First Deer

This face says it all, doesn't it?
Dropped his little buck in one shot. Wow.

It's nice to come home with a deer this time
instead of just a story, eh Zachary?  :-D

Today our hunter is learning how to carve up the carcass and
I'm looking forward to some venison stew! Yummm.....

Well done buddy. We're so excited for you!

Maiden Voyage of the Dinghy's

Still no boat names, but that didn't stop the fellas from embarking on

the maiden voyage before Summer's end!

Two dinghy's were unloaded and launched into the Pack River, which is

a sandy-bottomed meandering stream which flows into lake Pend Orielle.

Also, Dad took the kayak with Bryce, Uncle Daniel launched his rowboat,

and friend Jon came with his water craft too. 

The girls and I (with Miles-boy) waved them out of sight around the bend, 

drove away, and waited to hear when they were ready for pick up.

It was to be a half-day's adventure, but the guys packed essentials for a

"just in case" overnighter.  A call came at 5pm with the message that they

wouldn't need picking up until the morrow, so a minimally planned for

overnight on a sandy beach crowned the Pack River adventure.

Apparently it was a cold night

Apparently no campfires are allowed during this dry fire season.

Apparently Bryce somehow managed to leave his fleece behind.

Apparently Dad equipped the boys with warm sleeping bags.

Apparently Mountain House and some trail mix is good enough for dinner.

Apparently it was a blast, and...

Apparently one night was enough for everyone ;-)

We womenfolk loaded up again the next day and drove downstream to wait.

We heard the echo of voices first... and then they appeared!

What a great adventure!  I sure was glad to have them back with the rest of us

and to hear tales of collecting freshwater mussels, sleeping in swim trunks, and

how hard sand is to get comfortable on in a sleeping bag.

In the end there were four boys smiling from ear to ear, completely wiped out from the

fun and ready for dinner and a snooze - completely satisfied :-)

Successful endeavor!

Last Sanding and First Launch

Oh the laughter!  Watching Clayton navigate oars for the first time
as they got stuck in the dock and splashed like fish out of water!

The boys got their dinghy's to the point of seaworthy.

Lots of hours went into these two little boats this Summer. Applying epoxy, I heard, wasn't so bad.
Sanding... was not so fun.
Every sanding episode was followed by a shower, and some itching caused by stray bits
of fiberglass dust.  But they did it.  Followed through and met success at the surface of lake water.

Seats were set in temporarily to check correctness of position.
Oarlocks installed.
Fresh new oars coated in epoxy.
Boats loaded into the trailer...

Zachary and Clayton figured out the business of rowing pretty quick, and with that
we saw just their tiny silhouettes far out in the distance.

Next there is planned an actual maiden voyage, followed by (I hope) true seats, paint,
and names.  Aren't watercraft supposed to be named?  With paint and names I will
consider this chapter closed!

So much learned.
Yes, there is a little fresh knowledge of boat building, woodwork, and fiberglass,
but really there is new depth of life experience that tints perspective.
That's pretty wonderful!

Well done sons!

Boat-Building Brothers

In the last few weeks, my big guys have embraced a new project.

It started with lots of conversations involving paddle boat designs
and aspirations of building a kit airplane.

Dad humored the dreaming, but every time talk turned practical
he gently steered in the direction of baby steps. "Why don't you build
something simple first?"  He'd say.  "How about a row boat?"

I'm pretty sure Zachary was hoping "simple" would include jet engines
or submarine power, but eventually he was won over by a set of actual
plans for a Portuguese Dinghy.
Once the boat design was settled on, a fever of activity ensued.
Despite the fact that Clay had been working diligently on his own  model
for a paddle boat, he bought in and took ownership of this new endeavor
right along with his brother.

The boys made a list of supplies, called local building supply stores to check
prices and availability of the plywood they'd need, and talked their dad into
hauling a trailer to pick it up.

Once pieces were cut out, the boys spent several evenings assembling
the boats.  Here are some pictures to document the work up until this point.

Awesomeness.

I am so proud of these fellas!

Next step is fiberglass and epoxy.  Right now they are in process
of building sawhorses to set their boats on for that phase of the project
('cause I guess dad doesn't want his sawhorses covered in permanent goo).

You could ask them how this whole boat-building thing is working out so far,
but really, the smiles tell you pretty much everything you need to know :-)