In this crazy, mismanaged, virus-beseiged world, we have just one constant -- family. Whether it was trips to Syracuse or visits to South Lake, family kept us sane this summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We closed out the season with another trip to the lake, joined again by cousin Esme, keeping herself busy with Max away at college. Rained a lot on Wednesday when we arrived, but the weather was suitably autumnal on Thursday and Friday.
My folks day-tripped in on Friday and we stained the front of the camp, crossing off a major item on Dad's summer to-do list -- coating the exterior of camp with one layer of something, from dark brown solid stain on the sides and the outbuildings to now a honeyed clear-coat on the exposed planks of the front. The kids were bold enough to jump in the water on Friday night and I spent a few minutes wet after a bike ride with Lincoln on Thursday. As for the ride -- we mostly coasted downhill to North Lake and cruised about a third around the Loop Road, including a diversion on a new trail that was sign posted as "Atwell Martin's Wigwam Site." Turns out Mr. Martin was the first person to build a structure on North Lake in the 1800's. He was a hermit who opted to preserve his privacy with a wigwam, apparently. The structure is no longer there, but after a short walk in the woods we were rewarded with another sign and a pile of rocks.
As always, we had a blast playing a variety of games -- from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (the card version -- any Gilmores remember the computer game on your old Apple IIe?) to Wahoo! to Boggle. The food was also typically excellent, with Carey cooking up fish tacos and a lovely pasta pomodoro, and excellent grill work by yours truly on some North Country chicken barbecue. Everyone read a lot and the table talk was first-rate. The younger generation taught me a great deal about sexual identity and I even earned a new nickname -- Cis Bro! The kids busted out lines from "Hamilton" whenever prompted and I'm determined to make a video of them lip syncing one of their favorites.
Esme leaves us today, with tenth grade at Rye High School resuming on Sept. 8. Our kids are off until Sept. 14 and we just learned they will enjoy later start times -- Lincoln's school day, in person or virtual, won't begin until 9:30 and Greta will start classes at 9, after a homeroom from 8:30-8:53. I'm working from home at the new job starting Sept. 9 until at least November, when the office renovations are supposed to be done. Carey continues to split her time at home and in the office, with more of the latter likely if New York's infection rate continues to stay low.
Enjoy the photos -- taken mostly with my new iPhone 11 Pro Max! Still lots to learn about the camera, but impressed so far. Images are sharper and the 0.5 scale setting allows for some nice wide angle effects.
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Lincoln DID NOT land directly on his head.
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My niece sits in unusual places.
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The aforementioned 0.5 zoom out setting
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Automatic depth of field
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The low-light option requires some finessing. A tripod would help.
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Yes, the leaves are already turning (insert sad emoji).
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All the way to the Honnedaga Lake gate and back -- 4 miles!
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That's just a gorgeous photo. Fit for a "Shot with an iPhone 11" commercial!
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This damn bird -- an endangered spruce grouse, we think -- followed us everywhere!
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A moment of celebration when the sun peaked out from behind the clouds.
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Great stories. Great pictures. I can't believe you have to wear sweatshirts this time of year. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember the name of the Carmen Sandiego game but that's about it. I'll ask Karin if she remembers.