Lots Of Clouds, But No Rain

Cruising The Lake

I was up at an ungodly hour of 5:15 and tried to get back to sleep but couldn't, so I came downstairs in the dark, made the coffee and here I sit, an hour later, watching the heavily clouded sky lighten on a cool 60º morning.  I was out on the water before 7:00, a fun paddle despite the grays of the clouds and lake.

Kayak Morning

Morning Bass Fishermen

Cormorants Rising

Yesterday we were expecting a sunny day, without any rain.  We did not get rain but never really saw the sun as the gray, cloudy skies dominated the day.  It was a Sunday, a day to relax, which we did for the most part with a few exceptions.  Because we were having our niece's family over for dinner, Evie did have some prepping, making the marinade for the butterflied leg of lamb and getting a few other things ready.  We also made sure all the outdoor chairs and tables were clean since we have not really used them for a couple of weeks.  I also tried to save our tube but it was destroyed by an ant colony in the garage attic.  I cannot even remember how many tubes and rubber floats we have gone through over the years.  We are down to one floating island.  Late morning, as we were finishing up, there was a knock at the door and our neighbors grandchildren and friends, four of them, wondered if they might visit the Treasure Chest. 

Frankie And Claire

The girls have been here before, the boys hadn't.  So Evie invited them in and they quickly turned out all the treasure on to the floor and each chose a couple of treasures.  By the time they were finished, their Mom's stopped over to make sure they were not getting in the way.  Even one of the adults went home with a treasure, a bracelet.  Cool beans.

Sergio And Gage

We did have our usual big breakfast of eggs, bacon and bagels and enjoyed it on the front porch, hoping the sun might come out.  We took it easy the rest of the afternoon until our family arrived around 4:00.  We walked down the road to meet them and when the boys saw us, they took of running to meet us, a fun welcome.  The boys had one thing on their mind as they came in the house, the Treasure Chest.  So Evie got both out and they spent the next half hour going through it trying to decide what to take home.  They each were allowed three treasures. 

Dock Time With Dad

We then relaxed with some beers, the boys hoping for a boat ride.  We decided to have dinner first, so I fired up the barbecue and grilled the leg of lamb for about 36 minutes while Evie made the salad and boiled up the fresh corn.  And despite the gray skies, cooling temeperaures, we were able to eat outside.  Dinner was great, everything was eaten and we ended the meal with watermelon which the boys loved.

Dinner Al Fresco

We then bundled up because we knew it would be cool on the lake and went for a short cruise because it was actually too cold for the boys when heading into the wind.  So instead of going to Bemus, we went as far as Tom's Point, back to the campground and home, enough for the boys.  And James got to steer the boat for a bit, mostly in circles if he had his way. 

Captain James

Will At Ease

Boys always seem to want to drive.  When we returned home, Henry was falling asleep and the other two looked tired, so Jen and Robert packed up the gang and walked home to the campground through the woods.

Crusing In Our Fleeces

Henry The Great And His Mom

Evie and I then spent a half hour cleaning up the kitchen, then relaxed in the TV room watching Friday night's episode of Real Time With Bill Maher.  Two nights of his satire is almost too much despite lots of laughs.  We both were tired so we went up to bed early, again, around 10:15.  It was a good day with Jen, Robert and 'da boys' despite the lack of sun, swimming and dock time.  Maybe today will be different.