Monday -- June 2, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.0     Water Temperature: 61
It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. Let's hope this is a good start to a June filled with dry weather.

I saw a humming bird!

Tuesday -- June 3, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.2     Water Temperature: 64
The clouds have returned, but boy, wasn't it nice yesterday!

I have 25 six year-olds coming to the island today. They're teacher asked me to lead them on a mini nature hike, it should be a lot fun. I'll have to show them the root beer (sassafrass tea) that Kaylen and I made yesterday. It was the first time we ever made it and we were so excited when we found that it tasted really good, with a lot of sugar added of course.

Wednesday -- June 4, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.1     Water Temperature: 64
This latest batch of rain is expected to bring the river up to hazardous levels again by Thursday. the calander says June but the weather reminds me of March.

The school group that was here yesterday had a really good time and they managed to have all their fun before the rain arrived.

The mulberry trees have fruit now and that is attracting many critters. The geese are teaching their young how to reach up and pick the berries and our ground hog actually climbed the tree to get the tasty fruit.

Thursday -- June 5, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 8.2     Water Temperature: 64
I've never seen the river rise as fast as it did yesterday, three feet in twenty-four hours! The ground is so saturated that any rain we get goes directly to the river.

My ground hog is starting to become a nuisance. I had a wild rose bush by the bird feeder and the little bugger has devoured almost the entire plant! I guess it likes roses.

Usually I don't mind the high water too much, but this recent high water is forcing me to cancel the large party I was going to have on the island. I was so looking forward to having all my friends and family over for a real summer barbeque on the island. How dissappointing. The large party yesterday had to be cancelled as well. Please let the rain stop soon. I find myself longing for those days of drought back in August, something I thought I would never do.

Friday -- June 6, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 7.6     Water Temperature: 60
Yea! It's a sunny day! Get out on your bicycles and motorcycles today because tomorrow the rain returns.

I suppose I should take advantage of this rare opportunity to cut the lawn, I never know when I'll get the chane again.

It's amazing to watch the cycles of nature from this vantage point I have here on the island and now is the time of new life. Some of the goslings have reached cat size and the mother wood duck is diligently protecting her still many surviving chicks .The male wood ducks are mysteriously absent now. The pheobies are gone from their nest under the shed and the house finches are done nesting as well. I saw an immature tufted titmouse at the feeded (looking all grown up eccept for the few remaining spots on it's breast) and a little family of squirrels was playing at the base of it. It was fun to watch the young squirrels wrestling and rolling around on the ground.

Monday -- June 9, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 7.8     Water Temperature: 63
The good news is that the flood warning has been lifted and today should be sunny and warm. The bad news of course is that the Island will continue to be inaccessable for most, if not all, of this week. We're looking for someone who is willing to host the monthly meeting since we can't have it here.

I'm not a big fisherman but I'm sure this high water can't be good for the fishing, though I've heard that the catfish will still bite when the river is high and muddy. Lately I've been noticeing the catfish swimming in the shallows here. The high water has createrd a small, shallow pond between the canoes and the canoe float where for some reason you can find the catfish swimming in three to six inches of water. It seems strange that they would venture into water that is so shallow that their dorsal fins are sticking out. It also seems a little risky for the fish, not only could I easily have netted them but if the water receeds they risk becoming stranded on dry land, which happened to one poor fish the other day.

Reminder: If you have a locker and you want to keep it please let me know and if you want your own locker let me know that as well. As far as I know there is no extra charge for lockers.

Tuesday -- June 10, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 6.8     Water Temperature: 63
Maybe this sunshine will warm up the river, the water temperature is 63 degrees, and here it is June 10th! I thought it might be at least 68 by now! The last time the water temperature at little falls was above 65 was on Oct. 11, 2002. The river level that day was 2.7 feet, those were the days weren't they. I was reading the caretaker's log from a year ago May and noticed that the river never got above 5.5 feet, and on only two days was it above 5.0! I guess those were the days too.

After reading the caretakers log from May, 2002 I realized that the geese probably miss Doc.

I think most everyone can say that they've canoed around the island but how many of you can say that you've canoed across the island? This morning, in the sunshine, I decided to paddle around the island. I was already in a canoe since that's how we've been getting to the bus stop lately with the ferry closed and all. Anyway, I got to the foot of the island and decided to take a short-cut. I cut right aross the island, through the trees and past the picnic table that was half submerged. Working my way through the trees pulling on branches, gliding over saplings that stood three feet high. Coming out of the trees on the north side I scared up a large family of wood ducks. There are so many chicks in these groups that I'm beginning to wonder if the female wood ducks do some sort of co-op babysitting. One female would try to get my attention with a lot of strange wing splashing, while another female would continue to call the chicks and round them up. The poor chicks were scurrying as fast as they could and when they couldn't run/swim fast enough they would dive, only to pop up unexpectedly right next to the boat.

Wednesday -- June 11, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 6.6     Water Temperature: 65


Friday -- June 13, 2003
Water Level at Little Falls: 6.6     Water Temperature: 68
Well the trend continues and the ferry will be closed for yet another weekend. Flooding is expected today throughout the region with more thunderstorms on the way. I'm not familiar with the Canoe Cruisers but I doubt they'll have their race tomorrow, just another of the many events that have been cancelled this spring because of high water. Let's keep our fingers crossed for next weekend, I would hate to have to cancel the third annual summer solstice sleep-over on the island (Saturday the 21st). I can't wait to see the island covered in tents and happy, s'more-eating campers. Remember, if you're planning on coming to the solstice camping party on the island you need to contact George and Marcia Loeb at 301-652-4229 and let them know you're coming, they're bringing the food and they want to make sure they bring enough.

Today I have to try and figure out what's wrong with my hot-water heater. It seems to be leaking pretty bad and right now my bathroom is turned upside down as I try to dry out the carpet in there. Carpet in a bathroom is never a good idea. Let's hope it's something simple, I would hate to have to replace the heater, it doesn't look that old and what a hassle that would be.