Another warm front last night bringing substantial rain but no cooling. Another front this evening, but this time, almost certainly, a cold one.
And, almost certainly, the last 70 degree day until next summer.
Today: log splitting and woodshed replenishment, small engine winterizing, porch plastic-wrapping. As with all wildlife, preparation is key.
Morning row for Mimi, while Bob and I went to Meeker's trout farm at Lake Wolsey.
Photo courtesy Mimi.
Meeker's Magic Mix
Mike Meeker addressing a group of university aquaculture students.
Trailer-full of mix heading ino the garden.
Real Canadian thanksgiving is on Columbus Day, but since most of us are departing Serendip prior, today was the day. So, with neighbors, at Pinebox, smoked chicken, stuffing, squash gratin, cranberry, potatoes, and other delicacies, plus pie.
And as the plates were being washed up the rain came down.
Lovely day. Bob Ellen, and John and ME over for burgers and VP debate.
Depart Whitewater in pre-dawn fog. Wend through Milwaukee rush hour traffic. Roll across the UP in sunny warmth. Cross the Little Current swing bridge shortly after sunset. Arrive in Kagawong by the faint light of a sliver of moon.
Change the eight to eight ones and regroup, as Tom Leher has said. And we are. Reconfiguring for transition back to travel, and Canada mode.
Cdb.
Whitewater garden still producing--squash, and lots and lots of tomatoes.
A big, fun, family wedding.
To Oconomowoc to see Becca, Maddie, Ellie, and parents. Somehow things got too busy for photos.
Halloween tryouts.
Some great bike riding in the drizzle, along with games and Friday fish fry.
Lunch, park, gymnastics, dinner--among other things.
Up above "Courage," on her way back down after almost touching the ceiling.
Back in Whitewater. Strong tail wind all day-- almost chilly tonight in south-east Wisconsin.
Luxuriant clouds and the occasional rain cell.
...interrupted by an hour of sunshine during which we picniced in a sheltered spot out of the wind alongside Old Mill.
Did Alice eat the wrong side? No, we think Tamiasciurus.
Truck and trailer loaded for the season's penultimate home trip.
Rain beginning before midnight and lasting until after noon. A goodly amount but still not enough to cause runoff.
Perfect weather for a slow start followed by a leisurely finish.
Testing various gizmo options to see how we can get the debate. And feeling nervous because it's not easy to debate a solipsistic serpent.
After a fine morning sail the Windrider was hauled, and power washed--marking the end of a memorable season (which included the impossible incident).
Patrick's Windrider
While we were pulling out, another boat was setting up-- a Norse faering boat-- a beautiful, twenty-foot, wide-lap lapstrake, four-oared, sprit-sail yawl-- an ancient Norwegian, small-craft, fishing boat.
One could have a thousand boats and still not have half the cool ones.
Deep calm after all the wind and surf of the past two days. A few tourists wandering the lower village, but still a pervading sense of quiet, and downwinding. Whitetails and turkeys on Main Street. Right now both a crow and a pine squirrel complaining about things (probably me) and breaking the stillness.
Mist rising in the cold morning air over at the mouth of the river.
Phragmites! Down at the end of the lane, by Woods. After reconnaissance, a little spraying (this is the right time of year), and next spring-- some chopping.
Ahoy there! What kayak is that?
Dinner party with some of the Island's artsy and theatrical folk...at sailing acquaintances Jean and Dave's place at Norm's campground on lake Kagawong. Good food and lively, eclectic conversation.
On another note, high five to William on his fifth birthday.
Rain and mist and drizzle on this the first day of fall. North wind, providing a soft sonic background--waves endlessly coming ashore and curling up amongst the rocks. Frequently, the sound of rain on the roof also in the mix.
Day of reading, naps, and contemplation interspersed with dog walks and a muddy bike ride to the marina.
I have a distinct (though typically vague) memory of rainy childhood days when a few of us neighbors would gather on a porch to play board games and snack on crackers and cheese. (I think that's where I developed my fondness for cheese and crackers, undiminished to this day.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The recurring cycles of the year, rooted in "the pilgrimages of the sun," are-not simply entertaining phenomena, to be noted at our convenience and for our enjoyment, but signs that the cosmos is still intact, that we remain included in something larger and more reliable than our own short-lived enthusiasms. It is for this that we need to know that insects will hibernate, that turtles and warblers will migrate and return, that the tide will retreat, the ice let go, the earth tilt back toward the sun, and the grass reawaken."
—Robert Finch
Dock out of the water and ranged high along the shore. Truck extricated from its layer of glue-mud picked up on the road to Gore Bay. Grass-seed planted in the area around the sandbox that was burned by the summer' drought. And, almost certainly, last swim of 2016.
Calm afternoon.
The sea (or lake or river), once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
--Cousteau
Final Heliotrope work (winterizing) completed, and half the pier removed. It's that time of year.
Purple asters and purple mint, among others of that hue.
Crystaline air today, and the kind of light Rembrandt would like, making all colors vivid.
Truncated pier.
Unexpected storm. Brief heavy rain. Now clear sky and bright moon.
Photo by Sue
Photo by Mary Ellen
Spectacular sky.
Photos courtesy Sue.
And wonderful sailing, with challenging winds and spectacular light.