The sweet first rain

The crisp hangs in the afternoon air. Leaves start to blanket the country road. Red tinges the Japanese Maple.

The First Rain comes.

It is sweet. The air fills with smells of all of the flowers and pollen and leaves. The first damp dirt since June. The sound of the pattering rain is foreign. A forgotten friend. The Tomatoes and Roses sigh a relief, as the pansies crank their necks skyward for refreshment.

The sleep is the most comforting.  As the blanket of dusk surrounds the home, the soft melodic pitter of rain on the roof. The fireplace calls out for flame.

And every year it is the same.

When the memory must be kept of the first sweet rain. The refreshing filling of earth. Vanilla candles lit to warm the home, the lantern flame reflects on window – a beacon to the lake.

Water is calm, and the birds are rejoicing. The Geese have returned. The young Mallards more brave. Sparrows and chickadees are sporting a thick furry fat coat.

And I beg. Beg the resources of my memory. To store this moment. Hot Coffee. Comforting book. Warm Home. The joy that fills my heart.  I beg it to return to me.

In February. In March. In April. In May and In June. Will the last day of the 8 months of rain feel as sweet as the first? Oh to keep this joy.

Is to be a coastal girl.

This coastal girl is looking forward to the adventure of winter. :)

2 Days of Summer Time to Ski!

It looks like we will have two whole days of summer!  Jon came home from the neighbors on their boat  - wake boarding!  They picked me up so I could film – Here are a few pics for ya . .  .

   

He wanted to post the pics and video for his Grandpa and Grandma to see – so you get to see them too. :) Since I took 3 movies and 50 photos – these few aren’t too bad to muddle up the lake blog right?

Last Glimpse of “real” summer vacation

We head into the last week of August with Blue Sky, Full Sun, and Warm Lake water!  My east coast friends have been back in school for 3 weeks – but here in Oregon, School does not typically start til after Labor Day Weekend. I feel the Turn in the Air and have Seen the Signs of Autumn though . . . .

Nate woke me up at 4 a.m. so I could see the moon over the lake. In my tired brain – I just grumbled something like – I saw it last month when Jon woke me up, go back to bed.  He slid his socks across the wood floors . . . . Ok. Now I feel bad. What a beautiful view to see at 4 a.m.  The Moon was so HUGE and crisp and clear. The reflection in the water so mirror like, even the craters could be defined in the water. The evaporation mist slowly swirling on top.  You’ll just have to imagine from this glimpse just how HUGE the August Full Moon really was.  Nate went back to bed and marveled out loud – That happens once a month? Well. Maybe we don’t see it because of night time weather patterns, but Yep. :)

We’ve had quite a few families stop by on their journeys for their last summer vacation -  Picnics on the dock, night swims, kayaking, hikes – fun! We had 4 families last week, looking at 2 planned this week.  We love it when people stop by, even for a wave hello and back in their car. :)
 
These Bright Moon Lit Nights are great for Night Swims. Wonder if I should mention Nocturnal Lake Monsters?

I noticed this bad bad sign at church yesterday, all of their road side trees are tinted red/orange/yellow/green.  Then, on the walk through the woods yesterday, the trees above were all tinting red. Sigh.

 

We are looking for crickets this week – Jon found when while doing yard work for a neighbor. (Apparently his number got around, as we are now getting phone calls). He ran to the “neighbor who has a little bit of everything” and asked for a baggie. :) Havn’t heart the whole story yet – but Bobby Here was still alive this morning. Poor Bobby.

 

Darren and the boys picked about 10 qts of black berries, sold them to some neighbors, and sat on the road to sell them last evening. I think they are in business. These are still a bit tart. :) Picking out the bright red ones. :)

 
Blurry view of this morning but you can see the fog swirling a bit better in this pic. :) Fabulous!

Sunrise Book Reading in the Kayak

Sunset Last Night – Led to . .  .
6:30 Twilight Sunrise this morning! First blue sky clear to the beach since – I can’t even remember. March? April?

Pushed away from the Evaporation fog . . . .

So I could see THIS!!! Sunrise. My Very First Clear Sunrise since we’ve moved here!

 

I paddled out so I could feel the full sun in the morning.
 

View towards DRiver and Regatta.

 
View back towards the east – our side. See how they are still all in the shade. Tisk. Tisk. :)  I have on my Pj’s under my Beach Thick Fishing Sweatshirt – my Bro’s gift to me many a year ago -

My legs were all toasty warm under a thick beach towel. :) I could have unwrapped my legs, but I didn’t want to get wet at all – and I was enjoying the warmth. :) The soothing sounds of the birds. The plunking of the fish popping out of the water, Swooshing of the waves when a ski boat slowly slid by. Beautiful. I just cant’ even tell ya.
 

There is a cove about 3/4’s of a mile away.  I can see who’s coming, but still feel a bit alone. I sat out here for about a half hour reading my book. Blind Hope – by the way, by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher is a wonderfully inspiring delightful read.  I’ve been taking it chapter by chapter. Slowly enjoying. We used to be able to go to Crystal Peaks once a week – and enjoy the fellowship of these ladies – it is like sitting in the adorondak chair, listening to their honest conversation. Two people who would/could be put on a pedestal – that wrote a heart wrenching book of honestly telling how far they really are day by day. And how God pulls them in. Shows them. Grows them. Like Paul – the more we think we are like Christ – the more learn about Christ – the more we realize how far we really are. So – one chapter at a time – I sit close, and listen to these amazing ladies – gleen, reflect and grow a bit myself. :) Anyways – back to the ride -
The tension is just so thick on the water. Like Syran Wrap. Hard to show with the colors of the water just how flat it is! And Ski Boats are going past!

Even the wake of the ski boat produces only a sweet lifting swell.
Meanwhile – back at the ranch – Perfect Beauty! Love the reflections. It is my paddle that broke the water. I was trying to still the kayak to take the photo and broke the mirror reflection. . . . :)   

Thanks for coming along with me this morning!

Kayak Conversations

Oh – I can’t believe what a huge decision it was on what type of kayak to get – One or Two, Plastic or Inflatable? Sit in or Sit on?  One man or Two man?

In the end, our Inflatable, Sit In, Inflatable, Two Man has proven to be the best choice for an kayak with easy access to the lake – and time well spent with friends.

Jon went out with his friend mid morning – lots of wind!
  They stop to chat for a while.  . .

Later in the morning – Nate and his friend went around the loop . . .

We had some more friends stop by around 3 – so the boys took them on a ride as well.  The lake was really full with jet boats ad skis – so they stayed closer to the edge. . . .

Jon comes in from his tour with his little friend.  

Nate seems to have a better grip on the whole kayaking experience. :) I think the little fellah doing all the work is 7ish. Pretty great paddler!!!

 

Although it was cold and windy – the lake is still fun! We are rejoicing for the chance to spend our summer here – so thankful! 

Another shout out to mom and dad for getting the kayaks and paddles for us!!!

Summer Views

Life on the lake has been grey and dreary for the last few weeks. The warmth of the east just out of reach  - sometimes for an hour or so we get to see blue sky, if we turn around and look up the hill . . . But Yesterday – my neighbor threw one of her amazing BBQ shindigs and figured out a way to order up the perfect weather! We went to bed with this view:

 

 

The dog taking her evening bath – she loves the mud crics over at the neighbor’s house. Woke up early thinking the lake would be perfect for kayaking but woke up to evaporation fog:

 

Not wise to play hide and go seek with the boats. Like our Doggie Washing Machine on the railing?

But it did provide the perfect cover for some quiet time reading my morning books on the dock. The air was warm enough to not need socks or a sweater. Here is the view from the end of the dock:
   

By almost 8 the sun tried to peek over the east hill and tall spruce trees. Love how the light and dark separate on the lake. Hard to photograph.

 

It looks like blue sky already at 8 to the front lawn line, so today is looking like a lake day.  Nate had a friend spend the night that lives down the street and Jon and I have a friend coming over to play in about an hour.  If you are in Lincoln City today – bring a towel and come on by!

Beautiful little spot next to the boathouse. ;)

Hope to bring you some fun splashing pics this evening!!!

Kayak Paddling Obsession

Those who know me -  will confirm that I can be a bit obsessive compulsive.  Once I get a project or idea in my focus – it becomes all I want to do or talk about.  Take um. Kayaking for example.  We have been trying to paddle in various crafts around the lake – and finally were able to pick up these beauties.  They are Ocean & White Water rated – but I think I’ll stick to calm mornings on the lake! I give you – Views from the Sevylor Rogue Inflatable Kayak. :)

This is the view around 7:30 a.m.  The water has been calm year round, even during bad weather, until about 9-10 a.m on Devils Lake.
I keep looking out at the weather – fog – over cast – but calm water. This morning I ventured out before our morning activities.

I have been paddling out to the campground, across the bay towards the tip of Neotsu, and then back around to our home again. I mapped it out this morning at about 1.34 miles.

Jon saw me out there and called to ask if he could join me. :)  

Paddling back to the house – It took from 7:30 – 8:10 to refresh the air in the kayaks, put them in the water, paddle the 1.3 miles and get back on shore, kayaks stored away.  We had to be across town near Taft around 8:45 or I would have taken more time to sit and enjoy the lake. :)

____________________________

Yesterday – I thought to try to see if I could stay totally dry in the kayak  which would lead to more time out there, if it is not a soaking each time. The water today is a balmy 68 degrees as the air temp hovers around 60.  Brrrrr.  Made it the whole trip without a drop. :)

View from the kitchen – Sun on the water, advection fog encroaching.
The sun felt marvelous. We have been in an overcast haze for days.

Made it out to Sand Point Loop, by the Campground. Had to make it back for a library program, so I turned around here.

Notice the water surface difference, south east side to north west side. Crazy.

Views looking North and sort of east-ish. :)

I keep an eye and ear on this opening all the time.  Jet Ski’s and Water Ski boats blast out of this opening from the Regatta Park side. :) Spooky. :)

 

Beautiful water and views back towards home. I thought my tummy muscles would be sore, but I feel my back muscles strengthening.  I can feel the arm put area to the center of my ribs tightening. My forearms and wrists as well. Buttocks and inner thighs get a work out staying centered. I find myself sitting straighter in the chair, actually feeling better not to slouch. The kayak rowing is very much different than 3 man raft rowing. I love it. :)

We had the option of buying one hard sit on top kayak for the same price as these two inflatable sit in kayaks – and with two great paddles – and it was excruciating decision for sure.  But having Jon call this morning – and ask to meet me out in the middle – made the decision priceless.  Love paddling with the boys!

This seems to be a sweet spot for calm water. Looked for Cattails for our study –but did not find any. We’ll have to do the ones by the road agan. :)