BOO!

Cross an 11-yr old with a 13-yr old, and THIS is the result.

One Harry Potter character - a seeker - complete with snitch, wand, robes and MORE.
And one GOTH wannabee!

We had a fun night - I hope you did too.....

David on The Danube

After work Wednesday the group had a 90 minute walking tour of the city in small groups. Then they had dinner on a moored boat (like the one down at the Corning Preserve - but this was MUCH nicer - BUT GASP - on the Danube!). Then they all walked back to the hotel - another 30 minute walk. (edit - if only we all had this ethic of WALKING - here it would have been a BUS tour of the city - and cabs home) This picture is the view out the window of the boat from David's seat during dinner. It is looking accross the river towards the castle that the castle district is named after. It now contains several museums.

A-hem - the REAL picture

See following (actually previous) post for the FUNNY HAHA. This is where David & Co. had an impromptu lunch at an outdoor cafe. This is looking over toward Budapest. The large building just past the beautiful bridge is St. Peters Basiclica. Just gorgeous!

David in BUDAPEST

David went to Hungary Sunday for Momentive's Annual Productivy Summit. Here are some random shots he took on NO sleep for 33 hours - Monday afternoon in and around Budapest.
This is SUPPOSED to be a shot of the river. I think NOT - let's call it FATIGUE still!
St. Stephen's Basicilica -

The OCTAGON - an area near his hotel.

The courtyard inside his hotel. He's on the 4th floor - and it's magnificent inside and out.

A Co-workier outside the Museum of Natural HIstory. NATCH - it was closed on Monday when they had time to cruise around. He's stayign thru the weekend so will have 2-3 days to sight see at the end of the week after the WORK is done. Um - have heard a lot about food and wine - so not sure what the true agenda is here!!!

and, sadly, Irene visits New York

Well - by Saturday we knew that "Irene" was heading our way. A few precautions paid off. The wind forcast of 40-70 mph didn't pan out - and that was FINE, but we did get at least 6" of rain in less than 12 hours. This was devistating to our region. Thankfully - we're on really high ground. We suffered NO water in in appropriate places, no power loss (not sure how we lucked out there - we usually loose it for awhile), and no downed trees. Really LUCKY. Here are two of Davids Water DIVERSION PIPES - on all the downspouts. The basement stayed DRY!
The back yard did not. Here is a huge puddle forming over the septic area. It is all dry today. We had a beautiful dry 65F day - and are forecast for more of the same all week.

We even brought our little Silver Spangled Hamburgs into the garage for Sunday. We never opend the coop - and these little beauties tend to be at the bottom of the pecking order. So - we saved them the abuse by "crating" them for the day. We also brought the canoes into the garage, lots of potted plants, and patio furniture from the decks.

Now the aftermath. This is Route 2 just East of Brunswick. This is a mile from the girls school. This section is a total wash out. Friends live along this creek and have businesses here. We're not in touch with them (loss of their power) and don't know how they are faring.

The girls and I went up to the Schaghticoke Fair grounds to make their 4H Fair entries today. See www.tandskill.blogspot.com for all that "news". On the way home I stopped to take a few pictures of the Hoosic River. THis is usually a "small" tributary to the Hudson. OMG - it was just devistating to see. Made my stomach turn over.

Another shot of the Hoosic River.

Then we headed to Lansingburg - along the Hudson. The river, at 4pm, was starting to crest. Realize - this is 24 hours after Irene had departed this region. Just a mess. David's plant is just a few miles up-river from here. They have been shutdown since Saturday - no flooding - the river crested just short of really making a mess of this facility. Local towns, Waterford, Troy, Lansingburg -not so lucky. Lots of homes underwater, lots of roads washed out, lots of homes GONE - even an historic covered bridge in Vermont which took a huge hit from this storm.

New York State Fair

Ingrid and Grace start the long trek from the parking lot, over I-690 and other roads, to the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse. A LONG walk.
Grace needs a bit of a break after the walk was done. HEre she is with her poster and frame pack - all set for her demonstration - one at 10:30 and another at 2:30.

Really - it wasn't child abuse - she INSISTED to carry this 32 Pound pack from the FAR ORANGE LOT to the 4H building. We need to talk to our COUNTY EDUCATOR about the parking arrangements! She carried it all the way back at the end of the day too. We were tired - and actually, left a bit earlier than planned due to IRENE - we wanted to be sure to get home ahead of the rain and help David put some of the heavier stuff away. Canoes- grills - What would a fair be without suckling piglets! 12 on 1! WOWIE! It was cute - they wagged their little stumpie tails.

Fun Fun Fun Sugar - looking for Donna (her pet duck from, well - 50 years ago!). Sugar LOVES ducks!

Grace on the stage during her 1st presentation on the main stage.

Jack's quest was complete - he found the Gianelli stand - sausage and peppers. We parted from them around 2pm - I wonder if he had a SECOND HELPING before hitting the road! Sugar and the girls - walking about! While Jack was "feasting"!

Grace - checking the time to see if it's time to start her 2nd presentation!

Grace -doing her 2nd presentation!

OMG - Grace petting Wick - amazing - and a BEAUTIFUL horse.

Many thanks to Jack & Sugar for sharing Grace's presentations with us and this fun day at the New York State Fair!

Big Moose Lake - NY

This unique display near the fire station announces ones arrival to BIG MOOSE!
and a few miles down the road - we come to the Orvis camp. It was once part of the Glenmore Hotel - an historic sort of place from 100 years ago. Neat stuff.

The girls found the basement and launched the two kayaks within an hour of our arrival. It was as if they SMELLED them out! Grace LOVES being out on the water .......... and Ingrid thinks the porch swing is pretty neat!

Ingrid and this loon (just behind her shoulder) had a nice cruize around the lake until he took a dive! We have seen and heard loons on EVERY lake we've been on this summer. Wonderful to experience. Just relaxing...

No - there is no dishwasher and YES - you will DO ther dishes.....

Saturday there was a Water Ski Show - so cool to spill down onto our borrowed dock and spectate. Very nice - relaxing even!

Give a teenager a stereo - with a BIG MIRROR over - and she'll "get to work"! Big Moose Lake just before sunset with fog starting to spill onto the water. Our Camp Owners will have a fit - - - we "BORROWED" the canoe and one Kayak to go explore a nearby lake - Twitchell - just a few miles away. This camp has been here a long leanin' time! Love the accidental shot with the unusual paddle!

David was enchanged with this little lake. So quiet. No big boats. Now - here is an ideal camp.

After reading Woodswoman (I and II and III and IV) it was clear thatAnne LaBastille led an interesting life. Some knew where her 12'x12' self-built cabin was - but most not until she passed away last month. It was very nostalgic to be here the weekend of her memorial. Whatt a life - read the books!

The water off the Twitchell Dock was deep enough for some good jumping!

The outflow just charming. A WWI memorial marks the spot. Tranquil.