I Don’t Want to Miss It

     It’s like the last few days of cross-country skiing in the spring when you know any day could be the last day the snow will be good enough to ski on.  I look at the forecast for temperatures in the 80’s for the next couple of days and I don’t want to miss it.  I love the sun and warmth and swimming in the river.

     But outside of my bubble a real world exists.  One where a State Fair is happening and the newest rage is the new Twin’s Stadium.  I knew when I was asked a month or so ago if I wanted to go to a ball game I would rather stay home and go on a canoe trip if I had an opportunity to be away from Voyageur.  But in our family my vote only counts for 2 and I was outvoted 3 to 2.  Mike, Josh and Abby only get 1 vote each. 

     That’s why this morning I will be heading south to the concrete jungle.  Not just Duluth or St. Cloud where there are a few people around but the State Fair and a Twins game where thousands of people will surround me.  Talk about scary stuff.  I’d rather face bears, wolves and swarming mosquitoes in the middle of the woods than be surrounded by people.

     It’s not that I don’t like people it’s just that I really don’t want to leave the Gunflint Trail.  I know there will be plenty of warm days ahead in September and October but then the kids will be in school.  I’m just trying to hang onto summer vacation as long as I can and there’s no place I’d rather spend it then at the end of the Gunflint Trail. 

     It’s that change thing again.  Things are always changing and I don’t like change.  I don’t like it when my summer staff leaves at the end of the season either.  I really dislike saying good-bye to these people who were such a big part of our lives for so many weeks.

     I apologize for being negative.  I know I will enjoy spending time with my family and friends in the cities.  I also know I am in need of some cotton candy and State Fair french fries.  Heck, I may even need to milk a cow at the Fair or buy some infommercial product I don’t need from a vendor at the fair.  Maybe I’ll catch a foul ball at the Twins Game or figure out who George Mauer is, or is it Joe?  I don’t know, I’m in my own world here at the end of the Trail and I just happen to love it and I don’t want to miss it.