A day on the water - with thunderstorms ahead today

VALOIS, New York, USA - The weather forecast called for 85 degrees (gasp!), no rain and light winds out of the south and so the Admiral and I (and amiga Laura) declared Tuesday a SLAD (Seneca Lake Appreciation Day). We were not alone in our decision.

We hopped on the Spirit of Louise and toured some of the west side of Seneca Lake, arriving at The Showboat restaurant with Cousin Ruth aboard for lunch.

The Showboat is the waterside restaurant across the lake from us that has good food - but you better like it fried.


Admiral, Laura and Ruth at The Showboat dock


Slow cruise down the Seneca Lake shore

Such days have been rare this summer - Tuesday was No. 5 by my count - though the lake water has warmed up enough to go swimming if you don't mind a momentary shock when you dive in. We did some swimming at Cousin Ruth's dock at the end of the cruise before heading back up the lake to our dock, where a new swim ladder makes it much easier to get in - and out - of the water.

Last week, we finished a major tree-cutting-and-clearing project opened up the lake view from the house - and also a view of the house from the lake. Now when people drive by in their boats and wonder if we are home, they can spot the car - or us - up the hill. It's changed the orientation of the house back to the lake being the focus.


View from the house, sans trees


House from the lake

Monday, Sylvia and Laura started a painting project - adding trim to the house. The casa has been a solid white for all the years I have been coming here (18 and counting). But with several trees down in front of the house, the front of the house is suddenly, well, much more visible and the paint makes a nice touch.

This video shows the beginnings of the project. If today's expected thunderstorms hold off until this afternoon (80 percent likelihood according to Wunderground.com), more window trim and other parts of the house might suddenly turn blue, too.

A great birthday cruise - and The Red Rocket gets delivered

VALOIS, New York, USA - My birthday cruise day around Seneca Lake yesterday was fantastic. Great weather, warm temperatures, cold beer and wine - and flat water.

What a B-day.

We started with a lunch-time cruise to a restaurant up the lake a few miles called The Showboat, where you can get almost any food you want - provided you like it fried. These people probably fry lettuce before they put it on your hamburger. Now that I think about it, the lettuce and tomato on my burger were extra crunchy.

Hmm...


Cousin Ruth and Michael toast at The Showboat

Cousin Ruth went along on the first leg of the day's outing, having lunch (fried, of course) with the Admiral and I at The Showboat. We had pondered taking Ruth's boat on that first part of voyage, instead of the Spirit of Louise, but our pontoon boat is soooo comfortable (and easy on gasoline) the we took with our vessel instead.

And it was a great trip.

We hope save Ruth's gasoline for later in the summer when it's time to water ski.


Tina and Eric Hazlitt sailing home

We did a wine cruise in the evening, going from dock-to-dock (begging for Sauvignon Blanc or other white wines) and had a great time, running into lots of amigos including Eric and Tina Hazlitt sailing their rig home after an nice evening on the water.

By then, we had already picked up amigo Brad and his faithful companion Arnold-the-dog, and as Brad works at the Hazlitt Winery, our begging for wine was no longer necessary.

Good thing - we were running out of daylight and it was getting a little chilly.


Arnold sights in on the Hazlitt sailboat ahead

Today, post birthday, the Admiral and I spent the morning recovering from yesterday's festivities (me much more than the Admiral) and then late in the day, we went down the hill to see if my boat partner Jennifer had arrived from Arizona and was interested in starting to do some sailing.

We didn't have to ask twice and within a few minutes of catching Jennifer at a party at her family's home, Jennifer and I had launched The Red Rocket out into the lake and were zooming across Seneca Lake - the third time I have actually sailed the rig.

I discovered that the boat has a slight design flaw. With two crew members (sitting too far aft) the open center board pours water into the boat like a fountain. And the automatic bailing system doesn't work all that well.

Regardless, we had a great sail, but cut it a little short when the wind piped up to over 15 knots and we started lurching a little too far over when tacking. But now the boat is at Jennifer's beach (400 yards from ours) and ready for some sailing lessons.

Tomorrow is another day. And we have a duct-tape solution to the leaking in the planning stages.

After the sailing voyage, the Admiral and I hung around at the Fitch house, where a party was in full swing. The party was to celebrate the high school graduations of several family members. And the dancing just got better as the night wore on...