Sunday -- July 4, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.1 Water Temperature: 80

I just got back from my trip to Cacapon State Park. I was at a family reunion there and had a great time. If you,re ever in Berkeley W.V. you should check it out. The Sitomers have been here since Wednesday watching the island for me.

It doesn't look like the rain is going to let up. David Sitomer just suggested that the fireworks might even be postponed. I looked at the radar and more storms are approaching. I guess David, Sea and I will have a quiet, rainy day on the island.

Monday -- July 5, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 78

Things are a little quieter here now that my kids have gone to their mothers. The quiet is nice but I sure miss having the kids around.

I urge all of you to go to a new web site savethepotomac.org. It has lots of news and links and ways to help our river. Get informed and get involved.

Tuesday -- July 6, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 82

I picked up a lot of litter around the island yesterday. The thunderstorms on Sunday, with their flash flooding, brought down all the trash out of the creek beds and the up-river wind kept it from heading down stream. The result was a slough full of bottles, cans and dozens of old tennis balls. If you come down maybe you can carry some trash when you go.

Wednesday -- July 7, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 82

Last night we watched the sun set over a perfectly still river, the layers of color reflected on the mirror-like water. Sitting on the captains float we listened to the young eagles calling out as their majestic parents swooped in with another catch. A great blue heron stood patiently on a vegitated rock out in the middle of the river whose frozen surface was only occasionally broken by a jumping fish or a swallow diving in for a drink.

Thursday -- July 8, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6 Water Temperature: 82

We had marine biologists snorkeling for fresh-water mussels in the slough yesterday.

Friday -- July 9, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6 Water Temperature: 81

Saturday -- July 10, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4 Water Temperature: 83

The air and the water are the same temperature.

Monday -- July 12, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 81

I cleared away a lot of the brush that was growing in front of the screen porch. I,m trying to make it a little nicer in there so I cleared the shrubs to improve the view, I hope nobody minds.

Today I have to fix one of the steps on the mainland. Now that the water is low we can see that the second-to-the-last step has rotted through. I could drive up to Home Depot and buy the lumber and carry it all the way down here or I could paddle across the river and salvage what I need from an old dock that is washed up on the Virginia shore. I think I'll chose the latter, it's cheaper and easier.

Tuesday -- July 13, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 81

I saw a cockfight on the island. Well, at least it looked and sounded like a cockfight. Two pileated woodpeckers were fighting over who-knows-what and making quite a racket. Maybe they were fighting over a good feeding spot.

The prothonotary warblers were busy feeding their young yesterday. The nearly-grown offspring were waiting impatiently for a handout from a parent. I was very happy to see them, it means the snakes didn't get them after all.

Wednesday -- July 14, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 81

Don't let the weather man scare you away. There have been some superb opportunities for summer paddling.

I haven't heard from anyone who's interested in the sleep-over on Sycamore. Please let me know if you want to camp out on the 31st.

I replaced the step yesterday, using my salvaged lumber. I also refastened the protective tires.

Monday -- July 19, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.1 Water Temperature: 77

It was great to see the island so busy yesterday! All the picnic tables were full and all the canoes were out in the river. I was pretty tired by the end.

Thursday -- July 22, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.1 Water Temperature: 81

DON"T FORGET!! Camp out on the island, one week from Saturday, on July 31st. Plesae tell us if you plan to come so we can get the food.

Friday -- July 23, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.1 Water Temperature: 82

Last night I ate my first fish from out of the potomac. Thanks to George Malusky I had the most tasty peice of grilled walleye. Another fisherman, Mike Grant and I sat and watched the rain from the screen porch and ate fresh walleye from the Potomac and fresh corn from Poolesville, very nice.

As I'm writting this there is an immature carolina wren clinging to my window screen, its baby down feathers still poking through its new flight feathers. And now a prothonotory warbler is hovering next to it, searching the window frame for insects to eat.

There was a report of two deer on the island two weeks ago and now it seems there are two deer living on rupert's!

Monday -- July 26, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2 Water Temperature: 80

I haven't see the ground hog for months and it looks like it is keeping itself hidden by staying away from the house and staying at its home by the swim float instead.

Wednesday -- July 28, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4 Water Temperature: 77

I got 4.5 inches of rain last night! There was some major erosion caused next to the steps on the mainland. A two-foot deep trench was dug from the towpath to the ferry-landing steps exposing a complex network of roots. The steps themselves were covered in rocks and mud, some of the stones that were moved are bigger than my hand.

Thursday -- July 29, 2004
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.3 Water Temperature: 79

You've heard of the Tour de France, now we have the Tour de Sycamore, a little biking trail that circumnavigates the island.

The great blue herons are so numerous and territorial that they now squabble over prime fishing spots, one favorite spot

is the captain's float.