Zip Trip
Back in Wisconsin for three days—zip trip—to check the house and yard, pick tomatoes, sort through the junk mail. Etetera.
Transitional...
...with the weather helping the shift from summer to fall.
Local, organic beans for dinner, supplemented by steak, etc. Very good.
Back to long dog rides with Pax, who left me in the dust even though I pedaled hard in high gear.
And, once at Sandy Beach, we watched an eagle soar along the shore.
Forlorn Sandbox...
...among other things.
It's sad to be a sandbox when nobody's around to play. Luckily, this box has Pax to tide it over until the castle builders return.
A Motley Crew
On the upside, it looks like the most important parts of Rockport have more or less survived.
Back From a Successful Cruise
Fickle winds but solid fun on the Benjamins.
(Photos by Abby)
Falling Trees...
...both here, where the Orangutans have dropped several poplars and ashes, and in Rockport, where hurricane Harvey has directly come ashore, dropping countless.
Up Anchor and Cast Off
The Js, like the Ns, sailing over the horizon (or at least to the Benjamin's). (Most photos by Mimi)
Meanwhile...
Harbor-bound
J family unable to leave port due to high winds. But lots of other things provided solace for the delay.
Including mazes, market, biking, apple picking and pie making, and for dinner--homemade egg foo young at Pinebox, followed by apple pie.
Did I forget to mention the homemade corn egg drop soup with homegrown cilantro?
Storm and Wind
Heavy nighttime storm with continuous lightning and several earth shattering strikes. Then another pre-noon storm. Vast amounts of water. When at last the front came through, a gale from the west and rapidly falling temps. Full house at the marina of boats sheltering from the elements.
Kids able to swim at town beach, post storm.
Abby and Tony in Gore Bay post storm.
Eclipsed...
...though rather minimally. Still and all, a still and eerie twilight.
The day started off bright but not so early with panKs and pansnakes.
Baie Fine and Topaz Lake
Favorable weather for Janowiec family to motor boat to those exciting places. Rendezvous in Little Current for dinner.
(Photos by Abby)
Readjustment
Nies family early morning departure. Sun finally reappearing by noon.
(Photos by Mary Ellen)
World Famous Zoo
And Elevated Pumphouse
Zoo. Affordable tickets. Extra cost at feeding times. Snakes, frogs, grasshoppers, and a taxidermed bird, all available for perusal.
Raised about 3 feet. Adaptive management.
Annual pizza palooza.
Snake release.
Big rock candy mountain
Washout
Heavy, almost continuous rain.
At a Loss For Words...
...because of too much action. Therefore, photos.
Bon Voyage
Nies family off to Benjamins on Heliotrope. Janowiec family off to Providence Bay.
Never a Dull Moment
Pleasant weather, lots of fun
If a Picture is Worth a Thousand...
...then...
Renee's spider adorning the dining room centerpiece.
Snake caught by Ellie.
On the poker run.
On the poker run.
On the poker run.
Bri's Manitoulin spiced slow smoked BBQ ribs.
Too Much Fun...
...too little time. (More blog later)
Snake catching, jet skiing, pier jumping, tubing, and dancing, among other things.
The Travelers Have Arrived...
...in spite of heavy storms and torrential rain.
Heaviest rain I can remember. Pax spent most of the day under the bed. But the Nies clan have arrived
Indeterminate Weather
But still favorable for outdoor living.
