Adirondacks 09 Pt 1

A few photographs of our trip to hold people over while I still process the whole experience and think about what to write. Each time we go up to Seventh Lake in Inlet, NY, and spend time at "Camp Meenagha," as it is called, we undergo a truly spiritual experience (maybe that's because we're surrounded by so much clergy...haha). But I think it is so much more than that. As Brian's Aunt Patty explained to me in one of our several conversations, "The beauty of the Adirondacks lies in the inconvenience." How true and how wonderful! All the cooking is done on the Atlantic wood burning cook stove, there are old fashioned outhouses, there's no microwave or coffeemaker, the water we drink comes right from eleven feet down off the dock, from the lake, and out through the faucets, the shower is outside, and there's just this beautiful feeling of isolation as we spend time on "Smith Island," and watch people row Adirondack Guide Boats, and paddle "Gamps," kayaks, and canoes. There is still something inside waiting to come out in my writing, but I dont know what that is yet. But the above is merely a brief reflection.....

Here's this summer's island "crew." Starting in the front, from left to right, we have Mrs Sally Piles, Brian, Callum, Andrea, Michael, Aunt Patty, and some fat half Jew wearing socks with clogs. I mentioned being surrounded by clergy on the island: Brian is an Anglican priest, while Patty is a Lutheran pastor in Virginia. I now have the honor of saying that I've driven every vehicle on the island: Waterskiing motorboat, pontoon boat, canoe, kayak, Gamp (an Adirondack-style kayak thing created by an island hermit), sunfish (sailboat), Adirondack Guide Boat (more about that later), and "the mule," which is like a GATOR.....which is like a dune buggy that carries luggage, wood, and other stuff. Below, CS and I navigate the perilous waterways of Seventh Lake while driving the crew on the pontoon boat. Please take note of a) our matching Phillies hats (go Pedro....and soon Halladay), and b) the BEAUTIFUL yes/no shirt Frian gave me....

Callum hated some parts of the water, and loved others. He hated the "beach" with its shallow and warm little "tidepools," as he kept shouting NA NA NA NA (Callumish for NO) when we tried to put him there; he cried and struggled furiously. But, somehow, he didnt mind as much being dipped off the dock into the deep water whilst wearing his life jacket. Callum's aversion to the water is our fault....we need to be better about exposing him to swimming opportunities. He did not go off the diving board, but he kept crawling to the edge of it. He also loved lapping the water with his hands. As for me, I enjoyed some "true" triathlon style swimming, as I did some laps along the island in preparation for my next triathlon in September. This one will be a lake swim...which TERRIFIES me because I am petrified of not seeing what is underneath me (thats what she said).

Look at Callum's baby man-boobs! This was on "sandy beach," where Callum hated everything to do with the water. However, I was able to pacify him by surrounding him with pine cones. CALLUM LOVES PINECONES. For the rest of the week he enjoyed getting his hand on them. Below, he makes little piles. Also, he helped me collect some for kindling for the stove. And, once they were in the kindling box, he enjoyed stacking them on each other; I think he enjoys the smell and the way his hands get sticky (thats what....). Brian and Michael, who kept Callum entertained greatly, taught him about tadpoles, as Michael collected a few and cupped them in his hands to show Callum....

Pick a winner, Callum! Here's Callum and his "Uncle Fibbers" (the phonetic pronunciation of "Father Brian Smith" aka F.B.S.) We also call him "Frian." Uncle Fibbers just recently left his parish in Florida, and is heading north quite a bit to serve and Anglican church in Fairfax, VA. Aunt Patty also serves a church in VA. Callum really loved getting to meet Brian and spend time with Michael and Andrea! There will be more pictures forthcoming, but like I said, this is just a taste....

Wait until you see the "Aquaskipper." I think Nannie is going to hyperventilate from laughing at this one.....