First Trip of the Season to Stave Island

 

First trip of the season to Stave

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Spring time is here in Vermont, and to be honest it feels almost like summer. Temps are rising to the 80's, the sun is out, and it is that exciting time of year when we take our first trip out to Stave Island to start opening things up. It is still mid May, so we didn't even think to bring bathing suits, but we should have! The kids spent so much time down at the beach, learning that they could paddle board on the knee board, and playing on the floats. The water was pretty cold, but not enough to keep us out!

Stave looks good after sitting idle for the winter. The beach is full of driftwood, but that just give me more logs to line the trails with. Susie, Donnie, and I got the water flowing into both houses. And we got most of the heavy shutters off the main house. After Heidi and Donnie did some mowing the place really looks good. Other than the docks not being in and the fridge not hooked up, it feels like mid season out here already.

Fisher found the first snake of the season under a rock down by the farm house shore. It was a baby garter snake, and none too pleased to be uncovered. It was full of bluff and bluster. Then Heidi found a big milk snake and I helped the kids catch a huge garter snake. It is the one Catalina is holding in the photo below. We also saw about 5 deer up on the hill on our way to the farmhouse for breakfast in the morning. Looks like survived the winter and the hunters. There is at least 1 loud turkey on the island as well.

The other big project this weekend was getting the kids cottage all set up for Dela to sleep in. This means that Catalina, Fisher, and Dela are all going to be in the same room. Night one was a bit hectic, but it'll get easier. I know we are all looking forward to heading back as soon as we can!

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Little ferocious garter snake, uncovered by Fisher.

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So fun seeing all three kids playing in the water in mid May.

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My little naturalist.

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Some solid paddleboarding from Catalina and Fisher

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Dela got attached to this owl. Hanging on the monkey playground.

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They can all ride on the back now without us holding them.

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Heidi found this nest, and a different sandpiper nest in the tall grass. Better not mow here.

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Panorama of the bay.

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