Tower

 

  Each season has different expectations and will determine what we do with our guests. More people are taking advantage of our offer to come stay with us in our guesthouse, the Shêdeau. The Shêdeau is only 137 feet away from the main house which is good if our guests need a cup of sugar, but it's self-contained enough that they never have to see us unless they want to.

  Each visit comes with an invitation for pizza in the big house. Sometimes two. We tell our guests about the points of interest in the area: the state park to the east, the stores and walking trails in Roseau town 15 miles to the north, or they can just hang out in the Shêdeau and read that book they've been meaning to read (Wi-Fi comes dropping slow there).

  The season will determine the activities during a visit. By June we know what kind of mosquito infestation we'll have. In a dry year it's not a problem. This year was bad for bugs in June and July and we cautioned potential guests. May, June, July, August, and September are the prime months for enjoying the porch and the new hammock. Rainfall will determine if there'll be the sound of the river over the rocks or not. There's a canoe and a kayak for the adventurous.

  October and November are good for walking in the woods. The river freezes in November, and once the snow falls the snowshoes come out. They stay out through December, January, February and early March. Late March and April are good times to leave this country to escape the mud and the wet. But some years April brings early plum and apple blossoms and the farmers are in the field in early May. There is no predicting. 

  September is my favorite month. I expect a long spell of perfect weather in September and we have had many fine days this September, but the rain resumed and there was cloud and humidity. Last Friday dawned clear and mild with a pleasant breeze. Our guests were willing to drive forty minutes south with us to the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge. 

  There's a drive through the marsh and a remoter place from civilization is hard to imagine. Tall reeds  lined the road and a flock of pelicans floated across the blue sky. We parked at the Maakstad Trailhead and took a hike through the woods of a long-departed pioneer. Pieces of tin and crockery are all that's left of his homestead.

  At the refuge office we got the key to the 100' lookout tower. The gentle breeze was more intense as we ascended. The view of the marshes and sparkling pools was worth the climb. Back on the ground, we detoured to Middle River to fuel up. There was a farmers market in the gazebo and we bought some of the delicacies of the harvest. We well understand why our visitors like to get out of town and explore the nooks and crannies of the boondocks. 

Worth the climb