Back To Rain And Overcast Skies

A Lazy Lake Afternoon

It's 8:15 and finally, a couple of sleepy heads are up,  I have been up since 5:30, alas, and kayaked for forty-five minutes on a slate gray lake. This morning is sad making as all but two of our grandsons are flying home today. They leave for the airport at 12:30 and Evie and I will be driving them to Buffalo.  

Kayaking On A Gray Morning

Bald Eagle

Blue Heron Morning

Yesterday was a classic Chautauqua Lake day, with blue skies and lake, occasional breeze except for the humidity. And like the classic day, it poured, thundered, and lightning, just as we were finishing our dinner outside. The morning, however, began as usual, with my kayaking, returning to a house where the gang slowly came down for coffee.  Breakfast was 'go for yourself', as everyone had different ideas as to what they wanted.  We finally decided on what to do.  

Panama Rocks

Seven of the family drove off to Panama Rocks, a great place for a short hike around these amazing rock formations.  A couple went off to work out and then do some shopping while Evie and I stayed home and tidied up the kitchen and house and started prepping some for our dinner of teriyaki steak and twice-baked potatoes.  Evie also decided to make her yeast-raised sticky buns because of multiple requests from our grandchildren.

Selfie

Girls On The Rocks

When everyone returned home, they were excited for lunch because we were having Slovenian sausages from Azman's in Euclid, Ohio.  They are the best, better than Italian or Polish sausages and we devoured them, with chips and a beer for me.  The rest of the afternoon was spent on the dock, sunbathing, swimming, or playing on the float.  

Cousins

Docking It

Tom and a few took the boat over to Bemus Point around 3:00 to do some shopping and were back in time for the games, bean bag of course, and appetizers at Tyler's request, Hankie Pankies, a family favorite.  We enjoyed multiple cocktails, the appetizers and games until 7:00 when it was time to think about dinner.  

Evie had the twice-baked potatoes made, the steak marinating in teriyaki, so Tom and I grilled six pounds of thinly slice Delmonico steak, Jill and Beth made a salad and boiled the corn.  We were lucky to eat outside but as we were finished, enjoying another glass of wine, the sky was darkening and we could hear thunder.  So I went out and covered the boat and the rest cleared the table and went inside.

Pouring Rain At 8:26

 The kids, however, decided they wanted ice cream cones or shakes so they drove down to Mayville, to Boxcar Barney's, just as the storm hit.  They, fortunately, were able to get their shakes and come back safely.  The rest of us had pie and ice cream for dessert and we sat in the living room talking until 10:30.  The kids were in the TV room, having rented a new film called Black Spider.