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 -- Saturday Boat Ride

Back from my Saturday morning walk yesterday, I relaxed for just a bit until one of my cousins came up and told me there was a boat ride that very minute.  No time to waste!  Dad, Mom and I trotted on down to the dock and onto the pontoon boat for a relaxing first autumn ride.

The lake was like glass that morning, and the colors were brilliant.  Even in the cold, it was the perfect boat ride.

Little Round Island, forlorn without its little house.

Someone spotted a loon with its winter colors, and Rick (our boat driver) angled for me to get a good shot--oh, for a decent telephoto lens!!

Mini suns reflected on the water.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Saturday Morning

A crisp, cold Saturday autumn morning at my lake seemed like the perfect time to take a walk down Hotel Road and Hermitage Road and see how long I could last in the 30-degree cold.

Standing at Hotel Road and Creekside Drive, looking toward Hermitage Road.

It would definitely be beautiful this morning, as far as color was concerned.  I heard a tap-tap-tap, and looked up to see a woodpecker in the tree below.  You'll have to look closely to see him as I didn't have my telephoto lens with me.  He's almost at the top of the main trunk, with a red head.

I stopped on Hotel Road right where it meets Hermitage Road (the main road out to Route 3), and looked up.  Oh, yes, the colors were beautiful!

Up Hermitage Road is a nature preserve--actually, the preserve covers a good sized space along Hermitage and Hotel Roads--and this morning it was still and peaceful, with a few pops of color.

 Crossing the old railroad tracks beyond the nature preserve.

Wildflower along the railroad tracks.

I lingered a while, then came back to the nature preserve, below.

As I made my way back to Hotel Road to turn and go back to my parents' cottage, I paused for this shot below.  It's the best one from my morning walk, with a variety of colors and trees, with the leaf-lined road curving to the right and to my parents' cottage.  I know the lake is there, just around that corner; that makes this particular photo that much more meaningful.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- First Day

I got to come up again!!  Since my parents came home for three weeks or so in September, they asked me to accompany them back up for their early October close-up-the-cottage trip to my beloved Lake Bonaparte.  Of course I could go!  I'm no longer homeschooling, football games weren't on the radar until the end of the month (photography client--I get to shoot a home game!!), and Fernando was home, trying to drum up business for his company.  He gave me the go-ahead, and so I'm here!!

The lake from our dock, looking left (generally south).

The lake from our dock, looking right (generally north).

So blue, so cold!  And so good to visit during autumn's peak color.  I can't wait to go out searching for colors.

My parents' lake home (lake is to my back).

I braved the cold to huddle on the dock with my coat and a blanket to capture this evening's sunset.  Summer sunsets can be plain and cloudless; there is usually more activity with the change of seasons, and even in winter.  I was hoping for a beautiful one tonight, and the Lord didn't disappoint, painting his sky with blues, whites, and oranges for me.

A good sunset can last 45-60 minutes, and this was a good one.  Fortunately, I prepped my parents so that they knew I may come in late to dinner if sunset conditions were optimal!  They understood, and let me do my thing--my dock date, as I call it.


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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