The Big Blowdown II
Straight-line winds gusting up to 65 mph and 45° temperatures greeted staff and guests on Monday, September 28th. What was predicted as very strong westerly winds was all that and a bunch more. Massive pine trees were being whipped around like rage dolls and snapped like twigs all across the resort and state park. As many as twenty or more trees, some over 80 years old were blown over in what felt like hurricane strength wind gusts. Rental units, bridges, hiking/ski trails, power lines and even a few cars were damaged in this storm. Luckily nobody was injured, but some of the chainsaw clearing crew narrowing avoided getting hit by tree tops. The power went out on 8:30 am on 9/28 and was not restored at Cascade until 11:00am on 9/29. We were without telephone service to 2 days.
Guests staying in the main lodge made the most of the situation by gathering around the fireplace sharing stories and conversing by the fire and candle light. Cabin guests stoked up their fireplaces and reported they were nice and toasty after they threw that extra blanket on. Up until a few days ago the North Shore was basking in summer-like 60 and 70 degree sunny skies for the whole month of September. I think this is Mother Nature’s way of telling us that she’s still in full control. Cleanup will be a long, tedious process especially along the hiking and ski trails. We like to try and find a silver lining in any bad situation. Here there are two: 1). Cabin 7 now has an excellent lake view thanks to the toppling of a very mature, 80-year-old pine tree. 2). We now have like a two year supply of firewood!