The summer solstice had arrived. A day I’ve come to celebrate when possible by heading to a place to camp and take in the sunrise and sunset trying to enjoy the entire day outdoors enjoying the most sunlight of any day of the year. It can be a bit challenging with sunrise at 5:30am and sunset lasting until 9pm. This year it occurred on Father’s Day as well so I started out the morning traveling to see my dad for breakfast not being able to see the sun rise as clouds covered the skies. Just before lunch I said goodbye to my father wishing him one last Happy Fathers Day and continued my journey to Northern Wisconsin where I would meet up with an old college friend for a few days of camping at Lost Lake. A place we had met a few times before and were beginning to get very familiar with. Arriving in the late afternoon, rain was falling. According to my friend, it had begun to fall 45 minutes earlier. It would last throughout most of the night hiding the setting sun. We cooked our evening meal under the cover of umbrella and moved indoors to eat. This was the first time I could remember that clouds covered the sky during both the sunrise and sunset for the summer solstice. Certainly a unique year but I still enjoyed this solstice.
Getting up the next morning rain was falling periodically but slowing down. Once I could no longer her drops hitting the trees above I decided to venture outside to the water soaked landscape. The wind was blowing quite strongly now and continued that way throughout much of the day. This seemed like a good day to explore more of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest by car. We needed a few supplies also so found a store to get our items. Along the way there was an ice cream shop which looked very appetizing. With so many flavors to choose from it took extra time before deciding on the perfect one to sit and enjoy. This also seemed like a great opportunity to explore the National Forest Visitor’s Center to learn more about the area we were in. Mid afternoon had quickly moved upon us as we began to work our way back to Lost Lake. Along the way there was a State Natural Area which we decided to explore some. This was a tree filled area blocking much of the wind making it more comfortable as we wandered around ferns and fallen logs to see what plants may be growing here. We found mint, irises in peak bloom, and birch covered in beautiful mosses and lichens typical of a northern forest. Before wandering too far and getting lost we headed back towards the car making our way to the lake and cabin to begin a campfire and our evening meal. I couldn’t believe how quickly the day went for this first day of summer. Not that it felt anything like summer with temperatures in the 50’s F with strong winds blowing out of the north requiring sweatshirts and jackets.
The next morning was met with calmer winds and colder temperatures. Thankfully I had brought a heater with expecting some cold which kept the cabin at a more comfortable sleeping temperature. Opening the door I was hit by a cold blast as I entered the forested campground. Quickly a cup of hot tea was brewed to help take some of this chill out of the air. With less wind I decided to try a little fishing with some success but not enough to make a meal out of. Soon I returned to the cabin to cook a warm meal. This needed to be eaten quickly as the cold swiftly stole any heat. With a full stomach we began driving the gravel roads of this National Forest in search of a place out of the increasing wind to try our luck at fishing. There was some luck but nothing extremely exciting. After awhile I modified my fishing line and attached my GoPro camera to it. The water was pretty clear so I decided to see how tossing a camera in the water would work. This became quite fun flinging the little action camera out into the lake and bringing it back. Unfortunately the video really wasn’t very good or interesting but it was fun to try. Having had our fill of fishing we headed back to our shelter to begin a campfire and cook a stew over the open flame. As darkness began to arrive, a sliver of sun shown through the clouds. I grabbed the camera in hopes of a beautiful sunset but all I could capture was trickle of pinks near the horizon which reflected beautifully in the water.
On our last morning at Lost Lake, I got up for the sunrise knowing the clouds were beginning to break up overnight and went to the shore to enjoy the calm water. There was alight fog floating over the water making this a beautiful beginning to this day. As I gazed over the lake I watched and Eagle hovering and soaring to the waters surface looking to snag its first meal of the day. Soon after an Osprey smashed into the water quickly retreating with its morning meal. Life was returning as the sun continued it’s steady journey across the sky. I wandered along the shoreline taking in the early morning landscape with the fog covered water and irises in bloom before heading back to our cabin to grab a pole and get in a few more casts. Again I had a little success but then had to pack up as it would be along day of driving. Before exiting the National Forest I decided to make a quick stop at a wildlife viewing location to discover this small, secluded pond created by an earthen dam built over a small creek. It was a beautiful spot that I’ll have to come back to if I ever return to this area again. Back on the road I continued towards busier roads signaling my return home. It wasn’t the camping experience I was hoping for but I did enjoy the time to catch up on some rest and spend a little time out in nature.
