Fall Equinox at the River House, Part 1

Kat is always laughing. I conclude this after noticing that in the only two shots I have of her close up from this last weekend she is laughing in both.

Kat laughing at me as she leaves Steeleye's beach

My Uncle Steeleye hosted a weekend long celebration at his house on the lower Potomac, in honor of the change in season from Summer to Fall. Dahlradia and a smattering of Concusare, Anglesey, and Preachain attended, with some friends like mine in tow. Kat joined us there, in express desire to camp on the edge of a beach, bonfires and parties, paddle on the wide crazy Potomac.

Steeleye's Mengle-Wood-on-the-Beach and our little tents

The paddling would be superb, but first there was camp to make and Friday night nosh. When we arrived in Steeleye's yard Friday at 5 pm, the first thing we saw was the Potomac tossing white maned horses, rolling chop with white caps. Oh my. The Subaru's door blew shut on my leg when I tried to climb out. We, okay I, forgot tent stakes. The situation went from crazy windy to "oh shit" very quickly. But Kat, being a kayaker and therefore over prepared, fished out four extra tent stakes. Just enough to keep our abode on the ground.

Saturday morning dawned red, "red sky at morning sailor take warning." We loaned a stable boat to a joiner, Jennifer, and took off to circle St Clements Island. While circling it we found large rhythmic rollers to play in, as well as several beaches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Clement's_Island_State_Park

Jennifer in Kat's Tribute leaving Steeleye's beach

The Lorax found the water next to his boat a bit deeper than he expected!

The water taxi being used for Maryland's Lighthouse Challenge. I was quite taken with its teal and white paint and nice lines.

We took out at one of the island's beaches and walked up a long tree lined lane to the lighthouse. There, we found an entertaining fellow under a tent with a guest book and leaflets explaining that we happened to land on the island during Maryland's Lighthouse Challenge. This charming coincidence meant we were able to tour the lighthouse which is usually locked tight, even climbing up into the light's tower itself. Woah!

View from the light tower

The island's stewards have let it return to a more natural state, allowing brush and trees to take hold in great tangles. Steeleye had previously explained that the island is one quarter its original size. Allowing Nature to care for her own helps stabilize the remaining land plus has the added benefit to wild life, much of which was in evidence.

Kat, the clouds gathering, and one of the two long docks on St Clements Island

Jennifer was game and didn't complain once, although I knew the water we found on the windward side of the island was big and fun for us but maybe not so much for a newbie. She didn't swim, we returned her to the beach in one piece as the clouds gathered and wind turned up a notch.

We beached at Steeleye's for early luncheon.