Livin on A Prayer
- Bridget
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to 2025! Here we are starting another season at Tall Pines. Ahhh...we are so glad to be here! Here's a recap of our last month:
Here we are in International Falls trying a new hotel out- Americinn by Wyndham (another option we highly recommend as they had a nice breakfast/pool/hottub/better rate over the phone) where 4 deer greeted us.
Amongst a rather stressful month of preparation, we were praying- and felt like we were half way there... and finally reached Canada on April 19th. We took that unparalleled deep breath- "We'll make it I swear"- once we began driving through Fort Frances.
I posted a short video of the drive on the 105 home stretch- traces of snow skirted the edges off the road, water flowing at Wabigoon, but most of the lakes were still very frozen. We arrived at Tall Pines to more snow and slush. Some areas of camp were completely walkable while some snow drifts were 3-4 feet high in certain areas. We were thankful to have great local friends plow us out to the camp gate so we didn't have to park at the highway. A little 4 whell drive got us in the rest of the way!
We put on our snow boots and took a walk around camp while also having our celebratory "we're here" drink on the dock platform that first day.
What a glorious sound sitting there- stillness! I didn't realize how much sound I had tuned out back in Illinois. You get used to the traffic and highway noise and sounds of neighbors and planes and the garbage truck. And your mind eventually attempts to tuck it away and tune it out, and that takes a toll after awhile.
But sitting there, in that absence of sound, was mesmerizing. For this short window- before the birds come, before you hear the waterfall and waves on shore, before you hear the prrr of those boat motors and float planes above- it is utterly quiet out there. Without the mind having to tune out noise, it creates space for other ideas. One can truly clear their mind by de-cluttering all that sound. And so it was, in that moment of mind clarity, we took that exhalation. The exhalation that was the punctuation on the "Why do we do this"
We aren't the only ones who were out in this stillness. One fox took a leisurely walk on the ice:
And this otter managed to find a way to do an ice-skatin scoot dance across the ice that had us laughing:
And other creatures we caught glimpses of over the next few weeks:
Ryan took advantage of ice-fishing a couple times with his buddy Dave:
It is these weeks that things come together. Not only the opening of cabins, turning on the water, firing up all the mechanical toys around here, and setting out new supplies. But also internally. Emotionally, all the effort of ordering, creating, planning, and building during the off season comes to fruition and we see our visions coming to life.
The gift shop is now open with some fun new items for sale this year- who doesn't want a doggie bandana or a walleye pullover!
Here's some pics of project days/supply runs, new 50HP Yamaha boats, and a glimpse of openin-er up:
huge dock renovation:
Eagle's Nest got a new kitchen countertop/faucet while cabin 3 got a new tub/toilet, and cabin 5 got new cabinets and countertop:
We made a new hangout bar/work area in the fishhouse and cleaned it up a a bit:
Some quiet moments to savor:
And quite the polar opposites-
It was 88 degrees last Wednesday, literally swimsuit weather enjoying the new dock for a few hours (and a great day for a dip :) )
And then snowing in the 30s three days later for the walleye opening day!
"Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Earl used to work on the docks
He's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough"
We do have some mixed emotions though. We are so excited to start another season, but we were saddened that Earl would not be a part of it. If you did not know, Earl had some recent health issues that he had to make the difficult decision to not open the season. A lot of us have been praying for Earl- fortunately he is under doctor care and he feels much improved with medications. With that and all our continued prayers, he and we are all optimistic he will return next season.
God works in mysterious ways; we were living on a prayer- not knowing what the season would look like without our Earl. And God heard us. I truly believe it was a prayer answered as He brought us Colin to fill the need as the dockhand/camp operations staff for most of the season. Colin, who is also from Newfoundland, has been integral already in the behind the scenes stuff, and he has much experience in fishing camps in Canada and Alaska. He is also an experienced fishing guide! So we'll be putting that to use, and he will be offering some guiding on a first come first serve basis (inquire with Bridget to find out more). We hope you will give him a warm welcome as he is eager to serve you.
In just the first couple days, we've had guests catching lots of walleye, northern, and smallmouth. Here's a teaser at some great walleye fish pics coming in the first few days. Many more to share the next blog:
And equally exciting is that the border crossing was same ole same ole. Our opener week guests said it was overall smooth, not long lines, and nothing different. So hopefully that eases some of your minds if you had been worried.
We do still have openings for 2025 - a couple in July, and several in August and September- (you can see availability on our website homepage link) as well as a waitlist going for 2026 dates.
An email to booked guests (group leaders) went out on May 1st. If you did not receive that, please reach out so I can get that to you.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.