Wilderness lakes up in the Northland have a certain magic. However, rather than take my word for this fact, trust the princesses! This Labor Day Weekend there have been three princesses (my granddaughters) running around with their magic wands. We feel very safe and special! However, if their magic is not strong enough … our local Ninja can protect us. (we did see a timber wolf near the cabin yesterday)
The birds are always special on Northstar Lake. This Bald Eagle juvenile was screaming “feed me”. I never saw Mom or Dad.
After visiting the eagle, I said hello to a couple of our Common Loons. These birds are in the process of either losing their breeding plumage (the adults), or testing our their flight wings (the juveniles)
I don’t normally post this kind of stuff, but I have been teaching my oldest grandson (10 years old) how to row this Labor Day Weekend. We are using a 12 foot Lund with oars! When we got back to the dock, one of my daughter’s-in-law got out her phone to show a YouTube video of Olympic rowers (Grampa rowed for Dartmouth in the 70’s and placed 2nd at the NCAA’s his senior year in college).
Heck … I thought, why should my grandson watch some unknown oarsman when he can watch Grampa! Thus, I bring you the Dartmouth 25th Reunion Regatta. I ended up in the boat with a bunch of lightweight rowers (maximum weight is 160 pounds … at least back in their college days). I rowed at 177 pounds … a rather light heavyweight rower. These days I tip the scale at 190 pounds.
Dartmouth College Reunion Regatta Row (link for email subscribers)
The location is the Connecticut River which forms the border between New Hampshire and Vermont (Hanover, New Hampshire). I am the #4 oarsman (counting from the bow). I did not have white hair back in 2003. I suggest skipping forward to 4:38 in the video where we get on the water. At 5:22 the theme from Chariots of Fire starts and the old guys row!
One funny aside … a few years ago I bicycle toured through Hanover and stopped to watch the varsity practicing. One of the woman from the 1st eight asked me if I rowed wooden boats and oars back in my day. Yes I responded … and then found the old black and white photograph of my varsity eight which was hanging on the wall in the boathouse. The question made me feel ancient, although both the men’s and women’s varsity claimed they were impressed with the 60 year old guy (and his wife) who were bicycle touring over 2,000 miles carrying their own gear. We looked like young bucks from pre-history.
For those of you who missed out on the opportunity to purchase my children’s picture book which I wrote and photographed about Hoot (The Story of the Amity Owls), a 2nd printing has now been announced. You may purchase a copy now, and your book(s) will be delivered on or before October 1st. Remember, anyone may download a full free PDF version of my book.
You will also be able to watch videos and read commentary with photographs about the Amity Owls via my online extras … also found via the “Do You Hoot?” web page.
