Shame On Me

While Dave was busy reinstalling the Bayliner's engine and getting frustrated trying to work in the tiny engine compartment while not breaking any rusting bolts or parts, I decided to go kayaking down the LaChute River. I felt a bit guilty, but sometimes it is best to stay out of the way. I have such an understanding husband (or he wanted me to leave) that he brought me down to the base of the falls in Ticonderoga, even launched my kayak for me, and then picked me up later at the launch ramp on Lake Champlain, so I only had to go downstream.

Since I had about two hours to meander my way with the current and wind, I decided to go exploring in the marshes. There were lots of birds, fish and turtles, but I soon got lost in a sea of lily pads.

I knew I could always make my way back the same way I paddled in, but pressed on further, following what I thought was another kayaker's small water trail. Wrong! It was a beaver 'channel'! A beaver could make it under this branch, but certainly not a kayaker.


I did finally make it back out into the LaChute by aiming towards the flag over Fort Ticonderoga in the distance.


I love paddling through the tall grasses at the mouth of the river where it joins up with Lake Champlain.

As I approached the fort, I heard the fife and drum corps marching around the grounds. It sounded so eerie and I certainly felt like I had stepped back in time.

For more pictures and info on the LaChute from my previous post, click HERE.

Ingenuity

In this case though, it should be called ENGINUITY!

We are fast approaching the date that we leave for our Rideau Canal trip in Canada. It is imperative that we start working on the Bayliner 21 Hard Top that we acquired for overnight stays on the water. It was a minimal investment fixer-upper boat, so we knew it needed lots of TLC. The previous owner claimed it had some kind of an engine leak, but we did hear it run. We hooked it up to fresh water, started it, and discovered more water running out of the bilge than was coming out of the outdrive. The water was warm which meant that it was cooling the engine (a good sign) and the leak was most likely in the exhaust pipe (a bad sign). In order to access the exhaust, the outdrive had to come off and the engine had to come out. That’s when ENGINUITY comes in handy!

After much contemplating, Dave came up with this ‘enginous’ plan. Build a gantry with a block and tackle to lift the engine, see what the problem was, get parts and make repairs, then lower it back into place. We even had a custom lift for the outdrive shoved back in the corner of the motorcycle shop, that we put into service.




Voila! Problem found and it could have sunk the boat!


Parts were ordered and arrived quickly…all but one. The oil pan, which naturally has to go on the bottom of the engine, was shipped by ‘snail mail’, so the project could not be completed. Dave did install the new exhaust pipe last weekend, and the part arrived today so he will ‘button up’ everything this weekend. Meanwhile Dave has feverishly been working on cleaning the boat inside and out, and even made new cushions to sleep on.

Sea trials are next and hopefully we won’t run into any other major problems. It’s best to find them before we head out on our week long Canada trip though!

Check back soon for more details about our latest endeavor.

Ahhh, The Quiet Life

Finally the flood waters of the Northeast have receded enough for me to go kayaking. As I stepped out of the van at Lake George's Northwest Bay's backwater access, I couldn't help to exclaim, "I remember this!" Not an engine to be heard, nor a soul around but me and the wildlife. It was idyllic.

It was really calm and the lake itself was like glass.


I also paddled up to the headwaters, until I couldn't go any further.

That's when I came across this mother merganser duck with her baby hitching a ride.


Anxious to see more wildlife and continue on my tour, I headed to Eagle Lake the next day.

The wind had picked a bit so I stayed in the backwater creek.

I wasn't disappointed and not only saw the active beaver lodge in the above picture, but also flushed out a doe and fawn down at the water's edge. The mother moved on, but the fawn hid in the bulrushes for awhile before taking off to find its mother.

This very shallow creek opens up into a small lagoon before going over a waterfall and continuing on, and my turn around point.


What a great start to the kayaking season. It certainly is a whole other world while quietly gliding along.

Our Own Show

Let's face it. We have over active imaginations that affects all we do. After attending all the latest shows and events, we just had to get our yard into the swing of things. Since our property was originally a farm, why not start an antique equipment collection? It gave us a quest at estate and barn sales, and of course Craig's List. We have had so much fun gathering up our 'yard ornaments'.

It all started with this 3/4 size cart that we thought would look great, and it does! The man that sold it to us was amazing and had a nice barn collection of antiques that he was so proud to show us. We really felt like we were in an episode of American Pickers!


Then, we certainly couldn't resist this hay rake and sickle bar that were both horse drawn. Free! 'All' Dave and Jim had to do was get them out of the field they were in, easier said than done since they hadn't moved in many years. Dave was prepared with a come-along and two trailers and they are now placed in high visibility spots in the yard.



Next came the school bell, since my grandmother used to use one at their camp on Eagle Lake to call my grandfather back from fishing.


After that, we finally found a grinding stone that still works with a foot pedal. I remember my grandfather also had one of those that I used to play with as a child.


What farm can do without a horse drawn plow?

Dave really fell in love with this old pulley drawn saw and it is a must have in the collection.

Right now we're into finding accessories for the implements and Dave and Greg just went to a barn sale that was a 'picker's dream'. They literally scrounged through these out buildings with the chickens and cows still in them!



In two weeks they are going to hold the sale again, since there is so much left, and I will definitely go with my camera at the ready.

Since our estate sale accomplices also live on our street, it is appropriate that we now be known as the Pashley Pickers!

It's Showtime! Part 3

One of our annual traditions is to go to the Gallupville Gas-Up. This show is mainly antique and vintage farm equipment, with hit and miss engines of all sizes on display, but it also has some very unique vehicles thrown in for good measure. The variety is astounding and entertaining. The event runs for two weekends, but the first weekend was a washout, so the second weekend seemed to draw more people and displays, making it the best Gas-Up we have been to. Here are some samples of these unique machines, almost all of which are in running condition and driven around the grounds!















There is a huge building on the property where the show is held, filled with engines and vehicles waiting to be restored. Barn fresh and still in the barn.


One of our favorite parts of the day was the stone crushing demonstration. Lots of noise and smoke, but it does the job!




All these shows sure got our imaginations in high gear and you'll see the results in my next post.