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Message started by mpeebles on Aug 21st, 2023 at 1:50pm

Title: POD
Post by mpeebles on Aug 21st, 2023 at 1:50pm
I'm enjoying the pics!

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Sep 8th, 2024 at 5:49am
Good pic, today! Thanks for making the climb!

Jimbo  8-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Sep 8th, 2024 at 8:53am
Nice POD today  [smiley=cool.gif] [smiley=cool.gif]

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Sep 10th, 2024 at 6:10am
Today's POD gives me a Easter vibe.
Like something on a religious card.
Very nice  [smiley=cool.gif]

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Sep 15th, 2024 at 9:49am
The ONLY thing missing from today's POD is the Kitchen Sink  ;) ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Sep 25th, 2024 at 9:27am
Clever idea right there  ;D ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 9th, 2024 at 9:41am
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Oct 15th, 2024 at 9:31am
Fabulous POD today!

Jimbo  8-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 15th, 2024 at 9:46am
I call that time of the evening Magic Time  [smiley=cool.gif]

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 21st, 2024 at 7:53am
Always a thrill to see cow and calf this close.
Also something to be cautious with too.

Title: Re: POD
Post by mpeebles on Oct 21st, 2024 at 4:03pm
Nice sighting!

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Oct 24th, 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. 

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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Oct 25th, 2024 at 6:44am
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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 25th, 2024 at 8:20am
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

Title: Re: POD
Post by jimmar on Oct 25th, 2024 at 9:05am
I guess this is just asking for big treble then.
Q16_171sm.jpg ( 173 KB | 10 Downloads )

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 25th, 2024 at 11:55am

jimmar wrote on Oct 25th, 2024 at 9:05am:
I guess this is just asking for big treble then.


   Good one  ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by PhantomJug on Oct 26th, 2024 at 10:33am

Jimbo wrote on Oct 24th, 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

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Oct 29th, 2024 at 9:10am
This made my mouth water  ;D
Just need a steaming hot cup of coffee to go with it.

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper 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  ;)

Title: Re: POD
Post by Solus on Nov 4th, 2024 at 9:46am
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.
28woodpileted.jpg ( 125 KB | 7 Downloads )

Title: Re: POD
Post by jimmar on Nov 4th, 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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Nov 4th, 2024 at 10:14am

jimmar wrote on Nov 4th, 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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by db on Nov 4th, 2024 at 1:29pm
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Nov 7th, 2024 at 6:28am
It was worth the climb to get today's POD.  Thanks!

Jimbo  8-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Nov 7th, 2024 at 8:36am
I appreciate the effort it took to get this great shot 8-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by portage dog on Nov 8th, 2024 at 2:33pm
Hawthorne's.  Nice trail nibble if you can find them.

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Nov 8th, 2024 at 5:25pm

portage dog wrote on Nov 8th, 2024 at 2:33pm:
Hawthorne's.  Nice trail nibble if you can find them.


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

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Nov 23rd, 2024 at 10:42am
Postcard quality [smiley=cool.gif] POD today

Title: Re: POD
Post by Spartan2 on Nov 24th, 2024 at 3:11pm
This series of misty shots is just breathtaking!   My favorite kind of morning in the canoe country!   :)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Nov 29th, 2024 at 10:26am
Where was today's POD taken?

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

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Nov 29th, 2024 at 1:52pm
Precisely my reaction when I saw the POD earlier.

Jimbo   8-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by db on Dec 2nd, 2024 at 4:56pm
No clue. My guess? Piers for a temporary (annual) snowmobile trail. Let me know.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Dec 3rd, 2024 at 8:22am
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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 3rd, 2024 at 9:39am
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by PhantomJug 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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by db on Dec 3rd, 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?

Title: Re: POD
Post by topwater on Dec 4th, 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. 

Title: Re: POD
Post by db 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?

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Dec 4th, 2024 at 1:23pm

db wrote on Dec 3rd, 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by db on Dec 4th, 2024 at 1:51pm
no worries

Title: Re: POD
Post by db on Dec 4th, 2024 at 1:59pm

topwater wrote on Dec 4th, 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

Title: Re: POD
Post by topwater on Dec 4th, 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. 

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Dec 5th, 2024 at 6:12am

topwater wrote on Dec 4th, 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by Spartan2 on Dec 5th, 2024 at 8:45am
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Spartan2 on Dec 6th, 2024 at 7:29am
Today’s POD is gorgeous!!  Took my breath away!

Title: Re: POD
Post by HighnDry on Dec 7th, 2024 at 8:31am
I miss so much when I don't check in here regularly.  :)

PS. The recent PODS have been beautiful.

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 8th, 2024 at 11:07am
Today's POD is perfect for a Sunday morning  ;)

Title: Re: POD
Post by Spartan2 on Dec 8th, 2024 at 6:33pm
Yes!  God-light!  Another beautiful shot!

Title: Re: POD
Post by topwater on Dec 12th, 2024 at 10:20am
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Dec 12th, 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by Solus on Dec 13th, 2024 at 8:29pm

Jimbo wrote on Dec 12th, 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.......

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 14th, 2024 at 10:47am
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

Title: Re: POD
Post by Old Salt on Dec 14th, 2024 at 10:19pm
Which lake did you find German Chocolate Cake at?  :)

Title: Re: POD
Post by HighnDry on Dec 19th, 2024 at 9:52am
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...

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 22nd, 2024 at 12:13pm
Great Shot today!

Title: Re: POD
Post by Old Salt on Dec 22nd, 2024 at 10:44pm
So, you think he shot the bird? If the eagle was only wounded, it would be an illegal ill eagle… :P

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 26th, 2024 at 11:03am
Today's POD made me shiver but not in the good way  ;) ;D ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Dec 29th, 2024 at 10:48am
My Spirit Animal is looking good  ;) ;D ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 4th, 2025 at 11:10am
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

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 4th, 2025 at 12:18pm
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
IMG_3872.jpeg ( 120 KB | 14 Downloads )

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Jan 4th, 2025 at 2:36pm
Enjoying your cold weather trip pics.
I like your water color painting too  [smiley=cool.gif]

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 4th, 2025 at 9:15pm

solotripper wrote on Jan 4th, 2025 at 2:36pm:
Enjoying your cold weather trip pics.
I like your water color painting too  [smiley=cool.gif]


Thanks Solo. :)

Starwatcher

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 6th, 2025 at 12:22pm
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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 11th, 2025 at 8:57am
Today’s POD of That Man Lake has me thinking that when the sun comes out, the camera comes out. :)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Jan 13th, 2025 at 9:50am
Hammocks, I have a love/hate relationship with them  :-/ ;) ;D ;D

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Jan 14th, 2025 at 10:10am

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-)


  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

Title: Re: POD
Post by jimmar on Jan 15th, 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

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Jan 16th, 2025 at 5:15pm

jimmar wrote on Jan 15th, 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 18th, 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.
IMG_3976s.jpg ( 168 KB | 12 Downloads )

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Jan 19th, 2025 at 8:26am

starwatcher wrote on Jan 18th, 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-)

Title: Re: POD
Post by portage dog 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

Title: Re: POD
Post by starwatcher on Jan 19th, 2025 at 10:26am

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


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.

Title: Re: POD
Post by Jimbo on Jan 19th, 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 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-)   


Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Jan 19th, 2025 at 11:51am

Jimbo wrote on Jan 19th, 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

Title: Re: POD
Post by portage dog on Jan 20th, 2025 at 6:47am
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

Title: Re: POD
Post by HighnDry on Feb 6th, 2025 at 8:46am
Beautiful sunrise shot.

Title: Re: POD
Post by solotripper on Feb 6th, 2025 at 9:43am
Or Sunset shot, either way great pic ;)

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