Summer in the sun

SHELL LAKE — Summer days in northwest Wisconsin can be a mixed bag. Some days, Mother Nature awakens in a grumpy mood, cold, damp and foggy. Sometimes she can even unleash lightning, thunder, wind, hail and thunderstorms.

On other occasions she awakens with a hot temper, and the thermometer soars. Toss in high humidity, and things can get uncomfortable fast.

Then there are the times, like last week, when old Mother Nature wakes up in a good mood, spreading sunshine in the morning to chase away the early traces of fog and warming to comfortable temperatures as the morning progresses.

Such days are perfect for planning an afternoon outing at the beach or in a tube floating down the river. One popular Washburn County destination on such days is Shell Lake beach, and last week, many gathered to sun on the sand and take a refreshing dip in the big lake.

Many floated on the gentle waves in boats. Teens gathered on the large raft while little folks played on the beach, building sand castles and exploring the shallow water in rubber tubes. Gulls flew overhead, and suntan lotion was applied. Nearby families roasted hot dogs and burgers for lunch.

It was one of those perfect days in the sun, the kind of warm, lazy afternoon that summertime in Washburn County is made for.