Nine Holes of Golf

Peg and Rolland are with us for a few days. We haven't done much fishing yet, due to weather conditions. The one evening we were out resulted in more interesting bird sightings than anything else. Peg took this photo of two eagles who chose to grace the area we were fishing by joining each other in this dead tree. They sat there for the longest time making their fun clicking and chirping sounds.

Rolland got this photo of a Loon just before it dived. I think the image of the water and the bird is quite fascinating.

Yesterday, it was overcast all day and quite cool but with no serious threat of rain. So, we decided to play nine holes of golf, something Kathie and I had been wanting to do for awhile. Peg and Rolland hadn't played in several years. We all had such fun playing a variation of "best ball", laughing about not-such-great shots and cheering for the good ones we managed to get. I thought Kathie and Rolland showed really nice form in these two shots.

Kathie and I did this selfie using a regular camera, and even without being able to see what we were shooting, it turned out pretty well.

Then there is this demure look from my significantly better half.

Peg also showed good form on her shots.

Here is the foursome just after finishing our round of nine holes. By the way, the men beat the women by only two strokes.

We stopped for a few groceries on the way home and someone shrunk Rolland and Peg! I like the symbolism of the Honey Weiss Leinie's and the kiss.

Remember, "Leinie's! It's not just for breakfast anymore!" (That's a line from the very funny musical entitled "Guys on Ice." Click here for further information, and click here for one of the songs from the musical.)

Visitors and Guests

This time of year, turtles are moving around everywhere around the northern lakes. Snapping turtles and painted turtles are often seen attempting to cross a road, sometimes not successfully. We see them as well on or near our property. They are seeking sanding, gravelly spots in which to lay their eggs. This big gal (about 16" across) thought a shoulder of the road near the entrance to our area to be ideal for that purpose. Our kind-hearted neighbor later placed a protective marker over the spot to try to keep people from disturbing the nest. So far, no critters have found the eggs either, so maybe in 90 days or so, we'll see tiny snappers emerging and scrambling for the lake about 100 yards away.

My sister, the artist, is always looking for things to use in her creations. When she and Ron were here recently, we were asked to take her out on a drift wood hunting expedition. The boat ended up with a pile of pieces of all kinds that she took home. This past week, while visiting with friends who live nearby, I learned that taking wood from the lake is illegal since it is considered part of the lake habitat. So, sorry Paula, that will have to be the end of these hunts for us. Enjoy the pieces you have!

Then there are those of us who unintentionally take wood from the lake, at least temporarily. My first catch of this season was this swell piece. I thought Paula should see what she missed. Not the lunker I was hoping for.

Richard and Rina have been with us this past week for their annual visit to the cabin. For one of our first fishing excursions, we decided to travel to the far west side of the lake to fish for Northerns. This time of year they can be tempted by large minnows. Those we used were 6" to 8" suckers that can move around quite a bit below the big bobbers we used. Kathie and I had tried fishing this way a few years ago with little success, but the four of us had more luck this time. Rina caught the biggest one, which was probably about 30" and 7 pounds, although we didn't take the time to collect the actual measurements.

We fished over weedy lake bottom, and occasionally we caught salad along with the fish, as Richard did with this one. The water on the west side (mostly spring fed) is very clear compared to that on the east side of the lake (mostly tannin stained river sources).  So it is fun when you hook a fish to watch it deep in the water as it struggles to elude being landed.

We had lunch at Pat's Landing on Chief Lake (part of the Flowage), and the girls posed for me there.

On Sunday, we were all invited to visit friends Joe and Jan, who live on Moose Lake just north of us. Rina worked with Jan when everyone was then in Iowa City, so this is always a chance for some reminiscing. Joe and Jan had suggested a pleasant cruise on their pontoon boat, which was really fun for all of us. Kathie and I had not been out on Moose Lake except for one early canoeing experience, so it was nice to get a much better orientation to the lake and the geography of the area.

Richard tried a few casts of some Muskie lures. Each year we hope that during their visit we will finally succeed in catching one of these big fish, but unfortunately, that will continue to be a goal rather than an achievement. Acquiring some new lures is always necessary, and Richard seems to enjoy working his very nice rod and reel and seeing the different kinds of action each lure provides almost as much as he would enjoy actually catching a fish. One of these days I'll maybe be able to post a story about the first Muskie.

Turns out that Rina was the champion angler this year. In addition to the big Northern she caught early in the week, she also landed this big Channel Catfish. We often catch these fish early in the season, especially up near the river that enters the lake near our property. This one was probably four pounds and a really nice, fat fish. There was enough meat on it for all four of us to have a really tasty lunch.

Alas, they are heading home today. Kathie and I are lucky to have such good friends and to be able to recount so many memories and stories of our times together. We certainly added a few more this year.

Pink Unicorn

Thought I'd share the Pink Unicorn story with you. My granddaughter, Eleanor, has a favorite stuffed animal toy called Pink Unicorn. Several years ago, after visiting us at the lake, Eleanor accidentally left Pink Unicorn here with us. Before boxing the toy up and mailing it back, I took a number of photographs of Pink Unicorn having extra fun here at the lake with us. In a letter to Eleanor from Pink Unicorn, I included the pictures and explained all the fun that Pink Unicorn had during her extended stay. This letter accompanied Pink Unicorn back to Iowa City. Evidently, Eleanor enjoyed that first letter, because Pink Unicorn has been "accidentally" left behind two more times, most recently after this past Memorial Day weekend with us.

Here are some samples of how Pink Unicorn enjoys her separate vacations. She likes bicycle rides with Kermit the Frog.

Hanging out with Tighe while watching (guarding?) the bird feeders.

Playing with my electric trains can be fun.

Milk and cookies for an afternoon treat.

This year, Pink Unicorn insisted on taking a "selfie" of herself and Eleanor's grandpa.

After Pink Unicorn got back to Iowa City this year, Carrie shared this photograph of Eleanor reading Pink Unicorn's letter to her sister Penny. That's the kind of picture that can easily make an old grandpa's day!

Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

Well, our summer at the lake is off to a rousing start. Will's, Rob's, and Betsy's families all came to spend the time with us. Counting Kathie and me, that was eight adults, six grandchildren, and three dogs. We had a wonderful time, even with mostly rainy days. There was lots of coloring and picture making, including a giant birthday card for me that all six grandkids contributed to.

There was lots of use of the hot tub. We lowered the temperature for the kids, and we even managed to keep it mostly full of water, in spite of lots and lots of splashing and other nonsense.

The porch was a good place for the grandkids to eat. I guess Will thought some supervision was required, although it isn't clear that was needed.

Kathie volunteered to stay home alone with the grandkids one night, so that I could have a birthday dinner with my kids and their spouses at Chippewa Inn. We had a great time, and I understand the grandkids and Kathie did too. She played Blind Man's Bluff with them, which they thoroughly enjoyed, and fixed simple spaghetti and a vegetable that they ate without much fuss. I definitely owe her big time for all of this!

Prior to the mandatory s'mores event out at the fireplace, I got the big kids to pose for me on the deck. Nice, huh? Good looking bunch!

I consider s'mores to be a poor way to enjoy a Hershey's chocolate bar, but I'm always overruled. I guess the roasting of marshmallows, etc. adds to the festivity.

Got this group photo with a self-timed shot from my camera. That's a wonderful bunch of people!

Couldn't resist including this picture of Penny. I don't actually know who took this picture. It might have been Anders, who grabbed my camera at one point and began taking lots of extra shots. Is this a charming granddaughter or what?

Will has an extra part-time job building canoes with a friend. He brought two of them along, one of which is a Rob Roy. A Rob Roy, he tells me, is really a canoe with a covered hull, even though it has a strong resemblance to a kayak. Both were very lightweight. Anders took one out alone. At eight years of age and with all his mom and dad teach him to do, he has already become quite the skillful outdoors person--cycling, cross-country skiing, canoeing, etc.

Clara wanted to try the Rob Roy, and she did very well too.

Shortly before the last family headed home (Betsy's family), I got a little extra lap time with Frederick. Now they are all back at their respective homes, and I miss them. We are looking forward to other visitors this month though. So there will be more stories to tell.