Chilly Morning (Kayaking Cassadaga Lake, Visiting Lily Dale)

6:46

It's 7:30 and the clouds have just shrouded the sun, on a 48º morning here at the lake.  Perhaps the Farmer's Almanac knows what it's talking about when it has forecast an early and cold winter.  An empty lake, another picturesque sunrise earlier, and I just noticed, dah, how far south the sun has moved since the 21st of June.  It's now to the south of Long Point and before long, it will be December 21st, time to reverse it's course.

Yesterday was a busy day, not that we are usually a couple of laggards.  My day began with yoga, a small class, lots of work on the spine, many positions I don't particular like.  And I found out that even our teacher's back hurts after class at times, then gradually feels better as the day goes on.  I thought I was the only one with some discomfort after class.  I hurried home after yoga because we were taking our kayaks to Cassadaga Lake, about thirty five minutes from here, a lake we first cruised back in August of 2009.  I remember because it was one of my first blog posts.

Water Lilies at Cassadaga Lake

Enjoying A Scone on Porch of Cup of Joe's

Lily Dale

We had our boats in the water by 12:30 and kayaked the lake's circumference, taking about an hour and a half.  At times, there was a heavy wind, making it unpleasant and I have to say, other than the narrow channel, connecting the two larger areas, one filled with water lilies, the paddle was boring.  We had forgotten where Lily Day was located, so we ended up back where we started, went under the bridge over the road, and viola, there was Lily Dale.  We quietly pulled up our kayaks, at the park at the far end, and began to explore the grounds.  As I mentioned, we were there five years ago and it hasn't change.  It's an interesting contrast to the much wealthier Chautauqua Institution, like a poor relative.  The cottages and grounds are unkempt, few if any well cared gardens fronting the homes, more weeds, and uncut grass, with a couple of exceptions.  Most buildings are older, some need paint and fixing, others are neat, like the library.  We browsed, had a piece of pizza and a four fruit scone at Cup Of Joe's, a neat little coffee shop and bakery recommended by our daughter Beth.  We hit a couple of shops, and Evie ended up buying eight mood rings for the Treasure Chest, as the eight we previously bought are now gone.

A Black Cat Boating at Lily Dale

Washing Up

 We were home around 4:30, exhausted for some reason, perhaps the two days of kayaking did us in.  We relaxed, Evie on the dock, me on the couch until 6:00 when we both showered because we were fortunately, going for dinner at our neighbor's home, the Scholtz's at 6:30.  We usually get together with them after the summer's over, when our families have visited, and share summer stories.  We sat on their front porch, with jackets because it was cool, with Mary Anne, Marjorie's sister and Charlie T. a colleague of Ken's from Pittsburgh.  This is I think the third year in a row that we six have gotten together.  We had a great pasta with veggies and chicken in a cream sauce and short cake with fresh blue berries and cream for dessert.  It was a fun evening, lots of laughs about school superintendents or Headmasters, as we wondered how these jerks were ever hired.  A mystery.  We were home by 9:30, watched Jon Stewart's amazing rant on Ferguson, then went upstairs to bed.

Our Hosts, Marjorie and Ken Scholtz

Porch Sitting on Lake Chautauqua

We are both looking forward to spending the day at home, a venture only to yoga, perhaps a short bike ride for me.  Maybe not!