The Lake -- Day Five

Thursday, July 24.

A beautiful breezy day greeted us today, and even though it had cooled off, we still found things to do on the lake.  Who wouldn't love sitting on that dock, even with a sweater, looking out on the lake??

Jake wanted to take Allie out in the kayaks, since she had never been.  They took lunch over to the gazebo and public beach (it's literally fifteen feet wide!) across the bay.

Meanwhile, Fernando, Joseph, and I went into town (Harrisville), and visited the park along the Oswegatchie River.  This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited!

With Fernando's help, I climbed this rock, then had him take my picture.  Looks like I'm a great rock climber, huh?  *grin*

Joseph posed for me, too, though he was a little antsy and just wanted to get back to the lake.

Three trees.

Back at the lake, we had spotted a nest of baby robins right next to the front porch!  I was finally able to capture a great shot of one of them--I think he was hungry!

After dinner, we drove into town--not Harrisville to the east, but Natural Bridge to the west--for our favorite dessert place.

After getting filled to the gills on ice cream, we headed back to the lake for evening.

The lake was calm, and the clouds drifted away, leaving just a few spots of color in the sky.  But the sinking sun shone forth its rays into the night sky.  All was peaceful and calm.


Back to life,
Christine

Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website

The Lake -- Day Four

Wednesday, July 22.

I wanted to go to the farmers market in Watertown with Mom this morning, so I drove with her in the Suburban, and even though we went in late we found a parking spot on the street right in front of the busy market!  I took my camera and shot a few from the hip.  Farmers markets are a fun place to bring a camera!

Back at the lake, Delbert (family friend) brought his log splitter to split new logs for Dad's firewood stack.

Allie's aunt left before Mom and I got back; I was upset that I wasn't able to say goodbye to her and her family.  We had a relaxing afternoon, though, and Fernando grilled ribs for dinner.

A cold front came through that evening, so no dock date with the sunset.  But, a day at the lake is better than a day anywhere else!!


Back to life,
Christine

Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website

The Lake -- Day Three

July 21.

Another beautiful day at the lake!  I snapped a few pictures around my parents' lake house before heading down to the dock.

Blue jay.

Mom's wind chimes.

The Jackson bears.

I set my camera aside at the dock so that I could chat with Judy (Allie's aunt) and play with little Sophia--we gathered stones and snails together, then lay them out on a little table to ooh and aah over our favorites.  She was such a cutie!

After lunch, we said our goodbye's to Allie's relatives and drove into Chaumont to visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie.  Allie took the opportunity to play beautiful music for us as we chatted on the porch.

Toward the end of the afternoon, my Aunt Bonnie sat down to play a bit, and Dad joined in with his harmonica.

We went to the Blue Heron for dinner, as is our tradition with Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie!

We made it home for another beautiful sunset, and I spent a peaceful evening down at the dock.

There was just enough clear sky to capture the sun sinking down before the clouds obscured it.  Such a beautiful reflection on the quiet lake, with the loon calling in the distance.


Back to life,
Christine

Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website

The Lake -- Day Two

Monday, July 20.

What better way to wake up on a Monday morning than to sit on the dock with a mug of tea!

The High Rocks (Palisades) rose up from the water in the distance across our bay.

Mom and I drove into Croghan to Eddie's Meat Market to get our meat for the week, so everyone else stayed behind, relaxed, then headed over to Winter Bay for an afternoon of swimming and Frisbee.  When Mom and I returned, Dad took us over to the bay in the Caddy--what a bumpy, spray-filled ride!!

When we pulled up, everyone was in the water enjoying themselves.  We beached the boat and joined them.

Joe looks for treasures from weekend bay-goers.

Jake and Allie swam toward deeper waters.

Of course, a Frisbee was brought out--because, Frisbee!

When it was time to leave, Dad took Jake and Allie back in the Caddy, so Allie could have her first experience in the old boat.  The rest of us returned in cousin Al's pontoon boat.

Later that day, Allie's aunt and family came to visit!  They rented a boathouse down the road and spent Monday and Tuesday night at the lake, then left for home (Catskills of New York) on Wednesday morning.

Allie and cousin Jade.

Judy (her husband and one daughter couldn't come because of work) and family loved our little piece of heaven, and the kids had lots of fun hanging out together.

Suppertime was crazy, but Fernando did all the grilling, Judy brought a salad and snapped green beans, Mom made a corn souffle, and we all ate heartily.

After-dinner games on the front porch.

Judy kindly helped my mom finish cleaning up after dinner so I could go down to the dock for sunset.  I'm so glad I was able to set up in time to see a beautiful sunset.

As the night goes on, minute by minute, each sunset changes, even when there are no clouds.  This evening's ritual was as beautiful as the previous night!

After the sunset, I carried my camera and tripod up to the house, where everyone was making s'mores (Judy and kids had retired for the night).  Yum!

Back to life,
Christine

Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website

The Lake -- Day One

July 19.

We arrived super late the night before (such a late start that morning!), so we all slept in a little and ended up enjoying a lazy Sunday at Lake Bonaparte--meaning, sitting on the dock swishing our feet in the water, a boat ride around the lake, reading in a beach chair, and simply breathing in the warm Adirondack air and relaxing.

Fernando and I drove up with Joseph, and Jake was able to get a week off work.  Jake's girlfriend Allie came with us, too!

Jake and Allie relaxed on the dock.

View from the dock--with a telephoto lens, of course!

On our afternoon pontoon boat ride around the lake, we sat back and enjoyed seeing the familiar sights, plus some new ones--new houses being built, or new docks put in.  Boating along at a slow pace is the way to go!  At one point, Joseph quietly piped up, "Bird."  No one paid attention, so he said it just a little bit more loudly, "Bird."  We looked around, and saw a loon.  Closer than one has ever been to the boat.  That was no mere bird!  I was able to take a few pictures; these are the best I've ever taken!

Look at its red eye!

Sisters Islands.

Here's what greeted us when we arrived back at the dock.  What a way to relax on a Sunday afternoon!

It was a hot day, so we ended up swimming off the end of the dock to cool off; it felt great.

Jake and Allie on Jackson Rock.

My nightly lake ritual of watching the sunset commenced with a beauty that would be one of the prettiest of the week.

Beautiful end to a warm, relaxing day.


Back to life,
Christine

Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website