This is the stone picnic table in the lower yard of our house. It very accurately shows the amount of snow we have on the ground. As you can see, (look in lower right corner if you don't have your glasses on) and you can see we are almost at 24 inches. It is still coming down pretty steady. Casey tries to stay under the trees where the snow depth is less. Even there he could use some longer legs.
M.A.S.H. (Michigan Association of Swedish Hunters) will be setting up their tent this weekend in the wilds of Northern Michigan.
The surplus 16' by 32' army tent will be home for the Michigan deer season starting on November 15th. This has been a continuous camp for over 65 years. This means that we have a wonderful selection of stories and memories to pass on the younger generation. 
Of course with that history, we have all the special facilities available to the camp.
Now I have seen deer in the water but never swimming for this distance. He went entirely across the lake but still did not get out of the water. He started to exit the lake several times but it appeared that he did not like the mucky bottom. He swam along the edge of the entire east side of the lake until he came to the channel where he got out. All very unusual!
The maple trees are getting ready for winter. They need to rest so that they will be ready to provide the maple syrup we all enjoy. This woodlot has been in the Pullen family for over 100 years. Frankly, just looking you can tell that is being managed for the next 100 years. It makes you proud to have neighbors who really care about our earth.
Fall is always a special time. My Dad's funeral was on a day that seems to be the best of the colors each year. Some of the trees show off the brightest of colors like this maple east of our house. I enjoy walking in the woods with the ground carpeted with leaves of all colors.
After the Park closes on labor day, things quiet down. While the human visitors stop, the ducks and geese headed south make this a regular stop. The work is one thing that does not stop. Animals, birds and fish all need to be fed and cared for even though the Park is closed. My Mother used to say that "if you could put all the critters on a shelf and forget them until opening next spring, this would be a profitable business."
