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Author Topic: Lake Iwanttobethere  (Read 318874 times)

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Offline Bobby Bass

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Hello to everyone here from Lake Iwanttobethere. Some of you may have heard of this lake that I am from. It will take me several post to bring you up to speed on our small town just north of you. The lake is a place where everyone has been to at one time or another. Either out fishing or hunting you might have passed through or you know someone who has been here. Some of you may even have a relative that lives on the lake and might even be a member of the Lodge. During the winter the town pretty much moves on to the ice of the lake and we are always having some kind of event going on here. The ice house fling is a big event here as that is how we get our first shanties out on the ice. There are a number of people that are written about here and we will introduce you to them a few at a time. I hope that others will also share there stories about there visits here to the lake and we can meet some of your fishing and hunting buddies.

Today I would like you to meet Boyd of Boyd's Barbershop.  Boyd has the best sporting magazines on his reading racks and he also has a few magazines that he keeps on the back shelf for the world traveler. I have been going to Boyd's for as long as I can remember. I do remember sitting in the chair and getting that white paper wrapped around my neck and then the stripped cover that looked a lot like a table cloth from my grandma's kitchen table placed over me. The sound of the chair being pumped up to raise me and my head to the proper height. The ensuing thirty minute haircut, the audience of guys sitting in an assortment of wooden chairs smoking cigarettes and talking about  cars and sports and the lady Willow from down the street. The whisk broom that came out and brushed me off, the sweet smelling rose water that was splashed and rubbed into my hair. The pressure pushing me down deep into the leather of the chair. The removal of the table cloth like a cape being flashed and flourished at a bull. Standing like a beauty queen contestant being looked over by the waiting customers. Boyd with dustpan and broom in hand sweeping up what was my hair into a waiting garbage can with the lid held open by standing on the small black petal. The walk out of the shop and the sudden chill on my head with all my hair gone. Once I went into Boyd's and was in a great hurry, there were fish to catch and I had to be in an out as quick as I could. Boyd cut my hair in about 40 seconds. He skipped the rose water and in a minute I was out the door and on my way. I later asked him about that and he said " Who would pay me 2.50 for a haircut if I took but a minute?" That's why we stretch it out to a half an hour.. My first lesson in customer service.. From Lake Iwanttobethere...
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Spinach

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Great story, I'm looking forward to more.

Also..... Welcome to MNO!  :toast:
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Offline nytelyter

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HI my name is nytelyter and i am one of the cabin owners on lakeiwanttobethere. my nickname was derrived from a hobby i used to have. i was into commericial fireworks. so i lit up the night sky. there for i am known as nyte-lyter. or night lighter. i have tied for longest distance in the fishhouse fling. and after ice season i pull my fishhouse onto shore on my point of the lake and use it as a cabin. i also have a brightly colored catamaran that i sail on the lake. i will also chime in on a few of the lakes events. and do have a membership at the lodge. hope to meet a few of you there next time thru. ... paul
Born to fish Forced to work

Offline Bobby Bass

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Well I found a place to hang my hat and sat down at an open booth here at the Dew Drop Inn. Where do I start. I am looking forward to writing for you about a little place I call home here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Even though there have been about two and a half years of stories written about the lake and some of it's colorful residents and visitors. There always seems to be someone else to write about and something always seems to be happening. Life is never quiet. Let me introduce myself to you, My name is Bobby Bass and I have lived here at the lake for the past thirty years and visited here since I was born some 655 months ago. I am a caretaker by trade and the lake is just something that  have been taking care of for a long time. I have several hats here at the lake. One being the manager of the local men's lodge another being the part time building inspector and still another as a kind of record keeper for the lake.

The Lake,  well no one really knows how big the lake is. No one it seems has ever been to every part of it. The lake has endless bays on it and it seems each bay has some of the best fishing that memories can be made from. The lodge sits on the edge of town just above the big public access on this end of the lake. Down the shore from the access the Masterbaiters bait shop and marina sits. Out from the access Root Beer Island the home to Mindy and Mandy and there word famous Root Beer. Like all small towns there are several small business that line Main Street. As time goes on we will introduce you to there owners and some of there quirks. The lake's claim to fame is that there is a very good chance that you have been here before. Maybe when you were young on a family vacation or to visit a long forgotten relative. The lake is off the beaten path. You can't just drive on the freeway to it. You will have to look for the turn off and drive down a narrow black top two lane highway and then take the access road to the town.

We are far enough to have to make an effort to get here but not so far away that you won't want to come back again after you have been here. Fall brings excellent bird hunting and deer hunting and shack life is well things that deer camp is all about. Ice bring the ice town and this year the Luge. This weekend the winter carnival will be held and if you come visit you will get a taste of what life at the lake is like. My neighbors Chuck and my mentor Elmer live next door to me. I live on a point that curves out to face the town and the big bay that the town has been built on. Hammering Hank and his helper Skinny are the towns handymen. Big Earl and his son Junior run the general store and Doc Burriem has an office next to Reed the Realtor. Amy has the bakery and features the world  famous loose meat sandwiches.

I write about almost everything but we tend to stay away from politics, religion and mother in laws. There is one thing that stays the same in every story and that is that there is some truth in every story. Things might be embellished a little but it is all based on something that really has happen. That is why so many people can relate to the town. Someone wrote me and said they and their spouse would argue if the town is real or not. I take that as a compliment. Because the town is out there, you just need to close your eyes and visit it. Some of the towns residents are already here and you never knew it. Hi Nytelyter, Dotch, I wave as they enter the Dew Drop.

I welcome you to come and write about your visits to the town of Lake Iwanttobethere as we say there is a story in every ice house. With my dogs Buddy the hunting dog, his brother Barney the fishing dog the pain in the butt pit bull Pepper and the three cats who think they are retrievers have a good day. From Lake Iwanttobethere (21)
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline JackpineRob

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Lake Iwanttobethere is back on the air.

All is right with the world.

Offline D.T.

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Hello all! 1st time here. Thanks Bobby for turning my attention to this site.

My dog Grace and I are also residents of the lake.  We really enjoy all of the activities.

Offline McGurk

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First time in this part of town, thought I'd better check in.  My name's McGurk, and I've been a weekender at Lake IWTBT for over a year.  I like to say I live here and vacation at my job in the cities 5 days a week.

Man, it is tough to type with all of that action above here.

I'm a relative newbie around here, but have participated in a couple of flings and have tried to attend all of the events.  I've got a fishhouse out by D.T.'s (and Grace's) and Nytelyter's, right by the Johnson brother's van.  Those boys can really ice fish!  They haven't quite got the catching part down, but they really know how to ice fish if you know what I mean. 

Seriously, I cannot keep my eyes off of all that movement up there!

I'll try to check in once in a while to confirm Bobby's stories.  Thanks for the new home!
Good Luck! McGurk

"I'm not talkin' 'bout pleasure boatin' or day sailin'. I'm talkin' 'bout workin' for a livin'. I'm talkin' 'bout sharkin'!"

Offline Mayfly

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So how does one go about getting an invite to lake iwanttobethere....I sorta really want to be there ;D

Offline Tyler Holm

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From the public access, if you go down 6, maybe 7 bays, past the fallen oak in the water you will find a deep hole directly below where a creek dumps into Lake ITWBT.  I fished this spot about 6 times last year, but wanted to keep it a secret.  Now that it's all iced over, I thought it would be a good time to share. 

It's a spot of few fish, but you'll have a chance at a fish of a lifetime.  For me, that's my avatar picture which was the last fish I pulled out of Lake IWTBT.  The Fishin' Edition is in the shop right now (got backed into), but D. T. promises he will return it to me safely so I can fish again this weekend. 

Up to this point I've been quite about my findings, friends, social life, fishing success, etc on the lake but I've found the people to be ohhh so friendly out here so I've decided to start sharing stories and keeping up.

If you see a guy out around that creek inlet in a green 2-man otter flip-over, stop and say Hi! 
« Last Edit: January 01/10/08, 08:58:39 AM by Tyler Holm »

Offline Bobby Bass

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One thing about having time on your hands, someone always finds a way to fill it for you. Having adults kids they all have homes and they all need something done to them. This weeks current project is replacing cabinet doors in the oldest son's kitchen. After cutting out replacement cabinets doors and routing the edges I was in the work shop sanding when I got to thinking about what kind of things one can never have enough of. ½ wrenches came to mind right off, if you have boys you can never have enough wrenches. Clamps were the next thing that I thought of. My youngest daughter is an art major and I always seem to have a picture frame or two with clamps on them. Frames waiting to have canvas stretched on them usually tie up some more of my clamps. Sanding away some more fish hooks were next. Can anyone have enough fish hooks? No matter how many times you go to the bait shop you can always feel better if you are wandering around with a box of hooks in your hand. When I was a young lad I don't think I owned a pair of pants that didn't have an extra box of fish hooks in one of the pockets. When I got up everyday I would go through the same routine before going out the door. I would check and see that I had my comb, wallet, watch, keys and a box of fish hooks. Latter the box of fish hooks were replaced by a wedding ring, still a hook if you think about it., just someone else's.

Took advantage of what should be the last warm day and washed both my truck and the wife's. Line was not to bad at the car wash and since I had a pocket of quarters I put them to good use. By the time I got back to the cabin they were both dirty again but at least the tops were clean! Had to stop at Earl's and pickup tack clothes and a box of plastic gloves. Will stain up doors and maybe put the first coat of poly on. Son is suppose to be over to help on his doors but we know how that goes. I'll have them done before he makes it over here. Having to do staining in the wood shop I had to clean first. All that sawdust had to be removed and Elmer came over to watch me work. He is good at that. Sitting on a stool he made it a point to waggle his fingers at spots I had missed or like the wife, spots that I had not even gotten to yet. Speaking about the wife her and Tess got together and did a little after Christmas shopping at that store with the bulls eye. They came back with bags of decorations for the Lodge all at what we were told was 90% off. Now even I know that must be a good deal and I wrote a check to cover the expense. I never got to see what was in the bags as they were off to the basement. A new chicken wire wall with lock and key divided a section of the room that some how was built while I was away for a day. I think Hank had something to do with it. Well it is for the good of the Lodge and I guess the old popcorn strung on the power pro line was "reaching" for it some. from Lake Iwanttobethere
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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A small yellow dot tries to burn it's way through the cloud cover here at the lake. Looking out from my deck windows of the cabin I can just make it out. Sunshine Ray says we will be getting snow later today and that it will continue over night. With luck it will be enough to cover all the dirty snow and make things look clean and fresh for the carnival this weekend. We were unable to get a hold of Freddie from the railroad so we can't borrow his track snow thrower.  He is on vacation and we don't know who his relief is. But with the coming snow we should be good to go for the snow thrower races on Main street.

As always the town and Lodge is looking to gain new members. Since we are in a new year it is a good time to start our membership drive. Now the lake and Lodge are not for everyone. We don't really have a lot of rules and being that the lake is a little out of the way you have to work some to get here. Directions? Well you have been coming here for a long time. You start off by packing up your ice house and sled on your trailer. Packing a cooler is always a good thing although the town has everything that you might need. You pull out from your drive and take a left or right as needed. You make another turn at the stop sign and go pass the gas station and bank. Waiting your turn you get on the freeway and turn on the cruise control. If it is summer you roll the windows down some and take in the air. Most of the time you will be one of the few cars heading out from the city as a stream of cars go where you just were. Sitting in your office you can close your eyes and push the humm of fluorescent lights away. You replace that with the sound of wind blowing through tree tops. Soon you turn of the cruise and signal your turn off the freeway. Following a black ribbon you continue on to the lake. Summer has you hauling a boat past hay fields and horses grazing. Winter brings the sights of red farm houses off to the side of the roads. Old barns with sagging roofs and lonely fence posts buried in snow.

You drive on memory, making a turn where that old watermelon and corn stand once stood. You drive past a one pump gas station, sign moving in the slight breeze. Taking your time you drive by an assortment of mailboxes. Not like in the city, here each one is different. Well it sure does seem that they are all different. Some are stacked on old tires. Another swings from the branch of a tree. Some are hand painted to look like little houses. Another looks like a big bass. An outboard motor converted to a mailbox signals your next turn up ahead. Someone is pulling out and you wait till his trailer clears before turning down the road. He waves and you wave back. Down the road you go. Snow pushed back by the wing of an old grader, you know that because it is there just up ahead. He pulls to the side and waves you around. You see his name "Frank" painted on the grader. You wave again and continue on down the road. Smiling to yourself you speak out loud for no one to hear. " when has a grader ever pulled over for me in the city?" You follow the road, taking your time. Trees are bare of leaves, some stands of pine rise around you and some things make you remember of your grouse hunting trips in the fall. You get your first look at an open field through the trees coverd in snow then you see that it is just one of the many bays of Lake Iwanttobethere. Mailboxes start to appear again. At the end of long winding roads leading back to the lake.

Funny how it always seem to take longer to get to the lake then it does coming home from it. Makes you wonder why you don't come to the lake more then what you do. Always seems to be a reason. Always something that just has to be done. You come up over a small grade and there she is. The lake.. Welcome to Lake Iwanttobethere   (80)
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Here is a  a short directory of people and places here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Should help with some of the stories.
Lodge Pole Resort
Reed the Realtor, local Realtor, Town Hall member
Porky's Houseboat-drink establishment.
Pink Flamingoes- a donation puts the flock in your yard of choice.
Johnson boys, local brothers who do odd jobs when home from college.
Hammering Hank, town handy man, jack of all trades. Town Hall member.
Tom Miller-FOOT, a resident of Lake Iwanttobethere who passed on.
Dew Drop Inn-drinking and eating establishment.
You Bet'Em Casino ran by Ma and Pa Willow pull tab business
Mark the Mailman
Ms. Molley Bodensteiner, Reeds secretary, part owner of the Watering Hole
Frank the county plow driver
Marv's Dinner- eating establishment.
Marc's towing and Lawn Service
Dr.Burriem, towns retired Doctor
Sundown Cafe- eating establishment
Gas and Go where Willie Wrenchhead works
Wolfgang Puck, noted local trapper
Jess the Paperboy
Old Lady Snaggletooth- mother of Bucky Snaggletooth owner of the mini-dounuts
Blaze-resident of Lake Iwantobethere
Dan Thiem-resident of Lake Iwantobethere
Widow Hess-just think of Ann Margret in Grumpy Old Men
Dusty McMurtry's chimney sweep
Dale Frozen Toe Mitchel- former ice depth tester and resident.
Mabel's Sauna and Hot House
John Lufer- power co. Employee- resident
Jimmy- resident-fishermen
Swen and Leona's boy Lars- local hockey player.
Sunshine Ray-local radio weatherman for KCUM
KCUM local radio station
Old Man Walter-resident
Old Man McFarlane- former resident-rocker- big donor to town
Surplus is Us- local discount store
Floyd owner of Floyd's hardware store.
Nytelyter-fishermen here at Lake Iwanttobethere
Ben and Jeannie- former TV hosts- residents
McPettes- resident-still owner ?
Peters- deceased resident
Mrs. Peters-accused of making Mr. Peters deceased.
Jones Twins- owners of the Do Me Inn- resort
-----------------------------------------------------



Loon Poop Lake-nearby lake
Peatmoss-resident of Loon Poop Lake
Mindy and Mandy-Lake Iwanttobethere's Hooter girls
Brandy - cousin to Mindy and Mandy
Uncle Gus- resident
Mister Big- Bobby Bass's mystery and dream bass
Stump Bay- home of Mister Big
Puddle Humper- Bobby Bass's boat.
Candy- sister of Mindy and Mandy who lives in the big city
The Inn- dinner featuring Jet Ski delivery
Town Hall- a long trailer that serves as the Town Hall and also a fishing house
T's Bait shop- located 20 miles from the lake
Big Jim- logger
Skinny- retired logger
Chuck-neighbor to Bobby Bass, childhood friend and a reason Bobby gets into half of his trouble
Earl- local fishing guide
Dug- Bobby Bass's son and owner of Dug's
Masterbaiters Bait shop- Vicki is the owner of the dream bait shop
Amy's Bakery and Deli- featuring the loose meat sandwich
Mystery Creek- home of the smelt run
The Lodge- Local Lake Iwantobethere social club, members only, unless you are buying.
Del's Pizza and Sub shop- son of Bobby Bass and features the pizza cannon.
Sadie and Lady- two old dogs of Bobby Bass that live with his daughter in the city
Barney- Bobby's daughter's  fishing dog, well know for his fishing
Bud- Bobby's daughter's hunting dog, well know for his hunting
General Store- everything and anything
Big Earl- owner of the general store
Junior- Big Earl's son
Elmer- neighbor to Bobby Bass and an old coot- if Bobby has a mentor it's Elmer
Mike- owner of the junk Yard
Mr.Thompson-resident
Weird Willie- owner of the school of grass carp
Walter- resident and fishing lure carver
Old Man Peabody's- a motel-laundromat-auto shop
Old Goose- a big old goose that returns to the shores of the lake and  Bud's foe
Root Beer Island- home to Mindy and Mandy
Old Man Iverson-resident and inventor
Jerry- Bobby Bass friend and visitor to Lake Iwanttobether
Jason- new resident to the Lake
And
Bobby Bass, caretaker for Lake Iwantobethere and part time building inspector.
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Tami

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Greetings All
I am also part of the Iwanttobethere residents. I am a regular at Burtha's Beauty Shoppe.. Where great tales and gossip about the residents and the sometimes strange going ons from the lake.

Great site glad to be here and to become part of the forum family here.

Northerngal
Tami
« Last Edit: January 01/10/08, 03:34:02 PM by Northerngal »
the hurrier I go, the behinder I get
Best place for Bait.....Babes Bait... Babe's is locally known as “the best little bait shop in Ely”. Tackle and Fresh Bait

Offline Bobby Bass

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Long story called Deer Camp. Part 1

Traffic picking up along Main Street here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Pickups and SUV's with orange clad drivers and passengers making stops and picking up forgotten items left at home on kitchen tables. The lucky ones have taken off from work a day early and are already settling in to deer camp. Wood to chop and mouse traps to empty. Stoves to clean and floors to be swept. Cupboards need stocking and rolls of tp stacked on the little shelf in the outhouse. The beam for hanging deer will need to be checked and rope coiled at the bottom. The wall of honor will be dusted and time spent looking over the collection of pictures stapled to it. A few more will be added from last year and with it some more stories for the deer shack or the Hotel as we call it.

The old school chalk board will be wiped clean and the menu for the first supper will be printed in nice block letters. The bar will be stocked and ashtrays wiped. At each new arrival another slot on the wall gun cabinet is filled. Bunks are claimed and sleeping bags rolled out. Favorite pillows are fluffed and tossed on top. Coolers are emptied and stacked just outside the door. A new propane tank is hooked up and the old one secured in the back of the pickup. A broken antenna wire is twisted together running out to the Pine and the crackle of static and Garage Logic makes background noise.

Each new arrival brings everyone to the door as they are greeted with handshakes and slaps on the back. Quick work is made of unloading and soon the Hotel is filled with laughter and insults. It does not take long to catch up. Chairs are pulled up to the big circle table and cigars are lit. A few more will arrive tomorrow and the circle will be complete. Some will stay for the weekend some will last a week. A vacation planned for the day after they left last year. Some will be there the entire deer season or will make the drive back and forth from home. The stew pot is started and placed on top of the old black cooking stove. It's aroma starts to fill the air of the hotel, mixed with cigar smoke and the sound of cards being shuffled. Plans are discussed and fingers pointed at the hand drawn map on the wall. Like generals we all stare at the map looking for something we might have never seen before.

The lamps are lit and windows cracked open. A little smoky and getting a tad warm inside. A few guys head to the porch and sitting in old chairs and testing the swing they drink strong coffee and pull on cigars till the ends grow red. Sun settles down into the trees and the woods around them grows suddenly quiet. They stop talking and are wrapped in there own thoughts of nights past. First one then another notices out past the feeder just at the edge of the clear cut a doe and two fawns are working there way towards the feeder. The doe has her head up and she is sniffing the breeze, the fawns are more intent on checking the feeder. Soon all three are in the trough feeding. The guys on the porch sit quietly, watching. Seeing fawns is good. About then a pair of headlights and the sound of an engine can be heard working it's way through the grassy trail to the Hotel. The last members of the party have arrived, twelve hours early. From lake Iwanttobethere have a safe season.

SNAP! The sound of another mouse trap going off. You lay in your bunk listening to the sound of snores coming from your old buddies. It's dark outside and you can make out the moon through the window at the far end of the hotel. Been trying to sleep all night but hard to do with the snap of a mouse trap from time to time. It has gotten better as the traps going off have been fewer. The first hour after lights off was like a war zone. Traps popping and who ever was the closest had to retrieve the trap and reset it. The old stove cherry red and the cabin way to warm to sleep in. Now several hours later the stove looks cold but no one has gotten up to toss a log in. A few snores and soft conversations between bunks finally disappeared. The " Good night John boy" routine was done.

Laying in the bunk and checking the watch you see it is but a half hour before the alarm is set to go off. What the heck, you roll out of the sleeping bag and stocking feet touch the cold floor of the shack. Feeling around with your toes you find your boots and pull them on. Trying to be quiet you make your way to the door and standing out on the porch drink in a deep breath of woods and the first day of hunting season. You sense movement behind you and one of your buddies is standing in the door behind you. A soft quiet " Morning" is spoken and he walks past you to the outhouse. As if a signal has been released the rest of you bunk mates stir and a lamp is lit. It's dim glow showing shadows of your friends stretching and pulling sweatshirts on. The "Clank" of the fire box is heard and wood is added. Another light is lite and now everyone is up whether they wanted to be or not.

Breakfast is made and some eat and some don't. The deep thick rich smell of a coffee pot with to many grounds fills the shack. Even if you don't drink it you love the smell mixed in with the sizzle of bacon in the cast iron frying pan. Those who have the farest walk dress light and carrying their gear head out into the darkness. We leave in pairs, walking slow and quiet like. In a few minutes the Hotel is empty and we are all on our way to our stands. I arrival at mine in just a few minutes. Putting on my heavy coat I climb into my old stand and sit back. Testing my rests and looking at my shooting lanes I secure my gear and sit back to enjoy the sunrise just a few minutes away. False dawn lights up around me and with each passing minute I can start to make out trees and bushes. I stare long and hard at a black shape and with the brightening light see it is only a thick brush pile. The sun peeks above the ridge and I look at it for awhile before I need to look away. Off to the East I hear a gunshot then another.. Maybe I think... I hear the rustle of leaves and look down to see a squirrel bouncing and then stopping to look around. I watch as it makes it's way past me to disappear behind a Birch tree.

The sun climbs higher and I unzip my coat a little, I pour some hot cider into the thermos cup and I sip and watch the woods around me. My stand is just off a main trail that we call the freeway. Putting the cup back on the thermos I am in mid screw when I see movement coming down the freeway. I stop and watch as the doe and two fawns from last night at the feeder work there way in my direction. Sitting still I watch as they slowly move down the trail. Tails flicking back and forth the fawns acting like the kids they are and the doe having her hooves full so to speak. The three of them move on down the trail and make the turn to disappear out of sight. I sit back and let my heart slow down some.

I spent most of the morning watching, waiting and listening and even though I did hear a few more shots and some were quite a distance away it I didn't see anything else go down the freeway. At noon I climbed down and made my way back to the Hotel. Coming out the trail I see a deer hanging from the beam. A four pointer. A few of the guys were inside and the stew pot was steaming on the stove. I scooped out a bowl and with some rolls from the oven I sit down at the round table and listened to the story of the four pointer. Not a bad start to deer season, and there is still this afternoon. From Lake Iwanttobethere
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Part two
Saturday afternoon found me back in the stand by mid afternoon. After a bowl of stew and a short nap I was dressed and ready to spend time in the stand. I slowly worked my way back down the trail but was sidetracked. Along the freeway is a wide drainage ditch full of water. There are a few places where one can cross going across fallen trees. Not being young and fleet of foot anymore I wait till it freezes during hunting season before crossing it. With it being 50 out today there was no frozen water here. As I was going to take the trail around the ditch I spotted movement down the trail running along the ditch. Looking through my scope I could see something flashing in the sunlight from side to side. Thinking Chuck was messing with me my first thought was that it looked like it could be a sandwich bag on a branch. He has done this in the past to me. Just something to bother me on my stand seeing that movement from a few hundred yards away. Well I figured I would go down and remove the bag and return the favor to him on his stand tomorrow.

Walking down the trail I took my time. Walking slow and from time to time looking down the trail as I also looked from side to side and of course stopped to watch the trail behind me. I put the scope up from time to time but I still could not make out what was flashing. I took a break and leaning up against a tree watched as a grouse landed on the other side of the ditch and then another. Eating buds the two birds worked the tree. Cooled down I again started working my way down the trail. Traveling another 50 yards or so I took a peek down the trail and froze. The biggest, widest deer I have ever seen was standing on the other side of a dead Pine in the middle of the trail. It's tail wagging like a happy dog from side to side. I had no shot from this distance and my heart was cranking up as I watched through the scope. Suddenly the coat I was wearing was very hot and very heavy.

Muttering to myself I was cursing Chuck out for making me think he had pulled the plastic bag trick. I moved a few steps to the side of the trail and dropped my pack and took off the heavy coat. Lighter now I moved forward at a snails pace trying to make up ground with what I could now see was a huge swamp buck. Trouble was the buck was now on the move also. For every step I took he took two. Bending down at the waist I concentrated on looking at the trail ahead and quicken my pace. It took about five minutes or half a life time to reach the fallen Pine. The buck to my surprise was still on the trail walking away from me like he was taking a stroll in the park. All he gave me was a shot from behind and not anywhere close to a good one. From time to time he would lift his head up showing a massive rack with more tines then I could count, He would then drop his head and continue to walk, his nose dragging on the ground. I watched as he continue to open the distance between us. I made the decision to cross the tree and follow. I put my hand up on the trunk and a branch broke. It sounded like a paper bag exploding in a funeral home. The Buck and I locked eyes and with out a pause the buck turned and in one bound powered by hidden boosters cleared the ditch and was gone in another bound into the cedars.

I never had a chance. By the time I made it back to the hotel I had a great story to tell. I came out of the trail to the clearing and now there were three deer hanging from the beam. Chuck smoking a cigar and telling how he out waited a six pointer that was busy following three does. I put the rifle in the rack and went and sat out on the porch. Elmer asked me how it went and I told him, " Saw one but didn't have a shot" Elmer nodded and sat down on the porch next to me. " Was it a big one?" He asked, I just smiled and nodded.

All in all a good first day here at the Hotel. Sunday we sleep in late as we eat well Saturday night, cards, a few beers a lot of stories and lots of memories to relive. Stories of deer hunts and pictures of kids and grand kids to show off. Ribbing about old girl friends and good divorces. A lot of "Do you remember when" stories. The right side of the chalk board will have a to do list started. A new toilet seat for the outhouse is the first thing on the list. Some more mouse traps to, maybe some of the ones that catch more then one at a time.

A few guys only have the weekend to hunt and have to make the drive back. They will bring the three deer back to the local butcher that we all use. With luck we will have a couple more by tomorrow night. I have already decide to wait for a chance at that big buck. I would like to lock eyes with him again. If not there is still a lot of time, it is after all just the end to the first day.

Sunday morning arrived with just about everyone heading out to their stands. The extra hour of sleep with daylight savings time actually seem to make a difference. I put my colored push pin on the wall map at the edge of the swamp. This lets everyone know where I am hunting at. I spent the morning on the edge of the cedar swap, waiting to see if the buck would return. A clear sunny sky and windy. No frost and not a bad morning to be in the woods. I saw nothing. Other then a well worn trail heading back deeper into the cedars. When noon arrived I took a walk around the edge of the swamp and found another well worn trail, will have to go back to the map and do some studying. I came out about One into the clear cut by the Hotel. Mark's bright red mini-van was backed up to the porch. The same van that Mark received so much grief over last night was now the center of attention. Seems he didn't say anything last night but today everyone was scattered on the porch watching the football game on the van's TV Scattered around the guys were an assortment of battery powered hand tools, hammers and tape measures. Repairs were being made to the Hotel during commercials and time outs. Mark was now receiving compliments on how smart his wife was in buying the mini-van.

Well it looks like the guys will be watching football and next weekend most will be back at the Hotel. I am lucky enough to be able to come up during the week and I have a date with a certain buck. Might even bring the shotgun out to see if them grouse have any friends. Hope you had a good weekend From the Hotel at Lake Iwanttobethere where the fishing is always good, the birds fly slow and the deer grow big really big..


Came back in from deer camp yesterday morning had to bring the three deer to Ma and Pa's so Pa can butcher them up for us and quick freeze them. Also we had a small problem at the Hotel early this morning at breakfast time. After the fire went out in the wood stove Billy, a friends nephew who was hunting as a guest this year did a no no. His bunk is close to the wood stove and his mouse traps were still active during the night. Instead of removing the mice and disposing of them outdoors he simply flicked them into the wood stove. This morning when the stove was lite and just about the time we were going to start frying bacon there was an aroma that was not to appealing coming from the wood stove. At first we thought we had just gotten some bad bacon but in passing Billy made mention of the mice. Billy was to drive in with the deer but was convinced that he should stay and clean out the wood stove, or else.

After a quick stop at home for a change of clothes and a much needed shower I headed back to deer camp. Picked up a few of them hanging air fresh trees to hang by my bunk, just in case. Deer camp is a lot like Fish camp, except there are no fish. Pretty much the same stories except for deer being involved. Of course every year if someone does not get lost then a story is brought up about when someone did. Now being lost is a badge of honor. In the old days there were not GPS and cell phones out in the woods. You really have to work now to get lost. In the old days a few minutes into a nice thick cedar swamp a few wrong turns and yup, you were lost. It might take you a few minutes or a few hours to find your way out. Usually at the next tote road about a mile from Deer camp. Sometimes you would be found by the next hunting party over. You would then have to explain how you came out on there side of the swamp and would accept the ride back to your camp and the long looks over the noses of your hunting buddies as they claimed you and then pretended that you were just a Guest at the camp.

Cooking at deer camp is simpler as when you are starving you don't taste anything till you are half done cleaning your plate. Ash in your food is quickly dismissed as pepper. Left over coffee is strong enough to soak the chili pot in and clean just by rinsing. In deer camp there are those who can cook, those who think they can cook and those who can tell others how to cook. The last group are usually divorced. Our camp has a few cooks and we take turns. I am a supper cook, I don't do breakfast. I am not the dishwasher nor am I the potato peeler. Everyone has a place in the food chain. I used to be the dishwasher but was fired after it was discovered that I would simply place the last meals dishes in a mesh bag and toss them in the creek. The running water and minnows did a nice job I thought. Now I just cook, mainly because I can put everything on the table at the same time and it is all hot.

Trouble with an old deer camp like ours is we get sidetracked with old man conversations. Of course we talk about kids and grand kids and wife's if there names come up. But we get sidetracked with our bottles of pills that we have to bring up. Young camp, slabs of bacon and ham, Eggs by the dozens, gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, candy bars and o the beer.. Now we compare bottles of blood pressure meds and eat shredded wheat. The wife's send up thin sliced meat and light mayo. We of course use a pound of the sliced meat and real mayo on one of our two sandwiches to eat at the stand. The night before heading to the deer camp is spent by a few of the Cooks to go grocery shopping. For those who cook on a regular basis this is no big deal. They know there way around a supermarket. Here they run into the deer camp cooks who don't touch a frying pan for 50 weeks out of the year. These are the guys who have one guy pushing the cart and two others working both sides of the aisle tossing stuff into the cart. These guys are tossing in bags of French fries ( no deep fryer at camp ) A turkey ( no pans at camp ) Eggs and the thick slab bacon. When they hit the chip isle they go into super bowl mode and get two of everything and dip! Later you will see these guys riding a four wheeler to your camp asking if they can borrow a cup of sugar and do you have any salt? And by the way do you have any idea how long you fry a turkey?

Deer Camp, it sure does have a good ring to it. Sounds almost as good as Fish Camp does in early May air is cool when you get up in the morning. Might have to wipe some frost off the wood chair on the porch as you sit with a steaming cup of what you were told was coffee. The smell of burning bacon
and rubber eggs. Ducking as the first few "Test" pancakes are tossed over your head towards the deer feeder. They join the uneaten Test pancakes from the other morning. You watch as a chipmunk makes wide detour around them. Yup Deer Camp, glad I am back here.

Made by way down the trail from the Hotel in the cool darkness of the morning. The damp ground quiet under my feet as I tried to move along the trail with out making a noise. Moving just quick enough to cover ground but trying hard not to warm up bundled up in all my clothes. The Hotel thermometer read 33 when I stepped out on to the porch. After a few quiet words exchanged with my friends we all walked across the clear cut and took our own separate trails to our stands. Soon the dim light of the Hotel was left behind and with a shift in the wind the smoke from the stove could no longer be smelled. I paused from time to time, taking time to adjust my pack and look around me. The walk out to the stand always takes longer then the trip back. I arrived at the stand and climbing up, secured my pack and settled in. After a few minutes the coat was zipped back under my chin and my cuffs on my coat pulled down onto my gloves.

With my head resting against the tree I tried just to move my eyes as I looked out over my little area of heaven. Having been in the tree now several times over the last week I was pretty comfortable with the shadows as I knew now what they were. As on cue the area around me started to go from black to gray. No sunrise this morning with the cloud cover. A half hour later and it was as light as it was going to be. I had the right combination of clothes on today and I was as comfortable as a newborn in a fleece blanket. Nothing moving at all, not even a pesky squirrel to break up the quiet. I shifted a little and rested my arms in my lap. The first snow flake fell and landed on my glove. Then another and another. They say no two snow flakes are alike, with the flakes on my glove I started to compare them side to side, yup they were different. Raising my eyes I scanned the area. Looking slowly I swept the ditch ahead of me. The swamp off to my right then back down the trail towards the Hotel. Nothing, I looked at more flakes that had fallen next to the first ones.

I woke up, must have doze off. Snow now covered the ground around my stand. Falling heavy it now covered the bare trees and brush with a blanket of white. Actually I could see farther now and I could make out trees in the cedar swamp. The snow falling in the ditch met the water and melted. The trail and grass now were white. I had a little layer of snow across my pants and jacket. My pack to was covered in white fluffy snow. I moved just a little and under the blanket of snow I flex my arms and back. In mid stretch I saw her. Easing out from the cedar swamp her head up high she was slowly walking down the trail coming to the ditch. Her tail flicking back and forth she would stop and look behind her then move forward a few more steps before putting her head to the ground and her nose rubbing from side to side.

Trying to relax I settled back into the tree, Easing the rife in her direction I turned to face her and waited. It was quiet, I could hear her when she picked up her hooves and set them back down, at least I think I could hear them. Something else to a bumping sound. Took me a little while to realize it was my heart in my chest, felt good. She was moving slow and I was starting to have a hard time staying still, maybe I was even getting a little impatient with her. Some thing was behind her in the swamp, following her but staying out of sight. She was a nice big doe but I wanted to see what was behind her. Could it be the Ghost that I had seen on opening? Might I get a second chance here? The doe stopped, finding something on the trail for breakfast she was chewing. Still rasing her head from time to time to look around her. She had her head up and was looking around when she stopped, her head pointed in my direction. She was staring her ears flicking in my direction her nose testing the wind. I froze, not daring to move I watched her watch me. The snow continue to fall and I felt pretty good that she could not really make me out, could she?

Locked eye to eye we looked at each other. Me trying not to move and be discovered and her seeing something that didn't look quite right but not knowing what I was. Like a pitcher trying her pick off move she put her head down but then snapped it up again. Having seen this move before I had not moved. She again stared in my direction.

She went back to eating and slowly took a few more steps down the trail. She was in range and I could raise the rifle anytime now and have a good shot. Straight out from me she offer a broad side shot and I watched as she walked by. I wanted to see what was behind her. I waited.

Nothing. The doe moved pass me and down the ditch. I let her pass and focused on the edge of the swamp. Looking for any kind of movement. Something horizontal in a vertical world. Something new now, the sound of my stomach rumbling and a no matter how much snow I licked from my lips I needed to get a drink and eat. I stood up in the stand and my butt barked at me along with my back that had been part of the tree for the past few hours. I shook the snow from my coat and pants and climbed down. Pulling back my glove and checking my watch I could see it was almost noon. Guess somehow I had the entire morning pass by. I headed back to the Hotel following the same trail the doe had taken. Perhaps a hundred yards from my stand from the ditch side a second set of tracks appeared next to the does. Twice as large and deeper, The Ghost had appeared. Together the two sets of tracks followed the trail and then turning off the trail had gone back into the brush.

The doe had been a distraction a decoy. The Ghost didn't get as big as he is walking down trails with his girlfriend. Closing the door of the Hotel I shook off snow and put the gun in the rack. Fresh baked bread was cooling on the cutting block and the smell of baked ham in the oven met me. A few minutes later elbows secure on the edge of the table and a sandwich in my hands I told Elmer of the doe. " Are we having fun " he asked. With my mouth full I just nodded yes and smiled.. From Lake Iwanttobethere

Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Part Three
End of  Deer Camp-  not as bad as it sounds. Spent most of the day packing up things around the shack. Had a late breakfast and spent some time out on the porch with a cup of hot coffee and my feet up on the rail. Heard a few shots off in the distant but the day was pretty quiet. Elmer and Chuck were both up to, between the three of us we made quick work of closing the shack up. Securing the propane tank and making sure the wood stove was cleaned out and wood was hauled in to fill the box. Cupboards were emptied and the floors were swept. The drain on the sink was taken apart and the sign to that effect hung on the sink. The spare key was checked to be sure it was in it's hiding place. Ropes for the hanging beam were coiled and put away in there box.

Log book was signed and placed on the kitchen table. A few boxes of mice bait were laded out. Getting towards two in the afternoon and we all closed up the two trucks and grabbing our rifles we set off to end the season in our stands. I took my time and walked slowly out to the stand by the cedar swamp. For mid November it was warm. Almost 40 out. The sun filtered down between passing clouds and was already low in the sky. Making myself comfortable in my stand I settled in and scanned the area around me.  A ground squirrel worked it's way across the forest floor. Making enough noise to sound like a deer it would have had me on the edge of my seat two weeks ago. Now it just got a passing glance as I continue to search the brush around me.

As on cue the two grouse flew in to land on the tree across the ditch from me. I watched them for a few minute till they to went to the ground and soon walked away into the deeper brush out of eyesight. The sun settled deeper in to the tree tops and I had to adjust the collar of my coat to close up around my neck. I got a chill and had second thoughts about not bring the thermos out with me. Peeking under the cuff of my coat I saw it was already almost four. Kind of late to shoot a deer now.

It had been a good season, several deer were taken and everyone has meat in the freezer. Spent time with friends and the bragging wall at the Hotel will have some more memories added to it. Another peek at the watch told me it was 4:15 If I leave now I'll have enough light to make it to the clearing. I unload the gun and using the rope lower it to the forest floor. I just start to swing over the edge and here coming down the trail is the doe with her two frisky fawns. I think they are the same ones I saw coming into the feeder to check it out on the first night. Glad to see they made it through the season. I waited till they passed and then retrieve the rifle I worked my way back to the clear cut. Elmer and Chuck were waiting, as soon as they saw my blaze orange they started the engines.  I put my gear in the truck and rubbed my hands in the warmth of the trucks vents.

Elmer makes one last check of the shack. He goes inside and makes sure the bars are across the windows and the shutters secure. To bad we have to lock it up like this but times have changed. The padlock is snapped on to the wood door and we are ready to return home. We will be back, not as a group though. Everyone has a key and some will come back to do some grouse hunting. Others will tend to the deer feeder if the winter gets bad. A few of the younger guys will bring their families up to cross country ski. They will check the mouse traps and write in the log that they were there and how they did. Others will read the log and add to it.

We make the ride back home following Chuck  down the twisted trail to reach the dirt road then to the highway. We stop at a small resort / restaurant and have a late supper. Another tradition of ours. We  chat and take our time finally getting home around eight or so. Chuck heads down his driveway and Elmer turns in to mine. He pulls to a stop in front of the garage and we step out just in time to watch eight deer exiting Chucks yard to cross  my yard heading in the direction of Elmers. Elmer and I just look at each other and shake our heads. Yup a typical deer season here at Lake Iwanttobethere hope yours was a good one...
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Duckslayer

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Yee Haa we did it!!!  It took a while but we finally did it!  Had to take Reed the realtor to the lodge and buy some nice stogies a few times but finally he agreed to my offer.  We are, I guess, now the newest member of LakeIwannabethere.  We  just bought the log cabin on point 4.  I have tried a couple of times to figure out why it is called point 4 but I can come up with no logical reason other than that is what Reed said it is.  It is located on the southern end of the lake and has all of the modern connivances.  Well, heat, running water and electric any way!  The best part of it, for me anyway, is the 40X80 pole barn that is sort of hidden in the woods, the parcel is 10 acres and there are lots of woods.  A kitchen, breakfast nook, dining and living rooms on the first floor with an attached heated three car garage.  Three bedrooms upstairs and of course the loft.  I can see that the loft is destined to become the hideaway from the world when such a place is needed. Lay back on the couch up there and watch the world go by through the huge skylight in the ceiling.  Well yeah, that is kind of obvious huh, a skylight in the floor would not do much good now would it!  With it being on the south end of the lake and me living in the south end of the state it will not take long at all to get there!  I look forward to spending a LOT of time there!  WOW, I still can’t believe it, finally after all this time I am there!

Whoa, I got so excited about the house I fergot to introduce myself.  I am Duckslayer AKA Jimbo and the Lil Mrs and I will be the residents of the cabin for the most part, though I am sure that the number of friends that we have will increase a lot now that we have a cabin on LakeIwannabethere.  I suppose the kids will come and visit more often as well.  I am a retired Air Force Master Sergeant with 20 years of active duty.  I am currently the Commander of my Legion Club, Post 37, St Peter MN.  My wife did 12 years in the Air Force as well, in fact that is where we met!  We currently live in Hooterville AKA Lonsdale MN.  I was one of the participants in this years Ice House Fling and whoa, what a day that was!  Much merriment and good cheer was spread that day, many of us woke up on the floor of the lodge not quite sure how we got there or who that was laying next to us. 

I hope that you all have as much fun at this lake as I have.  I thank Bobby for letting us share his lake and I am dang glad that we have found a new home here at MNO, may it remain a peaceful place for years to come!

Tim, everyone is welcome at the lake, so long as you behave yourself! ;-0  Sit back n relax and the next thing you know you will be here.  Well I suppose I had better get going, the honey-do is already posted on the fridge and we just moved in.  Go figure that last folks that lived here painted all the walls the wrong colour!

Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

Offline McGurk

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A beer (or 6) can get you a night's stay at the Lodge, but a cabin will take a little more than that.  I had been making trips up here for some time, and staying at the Dew Drop Inn.  I finally got ahold of Reed the Realtor and sat down over a pitcher to talk about what I wanted out of a cabin.  It was almost therapeutic, getting down on paper what my wife and I had envisioned as a retreat from the modern world.  He took his time getting back to us, but when he did; it was perfect.  He knows his clientel, and can put Cabin A with Family B like no one else.  So, a beer will open the door, but it'll take more than that from both you and Reed to get you satisfied.  But, the beer may be a necessary start.
Good Luck! McGurk

"I'm not talkin' 'bout pleasure boatin' or day sailin'. I'm talkin' 'bout workin' for a livin'. I'm talkin' 'bout sharkin'!"

Offline D.T.

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There is a place down by the old grain mill. But I gotta warn ya some weird things have happened  down there. Strange things happen around Halloween time every year.

Not much fish being caught around Root Beer Island. Pretty much looks like swiss cheese on the ice after reports of the pig the lighter of the night caught.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the seed races.

Offline Reef Runner

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Hello I am Reef Runner and am starting to become a visitor of lake Iwanttobethere. So far I have loved the place , but what is not to like. I am glad there has been a new site found and look forward to all the new events!!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Been a busy few days on this end of the lake. With the announcement that Duckslayer and his wife have pulled the trigger so to speak and bought the little cabin out there on point # 4 As the building inspector I have been in it a few times, Nice little place with a lot of room to expand. As far as point # 4 goes all I can tell you is that it is just down from point # 3 Did Reed tell you of the marsh between point 3 and point 4 ? You should be able to set up a few blinds there. When the water gets high it might creep up into your yard but you being a duck hunter and all might like that.

I expect that Duckslayer will be coming around to the Lodge more and I can of course wait for my drink. Somewhat of a tradition around here that you buy a round or two when you join the tax rolls. I did see the paperwork on my desk at the town hall on your purchase and also on McGurks which some how was misplaced by the towns part time secretary Shannon. Not a big deal as she also works part time at the paper and just had a baby. Just nice to have someone help out down there.

Since today is the 11th yesterday was 30 days since the ice house fling. A lot of shanties were moved around yesterday and the entire town has moved southward. A few houses are still out by Root Beer Island but more seem to have followed me down the lake some. A few have referred to me as an outdoorsman so I guess that they think I know what I am doing. Hammering Hank plowed a new road this morning and we now have a sign at the cross roads directing people to the old site and the new site.

Nothing but a dusting of snow to wake up this morning to. Sunshine rays 3-5  I guess was not in inches but in snowflakes per square inch. Tourists and visitors are already making there way into town for the winter carnival. Reed the Realtor's office has been quite busy for some reason as he has been showing a lot of cabins in the past few days. Might have something to do with Duckslayer purchase as now he has some cash flow. He even settled up his tab at the Lodge last night. Some sledders punched a hole through the woods a few days ago into another bay. Found an isolated group of ice fishermen there. Since finding the trail they have been coming into town and are slowly finding out about the lake. Some new outdoorsmen are always welcome in the Lodge and they tip good. That is what Mindy and Mandy told me!

Well busy day ahead. Need to find someway of getting some snow to main street for the snow thrower races and then have to clean it up for the seed races. We just about have enough beer cans for the can jumping contest, after tonight at the lodge we should be there. Will be chain sawing ice this afternoon for sculptures and fishing contest starts tonight. From Lake Iwanttobethere see you here
« Last Edit: January 01/11/08, 10:45:45 AM by Bobby Bass »
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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I can swing a case of Busch and a bottle of Jack! :tequila;
  That might be enough to get you into a Lodge's card game  :toast:
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline McGurk

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I've been tuning the carb on my old 10hp snowthrower, and finally have it running relatively smooth.  That tecumseh carb was really giving me trouble, so I found a rebuilt to throw on.  Also installed a governor override cable and lever to really get the thing to move, and put some studded tires on it.  I think I'll lock the axle so I've gotbetter straight line movement but I really haven't heard what the course is like.  The drift cutters have now been given a fresh edge, and I even mounted a larger cup holder to hold a .750 bottle of the Turkey.  The recent trip to Brainerd also produced a little race fuel to mix in, might have to do a test run first; Bring your ear plugs. I just hope I can keep up with it.
Good Luck! McGurk

"I'm not talkin' 'bout pleasure boatin' or day sailin'. I'm talkin' 'bout workin' for a livin'. I'm talkin' 'bout sharkin'!"

Offline Bobby Bass

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Hunterdown, please contact Reed the Realtor for more information. I think he can hook you up. Other then the odor and seeping red from the ground in the fall it is a fine place. Even has a big wooded dock that no one fishes off of. I am sure that you can still find glass that size for the windows and the rats should almost have all the grain cleaned up by now. Did I hear you say you like pigeons?
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Just received my wedding gift for taking part in Hammer Hank and Tess's wedding this past summer. I had forgotten all about it as I had received a card inside a beer mug with a promise of a gift to come. Today it arrived in a securely wrapped brown paper package. Not knowing what it was and thinking that Elmer might have had one of them there dolls shipped to my cabin again I took it to the garage to open. Cutting away the wrapping paper I found  a wood box with a survival tool inside.  Engraved with my name on it and stamped Lake Iwanttobethere, patient pending.

A stainless steel tool with a multitude of knifes and screwdrivers and other protruding objects. At the bottom of the box was a folded guide and information sheet. Pulling it from the box it open up like one of the wallet holding picture thingies. All the way to the garage floor it unfolded. It had writing and illustrations on both sides. A reinforced belt holder with a quick release was also included. A order form for replacement instructions and CD was also included. A coupon for ten dollars off on a  tool suspender for extra security.   Holding the  "tool" in my hand I started going over the instructions. I had already tried to open the knife and had made no headway. Being old like and getting wiser every day I have learned that in the quiet of my own garage and with no one looking I can read instructions.  Fifteen minutes later I had the blade open and twenty minutes later I had it closed. My attention was then turned to the "new line cutter for braided lines" this is something I might even use. I was deep in thought when Elmer came in holding his "Tool" " How do you open this dang thing" he said. With a non  chalance I flicked open the knife blade and held it out for him to see.. " Read the directions, did ya?" He said. I just nodded. Elmer pulled up a stool to the work bench and we both looked at the directions. Me working on the scissors and he on the retractable tooth pick. After another half hour we had success, only 38 more tools to master. From Lake Iwanttobethere
« Last Edit: January 01/11/08, 02:29:21 PM by Bobby Bass »
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Tami

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As i stand outside Burtha's Beauty Shoppe, i am at awl looking into the window. The walls are all done up in a pink flower pattern that goes from the old stain wooden floor to the tin lined ceiling. That is painted in a light mint green, along with the trim. The counters match the trim. Everything you can think of is scattered along those counters, brushes, combs, spray water bottles, Aqua Net hair spray, boxes of hair dye from black to blond scattered everywhere. See through aprons hung from the hooks on the wall, waiting to be fitted on the next person to get their hair done. The huge pink hair dryers attached to the chairs, are all silent right now, the shoppe isn't opened yet. The old wooden radio that gets one channel sits on the front counter, along with the cash register that doesn't work right.  A sample basket sits there with what ever is brought in from who ever turn it is for doing the baking for that day. The pink waiting chairs all 4 of them line the one wall as a small table with fake hands on a stand sits on it. Showing the nails of the week pattern for those who want fake nails. The bottles of nail polishes line the edge in all sorts of colors. Blue, green, pink, reds to brown to silvers and even a gold. Kind of fancy for these parts of the woods i think. Magazines line each table, nothing new though, i think the latest was from 6 month ago.
I just stand there looking in my nose pressed to the glass, just wondering if someday i too can have a shop like this one.

I turn hearing foot steps, its big Burtha. They call her that , well.. because shes a big lady and not many in those parts want to mess with Big Burtha.You can't miss her, she wears very red lipstick, her cheeks are always full of red blush and she wears blue eye shadow from her lids to her brows and smells of fresh baked cookies. I heard once she got mad at Randy and he ran for his VW and locked the doors , well she  just bent over and lifted that VW off the front tires and let it drop, losing the front bumper along the way.. She isn't one to mess with. I mean no one has seen her Husband Barney.. no not the dog... in years, the last time i seen him, he was very thin and pale, but he had blue hair.. I am sure that was Burtha's doing since she had a thing for blue back then.
They say when Big Burtha goes a fishing, the fish jump right out of the water, i guess to get out of her way. But let me tell you she sure can split them logs for sure.
I seem it with my own eyes once, it was site for sure, and one handed too.
No wonder why Mark the mailman, gets out as fast as he can from the shoppe when dropping off Burthas mail.. I think the delivery guy is scared to go in there, let alone the ups guy too.

Well its time to go to work, Burthas is unlocking the doors and here come Hanks wife Tess for her hair done

Stay warm and safe
Put another log on the fire
From me to you at Lake Iwanttobethere
the hurrier I go, the behinder I get
Best place for Bait.....Babes Bait... Babe's is locally known as “the best little bait shop in Ely”. Tackle and Fresh Bait

Offline Bobby Bass

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I over heard someone say that you can't buy Hamms Beer, the beer of choice at the Lake, here are places in MN that you can :toast:

Austin  -  Beer Depot

Bemidji  -  Newby's Market

Bowlus  -  The Long Time Saloon

Brooklyn Center  -  Brooklyn Center Liquors

Bowstring  -  Riley's Bar (Formerly  Cannibal Junction)

Columbia Heights  -  Top Value Liquor

Deer River  -  Wagon Wheel

Edina  -  France 44 Liquor

Eveleth  -  Roosevelt Bar

Fairmont  -  The Ranch

Hastings  -  VFW  -  Bust A Nut  -  American Legion  -  Bierstube

Hayfield  -  Frontier Lounge

Hibbing  -  Checcos Tavern

Le Sueur  -  Scoop's Liquor

Mapleview  -  Mapleview Lounge & Bottle Shop

Maplewood  -  Sid's Discount Liquor

Marine On St. Croix  -  Brookside Bar & Grill

Minneapolis  -  MGM Liquor  -  Palmer's Bar  -  Lee's Liquor Lounge

NE Minneapolis  -  Psycho Suzie's

New Brighton  -  Liquor Barrel

North St. Paul  -  Neumann's Bar

Oakdale  -  Top Hat Liquors  -   Bierstube

Saint Paul  -  Costello's Bar & Grill  -  Turf Club  -  Beerbelly's  -  MGM Liquor  Morelli's Liquors  -  Cherokee Sirloin Room  -  Obb's Sports Bar & Grill,             

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse

Shakopee  -  Crossroads Liquors - MGM Liquor - South Side Liquors

St. James  -  Municipal  Liquor Store

Tower  -  Good Old Days

Waltham  -  Cheer's Bar

Lodge at Lake Iwanttobethere
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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Snow fell overnight here at the lake. We were trucking snow in from McDonnell's farm to spread along the course on Main Street when flakes started to float down. A few more loads were deposited and we decide to wait it out at the Lodge. Parking lot half full at the Lodge and we walked into a noisy main room. Our regulars were there and also a lot of residents. More then a few visitors were drinking Hamms and admiring the walls of the Lodge with there now straight fish mounts and pictures. Main fireplace was aglow and the wood box was overflowing with wood brought in by members. Chuck and Elmer were trading shots of Wild Turkey at the bar and McGurk and Duckslayer were deep into a cribbage game at the table by the deck door. Tess was shoveling out popcorn from the old machine as soon as she could flip the hopper. Bud and Barney were working the floor getting pats and ears rubbed. Grace was in front of the fireplace taking up space and licking a chuck of ice from the sculptures that were cut early in the evening down at the access.

Nytelyter was pinned in the corner and the way he had his hands spread he must have been talking about his walleye. Empty pitchers of beer stacked on the table next to him. Mindy and Mandy were working in there October feast costumes under the beaming glare of several tourists. Mugs of beer acted as bumpers for them as they served the tables in the main room. Reed the Realtor with a customer was at the end of the bar, showing pictures and a going through  a yellow folder. Hank and Skinny headed for the bar and I went behind it to pour a round of Hamms and asked Gus about Reed. Gus told me someone was looking at the old grain mill.  I nodded and thought back to some of the stories. I soon found myself helping out Gus at the bar and when we got everyone caught up Gus headed back to the kitchen and started sending out orders of hot wings and bowls of chili. As soon as the food hit the main room it quieted.

This morning we are back at the Lodge and the snow thrower track has been set up, Access is half full as a lot of fishermen are out on the ice for the contest and the luge is busy with a toboggan going down every few minutes. Even from here I can hear the jingle of the bell over at the Masterbaiters bait shop as the door is open and closed. Down at the access the smell of min-donuts drifts up as the first few batches are hitting the hot oil. It all has the look of  a good day here at the winter carnival. From Lake Iwanttobethere  (263)
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Bobby Bass

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  • Karma: +8/-28
Taking a lunch break here during the Ice Carnival. snow thrower races went off smoothly. We had just enough new snow to go along with what we hauled in to fill in the area where the track was set up. McGurk and his 10hp took top honors and I was in the running till I threw a track on one of the pies that we picked up from McDonnell's farm. Some people were unlucky and were in the fallout area from the throwers. The area has now been cleared and Hank is putting down water for the seed races to be held later this evening. I was having lunch when Reed the Realtor came in for his chili. He was in good spirits as he said he had someone interested in the old  grain mill. He told me how he went through his meek and in fear salesmen routine and the guy took the key ring and has not brought them back yet. Always a good sign.

Fishing has been slow this morning out on the ice but the luge has been getting a lot of attention. I saw Shannon and her little girl go down followed by her husband and there dog  Jack. Town is quiet with everyone out on the ice or down at the access enjoying all the food vendors and skating. McDonnell has his sleigh here and has been making the loop around the park. We expect with the overcast skies that fishing will pickup later this evening. From the Lake...
« Last Edit: January 01/12/08, 10:37:37 PM by Bobby Bass »
Bobby Bass


Bud and now Barney working the trail again in front of me.

It is not how many years you live, it is how you lived your years!

Offline Tami

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As i was locking the doors and cleaning up the beauty shoppe , i noticed that the trail cam wasn't working. Now for all you folks out here who don't know much what goes on inside a beauty shop, i will fill you in and something. Us girls always keeps our eyes on our men around these parts. We hand the men  lists to tackle each day and nothing gets done, we all think that the men hurry over to the lodge and sit around talking about their lists drinking beer. So one day Big Burtha came back from another town a ways away from here, i mean one couldnt buy what she bought unnoticed ya know?. Well she opened the box it was a camera, not one of them small ones, this one was for looking at deer and critters outside. Well of course we all flocked around Big Burtha wondering what she was going to do with this new device.
A few days later, Bug Burtha got me to go out dressed in all black and put it up into a tree, with the lens towards the front of the lodge. This way we can keep track on the goings on there.
Here inside the beauty shoppe while we are fixing hair, getting things done to us we can watch on that small tv over there what goes on.
Now at first they were all going in and out.. some falling over face first after coming out of there. Once we all saw another get carried out and but in the old boat as if he was fishing or something.
I wonder what he thought once he woke up?
Anyways so now i see the cam it isn't working.. I better go out there and see if something happened to the trail cam.

I been thinking for a few weeks that the men might know its there, because no one goes in or out the front door anymore.

Well i better get the rest of the hair swept up and get out there and see whats the matter

stay warm and safe
put another log on the fire
from me to you from Lake Iwanttobethere
the hurrier I go, the behinder I get
Best place for Bait.....Babes Bait... Babe's is locally known as “the best little bait shop in Ely”. Tackle and Fresh Bait