August 12 - 31, 2022

In an effort to catch up, I'll just throw the rest of August into this post. It was a fairly quiet time interspersed with my usual activities with friends to keep life interesting - for me anyway. I'll just throw up any decent pictures from my camera roll and caption them to keep updated on the second half of August. I don't take pictures of everything I do, so there was yard day in which I mowed and chopped a massive amount of tree and shrub limbs to get picked up. Several bike rides on the 10 mile town loop, a colonoscopy 😒, lunch with Janice and Dale, a hike w/ Annette which included an impromptu estate sale. Plus wine time on the patio when Annette is in need of a chat. It was a nice mix of down time and fun time.

August 16 2022

 I took myself on a little hike to Barberville Falls. This shows just how dry it's been this summer. The whole face of the rock is usually cascading water. It did enable me to cross the stream completely and get a view from the opposite shore.

The Ridge Loop trail is home to one of my favorite trees. It reminds me of the Ents in Lord of The Rings.

August 18 2022 Hiking day
 I did a double header hike with the Hiking Mates group.  We hiked Holt Preserve in the morning, then Bennet Preserve after lunch. A total of 6.5 miles on a beautiful day.


August 19 2022 Kayaking on the Hudson River at Henry Hudson Park in Coeyman's, NY. I paddled with Ann Marie and Ginny.  AnnMarie and I had a late lunch at Yanni's afterward.
Bald eagle spotted not five minutes after we started paddling.

The eagle was joined by a very vocal juvenile who caused them both to fly away.

Ginny in her new kayak on another beautiful summer day.

August 20 2022  Pesto day.
The basil was starting to flower so I decided to make a batch for the freezer. I use walnuts because I detest 
pine nuts for some reason.

The finished product. I also harvested 3 batches of kale (bug free!) for the freezer.

August 21, 2022
Susan invited me to join her to Boat and Bike On The Canal, a free program to ride a paddlewheel boat 16 miles from Schuylerville to Stillwater, then board your bikes and ride back through Washington and Rensselaer County. The boat ride was a bit long at 2.5 hrs, and the biking was at a challenging pace for me, but what a great day. We finished with dinner in Schuylerville at Saratoga Eats!

A mechanical depiction of one of the mules that pulled the canal boats back in the day.


Time lapse video of our trip through lock 4.



I didn't realize it was a paddle boat until we were almost to our destination.

Osprey family by the canal.

The Champlain Canal.

Schuylerville horse covered in monarchs.

August 22, 2022 Back at home.
    The ever present butterflies are so appreciated!

A visitor in the front yard.


August 24 - 25, 2022

I got a drone!! I have wanted a drone for a few years now and I just decided to go for it. 
I got the DJI Mini 3 Pro and spent 2 days charging it and learning about it. This is my very first drone selfie taken at the Classie Lassie ball fields a mile from home. It is recommended to practice flying in wide open fields.
My first drone photo.



I rode my bike to the ball fields and decided to get in a hill workout on the way back. This nail through my tire is the result. Bike had a spa day in the shop getting the full maintenance treatment along with a new tire - $230!


August 26 - 28, 2022 My niece Emily came for a visit to pick up the desk from Aunt Pat and adventure with Auntie Maureen. We went kayaking on Long Pond at Grafton Lake State Park, then picked up some Thai food to take to the final Harbor Jam concert with fireworks! 

On Long Pond with Em.

On the harbor with Em.

The sunset was beautiful.

Star Light, an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute band.


I'm looking forward to September!










Comments

  1. MargaretSeptember 3, 2022 at 12:24 PM

    Wow, such beautiful sights! I love how busy you keep and active. I try, but have to resort to walking and running around my neighborhood. (not the most scenic) Pesto is delicious! My boyfriend has a drone; there are so many restrictions on where he can fly it though. Too many airports in the vicinity. :)

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