Tuesday -- May 4, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.5     Water Temperature: 58

I have cpr/first aid class this week. I won't be here on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Wednesday -- May 5, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.2     Water Temperature: 56

Technically the island is closed but if you want to call me I can bring you over when I get back from my red cross training.

There's a writer from the post coming down here today. He's going to do a piece about the down river race that ends here on Sycamore Island.

Friday -- May 6, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.8     Water Temperature: 64

The owl/owls were back again last night. It's low, resonate call adds mystery to the woods at night. I hope they eat some of my unwanted rodents.

I got invited to the annual fish fry at Fletcher's Boathouse. It was great to meet the Fletcher's and Dan and Laura Ward and other fellow river rats. The fish was good and I enjoyed hanging out with the old-timers and hearing all the old river stories. Not a bad way to spend a weekday afternoon.

I finished my training. I am now certified by the Red Cross in CPR and First Aid

Friday -- May 7, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.6     Water Temperature: 65

It was fun to see my picture in the paper this morning. With all this press coverage it could be a big day out on Sycamore Island next Sunday.

We found some new tracks on the island. It looks to me like we had a coyote on the island! We thought we might have heard one the other night but we weren't sure. This might explain why I haven't seen very many young geese on the island.

Monday -- May 10, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.4     Water Temperature: 68

Hot weather maybe we'll see some swimmers today!

Tuesday -- May 11, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.3     Water Temperature: 71

Wednesday -- May 12, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 73

Perfect weather today and the river level is down to four feet for the first time since I can't remember when. It hasn't been below four feet since last August!

Club meeting tonight at 8:00 on the island.

Wednesday -- May 12, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 73

Perfect weather today and the river level is down to four feet for the first time since I can't remember when. It hasn't been below four feet since last August!

Club meeting tonight at 8:00 on the island.

Thursday -- May 13, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.0     Water Temperature: 75

There were not enough members at the meeting last night, so nothing got voted on. It was, however,a beautiful night to be on the island.

We hear the owls almost every night now and we saw one drift above us as we ate our dinner the other night.

Wednesday -- May 19, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 77

I thought I had a bachelor ground hog living under the club house but I guess I was wrong. It seems we have two ground hog pups running around here which means we most have two adults as well. I'm afraid of the implications of having a breeding pair of burrowing animals digging up the island. I suppose it's only temporary though, the next time the island goes under water those over-sized rodents will be gone.

Thursday -- May 20, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.4     Water Temperature: 75

The mulberries are coming into season now and I watch as the goldfinches dive in and out of the foliage. The broad leaves shine yellow in the bright sunshine and the male finches would disappear among the branches were it not for their bold, black wings.

Friday -- May 21, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.1     Water Temperature: 73

The river level is above five feet, which is bad news for any islanders who wanted to come down, but its good news for the goose who is trying to reach the mulberries hanging above the river.

I saw seven carolina wrens all close together sitting on the same branch!