The last weekend of summer?

So it's September and er.... winter? It's supposed to get down to seven degrees tonight and while I'm completely aware (aware enough anyways) that Winnipeg winters are a tad bit more frosty than a balmy seven degrees, summer has sure been booted out of the car window. Somewhere between Sioux Lookout, Ontario's northern lake region and Winnipeg, summer was oh so sadly lost. Long weekend plans took three fishing enthusiasts and one reading enthusiast to Sioux Lookout and on to Lake St. Joseph where we met up with family; Steve's cousin Ryan, his wife Shauna, and Steve and I made a rather long but spacious trip in our oversized Ford Expedition to visit Ryan's parents, Steve's aunt and uncle, Paul and Patti for the weekend. A few years ago Paul started an outpost fishing lodge 27 miles down Lake St. Joe in a beautiful, picture-perfect, wind-free spot in Ice House Bay; it was the first time all of us had made the trip (that includes his wife Patti), and it was well worth it! Friday night's drive to the Sioux wasn't nearly as long as Saturday morning's two and a half hour drive to the lake; okay, it was... but seemed much, much longer. However, as soon as the guys hit the lake... and the fish... it was alllll worth it. Steve was a fish magnet all weekend and actually got tired of having to reel in a fish on every cast. On Sunday afternoon, Aunt Patti, who never tires of fishing (self-confessed), admitted that she had to call it quits; she was actually bored after reeling 'em in by the dozens all day. So... the fishing was good, the weather was spectacular (30-ish all weekend) and my book was fantastic (and finished by day two). Catherine Gildiner's Too Close to the Falls was one of those I-don't-want-to-put-you-downers... and I couldn't really, because everyone was too busy fishing to talk to me. There was banter and lots of myfishisbiggerthanyours - but that never lasted too long because someone reeled in another fish within a few minutes of comparable size... and breadth. These walleye (I think that's what they were - there were only a few ugly slimers/PIKE) were fat. And yummy. We fried some up on Sunday night - the eating was also fabulous, as it always is when we visit Paul and Patti. Patti is the cookie monsters best friend - if we lived in a Muppets-Puppets world I guarantee that he would live in her house. We were sent home with some bags of cookies that are as empty as my mouth is full of brand new cookie-induced cavities... but oh well. An early adult Halloween. SO! We had an awesome weekend and are now back to... reality? I'm looking for a job and Steve is... looking for a job too. So the hunt is on. And since the weather seems to be going downhill from here, we are going to proceed on the unfinished purple paint eradication: our bathroom is still purple, as is the downstairs tv room. We picked out some swatches today for our bathroom and will hopefully have everything painted and de-purpled by next week. Here are some pics from the weekend - from a sun-loving, angler's paradise...

I couldn't really find a good map of the area, so this will have to do....

The cousins
On our way to FISH! (I fished too... but found my book more exciting ")


Steve and Uncle Paul
A gorgeous spot - pretty sweet cabin too!


The man at work

And play...


Sheikh Ryan joined us after spending too much time in the sun on day one. May fish be with you.