Sunset Cruise



The Skipper


We finally got a break from the incredibly hot & humid weather and an evening without too high a percentage of thunderstorms so the first mate and the skipper decided to dust off Silver Lining for a sunset cruise.

Just a few miles up the lake and then back to the dock.  We enjoyed the cool evening breeze and a bit of wine and cheese just to keep us on an even keel.

The Mate

There wasn't much wind so we opted for a leisurely trip via the iron jib. 

Every time we take a short trip like this, we ask ourselves, "Why don't we do this more?"

Could be that golf, fishing, house maintenance, trips to Todd, kayaking and so on get in the way - but we really do need to do this more. 

Maybe this fall.........

Jammin' with Paul

As some of you know, I took up the banjo again this Spring after many years of inactivity. 

In early July, Paul joined us in Todd and he and I got to jam a bit - a first for us together.  Although Paul had to do the leading, I had a lot of fun and we eventually started getting together on a few songs.

It has been some time since Paul and I had some low key time together and it was his birthday too.

A Three hour tour, a three hour tour .................



Elizabeth



Saturday the second of July was hot and it was Paul's birthday so after much deliberation, we decided to set aside the golf game and go on a three hour tube float down the New River in Todd. 

The New River in this area is slow, sedate and the prefect place to let your troubles wash away.  Rarely more than a few feet deep, our lazy river's riffles and runs are more likely to bump your bottom than to test your white water prowess.  So, armed with sunscreen, water and our sense of adventure; we 4 (Elizabeth, Paul, Mary and I)  began our adventure.

Elizabeth and Paul

Our friend Kelly at River Girl Fishing took us up the river to a launch point a mile or so above the high water bridge at Big Hill and River Roads.  Lesson one - placing one's posterior in a tube and plopping into the river is a chilling experience - the air was in the 80's but the water was considerably cooler.  Refreshing and eye opening, we were off!

Taming the roaring river!

Shortly into the journey, we lashed all 4 tubes together for safety and convenience and began figuring out how to navigate the raging torrent!  As you can see from the photo above, we were barely able to keep from being washed overboard.

Working Hard.

Mary was particularly stressed in keeping our vessel on course and had to regularly drag bottom to keep us on course.  Along our journey were a family of wood ducks, a great blue heron and numerous other attractions to calm the mind and soul.

Nearly 4 hours after our adventure began, we landed in Todd tired and famished.  A visit to Emily's bakery on the way home cured the hunger and a quiet evening on the deck eased the tired.

What a wonderful way to pass a lazy July afternoon.

Some time with Elizabeth

We hadn't seen Elizabeth in nearly 2 years so when her mother offered to meet us in Todd, we were overjoyed.

The hot July weekend was a perfect one for messing around in the creek in front of the farmhouse.  Elizabeth spent a lot of time checking out the river rock and selecting just the right ones for felting and for her personal collection.

Reading and games filled up the quiet times.  Mary and I can't get over how beautiful Elizabeth has become. She is tall and slim with just a hint of devilishness, smart as a whip and ready to jump into new adventures at a moments notice.

We can't let it be so long until we visit this precious child again!