Oh... DEER!

Paddling out to BBQ cove

A Kingfisher squaks at us for disturbing him (but he wasn't nearly as obnoxious as the cranky Great Blue Herons!)

   Joni and I went kayaking out at Hillsdale Lake yet again, and yet again we'd planned to stop at Hillsdale Bank BBQ to get takeout on the way there. Big burnt end sandwiches on incredible homemade wheat buns! SO GOOD. We arrived at the put-in and paddled over to the cove that we have deemed "BBQ Cove" to enjoy our dinner.

(photo coming)

   We were sitting in the middle of the cove, smacking our lips and talking, when all of a sudden we heard a noise that was too big to be a fish or a bird. We looked up to see twin fawns approaching the water... right in front of us! It had been over 100 degrees all day, and they were very thirsty. They drank for a long time.

   Suddenly their watchful, high-stepping mother came down silently to check on them, and to herd them off to safety.

   Such an amazing experience to see them so at ease in their natural environment!

Enjoying "dinner and a show"

   On top of this, it was just a beautiful night to be out, as the breeze cooled us off and the heat slowly subsided. There were very few boats on the water, and we were the only kayaks, so we had the place to ourselves... other than the wildlife. Perfect!

Oh, Buoy!

   Our day of kayaking was super-fun and remarkably free of mishaps, considering this was only the dogs' second outing. They were extremely well-behaved throughout the day, and I was very proud of them. Until... as we were all paddling up to the boat ramp at the end of the day, the dogs noticed a buoy bobbing in the water. They stood at attention and watched it, then began to bark, warning the foreign being to stay away. It bobbed in response, and they did not approve.
   This started a firestorm of barking. As is my custom, when my dogs are wary or afraid of something, I take them towards it, so they can meet it firsthand and understand that it won't hurt them. We've done this with bikes and strollers, plastic bags blowing in the wind, ... and captive bison. It usually works like a champ.
   This time, however, as we rounded the buoy, the dogs surged forward and the barking escalated out of control, and (after I was forced to shut off the camera for safety) I had to grab the handles on their life vests and hold on, to make sure they didn't jump out, and capsize us.

   Brett yelled, "PADDLE AWAY FROM IT!"
   To which my only response could be, "WITH WHAT HAND?? I CAN'T LET GO OF THE DOGS!!!"
    Fortunately, Danny was nearby and came to my aid, dragging my kayak back towards the ramp. Crisis averted. Thank you, Outward Hound, for adding the handle to the back of your life vests!!!

Banana Boat

   Got home from work to find this in my backyard. What could it be??? Wait, wait... don't tell me. I want to guess!

 TA-DAAAAH!!!

   To settle it once and for all, I have the world's most spoiled dogs. Exhibit A: I bought them a kayak!

I just hope they let me ride in it too...