End of Trout Season

Today was the last day of trout season. I planned the last two days of the season off from work to catch some salmon... but Joe had to work most of the days. Still, we went out to fish Apple Creek last evening with our pasties and beer, which turned out to be the highlight, and this morning again. Fish really didn't cooperate both days, though we loved just being out there, especially to catch some fall color. 

Thanks to the cell phone coverage, Joe could be on the river and still take care of a few business tasks this morning. Maybe it is a curse, but Apple Creek sure makes the best office ever.

Fall Salmon Season!

This weekend we got up like work days to go fishing... and it paid off! Saturday started out slow, but Joe was surprised by catching our fist salmon of the season at the end of our trip when we were giving up. Sunday was another beautiful morning... first I landed this 20" coho salmon right away.  

Then soon after, Joe caught this 23" fish... we assumed was another coho, but with closer inspection it turned out to be a steelhead (aka rainbow trout). This one displayed quite a show, jumping and dancing, which warned all other fish to stay put. The rest of the trip was rather quiet, though we enjoyed checking out extra stretches with Joe's cousin, who must have been our lucky charm!

We couldn't waste what's left of summer-like weather this weekend, either. We explored some more of the lake shore, following narrow paths past where we were 2 weekends ago.

Truly, Nature makes us feel small... and to think our fish were swimming in this Big Lake before running up their birth river.

Fall Harvest Season

This was already over a week ago, but we came home with a bag full of wild apples. I had to make a wild apple pie last week. We enjoyed it in many pieces over a few days, for dessert, for breakfast, of course, with ice cream! 

And now, it's grape picking time. Tonight after work Joe picked 16 pounds of grapes in a half hour. There are a lot more of them to be picked. Definitely making up for the last year. As I type this, Joe is sitting and watching "The Fifth Element," while taking the stems off grapes. I should probably help!

Labor Day Weekend

We took a long Labor Day weekend. We traveled westward and picked some rocks. Also pleasantly surprised to find and check out some new good eats plus fall harvest. Visited a pumpkin patch and picked wild apples. The air definitely feels and smells like autumn now.

Back at home, Apple Creek was beautiful, but fish still didn't cooperate. 

Then we explored a new cove along the lake shore. 

The trail continued on past this spot, so we saved it for another adventure next time. 

Weekend Fun, and Then Some

As expected, my long weekend disappeared quickly. We had beautiful summer weather and enjoyed our usual things we love close to home. Even better, we remembered to fill our growler with tasty beer to take along for our beach walk.

The Sunday was less windy, so we went out to fish Apple Creek, though fish didn't cooperate. 

And yet again, we played hard and procrastinated work. Been meaning to paint the concrete foundation of our house basically ever since we bought it. Finally later this Sunday we managed to make it happen. We just wondered why we can't do the work before having all the fun!

This Friday in this Old House...

Today I took a spontaneous vacation day...  though my first alcoholic drink didn't happen till way past 5. The day was far from how I envisioned, but everything worked out. Just yesterday I noticed some water around our water heater.

We started out not even knowing who to call, but by this afternoon our new water heater was professionally installed by a couple of nice young men. Thankfully it took 10 plus years before we needed a plumber. Cheers to home ownership!!

The State Fair Season!?

August is half gone... while the Olympics in Japan completed and Joe's family has come and gone. 

Last night we went to the State Fair. Everything was just as we remembered, and there were lots of people. Thankfully this fair experience felt the cleanest without taking away the barn smell. After missing last year's fair due to Covid, the corn dogs tasted that much better.

None of our related gangs could join us, but it was sill nice to be back at the fairground filled with the "usual".

It had been a few years since Joe's favorite shoot out the star booth faded and disappeared. Joe heard the faint but distinct air gun noise, and sure enough there it was. Except this one was bright, new, and attended by younger crews. 

Joe was thrilled and a 10 year old again. The price went up to $10 a round... I was glad Joe's budget wasn't enough for him to win another huge stuffed animal to take home! He came real close though.

Happy summer, what's left of!