Belated Birthday Wishes

I realized that I am behind on wishing Grammy, and Lois, a very happy birthday! I was hoping to have some time to make phone calls today, but I have to take an hour and a half bus ride to do my last interview, as well as squeeze in some last visits and goodbyes. So, I will wish both of you well here online and will call when I am stateside (Leaving tomorrow and arriving on Thursday, August 25th) sending love!!

August 5, 2011 Elk Herd Gathering

Andy and Christie at the Schroon gathering of the Elk Herd.

Portaging into Alder Pond

Papa and Erin on Alder Pond in a Miller Canoe

Sierra after swimming in the boggy area

Scott and Sierra on Crane Pond

 Hit the arrow to see Sierra swim

Cardinal Flower

Inlet to Crane Pond, coming from Rock Pond

Large root structure on fallen tree

Portaging between Crane Pond and Alder Pond

Kara's ring box, handmade by Brandon

Kara's heirloom engagement ring

Sierra trying to hide under the bed, just too hard to get there now

Unusual lamp sculpture at The Fortune Cup coffee shop in Saratoga.  We stopped here for lunch on the way up to Schroon.  Yummy proscuito panini and tomato basil soup.

July 24, 2011

Spring Run Trail, Saratoga Springs

Rail Road Trail, Saratoga Springs

 Scott met me after work with our bikes and we tried out two new little bike trails in Saratoga.  We stopped into Ravenous afterwords for crepes and then had a quiet evening at the lake.

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Gardening along the trail

Unusual gladiolas

Balloon flower

 Richard and Kathryn joined us for dinner at the lake.  She brought a bouquet of balloon flowers.  Before they open the petals form a "balloon".  If you sear the ends of the flowers with a match it keeps the liquid in the stem and they last longer as a cut flower.  They brought along their photographs of their trip to Alaska.  Cory joined us and he was very envious of their proximity to Denali peak, now added to his bucket list.  Scott and I are thinking more along the lines of hiking in Denali and cruising up the Inside Passage.  Lots of wildlife (bears,moose, eagles,seals), seems to require a 35x lens for good photos though.  Good excuse for a new camera.

Scott in Nelson's "play" boats on Galway Lake

 Nelson has loaned Cory all the equipment he needs for the summer to learn white water kayaking.  So they have been getting out about once a week to play.  Some of the more difficult runs Cory does in a somewhat larger kayak that can "punch through" the waves.

 

Cory in kayak gear playing with BK's grandchildren