Through it all, Gilbert Lake remains a healing presence. I am so grateful for the beauty around me, and especially for the loving supportive thought of those who live around the lake. I surely appreciate the messages of sympathy when Paul passed on suddenly in October.
And I express my sympathy to the family of dear, Eileen Peck.
This lake, this family of Gilbert Lakers, is so special. Thank you.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, July 15, 2011
Bittersweet
Maybe bittersweet is too emotional a word, but I did have mixed feelings handing over the water testing duties to our new Water Quality Chairman, Gary Clair. I really enjoyed the process and the learning involved. It will make my life a little easier, however, not to have to schedule time to do the testing.
Gary is certainly able and is a quick study. We spent more that 3 hours going through the process - and yes, that is quick! His wife, Carol, helped. I will be on hand to help out the next time, also.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the testing for dissolved oxygen. That is what is most involved and takes most of the time. Our lake has been testing for DO for several years and there really hasn't been a notable change in the results - from when Wes tested, through when I tested. Instead of the chemical testing we've done, DO meters are available. They, however, are expensive and have their own set of complications. Conversations with the DNR have indicated that DO testing may not be necessary any more.
If you see Gary and his wife on their pontoon boat, anchored over the deep hole (west end of the lake), you may wave, but please give them a wide berth. A quiet lake makes the testing much easier.
If you see me anchored over the deep hole, you can come say hello. I'll just be there for nostalgia's sake.
Gary is certainly able and is a quick study. We spent more that 3 hours going through the process - and yes, that is quick! His wife, Carol, helped. I will be on hand to help out the next time, also.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the testing for dissolved oxygen. That is what is most involved and takes most of the time. Our lake has been testing for DO for several years and there really hasn't been a notable change in the results - from when Wes tested, through when I tested. Instead of the chemical testing we've done, DO meters are available. They, however, are expensive and have their own set of complications. Conversations with the DNR have indicated that DO testing may not be necessary any more.
If you see Gary and his wife on their pontoon boat, anchored over the deep hole (west end of the lake), you may wave, but please give them a wide berth. A quiet lake makes the testing much easier.
If you see me anchored over the deep hole, you can come say hello. I'll just be there for nostalgia's sake.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
GLAA Meeting
Should we or shouldn't we? With the over-night power outage still in effect at 7:50 a.m., the question was, should we have the GLAA meeting or not? Good call from our president, Wes Klages, to go ahead with the meeting, even if we couldn't *gasp* have coffee. Net result? Power came back on just in time to perk a pot.
The meeting went well. One particularly interesting thought - the zoning rules for lake-shore building will change in February. It may (or may not) be smart to wait with your building project until next year. The important thing is to check to see how your particular project might be affected.
Another storm last night. I slept through it, but those who were awake said it was a doozy - winds reported from 50-60 mph in the area. If a storm occurs and one sleeps through it, did the storm really happen? It will be interesting to see what this rain drop did to our already high lake levels.
BTW, when trees fall in the lake, do you leave them or neaten things up? I, myself, am delighted that the current wisdom is to leave them where they lie, unless they impinge on beach activities. This justifies my, ummm, casual approach to landscaping.
This week: another Kids' Camp. More stories to follow.
The meeting went well. One particularly interesting thought - the zoning rules for lake-shore building will change in February. It may (or may not) be smart to wait with your building project until next year. The important thing is to check to see how your particular project might be affected.
Another storm last night. I slept through it, but those who were awake said it was a doozy - winds reported from 50-60 mph in the area. If a storm occurs and one sleeps through it, did the storm really happen? It will be interesting to see what this rain drop did to our already high lake levels.
BTW, when trees fall in the lake, do you leave them or neaten things up? I, myself, am delighted that the current wisdom is to leave them where they lie, unless they impinge on beach activities. This justifies my, ummm, casual approach to landscaping.
This week: another Kids' Camp. More stories to follow.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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?
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?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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?
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?
Friday, June 3, 2011
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
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
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