How much are you missing this?

Don't be bashful.  Let me know.

Down, but not out.

I know where they got the idea for dippin' dots.

They're everywhere!

Even lounging around the back yard.

A few are enjoying a bit of fun on the tire swing.

A whole lot more have been in a
knock-down drag-out with me.

And every one is beautiful.
(Cue Ray Stevens)

Elevated aesthetic appreciation awaits.
No point in taking care of these until they're all down.
Who invented gutters?

My very healthy maples hang on well beyond most.
Great to see that they're doing so well,
and that they care enough about me to make sure
 I get plenty of exercise right up 'til Turkey Day.

Keuka Shutdown 2014

Just a smattering of pictures and notes for the interested few.

The weather report called for sunny and high 60's, so even though I'm fighting a bit of a cold, I made the trip to the cottage.  On the way, I grabbed some pink stuff (the proper name for antifreeze), a new light bulb, and a pair of channel locks, which are always handy when transitioning the intra-pipe substance from fluid to gas.

"Dude, shouldn't you be in Mexico by now?"

He flew off in that direction when I moved in for a closer shot.

The compressor gets hooked up at the pump house, forcing air to the boathouse and the cottage.  I empty the water heaters first, and then blow out the rest of the pipes.  3 checks on each faucet seems to assure empty pipes.

At the boat house, there are 3 drain plugs that also come out to assure no standing water.  Chaz knows where the plugs are.

I drained the pump head.  On this new pump, there are three drain plugs on the front, and one on the back.  The one on the back did not come off easily, so I left it in place.  If I'm back in the area, I may give it a second try, but it should not matter because there are two lights (one brand new!) heating the well insulated pump house.

I attempted to make sure I did not turn off the circuit to the heating lights this year.  Probably a good thing to keep the pump for more than one year.

The solarium looks inviting.
Had there been time to lounge,
use of the new cover might have been in order.

Pink stuff went into all the drains and the toilets, which are really just fancy drains.  Also, the washer gets its dose during a spin cycle.

The steady wind blew briskly from the southwest.
It was a good day for windsurfing,
but I'm not quite that daring.

I ran up and down the cousin-installed steps again and again, appreciating them more as time goes on.

Pipes empty (I hope), the refrigerators were emptied into coolers for later distribution.  No, I did not remember that the frozen burger patties were from the gathering prior to the wedding.  And I need a new rule:  "All mass market beer will be consumed first so that the leftovers are gustatory delights."

I wasn't quite sure what to do about the buoy.
I think I'll solicit Charley's input.
I tied the raft off to two different places since it is down far enough
that high water could float it away.

Papa Keith once told me that one person can take the dock out.
I verified the supposition, but have limited desire to repeat the experiment.
I wonder where that section-connecting nut went.

 The boat needs to be winterized so I will see if Captain Kirk Hallenbeck can handle that task.

Always beautiful, no matter what time of year.

Love those willows.

Can Ya Come Ta Kueka?

High above fair Keuka's waters,
Far above the lakeside dwellings,

Sits a place where cups are filled
In tasting rooms at Heron Hill.

I'll spare you the remainder of the Longfellowish trochees.  Just thought I'd share that Mary and I found ourselves comparing the quality of crackers at a couple of the wineries above the magic healing waters of Keuka Lake.  A fine way to spend a crisp autumn day.  Or any day.

The views are always wonderful,
and the air is always intoxicating.
One must be careful not to breathe too much at the wineries
lest travel to the next one become ill-advised.

Dr. Frank Winery hides near the top of the hill.
I believe they provide the best crackers on the lake.

Deceivingly slim,
Whitecapped Keuka is almost a mile wide at this point.

The bluff rises in the distance, 7 miles away.
The bluff is what separates the two branches of the Y-shaped lake.
Must have been something to see when the two mile-wide glacially fed rivers met there.
We just missed it, according to the geological clock.

And the southern-end town of Hammondsport?
It's absolutely a post card.

I suppose the lumberjacks can be forgiven
if vineyards are planted where the trees once stood.

Looking south at Hammondsport,
one can see lots of wind-driven chop.
I missed a good day for windsurfing.

Almost the same view...because I never get tired of it.
I don't think you'll find it tiring either.

In fact, you may want to watch until after the sun goes down.

Genesee Rowing Club at Head of the Genesee

Or more succinctly put, GRC @ HOG

The Genesee Rowing Club participated in the Head of the Genesee Regatta on October 5, 2014.  Here are some pictures of GRC boats on the water during the regatta.  Most of them were captured from the pedestrian bridge over the river just north of the Erie Canal.  I can assure you that standing in the frigid wind high over the water is not nearly as much fun as you might think it would be.

Please click on the images to see them at higher resolution.