October Arboretum Date

I arrived home from the lake today at lunchtime.  My parents dropped me off at home, then went home themselves.  I wasn't hungry--for food, anyway.  I was intensely interested in the autumn colors in my own neck of the woods.  Fernando wanted alone time with me, so a half hour after I arrived home, I was in a car again, taking Thomas to tech school and stopping off for a walk at the Morton Arboretum.

The colors were just starting to turn in spots, so I knew I'd be visiting again and again with my camera.  For now, Fernando and I walked, talked, and enjoyed time together before heading back to life and reality.

Looking up toward the tops of the spruces.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Goodbye

Wednesday morning.  Time to say goodbye.

My personal ritual is to visit the lake one last time, just to drink in the view and store it in my memory.  My camera helps me with that, too--I usually take one or two pictures, say my goodbyes, and head back to the car for our leave-taking.

May I visit again.


Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Tuesday Pictures

Amidst the cleaning and winter preparations for my parents' cottage, I wandered down to the lake for a few daytime pictures.  It was a nice, bright day.

The Jackson docks and shoreline.

Here's my favorite sunset picture that night while my parents ran out to get pizza.

After the sun had set, a few ducks gathered in our bay.  Then, one by one or in groups or two or three, more and more ducks flew in for an evening soiree.  It was as if they knew I was there and they had come to say goodbye until next year.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- The Last Boat Ride

For Dad and Mom, the last boat ride usually happens in the Cadillac, the little old aluminum boat that used to belong to my grandfather (Dad's father).  The day was crystal clear, the water just a bit choppy, and everything looked good for a not-too-long ride.

We headed over and into Mud Lake, an arm off of the lake owned by the U.S. Army.  It's usually calmer back in here, and the colors were amazing.

This picture is my favorite.

Time to head back to the dock, and to take the boat out of the water for the winter.

Tom gives the boat and Dad a ride on the four-wheeler.

Time for sunset!

Sometimes, when the sunset isn't so spectacular, other scenes greet the eye--such as these clouds turning misty orange by the setting sun.  And every so often, a vertical sunset picture, such as this one, looks better!

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Sunday Group Pictures

After our boat ride, the next tradition was to take a group picture.  We took several this year, because some of us wanted a picture with the lake in the background, and cousin Tom and Mare wanted us to pose inside their house-under-construction.  We obliged everybody.

Al goofing off.

We got a pickup truck ride up to Tom's and Mare's property!

The group up at Tom's and Mare's place.

The group inside Tom's and Mare's new place.

Close of day, a cloudless sunset.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Sunday Boat Ride

The day after the cook-off, a boat ride-and-float tradition began at some point, and continued this year.  It was a little bit warmer (meaning it wasn't finger-frosted-forty like Saturday's cook-off temps.  It wasn't raining, that was the main thing, and a little breeze would not put us off.

I think the colors were at their peak today!

The other pontoon boat was catching up to us.

We floated around, both pontoon boats tethered together, behind Round Island, where the breeze was blocked and the water was calm.  Snacks and drinks and general conversation were the goal, and we all enjoyed a great time together.

Rich photobombed Dad and Mom.

When it was time to go, we untethered the boats, waved goodbye, and met back at the Jackson dock.

Al points the way.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Post Cook-Off Sunset

The cook-off ended, and it was time for me to head down to the dock and the lake and the sunset.

Sometimes the best sunset picture is a while after the sun sets, as the clouds turn brilliant purples and pinks.  Tonight, though, I think the best picture was just as the sun was setting, with the sky painted in a patchwork of  white clouds.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Cook-Off!

Saturday afternoon meant it was time for the Lake Bonaparte Columbus Day Cook-Off!!  Let the festivities begin!!

The pumpkin basket where we put our votes.

Tucker hanging out under the food table.

Bea and Terri.

I learned to take just a bit or two of each dish; otherwise, I'll end up stuffed after sampling the appetizers, then the main dishes, then the desserts.

Voting time for the main dishes.

My dessert entry:  salted caramel popcorn. 

My cousin Tom.

Tom announces the close of voting.

A baby!!

Terri and Rich are co-winners of the coveted apron and chef's hat.

All the winners!

Janet, Bea, Al, Aunt Bonnie, Tom, Rick, Terri, and Rich.

Back to life,
Christine

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