"A Great Day" said Chapin Turkel

A warm, muggy forecast sent us to the Potomac at Harpers Ferry to spend the day on the river. While Jon set the shuttle, Chapin and Turi danced merrily at rivers edge!

Chapin gets into the mood as Jon tries his best to bury the kayak in whitewater.

In Harpers Ferry we parked the kayaks and walked into town for lunch and ice cream.  Here we are walking up a section of the Appalachian Trail (it goes through town)  to Jefferson's rock.  Jefferson allegedly once said the view (from just above where we are) was worth a trip across the Atlantic.

Chapin and Turi setting off after lunch.  This is the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, Harpers Ferry.  The large cliffs in the background left are Maryland, across the river to the right is Virginia, and we are standing in West Virginia.  

Jon and Chapin heading into the whitewater below Harpers Ferry.

Once we got through, Chapin said he got a mouthful of water.  I think this is where it happened!

Riding a wheelie!

And made it through!

Moon Moon Moon...

Moon Moon Moon, my night light
Moon Moon Moon, shining bright
Moon Moon Moon, I can see
Moon Moon Moon, You are taking care of me

A beautiful night on the lake soaking in the moon light and exploring holding the moon in our hands...

1st Day of 2nd Grade...

 

Peace out second grader...
Excitment | Happy | Curious
Very tired and happy at the end of his 1st day...Excited to go back for his "golden" day 2nd day of Scecond Grade. 

Summer Vacation

It was a great 2.5 week tour of the mid-west.  Started with the overnight drive to Chicago where we met up with Caren and Ben Lenderink for breakfast and a bike ride in the subarbs.  Once refreshed we drove up to Janesville in time to see Bobby and the rest of the Rock Aqua Jay's waterski club put on their Wednesday evening show.  Great show and as you can see the weather was fine as well.  Pictured is Turi's cousin Tina, husband Mike and uncle Dave.  Gratefully, Mike and Tina feed us well and we had the chance to sit down with Aunt Joan & Dave and Bri. 

Once in Menomonie Bruce was set on taking the grandkids up in a helicopter!  They loved it, and once back Krister, Robin, and Turi took a spin.  The base was near Colfax and the tour included Tainter and Menomin lakes.  On the way back, they buzzed Randy & Phil's farm where Randy was waving the helicopter away as she thought Krister was going to fall out.  Her waving only made them stay longer and Krister lean out further. 

Kira wanted a bike ride with uncle Jon and he was only too happy to oblige, and take everyone else along too.  The Red Cedar trail with temps in the 70's was perfect, lunch in Downsville (7 miles) with Robin who provided the ride home.

Kira and Chapin using kneeboards to paddle around on lake Menomin.

Chapin's first year on the long line, he made it look so fun his parents had to join him!

The boat slips once again were the center piece of the Menomonie experience.  This is the good life!

Sandy found that UW Stout rents paddleboards and picked one up.  Kira and Chapin saw this as an opportunity to trade up from the kneeboards and took off.  A second paddleboard was rented and everyone had fun taking turns.  Being at the boatslips it didn't take long for someone to get the idea to be towed behind the boat.  It's fun, nothing easier than standing up on the board to get started!

 Unfortunately the Turkels' had to leave, fortunately the drive home included taking the carferry from WI to MI where we camped at a state park by a lake.  In the morning we packed up and headed across MI to Ontario, where, (Turi's observation) things are very tidy.  And, (Chapin's observation), the sushi is very good.

 

Niagara Falls!

Destined for the Maid of the Mist boat tour.

These smurfs were very happy to have their costumes on.  It poured at the base of the falls and you couldn't hear a word the announcer was saying (don't know why they bother).

A final walk around the American side of the falls before heading home to VA. 

Thanks to everyone for making this summer vacation so special - Love, Turi, Jon & Chapin.

 

 

 

Go Chapin, Go Chapin, Go Chapin, GO!

When I first presented the idea to Chapin about doing a triathlon I thought he would be excited, instead I got, "No thanks, sounds hard."  We backed off after than but ultimately he decided to give it a shot.  On the way to the kids triathlon at Sherando Park, Stephens City, VA. 

Chapin checked in and ready to go.  Decided to go shirtless as they put a race number on your arm anyway, and saved the trouble to putting on a shirt when wet.

Here Chapin is taking a breather break from the 25m Crawl, first leg of the event.

Out of the pool and into the transition area.

The one strap shoes proved to be the key to a quick transition, that and no shirt.

Off to the start of the bike portion.

Go biker go!

And running through the finish gate!  An event well done.

Happy and worth ever moment....

And 4th Place goes toooooooooooooo......Chapin Turkel!  A great finish for this first timer, especially since he was the second youngest boy in his age group.  Look out 6-8 year olds, we'll be back next year!

Radically Unfocused

Life has been busy...Somehow I am unable to gather focus for the blog.  Will start small.  Baby steps...Post a few pictures here and there...Then hopefully grow from there...

New Home for the Ladies...

 

 

 

 

Ladies are settling in to their new home.  We still let them out when we are out  at the end of the day or if I am out in the garden in the afternoon.  We are determined to have the hungers of spring not prey on our little ladies.  "Foxy that means you!!!!"