Last Friday, July 29th, was the some-number (exact data has been lost to time) annual NPS Chrismoose Bash on Mott Island.
There was a relay race, a beautifully painted milk jug filled with champagne, an inflatable moose, live fiddle music and dancing, and some ridiculously delicious food - a huge, long table full of it. Nachos and corn and turkey, oh my! Dozens of NPS employees, family, and friends gathered outside on crowded picnic tables to talk, laugh, and eat their fill. The arrival of the thousands of mosquito troops, who are possibly trained to seek out Chrismoose celebrations, could not dampen the atmosphere.Unfortunately, due to my work schedule that day (and the arrival, on the Ranger III, of my adorable grandparents) I missed much of the festivities and don't have many photos, so I encourage all readers to seek out Mottites (and possibly a CD of Chrismoose photos that I hear is in the NRM office) for more stories and photos of epicness. I am sure there are many.
Meanwhile, actual moose have been suffering through this preposterous heat wave along with the rest of us (and, yes, I know, here on Isle Royale we have no right to complain, as visitors from Texas or Oklahoma tell me.) Unlike us, however, when they get fed up with the heat, instead of continuing to walk around in long wool pants they just march into a lake. (You have no idea how tempted I am to follow their lead on some of these hot days; I might start leading an interpretive program waist-deep in Tobin Harbor.) The above moose (a female sans calf) is chilling out in Hidden Lake, munching on some aquatic veggies and totally ignoring the two ducks who followed her around like less-cool younger siblings.
While most of our days lately have been shiny-hot and sunny (check out the Rock Harbor Lighthouse piercing that bright blue sky) we did have a spell of rain yesterday, which brought some much-loved cool air and breeze into the Snug. Naturally, after about an hour, the rain and breeze disappeared and a stifling hot mugginess settled over the harbor again, bringing with it much rejuvenated mosquitos.
It's August, now, though, and this is what we've got: hot blue sky, rain that leaves as suddenly as it arrives, full boats and teary departures (most of the Plumer family and many concessions employees left us today) - and, of course, wicked cool mushrooms.
Meanwhile, actual moose have been suffering through this preposterous heat wave along with the rest of us (and, yes, I know, here on Isle Royale we have no right to complain, as visitors from Texas or Oklahoma tell me.) Unlike us, however, when they get fed up with the heat, instead of continuing to walk around in long wool pants they just march into a lake. (You have no idea how tempted I am to follow their lead on some of these hot days; I might start leading an interpretive program waist-deep in Tobin Harbor.) The above moose (a female sans calf) is chilling out in Hidden Lake, munching on some aquatic veggies and totally ignoring the two ducks who followed her around like less-cool younger siblings.
While most of our days lately have been shiny-hot and sunny (check out the Rock Harbor Lighthouse piercing that bright blue sky) we did have a spell of rain yesterday, which brought some much-loved cool air and breeze into the Snug. Naturally, after about an hour, the rain and breeze disappeared and a stifling hot mugginess settled over the harbor again, bringing with it much rejuvenated mosquitos.
It's August, now, though, and this is what we've got: hot blue sky, rain that leaves as suddenly as it arrives, full boats and teary departures (most of the Plumer family and many concessions employees left us today) - and, of course, wicked cool mushrooms.
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