Around Lake Manitou

I'll see if I can get this link to work.  It is for the new Lake Manitou calendar.  You will find our cottage in the snow scene.  The Lake Manitou Association has been a very positive force for the lake--thanks to tireless work among the officers, board, and volunteers. 

http://manitounews.smugmug.com/LakeManitouAssociation/2012-Photo-Calendar-Contest/24795779_FhxZgs#!i=2029452398&k=vjXrCLF

Back in Action

Hard to believe, but we're back.  The island looks whole again.  We do have a patch of tarp on the highest roof.  We need to find a good time to re-roof up there.

What a Difference a Day Makes

If you look just below, you can see how the house looked from the front.  Nature, courtesy of an 80 mph blast, has done some remodeling.  The best thing about living in a small town in mid-America--people really pull together at times like these.  Shad Sibert was out within one hour of the storm to get tarp over the hole in the roof.  Randy Overmyer was out shortly after, and will have his tree crews on site by 7 am tomorrow.  I'm told we'll be ready to go by Sunday.  Hard to believe, as we look like a war zone today.

Pictures from Last Week's Guests

We enjoyed having three generations on the island last week.  George the senior sent along some pictures.  I thought I'd share them with all of you--as I don't get a chance to take many pictures of the island during the rental season.

Show Time

Well, the rental season is upon us.  Time to spruce the island up for summer.  The point deck was restored to its former glory over the winter.  The kitchen deck just took a new coat of stain after the power washing.  Alice's deck is coming up.  The chairs on the Alice deck are being painted in primary colors this year--who says we're set in our ways!  The fence separating the domestic north of the island from the wild south has been painted a sparkling white.  The main pier has been re-decked and carpeted. The crew is coming in this morning to roll the pier in the lake. Nothing like a carpeted pier for bare feet.  Aluminum decking is pretty--but it's hot.  The hot tub is all plumbed--just needs cleaned and filled.  Cookie is busy with the planting.  Lots of flowers of course.  Busy times around here.  We like our visitors to enjoy the surround as much as we do.

First Family Outing

Well, Bert & Edie have taken the kids for a walk on land for the first time.

The day of the hatch, they went immediately to the lake in conditions that were pretty daunting. The wind was screaming in from the north.  We had a time with the waves in our little rowboat. I can't imagine what a brand new gosling would make of the conditions! 
We now have just five little ones.  One was lost to the weather or predators.  Such is life in the outdoors.

Edie's Back!

We have the first baby goslings of the season--a week earlier than last year.  I'm not sure Bert is even aware of the hatch. As I write this, he is just paddling around the corner.  So far we have five very active babies, and at least one egg to go.  I don't like to get too close.  I'm afraid Edie might jump to her feet and squish someone.  Edie is looking much more alert now.  A trance seems to come over her when she is nesting.  Bert and Edie have a challenge ahead, as it is supposed to get to freezing tonight. 

The goslings like to poke their heads out into the sun, and then run back under momma's wing like it was a big revolving door.  They're very adept at using their heads to lever their way into the warmth. 

I've included a picture with a huge amount of enlargement.  Hope the pixels don't break up.  I'll be staying on Alice's deck for pictures until Edie trots the little ones out into the open.