Spring Color in Lapeer and More

What a busy time this spring and summer have been.

There has been no time at all for blogging and I truly have missed it.

 

Over the course of the next few days I hope to catch up here with our happenings.

Lots has been good -

some not so good.

But all is well that ends well.

 

It was a pretty spring here in Lapeer (outside of Marathon) New York.

 

 

A few fields were covered with Ragged Robin - such a pretty pink

 

 

 

Along the edge of our woods were the Trout Lilies

 

There were thousands of Spring Beauty in the woods.

 

 

 

This Cedar Waxwing stunned himself flying into a garage window.  When he recovered enough to fly into a nearby tree, he was still confused enough to allow me near to him with the camera.

 

 

 

One of my first passion flower blooms.

I had to have this plant this year.

It hasn't let me down.

Spectacular!

 

 

 

While the Ragged Robin was in bloom, other fields were covered with the even more prolific Scabiosa.

 

 

 

 

The view one evening from a kitchen window at dusk.

 

Who said that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same spot?

This is a fallacy proven by the dead tree at left which was struck last fall for the second time in the exact spot.

It didn't survive the second time.

Now it's history thanks to our son-in-law Ken.

 

 

TIMBERRRRRRRRRRR-R!

 

What a great job. 

He put it exactly where Vic asked.

Ken is a tree surgeon.

 

Thanks, Ken!

You're the BEST tree guy and son-in-law!

 

Winter



For the first time in 14 years we are spending the winter at home.

Looking out the windows, we ask ourselves why.

 

The past 13 winters have been spent in the

desert southwest where the sun shines nearly every day.

 

We miss that.

 

On the plus side

many projects have been tackled

and completed

.............

things that have gotten behind

or

have been ignored entirely.

There is a good feeling of accomplishment.

 

With a new furnace and

24 new windows this year

we keep toasty until venturing forth.

 

It's been good.

 

And, it's been especially good to

spend time with

family and friends

we had been missing.

 

There truly is no place like home!

 

The following photos

give a glimpse

of our part of

Central New York

in winter -

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Mel Manasse's Cruise-In

A local auctioneer has a cruise-in to his place one Tuesday night each month from spring through fall.

The first one for 2012 was April of this year,

before we were home from winter in the southwest.

Since that time, EVERY cruise-in Tuesday has had abominable weather

until July.

Finally a perfect night!

Here is our ride, the

 1946

CJ2A

'pushed' by the Bantam trailer.

This RATROD is just way too cool.

Later there is a photo of part of the burlap interior.

Perfect!

And, isn't this car and RV the ONLY way to go camping?

I LOVE the color!

For me,

these events are all in the details....

RATROD detail above and below

Next month Vic hopes to have the

1955 M38A1 Jeep

and the M416 trailer that 'pushes' it

on the road

AND

we'll pray for good weather once again.

It was a good time -

Thanks, Mel!

And thanks,Vic, for the ice cream on the way home!

Mnnn

The Great Willys Picnic 2012

The annual Great Willys Picnic was held at a

new location this year.

The Kempton Community Recreaton Center

in

Kempton, PA.

To describe the event in three phrases

GOOD LOCATION

WELL-ATTENDED

and

HOT

******************

The park is also home to the WK&S scenic railroad

Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern

The box on the rear of our

1946 CJ3A

got lots of

attention.

The original advertising makes it particularly special.

It was our understanding that over 70 Jeeps were in attendance.

Enthusiastic participation

is always

a nice reward

 for the amount of work that is put into setting up an event

like this.

The last location for this show/picnic was very nice

however

there is much more room here in Kempton

and a nice area for the public to park

as well as tugs and trailers for the Jeeps that

were hauled.

And did I mention HOT?

92F

and this is June?

I should have had many more photos.

It was just TOO HOT!

Perfect hood ornament!

And, to the folks who did all the work,

a BIG THANK YOU!!!

and Vic

King of Trucks and CNYJeep.org

The King of Trucks held their inaugural event

 in Syracuse at the NY State Fairgrounds in 2011.

This year was the second annual show.

The promoter asked the CNYJeep.org fellows for a few volunteers to construct an obstacle course then man that course during the show.

A member was in touch with Vic to see if he would help.

So, from Memorial Day through Friday he spent his days at the Fairgrounds

building obstacles.

.

Tracey Road Equipment donated the equipment

for the event.

Vic was having entirely too much fun to take many pictures (and was busy spotting Saturday and Sunday) but, this is a sample of a few of the obstacles that were available to registrants.

Friday a few of the

volunteers had to give it a try.

The entrance to the course was under the "arch" made by the excavator's arm.

Check out the wheels above and below.

The front bumper almost touchs going down and the hitch drags coming out of the hole.

Saturday was sunny and nice.

An enthusiastic crowd kept the place hopping all day.

Sunday was mostly rainy and attendance still wasn't too bad.

Off-roaders don't let a little moisture dampen the fun.

Everyone had a good time - Vic included.