Fisherwoman!

Here is a video of Taylor fishing at the lake by our house. She also caught a tennis ball that day as well. I think she enjoys catching weeds and trash as much as she would actually catching fish. I love this girl....

Finally....

Well as most of you know I have been babying my garden for what feels like a year but has definitely been months. Well since it has become extremely hot and humid here on the Cape I knew that my tomatoes would finally start to flourish. I picked my first bunch of cherry and roma tomatoes yesturday and I also got my biggest bushel of green beans yet. I know this is going to sound dumb but everytime I go out to pick my green beans I feel like my Papa is smiling down on me. He loved to garden and grew more green beans then I can even imagine. I hope that he sees me and feels my pride. I have never been a gardener like he was and I can only hope he thinks my beans are as good as his were.

Trav ate our first tomatoes tonight with a little salt and pepper, drizzled with EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar. He said they were delicious. So I am waiting with anticipation for my dad to arrive and try them as well. He loves a fresh, sliced tomato with a bit of salt and pepper so I look forward to feeding him some as well.

Ft. Ticonderoga

We drove up to Ft. Ticonderoga while on our vacation to upstate NY. It was a really nice drive and I was so eager to see the fort and learn about its history. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed walking the grounds and learning the history of this National Landmark that was built sometime between 1755 and 1759.

I wanted to include a little history about the fort so that you could all understand its significance in American history:

It was strategically built by the French with the hopes of controlling Lake Champlain, the North face of Vermont and also it is at this point that Lake George enter Lake Champlain via a small river. Whoever controlled this region would in essence control north-south waterway. So the greatest victory of the Seven Year War was fought and won by the French at this garrison.

Later in 1775, at the onset of the American Revolution the first American victory came at Ft. Ticonderoga when the American troops surprised a small amount of sleeping soldiers and hence, the Americans gained control of the fort and the northern region. It was taken over once more by both the British and the Americans before being completely abandoned in the late 18th century.

It remained abandoned and was pillaged by people in the region until 1820 when it was purchased by an entrepreneur and later turned into a hotel. It was eventually donated to a non profit organization who still holds the rights to the fort and the garrison grounds.

So if any of you are ever in upstate NY or Northern Vermont I highly recommend seeing this great piece of American history.

The kids with an 18th century soldier working on repairing some clothing. He also did the musket/bayonet demonstrations.

The entrance to the Fort. There were beautiful wooden doors at least a foot thick here.

Looking West from the fort towards New York State.

Looking East from the fort towards Vermont

Garrison Walls built at least 12-24 inches thick to withstand a cannon.


Taylor sitting in a cannon.

Inside the fort grounds in front of the enlisted quarters.

Trav in front of the officers quarters

From atop the fort overlooking Lake Champlain.

Vacation...

Well we are back from our week long vacation to Lake George/Schroon River in the Adirondack Mtns of Upstate NY. It was everything we had hoped the trip would be and more. Upstate NY is so beautiful and the campground we were staying at was exactly what we hoped it would be. We spent the week occupying our time with fishing, tubing the river, sightseeing and just being tourist. Our campsight was right up next to the Schroon River which feeds into the Hudson River just north of Albany, NY. The Adirondack area is very friendly for the traveler who is looking for some outdoor activities. There really was never a dull moment for us. It was just so great to be away from the TV and cell phones and do nothing but entertain ourselves outside. The kids had such a great time. We look forward to returning to the region next summer for more fun.

The only bad part of the entire trip was that my camera (practically an extension of my arm and hand) died on our second day there. We were heading up to Ft. Ticonderoga for the day and it just stopped working. As I was weeping in tears about this, Trav pulled into a Walmart and bought me a small camera that would get me throught he week. So my photos of Ft. Ticonderoga are on a disposable camera that is being developed. Once I have them I will upload the photos to the blog. The history geek that I am took as many photos as I could and enjoyed every minute of my tour around the fort and all the educational history that we all got by going there. So those picture will follow shortly.

Otherwise, here is the recap of our week in the Adirondack Mtns.


Our little hunter patiently waited and stalked many chipmunks throughout the week. He never did get anything, but it wasn't from a lack of trying.

An old tree listing towards the river as erosion takes its toll on the banks

View of the river from our campsite through the trees. We enjoyed many moments, whether it be drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or at night listening to the water from our camper.

A view of the river through berries that were growing alongside the shore.


The Schroon River was fabulous for Tubing. Trav and Travi took the first run and eventually we convinced Taylor to try it, so I was able to go as well. We all did great until we hit the rapids and then Taylor was done and didn't want to go again.

All of us heading down river approaching one of two bridges that we went under

Me enjoying the scenery and the sunshine while tubing down the river courtesy of the current and a little paddling from Trav

Trav floating down with us. We were all tied together but floating on our own inflatables.

My feet having a great time in my Keens as we floated.

The kids having a great time. Taylor was all smiles until we came up on the small rapids and then her fun came to a screeching halt.



Fishing and Fun...
Travi loved the fishing on the river. He caught several Sun Fish and saw several other fish and frogs. He fished daily thanks to his dad floating him to the other side of the river were it was a bit calmer. His dad also bought him is first Jr. Bow and Arrow while we were there. So he practiced his shot all week. He is actually getting good and considers himself to be one of the last "Great White Hunters" of this current era. He fully entends to be killing large game during the coming hunting season. Its pretty funny!!


Taylor was beyond thrilled that her old friend "Hairy" found his way up to our campsite.

Bombfire at the campground

Travi practicing with his Bow and Arrow. These are not lethal arrow yet....

Proud moment for this avid outdoorsman!!

Fishing on the other side of the river


We also went to the pool every day. The water was heated to between 80 and 90 degrees, which is suitable for Taylor. Travi basically wore Trav out everyday and would swim and jump until we drug him out of the water.





Lake George and the Village

We actually were staying about 10 miles west of Lake George "Queen of Americas Lakes" on the river, so we drove down to the Village and the lake for the day. We took a lake cruise which was not as fun as we hoped considering it rained the entire time on the boat. I am not just talking about a little rain either. If we had known there was a Flash Flood Advisory for the area we would have rethought the whole day. I guess that is one downside to being completely shut off from the world. Making the best of it we saw passed the buckets of rain and reminded the kids we our Alaska residents and do not fear weather under any circumstances.


Kids on a huge Adirondack Chair in the village

View of Lake George coming over from our campground

View of Lake George Village from our boat cruise

Ft. Willam Henry-This fort played a very strategic role in the Revolutionary War. We did not tour this fort as I choose to see Ticonderoga. Next time we go back I hope to see this one.

Trav and the kids sitting on the bow for the cruise ship. This is before the skies unleashed a torrent of weather and we were confined to the inside of the boat with 150 other freaked out people. We couldn't get of the boat fast enough after 2 1/2 hours.

Lastly, we were lucky enough to meet some amazing people camping next to us from Conneticut. Both Marge and Gary are retired Air Force and I swear it was like we were supposed to meet. Our families got along so wonderfully and the week would have not been the same had they not pulled into their site minutes after we pulled into ours. We shared stories, fun and laughs. We plan to camp together again this summer and I am sure many more times as well. This was truly one of those occasions where fate had a plan for why we were in the Mtns at the same time that the Jenkins were there. Life is amazing sometimes and I think we were all really happy and feeling blessed our paths crossed.