At least we had the opportunity to make blackberry bandy snow cones. :)

Starwatcher

Thanks for posting my photos, Good to hear from you.  I’ve been slowing down a bit, but I’m fortunate to be canoeing with a bunch of 2nd cousins and friends the last few years. They enable me to get to places I couldn’t do myself. Crooked lake and S chain to Quetico Agnes and Louisa falls. I’m lucky to have on property on Shagawa in Ely and pretend to be in canoe country. I’ve been doing canoe scene watercolors, and plan to display at the Ely artwalk during the Winterfest.

Starwatcher

---

Enjoying your cold weather trip pics.
I like your water color painting too  [smiley=cool.gif]

solotripper wrote on Jan 4^th, 2025 at 2:36pm:

Enjoying your cold weather trip pics. I like your water color painting too  [smiley=cool.gif]

Thanks Solo. :)

Starwatcher

I’m recalling that we were coming back to prairie portage and had a DH2 Beaver taking off and hopefully avoiding us. We’re heading back to civilization.

Today’s POD of That Man Lake has me thinking that when the sun comes out, the camera comes out. :)

Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D

solotripper wrote on Jan 13^th, 2025 at 9:50am:

Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D

I guess they can be a real FUBAR PIA, at times, can't they, ST?

Any hammock aficionado who hasn't read that trip report of yours would be wise to do so in my humble opinion!

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo wrote on Jan 14^th, 2025 at 8:26am:

solotripper wrote on Jan 13th, 2025 at 9:50am: Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D I guess they can be a real FUBAR PIA, at times, can't they, ST? Any hammock aficionado who hasn't read that trip report of yours would be wise to do so in my humble opinion! Jimbo  8-)

  Checking your hammock straps for frays before using is something I'll be doing from now on.
  The one's that broke were brand new and rated at over 300# breaking strength. Split that on 2 sides and they should have been good.

My new DIY straps are the ones that landscapers use to secure trees. Rated at over 1000#. If one of then breaks, I'll figure the Hammock God's are sending me a message  ;) ;D ;D

Jimbo wrote on Jan 14^th, 2025 at 8:26am:

solotripper wrote on Jan 13th, 2025 at 9:50am: Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D I guess they can be a real FUBAR PIA, at times, can't they, ST? Any hammock aficionado who hasn't read that trip report of yours would be wise to do so in my humble opinion! Jimbo  8-)

I think I’m going back to my tent and air mattress for my next trip. Although my hammock is comfortable and convenient, I just don’t sleep well. I toss and turn too much and like to sleep on my side, which I can only do, it seems, in a fetal position. No abandoning a hammock, just taking a break. :-X  :D

jimmar wrote on Jan 15^th, 2025 at 8:22am:

Jimbo wrote on Jan 14th, 2025 at 8:26am: solotripper wrote on Jan 13th, 2025 at 9:50am: Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D I guess they can be a real FUBAR PIA, at times, can't they, ST? Any hammock aficionado who hasn't read that trip report of yours would be wise to do so in my humble opinion! Jimbo  8-) I think I’m going back to my tent and air mattress for my next trip. Although my hammock is comfortable and convenient, I just don’t sleep well. I toss and turn too much and like to sleep on my side, which I can only do, it seems, in a fetal position. No abandoning a hammock, just taking a break. :-X  :D

Precisely the reason I have given the Haven Hammock Tent a try.  I'm hoping their new "true level" mattress will correct the minor "taco effects" i experienced at times last year.

Jimbo  8-)

solotripper wrote on Jan 13^th, 2025 at 9:50am:

Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D

I'm not much of a hammock person, I usually sleep out under the stars, unless severe weather strikes; but my friend Jason loves them. Here in this photo, he is one with the water.

---

starwatcher wrote on Jan 18^th, 2025 at 4:02pm:

solotripper wrote on Jan 13th, 2025 at 9:50am: Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D I'm not much of a hammock person, I usually sleep out under the stars, unless severe weather strikes; but my friend Jason loves them. Here in this photo, he is one with the water.

I sure hope that was just a "day hammock" and not a shelter hammock! 

Wouldn't want to be out there during a storm.  Also, back in my early days of hammock camping, I set up much like that one (except a little lower) on north Crooked Lake somewhere.  I hadn't yet learned to account for the "stretching effect" of rope very well yet.  Yup, you guessed right... I woke up with my butt in the water!  Idyllic?  Yes.  Dry & safe?  Not so much.  In the years since I have routinely set up deeper in the woods (with a careful eye on potential widow-makers).  Too often I learn the hard way, if ever I learn at all....

Jimbo   8-)

Looking at today's pic of beaver downed pine reminds me of all of the pines, cedar, spruce, name-your-evergreen that over the years, I've seen gnawed on by the industrious rodent engineers and said WTF?  Is it a blind beaver, did he lose his sense of smell/taste from COVID?  Did he lose a bet, was it a double dog dare?  Was he trying to use it as a push tree to get the aspen next to it on the ground?  Does anyone know, honestly, why a beaver would chew up a pine?  I'm curious if there's any reasonable explanation.  There's enough knowledge and experience in the QJ crowd that someone should know.  And I'm anticipating being entertained by Jimbo's reply.

pd

portage dog wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 10:05am:

Looking at today's pic of beaver downed pine reminds me of all of the pines, cedar, spruce, name-your-evergreen that over the years, I've seen gnawed on by the industrious rodent engineers and said WTF?  Is it a blind beaver, did he lose his sense of smell/taste from COVID?  Did he lose a bet, was it a double dog dare?  Was he trying to use it as a push tree to get the aspen next to it on the ground?  Does anyone know, honestly, why a beaver would chew up a pine?  I'm curious if there's any reasonable explanation.  There's enough knowledge and experience in the QJ crowd that someone should know.  And I'm anticipating being entertained by Jimbo's reply. pd

My opinion, PD, is that this is old growth forest and not a stick of poplar or willow for the beaver to chew on.   He’s out of place and needs a forest fire or maybe he can dam an area for something to create new growth.

portage dog wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 10:05am:

Looking at today's pic of beaver downed pine reminds me of all of the pines, cedar, spruce, name-your-evergreen that over the years, I've seen gnawed on by the industrious rodent engineers and said WTF?  Is it a blind beaver, did he lose his sense of smell/taste from COVID?  Did he lose a bet, was it a double dog dare?  Was he trying to use it as a push tree to get the aspen next to it on the ground?  Does anyone know, honestly, why a beaver would chew up a pine?  I'm curious if there's any reasonable explanation.  There's enough knowledge and experience in the QJ crowd that someone should know.  And I'm anticipating being entertained by Jimbo's reply. pd

The answer is remarkably simple.  This was the site of a "beaver bash."  They were preparing to feast on "pine tree liquor" (see:   (You need to Login or Register ).
While less common in boreal forests than in Alpine meadows, where you DO encounter this phenomenon up north the resulting carnage can be quite significant.  In fact, voyageur "rendezvous's" in days of yore were originally patterned off of inebriated beaver colonies which had run amuck on pine liquor. Crazed, drunken voyageurs half-dressed in linen shirts, wool caps, and brightly embroidered leggings would race up to each other and mimic the buck-toothed woodland rodents by gnawing at each others' arms & legs while singing a French song, the title of which translates as "Bite Me!"  These festivities lasted as long their supply of the pine liquor spirits did.  The debauchery only petered out when those spirits were exhausted. Before that ever happened, however, some of these deranged woodsmen would inevitably attack the "stone pine" trees themselves. Back in the late 19th century, woodland archaeologists would scour the more renown rendezvous sites and make clay impressions of the fossilized human chomp marks found in the very oldest of the fabled stone pine trees.

These iconic marks have, of course, long since vanished as the aging forests  decayed.  Only the clay "denture-like" moldings/impressions remain. However, I've been informed that, in recent decades, this ancient ritual was briefly resurrected - if only just for a few years - by certain parties sipping elixir of a similar origin.  Like the beverage of old it, too, was distilled from pine.  It was bottled for a while, then distributed in what became known as "phantom jugs."  I'm told that some of these jugs were buried in the wilds but still exist (one, for sure, is hidden on an island in Baird Lake while others are rumored to be hidden around Cirrus Lake and maybe on those No Names just north of the lower tier of Quetico Lake). 

As a great fan of Quetico history, I, myself, will go on a quest in search of these legendary artifacts this upcoming paddling season.  It will be a worthy quest.  In any case, I expect even richer versions of such Quetico lore to be shared across our campfires.  With some luck and perseverance, a legendary magical jug may appear... and, certainly, much "Bushwhacker Balladeering" and uninhibited dancing may ensue.

Feel free to join us. Interested parties should feel free to inquire.

Please be advised that we draw the line at tree-biting, however.  We tolerate none of that nonsense. Even we must preserve some standards.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)   

Jimbo wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 11:40am:

portage dog wrote on Jan 19th, 2025 at 10:05am: Looking at today's pic of beaver downed pine reminds me of all of the pines, cedar, spruce, name-your-evergreen that over the years, I've seen gnawed on by the industrious rodent engineers and said WTF?  Is it a blind beaver, did he lose his sense of smell/taste from COVID?  Did he lose a bet, was it a double dog dare?  Was he trying to use it as a push tree to get the aspen next to it on the ground?  Does anyone know, honestly, why a beaver would chew up a pine?  I'm curious if there's any reasonable explanation.  There's enough knowledge and experience in the QJ crowd that someone should know.  And I'm anticipating being entertained by Jimbo's reply. pd The answer is remarkably simple.  This was the site of a "beaver bash."  They were preparing to feast on "pine tree liquor" (see:   (You need to Login or Register ). While less common in boreal forests than in Alpine meadows, where you DO encounter this phenomenon up north the resulting carnage can be quite significant.  In fact, voyageur "rendezvous's" in days of yore were originally patterned off of inebriated beaver colonies which had run amuck on pine liquor. Crazed, drunken voyageurs half-dressed in linen shirts, wool caps, and brightly embroidered leggings would race up to each other and mimic the buck-toothed these woodland rodents by gnawing at each others' arms & legs and sing a French song of which the title translates as "Bite Me!"  These festivities lasted as long their supply of the pine liquor spirits did.  The debauchery only petered out when those spirits were exhausted. Before that ever happened, however, some of these deranged woodsmen would inevitably attack the "stone pine" trees themselves. Back in the late 19th century, woodland archaeologists would scour the more renown rendezvous sites and make clay impressions of the fossilized human chomp marks found in the very oldest of the fabled stone pine trees. These iconic marks have long since vanished with decaying, aging forests.  Only the clay "denture-like" moldings remain. However, I've been informed that, in recent decades, this ancient ritual was briefly resurrected - just for a few years - by certain parties sipping elixir of a similar origin.  It was also distilled from pine and bottled for a while in what became known as "phantom jugs."  I'm told that some of these jugs were buried in the wilds but still exist (one, for sure, is hidden on an island in Baird Lake; others are rumored to be hidden around Cirrus Lake and around those No Names just north of the lower tier of Quetico Lake).  I, myself, will go on a quest in search of these artifacts this upcoming season.  I expect even richer versions of such Quetico lore to be shared across our campfires... and, with luck and perseverance, a magical jug may appear and "Bushwhacker Balladeering may ensue. Feel free to join us. Interested parties should feel free to inquire. We draw the line at tree-biting, however.  We tolerate none of that nonsense. Even we have standards. Later, Jimbo   8-)

  HIP boots optional but highly recommended  :-? ;) ;D

Jimbo, I knew I would not be disappointed.  All these years wandering and wondering and the answer was this simple.  It also explains an experience early in my portage days.  I came upon such an ancient jug on a distant lake between such no-name lakes amidst a pile of what I now presume were stone pine gnawings.  I opened the cork with an effervesant pop and took a draw, then immediately spat it out.  My uniformed assumption was that this rancid liquid I'd found was an aged pee jug of some old voyager too lazy to leave his canvas in the dark of night.  Regaining consciousness, a short while later, I noted several bite marks about my appendages - yet not another living being around for miles.  I now understand what I encountered was this fabled pine liquor.  If you ever cross that lake between the no-name lakes, you may just find that jug sitting there. Temptingly. 

While I appreciate your invitation to join the expeditionary search this paddling season.....I've seen your dental work.  :o

pd

Beautiful sunrise shot.

Or Sunset shot, either way great pic ;)

Love the Bald Eagle pic  8-)

doh!

---

Hmm....must be Eagle Rock Lake.

pd

Loving these photos by Darren Bush.   :)

Baaah! Get it off me! Get it off me!  :)

Every time a dragon fly is near me I think of my dad.  We used to scoop out helgramites (dragon fly nymphs) out ponds for perch fishing.  When dad passed my sisters gave us stick pins of dragon flies to commemorate dad.  Now we all have dragon fly decorations in our gardens, etc.   :) :)

Do they keep away mosquitoes? Not kidding.

db wrote on Feb 27^th, 2025 at 12:52pm:

Do they keep away mosquitoes? Not kidding.

A friend of mine put in a Dragon Fly friendly garden in his back yard which border's on a seasonal swampy area.

Difference was noticeable.

  (You need to Login or Register

This article says even Fake Dragon flies will keep mosquitoes and BITING flies away.

For the people who trip in hot weather and fight the bugs, this might not be so crazy if it helps  ;D ;D ;D

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Worst case you can use them for BAIT  ;D ;D

In the right season, we always favored campsites that had dragonflies cruising the site.  8-) We considered them to be our friends.  8-)

Dragonfles prey heavily on mosquitoes .

I meant your lawn ornaments and stick pins.

I was standing on the shore of Quetico Lake, swarmed by mosquitoes and heard the whine of one close to my ear, a dragonfly swooped by my face and around my head and the whine disappeared!  Dragonflies definitely eat mosquitoes!

They too prey on mosquitoes.  And they keep some of the neighbors away ;)

I don't think they have any affect on the mosquito hoards.

db wrote on Feb 28^th, 2025 at 2:11pm:

I meant your lawn ornaments and stick pins.

DB, I think sometimes you're existing on a different celestial plane....how do I gain access?  :D ;D

You mean like rationmaster ??

Oh, now I remember. I saw today's POD and wondered if it was mine. Evidently not.

I love these reflective shots but today's has to be the strangest one I've ever seen  ;D 8-)

Spartan2 wrote on Mar 21^st, 2025 at 10:24am:

So is the POD thread going to be up in the Inukshuk forum now?  I am confused.   :-?

Nope.

Nice shot today Lynda  [smiley=cool.gif]

About time for a evening libation around the campfire :)

solotripper wrote on Apr 8^th, 2025 at 7:40am:

About time for a evening libation around the campfire :)

Oh, I am sure there was one.   :)

This group of photos is "down memory lane" for me, of course.  This was the trip we took that ended up being during the Pagani Creek wildfire.  We came dangerously close to being caught in the fire, but didn't learn that until after we returned.

I need to look through the photos from our last northern Minnesota trip and post a couple more recent shots.  2011 was a long time ago.

Nice photo of the whiskey jack today, Lynda.

starwatcher

Great series of animal photos the last few days!

I'm glad you put a description on today's POD Linda because I never would have guessed what it was  ;) ;D

Z
solotripper wrote on Apr 27^th, 2025 at 9:49am:

I'm glad you put a description on today's POD Linda because I never would have guessed what it was  ;) ;D

We were paddling slowly on the quiet stream in the early morning, and I was in the bow.  I was looking for spider webs on the bank to photograph.  My dear husband suddenly said, “Lynda, I think there is a photograph back here.”  I said, “What?”  And he said, “The surface tension of the water with these long grasses—interesting.”  At first I thought he had lost his mind, but when I started photographing them and took a few frames, I realized that he was correct—as he often is when he suggests a shot to me.  There is a pair of the best images, and they make a nice framed set.  I have sold them several times.  Have also sold them with embedded scripture verse:  “He leads me beside still waters” from Psalm 23.  That morning holds some very sweet memories.  Misty shots, spider webs, and the grass photos all take me back in time to a very quiet early morning paddle when we were all alone in the world.

Spartan2 wrote on Apr 27^th, 2025 at 3:17pm:

Z solotripper wrote on Apr 27th, 2025 at 9:49am: I'm glad you put a description on today's POD Linda because I never would have guessed what it was  ;) ;D We were paddling slowly on the quiet stream in the early morning, and I was in the bow.  I was looking for spider webs on the bank to photograph.  My dear husband suddenly said, “Lynda, I think there is a photograph back here.”  I said, “What?”  And he said, “The surface tension of the water with these long grasses—interesting.”  At first I thought he had lost his mind, but when I started photographing them and took a few frames, I realized that he was correct—as he often is when he suggests a shot to me.  There is a pair of the best images, and they make a nice framed set.  I have sold them several times.  Have also sold them with embedded scripture verse:  “He leads me beside still waters” from Psalm 23.  That morning holds some very sweet memories.  Misty shots, spider webs, and the grass photos all take me back in time to a very quiet early morning paddle when we were all alone in the world.

Your explanation is as interesting as the photo ;) ;D

Ditto. 

How the heck did you get so close without disturbing the water tension?

Excellent pics!

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo wrote on Apr 29^th, 2025 at 4:59am:

Ditto.  How the heck did you get so close without disturbing the water tension? Excellent pics! Jimbo  8-)

Thanks, Jimbo.  After I was alerted to the situation, we VERY slowly backed up so I could assess what he was talking about.  It was a still, misty morning and we were patient.  I had a telephoto lens with a special setting to correct vibration (can’t remember right now what that is called) and shot was hand-held from bow of the canoe.  Waited until the water was still, and snapped quite a few shots. Only kept the best ones that were in focus.  This was a truly memorable morning for me as a photographer, since I love misty fog, spider webs, and other special sights on a quiet stream.

Your sequence of misty morning shots took me back to a September trip that my wife & I made a decade back or so to the northern tier of lakes in Quetico.  We experienced those spider webs, still waters, stillness and the magical feel of it all, too.  I tried to capture it in a BWJ story but your creative eye and photography does a much better job than any words I might ever hope to conjure up.

Your pics are the epitome and spirit of what db's "POD" is all about... the stuff our off-season daydreams are made of.

Thank you for so many contributions over the years and lighting up these pages!

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo, your comments are so much appreciated, as is the last one by solotripper.  I am having a bad week, as Spartan1 is in the hospital and I have unusual stresses right now.  Kind words from friends do help.  These photos from that trip 'way back in 2011, have "conjured up" memories for me, too.  Now that I am vision-impaired and no longer use my fancy camera equipment, I miss the real photography.  And, of course, I also miss being "out there" where it can happen.  Stu told me my photos were no good, and to quit sending them, so I did.  I have been pleased that db still will accept them, and it is sort of fun for me when he does a retrospective like this past few weeks.  Thanks.   :)

Personally I feel that Stu wouldn't recognize good photography if it bit him on the ass.  But then Stu and I share a mutual distain for each other.

Hey SP2 - wishing serenity and peace, less stress.  Hoping that SP1 is doing better and has a short stay, gets back home soon.  Take care of yourselves. 

pd

Thank you.  His stay here won’t be too long, probably, but the transplanted kidney has finally given up (after an admirable 16+ years) and he is being prepared for dialysis.  He will have to have hemodialysis for a few weeks until he can get a catheter inserted in his abdomen and get started on peritoneal dialysis, which will, of course, be for the rest of his life.  This is a hard transition for us, one we have been expecting as the kidney has been slowly failing for a while, but nevertheless a difficult time.  We will adjust to whatever comes.  We have been so blessed to have had the transplant from his living donor, and we have tried to make the most of it.  Canoe trips, cruises all over the world, Spartan football bowl trips, “Grandchild Vacations” every summer, and many activities and memorable times with each other, with family and friends.  While we adjust and face new challenges, we will be counting our blessings. 

Best of luck to Spartan1 and you.
You're survivors. You'll adapt and move on.
That's what people like you do.

Nice shot of the glacial erratic in today's POD. I think I may have seen this one.  Would be curious as to the location.

Yesterday's turtle pic was interesting.  Couldn't tell if I was looking at a round-ish rock or, possibly, a turtle egg as the turtle moved out of that muddy depression.  I've taken some decent turtle close-ups but never quite like this one.  If it's an egg, you have outstanding timing.

Jimbo   8-)

The ancient God's used a bigger version of one of these to hurl rocks like that to hunt the prehistoric Pollyhumpers  ;) ;D ;D

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I looked at the POD early this morning through bleary eyes and, instead of flowers, I saw 2 pink flamingoes.  I feared the dreaded demon lawn ornaments had been resurrected from the bowels of QJ ancient history.

Funny, sometimes, what the mind chooses to see versus what is really in front of you.  I did that once with a Great Horned Owl sitting on a sandy beach island in southern Pickerel.  As we approached the island I voiced aloud what I saw.  My paddling partner in the bow, a biology teacher no less, then looked and saw what I saw... until we glided within 30 yards of the shore.  We both sat there, dumbfounded in silence.  Our vision turned out to be a piece of wood that had washed ashore.  Unbelievable.

Finally, my bow paddler, broke our stupor, whispering softly, "UH, Jimbo, umm... you don't suppose the guys in the canoes behind us heard what we were saying, do you?"


I'm glad I took a 2nd look later this morning. Another excellent POD, by the way.

Jimbo  8-)

I've lost count on the number of times while paddling the shoreline looking for animal sightings that has happened to me  :-? ;D ;D

I was on Quetico Lk paddling east along the southern shore. Big rock outcropping with what appeared to be a big Bull Moose standing looking out over the lake.

I paddled as quietly as I could, camera in hand thinking I would get a once in a lifetime shot.

Turned out to be a dead downed tree when I got right underneath. As I paddled past laughing I looked back around and there was that Big Bull Moose once again!  ;D ;D

Jimbo, when I first read your response, I immediately thought of your calling card, pink flamingos. So, I went to the POD, and I didn’t see any. I then thought, when would you and Lynda have crossed paths?  8-)

Anyway buddy, everyone gets known for something and you will always be known around these parts as the purveyor of pink flamingos. And now that you are in Florida, I’m sure you see them everywhere. Florida has them as their state bird. So just roll with it! 8-) We will always love and appreciate you! 8-)

I love reflective shots but this is the first I've seen off a canoe hull  ;) [smiley=cool.gif]

Today's reflective shot sets a dramatic mood for the end of the day  8-)

At least the tree will shed that graffiti unlike the people who deface native rock paintings.

solotripper wrote on May 21^st, 2025 at 9:23am:

At least the tree will shed that graffiti unlike the people who deface native rock paintings.

I didn't realize people did that.  Have never happened to see it.  I remember once when we got to a very remote lake and found "Jesus Loves You" painted in huge white letters on a big dark boulder right at the entrance to the campsite.  Now I am a Christian and I love Jesus.  I have nothing against sharing your faith--but in my photo album I have that photo named "Obscenity."  It is hard for me to remember that I must forgive when I see a wilderness rock defaced.  At least it wasn't carved--perhaps in the decades since I was there the paint has faded away. . .sigh.

I'm enjoying these blast from the past Spartan's PODS [smiley=cool.gif]

Same - memories of that area myself as a 'wee paddler'.  (1990, I believe) I remember my portage yoke snapping in half midway through the portage from Kawasachong to Townline. As I repaired my yoke with my spare paddle, 2 old-timers came upon me and shared their 2.5 gallon jug of wine. Good times . . . good times.

If the sequence continues, we will see the smoke from the Pagami Creek fire in the next few photos.  We had a great sunset view of the smoke plumes from the campsite in today's POD and only learned after our trip ended how VERY close we came to being engulfed when the fire blew over Kawasachong Lake. 

Maybe... anyway..

Judging by the shadows on a gravel road, today's POD reminds me of hitting the road for home after a trip. Ahead is family but right now I'm truly enjoying a lukewarm beer, a comfy seat, climate control, tunes and most of all effortless speed.

Today's POD of the pack hanging ritual brought back memories. After a long day solo I hated hanging my food pack. When I became a hider rather than a hanger it made things much easier and quicker,

Now I wonder why it took me so long to try it. ;) ;D

Yup. It's really hard to do. How far out of camp did you hide?

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[quote author=db link=1692625804/127#127 date=1749046386]Yup. It's really hard to do. How far out of camp did you hide?

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Depending on the campsite it can be hard.
If you have the right tree's then not so much.

I don't stash my food buckets back in the woods.
I put them where I can see them from my tent.
Bears are attracted to smells. My buckets have waterproof/odor proof tops.

I line each bucket with 2 odor absorbing plastic bags. All my food is either vacuum packed and all in zip-lock bags. Each liner bag is sealed tight.

My food buckets don't have wire handles. I made some out of 550 paracord and a rubber fuel hose for a handle. When I store my buckets, I take the handles off. Nothing for a bear to get leverage to pull the tops off.

Unless they can smell food I don't think they'd go after the buckets just to see if something edible was in-side.

If I see bear sign around I rig up my DIY bear alarm between the 2 buckets. If that goes off I want to see the bear so I can decide if I want to confront it with my Bear Spray and tactical strobe flashlight which would disorientate it or anyone that looks at it.

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Nice reflective shot today, has that post card feel  [smiley=cool.gif]

Another post card shot  [smiley=cool.gif]

I admire the patience it takes to get shots like this [smiley=cool.gif] I couldn't do it even if I had the right gear.

solotripper wrote on Jun 19^th, 2025 at 7:04am:

I admire the patience it takes to get shots like this [smiley=cool.gif] I couldn't do it even if I had the right gear.

Ditto!

Jimbo  8-)

I do not fish.  I don’t have the patience to wait and watch a fish line.  But I could watch dragonflies for hours and never get bored.  This one shot was probably one of fifty or more that were deleted—and I am not happy with it—but it was the best I could do with the lens I had to work with.  Digital is great—never would have tried this with a film camera.  And I vividly remember that day even now, as there were a bunch of them just flitting around and I was SO amused by it all.  When we first started canoe tripping in 1971 I was scared of the dragonflies.  I was dodging them and squealing my “bug squeal”, sure that they were going to do me harm.  Spartan1 laughed and explained to me that they eat mosquitoes, and they are our friends, as well as being incredibly beautiful.  I soon learned to love them in all of their stages of life, and to also love to photograph them.  One time a big darner lit on my shoulder and rode across a portage with me.  I was moved to tears.  My portfolio now probably has a thousand dragonfly photos, and I have several of them hanging on the wall in both my home and my lake home.  One of God’s most gorgeous creatures, IMHO.

You might not be going tripping anymore but you can still take those Dragon Flies with you to keep the skeeters at bay  ;) ;D

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Cool!   8-)

Another great POD today!  Can only hope to see something similar when we enter the park in a couple days.  Thanks for sharing!

Jimbo  8-)

Jimbo wrote on Jun 23^rd, 2025 at 8:20am:

Another great POD today!  Can only hope to see something similar when we enter the park in a couple days.  Thanks for sharing! Jimbo  8-)

10 day weather report looking good for you guy's Jimbo!  [smiley=cool.gif]

Are you guys seeing the same POD I am?  Surely, Jimbo, you don't want to see the smoke from a VERY close forest fire when you enter the park??  We were one day away from being caught in the fire when it completely engulfed Kawashachong Lake where we had been camped.  (Previous POD).  I later read a story online of the people who camped there the day after we left, and it was hair-raising!  They sheltered under their canoe in the middle of the lake with fire surrounding them on all sides.  Watching those clouds of smoke from our campsite on Kawishiwi Lake on our last day of the trip was very scary.  Our closest call ever.

That's a nice camp spot and fire pit  [smiley=cool.gif]

Today's POD is where you hope you have footwear that has some good grip  ;D
That little granite slope can be a problem under certain conditions.

A doesn't get any better than this moment ;) ;D

Beautiful photo today, but I would question the date.  Somehow I would expect Knife Lake to be iced in on April 20th.  But I wasn't in the Canoe Country in 2012 until late August, so can't say for sure.

That double paddle isn't just for paddling ;)

That smile says it all  [smiley=cool.gif]

solotripper wrote on Aug 1^st, 2025 at 7:38am:

That smile says it all  [smiley=cool.gif]

It was our first fish of the trip immediately after we launched in Batchewaung. We thought the fish gods would be smiling that week but they were not. No more big pike.

jimmar wrote on Aug 1^st, 2025 at 9:18am:

solotripper wrote on Aug 1st, 2025 at 7:38am: That smile says it all  [smiley=cool.gif] It was our first fish of the trip immediately after we launched in Batchewaung. We thought the fish gods would be smiling that week but they were not. No more big pike.

But that smile and pic will last for a lifetime!
Some consolation in that.

Today's POD is very different reflection pic  8-)
Gave me flashbacks  ;) ;D ;D

Love seeing Otters unless you forget and leave fish on
your stringer when setting camp and they invite themselves to dinner  :o ;D ;D

solotripper wrote on Aug 6^th, 2025 at 7:23am:

Love seeing Otters unless you forget and leave fish on your stringer when setting camp and they invite themselves to dinner  :o ;D ;D

This was on Lonely lake if I remember correctly. When we paddled over to the area where they were, the bottom was littered with dozens of clam shells. Two others didn’t get in the photo.

I love seeing otters, too, Jimmar, and I never seem to be able to get a photo of them!   Just can't react quickly enough!  Great group of photos we are enjoying--thanks for sharing.   :)  Today's misty photo is gorgeous, too!

Thanks Spartan2, these photos are from a few years ago. Yes, you have to be quick on the camera. I couldn’t get the whole group because they were so hyper-active.

Looks like a solitary Poly-humper to me.

Today's POD reminds me of a scene from a movie.
Very different looking.  [smiley=cool.gif]

Today's POD could be one of Linda's great pics...except somehow she is in it!
It's a nice one!

Jimbo  8-)

Image Courtesy: Neil Childs

:)

I never sent in very many of Neil's photos, but that one was a favorite.  We came SO close to being in that fire!

I hate when THAT happens ;)

Today's POD makes me want to sit by a fire enjoying a Irish Coffee  ;) ;D

For a minute there, I thought I was looking at a Nestle Toll House cookie.   :D

pd

Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif]

solotripper wrote on Sep 12^th, 2025 at 7:40am:

Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif]

Totally agree!   :)

solotripper wrote on Sep 12^th, 2025 at 7:40am:

Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif]

A rest stop at a portage somewhere between Jesse and Sturgeon lake with my son almost 10 years ago. The photo has a calmness to it I think.

jimmar wrote on Sep 13^th, 2025 at 8:45am:

solotripper wrote on Sep 12th, 2025 at 7:40am: Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif] A rest stop at a portage somewhere between Jesse and Sturgeon lake with my son almost 10 years ago. The photo has a calmness to it I think.

Yes it does. What struck me was the gorgeous wood strip canoe you made along side your son in that relaxed/contemplative mood. The water was even calm  ;) ;D

Re: today's POD... it's great to see another canoe in the same brotherhood as MY two canoes!

Many years ago, several 1st Nation guys were lingering around the Bottle Portage when I hopped off a tow boat with a bunch of other QJers.  When they saw the emblems on a couple of our canoes, it caused quite a stir.  One of them ran over to another small group of their friends nearby and they all came hustling down to the landing to examine the image.  They were very friendly but didn't say anything directly to us about the stickers.

I remember catching their attention, pointing at "Stick Man" on my canoe, and simply giving them a "thumbs up" signal as I turned around and hauled my first load across.  They were all smiles.

They were still gawking and chattering excitedly next to my canoe when I came up for my second load.  They never asked me where I got the sticker or whether they thought it was a good or bad thing.  They did smile, however.

That was nearly twenty years ago.

Jimbo   8-)

Maybe Stick Man doesn't mean what we think it means  ;) ;D ;D

Something like this :

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Wow - the water in that lake is gin clear.  Not too many lakes with water that clear - Argo and Marj come to mind.  Paddle Guy, what lake was that pic taken on?

pd

Time to get off the lake  :o ;) ;D

solotripper wrote on Sep 18^th, 2025 at 8:42am:

Time to get off the lake  :o ;) ;D

Time to go fishing.

Today's POD gave me flashbacks to my FUBAR trip  ;) ;D  That little pointy rock under him was 2x that height and I was much higher.

 

Wow!  One of the best loon shots I've ever seen!

Jimbo  8-)

Impressive to get that shot! Those little rascals tend to dive down deep if you even look at them  :)

That IS the best loon head shot I've ever seen!

Fantastic loon shot!!

Thank you.  The loon shots on Fenske Lake were a bit easier than usual because there is a campground and a resort nearby so the pair of loons in residence are a bit more used to people/photographers bothering them.   I was lucky to get some of my best loon shots on that trip, and since our grandson was with us it was especially fun. 8-)

Great loon photo. I knew who took it before reading the credits. Most of my loon photos are under exposed, the eyes and other details are not visible on the jet black head.

Great reflective shot today  [smiley=cool.gif]

When I was a kid my Dad would be camp cook when we went camping. It was either bacon or fried Spam with eggs and fried potatoes with onions for breakfast!

  Haven't had it in years because it's not very healthy for you BUT it sure tasted damn good at the time.  ;) ;D

I always have a few packets of single serving SPAM in my food pack. Fried SPAM and instant mashed potatoes was dinner more than a few times.

Today's POD is a visual reminder why a good tarp is worth it's weight in gold when the weather turns bad!  ;)

Holy mackerel!  This might just be one of the top 3 PODs of all time (you'd have to go a ways to beat the image of PJ's mermaid from way back)!  An EXTREMELY rare photograph of the fabled Two-Headed Quetico Amphibious Wood Shrew!  I can hardly believe my eyes!  It's right up there in terms of elusiveness with the legendary Pollyhumper (the other top POD contender).

In the distant past, those three creatures ruled the north lakes with impunity.  Sadly, I fear they are all near extinction these days.

Quite fortunately, you encountered just a pup.  Had she swam nearby, the Momma's wake, alone, would have upset your canoe and, well... your odds of survival versus her chompers would not have been all that good.

Quite the shot!  Amazing, in fact!

Jimbo   8-)

I KNEW Jimbo wouldn't let this go without explaining the lore behind it  ;) ;D ;D

  Once in a lifetime shot for sure  [smiley=cool.gif]

Wow.....and here I thought it was just the common double-headed long bodied otter.  Very similar but subtle differences only someone of Jimbo's caliber could pick out from a simple photograph.  Simply outstanding representation of the species.

pd

Picture was obviously taken in the spring—no antlers on that wood shrew.

A RUFF day for the Doggo  ;) ;D ;D

No clue on this POD  :-/ ;D ;D

Freshwater jellyfish? I saw one in Quetico lake a few years ago.

Makes me want to have a peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich.   :P

pd

Spiny waterflea? Fairly certain. Prove me wrong.