Opening The Camp

It has been a long winter.  Even longer in the Adirondacks. 

Due to our only slightly less that stellar play in the Rochester Curling Club playoffs, we just happened to have a few days unassigned, so we were off to the camp for the first time since November.

It's long before the most people arrive, so the peaceful place is even more peaceful.

The snow is melting rapidly with the warmer temperatures.
The brook can't stop babbling about spring.

The hemlocks hang on to the midnight rain.

And the Polar Poodle dashes through the snow.
Yes, Mom's dog, residing with us now, is really a Bichon Poo.
We're getting used to each other.
It's not so bad to have a Bitchin' Poo.

She'll guard your fabulous dock for you.

A little work is called for.
Many of the support posts are leaning,
and one has detached itself completely.
I need a Dock Doc.

But the immediate job is saving the swim ladder.

 Despite the fast running water.

Someone forgot to take it out,
and while it survived the winter without incident,
high water and additional drag from clinging weeds
threatens dislocation or fracture.

Note the safety restraint.  If it goes, I hope it doesn't rip the board off the dock.

Mission accomplished without losing any parts into the swiftly flowing water,
and the ladder is only slightly modified.

Glad to have made the save.  Now it's time to put the tools away.

But what's that in the water out to the west?

Can't be a log...it's not floating downstream.

Looks like it's swimming.

It has ears!

...and it's climbing out of the water onto the ice.

Not much question...

It's a bear!

And a big one!

 Thank goodness I got the ladder out before he climbed up on our dock.

(Click on full screen to see him turn and look back at us.)

All that guard duty and dashing and bear watching was hard work.
Good to have a nice warm woodstove to curl up next to.

And doze until the sun goes down
and the geese honk farewell.

Cinco De Mayo Loonacy at the Camp

The surest sign of spring...a burst pipe.

In honor of one of our members who could not attend.

And they laughed when I insisted that railing be detachable.

A whole lot easier than hauling 49 sheets of 1/2 inch drywall up the stairs

Demonstration of a technique from The Loonatic Guide to Construction Safety.

I want you to look just like me...

The manufacturer must have changed this pink stuff.  There was very limited itching.

Bud Light-Can-Man demonstrates another technique from the Guide.

"Fluff it, don't stuff it!"

A rare sighting of a Free-range Woodbutcher.

As usual, in the dark.

Amazing progress.

Continued amazement.

A guest appearance by one of our esteemed neighbors.

Looking across the water and through the trees.

Loons are often social animals.

And I bring you....FIRE !!!!

Spoke some evil, saw some evil, heard some evil.

Sparkling conversation!

Moon above and below the island.