Sunny And In The 80's Day #2

Hiking Chautauqua Gorge

Gorging It At Chautauqua Creek

6:26

Another mostly cloudless sunrise over Long Point, bright enough to drive me inside to my couch.  I know what it's like now in Bemus when the late afternoon sun forces restaurants and homes to pull their shades because of its brightness.  Tom and I are the only ones up; he's working on some work related documents on his Mac as I sit here, writing my blog, listening to MSNBC talk about how Trump is blowing up his candidacy.  If only people have long memories come November.  I fear not.

Marisa And Marlena Wading Among The Rocks

Granny And Her Girls

The Adults

Evie and I started yesterday morning, after our coffees of course by getting things ready for an excursion to the Chautauqua Gorge, a must whenever family visits.  It's about a half hour drive from our home and we usually spend a couple of hours hiking the Chautauqua creek, swimming and then having lunch.  So as the gang was getting up, Evie was making peanut butter and jelly and/or honey sandwiches, putting together other snacks like crackers and cheese, to satisfy the variety of tastes of our grandchildren.  She packed up backpacks with food, water and towels, and after a breakfast of bagels or omelets, we were off as we hoped, just before 10:00, a miracle.  I was afraid the Gorge creek would be so low that we would not be able to enjoy it but there was still a heavy flow of water at various low points and the swimming hole, at the bottom of Hannum Road was still deep and cold, cold, cold.  So cold that only Evie and I and Nick and Marlena dared to jump in.  Once we walked down the trail to the creek, we left our backpacks on the rocks and went exploring the creek, walking up and back, jumping from stone to stone, sometimes wading through water, always aware of the slippery rocks.  No falls this time fortunately as everyone was careful.

The Reluctant Marlena

The Hearty

Zeus Pondering Life

Mitch brought his drone and was able to fly it when the creek opened up enough for him to fly it without hitting the trees or sides of the Gorge.  And he was able to fly it up and down the creek, at a height of about 10-15 feet which was neat.  About 12:30, all were back at the swimming hole, and we had our lunch, sitting on the rocks, looking for a sunny area.

Unfortunately, a young couple, hiking the creek, sat down by the swimming hole and started to rigorously make out, showing no embarrassment at the gawking of our kids.  Ah youth, their cluelessness and lack of civility.  After lunch, we hiked up the trail, back to our cars, stopped at Tops to get groceries for dinner, and Tom and the kids stopped at Boxcar Barney's for an ice cream cone.

Enjoying A Flight At The Ellicottville Brewing Company

We were home just about 1:00, so we did have the rest of the day to enjoy the water.  It was hot but not uncomfortable so we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, lazing about on our floats, coming into the cool house for a respite from the heat.  Nick gathered some of the drying weeds for me, a daily chore it seems.  And around 4:30, Tom and family took the boat over to Bemus Point to do some shopping and have a flight of beers at the new Ellicottville Brewing Company.

Mitchell's Watermelon Salad

They were back around 6:00, so we took a last dip in the lake and came in to get dinner ready.  Evie had par boiled the chicken thighs, so all I had to do was coat them with barbecue sauce and brown them on the grill while she poured the noodles in chicken broth and steamed the corn, shucked by the girls.  Mitch made a salad he loves composed of watermelon, basil, feta cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  And Evie made a small salad, topped with beets, Tommy's favorite.  Dinner was great, the corn at its peak, and everyone loved Mitch's salad.

Barbecued Chicken Dinner For Nine

We then spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the house, as no one seemed to want to go out and play bean bag or have a fire except Tommy and Evie kayaked at dusk.  We were all seemingly tired from our stroll along the Gorge.  Evie and I did watch some of the evening news programs which seemed strange since we have not been able to watch much of the past few weeks.  Not much has changed as Trump continues to dominate the news with one faux pas after another.

It's now just 9:00 and Tommy and I paddled over to Tom's Point and back, close to an hour of kayaking.  I am sure our shoulders will be sore tomorrow.  A few are up, a couple are still sleeping, the lucky dogs.

Drone Photo Of Tom's Point and Long Point

Sunny And In The Eighties Day #1

Marisa...Poise And Balance

Mom's At Rest

5:31 - Photo by Mitch

6:24

Woke at 5:00, went back to sleep until 6:15, came downstairs, turned on the coffee, went outside with my camera to catch the sunrise and since then I have been ensconced on my couch, listening first to MSNBC, but soon got tired of its non stop talk of mostly Trump and politics, and turned on NPR which realizes there are other things happening in the world beside the elections.

Yesterday it only stayed in the high 70's but it was still sticky out.  It was, however, a lovely morning, so Evie and I took a nice kayak paddle over to Long Point and back to Wells Bay and home before most of the grandchildren were up.  We then took a refreshing, wake up and get busy swim and came into a full house of family, enjoying bagels or cereal, knowing they were promised pancakes for lunch.  Tom and Mary went off to the gym for a workout, Evie began a day of washing and drying clothes, and I did a few odd jobs around, waiting for the girls to get ready to swim.  We were out on the dock by 11:00, and for the rest of the day, we alternated between the dock and house, depending on our moods.

Family

Granny And Her Crew

Nick Up Close

When Tom and Mary got home, we took Marlena out in the boat and pulled her on a tube around the lake, looking for the waves to give her a good bump.  She loved it, wanted to go in circles, so she could get a maximum ride.  What a kid.  When we came in the boys went off to the gym to workout, as the rest of us had lunch, Tommy, Beth and me, leftover koftes with tomato sauce, the girls their promised pancakes, though they, with the help of Evie, made them.  Once fortified with lunch, all of us went out to enjoy the afternoon sun, floating around on our various floats, sucking up the rays, occasionally playing with the kids.  Marisa had gotten out my wind surfing board, so she and Marlena spent the afternoon doing tricks on it.  It's amazing to see how kids can find ways to amuse themselves.  Since we were going out to dinner, there was no prepping for Evie, so she was able to stay out with the girls and enjoy the afternoon.

South End Of Lake And Chadakoin River: Photo by Mitch, From His Drone

Around 4:00, Mitch, Tom and I drove off to Jamestown, to McCrea Park, the only access in Jamestown to the Chadakoin River, and Mitch flew his drone, getting pictures of the south end of the lake and Jamestown.  It's amazing how adept Mitch is at flying it, at how clear the photos are of the lake and Jamestown.

Mom And Nick

Mom And Mitch

KC Sibs

Cuzzuzs

Buds

When we got home, everyone was getting ready for our boat ride to the Viking Club, the second in a week, because everyone wanted either a Reuben or Cuban sandwich.  So we boarded the party boat and raced over to the Viking, afraid they might run out of sandwiches (they did about 15 minutes after we ordered). The first thing we did was order sandwiches and drinks, then find a nice table outside in the shade with a view of the lake through the ancient willows.  And we ran into a number of people we knew, Ron and Linda, Dana and Barb, all here to enjoy the evening on the lake.  We ordered six sandwiches, three Reubens and three Cubans, with extra pickles and it was just enough even for the hungry boys.  We then went outside in the dying light and the kids and adults had fun playing on the Viking Club playgrounds.

Playground Gang

Baba And Grands

The Girls

Nick At His Best

Bob And Texas Gal

Big Wheel Mitch

Around 8:30, we took a slow ride home, hoping for a great sunset but it was hidden behind a vast cloud, so we had to satisfied with a orange sky.  The rest of the evening was spent in the TV room for some of us watching the final rose on the bachelorette, but the boys and I sat in the living room, on our various devices until it was time to  go to bed.

Clouds At Sunset

Today we hope to be up and at 'em, off to the Chautauqua Gorge by 10:00 for a hike and lunch, but home in time to enjoy the afternoon, boating and on the dock.  Fat chance.

A Morning In Grays

Mom And Son

Siblings

Cousins

Boating With Beth And Tom

6:13

6:42

It was just after 6:00 when I looked at my new watch, got up, came down and turned on the coffee walked outside in wet shoes to take a photo of the fog rising on the lake, and finally walked out the back door and got our paper.  And, then, my morning began with my computer, Morning Joe and a cup of coffee.  It's 64º, still quite humid, with a slight possibility of rain later but it should be a decent day at the lake, the high only 78º.

Yesterday morning was sad making as we bid adieu to Jill and family as they had to get back to life as usual, work and the beginning of school sports for the girls.  It's hard to believe that it's August, school is not far away for many kids.  I remember the good old days, the days of civilized life, when school did not start for students or teachers until after Labor Day.  Now, often because of football playoffs, schools start in mid August, practices at the beginning of August, and teachers have meaningless meetings and workshops, often a week long or more.  Now you can see why I loved being a retired teacher, have great empathy for my colleagues who are already gearing up for the start of the year.

Mitch

Marlena

Tom

After Jill's family left, it was like a balloon had lost its air, at least for me and Evie, as our energy level dropped to a dangerous low.  Fortunately, I had the lake nearby, and a jump in it and a brief swim is a sure pick me up for both Evie and me.  Once everyone was up, we had a brief and easy breakfast of bagels or cereal and we decided to take the boat to the Chautauqua Institution.

Walking The Chautauqua Institute

It was a fine morning on the lake of blue skies and lake, and we took our time cruising there, the girls sitting in front on the fishing seats.  We easily docked the boat, to the amazement of the dock guys, who seemed to think I might amuse them with my attempt to dock.  They did not get a tip.  We walked up to the amphitheater and sat through the first part of the church service.  I felt right at home with all the white heads in the audience.

Music At Bestor Plaza

We then walked to Bestor Plaza, and the kids got sweet and frothy coffee drinks.  We sat around the fountain and listened to two students play their cellos, for the pleasure of the throngs. They were quite good, busters in the making, as they had an open cello case in front of them with lots of dollar bills.  We then walked down to the lakefront and got settled in our boat and cruised home, all hungry for an Evie breakfast.

Mitch Flipping Out

Arkansas Razorback And Texas Long Horn

When we got home, Evie got busy in the kitchen, the rest went upstairs and got the beds remade as Tom and Mary were moving in the front bedroom, so things had to be rearranged.  Breakfast was the usual for me, and everyone loved it, the bright orange organic eggs, the toast, the bacon and of course, home fries with onions.

Yum, Yum

We were now ready for the rest of the day.  We did get some things done in the afternoon besides swim and sun bathe.  The boys helped me gather the weeds, still somewhat wet and heavy, and take them up the hill.  Mitch flew his drone as the cloudy skies cleared up and bright blue skies and sun came out mid afternoon after a few thunderstorm scares.

Swimming In The Rain

Around 4:30, just as I thought the sky was clearing up, it clouded over just as the guys were going swimming.  It rained the proverbial 'cats and dogs' for about 20 minutes and the guys loved it, getting pelted by the heavy raindrops, the water machine gunned with the rain.  Within another half hour, the rain had stopped and the sky was blue again, fickle rain gods.

Late Afternoon Rainbow

Corn Huskers

Around 6:00, it was time to get dinner ready.  Evie had prepped the chicken cutlets earlier in the day, so she was able to get the chicken picata done in record time, with the help of the  girls.  Marisa and Marlena husked the corn, and Mary and Beth helped with the salad and getting the table set though while Evie was juggling the chicken, spinach, corn and rice.  It was a first for the family, chicken picata with lemon, capers, and vermouth and they loved it.  And the corn, local finally, was sweet and juicy, so we had a great dinner once again.  Tommy wondered why we were going to the Viking Club tonight when dinners here at the house were so good.

Gymnasts At The Ready

After dinner, we all went out in the front yard, to watch Mitch, then Tom, then Nick fly the drone all the way down to Bemus, taking photos of the south end of the lake and back.  Tom and Nick were quick to learn how to fly the drone, so there were no scares.  Afterwards, it was time for gymnastics, then bean bag wars, and I finally beat my son in the finals, with the help of Beth, a first for both of us. Evie then had the great idea of a fire, so Nick and I gathered the logs and kindling, and we spent the next hour outside, sitting around a blazing fire, making and eat smores, as Nick and Mitch screwed around with the fire, leaving their prongs in the fire till they were red hot, then thrusting them into the lake.  Boys!

End Of Day Camp Fire

We Miss You, Drew

Root Beer by Firelight

We finally went in around 10:00, sat around on our devices until 10:30 and most of us went up to bed.  I assume Mitch and Nick stayed up on their devices, then watched some TV before falling asleep.

Here is yesterday's poem from The Writer's Almanac.  Enjoy

Gratitude List

by Laura Foley

Praise be this morning for sleeping late,
the sandy sheets, the ocean air,
the midnight storm that blew its waters in.
Praise be the morning swim, mid-tide,
the clear sands underneath our feet,
the dogs who leap into the waves,
their fur, sticky with salt,
the ball we throw again and again.
Praise be the green tea with honey,
the bread we dip in finest olive oil,
the eggs we fry. Praise be the reeds,
gold and pink in the summer light,
the sand between our toes,
our swimsuits, flapping in the breeze.