tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276517612024-03-07T02:19:33.528-05:00Adirondack DiaryAn ongoing journal of my life and adventures in the Adirondack Park of Upstate New York. I enjoy skiing, walking, canoeing, geocaching, and exploring this amazing place that I live (with my wife and son or by myself). I'm going to try and post a little bit of everything, so if you're not captivated by a post, scan down a bit to the next one...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-82172938429600785872011-06-04T16:04:00.007-04:002011-06-04T16:38:57.955-04:00Madison's First Paddle!We went for a great paddle today, down from Lake Kushaqua to the Rainbow Lake Narrows...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKjdKZm7EhY0qVtlq3xuAevAWhm95gTVelOaNCX8BMBWgNWPquPjOsP9zY5SxDOidGXGrrj8K_SauaD0pslpwdPdpr4KSr17yUHDZWYoDjFiQJ2Dsnmwz0-sZEO7dqtJhx-Um/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKjdKZm7EhY0qVtlq3xuAevAWhm95gTVelOaNCX8BMBWgNWPquPjOsP9zY5SxDOidGXGrrj8K_SauaD0pslpwdPdpr4KSr17yUHDZWYoDjFiQJ2Dsnmwz0-sZEO7dqtJhx-Um/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462391861635586" border="0" /></a>It felt great to get back into our boats, and we brought Madison along, hoping that she would like boating more than Miles and Cedar...she does...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahknJPgyB1lfVMYC10twq7MvktrV1IHvK3eruBslzHZHtL103l0a1_Byx8M1BjuiqNKzzoi_42jWcGchtu9eIc_a2NdAMIt3CvuXf0PaJCwWSCi1Bv6waETzipxvEEtBfC8PY/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahknJPgyB1lfVMYC10twq7MvktrV1IHvK3eruBslzHZHtL103l0a1_Byx8M1BjuiqNKzzoi_42jWcGchtu9eIc_a2NdAMIt3CvuXf0PaJCwWSCi1Bv6waETzipxvEEtBfC8PY/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462389809069474" border="0" /></a><br />She started out the day in Gail's kayak, but felt a little claustrophobic inside it, so soon switched to my canoe...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia0k_TDVEK6RgHk4aATvJdU858b-gxlHU5sUicliEebW8-KYP5Mgs3G-6RNxiiAeilosgSntCS35Sp3EmM4dxBfcGcAvp0i5JpT-GE3wOnfZpGunY-lUvj7Qf1q2rzeOAHGKT/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia0k_TDVEK6RgHk4aATvJdU858b-gxlHU5sUicliEebW8-KYP5Mgs3G-6RNxiiAeilosgSntCS35Sp3EmM4dxBfcGcAvp0i5JpT-GE3wOnfZpGunY-lUvj7Qf1q2rzeOAHGKT/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462399449344946" border="0" /></a><br />Here's an early pic of her in Gail's boat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLKksE4EHw2BKoSrkF_wAgB0brw0Y7H0_aWULuUG6g32UuO9K9AekCN_0Q5H8nhnMs3lU8HanY9N-7uYNpUnWk3E2FSJaC_4XRyDuRy3rhXla_LZQ7GEv0wXBIJbhN7AF5czu/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLKksE4EHw2BKoSrkF_wAgB0brw0Y7H0_aWULuUG6g32UuO9K9AekCN_0Q5H8nhnMs3lU8HanY9N-7uYNpUnWk3E2FSJaC_4XRyDuRy3rhXla_LZQ7GEv0wXBIJbhN7AF5czu/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461832938717586" border="0" /></a><br />She was very alert the whole time, but especially when we paddled by the mostly empty state campground...there was a dog barking...Maddie did not back bark, but soon settled down to chew a milk-bone and take a nap on my feet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqQWlG7CO0eG_3UxisHwkXnzt43Zi1jfjrcdXEWekVr1t0BIUGFXlLW7x46Lrv3aFd4gjA4VISd1CfJBHvuM0jNPowEqnSULFrqELU1XxD2MB2GMsuy2_cNLdSqVW_OpZP7ST/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqQWlG7CO0eG_3UxisHwkXnzt43Zi1jfjrcdXEWekVr1t0BIUGFXlLW7x46Lrv3aFd4gjA4VISd1CfJBHvuM0jNPowEqnSULFrqELU1XxD2MB2GMsuy2_cNLdSqVW_OpZP7ST/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461828591814050" border="0" /></a>She helped with navigation as well<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUZMMhHeUjimIJIv6djfnx2LDVdangp4JhnKFaQM2g3b8nUUliLYupAPaYrndit3QXtvRSMUDwRVoRPOcRI1QeBU8RMV5b85UqUIJw5Z2RQbvVpuFJTCH6LxUlmpCJRU9iTcx/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUZMMhHeUjimIJIv6djfnx2LDVdangp4JhnKFaQM2g3b8nUUliLYupAPaYrndit3QXtvRSMUDwRVoRPOcRI1QeBU8RMV5b85UqUIJw5Z2RQbvVpuFJTCH6LxUlmpCJRU9iTcx/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461823619968466" border="0" /></a><br />I like playing with my camera's macro mode, and did so a bit at our lunch spot<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8NwicfMZ6thHn5s8k50IzIKYp0GUyRdRTZ1TQrAshGk5iZt1cgp2hflvcG3mHesJ8EVFVT_Sy3atTrL_dLGKMIPx6ookXPgYcx9VezgFu5mpKTWSsuq3nLhD7GFMbp0qAZBB/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8NwicfMZ6thHn5s8k50IzIKYp0GUyRdRTZ1TQrAshGk5iZt1cgp2hflvcG3mHesJ8EVFVT_Sy3atTrL_dLGKMIPx6ookXPgYcx9VezgFu5mpKTWSsuq3nLhD7GFMbp0qAZBB/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461819621910898" border="0" /></a><br />The lady's slippers were out in abundance...they always remind me of triffids (not the actual flowers, but the movie)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUenAux4cPcVsyp_Mnb5w0rY09UhTIPMxwmB6RL6QiC_QHsF89eb_sZQFFYw9hqdMjOt1_6-8eXabKFIEBKAXqM5X3Jy_Umuz-iEkgLqpM8UfGd_bJakwW9zwqHjcI5d4BV9yo/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUenAux4cPcVsyp_Mnb5w0rY09UhTIPMxwmB6RL6QiC_QHsF89eb_sZQFFYw9hqdMjOt1_6-8eXabKFIEBKAXqM5X3Jy_Umuz-iEkgLqpM8UfGd_bJakwW9zwqHjcI5d4BV9yo/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461840408300034" border="0" /></a>It was a great day to paddle, and we enjoyed the solitude of the empty water...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6Mdc_5ovEG3QnEDQKo7o4uFbs2iNYFoLuX63TAFkXEMNWl6rbEY33_ubiUgiS1FjGdSAjFOBV-vjyotLpz4ZKUgP6FFkIxOgGx5kZK0sKSLUp6CCHwUt-DqXMdDBBQQ6sMaD/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6Mdc_5ovEG3QnEDQKo7o4uFbs2iNYFoLuX63TAFkXEMNWl6rbEY33_ubiUgiS1FjGdSAjFOBV-vjyotLpz4ZKUgP6FFkIxOgGx5kZK0sKSLUp6CCHwUt-DqXMdDBBQQ6sMaD/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461616140880754" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to the gorilla-pod, I was able to take a nice family picnic pic<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWwf5f5kLTpwGe7TR4wHayv_5W7tcW-qzsOHjjsLX110y2zBm_B8FW5oI9L2ACpXk091dWvX-SUTxjYSUY5OM0RSs6AmqgGrSkgqPDBGnxcxYuj-NmHr-S55KdalWrfiJNBzO/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWwf5f5kLTpwGe7TR4wHayv_5W7tcW-qzsOHjjsLX110y2zBm_B8FW5oI9L2ACpXk091dWvX-SUTxjYSUY5OM0RSs6AmqgGrSkgqPDBGnxcxYuj-NmHr-S55KdalWrfiJNBzO/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461605843485874" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Ben clinking tootsie-pops before heading off on the rest of the paddle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbaZuKTzVQBBui21uiTXj7hET58Why0lCuGWGlCoD-OX8nuP3T-rUCcH8iwDYdlOZr46x2EaDpXHj9IFnyEzgxK7c66JmNvut0lBCSXAi_LC23494BmjXkOX6yg0hct1ceW_N/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbaZuKTzVQBBui21uiTXj7hET58Why0lCuGWGlCoD-OX8nuP3T-rUCcH8iwDYdlOZr46x2EaDpXHj9IFnyEzgxK7c66JmNvut0lBCSXAi_LC23494BmjXkOX6yg0hct1ceW_N/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461599022024946" border="0" /></a><br />There's a great tunnel that we pass through, and we like to yodel as we go through...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm4BnoOcnUe-nIt1JHd24Jut6CqbpOP7iSgaUU9koDkPVyKtzcsAOnSGPXpuR01KM2ShaDjAG5ug6mZbg2hbFsmT6XkW2XipGGGHrYjwzbHbjw1yCSDzlVovT2q3cex3-vMCP/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm4BnoOcnUe-nIt1JHd24Jut6CqbpOP7iSgaUU9koDkPVyKtzcsAOnSGPXpuR01KM2ShaDjAG5ug6mZbg2hbFsmT6XkW2XipGGGHrYjwzbHbjw1yCSDzlVovT2q3cex3-vMCP/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461590686073394" border="0" /></a><br />Ben raced ahead of us to enjoy passing through first...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59lETetRpCPkeA4bhO9U0Be0x-TAIvrBJo42YANxOISkmlDuitomGIUYzjb8l7r4z7DnHegJOcijJt_qhbvF58bekk-r3P4VTo9H2QVPYh9c-mFoyw8KppU7pOjJNj3BQauu/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59lETetRpCPkeA4bhO9U0Be0x-TAIvrBJo42YANxOISkmlDuitomGIUYzjb8l7r4z7DnHegJOcijJt_qhbvF58bekk-r3P4VTo9H2QVPYh9c-mFoyw8KppU7pOjJNj3BQauu/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461618803012674" border="0" /></a><br />out of order art-shot...I refuse to apologize!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb7IPOmbtEhgUs_9-2klZapTtV5-8Zw02RffN5EjFmA8bgxl0IcQ7U06qnRluLr95BDkxsC627dKMZJL-0W-jsCGxC_Sx3g-VHmW05oWerqcZhmstA0M5Tkkztad0X5vQJ34c/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb7IPOmbtEhgUs_9-2klZapTtV5-8Zw02RffN5EjFmA8bgxl0IcQ7U06qnRluLr95BDkxsC627dKMZJL-0W-jsCGxC_Sx3g-VHmW05oWerqcZhmstA0M5Tkkztad0X5vQJ34c/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461028295748706" border="0" /></a>Gail and Ben enjoying the sun and bobbing on the water in the paddler's playground that we live in...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI3U1qt5s3tC3yyufFzsSvgiZgVdUDR6Di9SRyvZRjmfqxl4dfxsPm5-Wk3sKj3rrPJ2bba5XHANZsid8zyrysC4R7nAMzKkNoUEqudc1gRdWhIc_CVhPUn-L4JTg2Vwz3YKA/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI3U1qt5s3tC3yyufFzsSvgiZgVdUDR6Di9SRyvZRjmfqxl4dfxsPm5-Wk3sKj3rrPJ2bba5XHANZsid8zyrysC4R7nAMzKkNoUEqudc1gRdWhIc_CVhPUn-L4JTg2Vwz3YKA/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461017716415586" border="0" /></a><br />Gail took my camera once we got below the tunnel, and she got some nice pics of Maddie and me...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdAlk8Q6KUqV-Mb1mK9xv9NeFxA6MmQEE-Vor8cd5LQ5_2CVLKC3y1FM4mrNSHK5Wjl-ah0is-kyzZimLGG8RsRrbgfPrYIeHqD5sKTrrClMGfeha6_THJC3sRhzoKze0xbkV/s1600/q.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdAlk8Q6KUqV-Mb1mK9xv9NeFxA6MmQEE-Vor8cd5LQ5_2CVLKC3y1FM4mrNSHK5Wjl-ah0is-kyzZimLGG8RsRrbgfPrYIeHqD5sKTrrClMGfeha6_THJC3sRhzoKze0xbkV/s400/q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461009840146130" border="0" /></a><br />She did a pretty good job, for her first paddle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQS9g5mopi2wpN_sOkko1l9dTFK0gwfcJnA_lg0lQGju2cS2kuhm6jW0pQcZbKpZTr_QoK-OSPID4ClYbuXb_opsYv3aaN6jK-xUI4Q6WgzuETRlHjfO2Ap2jvFnGHjTBnUPU/s1600/r.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQS9g5mopi2wpN_sOkko1l9dTFK0gwfcJnA_lg0lQGju2cS2kuhm6jW0pQcZbKpZTr_QoK-OSPID4ClYbuXb_opsYv3aaN6jK-xUI4Q6WgzuETRlHjfO2Ap2jvFnGHjTBnUPU/s400/r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461000160303570" border="0" /></a><br />Every once in a while she would get nervous and stand up and crane her head back to give me a quick 25-30 kisses...then lay back down again...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSS1s1Ds85xU-z7cRaE-uzxaUBGxh0poCpiD6TFCGh2WuMbQ5TYud0CsBAsjED0b0foxrCtriFSxnZ4qw3HdRlv4KoqjyT8BRl1Vvs25iQBP2xqRFC79qg1VC2h42eslhMLeO/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSS1s1Ds85xU-z7cRaE-uzxaUBGxh0poCpiD6TFCGh2WuMbQ5TYud0CsBAsjED0b0foxrCtriFSxnZ4qw3HdRlv4KoqjyT8BRl1Vvs25iQBP2xqRFC79qg1VC2h42eslhMLeO/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461030106563602" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and Gail cruising...if you click on the pic to enlarge it, you can see the matching lollipop sticks...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBAwnGUGq1Qivb0-DRRSiA-zagTFTFHg1YNh2Bl4F13ty0-VHxu3MnXh8H5TLb3xkhKkeaHjwOegSD28USEykL6jy6xi_BVzr6NFhXvE06FCZukl65rnkeJ3hL5ykCGtv6LSQ/s1600/t.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBAwnGUGq1Qivb0-DRRSiA-zagTFTFHg1YNh2Bl4F13ty0-VHxu3MnXh8H5TLb3xkhKkeaHjwOegSD28USEykL6jy6xi_BVzr6NFhXvE06FCZukl65rnkeJ3hL5ykCGtv6LSQ/s400/t.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614460809211576898" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loves the freedom of paddling his own boat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhEeghqE46epAe72lCLcvZYtWODwMYTXfpJ0IV1KJlxDvkSRuRlawN1DWOC4db3MMRI4bA4StXkIcA6jsMwAFsKDRnk5zPVkedam6RrDYWNhfsOBoGKk-S-jA5a_Zg1pT7qfQ/s1600/u.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhEeghqE46epAe72lCLcvZYtWODwMYTXfpJ0IV1KJlxDvkSRuRlawN1DWOC4db3MMRI4bA4StXkIcA6jsMwAFsKDRnk5zPVkedam6RrDYWNhfsOBoGKk-S-jA5a_Zg1pT7qfQ/s400/u.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614460802846827874" border="0" /></a><br />It took him a while to get his mojo back, but by the end of the trip, he was confident and moving well in the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMHZ41X-yLyOlc0EOD7le_TrAI6Yc2HiURiZw3Nty8Ie1wL5zO4DPmW8HMa8YL2KjarMRkLNA-wrBNqBsHkeaKmvHM9BEWr1Do8JtScZ_3k6Ts7WVjt5wQeicp6KJDpneTAXj/s1600/v.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMHZ41X-yLyOlc0EOD7le_TrAI6Yc2HiURiZw3Nty8Ie1wL5zO4DPmW8HMa8YL2KjarMRkLNA-wrBNqBsHkeaKmvHM9BEWr1Do8JtScZ_3k6Ts7WVjt5wQeicp6KJDpneTAXj/s400/v.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614460797582571906" border="0" /></a><br />a nice reach-around pic<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAlyv9Pf0mtnfJc5EKIPFBJjSgZhYpXWjtq0sG7Lw3aE6L-EvECRswrZeMOvDAPjzoOdb8Bo_noz3-7SYpDDHW9Aoj13omAa0Q_avv1UHtxll31HpyA5o4j-AjkMi3xDqgnzo/s1600/w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAlyv9Pf0mtnfJc5EKIPFBJjSgZhYpXWjtq0sG7Lw3aE6L-EvECRswrZeMOvDAPjzoOdb8Bo_noz3-7SYpDDHW9Aoj13omAa0Q_avv1UHtxll31HpyA5o4j-AjkMi3xDqgnzo/s400/w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614460787998639938" border="0" /></a><br />he had a fun trip<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_M5IbpnaiYDu7dc9S85aLiCHmelHVWUSJX9msvZLy2NHY3mXEZn-2e8O3g3N3tFDQOYkHNIlHoHC5dMaOY_7QwVkBO1wC4wT5GUmo_cTz55h5Ridwg4nup6y_VAkXIyMjYip/s1600/s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_M5IbpnaiYDu7dc9S85aLiCHmelHVWUSJX9msvZLy2NHY3mXEZn-2e8O3g3N3tFDQOYkHNIlHoHC5dMaOY_7QwVkBO1wC4wT5GUmo_cTz55h5Ridwg4nup6y_VAkXIyMjYip/s400/s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614460816002642290" border="0" /></a><br />It's a pretty area to explore...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GOPtwMaNNZ_VK-jG7_5YsP_2A9cC1h2JhDq1u2VJ5GUJerY23oP9D5MRtiBC-ma3lNV1GSEKwf_ihzM5BN8k5YE4YKLjMDijXlbNbIw0mxYThZQ3nmogJ4OyxJMj12HYHhAL/s1600/x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GOPtwMaNNZ_VK-jG7_5YsP_2A9cC1h2JhDq1u2VJ5GUJerY23oP9D5MRtiBC-ma3lNV1GSEKwf_ihzM5BN8k5YE4YKLjMDijXlbNbIw0mxYThZQ3nmogJ4OyxJMj12HYHhAL/s400/x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458377122861218" border="0" /></a>After the paddle, we stopped off at Donnelly's for a soft-serve...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9dzoitEFTGhuXyuHgL6Nbw4RJdI173p2HajfC4P7gBE0-ps3Kgo-yoNVSrr2ClevL_ZTFsE2ToWmTfU0SxBvvra53YluCoBZWbaWuPq_fmQZ9n5d5tAEBfFx6zzCLQ2wPPqd/s1600/y.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9dzoitEFTGhuXyuHgL6Nbw4RJdI173p2HajfC4P7gBE0-ps3Kgo-yoNVSrr2ClevL_ZTFsE2ToWmTfU0SxBvvra53YluCoBZWbaWuPq_fmQZ9n5d5tAEBfFx6zzCLQ2wPPqd/s400/y.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458369540456690" border="0" /></a><br />Maddie offered to help Ben...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFtWEuoXHV0iMeLCtNwxrcuZ7YvcjsqItNVoQ7QbYuUwxi21hjA0-VfdbyHrF6GYaWydaPUbijkLYreSg8DwSY42JXNW3nKNmLavSLuL3MvsV7vTMzB2tLZxpxAl7xYKLxHnh/s1600/z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFtWEuoXHV0iMeLCtNwxrcuZ7YvcjsqItNVoQ7QbYuUwxi21hjA0-VfdbyHrF6GYaWydaPUbijkLYreSg8DwSY42JXNW3nKNmLavSLuL3MvsV7vTMzB2tLZxpxAl7xYKLxHnh/s400/z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458365385631810" border="0" /></a>But we got her her own cone...of course...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd4pnP0ZOyTkwZza6euHbOvL31mj9T6ayGS4bWMxqgejklH-Ara1q0HdTNrw6GwQcyFlSfgRXM8luURl5g4YGfJiAI9wF8HTJVVebhhUH2T8pcc_qrjEsicZFjt3wIKNBQwtC/s1600/z1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd4pnP0ZOyTkwZza6euHbOvL31mj9T6ayGS4bWMxqgejklH-Ara1q0HdTNrw6GwQcyFlSfgRXM8luURl5g4YGfJiAI9wF8HTJVVebhhUH2T8pcc_qrjEsicZFjt3wIKNBQwtC/s400/z1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458360184348226" border="0" /></a><br />She's a good girl with a cone...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMGCFXDmr5RzHudORRqm1_3u4tCOSUYEcB43cDjhmziXoUOF6TSWws5EgVnBUSPjDx0GDsb8rw_bzknJp5cP6kgNL59IsnLg_dZrevF-9hyrYSumlWKaGbL3TZ4iN_UqoFRpD/s1600/z2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMGCFXDmr5RzHudORRqm1_3u4tCOSUYEcB43cDjhmziXoUOF6TSWws5EgVnBUSPjDx0GDsb8rw_bzknJp5cP6kgNL59IsnLg_dZrevF-9hyrYSumlWKaGbL3TZ4iN_UqoFRpD/s400/z2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458350444298754" border="0" /></a><br />She looked so sad when she dropped her cone at the end, but was happy again when she figured out that the grass caught it, and she could eat the last bit laying down...<br /><br />It was a nice trip, and the first of many this summer!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-82275499248905839502011-03-27T09:11:00.005-04:002011-03-27T09:31:42.516-04:00Madison!We brought Madison home from the <a href="http://members.petfinder.org/%7ENY112/index.html">North Country Animal Shelter</a> yesterday. We had found out that a litter of Labradors had been dropped off with them, and by the time we got there, only 2 were left, only 1 a female (which we had decided that we wanted for our next dog, to somewhat level the playing field in our home)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOM4KbA6UspL0CMvMCqX_p6ZnMvqWUnYL8w7e9aVY27PO_caTTgD6x4KiAjANYcDcu2zxRPdH9T-cPwmdtZQhVUXbjKEzlfiogGqfQTDMdVE3Z_kgUuTgYqe-ZZzwWRT_yNAUA/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOM4KbA6UspL0CMvMCqX_p6ZnMvqWUnYL8w7e9aVY27PO_caTTgD6x4KiAjANYcDcu2zxRPdH9T-cPwmdtZQhVUXbjKEzlfiogGqfQTDMdVE3Z_kgUuTgYqe-ZZzwWRT_yNAUA/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747501579055954" border="0" /></a><br />She is a cutie pie, and loves paying with all of us...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHz-hFJp_tEmIgikwndBhprfCvvcenMPoZvq-XC1asni0XzFo5vEV5XXSePxOQ1vbZm4aJa4IOEStWsDklC41-tZ2VBJxPNfibQgQ_M0CNfKz3oTTXV7xMzROyExTRbC-3mD1/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHz-hFJp_tEmIgikwndBhprfCvvcenMPoZvq-XC1asni0XzFo5vEV5XXSePxOQ1vbZm4aJa4IOEStWsDklC41-tZ2VBJxPNfibQgQ_M0CNfKz3oTTXV7xMzROyExTRbC-3mD1/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747416075639970" border="0" /></a><br />Especially Ben...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM7YMss1UpmTzphaFY2mcT0shgjZzY_fu_VApVbwqyDyEkDg8bNLAmHRezWblWSLezw2iMge7y88djvMIKh-AAlAgNOVOJ86uP_YSI7-rgZAsvEeakV5xuKfz3WxzQLbOMx1M/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM7YMss1UpmTzphaFY2mcT0shgjZzY_fu_VApVbwqyDyEkDg8bNLAmHRezWblWSLezw2iMge7y88djvMIKh-AAlAgNOVOJ86uP_YSI7-rgZAsvEeakV5xuKfz3WxzQLbOMx1M/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747408781229442" border="0" /></a><br />We gave her a bath/shower shortly after arriving home, to get the smell of shelter off of her...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIHjVUYCxzYHwaFuhs8uL4MqiU68gDZ3PYeMPORsfkzScJ_ztfy5Qh7YJLdscpdyS7mRpP-xKPD0mDfg4PeMKnQWVBMGCrfDGW5GMqGV4OO61wZjoxhG2-UaCKkLLxReAKtn3/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIHjVUYCxzYHwaFuhs8uL4MqiU68gDZ3PYeMPORsfkzScJ_ztfy5Qh7YJLdscpdyS7mRpP-xKPD0mDfg4PeMKnQWVBMGCrfDGW5GMqGV4OO61wZjoxhG2-UaCKkLLxReAKtn3/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747405805588434" border="0" /></a><br />She was very well behaved in the bath, and even leaned over to give me a kiss during the process...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLnb1sf1H0Y6HaxLWyZLWpRxVpYGZppVf2YmzGOUARmGTOOomPm29J-W7WSdlBxEPv3SIBXguutfuSL_Q2QFJ3rFNXQZB0swQmKZe9joaDEwEfQxIe9TPT9Ng0NymiNCVy-Sg/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLnb1sf1H0Y6HaxLWyZLWpRxVpYGZppVf2YmzGOUARmGTOOomPm29J-W7WSdlBxEPv3SIBXguutfuSL_Q2QFJ3rFNXQZB0swQmKZe9joaDEwEfQxIe9TPT9Ng0NymiNCVy-Sg/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747398612410562" border="0" /></a><br />She seemed to settle in quite nicely to our home and routine...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0flxbn9DjNErazTOCXNqmCNl53SsRvnWq8pVfgDfc44JTJC-Kq4Kcj6Ei-mCPxSvapbDaFDiG2rLXNwVNz4XMzPxekO_KR21lhXixGylBck83YLFf-5K7UT-hh17ol2eyrwn/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0flxbn9DjNErazTOCXNqmCNl53SsRvnWq8pVfgDfc44JTJC-Kq4Kcj6Ei-mCPxSvapbDaFDiG2rLXNwVNz4XMzPxekO_KR21lhXixGylBck83YLFf-5K7UT-hh17ol2eyrwn/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747398373481474" border="0" /></a><br />She gets along quite well with Cedar, but...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM51gupdlVx3O0QDNd9ZyZgZR5aKE6BsyEeMwNMcC37Nn0gdXynHTgeaEM5jXEVqVlkUlt1VvIHZrYKrXdUCun0QxXtYcm9tTMLBLq8E9pbX3em0alARZDgTVbwWkWEJtRq8h/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM51gupdlVx3O0QDNd9ZyZgZR5aKE6BsyEeMwNMcC37Nn0gdXynHTgeaEM5jXEVqVlkUlt1VvIHZrYKrXdUCun0QxXtYcm9tTMLBLq8E9pbX3em0alARZDgTVbwWkWEJtRq8h/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747194197374834" border="0" /></a><br />...but she really has a thing for her new big brother Miles, who she deeply admires...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEELO9-4W-u3-a4qV2A37VHl3HdwdfuEr0eY2pjv7AAOyypU8XMaN-Du7s5cdirYvBSWZyb1gGGneV6HSz_B3c0c7IiX5OE-QI_UPKy_9y68N98nUne8VXvEBJ3fX9h6y8JQY/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEELO9-4W-u3-a4qV2A37VHl3HdwdfuEr0eY2pjv7AAOyypU8XMaN-Du7s5cdirYvBSWZyb1gGGneV6HSz_B3c0c7IiX5OE-QI_UPKy_9y68N98nUne8VXvEBJ3fX9h6y8JQY/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747187486915858" border="0" /></a><br />Not having had a puppy in the house for a while, we are getting reacquainted her rapid mania & napping cycles...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3f6nb_RhGdN6q3nfupjDr8xYmgPZ0KM7NRO_iPZr6JwkvHYGlLUhyhNY2IXcSTHitCrEJ_lKcj57uPs_8uX3-JiHkonk1vKWjHEK6dgQyjlqCStsYNlLeGXG0sCFJ4AMo9I7/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3f6nb_RhGdN6q3nfupjDr8xYmgPZ0KM7NRO_iPZr6JwkvHYGlLUhyhNY2IXcSTHitCrEJ_lKcj57uPs_8uX3-JiHkonk1vKWjHEK6dgQyjlqCStsYNlLeGXG0sCFJ4AMo9I7/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747180586645218" border="0" /></a><br />When not exploring her new home, she always has to be touching one of us (or one of her brothers)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnQz9_Zcv5SVNoCGGzR5hoze7LW4BG-OAS7yHUJjPXEi7UvPt44yN6fuEt0rpIWQpzRzmuB75u0fOwkrXCbs3t-c3Kn4EKm4PNo9s0n8vuFJgYdUoVWbjSg8eSIoMT9ubibQJ/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnQz9_Zcv5SVNoCGGzR5hoze7LW4BG-OAS7yHUJjPXEi7UvPt44yN6fuEt0rpIWQpzRzmuB75u0fOwkrXCbs3t-c3Kn4EKm4PNo9s0n8vuFJgYdUoVWbjSg8eSIoMT9ubibQJ/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747177513008722" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes, however, they move away while she's sleeping, and leave her alone on the couch or floor, gently (sweetly) snoring...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_wFNOFzDSwOQPmbSfDi_GL0I_IeKMf1CxhxSwISut33NPHPNG4rgHPVdstHsDtT3Dr-1ZYLRBcqFvvupiSIu8I_vA2trAH-C6IazXsaZ1BOqELv9K07lL5sB2vVLiDoBMIn6/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_wFNOFzDSwOQPmbSfDi_GL0I_IeKMf1CxhxSwISut33NPHPNG4rgHPVdstHsDtT3Dr-1ZYLRBcqFvvupiSIu8I_vA2trAH-C6IazXsaZ1BOqELv9K07lL5sB2vVLiDoBMIn6/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588747167720219906" border="0" /></a><br />During one of her naps last evening, I caught this tip of tongue sticking out...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bXs9FhvMg2kS6H7PuFLh6agpWjCalpXmSVr0Rp8XqvF0Umib5t5Gadz_2B8xydmewkwje93ZJ9Ufamh-4wilV9F1u2CpKZB3andNGxh6rX8IprmXqhFFsgyL9R0GE0UDHVCB/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bXs9FhvMg2kS6H7PuFLh6agpWjCalpXmSVr0Rp8XqvF0Umib5t5Gadz_2B8xydmewkwje93ZJ9Ufamh-4wilV9F1u2CpKZB3andNGxh6rX8IprmXqhFFsgyL9R0GE0UDHVCB/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588746995418909762" border="0" /></a><br />She and Ben are working out what I imagine will be a wonderful relationship...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieny7gHzS0NpYjaG5aKa-Ra9H2T5kGiprHTjuSu2ER3mnoHFtiDihB9pPNzOs5TeFXSObObADtCK2QOpWB49M3YHSCOOGWEw28WEJbSDKDq4PqXsWC8ZUuUhVLREEAA1LO0QYR/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieny7gHzS0NpYjaG5aKa-Ra9H2T5kGiprHTjuSu2ER3mnoHFtiDihB9pPNzOs5TeFXSObObADtCK2QOpWB49M3YHSCOOGWEw28WEJbSDKDq4PqXsWC8ZUuUhVLREEAA1LO0QYR/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588746991948895346" border="0" /></a><br />She loves her newly adopted Mom...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXb5WlRM6XGKM9dS2YH8phSWLPdx5Z-qZ08Bibg7ItczP69aMJiOs4S30e0Xrvwm1jNVj8zPYFRGut9zIK9evD8uOisidz0anfV258m5iTi7SMAgErivCKLlXmoVyz_E1AYEW/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXb5WlRM6XGKM9dS2YH8phSWLPdx5Z-qZ08Bibg7ItczP69aMJiOs4S30e0Xrvwm1jNVj8zPYFRGut9zIK9evD8uOisidz0anfV258m5iTi7SMAgErivCKLlXmoVyz_E1AYEW/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588746986533182514" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Ben took her on a nice walk in the early morning...so far she has been flawless in making it outside to take care of business...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii2ib7xJDTRRxU4dsFRtuT0Pp4SRUbbRhlTtTGA-ZiTh8K2sFdRRsSYWEpEm8ONpxEeU4cF2mdZoYncs98Jlaq3KKK7IKhG0UXnyi4uH5iYN1xuRRMaPjfpIDexiffJjJ3j2B/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii2ib7xJDTRRxU4dsFRtuT0Pp4SRUbbRhlTtTGA-ZiTh8K2sFdRRsSYWEpEm8ONpxEeU4cF2mdZoYncs98Jlaq3KKK7IKhG0UXnyi4uH5iYN1xuRRMaPjfpIDexiffJjJ3j2B/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588746985006410770" border="0" /></a><br />She and Miles have matching collars (for reasons beyond the cuteness), and the way that they dote on each other makes it seem like Miles and a mini-Miles...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhFOOD9kAHka7GOX2UIDBHCgeRJ9-AQWs_kUe93bNWrw5dp82rtZhU4x2J9mgANAmXF3s-FesGMwU_IVmByja0HsbMZZ2Myai_O2tEvH36ZLrR8R01SKCKyFqVrM1E3JT-fUY/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhFOOD9kAHka7GOX2UIDBHCgeRJ9-AQWs_kUe93bNWrw5dp82rtZhU4x2J9mgANAmXF3s-FesGMwU_IVmByja0HsbMZZ2Myai_O2tEvH36ZLrR8R01SKCKyFqVrM1E3JT-fUY/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588746978263702770" border="0" /></a><br />We're downstairs now, enjoying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">woodheat</span> and sleeping dogs while watching the new version of "Alice in Wonderland"...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-11651604295018034712011-02-20T08:34:00.005-05:002011-02-20T09:11:16.979-05:00February HappeningsI've had a fun February, but been remiss about posting any pics in the blog...here are a couple...<br /><br />The first weekend of the month was the 4th Annual Northern New York Winter Camping Trip, an annual event by and for the New York Chapter of Zombie Squad. We had 10 people come this year, and everyone had a great time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166871_10150170110729307_307572444306_8416135_4813595_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 720px;" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166871_10150170110729307_307572444306_8416135_4813595_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We try to focus on a local charity each year, and this year we collected goods for the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, and were able to deliver them on Saturday...we played with the bunnies and cats living at the shelter, and walked and/or played with every single dog in the place...it was wonderful!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179346_10150170054769307_307572444306_8415119_7566370_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179346_10150170054769307_307572444306_8415119_7566370_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Rick and I were brave/stupid enough to snowshoe across somewhat slushy Polliwogg Pond, to spend one of the nights hammock-camping on an island in the middle of the pond...in this picture you can see us trekking across the ice and snow, me with a pulk behind me.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/167627_10150170054909307_307572444306_8415124_967283_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/167627_10150170054909307_307572444306_8415124_967283_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My sorta-pulk design was perfect in the snow on the pond, but a little problematic negotiating the twists and turns and trees and topography on the island...not to worry, Ben and I have plans to modify the design this long weekend...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166829_10150170054959307_307572444306_8415126_3419819_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166829_10150170054959307_307572444306_8415126_3419819_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We set up our hammocks on the spine of the island...the snowshoes were useful in packing down the snow in our camp.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/166625_10150170055149307_307572444306_8415131_2441642_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 276px;" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/166625_10150170055149307_307572444306_8415131_2441642_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed the rest of the day with everyone else, and then trudged out to the island after dark, during a whiteout blizzard, which ended up dumping most of a foot of new snow on, under, around us overnight...the huge trees overhead would gather snow in their branches for a while, and then dump huge snowbombs on us...we could hear them falling through the lesser branches on their way down, and then crashing onto our tarps, or in one case the ground right next to my hammock, which blasted me with wind and then coated me with snow...it was awesome!<br /><br />The pic above shows me in my hammock the next morning...about 10-11 inches of snow fell overnight, filled in our footprints, and even drifted up under my hammock until is was even with my butt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168104_10150106761512697_527557696_6138531_210162_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 277px;" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168104_10150106761512697_527557696_6138531_210162_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is the entire NNY2011WCT-ZSNY Crew<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/179845_10150111558992697_527557696_6206841_1013692_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 358px;" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/179845_10150111558992697_527557696_6206841_1013692_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loves the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, and this year they went all out, building a huge and elaborate castle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182625_10150111559062697_527557696_6206843_5290129_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 317px;" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182625_10150111559062697_527557696_6206843_5290129_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The theme this year was Medieval Times, and Ben loved it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181996_10150111559117697_527557696_6206845_3560395_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 256px;" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181996_10150111559117697_527557696_6206845_3560395_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As always, the fireworks were incredible<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180794_10150111557507697_527557696_6206815_7357822_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 360px;" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180794_10150111557507697_527557696_6206815_7357822_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I also got to enjoy a day of cross-country skiing with my students from Lake Placid. It was a fun way to celebrate the Winter Carnival, get out of the classroom for a day, and enjoy the people that we see and teach and work with everyday in a different setting and a different way.Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-26651286471477443612011-01-17T13:04:00.012-05:002011-01-17T14:28:03.908-05:00Christmas 2010We went down to Key West this Christmas, and had a great time there with my mom and dad and sister (anti-) Sarah...It was a super time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n211M5tVOj6r74-Na3lsZZCeTYYCdi_5C6oEjB9NE5-yopfWzrKCED459EbFnPCc_tDfSA30JGwet9ZhCOxta7p6b2WinynInMnCQBIj7_ZW6ZoBrtVYoddfNDGaUQcw4SM_/s1600/a1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n211M5tVOj6r74-Na3lsZZCeTYYCdi_5C6oEjB9NE5-yopfWzrKCED459EbFnPCc_tDfSA30JGwet9ZhCOxta7p6b2WinynInMnCQBIj7_ZW6ZoBrtVYoddfNDGaUQcw4SM_/s400/a1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219493251164754" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Sarah and I had fun exploring the town, especially since we were within walking distance of everything downtown...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj_vthYo7hLkVuX3kbq-zGCzxuSNPf3CFVFxK-zV-xPIha0Jnq31_JXpl9EaxAVvfuj0VLdaDRnaL3wCBD3Ff2n0D8YY7krWQbkjs1pl-OtESVXXzfktawVKrej25z7l37KwW/s1600/a2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj_vthYo7hLkVuX3kbq-zGCzxuSNPf3CFVFxK-zV-xPIha0Jnq31_JXpl9EaxAVvfuj0VLdaDRnaL3wCBD3Ff2n0D8YY7krWQbkjs1pl-OtESVXXzfktawVKrej25z7l37KwW/s400/a2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219483924217282" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah and Gail at the smallest bar in Key West...our favorite spot was the <a href="http://www.hogsbreath.com/key-west/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hogsbreath</span> Saloon </a>though<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMrvVNKvHrX6f03LHxGq4vMV6TORhfqmltzPbBrItwjk7e6jC2vc9eY0gTbgRDBZQO7kpw31Epf7bQoGXrGeBXF1gERbfIW3c-hCHuG0j9dKn9x8m62uWwH3etnBhAQG5e6Hu/s1600/a3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMrvVNKvHrX6f03LHxGq4vMV6TORhfqmltzPbBrItwjk7e6jC2vc9eY0gTbgRDBZQO7kpw31Epf7bQoGXrGeBXF1gERbfIW3c-hCHuG0j9dKn9x8m62uWwH3etnBhAQG5e6Hu/s400/a3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219483262505650" border="0" /></a><br />The area in front of our rental house was a pretty wasteland that was used by residents and visitors as a park...we met this sweet dog there while walking one morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16ZC7P5YjlITIi32uqusv6Zx-3iVtJ9kcIKWdwCn_Xy5jdcKu8xLA4ZNewx_km8nlfbGhWesZ5j4fvdRuxw-L1lz_yi-2WW5Fvi5KTkwdNLZm86U9Xp7Y6cwtpNULGQxIY2kR/s1600/a4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16ZC7P5YjlITIi32uqusv6Zx-3iVtJ9kcIKWdwCn_Xy5jdcKu8xLA4ZNewx_km8nlfbGhWesZ5j4fvdRuxw-L1lz_yi-2WW5Fvi5KTkwdNLZm86U9Xp7Y6cwtpNULGQxIY2kR/s400/a4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219482344844018" border="0" /></a><br />Gail got jazzed by all of the cool historical information scattered throughout the downtown area...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcdLEZdkFBk_q-fg8K_tGUd4xggtc2KbF1mdIiessLhGyzAMhL80W5KUHROs46zFvOcd-TI3FoJwmey_qzWkXIzEYMHm_fPKPev6CYyARZ2ho5jaie0Yls3FdXYxuF4OXlEm-/s1600/a5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcdLEZdkFBk_q-fg8K_tGUd4xggtc2KbF1mdIiessLhGyzAMhL80W5KUHROs46zFvOcd-TI3FoJwmey_qzWkXIzEYMHm_fPKPev6CYyARZ2ho5jaie0Yls3FdXYxuF4OXlEm-/s400/a5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219475215541634" border="0" /></a><br />I loved the free-range chickens that are everywhere in Key West...you can hear and see them at any hour and in any part of town...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8LyP3YA1GOREFnRaX_2GBEDHvnGwvT54sw2XHcy5N40WTx5FWZwDsuNIpO_IN8eanNhJFz68HGGiOjJvsAZSQp1Cp0N4_jAjmjontM-FeZ8u7DumfHT0ahBGdBPYl8yqhy3p/s1600/b1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8LyP3YA1GOREFnRaX_2GBEDHvnGwvT54sw2XHcy5N40WTx5FWZwDsuNIpO_IN8eanNhJFz68HGGiOjJvsAZSQp1Cp0N4_jAjmjontM-FeZ8u7DumfHT0ahBGdBPYl8yqhy3p/s400/b1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219148566202626" border="0" /></a><br />I liked this guy fishing while a pelican watched, all in the shadow of a huge <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cruiseship</span>...that's Key West!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuMKpcffwsU8NnEasEqM6N2ehhyMrxgQiMLBSuVi1rsVVRDKgI_XWdfOiLbC7yg6-qtJNJ_c52Lvgf1TJn2WmolG9dj_FDKcct7AqOUjprd-xHEcjT0f2Co4rLtcJYJDIDJKo/s1600/b2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuMKpcffwsU8NnEasEqM6N2ehhyMrxgQiMLBSuVi1rsVVRDKgI_XWdfOiLbC7yg6-qtJNJ_c52Lvgf1TJn2WmolG9dj_FDKcct7AqOUjprd-xHEcjT0f2Co4rLtcJYJDIDJKo/s400/b2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219146964735762" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved the pool, and spent time in it every day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZGGDp-UETgHmL9nEz5H9begzQ_L8VWT1W7XqKcOG0iySdo3erk7x1atj2Tm3RjRYrpQt9H1q5qdEijl_XIIV5oqyhwzLlXbcRHZcaUe_C-Afie8fJCMWIgq2ykHwV_jct2Rz/s1600/b3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZGGDp-UETgHmL9nEz5H9begzQ_L8VWT1W7XqKcOG0iySdo3erk7x1atj2Tm3RjRYrpQt9H1q5qdEijl_XIIV5oqyhwzLlXbcRHZcaUe_C-Afie8fJCMWIgq2ykHwV_jct2Rz/s400/b3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219141060242770" border="0" /></a><br />It was a nice spot to read and hang out...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlnu93N43lxbfYBnfyF72eQTOKglnFmwr-sO2oy_I1NlCfHzq0j1zvNsIzO8_RdCghMw4Z1Zko7vRFt7F6rO9mGGB1w9Nn30HkxKHDuM7rqiTfNsU5q-luwAxlHaKi-vhQoIO/s1600/b4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlnu93N43lxbfYBnfyF72eQTOKglnFmwr-sO2oy_I1NlCfHzq0j1zvNsIzO8_RdCghMw4Z1Zko7vRFt7F6rO9mGGB1w9Nn30HkxKHDuM7rqiTfNsU5q-luwAxlHaKi-vhQoIO/s400/b4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219136610334722" border="0" /></a><br />Our house was near to <a href="http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/">Zachary Taylor Fort and State Park</a>, close enough to bike there on our rented bikes in just a few minutes...we went there a couple of times, getting there early in the morning before other people arrived...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCPwiRRTkGXgUcRSVG1YXPGWUUiRWLJDL9LJKY3S6WrSbz7Sh2OlQg3P1EIembLB9bVcYIxUqGdhbJi7r8RzbFdpiZ-Dk94hM1shxij3yZinyQIm4KZvbgl5XEbobWwM9QShk/s1600/b5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCPwiRRTkGXgUcRSVG1YXPGWUUiRWLJDL9LJKY3S6WrSbz7Sh2OlQg3P1EIembLB9bVcYIxUqGdhbJi7r8RzbFdpiZ-Dk94hM1shxij3yZinyQIm4KZvbgl5XEbobWwM9QShk/s400/b5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219137368401538" border="0" /></a><br />The fort was really cool, and Ben learned the difference between a cannon and a mortar...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHsAIb_owKgiD5iCIXbcGAgdnP-pDm57VcDLvTZPq1iifgkZO32pR3uUYRXPS9fowfyqSp3kMRhEcWhz-rcLZFMHRLYI7HlziyXwxgKc2LqagX_Y7wO-tsEiFBrThf_pycBDC/s1600/c1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHsAIb_owKgiD5iCIXbcGAgdnP-pDm57VcDLvTZPq1iifgkZO32pR3uUYRXPS9fowfyqSp3kMRhEcWhz-rcLZFMHRLYI7HlziyXwxgKc2LqagX_Y7wO-tsEiFBrThf_pycBDC/s400/c1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218963787647794" border="0" /></a><br />This was the view of sunset from our house!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZCrAt27BpJdw1tnmbw2PWSAK10uK1YfmOx99GuGwzNL4uYjdZTn2UI1AUQW5Dpcib7t_vmySMUxkcRJI2LRAMtQ1kM8E8XQDfvg-T1oHhl8o5nsYIFpa9682NJ-rrZYYsPgn/s1600/c2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZCrAt27BpJdw1tnmbw2PWSAK10uK1YfmOx99GuGwzNL4uYjdZTn2UI1AUQW5Dpcib7t_vmySMUxkcRJI2LRAMtQ1kM8E8XQDfvg-T1oHhl8o5nsYIFpa9682NJ-rrZYYsPgn/s400/c2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218961998613154" border="0" /></a><br />We visited the <a href="http://www.keywestaquarium.com/">aquarium</a>, which is great fun...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5C9L3VWsi37CvveTwqSJpoI-0BN0okVUNNMYZaY_SRcG8T9LRbWQz2z9BnWtW4uz4_gSoi1-BvJ3dZIQOWs6L5ftkyHnz30FxOQZZ_KlhODF-ZIJ_ZNOmL3XKZkJ7GbwtEEw/s1600/c3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5C9L3VWsi37CvveTwqSJpoI-0BN0okVUNNMYZaY_SRcG8T9LRbWQz2z9BnWtW4uz4_gSoi1-BvJ3dZIQOWs6L5ftkyHnz30FxOQZZ_KlhODF-ZIJ_ZNOmL3XKZkJ7GbwtEEw/s400/c3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218956924358274" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe the most fun was watching Anti-Sarah get a serious case of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wiggins</span> when faced with a pool filled with sharks, right at her feet...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyJcHunG1xqoDVExHY9qWaFRuDLkeOo4hpi95A24AelUdxQreNqFw1RFFGxcn9d45MKmiG960Lte8XDs5XF_6z99rJuWr8GlItTJ_3xWN3vtOf_wpq6zRtzr_Dw1y2P4MBqDX/s1600/c4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyJcHunG1xqoDVExHY9qWaFRuDLkeOo4hpi95A24AelUdxQreNqFw1RFFGxcn9d45MKmiG960Lte8XDs5XF_6z99rJuWr8GlItTJ_3xWN3vtOf_wpq6zRtzr_Dw1y2P4MBqDX/s400/c4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218957778240402" border="0" /></a><br />This octopus was incredible to watch move around in his tank...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfizxF7TX9ovwaDhzSpvILq0PI1uBKmfIlVqSfWgH7jAZeUMcInLgm-caz_NqyiycZKOR5c6qNquoqQzy0rAINkpvCa7Z0YCoALj6Dk5wD5eUmEhBtyym8Kz4Q0lI48eh28gJU/s1600/c5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfizxF7TX9ovwaDhzSpvILq0PI1uBKmfIlVqSfWgH7jAZeUMcInLgm-caz_NqyiycZKOR5c6qNquoqQzy0rAINkpvCa7Z0YCoALj6Dk5wD5eUmEhBtyym8Kz4Q0lI48eh28gJU/s400/c5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218954056967346" border="0" /></a><br />Back at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ZT</span> state park and beach, on a perfect morning!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemSuJjpB8I8mPArivJH6vxbQNSMzKVMBs4pKPjOQZW-Svsk1ryIuEGsK_1O5wjLjd7uz5gpzqt4nr7B3-1NfNw7HKtkDPEHse2kl01EW24lZPyDOTjq3O2bwkJrBaBuVB7a0J/s1600/d1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemSuJjpB8I8mPArivJH6vxbQNSMzKVMBs4pKPjOQZW-Svsk1ryIuEGsK_1O5wjLjd7uz5gpzqt4nr7B3-1NfNw7HKtkDPEHse2kl01EW24lZPyDOTjq3O2bwkJrBaBuVB7a0J/s400/d1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218806284258386" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved climbing around on the stone jetty and exploring the beach for shells and wee-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">beasties</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrFyb6pk8c-ePZOpJ7QbZFgnwrd6gEbrNc0baVUU52770jZDNdZmn1MEFHFVX4sveCcPkHj609NuZk8DQB5qGpHZxLwUtDlXqMgy-TkM6q4S_NqvdbLaCKLJBjZre7CI3J6XK/s1600/d2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrFyb6pk8c-ePZOpJ7QbZFgnwrd6gEbrNc0baVUU52770jZDNdZmn1MEFHFVX4sveCcPkHj609NuZk8DQB5qGpHZxLwUtDlXqMgy-TkM6q4S_NqvdbLaCKLJBjZre7CI3J6XK/s400/d2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218797446015698" border="0" /></a>A nice reach-around shot taken by Gail...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuxUmHRDWOXf4zloTZ8itq9lTGuxb5kwlZURnexdme5M9wzP4vdtuHOMxyg2cVg47z3Vy65OhpvI0-OdVIN9bptCRDuME8m4eFQ2GSILYyERi3HJ7PbkBT0xFKMIe9fXXA6tq/s1600/d3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuxUmHRDWOXf4zloTZ8itq9lTGuxb5kwlZURnexdme5M9wzP4vdtuHOMxyg2cVg47z3Vy65OhpvI0-OdVIN9bptCRDuME8m4eFQ2GSILYyERi3HJ7PbkBT0xFKMIe9fXXA6tq/s400/d3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218794695325874" border="0" /></a><br />I brought one of my hammocks along, and we strung it up between the 2 best trees on the beach (<span style="font-style: italic;">we were the first ones there, so we grabbed the best spot</span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNnzxf-jduxc1yS0BgdBh4R7jnhX8YcedJpHJT02ygD2ip0u0V8pu7Q1vvm_1NxXhsaGFRao47oQSfRNvV6rmpC-QTZQ2O-9z3ambnwrOAfc8Hz7PkKmU_2AMJoE55vuDqkoN/s1600/d4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNnzxf-jduxc1yS0BgdBh4R7jnhX8YcedJpHJT02ygD2ip0u0V8pu7Q1vvm_1NxXhsaGFRao47oQSfRNvV6rmpC-QTZQ2O-9z3ambnwrOAfc8Hz7PkKmU_2AMJoE55vuDqkoN/s400/d4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218783211750674" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved hanging in the hammock, and watching the sun and sand and waves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1mAW4MH_Oq4vZd9XV26GFu0pcFLAEPVsM2sSrjVPjJgD1xha2g4U1MOB8dJB0KT2KqfYOOZR9xto938tvxYCCqZ4sriR4qYFwCTgXibpP_drZPpiw4yy7cR69wxUK7P-vloT/s1600/d5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1mAW4MH_Oq4vZd9XV26GFu0pcFLAEPVsM2sSrjVPjJgD1xha2g4U1MOB8dJB0KT2KqfYOOZR9xto938tvxYCCqZ4sriR4qYFwCTgXibpP_drZPpiw4yy7cR69wxUK7P-vloT/s400/d5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218779915444706" border="0" /></a><br />Gail read to Ben while he was hanging around...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0N3eN0htqrcScNcK2o1qCDc2dSjUBXI3yiXIlJNjsAIfsWbr_8EKx5PFiOS2qWRP4gj6s62DSYqHcSSHeiAyTy__y5NBVpJfLBjs4nUOxNGc_fB-_gnmJhSHddY1lwFtKUHo_/s1600/e1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0N3eN0htqrcScNcK2o1qCDc2dSjUBXI3yiXIlJNjsAIfsWbr_8EKx5PFiOS2qWRP4gj6s62DSYqHcSSHeiAyTy__y5NBVpJfLBjs4nUOxNGc_fB-_gnmJhSHddY1lwFtKUHo_/s400/e1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218610320564258" border="0" /></a><br />That afternoon, we went on a sunset cruise on a sailing ship, and Ben was able to help them hoist the sails...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUfRNhgSK3HnPXTjFvcsGKjaAW526pUIPGtXS4Q19ZcxxvCoaD0v3wt9EFAfbeiq2PvlpocrMm2wBxsy8pETsR_90oHq71Utj5Wyq4XtWCKa_rcD2KYIzyavRonBYBLtPcYZ0/s1600/e2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUfRNhgSK3HnPXTjFvcsGKjaAW526pUIPGtXS4Q19ZcxxvCoaD0v3wt9EFAfbeiq2PvlpocrMm2wBxsy8pETsR_90oHq71Utj5Wyq4XtWCKa_rcD2KYIzyavRonBYBLtPcYZ0/s400/e2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218603824833938" border="0" /></a><br />They also let Ben pilot the ship <span style="font-style: italic;">(a couple of times...he really liked do it)</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIi3tMCe1UvCoSgduGzUl3hOhApC7SFoOO1ZIqHYfS_GqCP1Cheb9STn1Tkg4fmShd9E6SJPhEpQi3LSPcpc6xTLFlaK3rIsZ09KZwXN1qRd2syXJcH8Vb60BmOK2qwI4XR_n/s1600/e3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIi3tMCe1UvCoSgduGzUl3hOhApC7SFoOO1ZIqHYfS_GqCP1Cheb9STn1Tkg4fmShd9E6SJPhEpQi3LSPcpc6xTLFlaK3rIsZ09KZwXN1qRd2syXJcH8Vb60BmOK2qwI4XR_n/s400/e3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218595127989042" border="0" /></a><br />It was a beautiful afternoon/evening...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9gV3KEnRcmf9GquqXBOitZoLLWwAFv6WbRmJYFHamFUY_XbgV1JRLbt2TOgcGsWz-9I84x8_1Bdd_zTuas1oiRO-y0m-G_k5PC5pEbCyzhfKpwKEQHH0376aJMKB_jHn6rRM/s1600/e4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9gV3KEnRcmf9GquqXBOitZoLLWwAFv6WbRmJYFHamFUY_XbgV1JRLbt2TOgcGsWz-9I84x8_1Bdd_zTuas1oiRO-y0m-G_k5PC5pEbCyzhfKpwKEQHH0376aJMKB_jHn6rRM/s400/e4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218591462968450" border="0" /></a><br />It was a little chilly for the wimps among our group, but luckily the ship was laden with fleece blankets...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3f08AgRWva8mt0xaEarZ-tnrMRd-1VEavKiDZ0UGLF3XrgZR8_zL_bqkyZRENoYrLiRS5gR6JAtaxSV0qbiCXEgG_Mrbo801NUEyZujAhSswvpM9HivC9mna8S_Oa7ZuXnm0/s1600/e5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3f08AgRWva8mt0xaEarZ-tnrMRd-1VEavKiDZ0UGLF3XrgZR8_zL_bqkyZRENoYrLiRS5gR6JAtaxSV0qbiCXEgG_Mrbo801NUEyZujAhSswvpM9HivC9mna8S_Oa7ZuXnm0/s400/e5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218585244028210" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlWdz3_GdCLJjTBakBN4hM0aREvavsFnE_oI_Oluk2-awta1ZZfWRbhdCDV65OadP5oRwoGljkzFNp3rm6Z2AAMoeYkB_HToxVAuq_Tk7e_GsQj5l52F2sOi1fOYx-peV-EG/s1600/f1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlWdz3_GdCLJjTBakBN4hM0aREvavsFnE_oI_Oluk2-awta1ZZfWRbhdCDV65OadP5oRwoGljkzFNp3rm6Z2AAMoeYkB_HToxVAuq_Tk7e_GsQj5l52F2sOi1fOYx-peV-EG/s400/f1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218431150910642" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loves boats...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXGD5LG-wzJWGfp74xZ8QmgrMuYKFLyGCF2pHxt9Ayl9v0tYuf-CDTJw4qD9xYF2F604_qzxpsRXkofACqk1x2Hyd-uRzXpQUzqaWhVpmvg-dqUhWKDRH7ST30sMT9nv_QyU9/s1600/f2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXGD5LG-wzJWGfp74xZ8QmgrMuYKFLyGCF2pHxt9Ayl9v0tYuf-CDTJw4qD9xYF2F604_qzxpsRXkofACqk1x2Hyd-uRzXpQUzqaWhVpmvg-dqUhWKDRH7ST30sMT9nv_QyU9/s400/f2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218425216111090" border="0" /></a><br />The following day was Anti-Sarah's Birthday, so we all got tattoos (<span style="font-style: italic;">of course</span>)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMoD3CpqhInu78ypQ3Ver_fSCGFZY_YObqbhVs-R_u6LPHmZwZ_NVCifPP_wHB-9WjYmWZCwBr1edHRZMLWjpBGeTqXsKEK36J7hyphenhyphen8aBMED2wu0O_G5G-7tpPWBkeSxVyd6rJ/s1600/f3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMoD3CpqhInu78ypQ3Ver_fSCGFZY_YObqbhVs-R_u6LPHmZwZ_NVCifPP_wHB-9WjYmWZCwBr1edHRZMLWjpBGeTqXsKEK36J7hyphenhyphen8aBMED2wu0O_G5G-7tpPWBkeSxVyd6rJ/s400/f3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218420211912706" border="0" /></a><br />Ben got an awesome dragon tattoo on his belly, that danced when he jiggled his belly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZT6eA2yl2oRcxQTyANG6fcDWx95WNHL-fAZTd91GjsNlHMchuGSARngkTdgjVCUdNB6XCtpPJrq-2jL6v0mGn7RSqJyCHCLURpfrXE_Tf21hYqtSqewPQMUAi1cR5D5vS0BY/s1600/f4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZT6eA2yl2oRcxQTyANG6fcDWx95WNHL-fAZTd91GjsNlHMchuGSARngkTdgjVCUdNB6XCtpPJrq-2jL6v0mGn7RSqJyCHCLURpfrXE_Tf21hYqtSqewPQMUAi1cR5D5vS0BY/s400/f4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218413303281042" border="0" /></a><br />The family that tattoos together...sings "MOO" together...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyD5-prlKip6qPrBnQS3dtSqFMj-RpjtOrvcM6Ohst7LRh0Cio3xHaclTT6_IxgX66PEFS2q-0Q-f0esEBsdr0Tv1cDsb-JOCJmPo57ZsyAgtkBSBfPlczICUsnq2FXXSYfe1/s1600/f5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyD5-prlKip6qPrBnQS3dtSqFMj-RpjtOrvcM6Ohst7LRh0Cio3xHaclTT6_IxgX66PEFS2q-0Q-f0esEBsdr0Tv1cDsb-JOCJmPo57ZsyAgtkBSBfPlczICUsnq2FXXSYfe1/s400/f5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218398655113458" border="0" /></a><br />We went back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ZT</span> Beach the next morning, early, and had a great time reading and walking and hanging out (<span style="font-style: italic;">I also gave blood at the southernmost bloodmobile in the US while there</span>)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66-iDDofV9_OV8_e8JwqKohpQjNP_9f0Fs9U3Oos8pa9-6mmiDv7KNUaRmEkgdHQSwpVlXDiXyD9wOwGC2edgewAGlPIjadW86Ib0PpfKV_GRjODKnek5vmdOQlOYm28yiPMF/s1600/g1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66-iDDofV9_OV8_e8JwqKohpQjNP_9f0Fs9U3Oos8pa9-6mmiDv7KNUaRmEkgdHQSwpVlXDiXyD9wOwGC2edgewAGlPIjadW86Ib0PpfKV_GRjODKnek5vmdOQlOYm28yiPMF/s400/g1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218237349528114" border="0" /></a><br />Gail came to love the hammock as both a lounger and a chair...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vy3lzJ82cqEnCoZvHX16UXgQ5XQ3k9OvFqYdAYJnkdtJYMen8wElfYBMaz4oO6b0tiALsSyQrNbHqObaT038NSn0XUoKl8orcGClumRJEwbOhtc0mOz9RKYT3_EcBu6012oE/s1600/g2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vy3lzJ82cqEnCoZvHX16UXgQ5XQ3k9OvFqYdAYJnkdtJYMen8wElfYBMaz4oO6b0tiALsSyQrNbHqObaT038NSn0XUoKl8orcGClumRJEwbOhtc0mOz9RKYT3_EcBu6012oE/s400/g2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218220454239650" border="0" /></a><br />She's a convert now...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt6H7kxPecIDOOuBJ-nXoX1ojsVYwXB-LwfkiR0w096A04Ke8-UCPGXO9pe2w6NxeutijsasJEezOHgF1eetnTlS-msyccm7eNr7UIiOD_ai07p9xJa2VKNCCUigaXIvo_-EJ/s1600/g3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt6H7kxPecIDOOuBJ-nXoX1ojsVYwXB-LwfkiR0w096A04Ke8-UCPGXO9pe2w6NxeutijsasJEezOHgF1eetnTlS-msyccm7eNr7UIiOD_ai07p9xJa2VKNCCUigaXIvo_-EJ/s400/g3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218216041901010" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loves this park, and wants to come back again if we return...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcFoiizAaGIyCqfFdXFtkXE1IaTYFI7pJhdhkQ5rSZWe0m_UVDTYt4IVWZDMHziNR4j8B8xJyM210RixoNZP0qyaMCw6zt3oi9dOin0TdWeowHALCOY0bldn9jG_qLVjXXLGh/s1600/g4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcFoiizAaGIyCqfFdXFtkXE1IaTYFI7pJhdhkQ5rSZWe0m_UVDTYt4IVWZDMHziNR4j8B8xJyM210RixoNZP0qyaMCw6zt3oi9dOin0TdWeowHALCOY0bldn9jG_qLVjXXLGh/s400/g4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218213111532754" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved riding the bicycle built for 2 as a means of getting around...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWhikTRxKB8mPLkiI6nP8_HmAbC7Aors4gXEyZ5FPSTfTcgb1Kh0bad6Xv6pnumTGrpcjwOPsKJosWcdknw2yDDJorAPL5tQ1o1zSJ6GvPrb9ikBfs-2Tr6OMwzbywY_oSGLo/s1600/g5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWhikTRxKB8mPLkiI6nP8_HmAbC7Aors4gXEyZ5FPSTfTcgb1Kh0bad6Xv6pnumTGrpcjwOPsKJosWcdknw2yDDJorAPL5tQ1o1zSJ6GvPrb9ikBfs-2Tr6OMwzbywY_oSGLo/s400/g5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218209251311330" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and I playing in the pool, practicing karate and doing some sparring...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ8MJLWAQHcUjwfXq-Y6udprNNgXkyMHQw_BcGMDFrFIXkSnkA1b-0RcgPXJ7YFbnPeYuq4hnUtHslmaNL7K3fsYJETxarFlQYY9evBCL3Ymg8lWNBRrqBOG5e6pA9bp50hjN/s1600/h1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ8MJLWAQHcUjwfXq-Y6udprNNgXkyMHQw_BcGMDFrFIXkSnkA1b-0RcgPXJ7YFbnPeYuq4hnUtHslmaNL7K3fsYJETxarFlQYY9evBCL3Ymg8lWNBRrqBOG5e6pA9bp50hjN/s400/h1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218044430743666" border="0" /></a><br />Ben serving up the time-honored Bruce Lee-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">esque</span> "Come at me and I'll open up a fresh can of whoop-ass on you!" gesture before trying to light me up...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXne2M6ddL2ai0UqO2aoCz3CgC3yrEuIrR3nP0wcdr9GGHXfDMwH_2Bx9BaehlUe53-2rhyphenhyphenLpnDYE30z4QRyUZI-n-3MzfLomYP8MkaMFow7SiuuMjMrePD7zmcghQhQa2jPux/s1600/h2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXne2M6ddL2ai0UqO2aoCz3CgC3yrEuIrR3nP0wcdr9GGHXfDMwH_2Bx9BaehlUe53-2rhyphenhyphenLpnDYE30z4QRyUZI-n-3MzfLomYP8MkaMFow7SiuuMjMrePD7zmcghQhQa2jPux/s400/h2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218033672502050" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and I talking backstage with one of the performers at Mallory Square...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYOi0NUL5QH6aTGhutCrYi7kgWf7S9sf3J9yuvlGdb45fMXYP4g1Ma2usHS_xTPnhn5KW-u7wGQBc_KUA7CyjIiXvEWeixoQ1q6nYWHNVBYZIlGE8gLFIvZqfMwnYpudwg-sK/s1600/h3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYOi0NUL5QH6aTGhutCrYi7kgWf7S9sf3J9yuvlGdb45fMXYP4g1Ma2usHS_xTPnhn5KW-u7wGQBc_KUA7CyjIiXvEWeixoQ1q6nYWHNVBYZIlGE8gLFIvZqfMwnYpudwg-sK/s400/h3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218029834530082" border="0" /></a><br />Once we got back home, to Lake Clear, we had another round of Xmas...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uR-c2_QcNPYKWw5CKPxuLS-3X_IhyphenhyphenmBaMqSLqKBQD7eq6z_RfogFQ_abw8pSGvsJenFVfa0oaxMr-pJn_iE87miRPzC5-KWHds_9DMewREiJ_22eiXtTP39idRnQOcut98lw/s1600/h4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uR-c2_QcNPYKWw5CKPxuLS-3X_IhyphenhyphenmBaMqSLqKBQD7eq6z_RfogFQ_abw8pSGvsJenFVfa0oaxMr-pJn_iE87miRPzC5-KWHds_9DMewREiJ_22eiXtTP39idRnQOcut98lw/s400/h4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218031017321906" border="0" /></a><br />We all got presents, including the dogs and cats, and although we had a wonderful time down in Key West, it was wonderful to be back home...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nfyhzu7FTEgeHnnR0WqTtYjh5q-DcDXNPQd-kNkFk8NFJqQKQMuEbfpmJul6RzMq-Gb0RuWTkgw5BRzCodRI_r0AUh3anElijwOteXrukacmAUtBEpTT72ZFksAeuxBk0skK/s1600/h5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nfyhzu7FTEgeHnnR0WqTtYjh5q-DcDXNPQd-kNkFk8NFJqQKQMuEbfpmJul6RzMq-Gb0RuWTkgw5BRzCodRI_r0AUh3anElijwOteXrukacmAUtBEpTT72ZFksAeuxBk0skK/s400/h5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218024901009314" border="0" /></a><br />Cedar and his bone...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfDs7vtYz33xd39TpGqvEK_k-eRqWU9uK8PMxsMrv8IKA5ByjtY0fFhV-vyRVY7ypt7RXr6kzSuoU3GYTfF95odBd_Hw1UcmuLq3WsWynYkDR-JTH8lIr4hjGJkJlQqLgX76/s1600/i1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfDs7vtYz33xd39TpGqvEK_k-eRqWU9uK8PMxsMrv8IKA5ByjtY0fFhV-vyRVY7ypt7RXr6kzSuoU3GYTfF95odBd_Hw1UcmuLq3WsWynYkDR-JTH8lIr4hjGJkJlQqLgX76/s400/i1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563217827948486978" border="0" /></a><br />Ben got a microscope, and we spent some time setting it up and then noodling around with various slides...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiigcrMsXJZVfxja-1dPN3HcGg_Fsu56DpiO9UdyLefryImIjgWagDKJdOuZM1Gim-NE0zdkJiSr_wmHIdb5bOAgaUwMROGnb6-o96YoC_CeP2vur-pgAofUI_0E4kNP_fbyO/s1600/i2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiigcrMsXJZVfxja-1dPN3HcGg_Fsu56DpiO9UdyLefryImIjgWagDKJdOuZM1Gim-NE0zdkJiSr_wmHIdb5bOAgaUwMROGnb6-o96YoC_CeP2vur-pgAofUI_0E4kNP_fbyO/s400/i2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563217817567674306" border="0" /></a><br />Ben had fun figuring out how to use the microscope...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASMIZ9BBH99GqwJYGTvM7ZdaQQIazooB-jo2FnX8DyQW_Ec1CqfWHn12ScC0koO9yYSclT6P8Vg2rYNDaFY9J_6ZuUvQP2hBkVYuHSf6v63NT8OObnGgiePVUmZEUSMXeuaGV/s1600/i3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASMIZ9BBH99GqwJYGTvM7ZdaQQIazooB-jo2FnX8DyQW_Ec1CqfWHn12ScC0koO9yYSclT6P8Vg2rYNDaFY9J_6ZuUvQP2hBkVYuHSf6v63NT8OObnGgiePVUmZEUSMXeuaGV/s400/i3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563217814438326930" border="0" /></a><br />...and had some genuine, <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/246202/thomas_dolby_she_blinded_me_with_science/">"SCIENCE!"</a> moments...<br /><br />It was a great Christmas vacation...sorry for the delay in sending out these pictures...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-46987733577755450852010-12-02T20:23:00.002-05:002010-12-02T20:38:46.130-05:00Ben gets his yellow belt!Ben has been taking Karate at the <a href="http://www.lakeplacidkarate.cmasdirect.com/">Lake Placid Martial Arts Academy</a> for about 9 months, and today he got his yellow belt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUNkfLE8VaZeF6WbSTUb4a0WlpmiSEdh0Uhd1ok00csQ6IXcVjycMB450_eJBX9M2qN-5BrOqTN6Hi3GpXniFj_RbyEpdJzuV5_P14S2UHv1ZYTN_2NHgfAls6aKGFkTmgxQ/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUNkfLE8VaZeF6WbSTUb4a0WlpmiSEdh0Uhd1ok00csQ6IXcVjycMB450_eJBX9M2qN-5BrOqTN6Hi3GpXniFj_RbyEpdJzuV5_P14S2UHv1ZYTN_2NHgfAls6aKGFkTmgxQ/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546260756896457426" border="0" /></a>It was an ordinary class throughout, starting off with warm-up exercises and then some drills involving tumbling and falling safely...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T_k-LkIDn-aEYzEzOdezVZC2OsLf8hUMFgiWVmbGM-QTyiw-_8mNP99aoQbABOccWN8MlmnQ5GlMbpmcB80nqB15X9vRmXJ_hgkS7Dp2AkaBVSOQZOluy9tNocbMX9bhz8V2/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T_k-LkIDn-aEYzEzOdezVZC2OsLf8hUMFgiWVmbGM-QTyiw-_8mNP99aoQbABOccWN8MlmnQ5GlMbpmcB80nqB15X9vRmXJ_hgkS7Dp2AkaBVSOQZOluy9tNocbMX9bhz8V2/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546260752639124962" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the class, Sensei came to the front of the room, and recognized Ben's work in the last months...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8e3UNxyiE4IFuEzaJEt-NYyKfbjY-eKBt592C-PlY4dBQOWQJw7cSdkI5wKrkzoX-e2Ok5C2ZA8yLVFrFEDZ9QiRrqgiFaQ_yyPft0fExjmCuSPgYI0hdjeHVEC4m-Xr2iC-/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8e3UNxyiE4IFuEzaJEt-NYyKfbjY-eKBt592C-PlY4dBQOWQJw7cSdkI5wKrkzoX-e2Ok5C2ZA8yLVFrFEDZ9QiRrqgiFaQ_yyPft0fExjmCuSPgYI0hdjeHVEC4m-Xr2iC-/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546260743498959922" border="0" /></a><br />Ben was called to the front of the room to receive his diploma...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDziPetnR4UcMdQWcptEwchQbBSm-SHKTctvdl3AGpelicZAXScgsgW8IhWjm4f9izaAnibiupaBhI0FvqQ44uGGNoV8XzfXhnJs7e5pa1VHv_7rwIvJjw7qpxaChtc775TBh/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDziPetnR4UcMdQWcptEwchQbBSm-SHKTctvdl3AGpelicZAXScgsgW8IhWjm4f9izaAnibiupaBhI0FvqQ44uGGNoV8XzfXhnJs7e5pa1VHv_7rwIvJjw7qpxaChtc775TBh/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546260737310133410" border="0" /></a><br />...and his new belt...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9Ukdn2bFp7ZWoeYKHQ8KBaAvgrnF_8cCfOns8nC3jRVHlfoxs6mR8aQCw-U0k9kwayepph5i6IF7H7jZA3uDcNCM4XjAOowC_ccb7zOH8j4s5L7GTrI2VkLSk-6lBOI0-z7i/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9Ukdn2bFp7ZWoeYKHQ8KBaAvgrnF_8cCfOns8nC3jRVHlfoxs6mR8aQCw-U0k9kwayepph5i6IF7H7jZA3uDcNCM4XjAOowC_ccb7zOH8j4s5L7GTrI2VkLSk-6lBOI0-z7i/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546260739774644706" border="0" /></a>The school has a nice tradition in which the other students line up and shake the hand of (and in some cases give hugs to) the advancing student...<br /><br />We're very proud of Ben, for all of his hard work!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-29462906639672946522010-11-27T14:16:00.003-05:002010-11-27T14:22:39.653-05:00More Thanksgiving!We took a walk on this chilly afternoon to see some pigs that a neighbor acquired recently...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9-AdstwvV9hHStFVSVDEJ_QTa8tey-hnJ9waMNs97H6yh_otRFtSQaQwnWZlvsh1Gh6ANzVKDaUzbCqfut_hVQP0O1lm7fo52fu_6Z4iOAQCY7WIR2MRDIsHrT9aH21ewxSt/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9-AdstwvV9hHStFVSVDEJ_QTa8tey-hnJ9waMNs97H6yh_otRFtSQaQwnWZlvsh1Gh6ANzVKDaUzbCqfut_hVQP0O1lm7fo52fu_6Z4iOAQCY7WIR2MRDIsHrT9aH21ewxSt/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544311082670643986" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and Fuz and the dogs were particularly excited...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuYFi0uRDCfUs0jRNw_B3JQAYagDYtu1FaWlgA2MUv_yipgk2s7ObCI3apLAa64dj27B6kfBuqT-j5YLM8jHWuUqo8Po6x8TPqTCGHYHWVUc0yN3HcyeYhIk6HmbTvN8DwEs9/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuYFi0uRDCfUs0jRNw_B3JQAYagDYtu1FaWlgA2MUv_yipgk2s7ObCI3apLAa64dj27B6kfBuqT-j5YLM8jHWuUqo8Po6x8TPqTCGHYHWVUc0yN3HcyeYhIk6HmbTvN8DwEs9/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544310898147578578" border="0" /></a><br />Ben ran down the steep hill through long grass in his mud-boots...this pic was taken a split-second before he faceplanted...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j5QWXrfiCchIuX0B_-Ty8ykKRgpKyNYiL6j240slx4kvXDen1Ds7trdGmMERI-O4qsQEhyphenhyphenp5ZZA2OdeDjHCl_g_jtO_zcIOnJhrpu6HnmiRozdqCgXO4tsmUZBKnv2ruYs4W/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j5QWXrfiCchIuX0B_-Ty8ykKRgpKyNYiL6j240slx4kvXDen1Ds7trdGmMERI-O4qsQEhyphenhyphenp5ZZA2OdeDjHCl_g_jtO_zcIOnJhrpu6HnmiRozdqCgXO4tsmUZBKnv2ruYs4W/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544310886501137218" border="0" /></a><br />It was cool (35-ish) but the wind made it feel cooler...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRppMZ62xxgJ8NiQxrMNGZN3wvZzP4UEKt8DvGOTIPZi5M7wKTYxBx2evcD567d6kOsWTRyGScMKctoSec1KUMDjC0l3B-N8dAtp9hJ_Ad8WAQqrj0knlhJK4E9vCiF3MlQpYS/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRppMZ62xxgJ8NiQxrMNGZN3wvZzP4UEKt8DvGOTIPZi5M7wKTYxBx2evcD567d6kOsWTRyGScMKctoSec1KUMDjC0l3B-N8dAtp9hJ_Ad8WAQqrj0knlhJK4E9vCiF3MlQpYS/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544310878560473362" border="0" /></a><br />The pigs are very cute, the 2 big ones protect the runt between them at all times...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwYiOH0YrU_HO43uwkyNyCfyCJlou9RodLbYrjEfXkbDZZEOqyh7UwEsn-dnddeEduE6i-6U1uJTwyOymmvPZM6bpeLIpnb7PFqgSIj5kX5FD3WNA2deIDyeJXcxaR6bykDiS/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwYiOH0YrU_HO43uwkyNyCfyCJlou9RodLbYrjEfXkbDZZEOqyh7UwEsn-dnddeEduE6i-6U1uJTwyOymmvPZM6bpeLIpnb7PFqgSIj5kX5FD3WNA2deIDyeJXcxaR6bykDiS/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544310875924822850" border="0" /></a><br />Miles wanted to leap the enclosure walls, so I put him on his leash until we were clear of the barn...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl1QTwA4jUX5N-UVid7dMno4cSMZrOriYU1bIDZHkQAyN9qACGQdRGE03G6cto4r_NZ2vGNdtX-Y-owlcjxL3h8uibx4j7aJNhikQxM43cMPhVkH-cSUgh7LP7Ar2-8mt1Z_c/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl1QTwA4jUX5N-UVid7dMno4cSMZrOriYU1bIDZHkQAyN9qACGQdRGE03G6cto4r_NZ2vGNdtX-Y-owlcjxL3h8uibx4j7aJNhikQxM43cMPhVkH-cSUgh7LP7Ar2-8mt1Z_c/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544310863364703570" border="0" /></a><br />He has had a great time running and playing this weekend...we all have!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-37132402554732889212010-11-27T06:59:00.003-05:002010-11-27T07:06:43.302-05:00Thanksgiving!<span class="UIStory_Message">I'm thankful for family, friends , the relative safety in which I live, my work, and my health...I am also thankful for great books to read, places to go/see/explore, food to cook and eat, camping trips (alone and with friends), and dogs!<br /><br />We went down to visit with my parents in CT for Thanksgiving...seeing my parents, my sister, Brad and Lucio, and tons of dogs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU37CPEtGqm9Mcuuky2fp-Rv8ecjnt5vM_yyLD6CCKVtJL03qvyM3yMkIisgCLbGAgkHZyx2OL12snAYmo2CPmfqRKE8X6-ZfoSs-fvTtkCpMEj7gINevv3n83IaKsLNT1BSOk/s1600/1127+042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU37CPEtGqm9Mcuuky2fp-Rv8ecjnt5vM_yyLD6CCKVtJL03qvyM3yMkIisgCLbGAgkHZyx2OL12snAYmo2CPmfqRKE8X6-ZfoSs-fvTtkCpMEj7gINevv3n83IaKsLNT1BSOk/s400/1127+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544198700804217522" border="0" /></a><br />We made a Tur-duc-hen and a bunch of sides, all of which turned out (against the odds) delicious...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbWTlMf3S4XNrCuBkDhWT8p5efsCafjC_LeklUIKpscHWBvf4t80xBQUMG7LMJcCLuRSstIu_bpd4snF_KLv4q2QUHd0A9km3WAy8WQpSCeLYU9bXN6WjnQ5M1xEf8CtymUM6/s1600/1127+036.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbWTlMf3S4XNrCuBkDhWT8p5efsCafjC_LeklUIKpscHWBvf4t80xBQUMG7LMJcCLuRSstIu_bpd4snF_KLv4q2QUHd0A9km3WAy8WQpSCeLYU9bXN6WjnQ5M1xEf8CtymUM6/s400/1127+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544198643167991330" border="0" /></a><br />Ben helped with lots of the prep, but his specialty is marshmallowing the sweet potatoes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8pYRfc93olUyiOv1-8bNA21tF6iIsOVCVgQHdxz5hRZ51gUZLcCcADS0kwEOU5bceH2gqp2d5a2rCgq86ZNABB9Hy8mJZKMDEOYueGDz3sZyOWEZe8bUO-L10msk7DOrEgmY/s1600/1127+035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8pYRfc93olUyiOv1-8bNA21tF6iIsOVCVgQHdxz5hRZ51gUZLcCcADS0kwEOU5bceH2gqp2d5a2rCgq86ZNABB9Hy8mJZKMDEOYueGDz3sZyOWEZe8bUO-L10msk7DOrEgmY/s400/1127+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544198637817507442" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Ben watched some of the big parade...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY6-Dlvp6JfIx2-bv0RYzMWJDuPDl9NiqSSyamNks6qswzB3JdXK8s3iZZnh8ev1vcIXWzINSs6u5beNuhr_nQH96Hw2ZiE8xw8xZKUWB6XuBbGQkUArH7LUyPMX8n55Qt9Oj/s1600/1127+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY6-Dlvp6JfIx2-bv0RYzMWJDuPDl9NiqSSyamNks6qswzB3JdXK8s3iZZnh8ev1vcIXWzINSs6u5beNuhr_nQH96Hw2ZiE8xw8xZKUWB6XuBbGQkUArH7LUyPMX8n55Qt9Oj/s400/1127+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544198629558617522" border="0" /></a><br /></span>There was lots of hanging out with family and dogs (we had tons of both this weekend)...<br /><br />A very nice long weekend!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-47165815327928187982010-11-01T06:34:00.003-04:002010-11-01T06:39:25.748-04:00more halloween...We got up yesterday and worked designing our pumpkin...Ben wanted to do a 2-faced Janus pumpkin, so we did a variation on that involving clone troopers from Star Wars...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWavgWipJfCsuexysmXVZLWL41cW8mL5dtQeCpdMyEp3GdtHRkR7IEvbtNfqpmCjbM3Tmu8Ey4A4izHbOkbPNTQGc_l8yrJiovTvQfEwZUSS_NyGHZCW_7CK_YXXeXTVHX6OQs/s1600/hb1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWavgWipJfCsuexysmXVZLWL41cW8mL5dtQeCpdMyEp3GdtHRkR7IEvbtNfqpmCjbM3Tmu8Ey4A4izHbOkbPNTQGc_l8yrJiovTvQfEwZUSS_NyGHZCW_7CK_YXXeXTVHX6OQs/s400/hb1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527991163652434" border="0" /></a><br />One with a happy face...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf2NDBv13YPI2xckxKz0lA2Jg17zFXyaAFiL5dd4A_Mif5HdH0OUEx2SOm8M_gTcgtcVVpW-5pnFHBWm4e8jQmbO7ysqBFmZmSFVhX02Z9gL-ikh9eZzs3ETZcokMw8R3FO49/s1600/hb2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf2NDBv13YPI2xckxKz0lA2Jg17zFXyaAFiL5dd4A_Mif5HdH0OUEx2SOm8M_gTcgtcVVpW-5pnFHBWm4e8jQmbO7ysqBFmZmSFVhX02Z9gL-ikh9eZzs3ETZcokMw8R3FO49/s400/hb2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527986358043874" border="0" /></a><br />...and one with a sad face...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jIkUqvWhPC5DYDMesVUvvKm7-qCP-hmIkOnJvuWitVssG-pRO3kcaOpoZ1ThCis434a7OOpfCZyzgR47jaVU2VNlQZ23qu1qhT35xrrmK4k-IxUU1wCs_ElqDsxS4HYs7ziD/s1600/hb3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jIkUqvWhPC5DYDMesVUvvKm7-qCP-hmIkOnJvuWitVssG-pRO3kcaOpoZ1ThCis434a7OOpfCZyzgR47jaVU2VNlQZ23qu1qhT35xrrmK4k-IxUU1wCs_ElqDsxS4HYs7ziD/s400/hb3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527886270078642" border="0" /></a><br />Our tradition is that Ben and Gail do the design and drawing work, and I do the surgery...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTIE3J49h3hINlggDcolMViHhqeC45HUHdsn5XVgPKaNgInFq63oU6SxlUbYu1S8F1EuDG1hXb3sRxRRyajTk-Mp6mzibugoi9suJz9eXYo4Gn6INYcMsiCyjQ_M7Lctu_u41/s1600/hb4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTIE3J49h3hINlggDcolMViHhqeC45HUHdsn5XVgPKaNgInFq63oU6SxlUbYu1S8F1EuDG1hXb3sRxRRyajTk-Mp6mzibugoi9suJz9eXYo4Gn6INYcMsiCyjQ_M7Lctu_u41/s400/hb4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527887634260962" border="0" /></a><br />It cam out really well...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBBMsugLf_YcOwwvzYFzOLV6Sf6TIUlbI_kgvs586YfNKzDh-35Dk1XTRcorJKiXJgbVsZFccEpNRysisG_6O1-siI3vpE4U9VsucukAVRoAFNap2qf-rstwKmyqKLGHbZ-uq/s1600/hb5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBBMsugLf_YcOwwvzYFzOLV6Sf6TIUlbI_kgvs586YfNKzDh-35Dk1XTRcorJKiXJgbVsZFccEpNRysisG_6O1-siI3vpE4U9VsucukAVRoAFNap2qf-rstwKmyqKLGHbZ-uq/s400/hb5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527884251999106" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed some more spooky jigglers...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXMc-TDFH94fwZXgMZLLk7VtlWmX3Kd1rcQiwBizqRZVFLhAGZONEW5Yr-g3VB17yA8_fXZ1M0q3KOLUxBiHb5D8s4iQA9AVVq0RYwANli0jsh-DMnZFZ6T97B2QRiwzVL-Sh/s1600/hb6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXMc-TDFH94fwZXgMZLLk7VtlWmX3Kd1rcQiwBizqRZVFLhAGZONEW5Yr-g3VB17yA8_fXZ1M0q3KOLUxBiHb5D8s4iQA9AVVq0RYwANli0jsh-DMnZFZ6T97B2QRiwzVL-Sh/s400/hb6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527880477885442" border="0" /></a><br />it looked great after dark<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjSZb6KYFl1b1Ka7IxDB2OGAts5oX8Z9WKBV-8xsSTigzsxptRgJdiklDfBTnK__bwC-I32ENuOB6zrOxoduijSQioAvO0d1JWfTGgae73cUpKBkaXh8V2ZhJ836Vqoz3dfm9/s1600/hb7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjSZb6KYFl1b1Ka7IxDB2OGAts5oX8Z9WKBV-8xsSTigzsxptRgJdiklDfBTnK__bwC-I32ENuOB6zrOxoduijSQioAvO0d1JWfTGgae73cUpKBkaXh8V2ZhJ836Vqoz3dfm9/s400/hb7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534527880824399138" border="0" /></a><br />even the sad face was cool...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-43427289369604423532010-10-31T09:21:00.003-04:002010-10-31T09:37:14.098-04:00Halloween 2010At LPMHS this year, Team 6 was composed of hippies...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0bkO5xfsdKzlMFiQ3jV968N6MldNXUqmUGppYRuKc9hWl954ZxNzD1jBtWT41MSZosMD2mDG5lmxtC8cFj9g1XtTMXNPSNiO07tE0LLswB3Tq0QqtkiXf6BMyY5zS6yBEAjW/s1600/ha.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0bkO5xfsdKzlMFiQ3jV968N6MldNXUqmUGppYRuKc9hWl954ZxNzD1jBtWT41MSZosMD2mDG5lmxtC8cFj9g1XtTMXNPSNiO07tE0LLswB3Tq0QqtkiXf6BMyY5zS6yBEAjW/s400/ha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200400027861330" border="0" /></a><br />As always it was a fun, if not entirely academically productive, day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZVVNighBNy2o-PW270gYj9rwjg7H-qPLjJfd_P1-JlZ5wpeKIq8toCqjId9NRCEzg6kRymdpgL1SOD9a5n36hASUzOBUERut34JU1ZuxN2tEe2_kCZQyjNX7P5qsfl2Q5GD5/s1600/hb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZVVNighBNy2o-PW270gYj9rwjg7H-qPLjJfd_P1-JlZ5wpeKIq8toCqjId9NRCEzg6kRymdpgL1SOD9a5n36hASUzOBUERut34JU1ZuxN2tEe2_kCZQyjNX7P5qsfl2Q5GD5/s400/hb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200283644455522" border="0" /></a><br />Not shown in the picture at LP were my Vibram 5-fingers, really cool shoes that I love, although they (in combination with my shorts and the snow falling later in Saranac Lake when we went Trick or Treating with Ben after school) were a little chilly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41avIuF2sO_1GgkLwfd2GjPC9T0dNNwolPW0s6GnKO7AzndBBK_rH4M4J20cxKubeiCxJ98kh1xdQOddOJqXO5oE-B4UxZzD0m_auoXv6rghiz9Y5_RZeG8eCM2awP2umd4yh/s1600/h1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41avIuF2sO_1GgkLwfd2GjPC9T0dNNwolPW0s6GnKO7AzndBBK_rH4M4J20cxKubeiCxJ98kh1xdQOddOJqXO5oE-B4UxZzD0m_auoXv6rghiz9Y5_RZeG8eCM2awP2umd4yh/s400/h1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200282779702738" border="0" /></a><br />Ben went as "The Shadow" from <span style="font-style: italic;">Inkheart...</span>his idea and he worked out the costume himself...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpftgJbfB0QlXu-puwqLlYDhL-70YtaZgP0cR-raShbgxhXtg265Jm946y6mPtiZyH0Dkrx_02EZq6MxkBEDKE5Umq0SLTONW32yOSaXsWXQ1lLVGAAmZ-oHmDmN_guaOSLSNC/s1600/h2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpftgJbfB0QlXu-puwqLlYDhL-70YtaZgP0cR-raShbgxhXtg265Jm946y6mPtiZyH0Dkrx_02EZq6MxkBEDKE5Umq0SLTONW32yOSaXsWXQ1lLVGAAmZ-oHmDmN_guaOSLSNC/s400/h2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200272440279842" border="0" /></a><br />He was pretty spooky!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEshVYHQoI2XTPMiYqjwFqbh94QSVtzPbQA93wg2I_42xoriijBrDVuLrdPuVYgCx69Uf9IDK_4Y4MlyDDYGs_M2y8GPbG4BsYh5aJPw981q22XV_Ocih2ejzqC8aaphm7BCDd/s1600/h3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEshVYHQoI2XTPMiYqjwFqbh94QSVtzPbQA93wg2I_42xoriijBrDVuLrdPuVYgCx69Uf9IDK_4Y4MlyDDYGs_M2y8GPbG4BsYh5aJPw981q22XV_Ocih2ejzqC8aaphm7BCDd/s400/h3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200261376302034" border="0" /></a><br />Gail was a pumpkin...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtRSarTTNVO9g3b0YIuUWWm5WD1Y7oggeaS-sJYkV60bBlvhFqeMcUqpMmeIRrDwOct7P_4dfCkgL_jALCaRUnjG44BHlN8OGmccQDRDMWUjwe4Ha_ZjRbN-PDQtTHfOAwL-7/s1600/h4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtRSarTTNVO9g3b0YIuUWWm5WD1Y7oggeaS-sJYkV60bBlvhFqeMcUqpMmeIRrDwOct7P_4dfCkgL_jALCaRUnjG44BHlN8OGmccQDRDMWUjwe4Ha_ZjRbN-PDQtTHfOAwL-7/s400/h4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200245314995074" border="0" /></a><br />Saranac Lake does Halloween really well, and we love it every year!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWk-L-DZOLB_zXttpDqBJKP2iOOtSLAggBJdq8-mBNM7j1TCc7wfnhBZsxryvZ-joOpzreDITv62Hs16XTOS7gjhKw7BwlktOzC5JMao2aGWHbREf0APXAIOiCdK3XRgH8AUi/s1600/h5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWk-L-DZOLB_zXttpDqBJKP2iOOtSLAggBJdq8-mBNM7j1TCc7wfnhBZsxryvZ-joOpzreDITv62Hs16XTOS7gjhKw7BwlktOzC5JMao2aGWHbREf0APXAIOiCdK3XRgH8AUi/s400/h5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200062786886098" border="0" /></a><br />On Saturday, we spent the day making Halloween food and watching spooky shows on TV while it was gross outside...bloody jello jigglers and such...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClu9ZHw1YOc3nLVkXjkqb2uRc2UCESbfPP9YN4Nz2LcOtWZjAsZGqMR-PGtL65myikemIOsjTQKwMMghhphB5C_bSFq18iDEdZ9-SMrMKU4_-nMAhdkTroQbv6jpDXkuZxdju/s1600/h6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClu9ZHw1YOc3nLVkXjkqb2uRc2UCESbfPP9YN4Nz2LcOtWZjAsZGqMR-PGtL65myikemIOsjTQKwMMghhphB5C_bSFq18iDEdZ9-SMrMKU4_-nMAhdkTroQbv6jpDXkuZxdju/s400/h6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200061119450610" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved eating the bloody hearts...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5bSPBB0xMutSWmDnl3n6xc_-5McnY5zN9HrUCZMvKncC1tuvz0j6AkIkg2SubNVAjC38Xw-JCFW_FAgnyKWHMLjnddiavvmnRvzqTg4sVHuz8c7LJNUzq2U4pj9Oquyw4AAj/s1600/h7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5bSPBB0xMutSWmDnl3n6xc_-5McnY5zN9HrUCZMvKncC1tuvz0j6AkIkg2SubNVAjC38Xw-JCFW_FAgnyKWHMLjnddiavvmnRvzqTg4sVHuz8c7LJNUzq2U4pj9Oquyw4AAj/s400/h7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200056340386946" border="0" /></a><br />The brains, made from tapioca and thick jello was perfect and perfectly gross...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2EEIj1LxsLcb78b-XYJ3KGGfFvnMBB38BLLXTy3HZBVPswRVXDoqv9cm6okut0YWY0JcDNGV1UCWqJ8CHivRllRuD-CNLincBR5h8aD2yBAIRhPRehyphenhyphena9U3y9lTSzL4lHTEY/s1600/h8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2EEIj1LxsLcb78b-XYJ3KGGfFvnMBB38BLLXTy3HZBVPswRVXDoqv9cm6okut0YWY0JcDNGV1UCWqJ8CHivRllRuD-CNLincBR5h8aD2yBAIRhPRehyphenhyphena9U3y9lTSzL4lHTEY/s400/h8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200054869590210" border="0" /></a><br />The brain came out of the mold with some ridges and a nice line dividing the lobes, and the clots and veins were awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCz-AQFEGFSDoge70Oyytt7vjm-6DykRTzpWcq5JfjdeRIGlEo1gKadJWSO_kkLWJxFb7BYFle-G57zr0RzttMZemiJiLXQ_2dk7u7upmyy3T3gEeVNzS93Xk1kNafyajCF6n/s1600/h9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCz-AQFEGFSDoge70Oyytt7vjm-6DykRTzpWcq5JfjdeRIGlEo1gKadJWSO_kkLWJxFb7BYFle-G57zr0RzttMZemiJiLXQ_2dk7u7upmyy3T3gEeVNzS93Xk1kNafyajCF6n/s400/h9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534200049009233010" border="0" /></a><br />It tasted great as well, Ben had some for dinner last night, and also for breakfast this morning...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-28923979034736486902010-10-21T13:10:00.006-04:002010-10-31T11:21:26.178-04:00Ninja Restaurant!!!Ben and Anti-Sarah and I went out to dinner at a Ninja Restaurant in NYC over the Columbus Day weekend...it was awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs006.snc4/33675_462446512696_527557696_5267884_5950124_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs006.snc4/33675_462446512696_527557696_5267884_5950124_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We were attacked constantly throughout the dinner, and had great food as well...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs776.snc4/67622_462447607696_527557696_5267912_1527577_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs776.snc4/67622_462447607696_527557696_5267912_1527577_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our cottage had a door as well as a window for ninja attacks, and Ben kept an eye on the window most of the time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs027.snc4/33701_462446822696_527557696_5267891_5177460_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs027.snc4/33701_462446822696_527557696_5267891_5177460_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />we were attacked a lot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs903.snc4/71655_462446582696_527557696_5267885_5656836_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs903.snc4/71655_462446582696_527557696_5267885_5656836_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I spent lots of the dinner laughing so hard that I almost fell out of my chair a number of times, and actually got out of breath...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs818.snc4/69817_462447057696_527557696_5267895_3889152_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs818.snc4/69817_462447057696_527557696_5267895_3889152_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Anti-Sarah almost has a cardiac arrest a number of times throughout the supper...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs884.snc4/71770_462447347696_527557696_5267903_7076489_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs884.snc4/71770_462447347696_527557696_5267903_7076489_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Anti-Sarah and I took the edge off with a Sake tasting sampler, all of which tasted to me a bit like windex to me...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs905.snc4/71797_462447832696_527557696_5267918_7717324_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs905.snc4/71797_462447832696_527557696_5267918_7717324_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The food was great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67314_462473257696_527557696_5268156_534431_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67314_462473257696_527557696_5268156_534431_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah had a fun salad, which required a karate-chop to get into it...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs814.snc4/69408_462448617696_527557696_5267941_1359672_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs814.snc4/69408_462448617696_527557696_5267941_1359672_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I just liked this pic of Ben enjoying his supper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs442.ash2/71524_462449167696_527557696_5267959_8083201_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs442.ash2/71524_462449167696_527557696_5267959_8083201_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There was a cool magic show after the dinner...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs940.snc4/73383_462449317696_527557696_5267960_4174984_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs940.snc4/73383_462449317696_527557696_5267960_4174984_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It was an awesome time!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-47338678662491782512010-10-02T13:30:00.003-04:002010-10-02T13:42:42.104-04:00Fall WeekendBen and I spent some time noodling around in the woods behind our house...I'm going on a kayak-camping trip in a couple weeks, and wanted to test out a new hammock-geek piece of gear...a hammock sock which encloses the sleep in a cocoon, thus extending the comfortable sleeping temperature in the hammock by a bunch (one shortcoming of hammocks is that the contouring fit, which crushes the insulation under you, exposing you to cold air underneath you)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQZVWcnaezzhlMVOXVrfTBAI4kewWv3_7yG6B8AaSE2Mn0OZrsbCTrJOSsZIjZdmeNna0Jb4M2OuKQSMDnicCubXkXABCTNnCf_wKugzwyXKjK7sIGtHLhLcHaltLLDFgP5nh/s1600/hs1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQZVWcnaezzhlMVOXVrfTBAI4kewWv3_7yG6B8AaSE2Mn0OZrsbCTrJOSsZIjZdmeNna0Jb4M2OuKQSMDnicCubXkXABCTNnCf_wKugzwyXKjK7sIGtHLhLcHaltLLDFgP5nh/s400/hs1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523502679770666914" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved it so much that after I was done hanging and adjusting the fit and drape of the hammock sock, he climbed inside...Gail came out to check out the cocooned Ben...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-wHaD5Fg5y-s3Z0ybTdKU_K_eJqp8V9LI5blcrZ_5nRLy3mHoIhHfwwC1WbqqofiErAmxfMt2yjG07e14RN7Rjl5TOpeS-pfkCXEfWyfGGxireg0mByqGsxCqnIZreQD9MDJ/s1600/hs2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-wHaD5Fg5y-s3Z0ybTdKU_K_eJqp8V9LI5blcrZ_5nRLy3mHoIhHfwwC1WbqqofiErAmxfMt2yjG07e14RN7Rjl5TOpeS-pfkCXEfWyfGGxireg0mByqGsxCqnIZreQD9MDJ/s400/hs2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523502674765113522" border="0" /></a><br />The added (and non-smooshed) insulation of the hammock sock, in combination with the draped nylon over the top of the hammock (running over a ridgeline, so it doesn't drape over your face) makes for a nice and toasty space...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z-GKjn8E-eFVXmLrRJJKlXjDtaGKxpnoRwoocmc2ZgmwF9dU6c46eh5gXWVIpMZGMq6UE6s676WOHrpQ8nAbfaJnIMuPV-CghkQYG_VLKGU6TZ_Hrrqf1TYT3wXPIIcyI-y8/s1600/hs3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z-GKjn8E-eFVXmLrRJJKlXjDtaGKxpnoRwoocmc2ZgmwF9dU6c46eh5gXWVIpMZGMq6UE6s676WOHrpQ8nAbfaJnIMuPV-CghkQYG_VLKGU6TZ_Hrrqf1TYT3wXPIIcyI-y8/s400/hs3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523502670221457858" border="0" /></a><br />Miles thought we were silly but had fun running around, and under, both Ben and me while we were play-testing the hammock...in the pic above, you can see the hammock sock joining the hammock...I used a bit of stretchy shock-cord so that there is some give and take in the fit between the two (this prevents the insulation layer in the sock from getting crushed)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyaHuNj28_wvmXg_dsZ-XZGpXbQfINekD5WCmpbH2OKTk_QcILa_ORyl9zxmzYkQ49clghslJEJJNk4NaIyuLMTZscU_qjriBa6zDFsaFQiC79MS2mA3d0Qlo8Z2hN3u5JryH/s1600/hs4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyaHuNj28_wvmXg_dsZ-XZGpXbQfINekD5WCmpbH2OKTk_QcILa_ORyl9zxmzYkQ49clghslJEJJNk4NaIyuLMTZscU_qjriBa6zDFsaFQiC79MS2mA3d0Qlo8Z2hN3u5JryH/s400/hs4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523502662546109522" border="0" /></a><br />Ben liked it so much, that he insisted that we try it out tonight, despite the fact that it will be below freezing tomorrow morning...we'll report back in the morning!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-23754577448133911912010-09-18T16:47:00.003-04:002010-09-18T16:57:44.848-04:00Ben's first day of school 2010Ben was really excited for the beginning of the schoolyear, and for a change this year, I got to see him off...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZqf1DLDKsxogQJU8-6T8cjWJCzdDtGtufRh6YEfZDM61hRyK6Miz5-kWhJoiefGlPCj2LzEmkM1vtxtPhK36_CrFX5Ynjao9XfTbwnJTQnaY9xyxuXEWTtk1_VMl8MrnjDKw/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZqf1DLDKsxogQJU8-6T8cjWJCzdDtGtufRh6YEfZDM61hRyK6Miz5-kWhJoiefGlPCj2LzEmkM1vtxtPhK36_CrFX5Ynjao9XfTbwnJTQnaY9xyxuXEWTtk1_VMl8MrnjDKw/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518359528765129586" border="0" /></a><br />We got down there early to wait<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHWm7OhquWVansHrBzi3SAhZ6mvQW3b4zUCsV-dX7qqFj2vpGtqp7v7l-vwlrDPKT6KRxtoep8h-UU5uE_Z5orAF-AIkvj16OIsXLGS8bBB3smXz7qvh_jzCZbn-sqYoFTb4U/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHWm7OhquWVansHrBzi3SAhZ6mvQW3b4zUCsV-dX7qqFj2vpGtqp7v7l-vwlrDPKT6KRxtoep8h-UU5uE_Z5orAF-AIkvj16OIsXLGS8bBB3smXz7qvh_jzCZbn-sqYoFTb4U/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518358447349512482" border="0" /></a><br />He had trouble staying in the car, so he got out and did a "first day of school" dance<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHYPfB5QOJFDit7y-TZd6Pt_-BHU3qe5d9S3vvco6Ol9aK0xq4qA4A8rmPKw8SdfzutXGf3qYg7NGvKvyLzqILFuwhqVRCEDDfI_I-qZs6Hrd2UIqJvwFQPN8SArevb1H3zP_/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHYPfB5QOJFDit7y-TZd6Pt_-BHU3qe5d9S3vvco6Ol9aK0xq4qA4A8rmPKw8SdfzutXGf3qYg7NGvKvyLzqILFuwhqVRCEDDfI_I-qZs6Hrd2UIqJvwFQPN8SArevb1H3zP_/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518358434233679170" border="0" /></a><br />Gail reads to him every morning before the bus comes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8UiN3AlI-ZeD3jDYTqh6TNTqJBvcBA5fK2NiosN6gy4hs1b-f66ehKxag8jXpOAucFDa67p0TX6tFo-OKCVJNvNJrhS3-Mye1IzR8NjbsSLAGRvHNxHY4myT_VvFMfiNUqCQ/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8UiN3AlI-ZeD3jDYTqh6TNTqJBvcBA5fK2NiosN6gy4hs1b-f66ehKxag8jXpOAucFDa67p0TX6tFo-OKCVJNvNJrhS3-Mye1IzR8NjbsSLAGRvHNxHY4myT_VvFMfiNUqCQ/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518358417627690866" border="0" /></a><br />When it came, he ran over to get on with his friends<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUhvz1dPvJLjDzlKEtsDsk7kxAtqQbj6bsXTgl2oAALoCoZySkr7gCNUqed4cerUuslVhFWN58O0p2CUaEJM-Ckc3kkUhm5mKav4VfCpiFI6NuKenDQFI0r88EehCpMv_8wpH/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUhvz1dPvJLjDzlKEtsDsk7kxAtqQbj6bsXTgl2oAALoCoZySkr7gCNUqed4cerUuslVhFWN58O0p2CUaEJM-Ckc3kkUhm5mKav4VfCpiFI6NuKenDQFI0r88EehCpMv_8wpH/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518358406734428050" border="0" /></a><br />Ben likes to ride at the back of the bus, to chat with friends back there...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIYPq9XY4BZ4IIfWxlQnO9jYPawIhV8wxG9ZdAqSyReDg4KECOdwXsk5wfVN2wP-MVdOyu5qR2pNJMI63B4dAo6FXvNW3K4k3Neohk1bvUfczngnJVoBi_VsxI64Uh_G1pWTT/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIYPq9XY4BZ4IIfWxlQnO9jYPawIhV8wxG9ZdAqSyReDg4KECOdwXsk5wfVN2wP-MVdOyu5qR2pNJMI63B4dAo6FXvNW3K4k3Neohk1bvUfczngnJVoBi_VsxI64Uh_G1pWTT/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518358399057087794" border="0" /></a><br />Gail picked him up at the end of the first day, he had a great time!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-11948472105645542412010-08-27T09:13:00.004-04:002010-08-27T09:39:03.167-04:00Moose Pond RambleGail and Ben and Miles and I walked out to Moose Pond the other day...it's a nice walk, and a beautiful pond...we brought some snacks and water and went for a swim after the humid walk had done it's work...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHZcV507HE33yMC5IHoUsB6VqJGqiLuRN8torvL2NeyCbqPwCFV4J58k-v5kczXt2g1CySq7bOX2531gh4T29Ld404kgbMrtZg-jn1RrLCGzzgjxrzUfnkUvLXDPpgeng1H22/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHZcV507HE33yMC5IHoUsB6VqJGqiLuRN8torvL2NeyCbqPwCFV4J58k-v5kczXt2g1CySq7bOX2531gh4T29Ld404kgbMrtZg-jn1RrLCGzzgjxrzUfnkUvLXDPpgeng1H22/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510078203446878322" border="0" /></a><br />We set up on a pretty rock shelf that faces into the pond...you can see Whiteface in the distance...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS20smlBbg0x0TmdJp8nZJ3SMBtyZMwxPfprzYE2glqMKupytg7R3Pm0kFxMx47Fy4Oi5xJS9Vzb6BZM_S8CpmQVHX5YY0dj6SpKGhLNWPlg8AbpfXHahxVwkI56MXiHzZODe/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS20smlBbg0x0TmdJp8nZJ3SMBtyZMwxPfprzYE2glqMKupytg7R3Pm0kFxMx47Fy4Oi5xJS9Vzb6BZM_S8CpmQVHX5YY0dj6SpKGhLNWPlg8AbpfXHahxVwkI56MXiHzZODe/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510078194407633346" border="0" /></a><br />Miles loves swimming and fetching...he also swims out to keep an eye on me whenever I go swimming...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6mP4T-Ntal8pWs1BtIjr8gPecxAuya9_W8KnH2Pb6EHHnu2zaMsg_hFMPK0jQQd0AkgOPbmxZsEAFK0HFE_E4XPFgE5TkJu0WxheyO_ffUVvkofZYJG4eVpn0f7cDbwgZZng/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6mP4T-Ntal8pWs1BtIjr8gPecxAuya9_W8KnH2Pb6EHHnu2zaMsg_hFMPK0jQQd0AkgOPbmxZsEAFK0HFE_E4XPFgE5TkJu0WxheyO_ffUVvkofZYJG4eVpn0f7cDbwgZZng/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510078190222349218" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved watching the waves and wind playing on the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKTw0V325FUCp4dMMjR8ABWvG7tan1DJWsIxLGdETlW3Wk8IHuhyphenhyphen2cpmwb7SdPFWdHGE1kviTXFhDbLWmElYXJFb-1YDU8OfwsNybWauYDopG5uLl-QMkI8u8Onxa5EJKCN4/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNKTw0V325FUCp4dMMjR8ABWvG7tan1DJWsIxLGdETlW3Wk8IHuhyphenhyphen2cpmwb7SdPFWdHGE1kviTXFhDbLWmElYXJFb-1YDU8OfwsNybWauYDopG5uLl-QMkI8u8Onxa5EJKCN4/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077690789700850" border="0" /></a><br />Miles could smell all sorts of good stuff and kept alert to protect us...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiUWR73vo5_rLpOY2P4EZ0f-gUM3Zn57nLIl_snjSigS0JeFnhMwSwGq8ePAtmly4ksy-HwDpa_ezA8XZNakjWjL35pX9CVOp2bStulaYdDmpPcKJSyQ-dqAHmeaXqbvxvZEY/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiUWR73vo5_rLpOY2P4EZ0f-gUM3Zn57nLIl_snjSigS0JeFnhMwSwGq8ePAtmly4ksy-HwDpa_ezA8XZNakjWjL35pX9CVOp2bStulaYdDmpPcKJSyQ-dqAHmeaXqbvxvZEY/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077684340620098" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Miles in a nice reacharound picture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL05SKh2lDSKLkL-WJJt7Gf0IDSevLpGULDZ0ySDUVnY72yJJ7auDGAj4YQcK7lUU8RsJbiQaUa4nGSNl2hHnob18xgncp7umqAe4XlgR_9NSsCOEtaW28RMse6jNBoIaHc0dd/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL05SKh2lDSKLkL-WJJt7Gf0IDSevLpGULDZ0ySDUVnY72yJJ7auDGAj4YQcK7lUU8RsJbiQaUa4nGSNl2hHnob18xgncp7umqAe4XlgR_9NSsCOEtaW28RMse6jNBoIaHc0dd/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077676823737010" border="0" /></a><br />Miles is so handsome...we're lucky to have found each other...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDr3PkznvcrDSIsprFvRLJHyFDiXSfJ15UuRUkOEDj4cPVZ59bcukwey0DOmlvT3MD_M3xK2UHDY6j4OrGRIpwcPfCEhPECEhZKoqD_pk_F6svtDQPm2Rz5IHCqyF8mLICxC0/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDr3PkznvcrDSIsprFvRLJHyFDiXSfJ15UuRUkOEDj4cPVZ59bcukwey0DOmlvT3MD_M3xK2UHDY6j4OrGRIpwcPfCEhPECEhZKoqD_pk_F6svtDQPm2Rz5IHCqyF8mLICxC0/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077675482643698" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and I had a great time swimming, even though the pond bottom was pretty muck-tastic...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pfeGwuFdwCuuAqKQTzJNyYvB6wLXdimj3P65LUlZWPJmvD86pdU9ejaBnJtF2J5ciduBLCi8YzV_BeHYd3DrkvIEubFT4gdlAqUGNLg2-7ytFbC4BKLt_XWtiVSjtpGb1mam/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pfeGwuFdwCuuAqKQTzJNyYvB6wLXdimj3P65LUlZWPJmvD86pdU9ejaBnJtF2J5ciduBLCi8YzV_BeHYd3DrkvIEubFT4gdlAqUGNLg2-7ytFbC4BKLt_XWtiVSjtpGb1mam/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077669566376930" border="0" /></a><br />It was a perfect day to bring everyone out to this wonderful spot...sunny, warm, a nice breeze...almost the end of summer, but just a bit left...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7BgJyiaI1K884Cm8eG_v68X4I1M9ykxNPrehmCdmeJyFhHsx91eK_4Y6g9VmuVjzjsqaGyi8Jk28BFOCjo65Vpfqx_v-qCUFU1TbhV8M2U9UizDZ-Z1JL_buufgStMeIDf58/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7BgJyiaI1K884Cm8eG_v68X4I1M9ykxNPrehmCdmeJyFhHsx91eK_4Y6g9VmuVjzjsqaGyi8Jk28BFOCjo65Vpfqx_v-qCUFU1TbhV8M2U9UizDZ-Z1JL_buufgStMeIDf58/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077483246671394" border="0" /></a><br />There's nothing like warming up in the sun after a cool swim, while enjoying a lollipop...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-fquvTHDHw4YamGi9_VFG2lkcj3aM-xoTCcoKnafcki-OKLGPvYdAjJnmFv_BOQLtta-rPAp6ocLIjcLXNcN5M1WlSsBxVRc1TZiBTVFWnkOA2wlAdl1QE9u2z1tmk0qE0Sd/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-fquvTHDHw4YamGi9_VFG2lkcj3aM-xoTCcoKnafcki-OKLGPvYdAjJnmFv_BOQLtta-rPAp6ocLIjcLXNcN5M1WlSsBxVRc1TZiBTVFWnkOA2wlAdl1QE9u2z1tmk0qE0Sd/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077475141759954" border="0" /></a><br />Miles loves to stay near us, almost always touching one of us...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUN5l71BmgW97cfCGCw-fkqTa1HCDxt82ew846bsJJnSxjAgZJd5QdF04EvPVM7UGEhr7G8q13x7zqPd-JKm-RqEG_YZrTCmgwexc8pKME-uDa92PFr-NqiSwlF0Q9-uUG-QU/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUN5l71BmgW97cfCGCw-fkqTa1HCDxt82ew846bsJJnSxjAgZJd5QdF04EvPVM7UGEhr7G8q13x7zqPd-JKm-RqEG_YZrTCmgwexc8pKME-uDa92PFr-NqiSwlF0Q9-uUG-QU/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077466648289266" border="0" /></a><br />Ben had a great time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVZPj6FuMWksi3x_w8vWIgkmyTxhUKbNGu7H5YIgwj9lHSBPCjb8MEXAfQZT47nhXAPFIkvQU508pW59E56RtIi_Qt9ty_Y40BYdid837eBFd-h84GtxB07gC57TuQBd1V5tb/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVZPj6FuMWksi3x_w8vWIgkmyTxhUKbNGu7H5YIgwj9lHSBPCjb8MEXAfQZT47nhXAPFIkvQU508pW59E56RtIi_Qt9ty_Y40BYdid837eBFd-h84GtxB07gC57TuQBd1V5tb/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077458054238802" border="0" /></a><br />On the walk home, he found a great stone...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrGeR4EI7RJpjFVyXprtVzfxUko17o0xZprEgr-gi4pQiTgSnlI61BRksxrpfUzM2-aynr2xxrPAfMGFeiY_zXujKSh0gxWijr2__1g-fECb8y_pDyshJSORVZ9HZJlvv7r0S/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrGeR4EI7RJpjFVyXprtVzfxUko17o0xZprEgr-gi4pQiTgSnlI61BRksxrpfUzM2-aynr2xxrPAfMGFeiY_zXujKSh0gxWijr2__1g-fECb8y_pDyshJSORVZ9HZJlvv7r0S/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510077454004127874" border="0" /></a><br />It was a really nice family outing...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-35530942255255094912010-08-22T08:39:00.005-04:002010-08-22T09:11:31.551-04:00Backyard CampingBen and Gail and I went camping the other night...being that it's essentially the last weekend of the summer, we were worried about finding a good spot, and since we also wanted to bring Miles along, we camped in the woods behind out house (<span style="font-style: italic;">we have 20 acres, and adjoin 10,000 acres of state forest preserve, so it's woodsy</span>)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYx7i0CEsQAYX_dh8Luni2-OBH7gcDfZh4MF3p3qQqGli1pUnDUc8sB8L9fSNVtg-xXA_HCZ6EFBHF3any6hroPwjiWxFsZbBXcWuL77o1260WCvM4rm7AFuVIK-eM2YUg0ie/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYx7i0CEsQAYX_dh8Luni2-OBH7gcDfZh4MF3p3qQqGli1pUnDUc8sB8L9fSNVtg-xXA_HCZ6EFBHF3any6hroPwjiWxFsZbBXcWuL77o1260WCvM4rm7AFuVIK-eM2YUg0ie/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508214139011734354" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and I built a nice fire for cooking and roasting (hot dogs followed by marshmallows)...a nice hot fire that burned down to perfect coals...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHxmJjo8aciq09PgGNuR3XUcvBiq3QJu0rqMvCE2rPwxmg2-h0h_U_YFIX-lWkEpx6TzU1gzkEo5zhE63gYFO5AWXnQWGF7lsnKGeu6lIadXFHKKyRug1M97GNqTWdpWtWMDU/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHxmJjo8aciq09PgGNuR3XUcvBiq3QJu0rqMvCE2rPwxmg2-h0h_U_YFIX-lWkEpx6TzU1gzkEo5zhE63gYFO5AWXnQWGF7lsnKGeu6lIadXFHKKyRug1M97GNqTWdpWtWMDU/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508214136329876818" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed watching the night come to our backyard, and feeling the temperature drop from a daytime high around 80 down to about 36 by the next morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GSSkLTraoH4x4SkZh7HkSE0StrTOoJa84vqOSN_9M630lE7TMwHN-7h_a90g72mk5hBodUgGLDydUPCmgGCfTcDy6rd-m7aHzbqkmSF4Es19kXcyKwcBaTLHgGBJVlWBAUM8/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GSSkLTraoH4x4SkZh7HkSE0StrTOoJa84vqOSN_9M630lE7TMwHN-7h_a90g72mk5hBodUgGLDydUPCmgGCfTcDy6rd-m7aHzbqkmSF4Es19kXcyKwcBaTLHgGBJVlWBAUM8/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213646718673378" border="0" /></a><br />Miles helped Gail cook her hot dog on a stick...the grill was a nice bonus for searing the dogs or browning the rolls...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eHEKFw9fxYVRYu1dvtZOweU8XrbM3W5WHkiBA1-k2wNCxOy-_TV8B0ZNWrFmbwntAcN0vp24iaWK60QA_IEjT0KWPyIy4Y18NRO5SCnnlLGIkWgMhYX_PbDxfs2_WGgK6b1J/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eHEKFw9fxYVRYu1dvtZOweU8XrbM3W5WHkiBA1-k2wNCxOy-_TV8B0ZNWrFmbwntAcN0vp24iaWK60QA_IEjT0KWPyIy4Y18NRO5SCnnlLGIkWgMhYX_PbDxfs2_WGgK6b1J/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213643309987458" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loves poking the fire...either a genetic inheritance or just part of being a boy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdxiYl_sqyln2mRVtom7SAUr-smdVefCQJ0JXX7K_jPCHqI2tHUM3XJn_VvtZJwV_c9gTE4qSv4vG91gp-NGbiVJKMV7EU658vvlw5QAjqVR7Dq6Vjo6gjbPyOTVj8o4C-1Kp/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdxiYl_sqyln2mRVtom7SAUr-smdVefCQJ0JXX7K_jPCHqI2tHUM3XJn_VvtZJwV_c9gTE4qSv4vG91gp-NGbiVJKMV7EU658vvlw5QAjqVR7Dq6Vjo6gjbPyOTVj8o4C-1Kp/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213642434784146" border="0" /></a><br />I took this art-y shot to showcase Gail's marshmallow roasting technique...she scorches the outer layer, peels it off, and then cooks the next layer in...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSQ4KrRFUltagrnXE7UEXKGLgE6nXjmahgeq1EBxHXncMHnRV9fpH0o-pQcaxbaLmmfmfoaEAazvTr3FVcsvOqd1I_4XXaR8keMAFkb5YpZUXqU0U5nL5ldwV5mMY7e-hgE0b/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSQ4KrRFUltagrnXE7UEXKGLgE6nXjmahgeq1EBxHXncMHnRV9fpH0o-pQcaxbaLmmfmfoaEAazvTr3FVcsvOqd1I_4XXaR8keMAFkb5YpZUXqU0U5nL5ldwV5mMY7e-hgE0b/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213637875862466" border="0" /></a><br />Ben likes roasting them 2 at a time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9qP59U-lMp3l2bn8MbrXPA9ixDLzwEkpK8otWx093MI2EMm6xDGg_F_mG95z3bO-hrSkQv5Dj5eLhecLgEon53Dq5YqyZz8Ihot70rfF906eb2KL6PD2RAPHgo2AKRoFyczV/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9qP59U-lMp3l2bn8MbrXPA9ixDLzwEkpK8otWx093MI2EMm6xDGg_F_mG95z3bO-hrSkQv5Dj5eLhecLgEon53Dq5YqyZz8Ihot70rfF906eb2KL6PD2RAPHgo2AKRoFyczV/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213632762181378" border="0" /></a><br />I am better able to handle the pressure if I just stick to roasting one at a time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-HqsDICGvhki8UyJEiKgYhFZgyptr_z5rxxBLWGJnogNzQskxDdfMenPTtNgCScH7WrtgOwybmx1B1GfJcsz14hpvzwuZ4cdptK7ayUe1fOZ9KeS4PecKMXhdJg_HOV_Obxa/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-HqsDICGvhki8UyJEiKgYhFZgyptr_z5rxxBLWGJnogNzQskxDdfMenPTtNgCScH7WrtgOwybmx1B1GfJcsz14hpvzwuZ4cdptK7ayUe1fOZ9KeS4PecKMXhdJg_HOV_Obxa/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213373549645170" border="0" /></a><br />Miles was trying to talk me into giving him the sticks that we used to cook the dinner and dessert...he was very well behaved during the whole trip...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86s3b311yRt-HsaIAZmyTitjHfjkhUe3d4Ktd6qgqqBu-mv0Db2MiXFZmNCGZm_mW3lIeOOA1W1xkddbJsrw2m4j1h7JgntJNU4O9LLIou7XvAwK1ND7xGa-ouXuj3wm6YSv/s1600/milesc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86s3b311yRt-HsaIAZmyTitjHfjkhUe3d4Ktd6qgqqBu-mv0Db2MiXFZmNCGZm_mW3lIeOOA1W1xkddbJsrw2m4j1h7JgntJNU4O9LLIou7XvAwK1ND7xGa-ouXuj3wm6YSv/s400/milesc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213371182854674" border="0" /></a><br />As it got cooler, and he mellowed (getting used to the fire and food and such) he lay down on one of the fleece blankets that we brought for him...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBFhjWw_v1-WUU41zEfFn_Uhymd_VxDiFF20urM4YDMs6kPXKzO8p_Yu__8xbRwjO5Ek-fCPXWQi86lY9Xw4cNRxfZUbql0UYEyyZDMyBLne78ZDJHmGVL_3dKP62LNZc1Az/s1600/milesb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBFhjWw_v1-WUU41zEfFn_Uhymd_VxDiFF20urM4YDMs6kPXKzO8p_Yu__8xbRwjO5Ek-fCPXWQi86lY9Xw4cNRxfZUbql0UYEyyZDMyBLne78ZDJHmGVL_3dKP62LNZc1Az/s400/milesb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213365164896546" border="0" /></a>He's so handsome!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Important Note: </span>Cedar was invited on this outing as well, and chose instead to catch up on sleep in the house, on the couch and bed...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUDMhB9vKqgkozwgmpwwVN7Wb2PKmoU-gwUTQvdhzEzh00Hj4NXuvnh2nmMiKJQNzp4YblcaXIC8bBifZQ_PF_86-Hr1DJxZODwwPD4Co5MnsInM2sHIqiCX9S5Ta3MfSe3Ya/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUDMhB9vKqgkozwgmpwwVN7Wb2PKmoU-gwUTQvdhzEzh00Hj4NXuvnh2nmMiKJQNzp4YblcaXIC8bBifZQ_PF_86-Hr1DJxZODwwPD4Co5MnsInM2sHIqiCX9S5Ta3MfSe3Ya/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213360974421890" border="0" /></a><br />As the night came on the beauty and colors of the fire seemed to intensify...it was, as always, hypnotic and magical...we could hear the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">daysounds</span> end and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nightsounds</span> begin in the woods all around us...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZQKzzww-l32Q6lU8zZJ4aV0RV0SM3bemzh3cpLBVORZSTnOAnZH4hAjUujlr43xxs5FkuE1Wi7jWNiOQNw9ubJExjJIw4WNQZiUuqx0vcdYaVXYiYH9KjsYlb7WWF8haMies/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZQKzzww-l32Q6lU8zZJ4aV0RV0SM3bemzh3cpLBVORZSTnOAnZH4hAjUujlr43xxs5FkuE1Wi7jWNiOQNw9ubJExjJIw4WNQZiUuqx0vcdYaVXYiYH9KjsYlb7WWF8haMies/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213357053430754" border="0" /></a><br />As the stars came out, the cold came on a bit more, and we enjoyed the feeling of contrast between the fireside and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nightside</span> of our bodies...it was a clear night with a nice, fat, yellow <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">moon</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzEbfuusyjBZmuiOw_xBdcb3QuC0m4IlK6K_U12JJqB322PCSQPvQCv6In4yeONBFGj3y44bHwnyiCywMCY6MrxNT83tkly3qvkBdaGKPm0UkdhMFVdP_ePBgYv3KjicR7QoQ/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzEbfuusyjBZmuiOw_xBdcb3QuC0m4IlK6K_U12JJqB322PCSQPvQCv6In4yeONBFGj3y44bHwnyiCywMCY6MrxNT83tkly3qvkBdaGKPm0UkdhMFVdP_ePBgYv3KjicR7QoQ/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213176819605634" border="0" /></a><br />Gail read to Ben by the fire for a while before heading out to our campsite out in the woods...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURKahfZAAJLU1lWWce9poUmbXIy6J6KNEn1fY2PUbWWieRLIZCWpz-oi7RmNwhfProP0Qa_Evveh-0wc8EfdYGwiFLiLlrHPu8707pJq6uhamz0YMxZZcf8uAM72A-ObOzOXl/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURKahfZAAJLU1lWWce9poUmbXIy6J6KNEn1fY2PUbWWieRLIZCWpz-oi7RmNwhfProP0Qa_Evveh-0wc8EfdYGwiFLiLlrHPu8707pJq6uhamz0YMxZZcf8uAM72A-ObOzOXl/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213170191928546" border="0" /></a><br />In this pic, you can see Gail's and Ben's hammocks, as well as Miles' fleece-bed between the two...Once we were settled in, Gail read a few more chapters by headlamp before calling it a night...we were interrupted a couple of times by really loud coyote singing coming from not too far away through the trees...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9W3cjK219Vopw_W7MgHfgIDqsaLArB4GZrnlbVvdWJLHd0isdaEND-MMF2CG0pJzvXYLqKrpcdwdWaCWWIZGQefLXAkzgWyrTZFLE_XCl-0HQjmEmqovLia6t2TAzrbrwI4q/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9W3cjK219Vopw_W7MgHfgIDqsaLArB4GZrnlbVvdWJLHd0isdaEND-MMF2CG0pJzvXYLqKrpcdwdWaCWWIZGQefLXAkzgWyrTZFLE_XCl-0HQjmEmqovLia6t2TAzrbrwI4q/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213162927714594" border="0" /></a><br />Here you can see my hammock in relation to theirs...Ben and I had found a nice grouping of trees in a partial-clearing left by a big storm last winter...it allowed us to hang close to each other, and to have enough open space to get a nice view of the sky and stars and moon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVkrqzqd4lgW-Ou-vUmWfp0ev8kIQuzlg32n-dbMqaVISPbCKtFvYBHUcTvUa2_Pk1Jp3d0Z3vdYRz4g2Ua3e8D2iWbrvkHH8fw2ZSYOQu6PX7WydkMQVlA4lHvm6ldTWa8bG/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVkrqzqd4lgW-Ou-vUmWfp0ev8kIQuzlg32n-dbMqaVISPbCKtFvYBHUcTvUa2_Pk1Jp3d0Z3vdYRz4g2Ua3e8D2iWbrvkHH8fw2ZSYOQu6PX7WydkMQVlA4lHvm6ldTWa8bG/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213156612926962" border="0" /></a><br />Gail in her hammock, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">snuggly</span> and warm (until the chilly morning hours)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFwYt2YbcIVfs5iyUYtsf1wVg7WJuPb4a2ksdClFrwfV0nKSa0VXfnkfhMQjkL5OniXzvk6UmaJo4n41H19yS2wSRWMhS5DXxKeRSwpy2RQdalWnQChaIDrCjSA3bt5Jm8X7l/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFwYt2YbcIVfs5iyUYtsf1wVg7WJuPb4a2ksdClFrwfV0nKSa0VXfnkfhMQjkL5OniXzvk6UmaJo4n41H19yS2wSRWMhS5DXxKeRSwpy2RQdalWnQChaIDrCjSA3bt5Jm8X7l/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508213150118388978" border="0" /></a><br />Ben in a balaclava, with a book in case of early-morning wake-ups...<br /><br />Gail and I heard lots of animals during the night while Ben slept...yips and yowls, branches cracking and random crashing through the brush...both nearby and right in the midst of our hammocks...after a while of this, Miles was being driven crazy, so I brought him back up to our house, where he and Cedar slept the rest of the night away...in our bed...<br /><br />This was Gail's first time sleeping in a hammock, and first time camping in years, so it was both a treat and a trial...a good time was had by all, and we will definitely be camping in our woods again this Fall...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-47649884147958906732010-08-06T12:07:00.002-04:002010-08-08T13:17:14.172-04:00Surprise Florida TripWe woke up early last Monday morning, and headed out on another mystery vacation...we flew out of the Burlington airport via <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/">Jet Blue</a>...we landed in Orlando around noon, and were at our hotel (the <a href="http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/">Marriott World Center</a>) in time for a nice afternoon swim...we had a 3-day pass for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aquatica</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SeaWorld</span>, which would fill the next 3 days with fun in the sun...<br /><br />The next morning we went to <a href="http://aquaticabyseaworld.com/flash/homepage/Default.aspx"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aquatica</span></a>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SeaWorld's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">waterpark</span>, which was a ton of fun, especially in the heat...the rides were incredible, and we played for hours before heading home in the mid-afternoon...<br /><br />Wednesday we went to <a href="http://www.seaworld.com/orlando/">Sea World</a>, which was wonderful!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rito-PqRq9xzy6OR9EWL8q39dpgXSAM9_Zc-O-nHXQW0kqP6SWX-E4ewbwDAahX5nZ37kKDcDcC49NLX8aa5zHpwb_QLZB4ALzpSzp4GSj4UUehM-hEIUxFVv_BILH1mpoAx/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rito-PqRq9xzy6OR9EWL8q39dpgXSAM9_Zc-O-nHXQW0kqP6SWX-E4ewbwDAahX5nZ37kKDcDcC49NLX8aa5zHpwb_QLZB4ALzpSzp4GSj4UUehM-hEIUxFVv_BILH1mpoAx/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072831805732274" border="0" /></a><br />It was a very hot day, but we got there very early, and were among the first people into the park (something we did at both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SeaWorld</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Aquatica</span>)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6gdIEw9OEoeF9hkASIuIyQgrAhCHTljYzabTE-v8hmEgRJ0KRuyewV9-HWxewtYS0BgqDnXXR3NNSkCg6_Mdf1TVs_3prZBMKukHZRb2MK8hPIIFkPCb_0OE316sTkyjt3M3/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6gdIEw9OEoeF9hkASIuIyQgrAhCHTljYzabTE-v8hmEgRJ0KRuyewV9-HWxewtYS0BgqDnXXR3NNSkCg6_Mdf1TVs_3prZBMKukHZRb2MK8hPIIFkPCb_0OE316sTkyjt3M3/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072828853142338" border="0" /></a><br />One of the first things we saw was a display tank filled with stingrays, which we could touch...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7HQzLJV8Jg9uX2ITzJfpq4zpZt6S9P0Aq57__qxSkkv0bgEchyphenhyphenQEUwmiuxlkiTRjmJAOhQ1bhx2uFjx6IHmY9RP6b4gdhqXuS9p9GzUOBoE4n4LCEQtQKZIDyFoW3F15AJ5h/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7HQzLJV8Jg9uX2ITzJfpq4zpZt6S9P0Aq57__qxSkkv0bgEchyphenhyphenQEUwmiuxlkiTRjmJAOhQ1bhx2uFjx6IHmY9RP6b4gdhqXuS9p9GzUOBoE4n4LCEQtQKZIDyFoW3F15AJ5h/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072818726058354" border="0" /></a><br />...and feed...which was awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ4fKsTFM7vsAVYBpp6FuLcH5PXTbQMvLNssXGnWdu5pCIVZ91nmnO_cVYh9lcfwNx7DMdgxVlxGPdYAz3EddyfCkBMGGDCIhU59up0ymkb9fOPfLr7nzK9By1QToX6Kv3QKD/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ4fKsTFM7vsAVYBpp6FuLcH5PXTbQMvLNssXGnWdu5pCIVZ91nmnO_cVYh9lcfwNx7DMdgxVlxGPdYAz3EddyfCkBMGGDCIhU59up0ymkb9fOPfLr7nzK9By1QToX6Kv3QKD/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072814699619698" border="0" /></a><br />My camera works underwater, so Gail took this pic of the stingrays swimming by...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzECpNiSJhBSH_hAmsKdIYjLERz036qzCS12GZZOQM6FXmMRQHUPu9_JtQupXooqTzUKywL1ZCvXYwzo_4dWFSjqj1fNdlpAi05HX2QPxE4Aj_7NMlN1AHGSdMmRvaFj5a7AR8/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzECpNiSJhBSH_hAmsKdIYjLERz036qzCS12GZZOQM6FXmMRQHUPu9_JtQupXooqTzUKywL1ZCvXYwzo_4dWFSjqj1fNdlpAi05HX2QPxE4Aj_7NMlN1AHGSdMmRvaFj5a7AR8/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072665446745650" border="0" /></a><br />We took turns holding the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">baitfish</span> between our knuckles, and letting the rays take them from us...it felt amazing to feel their bony grinding plates suck in the fish (and sometimes our fingers) before swimming away again...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiY4AKzukxH3RSvBTeFakLbucggrKW6ZtqDcE_rFjJHsGXh3mVY3o_-v8xTKgQqAE9IR3uaLfBk2bUgZoIgR_DSXo7t7Js0PaEDHUvsXxu6vNv_cSOf8DrL1Nvpwbs1_pAccv/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiY4AKzukxH3RSvBTeFakLbucggrKW6ZtqDcE_rFjJHsGXh3mVY3o_-v8xTKgQqAE9IR3uaLfBk2bUgZoIgR_DSXo7t7Js0PaEDHUvsXxu6vNv_cSOf8DrL1Nvpwbs1_pAccv/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072660284165218" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved feeding them, although it freaked him out a bit...we liked these guys so much that we came back at the end of our visit to feed them again on our way out of the park...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsFqujlUuyZvt1G_VGuYo8vnFObrpvED7c6C-AgGjjZ77jEhITwhQhJMg1VhobrrTO8JjQchHvr8my3zhXzbaojdtLfgY4sx_QwKSvi90VzDsK19zu3WyEFjLwxQfja18Dcmr/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsFqujlUuyZvt1G_VGuYo8vnFObrpvED7c6C-AgGjjZ77jEhITwhQhJMg1VhobrrTO8JjQchHvr8my3zhXzbaojdtLfgY4sx_QwKSvi90VzDsK19zu3WyEFjLwxQfja18Dcmr/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072652616302834" border="0" /></a><br />We next went to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dolphin</span> feeding station, where we got to feed and touch the dolphins...it was astounding to get that close to these huge <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">beasties</span>...I was amazed at the feel of their skin, and the size/number of their teeth...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8U5ureJt-M0RpY0NWzjkx2BbBaB-mYsvLWdI-rg6TFUvslU4DJYYbw-1nTw2NW66uRpEjsy-mMu1KmWVSrIPOPGDYpDFSa7z5ritM4nyKJPwv2I_08DPM1IIYBQSqOTmUzH-x/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8U5ureJt-M0RpY0NWzjkx2BbBaB-mYsvLWdI-rg6TFUvslU4DJYYbw-1nTw2NW66uRpEjsy-mMu1KmWVSrIPOPGDYpDFSa7z5ritM4nyKJPwv2I_08DPM1IIYBQSqOTmUzH-x/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072646983024210" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great time feeding and playing with the dolphins...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq36GNFpW2XcoxFQc96vLrrV4f90flDXlgavfjrgfKLOZoyozM42TGlSd4IrBQV5cfLepGSZpqUf8L9BKqRHCcT5TCyIwvS9eDi1JvleEpBumVgIE9-g2sFms1W8fbt59Wewi/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq36GNFpW2XcoxFQc96vLrrV4f90flDXlgavfjrgfKLOZoyozM42TGlSd4IrBQV5cfLepGSZpqUf8L9BKqRHCcT5TCyIwvS9eDi1JvleEpBumVgIE9-g2sFms1W8fbt59Wewi/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072643253205490" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved looking the dolphins in the eye and feeling them...this was a chance to connect with these mammals in a way I had never even dreamed about before...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGeRw76zNXz_gDJwa5tE38yUTM-9ahCcrN-oe-JQ6yzw7fxv4NRQ3jGAmZUryXyQuqJxujTRRF1aq5sJKACVA8_mn-H6t0prGP9fYlbAoFcvwq5wvpqj9dtgT7riRuSx_sXSB/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGeRw76zNXz_gDJwa5tE38yUTM-9ahCcrN-oe-JQ6yzw7fxv4NRQ3jGAmZUryXyQuqJxujTRRF1aq5sJKACVA8_mn-H6t0prGP9fYlbAoFcvwq5wvpqj9dtgT7riRuSx_sXSB/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072454155704658" border="0" /></a><br />After feeding them, we went into an underground viewing chamber to check out the dolphins and to cool off...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S6MT19iGpozjjqoCQMNSgsISRAvfx5BvoZWeUYBsRK-aMSka-gd1t56SLytdnjN1nwtcZaKatVxcxd_KxjzyZD3C3tJdG84vqtLRQeZSzGa8ORuPzA5t72JxL9jkePBEG4vH/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S6MT19iGpozjjqoCQMNSgsISRAvfx5BvoZWeUYBsRK-aMSka-gd1t56SLytdnjN1nwtcZaKatVxcxd_KxjzyZD3C3tJdG84vqtLRQeZSzGa8ORuPzA5t72JxL9jkePBEG4vH/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072444845540210" border="0" /></a><br />Bizarrely, while we were in there, a flock of pink <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">flamingoes</span> came down the ramp and into the chamber...my theory is that they came in to escape the heat (which was ridiculous)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHNSEJeQlidUjt-mRwpkWXSx-f7-bJi4R5RT_8AWTQxa-E_OmEsDie5uac4YHNLisJP_DPdJwl1eYCqBJpMhDkESCCvdzbpHrM-71QbRNx673Nmf8ljvM25rXya4fwMUsGZzf/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHNSEJeQlidUjt-mRwpkWXSx-f7-bJi4R5RT_8AWTQxa-E_OmEsDie5uac4YHNLisJP_DPdJwl1eYCqBJpMhDkESCCvdzbpHrM-71QbRNx673Nmf8ljvM25rXya4fwMUsGZzf/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072441010905906" border="0" /></a><br />We loved visiting with the family of manatees living near the dolphin habitat...the manatees are silly and amazing creatures...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG9M7WODPWJweRivWzks36uxKxHwRVK-XlKszkXof7gs0SovfISyscnY6oDeSku6MkhyphenhyphenXbSM3gVda6WtgqIZWMTGdcdKHSBM2WyZu85HxgBI2Hvz5xb5css5KzNVTXMPibkSg/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG9M7WODPWJweRivWzks36uxKxHwRVK-XlKszkXof7gs0SovfISyscnY6oDeSku6MkhyphenhyphenXbSM3gVda6WtgqIZWMTGdcdKHSBM2WyZu85HxgBI2Hvz5xb5css5KzNVTXMPibkSg/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072431112746114" border="0" /></a><br />We went into one of the animal shows, and made a point of sitting in the "SOAK ZONE"...it worked...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAZeRZc1EEEYS6mTz4tD_hlnbTGljIlnaofJL8gD9t9NxiMVKs7pKW893vHV8xqIyKAywnuI-dyEkVEjKvru4A3YmDkRoQuGgY-NlVssBfw2hP5ibYfm0IPO0IrcE6mQ5V8hW/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAZeRZc1EEEYS6mTz4tD_hlnbTGljIlnaofJL8gD9t9NxiMVKs7pKW893vHV8xqIyKAywnuI-dyEkVEjKvru4A3YmDkRoQuGgY-NlVssBfw2hP5ibYfm0IPO0IrcE6mQ5V8hW/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072426704674098" border="0" /></a><br />The show was silly, but the performers, both human and animal, were fantastic!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoROSVTgNRZu7RU_4w3Dpz8j85F2vsvlTQXPqtQ7rbZNMPrgFHxZPubkCgcU16WyC16zsPdNvTBmzbGlD9k1pSI6_IUqeCUibiqT0pxC0ZsJUU4N3Dor4NUIgcsGmZctjLaITI/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoROSVTgNRZu7RU_4w3Dpz8j85F2vsvlTQXPqtQ7rbZNMPrgFHxZPubkCgcU16WyC16zsPdNvTBmzbGlD9k1pSI6_IUqeCUibiqT0pxC0ZsJUU4N3Dor4NUIgcsGmZctjLaITI/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072245485072930" border="0" /></a><br />We got soaked...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aET7RenD9vtXG7PmhDZMC7GzDLEr1EErOEABaP05w8FGxjiK6eTXcz0xqkJR-Pg0Lqe3S3J_k93-D0Qdzss8Ld6GcOOa8V-66I0xrVSOjwEtoSogE6NCXw69NyARk0efYgsZ/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aET7RenD9vtXG7PmhDZMC7GzDLEr1EErOEABaP05w8FGxjiK6eTXcz0xqkJR-Pg0Lqe3S3J_k93-D0Qdzss8Ld6GcOOa8V-66I0xrVSOjwEtoSogE6NCXw69NyARk0efYgsZ/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072233904923650" border="0" /></a><br />We were sitting up close enough to watch the action under water as well as above, and it was cool to watch the dolphins work with humans to pull off amazing aquatic stunts...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMAg6TIVmCQ6JvwHUZnuy_ysRMElgksPxs4PKibTI7-LveiyxfbgmkLHmvKYAiORAc2k5UD0Z77IqXqVaLqMKjcbfS_aFvoEDjw3xoVZacWyu7hB-n1Nt-A-RnzKZk25Vw4Fb/s1600/q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMAg6TIVmCQ6JvwHUZnuy_ysRMElgksPxs4PKibTI7-LveiyxfbgmkLHmvKYAiORAc2k5UD0Z77IqXqVaLqMKjcbfS_aFvoEDjw3xoVZacWyu7hB-n1Nt-A-RnzKZk25Vw4Fb/s400/q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072225859874882" border="0" /></a><br />It was a great show!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCzgjxk2ULLr8TBCyhJflCIZznL3q9KeJ8in0RGzld7ehdhWqbvozk1qF905QsiBKYzbWLwC9wHdZob2iAv-HAalKZPg67z2-r7WXSuLVQRHSz2Ak54YAn5DLKYNFiCUz9jf/s1600/r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCzgjxk2ULLr8TBCyhJflCIZznL3q9KeJ8in0RGzld7ehdhWqbvozk1qF905QsiBKYzbWLwC9wHdZob2iAv-HAalKZPg67z2-r7WXSuLVQRHSz2Ak54YAn5DLKYNFiCUz9jf/s400/r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072221998236978" border="0" /></a><br />We visited an alligator habitat, and while Ben liked them fine, he was just as interested in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">anole</span> lizard on the fence going through territoriality displays (we'd seen and learned about these on a David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Attenborough</span> nature show with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Muz</span> and D)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJntw0nEmOnPcC-6u5zZSHz_079Bwseir5Wd6_YjgBcCvr4ceLpFdRcc_bZ7VyEKgVBN4VWrCswX8tXLVgUOHRkgrHv4lxZIOVkJmvF-7xrkYIULhjR761jR2hQ9CJmW9kLvtG/s1600/s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJntw0nEmOnPcC-6u5zZSHz_079Bwseir5Wd6_YjgBcCvr4ceLpFdRcc_bZ7VyEKgVBN4VWrCswX8tXLVgUOHRkgrHv4lxZIOVkJmvF-7xrkYIULhjR761jR2hQ9CJmW9kLvtG/s400/s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072219612949970" border="0" /></a><br />We fed the seals and sea-lions, which was fun, although the innocent-looking one on the right was incredible at catching/stealing the fish that we chucked to the one on the left...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRDpL2B2YQYpKhdaeZ7W5GBzZW9M3DSXAS1UwA9maUPCsjJBqt4Roef5MN_qRPXKM9wD5pfFe98xHSlK36bwL-nBT-UxEkqfvh8lF3ph5MOryVkPQVy4vMXEZPyaqkjc6PYD6/s1600/t.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRDpL2B2YQYpKhdaeZ7W5GBzZW9M3DSXAS1UwA9maUPCsjJBqt4Roef5MN_qRPXKM9wD5pfFe98xHSlK36bwL-nBT-UxEkqfvh8lF3ph5MOryVkPQVy4vMXEZPyaqkjc6PYD6/s400/t.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072060765701378" border="0" /></a><br />The show with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Shamu</span> and his friends was wonderful and even moving...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumFP7evEC14MEFuF2d84qojm90Yy_1EAC9EXa8hDCOrjlhhMK9ll364GVI9okXtmnSXpo2tzRhpBYBIn31plV8P2-aX9cUgPyX-F-Lk0hyphenhyphenhNe1_ZdBKANh-0NAFoAExfXn4e3/s1600/u.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumFP7evEC14MEFuF2d84qojm90Yy_1EAC9EXa8hDCOrjlhhMK9ll364GVI9okXtmnSXpo2tzRhpBYBIn31plV8P2-aX9cUgPyX-F-Lk0hyphenhyphenhNe1_ZdBKANh-0NAFoAExfXn4e3/s400/u.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072051875330306" border="0" /></a><br />There was a super exhibit called "Wild Arctic", which was interactive, filled with incredible arctic beasts, and had superb set-design...we also appreciated the chill after the amazing heat of the park!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0d_T7GRejick9wpCZzi3a4vQW0oZipFJ4nApjlpln2WqebzwNWLp_rudShACTkGzmVcAiYK-5Mk6nyLsG83q8Rz9LmdAvnZZJ47yQs-pMrgZYaOGpElUXfomm3XajlVokytG/s1600/v.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0d_T7GRejick9wpCZzi3a4vQW0oZipFJ4nApjlpln2WqebzwNWLp_rudShACTkGzmVcAiYK-5Mk6nyLsG83q8Rz9LmdAvnZZJ47yQs-pMrgZYaOGpElUXfomm3XajlVokytG/s400/v.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072038349715794" border="0" /></a><br />Ben on a beautiful polar bear statue outside the exhibit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSW27sGgIyVfRYc3NqDppuug1A0klPRg0DIVGHMUYj7egeicckqNiEbvlVSzVxptnwr2MN9cdQV2QxigyzbjExM5tyF2bj5r2j7TcwMxuVitXjb6uQ7KDMIiHXq_f4_KaN8pH/s1600/w.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSW27sGgIyVfRYc3NqDppuug1A0klPRg0DIVGHMUYj7egeicckqNiEbvlVSzVxptnwr2MN9cdQV2QxigyzbjExM5tyF2bj5r2j7TcwMxuVitXjb6uQ7KDMIiHXq_f4_KaN8pH/s400/w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072034693076738" border="0" /></a><br />Family pic around the statue...<br /><br />After leaving Sea World, we went back to the hotel to swim and rehydrate before our supper out at a pirate-themed dinner theater called, "<a href="http://www.piratesdinneradventure.com/">Pirates Dinner Adventure</a>"...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0cMxiyuuKc5xIktLhQ3irHbh0g9ARy6mQjQEIEgJKxwdPGsFVQ_dGwGo-b_E5pGfK1aNN6pd1oPVF_3jdOLtkyYH0dPw_DE7MiRNsATjosOuY91xXxMY1EKfzNcVSKhHObAW/s1600/x.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0cMxiyuuKc5xIktLhQ3irHbh0g9ARy6mQjQEIEgJKxwdPGsFVQ_dGwGo-b_E5pGfK1aNN6pd1oPVF_3jdOLtkyYH0dPw_DE7MiRNsATjosOuY91xXxMY1EKfzNcVSKhHObAW/s400/x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503072029994333138" border="0" /></a><br />We went VIP (very important pirate?) for the show, which gained us a nicer place for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">pre</span>-show, preferred seating up front, better food, increased interactivity with the cast/show, and the opportunity to go on-ship after the show for pics with the cast)...Ben enjoyed a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">pre</span>-show grog in a coconut...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHba4zR641FDCiI4Aa8vqedH7Ai8kn5137KUTXW0PfH9yAOzxETg7qsGQyXhAN-_kq0frH8jXu-nAL_oYS91io4GhgwyVTqjt1nfC4KRzwk0btac9AqzWwFeHNVWOHd5ZtBm_o/s1600/xa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHba4zR641FDCiI4Aa8vqedH7Ai8kn5137KUTXW0PfH9yAOzxETg7qsGQyXhAN-_kq0frH8jXu-nAL_oYS91io4GhgwyVTqjt1nfC4KRzwk0btac9AqzWwFeHNVWOHd5ZtBm_o/s400/xa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503071816511208834" border="0" /></a><br />Mid-way through the show, Ben joined the cast up on the ship to pledge fealty to the pirate king...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6yqB1GwBd8HNd_eXDIWJxne4LDR01KMuNjM1-Hex4f3BdDMQ29cvAPwUgjUatM-6AWjCNx4Ow3fKpjYIN5JeshYiTZ6lO9h9J0vH4zXyvRyiqfmxiqpkN0TbByBXvjThYJJs/s1600/xb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6yqB1GwBd8HNd_eXDIWJxne4LDR01KMuNjM1-Hex4f3BdDMQ29cvAPwUgjUatM-6AWjCNx4Ow3fKpjYIN5JeshYiTZ6lO9h9J0vH4zXyvRyiqfmxiqpkN0TbByBXvjThYJJs/s400/xb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503071813248150818" border="0" /></a><br />Later on, towards the end of the show, Ben was drafted to join the redcoats in an assault on the pirate ship to help rescue the princess...he was great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitocgmzQVcFy83phjvvY-g9QHwzc__Hiuw_QfCh4wWaVVCXaXt02oIdRKrleGuwJMiUwJsLnXTB6Pz8Yj7riWZZ8tC59tyTBNfx1S8F9hpk-5a8YsIeWZtHHrt4nxOJgK8JZZS/s1600/xc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitocgmzQVcFy83phjvvY-g9QHwzc__Hiuw_QfCh4wWaVVCXaXt02oIdRKrleGuwJMiUwJsLnXTB6Pz8Yj7riWZZ8tC59tyTBNfx1S8F9hpk-5a8YsIeWZtHHrt4nxOJgK8JZZS/s400/xc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503071809896415682" border="0" /></a><br />Not surprisingly, he took his role very seriously...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IrI92ZDDzePfqT8hpZNTDmoGYfV8izWzvzeWweaf_e20IS8-BS0gbLxMxraRMFJNPLwcFZP37-yzRDq0eEOQlNnR_MNwJwIH_GqpEC3zAESM4MSBfr0DGdLASM1Ts503vwXT/s1600/xd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IrI92ZDDzePfqT8hpZNTDmoGYfV8izWzvzeWweaf_e20IS8-BS0gbLxMxraRMFJNPLwcFZP37-yzRDq0eEOQlNnR_MNwJwIH_GqpEC3zAESM4MSBfr0DGdLASM1Ts503vwXT/s400/xd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503071799725201826" border="0" /></a><br />After the show, we all went up on the pirate ship to get our picture taken with the lovely princess, and her brave and valiant boyfriend, the blue pirate...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq8j1tn0aSbn40Oz5wxrW0sqbQ3mlEl4MWYxjipgjzmnj78chIjXJRPV0K9PelON-lhl7GPErr7S7sr6W1RQANS9kW_tbW7ctNkumM-7JDqawJ6B2k-LBwyN7heWkvMUHWilj/s1600/y.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq8j1tn0aSbn40Oz5wxrW0sqbQ3mlEl4MWYxjipgjzmnj78chIjXJRPV0K9PelON-lhl7GPErr7S7sr6W1RQANS9kW_tbW7ctNkumM-7JDqawJ6B2k-LBwyN7heWkvMUHWilj/s400/y.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503071798761335570" border="0" /></a><br />Here you can see Ben relaxing in our hotel room...pirate style!<br /><br />We had a super vacation, lots of fun and sun and sleeping in (for us) and eating out at great/fun restaurants...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-36834839517043824982010-07-28T08:05:00.006-04:002010-07-28T08:34:10.872-04:00More July Fun!It's been a fun month in the sun...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiub4HnfrSUYjnBL2FLek-nTtWHqQhLpzaSPH2pYO6OQ-Wg9R4HGPH8ZyH4pev5tACTU1-3REkmqKn5gB2CTEK_bDvoyf7zRYwKmQAeCkiaJQqacTREknw135yqbLm_NQJlh0b/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiub4HnfrSUYjnBL2FLek-nTtWHqQhLpzaSPH2pYO6OQ-Wg9R4HGPH8ZyH4pev5tACTU1-3REkmqKn5gB2CTEK_bDvoyf7zRYwKmQAeCkiaJQqacTREknw135yqbLm_NQJlh0b/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927747840710946" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah on the dock at Camp Sunrise with Gail and Ben in their kayaks in the background...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyswAvSBkeKv9brXSgNE2BJ7wPxRj78VwIcwXRsErjc2yBcVCvQ4HJ4oMAjy7a0ualPpbk-_zVklF3R07Kp-wrN6woUtv-DHXoeksQgFukdZ5r4cVXHz2MKQkKWILqberKRHRf/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyswAvSBkeKv9brXSgNE2BJ7wPxRj78VwIcwXRsErjc2yBcVCvQ4HJ4oMAjy7a0ualPpbk-_zVklF3R07Kp-wrN6woUtv-DHXoeksQgFukdZ5r4cVXHz2MKQkKWILqberKRHRf/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927741501356018" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and Ayla noodling around in the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2XbttCFWH4Zr-hdp689X9L_CiRzJgTOeCq20hYKC4Zwb_LTlrjfCEcxtZFYosNjbqQhiczQjRi3-hSO6jtxoEHU4sy5WCUtzI_0uAwbuebBFef96SggT8cqlByOtQi6xYvMc/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2XbttCFWH4Zr-hdp689X9L_CiRzJgTOeCq20hYKC4Zwb_LTlrjfCEcxtZFYosNjbqQhiczQjRi3-hSO6jtxoEHU4sy5WCUtzI_0uAwbuebBFef96SggT8cqlByOtQi6xYvMc/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927736779318898" border="0" /></a><br />Trying to dump her off and into the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNAlmMPxMw0Avg6d6TmJIBjkMSq3taxSfLovsTy5X99wmGRRVh0J73piR0IRPyyRtpQWP1ay2vZHWOjP0P_Vn2Go3p-uGFCRd2ACRzXkjx1qPPLvqNf-jUa6GeRiHL0k3P0fK/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNAlmMPxMw0Avg6d6TmJIBjkMSq3taxSfLovsTy5X99wmGRRVh0J73piR0IRPyyRtpQWP1ay2vZHWOjP0P_Vn2Go3p-uGFCRd2ACRzXkjx1qPPLvqNf-jUa6GeRiHL0k3P0fK/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927732724179042" border="0" /></a><br />Kids and dogs in the water on the 4th...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7YzStKIYFEZhAWsF1eIk046ow1QbiZcNBw4jBH1Jq3WU82TAur4uUGSJmuIHh9Z1szQsPtwlToUvbPWLzo2tHrcU8TGa-BNyfg6p4KXkwNtMrl06lyxNz5uVuA93fAKEMlvZ/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7YzStKIYFEZhAWsF1eIk046ow1QbiZcNBw4jBH1Jq3WU82TAur4uUGSJmuIHh9Z1szQsPtwlToUvbPWLzo2tHrcU8TGa-BNyfg6p4KXkwNtMrl06lyxNz5uVuA93fAKEMlvZ/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927729579314370" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and Autumn and Ayla jumping off of the raft...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq5E3cgtu_ovchKv3PwidDObODBQa3yHyouiC1koTq6Rf3r7sMfBE9dBxj172XawG1DzCPb4ChCeow9gWacasIr78JVioQyT2Ciss-i_tCbeAVFWo5kQAyO16Joerm4giGtkG/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq5E3cgtu_ovchKv3PwidDObODBQa3yHyouiC1koTq6Rf3r7sMfBE9dBxj172XawG1DzCPb4ChCeow9gWacasIr78JVioQyT2Ciss-i_tCbeAVFWo5kQAyO16Joerm4giGtkG/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927586508472034" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and the girls up on the boathouse roof-deck...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKCZqiyngKNI-eYHmIVe-tz-Dm2Ua-FOIGvtErJvWl2bEBoA8xlIDwtTK19URETS0tEeK_VelmOrTWijpJlR-tyAd3L52MX6gprUhvAPChzWQbhRkFnhESvpj67P2IavpuPTc/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKCZqiyngKNI-eYHmIVe-tz-Dm2Ua-FOIGvtErJvWl2bEBoA8xlIDwtTK19URETS0tEeK_VelmOrTWijpJlR-tyAd3L52MX6gprUhvAPChzWQbhRkFnhESvpj67P2IavpuPTc/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927584079824706" border="0" /></a><br />A pretty sunset with a weird cigar-shaped cloud...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTnDXYHwjXoK5eyWOcMycskPgwjcQOf0Hseh8GsoLB__0AsIfVvdVrY8LYH-VdJHXqFDf4dE1eJrKE8OcqH5sfEBmXriBDevm5HmyVfJ9Cnwq9fa_R803RBZkdCT-1UQvMIEG/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTnDXYHwjXoK5eyWOcMycskPgwjcQOf0Hseh8GsoLB__0AsIfVvdVrY8LYH-VdJHXqFDf4dE1eJrKE8OcqH5sfEBmXriBDevm5HmyVfJ9Cnwq9fa_R803RBZkdCT-1UQvMIEG/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927578911991474" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah and Wendy enjoying the afternoon up on the boathouse above the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBMhI-BuZcsRPmYw5TuSYKqadBp6X-MzWUKgKzNGsiJXLNW5TrAx19J06U5sc3x8CfkrXdkQ5gbcy0NApmYvu2eQ-QaEF1lHJUTgS7srRA6JbhJ8oKiuomNRJDYXODRYVLGe-/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBMhI-BuZcsRPmYw5TuSYKqadBp6X-MzWUKgKzNGsiJXLNW5TrAx19J06U5sc3x8CfkrXdkQ5gbcy0NApmYvu2eQ-QaEF1lHJUTgS7srRA6JbhJ8oKiuomNRJDYXODRYVLGe-/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927579777812226" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and I went out paddling pretty mch every day, this day we went out for a morning paddle to Tommy's Rock, we bought breakfast along...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauq4R0HpryCZgCjS8YGeYfWaLL2_qH6zlnsI_mh1RgFXJidxIaKYib4iAKxNd7xBhNa-tzrqgZKcUtsWScUGuzY-QLONuznSzTlgYAeT0Zbn8GcGw5cn08gOEXkR6DIQfzPk6/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauq4R0HpryCZgCjS8YGeYfWaLL2_qH6zlnsI_mh1RgFXJidxIaKYib4iAKxNd7xBhNa-tzrqgZKcUtsWScUGuzY-QLONuznSzTlgYAeT0Zbn8GcGw5cn08gOEXkR6DIQfzPk6/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927572814136050" border="0" /></a><br />It was a gorgeous morning for a paddle, and Ben and I took a serpentine route out to Tommy's Rock to enjoy the morning and explore the newfound freedom of paddling your own boat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYa9JbvGj7tYoYU6eYDoo7u4l333tNckRbpEmInPhCNV-uVjBscfJAhckqfHhm-tTt6AlJPvcS3jswo2fUVGEcwBTlNYCQgzeIPyvGp1MUpuQnxCBt8ydsgimdYqiOm_yZLf3b/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYa9JbvGj7tYoYU6eYDoo7u4l333tNckRbpEmInPhCNV-uVjBscfJAhckqfHhm-tTt6AlJPvcS3jswo2fUVGEcwBTlNYCQgzeIPyvGp1MUpuQnxCBt8ydsgimdYqiOm_yZLf3b/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927424237149378" border="0" /></a><br />We dragged our boats up on the island, happy to be the only ones out that early in the morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOmcmS6teVX1n-rORr9MwfS8G4SvzEKdt6JHdDnh0aOc84zSNh2FVooy_9Ootu1hX0vbQBIqfp1q5ajEkw_76aDQcRjduGLtaWmSPmcaIIBUrdyZK-vVaAIT5u7Xlpzkf0rX/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOmcmS6teVX1n-rORr9MwfS8G4SvzEKdt6JHdDnh0aOc84zSNh2FVooy_9Ootu1hX0vbQBIqfp1q5ajEkw_76aDQcRjduGLtaWmSPmcaIIBUrdyZK-vVaAIT5u7Xlpzkf0rX/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927417662517090" border="0" /></a><br />Ben played with some toys and explored the island a bit before we enjoyed our picnic breakfast...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp0M8g-4qjNpj8cO8SX-cl5DsmRSw2fJXd2gI4_zu3Yt1PWUl34E0YnNb99FiEGGhi0n4W-y8_UdYslsFJxrWlxmHOqZAKQNR9L24U1IgIV_44jg8bcnhbM0A6gabIDLfS9KL/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp0M8g-4qjNpj8cO8SX-cl5DsmRSw2fJXd2gI4_zu3Yt1PWUl34E0YnNb99FiEGGhi0n4W-y8_UdYslsFJxrWlxmHOqZAKQNR9L24U1IgIV_44jg8bcnhbM0A6gabIDLfS9KL/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927414653759602" border="0" /></a><br />I set up the hammock chair between a couple of trees, and enjoyed the shade and the breeze and the sounds and smells of the lake while reading a fun book about...zombies...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilym2rjnzZ61T-pDRF654nfwfk9ofQhwbN0O3Goy4biMum5F9AOmy8tKXn4gFPK07m-7tkV6wCosoe3-hwvGkb07GilgQNMk4Dl35ZaSwDRENebh8aGaIaOqi5dAVl2DNkfRkB/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilym2rjnzZ61T-pDRF654nfwfk9ofQhwbN0O3Goy4biMum5F9AOmy8tKXn4gFPK07m-7tkV6wCosoe3-hwvGkb07GilgQNMk4Dl35ZaSwDRENebh8aGaIaOqi5dAVl2DNkfRkB/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927411724597842" border="0" /></a><br />Later on in the morning, Ben took a break from running around and swimming, and ate some Smartfood and chillaxed in the hammock...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG9gs5KdKOi2xAhoBY92z9uZmrA-3OEioTIYtzWryyCaZCDEdzp2dqAoxsXfies6sK3ORMulOJ0xBv500UuFYN3nrDO7hd_Qd4xJsFEVQD2yKcp17sFhcXgcKS4SyLD5aoTQI/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG9gs5KdKOi2xAhoBY92z9uZmrA-3OEioTIYtzWryyCaZCDEdzp2dqAoxsXfies6sK3ORMulOJ0xBv500UuFYN3nrDO7hd_Qd4xJsFEVQD2yKcp17sFhcXgcKS4SyLD5aoTQI/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927407896734178" border="0" /></a><br />When we finally took off again to head home, Ben surprised me by disappearing to circle the island while I launched myself...we marco polo'd for a bit, but eventually hooked up again...he is very confident on the water and in his kayak...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2dY-T-byIClTOJedd0GfkHGSxMZrVAdN6MUDHiF0BKE33XO9cIw-6E2c3tWnKQa06cpD0AAohocSQPfIT6FhxUwlhMO42Ush1c42g0nMYLmzR2UnILVC2TXJe1ecQKQaVV-r/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2dY-T-byIClTOJedd0GfkHGSxMZrVAdN6MUDHiF0BKE33XO9cIw-6E2c3tWnKQa06cpD0AAohocSQPfIT6FhxUwlhMO42Ush1c42g0nMYLmzR2UnILVC2TXJe1ecQKQaVV-r/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927150063894098" border="0" /></a><br />He loves the freedom and grownupness of being able to choose his own route and pace...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6oVTWQR41KHbzJTP2NPeFQigr_UEPiYEOSIvWSd2_gQOY1R80bEsJ7-WdBdJf3gRZOoTEkh1Z3KfpdoIIPAseCMVx_S4VibrGk7SKarL52QU3f3xhSGQP_WbdMAH-JV8DBkR/s1600/q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6oVTWQR41KHbzJTP2NPeFQigr_UEPiYEOSIvWSd2_gQOY1R80bEsJ7-WdBdJf3gRZOoTEkh1Z3KfpdoIIPAseCMVx_S4VibrGk7SKarL52QU3f3xhSGQP_WbdMAH-JV8DBkR/s400/q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927145598363090" border="0" /></a><br />We've had a great time paddling this summer, and are planning another paddle-camping trip with Gail and Ben and I...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm9QuQxXnxbygY1efeIxuYPT6j_Dx8BJck6nY9wIHQGTyR5qdiQ0-DYVyWtcPTayOV5U15KNJjjt3nbTOSBc0Q_kpBm442lmUIL0OkB5PCAqk-cBb71panL6wJeaTfAHmvl_H/s1600/r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm9QuQxXnxbygY1efeIxuYPT6j_Dx8BJck6nY9wIHQGTyR5qdiQ0-DYVyWtcPTayOV5U15KNJjjt3nbTOSBc0Q_kpBm442lmUIL0OkB5PCAqk-cBb71panL6wJeaTfAHmvl_H/s400/r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927139925950898" border="0" /></a><br />I also took a bunch of paddle-trips with my dad, while they were still here...this is a huge culvert under a set of traintracks leading from Rainbow Lake to Lake Kushaqua in Onchiota...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-uhapdV0WaH8kofuIkC0PFmFTr4sjDTxjSqvntX2PZOgXzV7_7Z5-QONSuts1JGLlJItPqpPzebhnMS0LC4WCwsHQnuSp_8EPn7OZ3JpDShqdhQqjBMsWozeywC8al7rxXhw/s1600/s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-uhapdV0WaH8kofuIkC0PFmFTr4sjDTxjSqvntX2PZOgXzV7_7Z5-QONSuts1JGLlJItPqpPzebhnMS0LC4WCwsHQnuSp_8EPn7OZ3JpDShqdhQqjBMsWozeywC8al7rxXhw/s400/s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927137225301346" border="0" /></a><br />I also took a super trip with some friends from ZSNY through the Saranac Lakes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUsLju-UjZdpGmSR5aaGZuycw_96PRluRHn_SRCHfxSx_gXoblK6i9YPvrhvhSVdDJScE2lFAWT8aglx0Ug74W-ye4dnoENR3H70U5mwXb0aluYpBHMdvtYuSqVlsrwZVldZp/s1600/t.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUsLju-UjZdpGmSR5aaGZuycw_96PRluRHn_SRCHfxSx_gXoblK6i9YPvrhvhSVdDJScE2lFAWT8aglx0Ug74W-ye4dnoENR3H70U5mwXb0aluYpBHMdvtYuSqVlsrwZVldZp/s400/t.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498927126497789330" border="0" /></a><br />We did hammock camping, which made for a great tent village each night...<br /><br />More pics to come, as I continue trying to clean up and catch up with my pictures...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-6023200497919656262010-07-04T06:42:00.004-04:002010-07-04T07:11:37.310-04:00First Week of SummerWe've had a great time during our first week of summer...my parents got here last Saturday, and we've basically moved over to the camp that they stay at for the month of July...we sleep in a cabin by the water, listen to loons around the clock, paddle our boats a couple of times a day, shower less than would seem appropriate, swim when we're hot, read when the mood takes us, drink strong coffee starting before 6am every morning, and live with the constant smell of wet dogs...it's pretty perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyDaft5Ik2vOYewq-9XSJEZ5PnZ8juZ4Ud6ln975a9Z0dN2RoIqBtCtcol4D6fdTHpcZdXethiGWh9U0gW9Fh4u05abXELVgL91TSiOXNnXOUK6xEkaWsf9cTfjV1hQzoYvXi/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyDaft5Ik2vOYewq-9XSJEZ5PnZ8juZ4Ud6ln975a9Z0dN2RoIqBtCtcol4D6fdTHpcZdXethiGWh9U0gW9Fh4u05abXELVgL91TSiOXNnXOUK6xEkaWsf9cTfjV1hQzoYvXi/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000498367576914" border="0" /></a><br />One of our favorite trips is down through some ponds and rivers from Floodwood Pond to Upper Saranac Lake, and ending at Follensby Clear Pond...Gail has missed a couple of paddle-seasons due to work and such, and is glad to get back on the water in full force...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ6pauyzQ7I9xrlS4PXvmhbxSI-z4nt0v_FL-r8GktrF0ZE_8kNPBxEB13pVCDvEiS2qL2qHZGA6OSsM_RsHC3rITJITqX_KwaqB8w3PYvQGmpQPlgrAYHreEW2IWBY-3WknP/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ6pauyzQ7I9xrlS4PXvmhbxSI-z4nt0v_FL-r8GktrF0ZE_8kNPBxEB13pVCDvEiS2qL2qHZGA6OSsM_RsHC3rITJITqX_KwaqB8w3PYvQGmpQPlgrAYHreEW2IWBY-3WknP/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000491952464402" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah and her girlfriend Wendy are up visiting, and Ben rode with them on the Floodwood trip the other day...he is paddling his own kayak every day, but is not quite ready for the trips that we do...yet...soon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GeRAz_TWpbKeqpLW00QfPkLhzb4SY0iArCA29yXqWxw4x4ClfT93LfEsA2Uq1A_Dwu4C8AVsqHrx9GXS1Nd9dWCgRisd3OVrBo12qmVkNLQH29eaYig315qjUZFE_kdvOkq/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GeRAz_TWpbKeqpLW00QfPkLhzb4SY0iArCA29yXqWxw4x4ClfT93LfEsA2Uq1A_Dwu4C8AVsqHrx9GXS1Nd9dWCgRisd3OVrBo12qmVkNLQH29eaYig315qjUZFE_kdvOkq/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000414928636498" border="0" /></a>Fuz is happy that the weather has turned nicer...we had a couple of days with rain and 40 degrees...chilly for paddling...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKOv9nyPPnBD4nVd4i2B8uZUKs7T5HCgYEidTbLu5LyoPZ8cRYxjNnvaQLNNDbeTgE708D6dyFXfT5oF3eznXklJstrzvB3WrlNjGNWlJkixxOEiz2X0hp3_Z2qDxMsKSho7L/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKOv9nyPPnBD4nVd4i2B8uZUKs7T5HCgYEidTbLu5LyoPZ8cRYxjNnvaQLNNDbeTgE708D6dyFXfT5oF3eznXklJstrzvB3WrlNjGNWlJkixxOEiz2X0hp3_Z2qDxMsKSho7L/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000406545245730" border="0" /></a><br />The river sections of the Floodwood trip are beautiful, and surprisingly when we did it the other day we saw almost no other people, despite the fact that it's the 4th of July Weekend...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tzNL588LL47F5bmFKt0vEseMLeR5ND7s0wNvBKVGVxTdpk_wSuCIlTqOsO1vesKL0_QDLPWG0nvCTSU3qbtlA93R0h4DjQvd7jQ8tN0vEL95ABT2XmBD_AA7KCMeXIb6qfHY/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tzNL588LL47F5bmFKt0vEseMLeR5ND7s0wNvBKVGVxTdpk_wSuCIlTqOsO1vesKL0_QDLPWG0nvCTSU3qbtlA93R0h4DjQvd7jQ8tN0vEL95ABT2XmBD_AA7KCMeXIb6qfHY/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000400917184466" border="0" /></a><br />It's a fun little stretch of water, with rocks and logs and ducks and turtles, with the sound of wind through the trees and the sound of gurgling water below your keel...one of the best places on Earth...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoJWZ-dO23BZ9Ns4WptTaX2vGfPd5YzEmiiQ4rROZ0ePlV8yCf8IP1A2w_3PUej9CntvLQxrvmrsVH3838doeiy5D58iYHjTSlHP65gEgcSy6YQhSvPDRRiB01dbwgKOY1naK/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoJWZ-dO23BZ9Ns4WptTaX2vGfPd5YzEmiiQ4rROZ0ePlV8yCf8IP1A2w_3PUej9CntvLQxrvmrsVH3838doeiy5D58iYHjTSlHP65gEgcSy6YQhSvPDRRiB01dbwgKOY1naK/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000398765145794" border="0" /></a><br />There are a couple of bigger ponds along the way, which are nice to get clear of the feeling that the woods are hanging over you...it would seem that the Eurasian Milfoil is becoming less prevalent along this waterway, which suggests that nature is in the process of reaching a balance with this invasive species...this section of the trip used to be jammed with the weed, and now is mostly clear of it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nHJlgy9F5qyqFOOpfXScOI_dRZ56eeTSSkDYOU4O4HObj3_OyoZ-Lx5LHz67eZrf7n3F-r6RF-_XzSVo6NXiNSvHWsddYBtM1uElBCOGKRvQaQrvX_jUmEc9HTYUFTO5lcdo/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nHJlgy9F5qyqFOOpfXScOI_dRZ56eeTSSkDYOU4O4HObj3_OyoZ-Lx5LHz67eZrf7n3F-r6RF-_XzSVo6NXiNSvHWsddYBtM1uElBCOGKRvQaQrvX_jUmEc9HTYUFTO5lcdo/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000394093953490" border="0" /></a>Ben got an awesome summer haircut the other day, it is tempting me to go and visit Patty (<span style="font-style: italic;">our patron saint of hairstyle</span>)...my only hesitation lies in the fact that the sight of my shaved head might make children cry (<span style="font-style: italic;">it is, in the words of Stuart Mackenzie, "like Sputnik. Spherical, but quite pointy in parts."</span>)...here you can see Ben enjoying a bite of Wendy's cheese and horseradish sandwich...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDPauiobUV0-CFqqYons-IvMGPe3HP_vNpH1GBr-fyrvhZ9s-PxdyN8um6e0rZG0O53-WtqXLsB_vlGxEsvpP5UWlbz_Tj54gqRBMCVhFvLyldkkd7ZeS_5zIl0yjIlbb0qp5/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDPauiobUV0-CFqqYons-IvMGPe3HP_vNpH1GBr-fyrvhZ9s-PxdyN8um6e0rZG0O53-WtqXLsB_vlGxEsvpP5UWlbz_Tj54gqRBMCVhFvLyldkkd7ZeS_5zIl0yjIlbb0qp5/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000115493235890" border="0" /></a><br />Anti-Sarah teaching Ben the essentials of "picnic with pringles" etiquette...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIe77t-K8XXBcEtaxg41RjrXIQ2DUr5Am4gtIda7ngjd0gzZD2JPnxobMUlUlOrr2RUAOP0KOxK4iJpKqDK3Tn5uEqtvYmmAhOqzH0owFhhOd5-IvqW_PvrrcaPzBNB3G55Ph/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIe77t-K8XXBcEtaxg41RjrXIQ2DUr5Am4gtIda7ngjd0gzZD2JPnxobMUlUlOrr2RUAOP0KOxK4iJpKqDK3Tn5uEqtvYmmAhOqzH0owFhhOd5-IvqW_PvrrcaPzBNB3G55Ph/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000102264524754" border="0" /></a><br />Gail and Ben and I have made a habit of heading out every morning before everyone is up to go for a paddle...he's getting stronger and more confident with each day, and it is a fun bit of family time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ySCAklKczoSZVbg7bV90ASw7PdkVWg8lkyaMYutppMUbW7B1GEqpNEHcJf9fnY6VAW9OzSm3bgHbtdDw6oRrs-ehF9PbItvgZ9UVimbNt2eVjUySWOzXsrrZf5uBG0MK1Xh/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5ySCAklKczoSZVbg7bV90ASw7PdkVWg8lkyaMYutppMUbW7B1GEqpNEHcJf9fnY6VAW9OzSm3bgHbtdDw6oRrs-ehF9PbItvgZ9UVimbNt2eVjUySWOzXsrrZf5uBG0MK1Xh/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000093910920722" border="0" /></a>We brought a breakfast out to a nice/vacant campsite yesterday morning, and enjoyed watching the morning come to Upper Saranac Lake...as you may be able to see from the pic, I borrowed my dad's carbon fiber Hornbeck boat for yesterday's paddle...it's really fun, but also a bit like a longhaul trucker driving a friend's Porsche...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY-48V2KLaRowDRuWs8pZ8pbEfN7GFHVtLVDjpR0EZNnrMKunp61MHCc-2D59w_SUEKap6SWee4abIxvbyjF9HNIVGlty0NabloDV64ivg87eX64TgYdYzBzoFjXN3Bp2YOvd/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY-48V2KLaRowDRuWs8pZ8pbEfN7GFHVtLVDjpR0EZNnrMKunp61MHCc-2D59w_SUEKap6SWee4abIxvbyjF9HNIVGlty0NabloDV64ivg87eX64TgYdYzBzoFjXN3Bp2YOvd/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000087628338290" border="0" /></a><br />I had to take this runaround picture of all of us enjoying the splendor of morning at Campsite #3...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXTeqONQSyvLuBt-e3lu7XmId2t61l92llZOzYsgEuzYG_IDRLZlIgK2EZk4XMblnKEceHtWNFpPFErpVcVODDJLtatVZTRqs6z1LFIgBOZ4QOmgvLKTNoGHOcSAgNtlEWspF/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXTeqONQSyvLuBt-e3lu7XmId2t61l92llZOzYsgEuzYG_IDRLZlIgK2EZk4XMblnKEceHtWNFpPFErpVcVODDJLtatVZTRqs6z1LFIgBOZ4QOmgvLKTNoGHOcSAgNtlEWspF/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490000084783844626" border="0" /></a><br />We paddle back the long way, around the island, and came home into a variable headwind, which Ben did very well with...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKytxZtJFckGXJIDjVFbmWruBqIIQW88NH4flnSdl1he0l25qYZy2kVanDIpqfXz4xsFT9jJb6tIlQ37dAKr_F0qNfwdHPc115HZIFMNZRjsZu_vkaTujVNwFlMFVkc2jbB_mj/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKytxZtJFckGXJIDjVFbmWruBqIIQW88NH4flnSdl1he0l25qYZy2kVanDIpqfXz4xsFT9jJb6tIlQ37dAKr_F0qNfwdHPc115HZIFMNZRjsZu_vkaTujVNwFlMFVkc2jbB_mj/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489999919874416642" border="0" /></a><br />I raced the last 100 hundred yards so that I could help everyone out of their boats (although Ben has almost got the knack of it by now)...it was a glorious paddle...it's just turned 7am as I'm typing this, we'll hit the water soon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFbgsO19Wacsv9posF9rxGaHjISdBB1ytHxi05JCWPNtKtlizQtvA3iQgLBs55TAppPFhGyika8dnXZP-Db8x2i2M6VNUxZ7fORwaQItuwEzR81iY7NTawF5thG4ocHQeD4bj/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFbgsO19Wacsv9posF9rxGaHjISdBB1ytHxi05JCWPNtKtlizQtvA3iQgLBs55TAppPFhGyika8dnXZP-Db8x2i2M6VNUxZ7fORwaQItuwEzR81iY7NTawF5thG4ocHQeD4bj/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489999917558474418" border="0" /></a><br />After the morning rituals, we headed out to do a longer paddle from Jones to Osgood to Church ponds, with some nice river paddles between them...it's one of my favorite paddles (I notice that I say that often when describing the trips that we do, but then, why bother with trips you don't like?)...it was a gorgeous day, with high water, and we saw 13 turtles sunning themselves on the first stretch of river...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C6aSqQO8D1rhZMF6Nh_0uLd8zw05-5a8-qWcXgvoY89oHTZZF2jMxVbA-ZUsYicfPpxMm2gumXCxKmOQnu0Q6DjXLe1suBkMeHt0Og2fk0zN2CjnJysDn7gMEuDNfU_PRPet/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C6aSqQO8D1rhZMF6Nh_0uLd8zw05-5a8-qWcXgvoY89oHTZZF2jMxVbA-ZUsYicfPpxMm2gumXCxKmOQnu0Q6DjXLe1suBkMeHt0Og2fk0zN2CjnJysDn7gMEuDNfU_PRPet/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489999915434851282" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped for lunch, and Ben switched from Muz and D's boat into Gail's kayak, amazingly, he still fits in the cockpit with her...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEuz9KbMCE4LEzCyNx3GdrCQ_iu2ri__pmADxx7hB9GJ-y4lTNzbJavqxId1CkPcxZPOnlPIDGaYFInVGX4cXyjE9ssPgegO-qA4couyIBTb4swKg4Mz_fauilvP2GsZimrUt/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEuz9KbMCE4LEzCyNx3GdrCQ_iu2ri__pmADxx7hB9GJ-y4lTNzbJavqxId1CkPcxZPOnlPIDGaYFInVGX4cXyjE9ssPgegO-qA4couyIBTb4swKg4Mz_fauilvP2GsZimrUt/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489999909504064146" border="0" /></a><br />We got to the takeout and left Gail and Ben to wait while we went to the put-in for our cars...they had a fun time paddling around Church Pond...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtjPoWsJEwV4qvIRw6bsxCYFgEXs8QsMsf_9LLUju-HNUjd0N9DpZ0OcbVW0Carmr-eQRdDMg6KTBtpBZc3oC-sKbyK-PounfxX1fBWSgjohMVpERZoMyBiZpu9xJ11qAhyphenhyphenC1/s1600/q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtjPoWsJEwV4qvIRw6bsxCYFgEXs8QsMsf_9LLUju-HNUjd0N9DpZ0OcbVW0Carmr-eQRdDMg6KTBtpBZc3oC-sKbyK-PounfxX1fBWSgjohMVpERZoMyBiZpu9xJ11qAhyphenhyphenC1/s400/q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489999898679739586" border="0" /></a>Wendy and Sarah and Gail and I have played cards and talked late every night, and sometimes after late-night beverages, we get a little goofy...I like this look on Sarah...I call it "El Tigre, with clips"...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-25404616659056103212010-06-25T18:41:00.004-04:002010-06-25T18:56:13.011-04:00Ben's Kayak!Today was Ben's last day of school (mine too), and we celebrated by going out for lunch at Mountain Mist (<span style="font-style: italic;">fried food followed by ice cream...we shared the cones with the ducks who came by while we were eating</span>), and then a trip to a local boat shop to pick up a B en-sized kayak!<br /><br />It's an early birthday present from his grandparents, Muz and D, and he was very excited...we had a couple of models to choose from, but ended up going with the <a href="http://www.perceptionkayaks.com/product/index/products/recreational/acadia/acadia_scout_10/">Acadia Scout, by Perception</a>, a small kayak that isn't a toy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdJg4V2dcT1r5cnXva0pAq1dK49M-2EuAVJxjvvCUEMUE-34lbeMYgs4P_DTKbjVH0R_pvTlrvnSWqDNRh0nX7_fjW5ijSIVZne_f2v4UfffVSzrEK-L0NqEkafadWn97ImLG/s1600/kaya.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdJg4V2dcT1r5cnXva0pAq1dK49M-2EuAVJxjvvCUEMUE-34lbeMYgs4P_DTKbjVH0R_pvTlrvnSWqDNRh0nX7_fjW5ijSIVZne_f2v4UfffVSzrEK-L0NqEkafadWn97ImLG/s400/kaya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845532861597218" border="0" /></a><br />We brought it over to Upper Saranac Lake and put it (and my Hornbeck) into the water for a short trial paddle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GoMPu6-F1Y3AAWTbtMFlGtk9JJ5aRB5jPOyzm4qxKgjr5Sp8UXa_z2EUvD1LtPw4yCGivzHAtjPEGfPFHcus69YNHDMwJllCT_OiJN3Zg2qcOoBLkDgCaFXZR2wk39D1_32K/s1600/kayb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GoMPu6-F1Y3AAWTbtMFlGtk9JJ5aRB5jPOyzm4qxKgjr5Sp8UXa_z2EUvD1LtPw4yCGivzHAtjPEGfPFHcus69YNHDMwJllCT_OiJN3Zg2qcOoBLkDgCaFXZR2wk39D1_32K/s400/kayb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845524655166946" border="0" /></a><br />The boat is light and fast and maneuverable, and he got comfortable with the boat very quickly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WQfFmxmVNdDlhrugFhSr2q1q6tItkKeaSbOlXHqhbZz2s0yC_o229e9xtf5hwdXrMmHylyOH4L13MNRk82wOD9eRf3UlsOY-rzb-fOeMBObyIbkq53SP2g-fFP0vLgx1SvkC/s1600/kayc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WQfFmxmVNdDlhrugFhSr2q1q6tItkKeaSbOlXHqhbZz2s0yC_o229e9xtf5hwdXrMmHylyOH4L13MNRk82wOD9eRf3UlsOY-rzb-fOeMBObyIbkq53SP2g-fFP0vLgx1SvkC/s400/kayc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845520868178258" border="0" /></a><br />Miles was nervous about us being in boats without him, so he tried first to climb into Ben's kayak, and then my canoe...it didn't phase Ben...it almost tipped me over when he tried to climb in the back of my boat...I got laughing so hard I almost went in on my own...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHVII_5oY5yTOnWfSfg49zx9vxgJQrmqiDNDFT8WsGy-VCuootp2qN0u-jI67_eb6bWv0LYiajSFBZ3IT8yxZw3b5NtKV33EmrEZFUf-6N_0Upj1vPLuA2o5AeJKbyQ3o8xU6/s1600/kayd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHVII_5oY5yTOnWfSfg49zx9vxgJQrmqiDNDFT8WsGy-VCuootp2qN0u-jI67_eb6bWv0LYiajSFBZ3IT8yxZw3b5NtKV33EmrEZFUf-6N_0Upj1vPLuA2o5AeJKbyQ3o8xU6/s400/kayd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845517767778594" border="0" /></a><br />We started off with a quick paddle around a nearby float...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPhSxBk9uTFCbOzYoY4UmkUIBKavOyHcT2SbkhJYiCkCkB9aTdJnDRfcY97ac6b6627vJWqHvKr31koobM22gUQeoXzecTeflV8mbB5FrL6ZAqIZtzZGrLLUi_CLIlfTFRwdb/s1600/kaye.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPhSxBk9uTFCbOzYoY4UmkUIBKavOyHcT2SbkhJYiCkCkB9aTdJnDRfcY97ac6b6627vJWqHvKr31koobM22gUQeoXzecTeflV8mbB5FrL6ZAqIZtzZGrLLUi_CLIlfTFRwdb/s400/kaye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845283641884242" border="0" /></a><br />Ben quickly got the hang of paddling the boat, turning and exploring with ease in a few minutes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsAIZBFGx-Mo6QzlQ3KWAIN4QoWuOxzQlo51XfF2VEu832I3C-MMOqX8dH5l2k_HHqAuGnUHEV5wdR_JFwZGWqgu5YyWJGyCK8ma5VQXs9XeDg2T2YGSmSC1rkOGNYHz__dM/s1600/kayf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsAIZBFGx-Mo6QzlQ3KWAIN4QoWuOxzQlo51XfF2VEu832I3C-MMOqX8dH5l2k_HHqAuGnUHEV5wdR_JFwZGWqgu5YyWJGyCK8ma5VQXs9XeDg2T2YGSmSC1rkOGNYHz__dM/s400/kayf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845282040162882" border="0" /></a><br />We came back to the shore and adjusted his PFD a bit before a longer paddle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d2LOuhghtxyiMz-SMyVKwb_FaYGrA2454YaBRzXm8GE86vBH2BbAyXW_XJzMGmHeigmshpCMrmCRBJOK41MMRFhDICTNGbRrPoeln8eVzlLHWRyCpfzTacNzeQP8egMlxMW0/s1600/kayg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d2LOuhghtxyiMz-SMyVKwb_FaYGrA2454YaBRzXm8GE86vBH2BbAyXW_XJzMGmHeigmshpCMrmCRBJOK41MMRFhDICTNGbRrPoeln8eVzlLHWRyCpfzTacNzeQP8egMlxMW0/s400/kayg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845274270983298" border="0" /></a><br />It was a beautiful afternoon on the water!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_agR7kqFvG2d152_PggA7lY6pvyaw7y4P9BEGoADDu_TJisoeQddiRfbz3TsjIOkn-iypXLTIYuVMP5qBnaph4llKHq2rBdyrnux26_d-64sUxjyOcXgR8JLMkCaENDUVqktr/s1600/kayh.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_agR7kqFvG2d152_PggA7lY6pvyaw7y4P9BEGoADDu_TJisoeQddiRfbz3TsjIOkn-iypXLTIYuVMP5qBnaph4llKHq2rBdyrnux26_d-64sUxjyOcXgR8JLMkCaENDUVqktr/s400/kayh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845262137245170" border="0" /></a><br />We paddled over towards Green Island, only turning around when the wind picked up a bit...I didn't want Ben's first real paddle to end in frustration, so we just loafed our way back along the shore...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhUmQVOS_DeiXvqp2v7I7i4LhRV_M3OjwPNAoSJ9wz9S0CfHa9yBTNknMFpEr1EmM-XhYw_augG9jXW-pJ03_a3ZFRFGn3x60OarpfUed8F68XkiW0Qm2c7hdk1-WLAxBK181/s1600/kayi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhUmQVOS_DeiXvqp2v7I7i4LhRV_M3OjwPNAoSJ9wz9S0CfHa9yBTNknMFpEr1EmM-XhYw_augG9jXW-pJ03_a3ZFRFGn3x60OarpfUed8F68XkiW0Qm2c7hdk1-WLAxBK181/s400/kayi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486845258778566498" border="0" /></a><br />Miles was quite worried about us the whole time, jumping in to greet us when we got close to him again...It was a superb way to start our summer vacation!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-81968675766435445082010-06-19T19:52:00.005-04:002010-07-27T20:15:47.507-04:00Father's Day Camping Trip with BenBen and I went camping over the Father's Day weekend. We hiked with our canoe into the Saint Regis Canoe Area and paddle-camped on Long Pond (then paddling home via Slang and Turtle and Hoel Ponds)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KPzxoiwj3LvO3k2jmBOY-Smbkstk1RXWOT8K8ePWbd2VzU5SMXxkIlMz9FTmugGfc1GgWFQFBPLid7IQrizWPnfM4L9DYj8iWjKDGJ6NHPfKkFBn1Ot0Vd2ajJhyphenhyphenx_eotblM/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KPzxoiwj3LvO3k2jmBOY-Smbkstk1RXWOT8K8ePWbd2VzU5SMXxkIlMz9FTmugGfc1GgWFQFBPLid7IQrizWPnfM4L9DYj8iWjKDGJ6NHPfKkFBn1Ot0Vd2ajJhyphenhyphenx_eotblM/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739065786117442" border="0" /></a>We set out early in the morning on Saturday, getting on the water by 7:30am...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYm2sbq0hEt5LKahYJzfde0q0qrUgDEFf2KE8xH70TjbcH86ROssWToU3HH1i6NQW_2kbJdEri17kLjrdEQSXrArplF4Dv_ha2lQXx8AxaCm7jbUdNTY37n7X1ELCCkKyaiI1/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYm2sbq0hEt5LKahYJzfde0q0qrUgDEFf2KE8xH70TjbcH86ROssWToU3HH1i6NQW_2kbJdEri17kLjrdEQSXrArplF4Dv_ha2lQXx8AxaCm7jbUdNTY37n7X1ELCCkKyaiI1/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739061423464066" border="0" /></a><br />We paddled down long pond after portaging in, and stopped at a small island for breakfast after a short paddle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-ftAzkAV58gudJZKLHyGP4b7qzySDNxdQ-uGvAHIznn9D0v1AXS4y_eJur0fS3ovjK0j-zz-lpQkzIIySyOoaHboPqDAAFeUOZrduuWSs017RTLOnNNN7qi0w-FR71nxRg3J/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-ftAzkAV58gudJZKLHyGP4b7qzySDNxdQ-uGvAHIznn9D0v1AXS4y_eJur0fS3ovjK0j-zz-lpQkzIIySyOoaHboPqDAAFeUOZrduuWSs017RTLOnNNN7qi0w-FR71nxRg3J/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739053809322098" border="0" /></a>Ben noodled around in the water with a sample net, and was able to catch a crawdad...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QoWaHnolVsG5fXpWxKawwU8CS3GM3Pryvj_HnZ1nzIag0KFu8Dc4xrdLDwi64O6lyGpXytBAEPo9QM2XLQVjyIiW5jR_9RisTbtQzLOFK4ise9_CU-8AKyHXd8gTfZ5gNAq6/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QoWaHnolVsG5fXpWxKawwU8CS3GM3Pryvj_HnZ1nzIag0KFu8Dc4xrdLDwi64O6lyGpXytBAEPo9QM2XLQVjyIiW5jR_9RisTbtQzLOFK4ise9_CU-8AKyHXd8gTfZ5gNAq6/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739049225290114" border="0" /></a><br />The beast hung out with us while we enjoyed our breakfast, and then was released back into the waters of Long Pond...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3Q9qkqqL93-BguqUKzxpRaH6ICtkMYrL4euwNAzI_1BqTmfYvuJEeUq9xtOzzwYX_6aJ1sqcXsm-zI3cH46iRDRAZSKMwK35lCfOBKaZqgE2hYLz-5ESTjXdLoJyf1mGQs_w/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3Q9qkqqL93-BguqUKzxpRaH6ICtkMYrL4euwNAzI_1BqTmfYvuJEeUq9xtOzzwYX_6aJ1sqcXsm-zI3cH46iRDRAZSKMwK35lCfOBKaZqgE2hYLz-5ESTjXdLoJyf1mGQs_w/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739047486171810" border="0" /></a><br />Both Ben and i were camping in our hammocks for this trip, and we set them up as soon as we got to camp...partly to stake a claim to the site, and partly to have a place to hide from the bugs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlSqNzMXVLqd5S4efJA1arVUCaNY562aVkXuIpfwvIyKU1O27uhAZ3Gau4K388uqTKqCppP-uDDqpa-K0GLGBTsLVnW0eVbLTktI0H0oqOKABgRMFV7kvrOZtstr9KQGCIiVa/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlSqNzMXVLqd5S4efJA1arVUCaNY562aVkXuIpfwvIyKU1O27uhAZ3Gau4K388uqTKqCppP-uDDqpa-K0GLGBTsLVnW0eVbLTktI0H0oqOKABgRMFV7kvrOZtstr9KQGCIiVa/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738878154778306" border="0" /></a><br />Once the camp was set up, we built a small smoky fire to chase some of the bugs away while deciding what to do...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ14ZdIbI4hCgdh3gBytH-w4CISVbKodVKw4i8pUFFA51LrmLRGpjdo5xmcyENjFGSqebyYiurdoLX13plH7q_m7nFaYw14OzFgPJYbYveT7ljsvSkRYwGrYmhMT0ZfwEvN4Cp/s1600/f1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ14ZdIbI4hCgdh3gBytH-w4CISVbKodVKw4i8pUFFA51LrmLRGpjdo5xmcyENjFGSqebyYiurdoLX13plH7q_m7nFaYw14OzFgPJYbYveT7ljsvSkRYwGrYmhMT0ZfwEvN4Cp/s400/f1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738873681320626" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved the hammock chair that I brought along, and spent a lot of time in it during the weekend, snacking and reading and napping...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdmn_IQCIov8V0tJ1WgD3H9-lxYZRfa8NUiZG9XkMhgW-c-f2CL1VNumXgvEg7Mqu-tV5aJR19fgT6XUAr3lNp4ADHjrjmiAUmVvZiJylsHgtjsEYwvYP7MDvAhsEVRVDHnei/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdmn_IQCIov8V0tJ1WgD3H9-lxYZRfa8NUiZG9XkMhgW-c-f2CL1VNumXgvEg7Mqu-tV5aJR19fgT6XUAr3lNp4ADHjrjmiAUmVvZiJylsHgtjsEYwvYP7MDvAhsEVRVDHnei/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738866215142994" border="0" /></a><br />We paddled down the length of Long Pond, and found this great big snapping turtle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPoHCzqp6kLNZ-w4Qe71y_-wGa62GCdhDGPZdVCOUC0IswnPt7Pj272rNvse_rSVLxZ567peeKoBuCNKD7AUy4QBAkqu1WZO0gjed8SFe_JlJXuoo8-UmUU6mY7r-9bNv14ym/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPoHCzqp6kLNZ-w4Qe71y_-wGa62GCdhDGPZdVCOUC0IswnPt7Pj272rNvse_rSVLxZ567peeKoBuCNKD7AUy4QBAkqu1WZO0gjed8SFe_JlJXuoo8-UmUU6mY7r-9bNv14ym/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738846611811634" border="0" /></a><br />We hiked up to Mountain Pond and partway up to Long Pond Mountain before deciding the bugs and heat were too much for us, and that we'd prefer to swim and paddle instead...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J7w9BWPE9GYNcN8nQMlY09cTOokxdSW8EmkSalYxRC0hQ70vb396FhR97s4aSbACobwtrNOCuuyybW3i72heHLvvoJy44K3g0DBVks0t0VvF0EFtY6MOJNPmOr3IgmPhz6Dt/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J7w9BWPE9GYNcN8nQMlY09cTOokxdSW8EmkSalYxRC0hQ70vb396FhR97s4aSbACobwtrNOCuuyybW3i72heHLvvoJy44K3g0DBVks0t0VvF0EFtY6MOJNPmOr3IgmPhz6Dt/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738843351193810" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped off for a lovely swim and splash at a wonderful beach at the mouth of the bay that the hike to Mountain Pond is on, and I took this picture, because I like macro-mode...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkwMmEqNx2V2Y6K6sX1XzRROP5uGiBEvCV79Xdty_S_XmdTS8AjT9aJiui2osh5sr8sGihBTs-igtgmB7vfVvgkYV6M8vXahRh4m8pp_Ra3wJ16a6EVOIx0bDNw1pxOWqEnvv/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkwMmEqNx2V2Y6K6sX1XzRROP5uGiBEvCV79Xdty_S_XmdTS8AjT9aJiui2osh5sr8sGihBTs-igtgmB7vfVvgkYV6M8vXahRh4m8pp_Ra3wJ16a6EVOIx0bDNw1pxOWqEnvv/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738640701069970" border="0" /></a><br />We got back to camp and could see storm clouds rolling in, so we started dinner with dessert, and roasted a gazillion marshmallows before enjoying some MountainHouse Mac and Cheese...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FyzLryWBwqxf4-vY0noDoCNZmyLIxS8CrSZTuTeAnkTYTxZHGT8GSy-1fwaqbSsIaihg2jDWMPk54C34uk6lFpjswOFLChSeQux_EJrEN3rsjKMWH2yEgnCKjmbkHxpl6_tK/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FyzLryWBwqxf4-vY0noDoCNZmyLIxS8CrSZTuTeAnkTYTxZHGT8GSy-1fwaqbSsIaihg2jDWMPk54C34uk6lFpjswOFLChSeQux_EJrEN3rsjKMWH2yEgnCKjmbkHxpl6_tK/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738632118697010" border="0" /></a><br />After dinner we took turns telling stories as night fell around us...mine tend to be thinly veiled ecology and morality lessons with zombies and kidnappings and bombs and catastrophic meteorite impacts mixed in to help the medicine go down...Ben tells tales of adventure and good guys versus bad guys and glorious battles...he acts his stories out and uses different voices...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbArs48NGCjLkRAvIfEFw5u_e4Rt7QSQfd98cMYgYb2E4XUvRRxsV9ZETwzOlAe8YhyQFIMn-yO-J98_pAZHr5UbFnoNc3iPgUYEaCG0X3xaZk0X80vH4FUdZgxOZDSBx-bUwP/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbArs48NGCjLkRAvIfEFw5u_e4Rt7QSQfd98cMYgYb2E4XUvRRxsV9ZETwzOlAe8YhyQFIMn-yO-J98_pAZHr5UbFnoNc3iPgUYEaCG0X3xaZk0X80vH4FUdZgxOZDSBx-bUwP/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738628957392034" border="0" /></a><br />He has also started reading on his own for pleasure for the first time this summer...it's wonderful to see and makes me so happy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip2cuIEh2BGxdQFFfOIE_ibxZQphYsqGN5IlZTb8qdjNNpLHilx-NJam669j5LMo_NOmeUXR4MzvE5te3pJ0Zw6Is1OPtsyknwdFxZXb201y4ZbJpNqrWF62ZznLAmhwGSUG7/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip2cuIEh2BGxdQFFfOIE_ibxZQphYsqGN5IlZTb8qdjNNpLHilx-NJam669j5LMo_NOmeUXR4MzvE5te3pJ0Zw6Is1OPtsyknwdFxZXb201y4ZbJpNqrWF62ZznLAmhwGSUG7/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738618236615250" border="0" /></a><br />When the crashing boomers and rain and lightning started, we retired to the hammocks, Ben inside of his, and me under him on the ground while he read to me...it was lovely...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ3FFLFeKm1j95ALR4tg_LLaMhlAeHb47YRDA54vDoSePrIM_MewgBWR9aqnRTw-w7N2tQdgnBAjWpXjErLanXHOqm05OvqsTAoruK9ZQMfL7Io_lNqvOsY-Y53cmCC5yYg8O/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ3FFLFeKm1j95ALR4tg_LLaMhlAeHb47YRDA54vDoSePrIM_MewgBWR9aqnRTw-w7N2tQdgnBAjWpXjErLanXHOqm05OvqsTAoruK9ZQMfL7Io_lNqvOsY-Y53cmCC5yYg8O/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498738616280966002" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we got up early, breakfasted royally, broke camp like a well-oiled machine, and paddled/portaged our way towards home...Ben was a big help carrying his share of the stuff across the portages, and we're planning our next trip already...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-20170478038458515142010-06-14T20:50:00.000-04:002010-06-25T21:03:53.633-04:00Surprise Boston TripI planned a surprise weekend trip out of town, simply telling Gail and Ben to pack a bag each and be ready to go early on Friday morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszszS4UtuJVVCFhID1w3K_Xfjr9s49FH_GdXfFtZGjkFj6yU48_ORT67SXXsM5POcRnuvPD2-9CEHRY249zeOh-YkQBdWAEm9jqehGjl0JScARiSc6PVKkU3E-098aBeMHrRr/s1600/bosa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszszS4UtuJVVCFhID1w3K_Xfjr9s49FH_GdXfFtZGjkFj6yU48_ORT67SXXsM5POcRnuvPD2-9CEHRY249zeOh-YkQBdWAEm9jqehGjl0JScARiSc6PVKkU3E-098aBeMHrRr/s400/bosa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879312258959906" border="0" /></a><br />We flew to Boston...they didn't know until we got to the airport at Lake Clear...at 5:30am on Friday<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUG6TSpqc14f6C_t4Aq8NM2icQPLBF7TY5joUhe2Py0LISGkOsSEt4Tyc4yvqK0PIYsWOKSSyPCktqjvzs0YydPYt1SIJ_XaxqGrPsb9FGgOgJoVKJqKm3ppBbVTh4u4N5CQ4/s1600/bosb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUG6TSpqc14f6C_t4Aq8NM2icQPLBF7TY5joUhe2Py0LISGkOsSEt4Tyc4yvqK0PIYsWOKSSyPCktqjvzs0YydPYt1SIJ_XaxqGrPsb9FGgOgJoVKJqKm3ppBbVTh4u4N5CQ4/s400/bosb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879307381048914" border="0" /></a><br />Ben got to ride up front with the pilot of the plane<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOI5LhGnPWG47XcK4RbJbaxs3fzEvIvD-eeCLyjAnwcOf8Egwp6B0Ql1LxVbCiPtF_dEG5UrY9plkiVmuDEwCXdU6DqbTN9JemYWOpi-csevkNFNy5Mu8bblgjt5JpPsjHE7s/s1600/bosc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOI5LhGnPWG47XcK4RbJbaxs3fzEvIvD-eeCLyjAnwcOf8Egwp6B0Ql1LxVbCiPtF_dEG5UrY9plkiVmuDEwCXdU6DqbTN9JemYWOpi-csevkNFNy5Mu8bblgjt5JpPsjHE7s/s400/bosc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879300523973746" border="0" /></a><br />We arrived in Boston in time for breakfast and were waiting at the Science Museum when it opened...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WaKTuev9qI9Tou1iIurRRmWK8JtJ6BHJWGPwuoJq9Rh4jpELiDL95NcB6zKLarkphVAR9JdMtVVmlOPBUZOElj9LAdfsG5mG-lFe1gVPlCQRIeGezzWpcVc5S2fOHeO41v0I/s1600/bosd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WaKTuev9qI9Tou1iIurRRmWK8JtJ6BHJWGPwuoJq9Rh4jpELiDL95NcB6zKLarkphVAR9JdMtVVmlOPBUZOElj9LAdfsG5mG-lFe1gVPlCQRIeGezzWpcVc5S2fOHeO41v0I/s400/bosd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879296444658754" border="0" /></a><br />It was lots of fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-utxn4bwZ1jt6VOq516xdclwgCwzcM5Di4_1p48_GjW2vvVDjxWzYH2K2tea8ZbOjM8mCVjWa1gR2uF5SOueTnuo8diYzQpYkstiFJnXsR-ADi4AcePSg2ZicwzDi-oPk_dr/s1600/bose.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-utxn4bwZ1jt6VOq516xdclwgCwzcM5Di4_1p48_GjW2vvVDjxWzYH2K2tea8ZbOjM8mCVjWa1gR2uF5SOueTnuo8diYzQpYkstiFJnXsR-ADi4AcePSg2ZicwzDi-oPk_dr/s400/bose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879289756968626" border="0" /></a><br />This was a cool exhibit comparing the bones of a small dinosaur, a chicken, and an iguana...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtnbmUVeIqEyFiHh-8uBMRA4wGMhU8g5V3E5Qtd1-8hogYMKcfamX41vHd2wJ2EKgX1ajg2K3aRyvAyloXXlHYLKhbuNapcA1Lj9kFVkaL9HWznri9TrT95hyv2nUwXiYCvJb/s1600/bosf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtnbmUVeIqEyFiHh-8uBMRA4wGMhU8g5V3E5Qtd1-8hogYMKcfamX41vHd2wJ2EKgX1ajg2K3aRyvAyloXXlHYLKhbuNapcA1Lj9kFVkaL9HWznri9TrT95hyv2nUwXiYCvJb/s400/bosf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879013772704738" border="0" /></a><br />We went back to our hotel after lunch for a swim and some reading...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl7SAAgY1Gqw-LG1O16E-SW5VrHsScDtCg3jLXBzrC016f3fS33yqiilWG1n_xAHsmnYudNp2KjJ7wngixkIe0pI0QRkkMocnrvGbGCEQXqkY0koiDEVsFO7drt__6ehYkkkT/s1600/bosg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl7SAAgY1Gqw-LG1O16E-SW5VrHsScDtCg3jLXBzrC016f3fS33yqiilWG1n_xAHsmnYudNp2KjJ7wngixkIe0pI0QRkkMocnrvGbGCEQXqkY0koiDEVsFO7drt__6ehYkkkT/s400/bosg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879003527076418" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning we went to the aquarium, which was fantastic!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwj8P8jdVnH0vfYFmwrRpkigkN24-91ek0aVjRm-tN1a7Wbve-E7qSXyOsYOhM1VRLNBSgDylfTPpXAXxqnfG5ZbtZEE_xzonXQbjYYjL0PX781uw5x8FtQ774ea1rmOk3M6Z/s1600/bosh.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwj8P8jdVnH0vfYFmwrRpkigkN24-91ek0aVjRm-tN1a7Wbve-E7qSXyOsYOhM1VRLNBSgDylfTPpXAXxqnfG5ZbtZEE_xzonXQbjYYjL0PX781uw5x8FtQ774ea1rmOk3M6Z/s400/bosh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486879004578223778" border="0" /></a><br />There were dozens of great exhibits and amazing sealife<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQENOa0K6O2QyA2e2V5-N8J4RwSzIhlbOdAY70a1p57b3HpO0rSOVm7XBAOWWVkQFsw0DrrcKF3_Z8_Dbaz8nE7PGVF4pvDnxFe4_Xo9Uqmn6DkL22yELk4riXa_fgT5F-5Cl/s1600/bosi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQENOa0K6O2QyA2e2V5-N8J4RwSzIhlbOdAY70a1p57b3HpO0rSOVm7XBAOWWVkQFsw0DrrcKF3_Z8_Dbaz8nE7PGVF4pvDnxFe4_Xo9Uqmn6DkL22yELk4riXa_fgT5F-5Cl/s400/bosi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878998583719282" border="0" /></a><br />Ben loved the touch tank<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCPPlvOIuzzHsxpUcpZCbMjY1w9lkiNQ70Yvfapdxqisstemz22-JJqtW9OHiZpcGbYX99VQNJFL1K383iiSTwtUSt3Ufj0VaGTM0u_DlW5kx6gPNKNIsY2bP3jAwHrGE-smY/s1600/bosj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCPPlvOIuzzHsxpUcpZCbMjY1w9lkiNQ70Yvfapdxqisstemz22-JJqtW9OHiZpcGbYX99VQNJFL1K383iiSTwtUSt3Ufj0VaGTM0u_DlW5kx6gPNKNIsY2bP3jAwHrGE-smY/s400/bosj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878992634619698" border="0" /></a><br />They also had a great exhibit on Jellyfish<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyhrqKoYwm7vju1mvrWag2SvXLT9OIrpFvwJ2iACzoBdqrZqF3UwK17furythrZHy2TE4ty73-w1thvLLH9JcwaEo7PnngpTVl1uuEzhhmkRzBUELrwia7f0dy4jwXz3Xcvn-/s1600/bosk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyhrqKoYwm7vju1mvrWag2SvXLT9OIrpFvwJ2iACzoBdqrZqF3UwK17furythrZHy2TE4ty73-w1thvLLH9JcwaEo7PnngpTVl1uuEzhhmkRzBUELrwia7f0dy4jwXz3Xcvn-/s400/bosk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878740362600322" border="0" /></a><br />That night, we went for sushi at a great place, and Ben and I loved watching the chefs making our food<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGeranvJLOCyTpoD3Nu8QuWaC15-68JrkitMskt8J4ztqvn7gOzPoIdTnMJFcU1fa87QK4KSGvz20yw7sXvqjH8hr75WpJK5MgtKewknqkqdpMoEcxcczxnpu1uWh45nfLewP/s1600/bosl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGeranvJLOCyTpoD3Nu8QuWaC15-68JrkitMskt8J4ztqvn7gOzPoIdTnMJFcU1fa87QK4KSGvz20yw7sXvqjH8hr75WpJK5MgtKewknqkqdpMoEcxcczxnpu1uWh45nfLewP/s400/bosl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878732811800098" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning, we went for brunch at the harbor, and visited with the seals before eating<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi756EYJB2LbtUS7wXSueX50L9wj_bkJ_BECPEGf5SzUCozbDL0s7ZtzNo1qCees1zPnCqRi11hN3hWm7Y6BWnIyH82py8i-RaWJWAUUXxwV7ZAEdQwNm1uVl7vIjWVq0GUOn/s1600/bosm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi756EYJB2LbtUS7wXSueX50L9wj_bkJ_BECPEGf5SzUCozbDL0s7ZtzNo1qCees1zPnCqRi11hN3hWm7Y6BWnIyH82py8i-RaWJWAUUXxwV7ZAEdQwNm1uVl7vIjWVq0GUOn/s400/bosm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878724102079090" border="0" /></a><br />They are such beautiful creatures<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3KU1EvBa90-ypaF7KxsjNy2Is3ZE9g1gD7BdAzy3aKkWaBEGkRgLDEn85cWDlkC2PDYO2HdXCaanhVk35lbFrQBEQ1snzS3i8oQKp0I0lLwZ3rSqqtgJuIhruU4cWQ-KnIU8/s1600/bosn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3KU1EvBa90-ypaF7KxsjNy2Is3ZE9g1gD7BdAzy3aKkWaBEGkRgLDEn85cWDlkC2PDYO2HdXCaanhVk35lbFrQBEQ1snzS3i8oQKp0I0lLwZ3rSqqtgJuIhruU4cWQ-KnIU8/s400/bosn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878718215179090" border="0" /></a><br />After brunch, we went to the Franklin Park Zoo...it's a fun little zoo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3IUqPEeQfbXks5aDxvDMBad4h3cpfm9Bk1zG-vCvW-DMrxHvyVubcO3f9GY_S6Oyq5HoYJ5cwuyqJA78mPtmAiKTgBU62gBnVa9SNQA30fA6kLHVutWoI4K86eYIMeuR3AbH/s1600/boso.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3IUqPEeQfbXks5aDxvDMBad4h3cpfm9Bk1zG-vCvW-DMrxHvyVubcO3f9GY_S6Oyq5HoYJ5cwuyqJA78mPtmAiKTgBU62gBnVa9SNQA30fA6kLHVutWoI4K86eYIMeuR3AbH/s400/boso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878713203670674" border="0" /></a><br />The gorilla exhibit blew us away...all in all, we had an amazing trip!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-38534801994088661302010-06-01T20:35:00.004-04:002010-06-25T20:49:29.792-04:00Memorial Day WeekendWe headed over to Maine for the Memorial Day Weekend<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEfpzG77FWrSb2WkUobwgLS9YEoXW3wkYZv1Om78tJcg8A15awE1gfY838ygwjucrpaVfAbynzW6ksVkKjwSWK4W8vfYJtUiXhh0wyYOVLel1owuVbIglSffsRujU_PEcWua2/s1600/mema.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEfpzG77FWrSb2WkUobwgLS9YEoXW3wkYZv1Om78tJcg8A15awE1gfY838ygwjucrpaVfAbynzW6ksVkKjwSWK4W8vfYJtUiXhh0wyYOVLel1owuVbIglSffsRujU_PEcWua2/s400/mema.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875450926280946" border="0" /></a><br />Ben and his Aunt Helen before the parade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DwynGBLryTSy_zWUrVdm_w1XssFFp_uP1f8KhnJ0g_T94tnibVEzKg19ULsdBSk8wbrZPdpYScnpyynJWkPibTZtFVLe33uKWNRXhsbvupD3hD3t7-oD9oWPa-HSkHPPB6CQ/s1600/memb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DwynGBLryTSy_zWUrVdm_w1XssFFp_uP1f8KhnJ0g_T94tnibVEzKg19ULsdBSk8wbrZPdpYScnpyynJWkPibTZtFVLe33uKWNRXhsbvupD3hD3t7-oD9oWPa-HSkHPPB6CQ/s400/memb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875446352919938" border="0" /><br /></a><br /><br />Ben and his cousin Max at the newly improved memorial in L/A<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGpMaCa4PJ3qzA4OAxa0eT_SEGcPDYV2AXxq_vpU93cs0kkFgjmU0h9u5rq-gW81xO5mJP4mrNwlZxJGlRHcd_p_m9c8LgJB6CHto2MB00znV6hstVczLS7sE_z2cT5w9EkyO/s1600/memc.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGpMaCa4PJ3qzA4OAxa0eT_SEGcPDYV2AXxq_vpU93cs0kkFgjmU0h9u5rq-gW81xO5mJP4mrNwlZxJGlRHcd_p_m9c8LgJB6CHto2MB00znV6hstVczLS7sE_z2cT5w9EkyO/s400/memc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875442604826258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The boys playing down by the river...nice open space for boys to run<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPpKE_4u2DjHjTyVVUCmLwl4VAeCpDK7nhVFVNsySJFpDXS9K1kK9XSrcg8Qyn9CsYtetZe99hfc09ns9C5tAF9xSoNyGoxG-G7yR1LB1Z2CpK0AD9IemoXW42MxkSYh_HShU/s1600/memd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPpKE_4u2DjHjTyVVUCmLwl4VAeCpDK7nhVFVNsySJFpDXS9K1kK9XSrcg8Qyn9CsYtetZe99hfc09ns9C5tAF9xSoNyGoxG-G7yR1LB1Z2CpK0AD9IemoXW42MxkSYh_HShU/s400/memd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875432945904162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Although he felt better after watching the parade, Ben seemed a little horse<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pclmz0qLTYs2IeMunjyWC5tb_xU33MVOtqNB2NpoS4mXkEnT1bQKbWVeIZOKAfJ_fD0DdiKyRaB4BHaxisoU5AomuHPg8t_kor6QMFSH9kINv5LYflTZ9CqZVggmbClQ_zHs/s1600/meme.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pclmz0qLTYs2IeMunjyWC5tb_xU33MVOtqNB2NpoS4mXkEnT1bQKbWVeIZOKAfJ_fD0DdiKyRaB4BHaxisoU5AomuHPg8t_kor6QMFSH9kINv5LYflTZ9CqZVggmbClQ_zHs/s400/meme.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875421822980482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ben and Max and Lucas<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm_wBErRWZIgqlS9te-9WLjtIht6gItsKwbE7xoDZuvDJUK9V_GZ7lXefGj4V2ofhQ2UhPp49AJIISCOml5YiBhrML_z9WeCwXQwblhBSZr3zIfbSYGZ1Rn-27eYhbynNpzgc/s1600/memf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm_wBErRWZIgqlS9te-9WLjtIht6gItsKwbE7xoDZuvDJUK9V_GZ7lXefGj4V2ofhQ2UhPp49AJIISCOml5YiBhrML_z9WeCwXQwblhBSZr3zIfbSYGZ1Rn-27eYhbynNpzgc/s400/memf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486875005181295250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The new memorial stone, including the Gibson men (Stanley was Gail's father)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg61OjmFwW5LQpF2DookoQ4kdIKPSvixLHtjwwIXZyvhREtrCyOQDNF6erKmrBwlFm_u2HdFqhK1S5_mU-1YW8rZXSIWl0UCUpQql5k68zVC4M5gAk4uT3ffG2YayHA4QNotj7/s1600/memg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg61OjmFwW5LQpF2DookoQ4kdIKPSvixLHtjwwIXZyvhREtrCyOQDNF6erKmrBwlFm_u2HdFqhK1S5_mU-1YW8rZXSIWl0UCUpQql5k68zVC4M5gAk4uT3ffG2YayHA4QNotj7/s400/memg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874996938301778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mini-golf<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLoPyNUJJblAW8OcXy62jYLTqUkn28rRKttHEHbY8yRCvW2c8hUwQNYRvuKAd0Ja82OWzAS_Ymc-l-F-Xr-rY7qyDU8wwH2bYV7_gU8hEyrPuxV-btNFJTQIuiYCmFsZHZCrl/s1600/memh.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLoPyNUJJblAW8OcXy62jYLTqUkn28rRKttHEHbY8yRCvW2c8hUwQNYRvuKAd0Ja82OWzAS_Ymc-l-F-Xr-rY7qyDU8wwH2bYV7_gU8hEyrPuxV-btNFJTQIuiYCmFsZHZCrl/s400/memh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874998420646162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ben/Dad hug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKVqBkUM2mjh81bTzicNEYwCID9ppuMzrfcm9BnJLGyNRGxIzfHBFbTg7mklQU465RHIW-qx_B48j3n5UPZivhyphenhyphenm61czHc3LX5Ve_dYBmeLroP5nQRZ-JXjaLEdLJnMbrc3s6/s1600/memi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKVqBkUM2mjh81bTzicNEYwCID9ppuMzrfcm9BnJLGyNRGxIzfHBFbTg7mklQU465RHIW-qx_B48j3n5UPZivhyphenhyphenm61czHc3LX5Ve_dYBmeLroP5nQRZ-JXjaLEdLJnMbrc3s6/s400/memi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874992878884786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ben skipping stones at the beach<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoOD0aj2HOYQI6Fo81hOTUB9zAlfP3DNnCT13lKNF2WF3UoZViY6ZX13fLOSZY3lsRC8saHoNmvTEriux0lPuOft01lZZaBOTusL780e5JGC_9ZGTVpKmd1Y_NoSch2c7zQmV/s1600/memj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoOD0aj2HOYQI6Fo81hOTUB9zAlfP3DNnCT13lKNF2WF3UoZViY6ZX13fLOSZY3lsRC8saHoNmvTEriux0lPuOft01lZZaBOTusL780e5JGC_9ZGTVpKmd1Y_NoSch2c7zQmV/s400/memj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874987860610498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We stopped for seafood and ice-cream after the beachJamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-67214674481303526352010-05-23T13:43:00.017-04:002010-05-27T10:49:21.149-04:00PortageFestI just got back from a wonderful 3-day paddle/camping trip with 3 friends back in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Regis_Canoe_Area">St. Regis Canoe Area</a>. Over the long weekend, we paddled through nearly 20 ponds and lakes, and portaged out boats (2 canoes and a guideboat) over 16 portages, some of them as short as 50 yards, some as much as 1.5 miles...it was a challenging trip, but really satisfying and beautiful, and nice to get back into wilderness that few people get a chance to see...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG31nHM3rKaa7tnaL9D0ekquZyp6AOwgOd3M7UxgoZnFYwq1N38Mpee4-P_dLRDJ1WXnRIPkZETyzzzZM_8dkhpfU5lh0CKLYp2_hAlK0OiX52YuYszIrPlvWyVv8-zL_RV1r/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG31nHM3rKaa7tnaL9D0ekquZyp6AOwgOd3M7UxgoZnFYwq1N38Mpee4-P_dLRDJ1WXnRIPkZETyzzzZM_8dkhpfU5lh0CKLYp2_hAlK0OiX52YuYszIrPlvWyVv8-zL_RV1r/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266376313158674" border="0" /></a>We met at one of the campsites adjacent to the boat launch at Hoel Pond on thursday night after work, so that we could talk about the trip and check over gear and get an early-ish start the next morning...it was a beautiful night, and a nice/mellow way to start our trip...<br /><br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101052689410771030811.00047fbbb59c219168166&ll=44.395278,-74.32457&spn=0.110392,0.154839&z=12&output=embed" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="450" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101052689410771030811.00047fbbb59c219168166&ll=44.395278,-74.32457&spn=0.110392,0.154839&z=12&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">PortageFest 2010</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br />This GoogleMap show the trip as we paddled it...as you can see, most of the trip happens inside the green of the SRCA, which is a motorless wilderness area (not even electric motors allowed...once we got past the first few portages (and until we got back to within a few portages from civilization towards the end of the trip), we essentially didn't see or here people or the things of man...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGqnMROQHGjvtIq1gr4rXx6LjW1L75wgGl37LRKntxak_QniMrmT1oI7dNyhaM9x1NpYTJ2s8EHh-wXWgsHVNC9f6ItKkEj322a63ABklXmfwC8T1RL5sjuG87It7tUwJF46c/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGqnMROQHGjvtIq1gr4rXx6LjW1L75wgGl37LRKntxak_QniMrmT1oI7dNyhaM9x1NpYTJ2s8EHh-wXWgsHVNC9f6ItKkEj322a63ABklXmfwC8T1RL5sjuG87It7tUwJF46c/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266370034688658" border="0" /></a><br />The four of us ate a good breakfast on Friday morning, shuttled a car to the end of the trip to wait for us, and headed out on a beautiful spring morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BEEj2ki1e9Kax6rC8F8RNLNeq2OxthymIRuUxkCTHv2e8SkTWf7LJ9n2oROiXn3jRl-y5vsv_BWY_VAWLjbd-2TEpEj8jim1OBRbV5K9UNsq1DlLqfIAyMQsDaeRZ5bFQfIK/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BEEj2ki1e9Kax6rC8F8RNLNeq2OxthymIRuUxkCTHv2e8SkTWf7LJ9n2oROiXn3jRl-y5vsv_BWY_VAWLjbd-2TEpEj8jim1OBRbV5K9UNsq1DlLqfIAyMQsDaeRZ5bFQfIK/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266356799649202" border="0" /></a><br />Brian paddled and portaged the whole trip in his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_guideboat">Adirondack Guideboat</a>...it's a thing of beauty, but somewhat awkward to portage with gear<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAEhdoJglLVMS04QA18ZrBrQok_IngIrWkfaw4EZsgHEiNlsS7YjaLHSn-LV75SblL1WTFXiUbe-St4JtkH7YZcuj8osFaR2o2620HnyPd9A8dLsyqEQtjcfr-5tat59Q5QM/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAEhdoJglLVMS04QA18ZrBrQok_IngIrWkfaw4EZsgHEiNlsS7YjaLHSn-LV75SblL1WTFXiUbe-St4JtkH7YZcuj8osFaR2o2620HnyPd9A8dLsyqEQtjcfr-5tat59Q5QM/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266356851997426" border="0" /></a>Derek and Stephen paddled in a tandem canoe, sharing the work of portages between them...as you can see from the pictures, it was a beautiful and still morning to start a canoe trip...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tDaiG2218SXXlhcx3EESOV60IaQuEnRKLoRs6WbuIRkH53WngbgiSGXcGPlHjbps9_zx4y0wUu-wxDenLKZD08N8AuvXJxcJPzZW_s7YD6wvvP3w-zzc-bMhfYW_QfSf519l/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tDaiG2218SXXlhcx3EESOV60IaQuEnRKLoRs6WbuIRkH53WngbgiSGXcGPlHjbps9_zx4y0wUu-wxDenLKZD08N8AuvXJxcJPzZW_s7YD6wvvP3w-zzc-bMhfYW_QfSf519l/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266348317682226" border="0" /></a><br />The first portage, from Hoel Pond to Turtle Pond is short and pretty simple, we dragged the boats down through a long culvert that connects the 2 ponds...it was on Turtle Pond that we were first attacked by the various tribes of flies that inhabit the SRCA...it would be a love/hate affair that would continue until we rolled up the windows on our cars and drove away 3 days later...my legs still itch like crazy, and look peppered with shotgun fire, rather than bug bites...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzstLXFuijM3OaJNyKB_jeqTOTPfDzY8eVcDjrYu9JmNj7pgYef-uEGm7lZzRmWqJtn8EUwxENJ2qjC8iUuFwQt_8rjPPoVaP2UzpZunr93EmX_iONBTMkqERj0WienBMWOZKd/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzstLXFuijM3OaJNyKB_jeqTOTPfDzY8eVcDjrYu9JmNj7pgYef-uEGm7lZzRmWqJtn8EUwxENJ2qjC8iUuFwQt_8rjPPoVaP2UzpZunr93EmX_iONBTMkqERj0WienBMWOZKd/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266159833606114" border="0" /></a><br />By our 4th pond and 3rd portage, we were feeling the morning's activities a bit...we stopped to snack up and drink and rest before the first barbaric portage, from Long Pond up to Nellie Pond...Brian also had some issues with the wooden gunwales of his guideboat lifting a bit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30443RL_l70eFx-1NcckMsnXZVOkRlbAjfuaU62oX7ZUFSte6i3d26n7wZLhgsru1i-07i7qmvBbbZiV16rRUj_nBvneQB1QrQOUfSQUbepQFpJajQqP-GdXtWW8kkW3F3Zj/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30443RL_l70eFx-1NcckMsnXZVOkRlbAjfuaU62oX7ZUFSte6i3d26n7wZLhgsru1i-07i7qmvBbbZiV16rRUj_nBvneQB1QrQOUfSQUbepQFpJajQqP-GdXtWW8kkW3F3Zj/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266158393711202" border="0" /></a><br />We worked on the boat for about an hour, using what tools we had available (knives and leathermen and shims/patches made from carved twigs and sticks)...it is amazing what can be done when necessity dictates...the boat repairs were made, and stood up for the rest of the paddle-trip...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LeRLFLALK5ovGxfCh51BUJgPbEoI7OGPiykYXTwTMjV4CErfpSqrljVfIjIszpasHIgLyiXg8GoWNCrh7xGbk6LOaGWEQtG7Zn-KUillG3Pzy2819XkvSMuoGxIRCEeC2BxB/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LeRLFLALK5ovGxfCh51BUJgPbEoI7OGPiykYXTwTMjV4CErfpSqrljVfIjIszpasHIgLyiXg8GoWNCrh7xGbk6LOaGWEQtG7Zn-KUillG3Pzy2819XkvSMuoGxIRCEeC2BxB/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266154415926402" border="0" /></a><br />About 600 yards into the next portage, there was a beaver-created pond that had flooded out a small portion of the trail, so we had to paddle across it before continuing the hot and buggy and rocky and steep and muddy portage from Hell...luckily, my <a href="http://www.hornbeckboats.com/">Hornbeck</a> 14 foot solo canoe is made for this kind of paddle/portage<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMURYZo5-sBcDGT9Y8BWRdeMu3xtzq0-QoeSMcLyUIZN3XqD1eqBYlwLqcws5KgI4HTNSaYEZbBv_SYj0LkcXM96Pj2SIGSSoyEu0a6uLziUpVyMc98ufRpGj_JHSx_8B19yv/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMURYZo5-sBcDGT9Y8BWRdeMu3xtzq0-QoeSMcLyUIZN3XqD1eqBYlwLqcws5KgI4HTNSaYEZbBv_SYj0LkcXM96Pj2SIGSSoyEu0a6uLziUpVyMc98ufRpGj_JHSx_8B19yv/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266148232081810" border="0" /></a><br />I made the portage carrying all my gear and boat, and at one point found myself rock-hopping to avoid oozing mud-pits...I missed one step, and post-holed my right leg up to mid-thigh in the nastiest and smelliest mud ever...anywhere...it took me a minute to figure out how to get out of the mud with my 40+ pound pack and 25 pound canoe...without having it sink into the sucking mud or break on the jagged rocks...all the while being drained of my life's blood by blackflies and deerflies and horseflies and mosquitoes...I got out and struggled to a more friendly stretch of trail where my fellow portagers were resting/breathing, and had to laugh at this incredible thing we had chosen to do for fun...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDImk9g2hpHYXO7Hu-UG4k99OvOPgQyTR9MERLZ9WJcX5ufVTNnKqFEMT0WmLyN3Ov-wl-KvGbV9XH_Iw1OHxMVFcJwpeQHo-PhFaZfA5fCfq6JDPm1FO-abI2Loucb6tfbqJ6/s1600/k.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDImk9g2hpHYXO7Hu-UG4k99OvOPgQyTR9MERLZ9WJcX5ufVTNnKqFEMT0WmLyN3Ov-wl-KvGbV9XH_Iw1OHxMVFcJwpeQHo-PhFaZfA5fCfq6JDPm1FO-abI2Loucb6tfbqJ6/s400/k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475266145858218594" border="0" /></a><br />We finally got to the end of that incredible portage and took a break to drink and eat and re-DEET and smoke some cigars <span style="font-style: italic;">(Backwoods, Vanilla, if you're interested)</span> to keep the winged beasts at bay...I had portaged all of my stuff in one trip (which was a goal of mine in planning for this trip), and the other guys had not, so they had to go back for their boats...on many of the portages during this trip I went back to help carry gear or boats...not on this one...I paddled out to the middle of the pond, where the number of flies in my personal cloud was cut in half, and waited them out while floating in the shade...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsgnPN6H8NmvXqWGhO3ARUDrzcS4N1jFQrHPcW5al026mCLzIV81um6-wAzyZ7j5hV-seaF71g5f5rI5KpMfDp1t9NngzLjjCnU4YHk90opfQOWKrHifCmWYZFCdOzLa_bgoU/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsgnPN6H8NmvXqWGhO3ARUDrzcS4N1jFQrHPcW5al026mCLzIV81um6-wAzyZ7j5hV-seaF71g5f5rI5KpMfDp1t9NngzLjjCnU4YHk90opfQOWKrHifCmWYZFCdOzLa_bgoU/s400/l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265791980583650" border="0" /></a><br />After a couple more brutal portages, we made it out to Fish Pond, finding our campsite a little after 7pm...on the final approach I paddled quietly alongside a beaver swimming in Fish Pond for about 200 yards...it finally heard a sound from one of the other paddlers and dove...<br /><br />We camped in tents and hammocks, mine is the hammock at the right of the photo, above the black and yellow Eureka tent...it's a <a href="http://hennessyhammock.com/">Hennessy Hammock</a>, which is great for all kids of camping down to about 30 degrees...it got down to about 50 that night, and rained a bit on and off in the early morning hours, but my tiny rainfly kept me dry...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4AUZQctCNkO7KS183OXkI5Ek6NN3OojpF5C6bnNa258VdvXmj6_eMMQ1BTwGv1v1xd5xALCMeFI-r1TFEw-yOKLSR1nsUesCEmGEdjQKgVLW9c7aqkRTHDCEbEAQXmerNAZS/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4AUZQctCNkO7KS183OXkI5Ek6NN3OojpF5C6bnNa258VdvXmj6_eMMQ1BTwGv1v1xd5xALCMeFI-r1TFEw-yOKLSR1nsUesCEmGEdjQKgVLW9c7aqkRTHDCEbEAQXmerNAZS/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265785875575090" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning, during one of my waiting times after a particularly horrific portage involving steep hills, ridiculously deep mud, and downed trees across the trail, I found these specimens living on a log in the middle of one of the dozen tiny ponds we crossed during our trip...the big reddish Georgia O'Keeffe-looking plant is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarracenia">Pitcher Plant</a>, and the smallish ones that look like green/red hairbrushes are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosera_rotundifolia">Sundews</a>...both are carnivorous plants living in swampy conditions like the ones that we lived in for the 3 days of PortageFest...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxHh2HnwjwICmJRkni5sId8tgLZXbZyQQ3-fAj_A_8CcW20ndYTWXx5QdjmiZq5X0Cd-Vixt-SN9LgseBSDSuWp0KuWcFpnoUpd68B2r-alpOgj21I5BbUeVBxiZuMP_zn94n/s1600/n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxHh2HnwjwICmJRkni5sId8tgLZXbZyQQ3-fAj_A_8CcW20ndYTWXx5QdjmiZq5X0Cd-Vixt-SN9LgseBSDSuWp0KuWcFpnoUpd68B2r-alpOgj21I5BbUeVBxiZuMP_zn94n/s400/n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265779722201778" border="0" /></a><br />It was nice to get out in the boats and paddle between the portages, since we went to all of the trouble of bringing the boats along, but at some points it seemed like we carried the boats more than they carried us...in the picture above, Brian is paddling his guideboat with a canoe paddle because it wasn't worth the effort to detach/reattach the yoke...even so, they were pretty ponds filled with interesting wildlife and a complete lack of people and motorboats and noises-of-man...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cQDh-2yEUvTUgMbatbpF-Ejp2SUTMh2_G7ZMceGUVFbInoQVEBiI-JrO38L_82ZXqC0brYR0kWkpp3IxvAyTVCIG-c033w5EpFnGZVfOfL-gaoHT772z8YtdnEAZjiHVD8la/s1600/o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cQDh-2yEUvTUgMbatbpF-Ejp2SUTMh2_G7ZMceGUVFbInoQVEBiI-JrO38L_82ZXqC0brYR0kWkpp3IxvAyTVCIG-c033w5EpFnGZVfOfL-gaoHT772z8YtdnEAZjiHVD8la/s400/o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265768701991394" border="0" /></a><br />After the last of the long portages (which we defined as anything over a mile, although lots of the other ones felt long to us), we stopped to snack and make/drink water and rest...it was on a floating mat of sphagnum moss which had lots of comfy and cushion-y give, even if you got wet from sitting on it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcQBJamUtY_9d0Q2dq4fpHkgHFRDpFQTOEM3O8g3zzBxdXThGVfO54mUCP1jZdDA9KjuNG0he-omC_QFQAr260FnBQGzfFa6Uhh-h0MBYtKNYAZ7AlNgEvS7VzyjJpryNjuPf/s1600/p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcQBJamUtY_9d0Q2dq4fpHkgHFRDpFQTOEM3O8g3zzBxdXThGVfO54mUCP1jZdDA9KjuNG0he-omC_QFQAr260FnBQGzfFa6Uhh-h0MBYtKNYAZ7AlNgEvS7VzyjJpryNjuPf/s400/p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265765621844402" border="0" /></a><br />We covered the world's buggiest portage pretty quickly after everyone got their boat and gear over to the far side of the pond, and then were out onto St. Regis Pond, where we camped for the 3rd night...it was a pretty pond, with wonderful views and wind, and we got there early enough in the day to enjoy some of the afternoon in camp before dinner and bed...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04N3HsxhaBrwJdfN-ggvo0Wf6_RjudAV3xP0Q7NlfLAhvW6sT_yN6l03He4j-mLpQt5fywVvpdnRFz5nl6vHL0gCmY6jE85MWVgtFV3VQppdCEFWTGEDoxxSIjrcWXSgq8Hlg/s1600/q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04N3HsxhaBrwJdfN-ggvo0Wf6_RjudAV3xP0Q7NlfLAhvW6sT_yN6l03He4j-mLpQt5fywVvpdnRFz5nl6vHL0gCmY6jE85MWVgtFV3VQppdCEFWTGEDoxxSIjrcWXSgq8Hlg/s400/q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265568415269986" border="0" /></a><br />2 pieces of gear which performed flawlessly on this trip, and which I would heartily recommend were my shoes and my water filter...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/indexNA.cfm">Vibram 5-fingers</a> are like gloves for your feet, and I wore them all day everyday...for paddling and portaging and getting in and out of water/mud/rocks...they were great...the other guys had to change shoes during the day for different things, and some lost their shoes in thigh-deep mud, but my 5-fingers worked across the whole trip...I did, however, bring a pair of crocs to change into for camp every night...<br /><br />My <a href="http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-backcountry-series-products/katadyn-base-camp/">Katadyn Basecamp Filter</a> is a perfect piece of camping gear...simple, light, useful...I fill the bag with water in camp, or on one of the ponds during the day, and gravity pulls it through the filter in the bottom of the bag and through the tube and into my nalgene bottle or hydration bag or cooking pot...I used it to make water at camp and to fill my hydration bag for the day...if/when I ran out of water during the day, I either hung the bag up on the trail for the amount of time it took to fill my needs or just purified some with 3 drops of clorox in my nalgene...the other guys all had pumps to make their water, and they used them some of the time, but quickly got in the habit of just filling up at mine...because it's easier...a whole lot easier...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL7N8HIHaHeW6gVKnXponw_oFh-Uz8aUSWNsGftBZsMvcSZ6MEwVqSd1FzvUA77720NtKlut59qyX5p0_hyphenhyphen40o416WM0tpd_wT4rzPm38lG4g1mTROLIpDNpfLPeYKmshizWi/s1600/r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL7N8HIHaHeW6gVKnXponw_oFh-Uz8aUSWNsGftBZsMvcSZ6MEwVqSd1FzvUA77720NtKlut59qyX5p0_hyphenhyphen40o416WM0tpd_wT4rzPm38lG4g1mTROLIpDNpfLPeYKmshizWi/s400/r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265563124787602" border="0" /></a><br />As always, I slept a great night swinging gently in my hammock, and then woke up long before anyone else...I got up and made some coffee and oatmeal and enjoyed the sun creeping over the pond with it's orange-y light...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJS4so9AJDZn3sgaJCAZKCKOJUz7MlbIvyX86xwUECjS4lCbKC8jGdSVCtlDpiL1h4mLcxzMiSk_7tNt6raj9fbpZoJycoNEn4TcnvrE7f24IMyqhch9vm5CwbqfrQVDZJohS/s1600/s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJS4so9AJDZn3sgaJCAZKCKOJUz7MlbIvyX86xwUECjS4lCbKC8jGdSVCtlDpiL1h4mLcxzMiSk_7tNt6raj9fbpZoJycoNEn4TcnvrE7f24IMyqhch9vm5CwbqfrQVDZJohS/s400/s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265562036452754" border="0" /></a><br />It was nice (and early) enough that I took my boat out for a spin, to spend some time with the wind and waves and water and the loons and the late owls still out on the shores of the pond...I took some coffee and a Clif bar...I gave up coffee while camping a bunch of years ago, as the result was always disappointing, but the new instant <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/starbucks-via-instant-coffee/italian-roast">Via</a> coffee from Starbucks is good enough to get me back in the camp-coffee business...it was a gorgeous morning out on the water, and I think it says something about the place that after all of those ponds and portages, I was eager to get out and do some extra paddling...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-5wogjtOu0JjxIGTMWRtLQYPrfqvu5917jAutP_-vxcVhds1M-VITLfrflv5ycCtcC-5oiOM9W-_kO5KQUl-r3OrPL8DEMnKBHJw5SvmiipF-TzEM-d9FhTYVYDCSdR9HqJF/s1600/t.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-5wogjtOu0JjxIGTMWRtLQYPrfqvu5917jAutP_-vxcVhds1M-VITLfrflv5ycCtcC-5oiOM9W-_kO5KQUl-r3OrPL8DEMnKBHJw5SvmiipF-TzEM-d9FhTYVYDCSdR9HqJF/s400/t.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265560605196850" border="0" /></a><br />I got back in time to hear...snoring...so I made some cold drink powder drink and settled in to enjoy the still-arriving morning in my <a href="http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/928496">hammock chair</a>, a gimmick that I bought mainly to suspend my pack off of the ground on nights when it's raining, but soon found would hold me in nearly sinful comfort when hung unevenly between 2 trees, and it only weighs a couple of ounces...it was a lovely way and place to pass the time until I heard the guys groaning their way out of hammock and tents...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0DFve-OrStXm1j_7H7zXESkCuUNZJalHcSk3nZnBjOAA5z07Hp3Fs5FmV-VlnrVHT1nkM5yuBUBtbDZlwdryZ1as4TD29fHWnXjjr6DbuwdDM697GcQ66A5VmQ_Mjtm9Dv3h/s1600/u.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0DFve-OrStXm1j_7H7zXESkCuUNZJalHcSk3nZnBjOAA5z07Hp3Fs5FmV-VlnrVHT1nkM5yuBUBtbDZlwdryZ1as4TD29fHWnXjjr6DbuwdDM697GcQ66A5VmQ_Mjtm9Dv3h/s400/u.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265552147871778" border="0" /></a><br />We hit the water a bit earlier on the 3rd day than on previous and got moving through the final 5 portages quickly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lUJdVPhzvWM3uT3u4rdEA0vg3OxfExXTcG3TkJ9Pidvt8-_x4czMlnx7CuzULQZDg3EarjrZ6W5nuQ0wO9iL141pp2n4_yl_dq20AL2ohqzXwdpaiWx82OpONO6BA3yoIHjS/s1600/v.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lUJdVPhzvWM3uT3u4rdEA0vg3OxfExXTcG3TkJ9Pidvt8-_x4czMlnx7CuzULQZDg3EarjrZ6W5nuQ0wO9iL141pp2n4_yl_dq20AL2ohqzXwdpaiWx82OpONO6BA3yoIHjS/s400/v.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265297704592370" border="0" /></a><br />It was yet another gorgeous day, and we were buoyed by the knowledge that none of the portages were either long or tough in comparison to the ones we had already done in the last few days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEyWimqZCq4NbJzF2JCJ1_u6bB5A1cZGSwMa0mXbnl8WIyWo7i5MYk1Fvj9KKmYoV688D9Jderh5vNHYC2KeGFXoFpCRP9ppWvzNGnRsAHebjjSH1-4d3yPeyxyafxaFgA1fZ/s1600/w.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEyWimqZCq4NbJzF2JCJ1_u6bB5A1cZGSwMa0mXbnl8WIyWo7i5MYk1Fvj9KKmYoV688D9Jderh5vNHYC2KeGFXoFpCRP9ppWvzNGnRsAHebjjSH1-4d3yPeyxyafxaFgA1fZ/s400/w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265292972318370" border="0" /></a><br />The beauty of the woods and waters that we passed through continued to stun us...even as the adventure was winding down, we couldn't help but admire the beauty, and take solace from, the wilderness through which we traveled...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiKEHenCMvUR0QIYJPACLa4529FaNPWaHkL1uKLM_SwHjG-qsRXnC-OpgtcOYtSBtfweSkPmnM9EgOBH-va29YcOB0Tww-kGrsYgIH0c7GS4z-mLm_1IiDazDGdDDfDebVLgw/s1600/x.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiKEHenCMvUR0QIYJPACLa4529FaNPWaHkL1uKLM_SwHjG-qsRXnC-OpgtcOYtSBtfweSkPmnM9EgOBH-va29YcOB0Tww-kGrsYgIH0c7GS4z-mLm_1IiDazDGdDDfDebVLgw/s400/x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265287738595154" border="0" /></a><br />Derek and Steve made the last few portages in 1 trip, and between pods, we just hung out and listened to the birds and beasts around us while snacking or drinking and swatting flies...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnZKfI2_KbpiCJbdJZz6Urw9fzOMpozyIeiZtvIsI4BKCwHST2ce3idoTv9feVlfVyCQDz7GVHrgzq4gYOTQabU-5moezW8g1D9zk7vx3-EiMQSSIlYTC4Cdav3JOj8uf4V4r/s1600/y.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnZKfI2_KbpiCJbdJZz6Urw9fzOMpozyIeiZtvIsI4BKCwHST2ce3idoTv9feVlfVyCQDz7GVHrgzq4gYOTQabU-5moezW8g1D9zk7vx3-EiMQSSIlYTC4Cdav3JOj8uf4V4r/s400/y.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265285354546306" border="0" /></a><br />Brian's portages were done with skill and ease, although how the guides of olden days managed to carry those big boats and all the gear that their clients wanted/needed in the ADKs is beyond all of us...in the pic above Brian has a little Captain in him...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3spyz9e85R5rbzrrbH8qR9wT7sZPxvXN1kll1JpesTpA5cyEPuV9mPQC6tFbq9gnCigs089HMxDPSMRrqenqXw0ASSO13HxL3Q8-S4D2Mx-3XHy6E6rlXZ6WhWyNyo2oi5sgP/s1600/z1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3spyz9e85R5rbzrrbH8qR9wT7sZPxvXN1kll1JpesTpA5cyEPuV9mPQC6tFbq9gnCigs089HMxDPSMRrqenqXw0ASSO13HxL3Q8-S4D2Mx-3XHy6E6rlXZ6WhWyNyo2oi5sgP/s400/z1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265278768236434" border="0" /></a><br />I saw this big brute sunning himself on a log...<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Snapping_Turtle">snapping turtles</a> are a fact of life in the ADKs, sometimes getting as big around as car tires...I floated up towards him without paddling, and he didn't mind a bit until the bow of my canoe bumped his log, at which point he slipped in the water, and I subconsciously pulled my fingers a bit higher above the pond...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEks8KVDxu6yrJJPlLsfukFktZVZ_mjp_ynWk17KlQtDKC_EcaeBgA6nOQlOZIwWW1pSKYbf7f8qNIun_SNgXnB3LgH5ThKWeWY_2ZeQYOBSVHGFbhg1XSEvdpwZdBqLJkzkgB/s1600/z2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEks8KVDxu6yrJJPlLsfukFktZVZ_mjp_ynWk17KlQtDKC_EcaeBgA6nOQlOZIwWW1pSKYbf7f8qNIun_SNgXnB3LgH5ThKWeWY_2ZeQYOBSVHGFbhg1XSEvdpwZdBqLJkzkgB/s400/z2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265083271929074" border="0" /></a><br />When I was a kid, we used to stop on Bear Pond for picnics and swimming, and would often stop on this island...the water level has obviously risen a bit, and not much is left of the island, except for some dead trees, which have DEC signs pointing out that you cannot camp or have fires on the island...I love this pic of Steve on the island...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1q8FFcGtei5sz8mLLZJ3i6tp6i9zXs-DZNrZonps_jlfDbDdOc8278w0BgzOIHJiQwG7dCsLx-wSmZb3vAvnxHRidr3ylEqQb-FwrvKuUKBlZiZepZYKX7w4-sFPdNurGsyb/s1600/z4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1q8FFcGtei5sz8mLLZJ3i6tp6i9zXs-DZNrZonps_jlfDbDdOc8278w0BgzOIHJiQwG7dCsLx-wSmZb3vAvnxHRidr3ylEqQb-FwrvKuUKBlZiZepZYKX7w4-sFPdNurGsyb/s400/z4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265078095020338" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped for a final snack and break once we got to Upper St. Regis Lake, as from here to our takeout is almost entirely private land, and stopping would constitute trespasssing...I took a brief (and cold) swim in the lake to try and clean off some of the accumulated grime and DEET and blood and stink of the last 3 days, so that I would be a bit more in keeping with the subdued fanciness of the lake...I failed at that, but smelled somewhat less bad after my swim...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH-dWfglpmPGdwxirHobymqhDgUPtqalGrqCcXN-bl7JOrtHybsvw-KR6tQBpP990FN_u6UdXrG-NEBohj4wTukndyyBFFdQVDCAQB1rJCqj6AsEY5jPh0_MEZg0JKBk8RQrp/s1600/z5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH-dWfglpmPGdwxirHobymqhDgUPtqalGrqCcXN-bl7JOrtHybsvw-KR6tQBpP990FN_u6UdXrG-NEBohj4wTukndyyBFFdQVDCAQB1rJCqj6AsEY5jPh0_MEZg0JKBk8RQrp/s400/z5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265071668040658" border="0" /></a><br />We paused at the mouth of Spitfire Lake to read the plaque with information about <a href="http://www.adirondackhistory.org/newtb/two.html">Dr. Trudeau's activities on Rabbit Island</a>, which is an interesting piece of Adirondack history...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gtut0r5-VWWwQrhjQM0FAi5e-ModdA1cCw5wG4i2KgPD7Ufx2464_qJyVVxkmrlHFbPtTSAtvlJLttMLqzN3wXZqxctG-LDo_M0_pcwKosmgWppWCAMohPw7_kOjYk7TP7Sn/s1600/z6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gtut0r5-VWWwQrhjQM0FAi5e-ModdA1cCw5wG4i2KgPD7Ufx2464_qJyVVxkmrlHFbPtTSAtvlJLttMLqzN3wXZqxctG-LDo_M0_pcwKosmgWppWCAMohPw7_kOjYk7TP7Sn/s400/z6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265060510261026" border="0" /></a><br />It was outrageously pretty on the lake while we paddled towards our final destination...the wind picked up a bit, which took the bugs away, and made for fun paddling...we had a great time admiring the views of the mountains that surround the lake, as well as the incredible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Camp">Great Camps</a> that line the shore...it made a superb counterpoint to the rest of the trip, and also felt wonderful to stretch out our muscles with over an hour of continuous paddling not interrupted by portaging...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBdfaYOcWh1LCqqfGklBC79qO3iQTIafoDmOO_Pb6FjwkgnIe_QBccrM_mFZvyKGI24AAZT27U0k91x0nSbHSos1DWveg0u9IqrNLAQ_xzB06-RP0Ij7dUahhUhoAxK3l2efO/s1600/z7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBdfaYOcWh1LCqqfGklBC79qO3iQTIafoDmOO_Pb6FjwkgnIe_QBccrM_mFZvyKGI24AAZT27U0k91x0nSbHSos1DWveg0u9IqrNLAQ_xzB06-RP0Ij7dUahhUhoAxK3l2efO/s400/z7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475265055724464002" border="0" /></a><br />We got to the boat launch at <a href="http://www.paulsmiths.edu/">Paul Smith's College</a> at a bit after noon...tired, bruised, bug-bitten, dirty, and in awe of the amazing paddle-trip that we had just completed...at times during the trip, it seemed impossibly long and difficult, but in the end we made it back to civilization without mishap...<br /><br />I'm grateful for the super group of guys that went on this trip, grateful that I was able to pack and portage such that I only had to make 1 trip on each portage, and grateful to live in such a glorious part of the world as the Adirondack Park!<br /><br />Before we parted ways, we went to a <a href="http://www.tailofthepupbbq.com/">local BBQ place</a> to eat large quantities of fatty and fried foods, and to drink cold beer in abundance...I always enjoy the "Tail o' the Pup", but also usually find it costs about 25% more than I would have thought while eating and drinking my way through the food/drink.<br /><br />All in all, it was a great trip...I am very glad that I did it, and never need to do this one again...the good news is that there are lots of other great trips and ponds and portages in the ADKs...more than I could paddle in 10 lifetimes...but I'll try!Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-4736089855486783922010-05-16T21:49:00.003-04:002010-05-17T05:48:58.245-04:00Graduation Day!Today was graduation for this year's class at Paul Smith's College, but (to me) more importantly, it's the day that we thought of as Gail's graduation...although she completed her doctorate a while ago, participating in today's ceremony marked the occasion for us as the earlier champagne and celebrations couldn't...<div><br /></div><div>Pomp and Circumstance, both literal and musical rang in the occasion in a grand fashion on a lovely day, on the lovely campus of Paul Smith's College...Gail, along with much of the rest of the faculty, wore her full and newly improved regalia to help usher in the kids who were graduating today...in our minds they all graduated today...the two biggest differences were that Gail didn't have a hangover, and the kids didn't have her fancy octagonal motorboard...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_JkycotbbcCNXVtPk28E48q5BkmMMuP3Wm56bQy16fVccW9JT17uHyS10ZNKzmKldQXFU5BVAL1K4ZM0eCYEL24E9SQnKbeNAKH62z5kd92vUdzyn17dF4bLw5prPaU4lqXi/s1600/p1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_JkycotbbcCNXVtPk28E48q5BkmMMuP3Wm56bQy16fVccW9JT17uHyS10ZNKzmKldQXFU5BVAL1K4ZM0eCYEL24E9SQnKbeNAKH62z5kd92vUdzyn17dF4bLw5prPaU4lqXi/s400/p1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472050873209266226" /></a><br />Ellen Rocco, of NCPR, was the commencement speaker...although she got off to a great beginning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiTT1hvFmQzTFjWA0xAhmskoYznYpJqSAG2kSWuswWk7UA4twvNubpGpSWfGnTgi18wlOjHsBdlO4ROg0k8iw-l4Ol1Hp2JvDnZwP8J4gkfHgF17xtTO0Lk4upk8tunI5cPfs/s1600/p2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiTT1hvFmQzTFjWA0xAhmskoYznYpJqSAG2kSWuswWk7UA4twvNubpGpSWfGnTgi18wlOjHsBdlO4ROg0k8iw-l4Ol1Hp2JvDnZwP8J4gkfHgF17xtTO0Lk4upk8tunI5cPfs/s400/p2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472050867805890946" /></a><br />Ben and I got a little bored and went out to the water's edge to skip stones into Lower St. Regis Lake...he has the heart (and stance) of an olympian, but the stone-skipping arm of a banana slug...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4htODHFpKHUEuuhQQyzsP4uitgyQYezk13nkkdItBuYpbGtxyAJX1rwEJas_ZLUENTtbf2wmRP3_ULPn63gbl1MrEu9cD1AJHP2edb494CzFtXJ-cz5bR6jy_Hwculowsn9n/s1600/p3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4htODHFpKHUEuuhQQyzsP4uitgyQYezk13nkkdItBuYpbGtxyAJX1rwEJas_ZLUENTtbf2wmRP3_ULPn63gbl1MrEu9cD1AJHP2edb494CzFtXJ-cz5bR6jy_Hwculowsn9n/s400/p3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472050857323204274" /></a><br />We snuck back in a little further into the ceremonies, and this time, perhaps bolstered by some food we snatched on the way through the food-tent, we got up close enough to get pictures of Dr. Gail (or Dr. Mom, as Ben calls her)...you can see that she has managed to avoid getting jaded about the customs surrounding academia, and was really excited to see us...I love how enthusiastically Gail throws herself into everything that she does...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqUFT3mH_rcHXFQ9BG2EXV4Zn-bhQIyd3ZwpA6XfJsGXe2zzJMY6XKH42DyZYTmgjLgPXdsBHg6sGHrphR2inpNJ5YubJCey4asmrEuzl_YbPeJpdfzjkc1uRt-SzjXHwGN8W/s1600/p4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqUFT3mH_rcHXFQ9BG2EXV4Zn-bhQIyd3ZwpA6XfJsGXe2zzJMY6XKH42DyZYTmgjLgPXdsBHg6sGHrphR2inpNJ5YubJCey4asmrEuzl_YbPeJpdfzjkc1uRt-SzjXHwGN8W/s400/p4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472050855769438466" /></a><br />We caught up with her as the faculty formed a tunnel for the new PSC graduates to walk out through to a vigorous round of applause...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJGuw_xBcK9dpkUWZBFDRa7U-4_Kg19NrSRClmicxA8-l-BCLAeJeDEOV1sWnVQA2qDHJFrj5t74Fkp2ya9XchCVxzuttwX7yoice6raCfSZfb1ZH0O9ffFGilaA9tBN2cGUU/s1600/p5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJGuw_xBcK9dpkUWZBFDRa7U-4_Kg19NrSRClmicxA8-l-BCLAeJeDEOV1sWnVQA2qDHJFrj5t74Fkp2ya9XchCVxzuttwX7yoice6raCfSZfb1ZH0O9ffFGilaA9tBN2cGUU/s400/p5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472050848618896402" /></a><br /></div><div>We're very proud of Gail for all of her hard work in juggling a family, her job, and her studies over the last 4 years, and can't wait to see what the future holds for Dr. Gail!</div>Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-59030092693678378062010-05-16T21:32:00.006-04:002010-05-17T05:49:51.525-04:00A great Sunday morningWe had a wonderfully mellow morning...sleeping in, reading, cuddling with dogs...it was a nice way to spend Sunday...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzDAuItuLeUg6dy_h-zowI8Jow-YYIz-A9g9wCyHAa_2XQ5EedYltglnNAU1kyDCS65gAQ8S-zxcQD7RoDJYrps26M0s3bBXL78Kf7FuipYYKhuiN42KlmQw_s6oX70oGLyw/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzDAuItuLeUg6dy_h-zowI8Jow-YYIz-A9g9wCyHAa_2XQ5EedYltglnNAU1kyDCS65gAQ8S-zxcQD7RoDJYrps26M0s3bBXL78Kf7FuipYYKhuiN42KlmQw_s6oX70oGLyw/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046367976635634" /></a><br />Ben and Miles and Gail enjoying each other on the couch...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYr4z2tO6oG7H05O7TLMfS6IYvCfg2DWLTv1TwOfc1hpz-Vc_pqJE-IuR4ljTh8LZgBUU-S1VYmW0yOsl28D_yS39A35tH37a9Zzzqmu3th-OQYg5pubTJfG6ysSSYDeu9a8_/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYr4z2tO6oG7H05O7TLMfS6IYvCfg2DWLTv1TwOfc1hpz-Vc_pqJE-IuR4ljTh8LZgBUU-S1VYmW0yOsl28D_yS39A35tH37a9Zzzqmu3th-OQYg5pubTJfG6ysSSYDeu9a8_/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046371243716562" /></a><br />Later on, we dropped Gail off to get ready for Graduation at Paul Smiths, and Ben and Miles and I took a spin down Keese Mills Road to a great little hike out to some beautiful ponds...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnubeml4nsBsNvE09RHTP5n5KykH7CV7Zf55MBhNyY8UCXIPfsdM_CSWrjbhCNbBQXDuN-trQjZPKQCy6azWAjUICXwGSKlXir-uFWpzeS63zeceqa82VrvJ3RebdMVZmSbPnR/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnubeml4nsBsNvE09RHTP5n5KykH7CV7Zf55MBhNyY8UCXIPfsdM_CSWrjbhCNbBQXDuN-trQjZPKQCy6azWAjUICXwGSKlXir-uFWpzeS63zeceqa82VrvJ3RebdMVZmSbPnR/s400/b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046356286042834" /></a><br />On the way, we noticed this submerged boat, and lots of turtles sunning themselves on the millions of downed trees trying to block the narrows leading to the pond...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9recwt-wxjWP6sQrqv7hf1tPwk0Xd3hIFcXbH50_PKeFvD21fPjDB_ex_7eF1H96BB-c9CXF-1OvkjfrNASxcm3fxq54nJpDltpjLeb3rdCIyjzdK6pg1UjFu4UPtWC3CMZt/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9recwt-wxjWP6sQrqv7hf1tPwk0Xd3hIFcXbH50_PKeFvD21fPjDB_ex_7eF1H96BB-c9CXF-1OvkjfrNASxcm3fxq54nJpDltpjLeb3rdCIyjzdK6pg1UjFu4UPtWC3CMZt/s400/c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046355022424146" /></a><br />Miles went swimming a lot, and likes to run back and forth, keeping an eye on both what's in front of us, and what's behind us...on narrow paths on steep terrain, like this trail has, that means getting wet or dodging him like a toreador, as Ben is doing in this picture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECt82tJQZmfi5MxL_6NRDeZDZ6AeUCxVOBvjoTfU2gY8S7aAb1ZFi4k0HTpznGV7NQjgccLL033PxJ4cETjOOFOZlZrIFBaR7KpHbQCrpv8PnSm-tha4IYiHL4ivRB0k4dES9/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECt82tJQZmfi5MxL_6NRDeZDZ6AeUCxVOBvjoTfU2gY8S7aAb1ZFi4k0HTpznGV7NQjgccLL033PxJ4cETjOOFOZlZrIFBaR7KpHbQCrpv8PnSm-tha4IYiHL4ivRB0k4dES9/s400/d.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046350461155746" /></a><br />Once we got out to the big pond, he did some serious swimming and fetching...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeks4CVcqDiIVZECA03twEMT0b7WH6gzkz50MSinLxaIMNsYVbeT2rDosaWGMUbgq7sLTa-erYUc3ZjI9Z8RLWeCMZobcX39bxPPJel8qwLZYMczXfXM-P_r0Sfoe5tFnvPmQ/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeks4CVcqDiIVZECA03twEMT0b7WH6gzkz50MSinLxaIMNsYVbeT2rDosaWGMUbgq7sLTa-erYUc3ZjI9Z8RLWeCMZobcX39bxPPJel8qwLZYMczXfXM-P_r0Sfoe5tFnvPmQ/s400/e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046070630529682" /></a>There's a lean-to at the water's edge, and both Ben and Miles liked climbing it using the low roofline at the back to get up on top...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD5Y9t4Q6B1YWtzuLmlTX-m_NfKS2ehyPZIqIpHPuZ0dXKsFga4DY8zYw54cmU6IMcUybsAuIr4qVl61cI6G7xcqcRNYhF-fCg1webFS367t-8k_8TW9iecKRE6QlbOXJS27H/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD5Y9t4Q6B1YWtzuLmlTX-m_NfKS2ehyPZIqIpHPuZ0dXKsFga4DY8zYw54cmU6IMcUybsAuIr4qVl61cI6G7xcqcRNYhF-fCg1webFS367t-8k_8TW9iecKRE6QlbOXJS27H/s400/f.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046062355488578" /></a>We saw gazillions of trilliums along our walk, mostly the white ones like this pretty one...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiN22PYfGgZYeZF-xOGZZqyv2N0n78IBC_y5bvqgwG-seSGR_hi8C-AMvrSau6TC75_2AsMr3C546ZCSt6E1Hn8OXJIcMzwIRHw-ZR3zda-n2HHLYW9t4hKwjwlTzULbzxPWU/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiN22PYfGgZYeZF-xOGZZqyv2N0n78IBC_y5bvqgwG-seSGR_hi8C-AMvrSau6TC75_2AsMr3C546ZCSt6E1Hn8OXJIcMzwIRHw-ZR3zda-n2HHLYW9t4hKwjwlTzULbzxPWU/s400/g.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046058784092882" /></a><br />Ben swore that he could see PSC from the roof of the lean-to no our way back...he couldn't, but he loved looking around to see what he could see...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JTf3gDVHFptAS39h4mIDT4epLmEKp0DLl7eRMVsSU7aRl_nn6obAYzOd4DXUJMMvh8oHZwU-SivH2Ac-MTjLgdcHLVjXF3Yh70Lb7C5HkSDKj7qD2DZvCgTAcEIxOckAN8Hj/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JTf3gDVHFptAS39h4mIDT4epLmEKp0DLl7eRMVsSU7aRl_nn6obAYzOd4DXUJMMvh8oHZwU-SivH2Ac-MTjLgdcHLVjXF3Yh70Lb7C5HkSDKj7qD2DZvCgTAcEIxOckAN8Hj/s400/h.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472046054166640178" /></a><br />He and Miles enjoyed their snacks up on the roof...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI6iagSM329CTdW9F81IpiNiI-fMyqZy1JNlyFhyphenhyphenZge8ClnvndMWYMm_eBZ1cKtptjdAyF8cA5u1WUr698RL1FwFIJEoEahhWYaq3K2OGhPpMhj4G6rAR8BVJ80Q5e3O0Tb3h/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI6iagSM329CTdW9F81IpiNiI-fMyqZy1JNlyFhyphenhyphenZge8ClnvndMWYMm_eBZ1cKtptjdAyF8cA5u1WUr698RL1FwFIJEoEahhWYaq3K2OGhPpMhj4G6rAR8BVJ80Q5e3O0Tb3h/s400/i.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472049788245239362" /></a><br /><br />Some people paddled by to fish the quiet pond, and Ben spied on them while Miles worried about them from the water's edge...Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651761.post-8171701084472976512010-05-10T10:58:00.005-04:002010-05-11T11:47:59.714-04:001st paddletrip of the year!We had a freakish snowstorm on Sunday, which actually dumped enough snow under cold enough conditions to stay around overnight and into Monday...<br /><br />I stayed home on Monday, partly to try and catch up on sleep, partly to take care of Gail (who's been sick for a while), and partly to get out in my canoe to explore a part of the route some friends of mine and I will be taking in an upcoming paddle/camping trip back into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_regis_canoe_area">St. Regis Canoe Area</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDW1S2H81s_DJ-iLmEOK6VtoUsXJZXyuVw29mu8xhv7LvkvQWQT0H4X-ML8aYcFX_v6801oXNksLpd1-7M3ISl8_cfysHMbiuNK80Tc_U_1URQF84M7kssV29jge1FjNzZArw/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDW1S2H81s_DJ-iLmEOK6VtoUsXJZXyuVw29mu8xhv7LvkvQWQT0H4X-ML8aYcFX_v6801oXNksLpd1-7M3ISl8_cfysHMbiuNK80Tc_U_1URQF84M7kssV29jge1FjNzZArw/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029846462773298" border="0" /></a><br />I got to the Long Pond carry at about 10:30, and some of the snow had melted away, but as you can see, there was still plenty left in the woods...I brought along my <a href="http://www.hornbeckboats.com/index.htm">Hornbeck</a> solo canoe (a gift from my parents for my 40th birthday), a loaded portage pack, my PFD, and my paddle, to try and approximate the feeling of the trip to come...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-CY1EfOeQ9hCz1yroYO26v7-Twj_B8LW5N56Biy0XwYUJ2egpku8PNpC7U4K0az5kmUlG5F7K7xFq7RWgmjVsqlnkUVLfSVUkNhHi-ABVAuKl3Tj_w8s4hiVB-DqzGr_N2mm/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-CY1EfOeQ9hCz1yroYO26v7-Twj_B8LW5N56Biy0XwYUJ2egpku8PNpC7U4K0az5kmUlG5F7K7xFq7RWgmjVsqlnkUVLfSVUkNhHi-ABVAuKl3Tj_w8s4hiVB-DqzGr_N2mm/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029838956719666" border="0" /></a><br />The portage pack is a wide and low pack, which sits at/below my shoulders, and so does not get in the way of my portaging a canoe...the Hornbeck only weighs 25 pounds, and I've found is most comfortable carried over on shoulder, with the paddle trapped in the boat by the thwarts...my PFD rides in the portage pack...<br /><br />The carry in from the parking lot to Long Pond is about 1/4 mile, which was long enough to give me an idea about the comfort of my pack and boat setup...it should be fine, although on the 1.5 miles portages, I'll be huffing by the end...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi247XXVH9I2Bh929WH_XI4bC1hcFVlyUHquf9utQIHW7ZSpuw8npOzZYnFFWkKtRB3BJTy4Mt9HUIrk9wNP398hsdrBwTjVq6CTT1zdnzRUQQ0zNWIJRiF8IL5cATswzHAX9tT/s1600/c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi247XXVH9I2Bh929WH_XI4bC1hcFVlyUHquf9utQIHW7ZSpuw8npOzZYnFFWkKtRB3BJTy4Mt9HUIrk9wNP398hsdrBwTjVq6CTT1zdnzRUQQ0zNWIJRiF8IL5cATswzHAX9tT/s400/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029834612609842" border="0" /></a><br />I paddled the length of Long Pond (about 2.5 miles) to the portage for Nellie and Bessie Ponds, and got out there to walk the portage, to see how well a portage-cart would do...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNBWOnuFt_G696tYqYWrFfXPfTpaybDVLcbOBlix_mIRemSNI9ch5xYmag1ind447Se5MtjO4Y46TxWiMDg72GRId6aOM7zaHsbcXp3mTJAfKlkIZActe9pq3BFKMOvrhjHzp/s1600/d.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNBWOnuFt_G696tYqYWrFfXPfTpaybDVLcbOBlix_mIRemSNI9ch5xYmag1ind447Se5MtjO4Y46TxWiMDg72GRId6aOM7zaHsbcXp3mTJAfKlkIZActe9pq3BFKMOvrhjHzp/s400/d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029832033978914" border="0" /></a>In general, the trail should be fine with a portage cart, assuming that the wheels are big enough to get over the roots and rough spots along the way...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkSpjBPFtdndgfk-kflAFumpQu6-m1OLPa7yaGY1VvUmqjmpMwo0RxiNw2Exs179SgVle3lZTd9fRCx1FgWZ3E7EcAhAZDlNQU73wUF7376G1b1lDtlWDlPtLuZA4T_nkixu_/s1600/e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkSpjBPFtdndgfk-kflAFumpQu6-m1OLPa7yaGY1VvUmqjmpMwo0RxiNw2Exs179SgVle3lZTd9fRCx1FgWZ3E7EcAhAZDlNQU73wUF7376G1b1lDtlWDlPtLuZA4T_nkixu_/s400/e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029826555033650" border="0" /></a>I was also trying out a new pair of shoes for the trip, <a href="http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/indexNA.cfm">Vibram 5-fingers</a>, a "shoe" with individuated toes for comfort and grip and such...they left funny Yeti prints in the snow!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKGFfQ7KgSJ2oWhvQqK-YqMo1JQUEY3PJXY3btY9CdMN2uvWFWT1jck2j-3ez13FD_p0RbzFuaTuhDkty3R5qbkkLRavopPNaGycRaa_Bh0lBlZX6xCs56QPfsASYldc-4KTt/s1600/f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKGFfQ7KgSJ2oWhvQqK-YqMo1JQUEY3PJXY3btY9CdMN2uvWFWT1jck2j-3ez13FD_p0RbzFuaTuhDkty3R5qbkkLRavopPNaGycRaa_Bh0lBlZX6xCs56QPfsASYldc-4KTt/s400/f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029512208794578" border="0" /></a><br />The portage from Long Pond up to Nellie and Bessie ponds is bisected by a beaver dam and the resulting pond...we'll have to climb back in and paddle over the no-name pond to the rest of the portage (which will increase the pond/portage count of the trip to 19/16)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9n8K8yHwg2GAOLtN5eI-HwLeAICSHsVjOTK94Ed5tt0zdyIsPs8bSqVSRY2V-hJLLT8b8Q1HrrA90rYX_WcebhfT-ISs9pbUBShHZh5S_NGWgSxxsJjrC8Qx66G5c_Dhr412P/s1600/g.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9n8K8yHwg2GAOLtN5eI-HwLeAICSHsVjOTK94Ed5tt0zdyIsPs8bSqVSRY2V-hJLLT8b8Q1HrrA90rYX_WcebhfT-ISs9pbUBShHZh5S_NGWgSxxsJjrC8Qx66G5c_Dhr412P/s400/g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029507518271842" border="0" /></a><br />I headed back to the Long Pond end of the portage and was happy to get back into the sun to warm up and snack a bit before getting back in the boat for the windy/chilly ride back to the other end of the pond...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5FntpvoaCyXQtpaXyefC_4goVO1m2LGxe9VuBChUAvAqImYj0kr5BNb4t8uGYiwxGhdkU8lTfxBxaO7JnP4DNpLApoD83dFGqaPVPLlDhw3c2lApnmCtuplfv75IW2FD_AQ1/s1600/h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5FntpvoaCyXQtpaXyefC_4goVO1m2LGxe9VuBChUAvAqImYj0kr5BNb4t8uGYiwxGhdkU8lTfxBxaO7JnP4DNpLApoD83dFGqaPVPLlDhw3c2lApnmCtuplfv75IW2FD_AQ1/s400/h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029504571014658" border="0" /></a><br />I had a tiny <a href="http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/928496">hammock-chair</a> with me, which takes about a minute to set up and hangs from a couple trees...it was nice to lay back a bit in the mostly-upright hammock, off of the cold/wet ground, but still in full sunlight, and enjoy my lunch of beef jerky and GORP...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMFWcvaCFDJXtSt720IRXmQWSsZL-nOA9j3YO3Uqns9lUSgNR3EWPwRblFnFgo7qDrrAouhwya_k7lHib8pR0-TBNMB8KJciM28nXEO3aym67CBIcizQ3rOOHdb9BlRMYjxKG/s1600/i.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMFWcvaCFDJXtSt720IRXmQWSsZL-nOA9j3YO3Uqns9lUSgNR3EWPwRblFnFgo7qDrrAouhwya_k7lHib8pR0-TBNMB8KJciM28nXEO3aym67CBIcizQ3rOOHdb9BlRMYjxKG/s400/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029500534873218" border="0" /></a><br />The hammock-chair only goes from my butt to my head, but it's easy to balance my feet on the line supporting it, and I was able to shut my eyes for a few minutes, enjoying the sun on my face, the sounds of the woods, and the gentle swaying of my lunch-spot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAqSiHuVCMKqO6Z8Ggpw4YifCp3_LkaYh0PmIiNKHrGD8qAIUVfgUDo0zCC7xtxvYl3nqLV4wni2J-mZSb22cy_1Lk6z_cwSZK-O50mhTOI2khi5jsH_MHn2bEuFOMR9Hbald/s1600/j.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAqSiHuVCMKqO6Z8Ggpw4YifCp3_LkaYh0PmIiNKHrGD8qAIUVfgUDo0zCC7xtxvYl3nqLV4wni2J-mZSb22cy_1Lk6z_cwSZK-O50mhTOI2khi5jsH_MHn2bEuFOMR9Hbald/s400/j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029495215137762" border="0" /></a><br />I headed back across the pond, into a headwind that grew into whitecaps and flying spray by the time I got back to the far end of Long Pond...excited by my first paddle of the year, and eagerly anticipating the paddle trip my friends and I are calling <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://zsny.org/portagefest/portagefest.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PortageFest!</span></a>Jamie Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11092431317787313625noreply@blogger.com