Rain & Grandkids

OK, OK, we get it. It can stop raining now. We see that the worrisome low lake levels of a few years ago were not permanent. We'll remember and not worry so much next time. Promise.

Grandpa, and I and my sister had the grandkids for the first week of summer Kids' Camp last week. We loved having my sister, known to our grandchildren as Aunt Gramma Marge, staying at Stone Lodge and acting as Activities Director. She's a wonder - beloved by all, especially kids. Next time her grandchildren may be able to come too.

We had only 4 little ones this time, but they are young: 6, 6, 4, 3. We needed all the help we could get. We will have the kids here one week each month this summer to create Gilbert Lake memories.

The four extra staff I ordered (I wish!) never showed. And - hmmm - no one told me about the laundry.

We all had a wonderful time. Visited 4 area playgrounds, had picnics, did innumerable craft projects. The big hits were the mud-pies in the driveway and swimming twice a day - no matter how cold.

My sister and I are going to create a booklet about this venture - including all of our adventures and her great craft ideas. We're calling it Where's Jack?

First to know

You are the first to know - as measured on June 6th, the lake level is up 8 1/2 inches since September 14th. That's huge! Usually we get 2 or maybe 3 inches in variation. I had to wait until it felt like swimming weather in order to reach my benchmark. Had to search a bit to find it at all. It required wading in waist-high water. Shiver!

This measurement has no particular meaning outside of comparing it to other measurements. It translates to over a 12 foot rise of the water on my shoreline. What about yours?

I love the lake. It doesn't pay attention to you or me. It just listens to its own Gilbertness. Thanks, lake, for teaching me to be humble.

Loon

The loon went swimming with us yesterday. He was about 100 feet from our raft. We'd just gotten out of the water. What a treat to see!

The lake has cleared quite a bit. No actual measurements taken yet, but visually it looked a lot better. I think the wind and high water had stirred things up about a week ago.

The pollen is coating the lake now, but that will disappear soon. These days it's smart not to smile when you're outside if you don't want yellow teeth! You can grin, tho.

It would be fun if you would comment here if you see some interesting wildlife of the nonhuman variety. Any stories out there from this spring?

Back

I'm baaack. I'd decided to drop the blog earlier this year until I was inundated with people asking me to continue. I thanked them both, and will now blog away. I'd hate to disappoint my numerous reader.

We had an excellent Board meeting on May 28th, guided by our fearless - and very hard-working - leader, Wes. I will be leaving the Board as of July 2. I've enjoyed being involved in the workings of the Board. Most of all, I've appreciated the chance to get to know the fine folks on the Board.

Summer's here. It's going to be a busy one. The lake level is very high this spring. We'll all adjust, I'm sure. That's how it works - we adjust to the lake, not the other way around.

More later - I promise.

Lynne