Summer Activities And An Abbreviated Camping Trip, Ending In A Fight With A Turkey!

24 July 2022

1077

R. Linda:

The heat is so bad even the mushrooms are melting.

Drippy mushroom

I was thinking how cool and refreshing it would be if we went into Boston and took a whale watch cruise, but I have done that twice, the first time (if you remember) coming up whale-less. The second time though, we hit the jackpot with several whale sightings. Remember this:

Surfacing

Going down

Instead, we decided it was too hot to brave Boston, so we went to a village party for Smokey Bear. I had never heard of this Smokey Bear until recently. I had no clue what to expect.

The tiny village of Mason

The place was decked out still from the 4th of July. We arrived early and no one was around yet. But later . .  . 

The villagers came out en force

The guest of honour himself (probably mulling over what happened to the cake it was warped-looking)

Well, it was a party, the fire truck came tooting horn and running siren. The guest of honour was waving from the passenger side and when the truck stopped at the Town Hall, he alighted to cheers from the crowd. I was amazed I was. So this was Smokey The Bear, and while Smokey did not speak, the kiddos were clambering around him shouting, "You too can prevent forest fires!" I had to wonder if the fire wasn't inside that hot costume.

Once things settled a cake was placed in front of Mr. Smokey and we sang Happy Birthday to him and then we all got a piece. Anyone who wanted their photo with Mr. S. Bear could run up onto the bandstand and pose. All my kiddos did except Guido who was too grown up he said to do such a kiddie thing. 

We were hungry so we left for an eatery down the road. Only it took some time to get there because of the blight of New Hampshire roads, these things:

Daily turkey trot across the road

And that wasn't the end of turkeys for the day. When we got home we found a lame turkey hen down by our chickens. Me Mam has been feeding her ever since. 

So now I don't just have to manoeuvre the back roads, but my own driveway. Thanks, Mam!

Deciding it was a good weekend to go camping in the woods by the lake we packed up the kiddos, Tonya, and meself, and took off.

The lake -- a welcome sight

Passed the picturesque lighthouse

At our campsite, we are getting to be old pros at setting up in record time.

The brook was so low the lovely sound of babbling water was not to be heard this trip

The next morning Tonya and the kiddos awoke to me special brekkie (as the Weasil would call it).

Does that not look delicious?

The day was lovely until the clouds started piling up.

It looked rather ominous

It got dark like sunset but it was only 4 p.m.

Look at this!

Then THIS happened!!!

Try being out with the feeling of static electricity all over the place

We got drenched!!! 

Even the spider got wet by the park sign

The ducks were the only ones enjoying the downpour.

We left, there was nothing for it. The rain wasn't stopping so off we went. I did remember in the back of my mind what I hear all the time about New England. That is there is no weather like it and what happens in one moment will change in a flash.

Young buck on our way out of campgrounds. We did see a lot of wildlife. 

We drove home in the rain, some of us disappointed we had to leave, and others like meself thinking I could dream up something to do at home that would entertain everyone. Like a game of Monopoly, cheating at Go Fish, or Old Maid. I know typical Gabe drumming up bad ideas that no one will care to participate in. I will say as soon as we hit the driveway the sun came out! Oh, it did! And you should have heard the moans and groans coming from the backseat. Kiddos were not happy, they wanted to go back. I almost gave in but promised them the above-mentioned activities to which I was informed that NONE OF THEM were little kids anymore and those games were for babies. 

As it turned out, it was a good thing we came home. The Dragon was lying on the couch with her feet up panting, an ice bag on her head, and Sean bringing her tea, with me Mam standing in the kitchen doorway looking mad.

It seemed the Dragon went out to check on the chickens because she heard a ruckus (her word) and she was attacked by a lame turkey hen who came out of nowhere (also her words). She grabbed a broom (probably her own) and was swatting at the bird who limped at her trying to peck her legs. Mam saw this from the kitchen window and ran out to save the turkey! As you can imagine things went further downhill from there. Sean ran out to break up the fight . . . and where was Weasil, hard and fast asleep in the hammock under the porch. Of course. 

So it was quite the welcome home. I was trying to placate the two warring women, telling each that they had a right to feel the way they did, but let bygones be bygones and all that rot. The kiddos are all upstairs laughing as Weasil has been regaling them with a blow-by-blow of their grandmothers trying to beat each other up. He must have watched it from the hammock with one eye open, where he was well hidden from the elements and the ladies. Of course, he wouldn't lift a finger to intervene, he was thoroughly entertained, the pratt. 

Anyway, we are home. Oh, and the turkey be no worse for the battle. She is outside pecking and clawing at the ground. Probably ready for another go-round. SIGH.

Gabe

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