Wildersmith on the Gunflint

Fred Smith

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Fred Smith
Fred Smith, a native Iowan re-located to the wilderness of border country at the end of the century, has been writing of happenings in the upper Gunflint territory for going on eight years, first with the local paper, and since December 2008 for WTIP North Shore Community Radio. Fred feels life in the woods is extraordinary, and finds reporting on it to both a reading and listening audience a pleasurable challenge. Since retirement as a high school athletic administrator from Ankeny High School, Ankeny Iowa in 1999, the pace of Fred's life has become less hectic but nevertheless, remains busy in new ways with many volunteer activities along the Trail. Listen at your convenience by subscribing to a podcast.


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What's On:
A thermometer that measures the heat index (Karen Montgomery/Flickr)

Wildersmith July 6

Fred Smith-

A week of month seven has slipped by along the Trail.


Canoe on Gunflint Lake (Maury Landsman/Flickr)

Wildersmith June 29

Fred Smith-

As the chapter on June is closing, we saw Mother Nature do a little muscle flexing during the past week.


 
"The second half of June has gotten off to a glorious wet start..."

Wildersmith June 22

Fred Smith-

The second half of June has gotten off to a glorious wet start. The upper Trail saw choking dust turn to mud with a fine drop from the heavens last Saturday night.


Hummingbird

Wildersmith June 15

Fred Smith-

“June is bustin’ out all over” as the old tune goes. It was never more evident than the past weekend as temperatures soared into the miserable category up the Trail.


 
"...the yard at Wildersmith is alive with the bluest blanket of forget-me-nots that have ever presented themselves..."

Wildersmith June 8

Fred Smith-

The faucet has been turned off by Mother Nature for several days. We are drying out along the Trail.


"The rain gauge at Wildersmith has collected nearly five inches of precip since the skies started opening up some 10 days ago."

Wildersmith June 1

Fred Smith-

A soaking of the Gunflint Trail continues as we have wrapped up May. I heard mention of starting to build an ark.


 
Black Bear

Wildersmith May 25

Fred Smith-

 A nice upset of atmospheric conditions occurred last Sunday up and along the Trail. Miracles will never cease, it rained, marvelous rain!


Daffodil

Wildersmith May 18

Fred Smith-

Spring has really sprung in the upper Gunflint territory! Since we last met over the waves of space, many more wilderness characters have popped out.


 
"Checking a couple examples along the Mile O Pine, I find that the new bud growth appears to be green and OK..."

Wildersmith May 11

Fred Smith-

The north woods have been quite gloomy most days since May took over.


"As we enter the month for blooming flowers and such, feelers for rain are still being extended to Mother Nature..."

Wildersmith May 4

Fred Smith-

It’s great to be back in the woods after a run southward to visit friends and family.