While it's still mildly cool without being downright cold, everyone's schedules lined up again and I took the family out to the land on Saturday for a day of wilderness exploring and fun, with an overnight stay in the cabin...
It seems the usually dry creek bed that runs behind the shooting range has filled and overflown its' banks, but that's okay, this wasn't to be a shooting trip anyway... I did want to test the 4x4 ability of the family hauler Acura, and it handled this with aplomb.....
Took a first pass at basic archery instruction. It didn't go so well for the 8 year olds, they wanted to but just didn't have the strength yet, even with the youth bows. But they'll get there.....
Getting the caveman TV going with a little Ardbeg Uigedail in the proper environment for a peaty Islay scotch:
Ah, so THAT'S how it gets that smokey flavor profile!
The elder spawn (Otherwise known as Vanna around these parts) hanging out in the hammock with Luna...
Mommy isn't keen on overnighting on the land, but she'll come down for a visit, bringing my dad with her this time...
Dinner being prepared..... Make mine blackened and extra charred please!
...and on to the ceremonial roasting of the marshmallows!
And all tuckered out, snug in our sleeping bags up on the loft of the cabin...
The kiddos were amazed to learn that with just a little kindling and some wind movement last night's fire could pop right back up to life...
Kind of a let down after shooting an AR15 previously, but I did break out the BB gun I keep on site for a little plinking action. They enjoyed shooting into the flooded area and seeing where their shots hit.....
All this is usually dry... Made for some interesting exploring by the kiddos. Santa brought them a set of 4 long distance walkie talkies (Boy have walkie talkies advanced a LOT since I was a kid!). One was "Home Base" and each kiddo had their own as they split out in all directions exploring our land. It was magical listening to their conversations, they were commandos staging a raid, explorers discovering ancient jungle treasures, scientists on an expedition to a hidden dinosaur reserve.....
After we got home and unpacked, my mom's twin sister called me up and asked if I could come out to her farm and help her spread some fill dirt in some shallow areas in her barn. Ever since she lost her husband and tragically lost her only son I try to go a little extra out of the way to help her out, single lady in her 70's living alone on a farm out in the country...
I loaded up bags of dirt, headed out to her place; I had to fight my way through rush hour traffic to get to the spot the dirt needed to be...
After I helped her with a few other odds and ends around the farm, she said she wanted me to have something. Not how I wanted to expand my collection, but I'm honored that she decided to entrust me with this much family history. I've got a LOT of cleaning, research, cataloging, etc. to do now. I might even need a new safe!
For those who followed along, thanks for humoring my ramblings. I know this could almost be a cut and paste (Other than the trip to my aunt's house) from previous postings I've made on the topic, but I enjoy reminiscing about these times, I hope these kinds of posts bring a smile to other's faces, at least a little bit.....
And remember...... We are here for a good time.
...not a long time.
So make the most of it!
