Breaking in the Shady Beach

"Get a handful of twigs this size."

Many things are new at the Shady Beach.

We have a fire ring and places to sit around the fire – a two seater chair (I think a remnant from the old bowling alley) and a log that has been rolled in place.

Glen came early to whittle hot dog sticks and to make the fire.

He sent Richard’s children out to collect small twigs (only as big as their fingers) for starter kindling and then accepted bigger sticks from around the area.

“Do you know what three things it takes to build a fire?” he asked.

“Heat, fuel and oxygen.”

They seemed to know the answer.

The only problem he had was the kids over feeding the fire.

"Put some small ones way, way down at the very bottom of the pit."

They were ready to throw all of the sticks and the logs in the forest.

The Bates sent down tables for food.

We used logs for the appetizer section.

Deer meet sausage was available as well as regular hot dogs.

There were salads and desserts and beverages for all.

Children ran to the water and played.

"Get the lighter down low."

Adults chatted with one another.

I didn’t count how many people were there – maybe 40 of us.

What I could see is that the area could accommodate 80 people and still not be crowded.

And vehicles can drive down and find parking.

Glen and Connor made a step the goes right through one of the logs: 2 steps up and 2 steps down.

If you please, you can go around the log.

"Add a few more sticks."
"We have to get this going before the crowd arrives."

The next day as I was sitting in the area, Art Treleaven walked through.

I saw Glen ask him for help with a rock, and then Greg went over to assist.

I was confused at what they might be doing since I couldn’t imagine the destination for a rock being rolled uphill.

I saw Glen settle the boulder down a few times, checking that it was flat.

Then he put a handsized rock on the boulder, walked 8 paces away, turned and threw the rock in his hand, hitting the one on the boulder squarely and knocking it off.

Sweet.

A roaring fire and no one knows how much work it was.

Now the beach is set up for Duck on a Rock (a medieval children’s game).

Appetizers on a log and in a wash tub.

The area between the Shady Beach and the Ramp Camp has been cleared, a new bridge going over the stream, and an old willow, now dead and bending to the earth was cut – leaving a side chair should someone want to sit by the stream and read. I am going to pull some of the brush out of there tomorrow.

What is a fitbit for, if not to rack up steps while doing a little work.

Arta

Coda

Glen whittling willow sticks to roast hot dogs with.

LtR: Lurene, Wyona, Betty, Miranda, Zach, Adam, Glen, Laynie, Moiya, CelesteThe log in front of this line of people is the log that has a step cut through it.  I don't think the picture makes it that clear, but the steps are the beige colour through the middle of the log.  Glen is right at the center of the step, so at the point where he is standing, imagine the log to come straight through and you will see how high that log is that we had to either go around or roll over.

Moiya and Wyona cutting buns from Askews.

Eating them is the next best thing to home-made.

... little groups of everyone beside the fire ...

Salad with the famous Citrous Dressing
Veggies
Condiments

Bonnie Wyora and Zoe swimming
... unidentified swimmers on blue dock ...

...

... roasting our dinner ...

And a Happy Time was Had By All

Arta