Before next week’s weather, it may be worth observing today’s. The birch and poplar are budding throughout the woods now, and the hills are steadily turning green. Inland, the season stands farther ahead. At our feet, wild strawberries have begun to bloom their small white flowers, which suggests a good year ahead if such matters may still be judged that way. On walks through the wooded hills north of Tofte, Miss Fjell and I came upon broad patches of spring beauties. In the wetter ground, marsh marigolds are showing gold among the dark water and cedar shadows. Even this dry spring has not managed to hold back the greening of the forest, nor the return of birds and bees, both of which seem to know their business without consulting a forecast.
The scene calls to mind Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s lines:
All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair—
The bees are stirring—birds are on the wing—
And Winter, slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!
As for the weather itself, the coming week appears likely to remain remarkably average and steady, with no rain expected, highs mostly in the 60s, and nighttime temperatures in the 40s. It may be the most ordinary week we have had since I stepped off the White Bus Line and began my residence in Grand Marais. Perhaps I risk losing readers by introducing a second philosopher into the same column, but Henry Sidgwick once asked, “Is it total or average happiness that we seek to make a maximum?” After the long winter just passed, I suspect average weather may suit most people perfectly well.
In local happenings, many readers have likely already heard of the five apprehensions involving those who evaded the border patrol at the bridge and entered the state illegally. The men reportedly stole a Maxwell automobile in Fort William and participated in a store robbery before abandoning the car on the Canadian side and crossing the Pigeon River. In more cheerful news, Grand Marais is organizing a ball team to play three games during the Fourth of July celebration. All ball players and interested persons are asked to meet at the village hall Friday evening. I expect to volunteer, though at present my qualifications appear stronger in observing wind direction than in striking a baseball.
NOTE: The opening photo is the old "Outlaw" bridge over the Pigeon River. It opened for use in 1917. It had no federal authorization from either the U.S.A or Canada. It was replaced with a steel truss bridge in 1934. In 1964, the border crossing moved to its present location.