Ernest Hemingway loved Islands in the Stream. So do I.  He wrote a book with that name, but it was a modest little book. He actually did not want to publish it and it was published after he died.

But I also love islets in the stream. Those are the little islands in lakes and rivers of the Canadian shield.

Just past Kenora and highway 71 that runs south towards Sioux Narrows we saw our first of many little islet. Many lakes have them including of course n Lake of the Woods and Lake Superior.  This one was on Dixie Lake. This is quintessential North Woods scenery that we are frankly fortunate to see. It is a real blessing. Such scenes of small rocky islands exude the Canadian Shield like sacred breath, providing the myst to our souls. Sadly, some of the best little islets escaped the reach of my camera. It is often difficult to stop beside the road with its narrow shoulders. I vow to return to those I missed.  Next time I pledge. Sadly, the next time I usually miss them. But I am grateful for those whose images I could capture with my camera.

This was a fine little islet, though a bit on the scraggly side. I didn’t mind that. After all, less is more. I really was not able coax it to yield a great photo. The  light was too dull this afternoon.  Or perhaps more likely, I was too dull or in too much of a hurry. But, as I frequently say, ‘You gotta dance with the girl you brung.’

Later I realized I should have walked east rather than west from the rest area. There was a much better islet there, but sadly, as I saw as I was speeding past it, I felt it was time to move on. Next time. This is an emotion I felt often on the trip. Should I stop and go back and grab a photo or persist in moving on. I consider myself a meanderer so should always be able to stop. Sometimes it is best to continue. But sometimes it is best to go back for a second look. Meandering is always good. The only way to travel.

I love islets. To me they speak the modest language of Canada. They seem to arise from the depths of the lake and I never get enough of them.