Content As Spectators

During the winter we are really involved in the HTSC's races, with both the cruising boats, dinghies, and Sunfish. Yesterday we were content just to be spectators at the two day Hobie Cat Regatta held at Schroon Lake. I doubt this group that came all the way from Syracuse raced on Saturday, because there was no wind, and even Sunday's fluky winds caused delays in the race starts. At one point they had to completely move the course offshore more. There was no wind whatsoever and as soon as Dave got up to get some lunch, a huge gust of wind came, blowing everything not tied down, way down the beach. The Hobies were flying a hull and it was exciting. As soon as Dave came back, all was calm again, and I don't think he believed me. Ah yes, the many moods of the Adirondack lakes!

Water Tour

Our friends Heinz and Jacqueline came to Ticonderoga for a visit and a tour of Lake George, since they have never boated on the lake. It was totally calm on the way down to Bolton Landing, but a bit rough on the way back when the wind picked up out of the north. Moxie handled it no problem. What a fun day on the water showing them all our favorite bays and swimming spots on the lake.

 
Footnote: If going to lunch by boat, go to the Algonquin Restaurant in Bolton Landing. The food and service were great, with dockhands at the ready to help us. This was a very nice surprise since we first tried going to the Sagamore Hotel, but were turned away and told to go around the other side of the island to find dockage. When Dave tried to call the hotel to find out the correct procedure, they kept transferring him until he was cut off...three times. That's when we discovered the Algonquin....we'll be back!

Fun, Fun, Fun

We have finally been having a stretch of beautiful weather. Unfortunately all my photos are still on my phone and we are being frugal with our internet data usage, so uploading here won't happen until we get back home. Stay tuned and while you wait, take a look back at previous summers' posts to see what the fun is all about!

A Reminder

It was a gorgeous 80 degree calm day and we decided to exercise Foxie (also known as My Boat Now since I love driving it), our pristine 2001 17 ft. Sea Fox center console skiff that we've owned since new. This is the perfect boat for Lake Champlain and it can handle the waves if the wind happens to pick up. It was so calm when we reached the launch ramp at Westport that there was fog on the lake...a very chilly fog, I might add. Thank goodness I had brought my sweatsuit, but Dave was ready for 80 degree air temps with only his shorts and t-shirt on. We had quite the reminder to wait until the water temps are higher than 60 degrees, as we cruised along the NY and VT shorelines looking for any kind of warm breeze from the land. Out in the middle of the lake it was downright frigid and it suddenly came to me that we tried this last year and at the time said, "remind us next year not to come up here so early!" We did have a nice lunch in picturesque McNeil Cove in Charlotte, VT where the ferry from Essex, NY transits to and from.

Then we found an even better spot tucked up in the corner of Button Bay, VT, and soaked up the sun and heat before heading back across the open water to Westport. Not a soul was there, reminding us again that it's still early in the season!

Exploring On Two Wheels

When the wind blows too much to be on the lakes, it's time to explore with the Aprilia. During out latest outing, we took some back mountain roads and ended up in Whitehall. One of our favorite stops is Skene Manor, which overlooks the village and the last of the Champlain Canal's locks (or first if you are heading south from the lake).

 We never seem to be there when they are open, but the view is spectacular. 

Skene Manor was built by NYS Supreme Court Judge Joseph H. Potter and it has been sold many times during its history. I even remember when it was a restaurant when Dave and I first started going up north through Whitehall to his parents' camp on Lake George. To read all about the manor, click HERE.

Let The Summer Begin

The summer heat has arrived just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. Time to take Moxie out for a spin on Lake George.

We thought we would beat the masses by going down to our favorite spot in Log Bay Island Channel in the morning. Oops, I guess we were too late...

Remember that photo from our Shelving Rock hike this spring, where the lone boat was anchored out? This is what it looks like now...

However, we did find about 30 turtles lounging in the sun on this little island between Dark and Gull Bays. The last time we went by here I counted almost 50 of them!

Now it's time for us to be like the turtles and try to find out of the way places to go to avoid the crowds.

Birds Of A Feather

Not only do they flock together, they nest together. That certainly is what has been happening here and we have nests in just about every garage and portico. A few of the them were built at human height so we can watch them up close. These robins were eggs the day before I took the photo...

These robins are a bit older but their home was made on a hose reel!

I have been watching the Washington DC live eagle cam and it makes me laugh to see these two birds and all the room they have in their huge nest, when the robins pack in three to four birds in a tiny area. Click HERE for the DC eagle cam, but it looks like they will flying soon. It's fun to see them hopping around and flapping their wings in preparation for the big departure day.