Labor Day Camping 2014

Bald Mountain

Our lovely very waterproof home away from home

Our Noah Tarp keeps us nice and dry!

Fall Beauty

Fourth Lake

Just perfect end of Summer photo don't you think?

Lovely Sunset with Loons calling on the water

This Blog has been eating Blog posts . . . I have written more than you have seen.  I am not sure quite what to think of it but trying to not get to frustrated by it.

 Obviously this trip was about 10 days ago . . . but it was a lovely albeit short getaway to the ADK for a little respite with Nature and friends.  This trip left at least 18 hours after it was supposed to- we were just not ready and it seemed to make no sense to get all stressed out over something that should have been restful.  So we took a little more time to get ready with less stress but it made for a short trip.  Of course the rain on Sunday also shortened it up quite a bit.  Heavy rain does not make for friendly mountain climbing/hiking. So we packed up and hit the road for home. Looking back at the images- it was so very lovely in so very many ways!
         We enjoyed the view and Friday evening the Loons on the Lake were so very talkative it was incredible.  We went hiking-on Saturday and visiting with friends. Our campfire on the cold night- Friday was the campfire that never happened- as we talk about it because the wood that we got was fireproof wood- it would not take off and burn for any thing. Hot tea on a cool morning, the quiet of the Lake and Forest are so restorative.  You can see we are among the minority and are still tent campers.  Driving around the campground it was readily apparent that tent camping is dying. So many campers and RV's. While tent camping although not always comfortable it is certainly simple. Although I still applaud those with RV's that are getting out and spending time in Nature.
        I think that spending time in nature is so very important and whatever way works best for you is great!  I think it is the simple aspect of camping in general that appeals to me. Time to do just one thing at a time. Less multitasking that has become the everyday of this busy world we live in. Time to sit, to think , to watch and listen.  Time to be.   May we all find this simple time of being,  somewhere in someway in our lives.

Just Thinking . . .

The more you are grateful for what you have the more you will have to be grateful for.

Zig Ziglar

Decisions are in . . . . .

  One will attend here in the Fall for Electrical Engineering.




     The other will transfer to here in the Fall to study Environmental Biology.


So, Breathe I say to myself, so many changes coming our way .. . . . so many changes coming their way.  Somehow together we will make it through. Life will be so very different with these changes. It has been a long route to get here. Essays, references, visits, interviews, tours.  I hope that they will both have wonderful positive college experiences.  One day at a time for all of us. These 2 colleges are about an hour apart.  Paul Smith is in the heart of the ADK. 30 minutes from Lake Placid.  Clarkson is further north and west.  -25 can be a norm not an exception on a winters morning.

Climbing Mt. Marcy NYS

This is the scene from late June as Boy Scouts went to ADK high Peaks to climb Mt. Marcy and Phelps Mtn. After much preparation they left and hiked into Marcy Dam. They slept in this lean-to - well half of them and cooked down at Marcy Dam- part of Wilderness Bear protection, do not cook where you sleep!!! It was overcast and drippy but pleasant weather. Some of them logged about 24 miles in their short weekend tired, muddy and definitely stinky socks they came home. Until the next adventure. Biggest lesson learned that I heard was "Stay with your Group" don't get separated. I don't think they realized really how wilderness it is out there and how easily you can get lost!!

Camping

What is it about camping that everyone loves? Is it the stress of packing everything, the hard ground or wet feet/clothes? Probably not.

Is it the magic of being one with Nature, of living a more simple, with just the things you need life? Is it not having to do all the routine chores of life and able to sit back and just relax and reflect? I certainly do not know the answers to these questions but it is something to ponder. For me any time spent in nature is a good thing.The views, the scents usually just don't get any better. We were treated this weekend to the lovely serenades of the Loons on the Lake. That just made it all the more special. It was a full weekend of nature observing, water sports, canoeing, hiking, Letter-boxing.Playing games with friends and campfire time with smores. We had rain,we had no Bears perhaps because we had Edna along? Whatever it was a very good time indeed.The best is no electronics!! The best is getting lots of fresh air and activity.

Just gotta love it.

>

Boy Scout Banter

1/6/09

This photo is from Lake Durant, in the Adirondacks in October 2008 I need to see it to remember that it is a lot about these moments of Natural Beauty and thoughtful reflection. I did not go on this campout but when I saw this picture - wow it is one in a million. So these are the moments that make all the other work worth it. I am the Troop Committee Chair which leaves me responsible for most of the adults and overseeing all the training, $$, etc.. for the most part one could say the Troop runs itself and then there is all the policy writing, communication meetings etc.. tonight is a recruitment night needing a lot of work to happen adn most of it at the last minute.


"The days come and go. . .but they say nothing,and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them silently away." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today I use my gifts of scrapbooking, photography, cooking, organization and laundry!