Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Or are they?

Just before my 50th birthday, I accidentally read an email with questions about diamond rings from Bill to one of our daughters.  Well, what I really wanted was a kayak, so I had to fess up before the diamond in question was purchased.  That was 3 years ago and the rest, as they say, is history.

We bought our kayaks from Spring Creek Outfitters which sells slightly blemished new kayaks at discounted prices.  They also designed the carrier racks that strap to the top of our car in less than 5 minutes.  I'm not sure if they know it, but the racks also come in rather handy for hauling.....oh, vintage fireplaces and other treasures that happen to find me.

So, I could be sitting in my yard on a beautiful summer evening admiring a diamond ring on my finger, or out on the water enjoying the views only mother nature can offer.  No contest.

(Bill securing the boats after a trip last fall.)

After more than a week of rain (which happened to be my week of vacation)

the weather finally cleared up on Friday.  In the early evening it was in the low 70's

with no wind, which is the perfect combination to lure me out to the lake.

We chose to visit a small chain of lakes just off the Scenic Highway.  We launched our boats

into O'Reilly Lake, traveled through Shamrock Lake and through a small channel (top photo) into

Island Lake, named for the small island pictured above.

I almost fell out of my kayak with my good camera while I was taking this picture

when something big jumped out of the water nearby!

I didn't actually see what it was, but it made quite a splash.

A few minutes later my question was answered.  Bill spotted a family of beavers

 frolicking in the lily pads.  With my slow response time, this is the best I could do.

  That little brown blob in the center of the picture is the last beaver to dive under

 the water to escape the curious onlookers.

"Come here, Norman. Hurry up. The loons! The loons! They're welcoming us back."

This is the 3rd year we've paddled these lakes, and without fail these 2 loons

can be found patrolling Shamrock Lake.  They serenade us, but only allow us

to get so close before they dive under and resurface out of range of my camera.

I'm sure you recognized the quote from "On Golden Pond", my all-time favorite movie.

If you've never seen this 1981 award winner, it's a classic summertime movie.

And if I could pick the perfect rustic vacation cabin, this would be it.

The setting sun signals the end of our evening voyage.

Who needs diamonds?!

After we unloaded the boats and settled in for the night, we heard a commotion outside.

(Photo taken through the trees from our front porch.)

The local raceway was kicking off the evening with a fireworks display.

The perfect end to the perfect day.

Vickie

I almost forgot to show you what I found!

 It's currently in the shop getting a new

paint color and I've already given my new toy boat a name.

Can you guess what it is?