Hello Summer

Our favorite season has arrived! A week into the summer season and we've already had so much fun and sun.  Our hiking buddies were in town; we found an easy shady trail to hike at Raccoon Mountain. The view of the Tennessee River Gorge from atop the Visitor Center never fails to awe us.

awe-inspiring view of the Tennessee River Gorge

After a pizza lunch at the marina, we went floating on the river. The water was so refreshing on a hot summer day. We took our fresh-off-the store kayaks with us. Oh what fun!

Paddling around the marina

Floating at our favorite cove (a tow barge in the background)

In Esther Williams fashion 

The next day, another boater friend invited us to go out. We never say no to a boat ride.

Doing the anchoring dance

That same evening, the marina gang welcomed a new boater to our docks. It was a "seize the moment" opportunity to move the boat, so she and her dad arrived late and in the dark, literally, as our marina had lost power to some wicked lightning just an hour prior. Thank goodness there was a full moon. What a sweet and exhilarating adventure for both father and daughter. Welcome to the neighborhood, Elise!

This post is shared on Through My Lens.

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Nature abounds on the river. While we were out of town, a neighbor was watering our plants and saw this in one of our flower pots.

We were thrilled. When we returned to the boat, we kept a close eye on the mama duck and her eggs. We also hung two hummingbird feeders on the boat railing, and were delighted to see one come often. Not so happy to see the mayflies. They arrived in swarms a couple of nights ago, and have littered everywhere. They're not as bad as other years. At least not yet.

Mayflies (the black stuff) clinging onto a friend's boat one year

We didn't dare to wash down the boat for fear of disturbing the mother duck who was dutifully incubating her eggs. Last evening, we checked on the mama duck and saw something moving. It was a little duckling! From previous experience, we knew that the next day, more will hatch and they'll be gone. So early this morning, the first mate was ready for action. Sadly only two out of seven eggs hatched. Watch the video for rest of the story.

And how was your day?

This post is shared on Through My Lens.

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