The Heads Up Family, Or, Nature Interpretive Pontoon Ride

On Friday, Aug 23, 2013, we were luck enough to gain seats at the last minute for an interpretive Nature Exploration of Presque Isle's Misery Bay and lagoons.  Our captain of the boat also was our tour guide.  He gave us history of Misery Bay and some of the War of 1812, and Oliver Hazard Perry and his role in our area. We had a full boat.  We went out into Misery Bay, saw some sites, and then proceeded back into the lagoons.  We here learned more about the way Nature landscapes the Peninsula, and also continues to do so. We were able to view some beaver dam lodges, and heard about some of the local wildlife and fauna, and also some of the invasive European invaders.  The second British Invasion!  Any way. along the way, we can to a resting site for turtles.  I have called them the Heads Up Family. And you will see why in just a few.  Also was lucky enough to catch a few photos of water Lillie's in bloom.  Sit back, and enjoy a few photos.

And here below were some people enjoying the self guided tour in their kayaks.

Perry Monument

Coast Guard and EPA doing studies of the waters

 

We got bird MOONED!

City bay front from Misery Bay 

The next group of travelers to explore

As Marlon went up stream to set up base camp, we travelers were out and upon the excursion.

Can never leave without a view from the car. Notice who is driving!

I Was Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

  Reminiscing recently of Otis Redding's song recently made me just want to go sit on the dock. As we sat in camp chairs, the song was going thru my mind, and here are some of the images I took last Friday afternoon.  Just to keep you up to date, here is a copy of the song written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding, and sung famously by Otis Redding.

Sitting in the morning sun
I'll be sitting when the evening come
Watching the ships roll in
And I'll watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away, ooh
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco bay
I have nothing to live for
Look like nothings gonna come my way

So I'm just go sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remain the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess, I'll remain the same, yes

Sitting here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, yes
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home

Now I'm just go sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away, ooh
Sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time

  Here is the water Taxi that a lot of us in our youth, used to take over to the Peninsula for our swims at the lake, and use to get back to Erie before dinner time. It is still up and operating, but, not at the same costs as it did when I was young.

  

Not only were there human fishermen on the dock with us, we were even treated by a visit from a Blue Heron who came by to watch the ships come in.  After a bit, it did fly across the inlet, and I think that he may have been sizing up the child to see if he would qualify as a meal. Eventually, came back across the inlet to once again visit with us.

  This is actually how far across the inlet was.  Just did not want to mislead anyone about how narrow the channel is.  If you blow up the photo, you can see that the Heron is next to the child, and they are almost the same height.

Sunsets over Lake Ontario

  This will be another photo blog.  I will start off by listing the wide angle shots first, and then add on the zoomed in close ups.  I hate to admit, but the red colors in the zoomed in photos are not what the naked eye detected.  It is just the workings of digital cameras.  I will admit, I did not do any tweeking of the photos, just liked them they way they were.

As I Grow Older, I find That I Am Turning Into My Father

 Sheesh, and event this week has really brought this home to me. As I was working for my client, I was asked and scheduled to replace the innards of a toilet tank. 20 minute job right?  WRONG!  By 6 PM, we had water turned off to the mobile home, and was ready to start the job.

  As most of you know, most all fittings on a toilet tank should only be tightened hand tight, and no more. Well, that was not the case with this one.  Looks as though nothing had been updated in this tank for over 20 years. Who ever did the work did not believe in washers, He must have believed that you just have to tighten it a bit tighter is all.  And, here starts where I am becoming my father. I was ill prepared for enough proper tools to do the job. My family is all snickering at that last statement. You would have to know my father to appreciate that one.

  Disconnecting the water supply was relative easy ordeal. So far I still did not know what I was getting into. Had I mentioned that my day was supposed to end at 7 PM yet? After water was disconnected, that was where everything went wrong. Next item on check list in replacement instructions says to loosen the nut on bottom of upper tank so as to remove the worn part.   That nut just would not release.  And, as my father was wont to do quite often, all I had with me was an adjustable wrench. I could not get a good enough bite on the nut.  I ended up breaking off the threaded part of which the water supply hooks to so now I am really committed to finishing this job.

  Next bright idea is to loosen the whole tank assembly and turn tank to where I could access the nut easier. Problem number two occurs.  I did not have, nor the client have a socket set. First trip to WalMart. One tiny nut will not unscrew all the way. Comes down so far, and then just twists, but does not more down the threads. Other bolt came off easily.  If you know me, you know that I cannot kneel for long as my knees are bad. So after about 5 minutes working I would have to stop, and stand and walk to ease pain in knees.  Have I mentioned that it is now after 8 PM?  Came back with tools now in hand!  Started to work on the nut, and what happens?  Bolt snaps at the head where it is in the tank.  Back to WalMart for replacement bolts.

  Wow, what a difference! No hex head nuts, and not only two rubber washers, but also two steel ones. And final nut is a wing nut! Sweet!  Reassembled the tank to the bowl, took a break for some juice, and then back to final assembly and hook up of water line to the tank. Tank goes on, and all washers are in proper alignment and order.  Guts go in, adjust the height to existing water marks, hook up water line. Put washers in place, both inside the tank as well as on threads outside the tank, and snug nuts, and reattach water supply. JOB DONE!  And now, it is time to clean up and job is done at 11:30 PM, Way over time!  Just as my father would have been.. A 20 minute job ended up taking Five and a half hours to complete.

  I AM MY FATHER!