Sunday, May 24, 2009

Conversations along the Canal

Today's journey took me along the historic Erie Canal, where I chatted with an adventurer who had been on the water for ten months and was headed home to Ohio. We talked while he was in Lock 16, awaiting the water's rise to take him to the next elevation.




I also chatted with his co-pilot! (He reminds me of the television and book character Wishbone!)



Summer has officially begun here in upstate New York. It's nice to see the boats moving through the canal and locks and everyone welcoming the warm weather with a smile. While awaiting a group of sailboats, I talked to the lock operator about the American Canadian Caribbean cruise line that comes through these locks cruising from the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. I've been invited to sail with them as a cruise-line enrichment speaker. I need more hours in my day and more days in my week!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Carp(e) Diem!

Photo friend, Judy Olson, and I seized the day at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge west of Syracuse (NY) today.

We were graced by ...

... hundreds of carp fighting their way from the Seneca Canal into the main pond.



... babies on parade.



... babies in hiding.





... a statuesque heron.










... a heron in flight.










... and a lone egret.










It was a beautiful pre-summer day.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Goose and Gosling ...

... on East Caroga Lake today.

It was chilly up by the lakes this afternoon. The wind reminded me of another unspeakable season!

The beach opens for swimming in seven days! Hard to believe.

Friday, May 15, 2009

More Maps Created in Watervliet!

Another great day of river exploration at Watervliet Elementary School.

Today, I spent time with 4th graders in Mrs. Goodell's room and Mrs. Lance's room.

Mrs. Goodell:














Mrs. Lance:















Thank you to the young explorers at Watervliet Elementary School. I hope you have a wonderful program on Monday night with your special guests.

Happy Reading! Happy Writing!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Riding the River in Watervliet

Thank you to Watervliet Elementary School Principal Mrs. O'Brien and the 4th-grade classrooms of Mr. Travers, Ms. Collins, and Mrs. Grill for inviting me to explore the Hudson River and navigator Henry Hudson with them today.

The three classrooms created three-dimensional topographical maps using salt dough and their imaginations.

Mr. Travers:














Ms. Collins:











































Mrs. Grill:













I'll be returning on Friday to explore with two more classrooms and to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the historic voyage up the Hudson River by Henry Hudson.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

May Play

Between raindrops today, I captured a few shots that remind me of May in the mountains.

Of course, trillium (and Dan Duggan's Trillium Lane hammered dulcimer music piece) are a sure sign that spring is here. (Heal well, Dan.)






'Shrooms stretching up a tree trunk.










And the magic of daffodils.








Tonight, I'm off to an artists' reception to celebrate the creative souls of those who call the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains their home.

And, for those who are counting (Shirley, Dale, and other assorted beach bums), the lake opens in 21 days. Dust off those beach chairs, grab a good book, and let laughter and the call of the loons echo from hill to hill. See you there!