... but Pax very much enjoyed reconnoitering his regular routes; countless stops in every block as territory reestablished.
Our invariable home-to-Whitewater-Chinese-dinner last night was cancelled due to China House not being open (memo to selves, never arrive home on Tuesday). Made up for it tonight, joined by good neighbors from across the street who just got home from France.
Light rain now, with cooler temperatures.
Back in Wisconsin for three days—zip trip—to check the house and yard, pick tomatoes, sort through the junk mail. Etetera.
...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.
...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.
Fickle winds but solid fun on the Benjamins.
(Photos by Abby)
...both here, where the Orangutans have dropped several poplars and ashes, and in Rockport, where hurricane Harvey has directly come ashore, dropping countless.
The Js, like the Ns, sailing over the horizon (or at least to the Benjamin's). (Most photos by Mimi)
Meanwhile...
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?
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.
...though rather minimally. Still and all, a still and eerie twilight.
The day started off bright but not so early with panKs and pansnakes.
Favorable weather for Janowiec family to motor boat to those exciting places. Rendezvous in Little Current for dinner.
(Photos by Abby)
Nies family early morning departure. Sun finally reappearing by noon.
(Photos by Mary Ellen)
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
Heavy, almost continuous rain.
...because of too much action. Therefore, photos.
Nies family off to Benjamins on Heliotrope. Janowiec family off to Providence Bay.
Pleasant weather, lots of fun
...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 little time. (More blog later)
Snake catching, jet skiing, pier jumping, tubing, and dancing, among other things.
...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