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We walk through the front door, the warmth envelops you, the golden varnish on the thick pine logs almost glows, three walls of windows allow for the viewing of the lake if seated on that side, and I head directly for a set of chairs and a table.
About the room’s interior is one family after another of snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, ice fishermen and day trippers, jackets hung over the back of respective chairs, helmets on the floor by massively insulated boots and you can’t help but feel the friendly vibe in this place.
There are the obligatory mounts on every wall, huge pike, nice bucks, two moose, opposite walls and over the fireplace that’s blazing away is a collection of fisher, pine marten, mink, a red fox and a coyote, rabbit pelts dangle here and there, one goofy looking stuffed squirrel.
And not too much after we sit, out comes a smiley- faced waitress, she’s almost bubbly, her uncle is seated next to me, menus get dropped on the table and he is swarmed in a hug from her. They talk and talk and hug some more, and then it hits her, she’s at work and she composes herself to become an excellent server.
Walleye fillet sandwiches all around the table, she pops in to check on us quite a bit more often than others, but uncle doesn’t get here too often, and on the way out the door, super Miss Cheerful, suddenly becomes teary-eyed. This time he grabs her, and we can all see why, he’s the favorite uncle.
- The Trout Whisperer
