Bonaparte Lake-Journeying close to home

Sometimes the very best journeys are in your own back yard. And this is how today’s journey began.

I woke up early as usual and was faced with a boatload of house work to do. I dug in as usual but found myself getting more and more irritated. Here it is, almost the end of summer and we both have had precious little time for fun this summer. So I did what every red blooded, hot blooded woman would do. I called it! We need to spend some fun time together before you leave for hunting and I return to work. I suggested we either take the canoe to Long Lake or take the Aluminum boat to Bonaparte Lake and just relax for the afternoon. I was met with…shall we say “resistance?” I took a deep breath because the day before I had suggested taking the Arima motor boat out on Curlew Lake and was completely shut down. Now friends…….you know how these things go. There are days and there are times that try your very soul. So I simply pitched one heck of a foot stomping fit. Now, this was not a hissy fit. He hasn’t seen one of those yet and if Sparky is lucky, he never will, but really?? Really?? One afternoon away from cooking, cleaning, working in the yard, the garden, paying bills, etc. You all know the drill. I don’t care how much much you love’em. Sometimes you just have to get their attention!  So when I finally looked outside this is what I saw.

He really is a good man and guess who had more fun than I did today?

Got the boat loaded.

Unloading the boat at Bonaparte Lake

Bonaparte Lake is this little gem of a lake about 27 miles from our house. Tucked off the highway 7 miles down a dirt road. There is a beautiful Forest Service Campground and the private Bonaparte Lake Resort featuring small housekeeping cabins and a restaurant where fabulous meals are turned out every day! Their slow smoked Prime Rib is more than worth the drive!

The boat launch in the Forest Service campground. Is this not just the most beautiful thing you have seen today?

Finally out on the water. Peace, quiet, serenity. A couple of canoes and a couple of kayaks.  Sparky and I with an electric trolling motor. No noise!

And so we set out on this day to make sure life is still good.

This smaller basin lake. No deeper than 100 feet. Surrounded by soaring mountains.

And rugged boulder outcroppings.

We took fishing poles not really intending to fish but because we were on a lake and in a boat so fishing is part of it!

You all can tell by the way I am holding this rod that fishing is not in my blood, right?

The sky above Bonaparte Lake was a bright  deep blue and filled with marshmallow cotton ball clouds.

No matter where we looked, we were blessed with sights few people see. Like this Loon and her chick. Her haunting call echoing down the lake.

Bonaparte Lake has a sort of hour glass shape and you have to pass through a narrow shallow channel that connects the two. Makes for some interesting minutes as I hung over the bow checking the depth so as not to lose the propeller. Not more than 3 feet deep here.

Folks camping in the National Forest Campground waved and we waved back. Relaxation is well under way!

Down the lake a piece is the Bonaparte Lake Resort. Anyone here familiar with “Ollie Hoppnagel’s Haven of Bliss?” I truly think this was the prototype! People who camp here absolutely love this place and what is not to love? Every kids idea of the perfect summer vacation. Plus, it is a fisherman’s paradise!

Watching these 2 American Bald Eagles ride the thermals above the lake and then DIVE straight down into the lake to catch fish was an incredible experience! See them there? Dead center, perched in the tree top!

Then it was time to head to shore. Refreshed. Revitalized and again re-emerging  with a greater appreciation of what is important in life. Spending time with loved ones is valuable. Spending quality time with someone you love is invaluable. At times it is necessary to pull back. Reassess, and if needed, to even pitch a fit to re connect! Today was a wonderful, much needed time for Sparky and I to spend together. There are no regrets here and now we have made even more memories to last a lifetime!

And so my friends, wherever your journey leads you today, I hope you take the time to not only be together but to truly live life to the fullest together! Just take look at our featured image of Sparky. See that smile? Yep…today was a good day!

Hugs and much love from me.

Karen, TJG

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