A Brightening Morning Sky

6:53

7:25

7:26

8:30

I was up just before 7:00 and when I sent outside to take a morning photo, I was assaulted by the quacking of ducks, unhappy with their morning obviously and the distant screech of loons.  It's 43º, a changing sky, as the sun struggles to make its way through the clouds.  There's little wind, the lake wrinkled but not choppy, a good morning really for kayaking.  Maybe later.

Yesterday was a splendid Sunday, sunshine all day, with highs in the 50's, definitely a spring day to remember.  We broke out of our Sunday routine, a walk around the Chautauqua Institution, and drove the 17 miles to Barcelona Beach, on the shores of Lake Erie, taking the long way, on Hardscrabble Road, above the vineyards with a vista of the lake.

Chautauqua Creek

We parked in the parking lot at the intersection of RT 5 and the Chautauqua Creek and walked a quarter of a mile along the creek to Lake Erie, passing anglers hoping to catch trout.

Fly Fishing

Fishing At The Mouth Of Chautauqua Creek

Lake Erie was choppy and the beach was littered with tons of driftwood, a result of some violent storms over the past month or two.  Piles of snow, like small craters littered the shoreline, a foot or so high.  We walked from the creek down to Barcelona's breakwall and harbor, then back into the wind. It took us close to an hour and a half, as we took our time, looking for the perfect stone and just enjoying the sun, water, and beach.

Barcelona Beach

Staying Warm On Shores Of Lake Erie

Afterwards, we drove to Barcelona, to Jack's Drive In, for breakfast.  I had the potato pancake with sour cream and apple sauce and Evie had a couple of eggs with sausage.  We decided this is not our favorite place for breakfast, lacking the charm and warmth of let's say the Bemus Point Inn.  The eggs and potato pancake, however, were fine.

Bufflehead At Shore Line

We did not get home until 2:00, so a good part of the day was gone, not that it mattered.  We took it easy the rest of the afternoon.  I managed to get in a nap and Evie prepped dinner as well as watched some TV.  Around 4:30, I went out ide and cleaned up the yard of dead fall, again, and took it up the hill.  Then, I washed my car which had been the target of a number of crows, ugly birds.  We were able to enjoy some wine and appetizers before a good dinner of sauteed chicken breasts, Greek lemon potatoes, salad and roasted asparagus.  And like many, we were anxious to see the finale of BIG LITTLE LIES on HBO and it did not disappoint.  (SPOILER) What a perfect ending, with hints of what happened but they were enough to clear things up, that Perry, wife abuser, rapist of Jane and father of Ziggy, gets what he deserved.  I did like the final scene of the Mom's frolicking on the beach with their kids to the Rolling Stone's 'You Can't Always Get What You Want."  It's rare a series ends well but this one pulled it off, comparing to our favorite, the ending of THE KILLING.