Shooting Down the LaChute

With the LaChute River running at a pretty good clip today, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to do one of our one way paddle trips from the lower falls to the Lake Champlain boat launch. 

The kissing bridge...

It worked out well and as an added bonus, the birding was fantastic too. I never realized how many birds there were in this area until I turned on my Merlin bird ID app with sound identification (I am up to 108 birds on my life list, and that is with just incidental sightings in less than a year!). We also saw tons of turtles along the way, sunning themselves in the cool weather.

More 'beaverage' with gigantic condo type lodges...

Once out in Lake Champlain, it's always fun to  kayak along the shore under Fort Ticonderoga and in the wooded bays to the boat launch ramp. Then we haul out, Dave hops on his motorcycle that we left there earlier, goes back to the falls and picks up the van to come back load up the kayaks. Then we pick up the bike on our way back to the house. It sounds confusing, but it isn't very hard and it's well worth the extra effort. 

😎

'Beaverage'

'Beaverage' is what we call the results of beavers working on trees, and boy, have they been busy along the upper La Chute River! 

For our first evening of observation this year, we were lucky enough to watch one of the beavers reinforcing its lodge.

What a great way to start the season. This was a spur of the moment walk along the river, but next time we will be sure to bring our binoculars to watch them even closer. 

Our First Wet Meet

We had been looking forward to our first wet meet of the season, which was last weekend at Lake Algonquin in Wells. Held for the last three years at an AOMCI member's camp, Tim Cantele was a great host. This was the first time that we brought a boat to launch, and our Wagemaker Wolverine 'Flash' was the perfect choice for this venue.

There was also a very nice polished aluminum Feathercraft in the water. A total of 9 boats were launched.

Besides Flash, we also brought up Dave's 1936 Johnson outboard, which ran flawlessly (Mike Glenn, president of the Mohawk Hudson Chapter, had brought a tin rowboat so that anyone who wanted to try out their outboards, could do so). 

After our picnic lunch, compliments of Tim and other attendees, Tim brought out his 1919 Spinaway motor and it ran great on his dinghy. If there had been awards, it would have won best in show.

We were reacquainted with many of this chapter's members, along with meeting new people, and had a fantastic time, although I ended up being only one of two women there, and the only woman to go out on the lake. Enjoy the photos!

It's Time For Summer!

We completed quite a few projects at home this spring, but suddenly it is 90 degrees and warmer than Florida...at least for a few days. My rhododendrons are having a banner year and are gorgeous!

My spirea is at peak bloom too...

Now we are up in Ticonderoga and looking forward to getting back out on the clear water of Lake George and other Adirondack bodies of water. Let the fun begin!

😎