With the foggy conditions we were experiencing in the first part of this past week we were treated to some beautiful winter scenery. The trees were coated with a frosty white, which made everything look like one of those winter scenes on a Christmas card. Taking time to step back and enjoy the scenery is not always easy, especially with the hectic lifestyles some of us lead these days. It seems like the economy and our fast-paced society has definitely influenced the way we approach our leisure time and the days of planning a week-long summer vacation have pretty much all but disappeared for a lot of us.

The old-summer “up north” vacation has been all but fallen by the wayside. I can remember when planning for a summer vacation was already in the works as soon as February. Vacation planning was one thing that helped make the long winter days go by fast. Just the anticipation alone was like a mini-vacation in itself. Where should we go this year? Should we try a new lake or maybe go back to one of the old standbys? Picking the perfect week was crucial. I’d check the “Blue Book” that a local Itasca County bait shop published every year. It listed all the fish that were entered in their contest each year by species, date caught, lake, and weight. This was always a useful tool in determining a fishing trip. Sadly the book went away when the owner sold the business. I still look through those old issues now and again just to see if there’s a lake that I’d like to try.

Realistically, the fact that those fish were probably not there anymore didn’t matter. There are many variables that can affect the fishing but weather has the most effect. By using that Blue Book as a guide you could usually be there pretty close to the ideal time. All the variables didn’t really matter to me because in my mind I had the perfect week picked and all I had to do was wait for that magic day to arrive. Now in all reality I think that I enjoyed the anticipation and preparation for that family vacation almost as much as the event itself. This was the week that you waited and planned all winter for and when it arrived it seemed like the week was over before you knew it.

After watching Chevy Chase play Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” I have to begin to wonder if I didn’t act a just a little bit like him at times and was maybe a little too obsessed with the whole thing. I do sometimes wonder if the kids were really as excited about going as me. I can remember many nights before “the” vacation getting the camper ready and running into problems.

I’ll never forget the time when I was preparing for the big trip and the jack broke on the pickup camper just as I went to crank it up. Now I’m sure I had a few conversations with it but when the handle came off the jack and bonked me on the forehead the boy’s laughter didn’t help ease the pain. I’d usually be stressed out and all lathered up by the time everything was ready to go. Once we were set I’d get a couple hours of sleep while the family bunked down in the camper. I’d be on the road early in the morning with the family fast asleep in the back.

On one of those trips while passing through a construction zone north of Faribault the truck started jerking and I had to pull over in a one-lane traffic zone. When I went back to check things out I noticed that the tire on my boat trailer was gone and the rim had been gnawed down to about the same size as the hub and it was flat on the bottom from dragging. Nothing to do but leave the boat and drive for help. I had to go quite a ways north because the next exit was closed for construction. When I finally found a truck stop it was like something out of the “Twilight Zone” where nobody had a clue. I finally found a phone book and called a wrecker from Faribault. This is where my luck turned because the people from the family-owned service station were really helpful and had us back on the road as soon as possible.

Even with a few small inconveniences we always had a good time once we were at the campground and set up. As the kids grew older the camper seemed to grow a little smaller each year. That along with the fact that a person can always find something new to add to the list of camping necessities. When each day was done everyone enjoyed relaxing and sitting around the campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and making smores. That was a treat the kids really looked forward to.

Looking back at it, the little challenges that occurred were always worth it in the end. Taking a camping vacation is a great way to spend a lot of time with the family that you maybe don’t get a chance to do on a regular basis.

DNR considering five new muskie waters

In response to growing interest in muskellunge fishing, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering the stocking of muskie in five new waters starting in the fall of 2011.

Proposed for muskie management are Roosevelt Lake in Cass and Crow Wing counties; Upper South Long Lake and Lower South Long Lake in Crow Wing County; Tetonka Lake in Le Sueur County; and the Sauk River Chain in Stearns County. “All of these waters meet or exceed the biological and physical criteria for muskie management,” said Dirk Peterson, DNR acting fisheries chief. “All five proposals are consistent with our management approach. Also they have been selected in part because of their geographic location. These lakes represent a strategic approach to provide muskie fishing where opportunity is limited.”

The announcement of the five waters under consideration marks the beginning of a lengthy process to determine if the lakes will eventually become muskie waters. The DNR will post information on the proposed stocking at boat landings at the five lakes this spring, conduct public input meetings this summer and fall, and accept public comments until early next winter. If the DNR decides to move forward with the proposals, stocking would start in 2011. It would be 12 to 15 years after that before the fish reach 48-inches, the minimum size at which a muskie can be kept.

“Our process will be very transparent,” said Peterson, who noted the agency recognizes the muskie’s mystique appeals to a certain segment of anglers and generates the opposite reaction in others.

The proposal will be discussed at the upcoming DNR stakeholder roundtable and later by a citizen advisory committee that is focusing on northern pike and muskie management.

Currently, muskies are found in 116 Minnesota water bodies. Of these, 64 are waters that have been stocked by the DNR.

For local fishermen interested in muskie fishing, the Southern Crossroads Chapter 54 of Muskies Inc. holds its meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. They have informative speakers, updates, raffle and door prizes. Plus good conversation about what and where it is working. Visitors interested in muskie fishing are always welcome. Check it out, bring a friend and help improve muskie fishing in Southern Minnesota. Go to our Web site www.michapter54.com.

Until next time, use caution on the ice and always take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the coming year.