Fifty-year-old mystery solved

A good friend, Doug Billings, sent me a link to a video the other day that sheds light on one of the eeriest things that I have ever experienced. It happened 50 years ago while I was walking one night from the old lodge, now Cabin 3, to my little log cabin. This was a relic from the gold rush that used to sit down near the water in front of where Cabin 8 is now located. There was no one in camp other than my Dad and me.
I was following the narrow footpath using my flashlight when this blood-curdling sound came from the other side of the narrows, actually right where we plan to build our new cabin this summer. It was a loud moan, a cry, a wail, a scream. It lasted for maybe 10 seconds, then after a pause, it started up again
I flew back to the lodge.
"Dad! Dad! There's a weird sound coming from across the narrows. Come quick!"
Dad had been about to get in bed but now he quickly pulled his boots back on.
"What do you think it is?" he asked.
"I don't know! I've never heard anything like it. It sounds like a woman, a woman screaming in pain!"
We both ran out to the point in front of Cabin 3. The sound immediately came shrieking from across the narrows, only this time from a spot farther to the south than where I first heard it.
"It's moving!" I exclaimed.
Again and again the sound came wailing out of the bush, probably 600 yards away. Whatever was making it was definitely heading toward Trout Bay. It was now climbing the mountain right across the narrowest part of the narrows.
I was shaking with fear as I listened to it, all the while trying to reason what it could be. It wasn't a moose, not a wolf, certainly not an owl. And it couldn't be human because who would climb a steep mountain in the dark, especially if he or she was in agony?
"What do you think it is?" I asked.
To my astonishment, Dad said, "I actually don't hear anything. Well, I've got to get to bed. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
A lifetime of loud noises without ear protection had ruined his hearing.
He went back inside.
I raced to my cabin, grabbing the axe as I went inside. I got into bed wearing all my clothes, including my boots. I wanted to be able to make a hasty exit if necessary. As I lay there trembling with my axe in hand, a Great Horned Owl landed on the roof and started hooting. I never did get to sleep.
Here is the link to the video.

As predicted, Red Lake ice-out was May 15

I talked to Brian at the camp today and he said ice-out was May 15, just as we figured way back in mid-April (see My System Predicting Red Lake's Ice-out).

May 9, 2019, Nolalu; It's like a bad joke

It just won't quit

Brenda's daffodils are now under two inches of snow

Great website shows ice-out status

Wow, check out this website that shows up-to-date aerial views of ice-out progress from Wabigoon Lake to Lake of the Woods.
Do a search for "Lake of the Woods Ice Patrol."

Wish we had this kind of look farther north to Red Lake.

Whitefish Lake clear of ice May 5, 2019

Yeah, baby! This is what we wanted to see!

Cork and I drove out to Whitefish Lake today expecting to see it covered in ice and instead saw this man launching his boat! The ice broke up a couple of days ago, he said.
Whitefish Lake is about 60 kms (35 miles) southwest of Thunder Bay.
In some Internet searching this morning I also found that Lake of the Woods is mostly clear of ice. Eagle Lake is starting to breakup too. The ice sheet is shifting and smashing.
The news isn't as rosy for Red Lake, 110 miles north of Eagle Lake. Melting has occurred right at the shoreline but it doesn't appear any shifting is going on. The high there today was expected to only be 3 C or just above melting. Warmer temps are coming but will remain below normal.

Now we get another inch of snow

Here in Nolalu today's snow adds to about three inches that had yet to melt from the six inches we got a few days ago. Red Lake also got an inch today but they escaped the earlier dump.
Temperatures are way below normal and are expected to stay that way for about a week. What does this mean for ice-out? It sets it back by at least a few days for Red Lake and maybe a week down here near Thunder Bay.
For Red Lake, I now expect ice-out to be back to May 15.