Wintertime In Ely:  Winter closes in right after Thanksgiving.  The lakes go from liquid to sturdy ice within a week.  Then the snow starts:  Our usual snow fall is something over 100 inches.  Bill & I usually keep the lake and woods trails open because we walk daily.  Sam-dog literally turns circles when he sees us putting on our snowshoes.  A major winter joy here are all the birds.  We are one of the best birding spots in the area, particularly if you want to see the Evening Grossbeaks.  When I come down from the house in the early morning the air is filled with bird song and the Chickadees send out the call "Grubs on!"  

Springtime In Ely:  The ice is usually out by early May - but it is not terribly unusual for mid May canoes trips to be held up because the lakes aren't open yet.  As the snow softens cars often slide off roads so we keep tow ropes handy. Hearing the final hour of ice-out is enchanting:  the candled icesings like fair bells. Spring is a wonderful time here if a) you are willing to tolerate mud - we switch from mucklucks and packboots to knee high rubber barnboots- and b) love to walk.  Because all the grass is beaten down and there are no leaves to obstruct the view one can see the 'bones' of the land.  The Spring birds start in April, the trees look like easter egg trees with all their bright mating colors.  There is such joy in finding the first sprig of green, and soon the first blossem.  When the trees first leaf out the noice is horendous - we are used to the silence of winter and all those trees make a mighty roar in the spring winds.  

Fall In Ely: We are blessed with lots of maple trees right on the property here so it is an incredible sight.  Fall is Bill's and my favorite time to get out on a canoe trip - even if it might snow a bit days are usually warm.  The birds are flocking and their seasonal exchange goes on.