Asta Ilves - 80th Birthday!

Congratulations, Asta!

From Tom's reports, it sounded like quite a party.

Even at 80, you still carry yourself with such beauty and grace. How could one resist the opportunity to serenade you?

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

xxoo

August 22nd, 1928

13 Days - Killarney Provincial Park: August 9th - 21st, 2008

We started out in the Rain. It rained for two days. We were discouraged, but then the weather changed. We woke up to the glorious sun shining down on us on our third day. It stayed with us for the remainder of our trip - hidden away occasionally when a few storms' thunderous clouds opened up and gave us a rinse during their journey amongst the white granite peaks of the park.
Despite our rather loud presence (the kids chattering and Chopper barking), we encountered lots of wildlife this trip including two yearling bears on separate occasions. Our first encounter was on Muriel Lake, the mornng after our one and only rest day on the trip. We woke up to Chopper's booming - every piece of fur standing up in a ridge down his back - bark, that immediately made us aware something big was on our site. Tom took a look and Chopper had chased a yearling black bear up a tree not far off. He would do this a few more times, before Tom exited the tent and scared the bear of for good.
We saw another one a few days later swimming approximately 100 meters away from us across the lake we were about to start paddling on. I caught a glimpse of a moose before Chopper started barking. We also saw a number of painter turtles, a snapper that swam under our boat, some blue heron, some beavers, and some loons. One loon even swam under the water towards us coming to just a few feet away. Even at the end of our trip we almost hit a red-tailed hawk that scooped up a small rabbit and was struggling to fly away with it in front of our car. Very exciting!
We stayed at a cabin twice during our trip that was built by the Kramer family in the 1920's. They keep the main room with the fireplace open to anyone who is looking for a place to stay. It was rustic but welcoming to wet and weary travelers like us. It is nestled on a beautiful island on Howry Lake in the Park.
To end our trip we drove to South Baymouth and caught the ChiCheeMaun ferry to Tobermory. We took our time going back home, stopping at a beautiful sandy beach in Olaphant on the Bruce Peninsula. The water was shallow which allowed the kids to play in the water for hours.
Fantastic trip - Killarney Provincial Park gets two thumbs way up for a family canoe tripping destination.

Rein's First Gig as a Magician's Assistant

Busker's Rendezvous - Kingston, July 11th

Rein and another young assistant helped a Magician saw a person in half and pull the boxes holding their upper and lower body apart.

He did an exceptional job and may continue a career as a Magician himself one day....

Happy Summer, Everyone!

Well, it is officially summer, and Buck Lake is busy! Our seasonal neighbours have arrived in full force. People are boating, canoeing, waterskiing, swimming, and lounging in the sun.

This is a big year for Rein - he is biking on his own now and regularly goes for a spin up the road to visit neighbours. He is also swimming entirely on his own this year. He has become an adept snorkeler. He spends hours a day swimming around with his snorkel and mask discovering new elements of his underwater world.

Silka loves to just sit in the water right up to her chin. Today, she wore water wings and hitched a ride on Tom's and my back as we swam around the dock. She always kicks up a fuss when it is time to come out. Her shivering body and blue lips don't seem to effect her . . . I remember those days.

We have a jam-packed summer of activities ahead of us! We have bought a digital camera to capture more moments to share with you all. Stay tuned....

Leslie's First Half Marathon - 2:08!

Ottawa ING Race Weekend - May 25th, 2008

I ran a negative split - apparently, this is the way you want to run a race. I ran a slower first half and turned it up in the last half. I guess all my training paid off!

I sprinted to the finish line with the crowd cheering all around me - it was phenomenal!

I have got the running bug and I am looking for my next race......