Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: The Lake

  • Plans for today

    It’s raining, again. Fully overcast with a forecast for thundershowers, but hey it’s Sunday at the lake and by 5pm, the sun will be out as many head back into the city, but not us, we’re still on vacation and Monday is looking awesome at 26 and sunny!

    In spite of the weather, we’re heading out to catch the 8:30am start of the 4th annual Kenora Borealis Triathlon / Duathlon. I’ve seen some very cool Tri bikes around town this week, so it should be interesting.

    Triathlon Manitoba

    The 4th annual Kenora Borealis Triathlon / Duathlon takes place on Sunday July 20th at Garrow Beach on Rabbit Lake in Kenora. It features an Olympic and Sprint Triathlon, a Long and Sprint Duathlon, and a Try-a Tri (for athletes 12 & up). The Long Duathlon and Sprint Triathlon are qualifying events for the 2009 Triathlon World Championships

    Assuming we’re not in a torrential downpour, we’ll head over to the Tunnel Island trails to repair one of my geocaches. After that, we’re winging it.

  • Squirrel Wars

    Three days ago the enemy penetrated our perimeter defenses for the second time. He was located hiding in a water reservoir. After a short skirmish, the enemy was extracted and left on the side of the road, presumed dead. After this incursion it was necessary to fortify the perimeter with IEDs (improvised entrapment devices).

    Two nights ago there where heavy casualties inflicted on the squirrel army. Two dead, one wounded and one prisoner. The wounded and prisoner were relocated far from enemy lines. Last night it was quiet on the battle front, but this lull in the action will not make us complacent for we must be ever vigilant until victory has been assured. Repairs to the perimeter may take place today to facilitate improved ventilation to the fortress.

  • Rocky and Bullwinkle

    But there was no Bullwinkle, just Rocky.

    We’re watching the CBC National news on TV and there is a clatter in the cottage. We think there is something on the deck, but no, it’s in the house, and it’s a squirrel. He’s trying to get at the chocolate cake and in the process he’s knocked the knives off the breadbox. After chasing him up and down the house a couple of times either trying to guide him out the front patio door or snag him in a blanket he suddenly runs up the kitchen window screen and disappears behind the valance and he’s gone! It turns out there is a hole in the screen!

    Earlier this morning we noticed that some fruit, a pear and a banana, had been nibbled on, and both Gord and Shirley had heard some “noises” in the night. We thought it was mice and set the traps, but it seems like the culprit was something a little larger.

    Tomorrow’s task – fix the screen.

  • Early morning


    Early morning
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I was up sort of early this morning, not quite early enough to catch the sunrise, but definitely some nice calm quiet time to do some reading down a the dock. I’m currently reading Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge and enjoying the book very much.

    After some reading I’m feeling the need, the need for speed, on the bike that is. So, after attaching a second water bottle cage and loading up, I’m off for a run into Kenora. The route is about a 40km return trip with the usual hill climbs to get from our branch road out to the highway. After that, it’s paved shoulders all the way, but with some longer, less steep grades. In preparation for the upcoming mountain hike of Mt. Thompson, I’m climbing every hill out of the saddle to work the legs more and hopefully simulate more of a climbing exercise that will pay off when we’re hiking.

    Garry & the Bike
    Garry and the Bike
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Just after starting the ride, it started to rain, and then it rained harder, but hey it’s warm and it’s only water so I push on to Kenora. It rains the entire way for about one hour, and I’m fully soaked. After a little crusing around town, it’s back to the cottage. This part of the ride is rain-free, but there are still puddles and spray from cars. When I’m back I notice a gritty feeling in my mouth were I’ve apparently inhaled some road debris. Yummy!

    Shirley in the Kayak
    Shirley in the Kayak
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    After making a post-ride breakfast of bacon and eggs, it’s down to the dock, where it’s now hot and sunny with very few clouds. Shirley and I head out for a paddle in the kayaks down to the bottom of the bay and I’m starting to think that a shirt would have been a good idea as the hot sun is frying my back. However, things change quickly and as we’re paddling back a thunder clap is heard and we’re caught in a downpour and get totally soaked by the time we’re back at the dock. An hour later as I write this, it’s clear and sunny again. It’s been quite a weather day!

    Tonight, nobody cooks as we’re going out to the Plaza Restaurant to celebrate a birthday.

  • Reflecting

    It’s the day after the wedding and we’re taking it easy around the house. Gail and Gord are staying with us and we’re reflecting on yesterdays activities and catching up on family news over a couple of cups of coffee. After breakfast we head out to the lake. Gail and Gord are returning a rental car and heading out with the Bonniville so they can return on Wednesday.

    We’re packing for vacation, so that takes the rest of the afternoon and we’re on the road at about 5:30pm. After unloading and a late evening snack at the cottage everyone is zapped and it’s early to bed. Looking forward to a relaxing couple of weeks.

  • Cottage Stuff


    Water Control Valve
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    For some reason opening the cottage this year seems to be taking longer that ever. Traditionally, May long weekend and it’s all done. Here we are on June 24th and the boat has yet to be flipped over and put in the water.

    Perhaps, the fact that I’m sitting around and enjoying my 2nd, soon to be 3rd cup of coffee that is impeding progress. With the cottage now entering it’s 26th year, every year seems to bring a new little challenge to the start up process. This year, it was the “blue thing” over there. It’s a part of the washing machine that as I write is shaking the cottage on the spin cycle. Hmmmm, that foundation really needs to be checked out. But hey, it’s been like this since day 1.

    Back to the “blue thing”. After getting the water on and hooking everything up, I thought I was done, but not so. On one trip into the workshop I noticed that the carpet was wet, never a good sign. It seems that one of the hoses was leaking. The first attempt was to tighten the hose. Didn’t work. Second try was to replace the hose as it seemed to be coming from the hose fitting at the “blue thing”. wrong again. OK, now on much closer inspection, the “blue thing” had a very small crack in the thread fitting for the cold water.

    After a brief internet search and an email to a local parts show, we had our replacement part for a whooping $29.95. Not a bad deal to restore a washing machine that is as old as the cottage. Installation was relatively easy, but I’ve been advised this morning that I may have not connected the hot water correctly, as we’re getting a cold water wash when it should be hot but, it’s not leaking any more. Perhaps after another coffee…

  • Weekend at the lake with the guys


    Snowbirds over Kenora
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo
    Photo by: Scott (s2photo)

    I had a great weekend at the lake with Eric & Scott, just us guys. We had some good food, lots of R&R, some kayaking, some fireworks, more R&R (sleeping) and a quick look at the Snowbirds on the way home.

  • Early morning paddle



    Rays
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I’m at the lake this weekend with Eric & Scott for “guys” weekend. While they were sleeping I was up shortly after sunrise. After brewing some coffee to go, I headed out in the kayak for a paddle. How convenient that even the kayak has a cup holder. After a leisurely cruise around the bay I returned to the cottage to find out it was 8am and I’ve been gone for 2hrs. Time flies when you’re having fun. I captured some great pictures down in the small marsh at the end of our bay

  • New kayak at the Lake


    Shirley in the Sky
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    The May long weekend is the traditional cottage opening weekend for us. “Opening” a cottage for those not familiar with the process is primarily about starting up the water system and other lesser tasks to get the place up and running after being shutdown for the winter. If friends invite you to the lake for either May long weekend or Thanksgiving, it’s best to decline unless you’re into working a lot.

    Starting up the water system was relatively easy. There were no “surprise” breaks in any of the lines and the pump prime kicked in on the third time lucky. It would have started on the first try, but I couldn’t get the screen off the foot valve to let all the air out of the line. After opening the valve to the cottage a fast look around confirmed that there were no floods taking place. However, a little dripping sound in the shop area where the washing machine is located indicated a small problem. One of the connection hoses wouldn’t seat correctly and will need to be replaced. Well, I guess after 25 years some things will need to be replaced from time to time.

    The new lake “toy” for this year is a second kayak. We enjoyed the first one last year and decided that two would be even more fun. While I like solo paddling, company can be great too! So, after getting the basics tended to around the cottage Shirley and I headed out for our first paddle with both the boats. Things went well for the first few minutes until Shirley’s new boat has a minor breakdown at sea. One of the rudder cables where it’s attached to the rudder decides to let go. It’s a stainless steel cable crimp that must have been defective. We manage to carry on with out the rudder, the way all good pro paddlers paddle anyway.

    After a short loop around the bay, the clouds are rolling in and it’s not too warm in the first place, so it’s back to the dock. All in all a great first outing.

    Oh yeah, I took the pictures with my Olympus SW790 waterproof camera. I’m looking forward to may more great shots from water level. While it may be waterproof, dropping it in 70′ of water could be a problem. I think I’ll hook up a tether to my PFD for subsequent trips. (More kayak photos).


    Technorati Tags: kayak, lake, cottage

  • Leaving the Lake

    The weather was good today, sunny, warm for the time of year and light breezes. I slept until the sun poked through the clouds and into my room. It seemed like I’d slept in quite late, but it was only 9am. After a few cups of blender grind coffee and some scrambled eggs and toast I was off to take in the last kayak paddle of the ’07 season.

    Getting the 17′ Necky out of the cottage and down the stairs single handed was a littel challenging, but not too bad. Locating the paddles that were tucked away in the back corner of the shed behind the sailboat centerboard took longer. After a little boat prep, I’m off for a tour of the bay. What a difference this time of year, very quiet, very few people around, virtually no boats and virtually no wildlife. As I enter the shallow bay just north of our cottage I’m struck with the lack of wildlife. Normally, the bay/swamp is teaming with life but today it’s very quiet. No birds, no ducks, no eagles, no beavers, no otters; very quiet and very still, you feel quite alone.

    As I paddle around the bay, most folks have packed up for the season and have put away docks and boats. One cottage has some interesting activity at the dock. A barge, with a bobcat is working. Using some chains hooked to the bucket of the bobcat and around some dock segments, they are lifting the dock out of the water for the winter. Up at the top of our point a crew is busy putting in a new dock with a big deck, which looks very nice.

    I took a walk out to the point along the trail and sat in the chair for a few minutes, just enjoying the view and remembering the summer. After that it seemed to be time to pack up and go as the sun is starting to dip, seemingly prematurely at 4:30 in the afternoon and you can feel the chill building as the sun’s warm rays begin to fade away. Washing the dishes from the weekend and re-setting the fireplace seems to take a long time, or is it that I’m making it take a long time, drawing out the last few moments of enjoyment and soaking up that last little but if lake life before heading back to the city. The sun is setting over the lake as I arrive in Kenora. The lake has it’s hold on me as I stop in at HoJo’s for a chai latte and a little internet fix before the drive.

    It’s getting dark and the road home is calling. Time to go.