An Occurrence At Old Lyme Bridge

No matter what the calendar and thermometer may read, it is the Old Lyme Railroad Bridge that marks my seasons . When I sail north of this span in November, the bridge closes behind me, and my winter begins.

For the past several years, Carina has spent her winter months in a boatyard a few miles above this bridge. I still sail her occasionally in late fall and early spring, but always north of the span. Until I venture to the other side, it all seems like a preseason exhibition game. It doesn't really count. This 1907, truss-style, bascule bridge is my Checkpoint Charlie; my San Ysidro. Passing beneath her is my spring and autumnal equinox.

There is something that feels very unnatural when a boat passes under a bridge. The charts and signs all show that there is plenty of clearance, but I still find myself second guessing the dimensions. I envision the mast being too tall, hitting the bridge, and then falling down. If only Freud were aboard to diagnose and explain my  mast-envy, and dismasting anxiety.

But there are no mishaps, and the bridge operator gives me a wave as I clear the opening. I turn to wave back and immediately realize that I am south of the bridge. "See you in November" I yell to him.

Ahead of me I can see the two lighthouses at Saybrook Point, and I smell the salt water in the breeze. A small wave rolls in from the Sound and smacks the hull broadside, spraying my face lightly. It's a brisk and salty reminder that Carina has been released from her winter stall, and is now free to roam in what F. Scott Fitzgerald called "the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound". 

Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge

Soundbounder: November

Soundbounder: Ferry Landing Park

Sea Otter IV

While most boats are launched in the spring, there are a few that get hauled out instead. Like many fishing and commercial boats, Sea Otter IV stays in the water all winter. Once the spring rush of launching boats begins to subside, she gets hauled to have her bottom cleaned and painted. Within a few days, she is back in the water, and as good as new.

Commonly known as a short haul, a boat will come out of the water for anywhere from a few hours, to a week or two, depending on how much work there is to be done.

Our New Neighbors are Noisy!

A family of flickers has set up housekeeping in a very dead poplar tree not far from the lodge. It is a marked tree, in that Greg has been saying for years that it needs to come down before it falls down. After observing the happy nature of these flickers, I told him not yet.

I watched these birds the other day for about twenty minutes. The nesting hole is about twenty feet up the trunk, so it wasn't easy getting photos. I persevered, and my trusty little point-and-shoot came through, so that at least I could see outlines of the birds. Finally, I gave up on the camera, and took time to just observe. There were four birds, and none seemed small, so I guess this is an extended family. Three would fly off routinely, while a fourth would stay behind and occasionally poke its beak out of the hole.

The calls were constant and loud, so I could keep track of how far away they had traveled. Soon enough, they would fly back, and one or two would quickly sneak into the hole. Another would perch at the hole, and bob back and forth, in and out, while the one inside would mimic the routine. It really had me wondering what the dance was all about, something I'll probably never know.

A couple days later, while standing in the lodge, I heard the loud and familiar thunk of a bird hitting the window. I went outside to investigate, and was sad to see that it was one of the flickers. It was lying belly down on the grass, with its eyes shut. I picked it up to see if anything could be done, and noticed that it was still alive.

I brought it to the porch and held it for awhile, thinking that at least the warmth from my hand might be of some assistance. Since it was chilly outside, I soon decided to bring it into the lodge, and put it in the classic box. I didn't go so far as to line the box with newspaper, and put water in it...the realism of adulthood told me not to have the optimism that I might have were I still a child. I put the box near the woodstove, and sat down with my knitting.
Soon enough, I could hear scratchings in the box, so I took it outside. I was hoping that the little one had recuperated enough to go and join its mates in the tree. The calling of the others was still constant, and I hoped that it might jar recognition in the fallen one. But it was not to be. I watched as it took its final breath and was gone.
I've noticed that the others are still calling and playing, so perhaps this was not one of their relatives. But for a few brief moments, I got to be close to it, like a relative, and had the joy of seeing its beauty up close, and in my hand. What a rare gift it was.

Good Video of the Eruption

Here is a video of the eruption of the volcanoe. I liked it because it's very "real". The other videos I've seen before were interesting, yes, but they were not so impressive. Watching this one seemed to me to stay near it.

In The Old Country

Hi everyone!

Angela and I made it here OK, and I just thought I'd check in. Since we'll be moving around for a bit, I won't be putting up any Pictures of the Day for a while. I will still be taking them, but I'll just have to do a massive upload when I get back to Colorado. I probably could have brought my computer along or sorted out a way to put them up on the way, but that's not an ideal way to spend a vacation.

So, in the meantime, take care, and I'll hope to be sharing some interesting pictures with you all soon!

Are You Ready?

This is the time of year when a lot of things need to be ready, all at the same time. The to-do list is full of things like: docks in, boats and motors on the beach, cabins cleaned, windows washed. As of today, not all of those things are done...We just keep moving forward, doing the work, coming closer to that time when we can breathe the sigh of relief and say, Yes, it is all done. The fishing opener is the bar that has been set to reach that magical place known as "ready".

In my first couple of years here, Sharlene and I tackled the spring cleaning together, and we made a good team. I learned the ropes of resort work, while we kept the conversation going to make the day speed by quickly. Then the babies started to come, and I would bring them along to the cabins while I was doing the cleaning. Thank goodness for playpens and walkers, means of keeping a toddler "contained", so I could chase after the dust bunnies and cobwebs instead. Sometimes I wonder how I did it, with little ones underfoot like they were. Maybe that helped to instill the good work ethic that all three now possess.

Once we started to homeschool, things actually got a little easier. If we needed an extra set of hands, they were nearby. Sometimes, we would cancel schoolwork all together, to get the chores done. One particular year stands out in my mind. The ice went out just a day or two before the opener. Greg wasn't able to get the docks in immediately, and then he got busy with too many other things. Fishermen showed up to launch, and fortunately for me, Robert and Paul were both home studying. I threw out a couple quick requests, and the boys had the skid steer in place, and were able to push the dock into the water. If a similar scenario were to happen and I were home alone, there would be no dock from which to launch.

I like to think that these exercises were just as important as the book-learning. Fortunately, it seems to have worked out in the end, as Addie, our youngest, is due to graduate in just a few weeks. On-the-job training is what Robert has called it when filling out applications for other similar jobs.

Now we are doing the spring work mostly alone, since they are all off at work or school. We find ourselves trying to work smarter, using the tools and equipment first rather than our own muscle. I don't worry so much about having it all done by the opener. Sometimes it just doesn't warm up soon enough to wash windows, and often we don't need boats for rental until Memorial weekend. We prioritize the list, and continue onward. When asked now if I am ready for opener, I tell the truth of where I am at in my jobs, and then I defer to the game of Hide and Seek: Ready or not, here it comes! We're ready enough, so the fishermen can come anytime now.

Sun City, South Africa

Situated in the most affluent area of all South Africa, Sun City is a fantastic place to go for a long weekend break or full vacation, Sun City is a purpose built casino resort, offering the very best in the world of gambling and live entertainment. Located in the heart of the North West Province of South Africa, it is a short drive of a couple of hours from Johannesburg, the worlds largest city which is not on a coastline, lake or river, and its international airport. Pretoria is also within comfortable travelling distance.

Sun City was originally built during the apartheid years in the early nineteen seventies and opened in 1979. At that time (borders have since changed) it was outside of the South African formal area of control, and during that period gambling and topless dancing were not allowed within South Africa. So it quickly became a popular place to visit, and has remained so ever since.

Sun City offers a good choice of quality hotels, and the resort also provides regular transfer transport to and from Jo�burg airport. There are four hotels, each offering its own style and ambience. They are the Palace of the Lost City hotel, Cascades hotel, the Cabanas hotel, and (not surprisingly) the Sun City hotel. They range from the sheer luxury and opulence of the Palace of the Lost City to the laid-back family style of the Cabanas. Something to suit everyone�s taste and budget.

In addition to its inbuilt attractions, Sun City is also on the doorstep of one of South Africa�s best known National Parks, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

The place is also very attractive to golfers, as it boasts not one, but two international standard golf courses. Both were designed by Gary Player, one of which (the Gary Player Country Club) hosts the annual �Million Dollar� golf challenge which attracts many of the world�s top players.

Although a long way from the ocean, Sun City offers a beach to relax on and top up your tan, along with a myriad of water sports and activities. Package holiday deals are available which also take in some of South Africa�s other tourist destinations such as Victoria Falls, Capetown, and stunning Swaziland.

There is also a six thousand seater auditorium called the Sun City Super Bowl, at which world famous acts perform. Over the years since the resort was first built, the Super Bowl has played host to concerts from music legends such as Elton John, Queen, ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, and Dionne Warwick, along with many more contemporary bands and solo artists.

The resort offers a very wide range of activities for holiday-makers, including ballooning, flying in a Tiger Moth bi-plane, archery, clay shooting, elephant rides, adventure quad biking, and of course the water sports. Of special interest to many are the malaria free safaris to the superb Pilanseberg Game Reserve.

Sun City is also a significant venue for conferences, and many claim it to be the very best conference centre in the whole of South Africa. And then of course, there are the casinos �

Wow! This is quite a place.