Here we are... our very first boat!!! For all the years that we have had a camp on the lake, boat ownership is something we have never done. We've talked about having one, but there never seemed to be any great reason why. However, this summer, with the grands being older, we thought it might be nice to have one. So, I began the search. I knew a few things I would like... one being a bow rider, I love being able to sit up front in a boat as it goes along the water... two.. I have a very strict budget, and three, it didn't need to be brand new... just well kept. It took a bit of research, but patience and looking paid off, and we found this 1999 "four winds" that met all my "requirements". Today we brought it home, and I couldn't wait to get it into the water and see how it really went.
We first had to wait for the docks to get in ( we have hired a crew that will do that for us... especially in the spring when the lake is cold!!!) and once that happened, we trucked up to the ramp and put her in.
I had to drive the trailer into the water.. well, back the trailer into the water. I have to say, never have done this before, and it's a bit nerve wracking backing your truck into the water. The ramp for our lake isn't the easiest to deal with and I honestly was pretty nervous doing this. Ed was in the boat and had to get that into the water. He has launched boats before, so he was pretty sure, all I could do was listen to directions and keep calm
We got in it, and by the time I got back around to camp.. Ed was coming in with our new little toy
And here she is, at her home for the summer, and I am already looking forward to a summer of lots of boat rides, taking the grands, doing some tubing with everyone, and just enjoying out first little boat.
It's a good thing that Livy is pretty much up for anything that we do.. as long as she can be with us. So, of course, when we went out on our first official ride she came along.
She even has her own life jacket. I just think that if she ever had to swim for shore, being little she could tire.. and a jacket is a good idea. I bought this bright orange one too, thinking she could also be spotted if needed.
She seemed OK with this idea, and even had a fine time checking the boat out.
The next day, Kass and Nate, and boys, made a trip up to camp.. getting ready for the season and seeing what would be needed for them to enjoy the summer in the big camp. The boys wanted to go for a ride.. thought at first Reagan wasn't so sure he really liked the idea. He's a bit cautious and we had to promise that we wouldn't go too fast or over too many bumps... (though how one can control waves is a bit beyond me).. but we took it slow and just let him get used to the idea.
Cal, on the other hand , was happy from the start... and had a huge smile on his face.. Kass actually had to keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't go overboard.
Finally a smile and signs that this boat thing was going to be alright....
and then both of them joining me in the bow and seeing how much fun it is to ride in the front!!!!
Cal wanted Papa to "go fasta" while Reagan begged him not too.....
I'd say overall, we made a good choice and I am looking forward to many sunny days on the lake with the family enjoying the rides.....
May 1st!!! May Day... a first day of spring.. and a day that used to be make with all kinds of traditions. May baskets that were left on the neighbors door... the May pole..and a number of other things, some I knew and some I read about on line. I'm not so sure these traditions are done anywhere anymore, and are mostly left now to memories and google searches.....
I however, I did do one of the May Day traditions, mostly by accident this morning... and not only was it fun, and something I was looking forward to.. but it had me leaving the house quite early, which meant, I was able to snag a piece of breakfast pizza from the the local store... a fav of mine for sure.
And, the big event that got me up and moving this morning... picking up a bee hive. I ordered this hive last winter, with the hopes that I would yet again, be the keeper of two hives. Sadly, with that long cold snap we had last January, I lost my hive... so I was happy to think that I at least had one on order for this summer. I'm glad I got my order in... the shop told me they had 125 hives, and were sold out.....
I have the feeling that bees are quite the popular thing right now. It seems that goats, chickens and bees are the "pets" in vogue right now... I don't know if it's the fact that all these critters provide a type of food source and that makes them popular... or the fact that these small farm type animals are easily kept even in the urban neighborhoods and legal in many towns, that make them so wanted. Either way...I see bee stuff is easy to purchase and I'm often asked about them. My first answer is.. take a class, because there is way more to these little creatures than one would think. A bit of "nature"... a bit of luck.. and a bit of what works....I've had good luck with some and not so with others....
But, I do love having bees... I enjoy watching them, and seeing what they bring into the hive... I like collecting the honey (though that in itself is a process...) and I like seeing them around the farm, doing all the good things they do.
Since they arrived on a work day, Ed wasn't home to go with me to collect them. But I've had the long enough that I'm pretty comfortable handling them and knew that I could get them into the hive on my own. It was also nice because of the early pick up time, the morning was actually almost cold and it was "easy" to move bees that were more on the sleepy side.
I had everything ready to go, so that was helpful, and the move went well... I did get one sting...overall though... it was a success...
As the day began to warm up, the bees began to move about and I left them alone to get settled in. Later tonight I'll make sure that everyone gets inside, and will add some food to the feeder to make sure they have enough to get going until they're used to their new home.
Welcome little bees, hopefully i will have you a good long time.
Because it's been so very wet this spring, the winter paddock for the horses is still ankle deep in mud. It bothers me to see them standing in all that yuck and I worry some about their feet always being in the wet. So, I'm chancing it, and opened the pasture for the season. The grass is just beginning, so it will give them the time to get back on green grass slowly as it grows, I just might not have much grass come August, but I guess I'll worry about that later...
They were pretty happy to have all that room back, and started looking right away for the good stuff... and me.... I just love looking out the windows and seeing them again....
The big wood furnace is shut down now... the top is back on the screen house... water garden is running and the bees are flying... so, May Day... you have officially brought spring!!!!
