The Lake -- The End

Friday and Saturday, July 25-26.

Lazy morning Saturday, lunch, then Fernando was determined to go to Winter Bay one last time.  The five of us took off in the pontoon boat, and even though it was still a little cold, we enjoyed being in the water on our last day.  Being Saturday, Winter Bay was filling up with boats and people, but we managed to get there just in time to get a spot on the shore.

The cool afternoon was spent relaxing inside; I snuck a phone picture of Jake and Allie reading her Kindle together.

The clouds came in and there was way too much cloud cover that night to catch any sort of a sunset, so we packed what we could to get ready for our departure the next day...

Sunday morning, we got everything together and packed pretty quickly, but I had one more ritual I needed to do.  I walked down to the dock to say goodbye to my lake.

It was calm this morning, and I imagined myself grabbing the kayak and paddling along the shore as far as I could go. 

But, it was time to go home, so I took one last picture, said my goodbyes, and headed back up to the car.

Back to life,
Christine

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The Lake -- Day Six

Friday, July 24.

This week went by too fast.  Today's POD (plan of the day) for me was to go with Dad and Mom into Carthage to the Friday farmers market, so Mom could pick up a few things for her and Dad for the next week, and for me to purchase fresh eggs to bring home.

After the farmers market, we drove back through town and past Dad's old childhood home.  Dad and Mom thought it had changed drastically when they drove by it the week before, but we all think that they went down a different street, because the house still looks like it did several years ago.

Jake, Allie and Joseph spent the afternoon at the dock, enjoying the warmth of the sun because it was still cool.  Joseph had gotten a cold, and so had I, so I snapped a picture then napped in a chair in the sun.

Fernando had gone out in the Caddy fishing, and I was at the dock to greet him.

Fernando made a unilateral decision to go into Carthage to eat at Stefano's Pizza!  Tom and Bea (lake friends) told us to get the garlic knots--I could've eaten just those for dinner and been happy.  Yum!

I'm so glad the sun sets later in the evening during summer!  We were home in time.  *happy*

We had a fairly laid back week at the lake this year, especially without Danny and Thomas.  There was just one more day to enjoy before heading home.


Back to life,
Christine

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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

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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

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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

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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

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