"Sail MO" Stockton Lake Messabout 2016

The Sail MO Stockton Lake Messabout was last weekend. We had a decent turnout with some new and old faces alike. I camped out Friday and Saturday nights, my wife and daughter coming up for the day on Saturday. We paddled around and played in the water between an occasional bit of rain and lightning.

It was hot, buggy and humid, but fun. I did get a little overheated Sunday morning, though, and called it to head home a little early.

Over the weekend, I saw a couple of hummingbirds out over the water, a handful of night herons, a goldfinch, and heard a couple different owls in the night, one of which was a barred owl (Who cooks for you?). I also woke to the sounds of what I'm assuming to be a pileated woodpecker, since the knocking was so heavy and slow. They're neat birds, about the size of a small crow. When you see one at work, the wood chips fly like mad.

Friday evening, just after arriving.

Not a bad way to watch the sun go down.

Dinner - an Irish cheddar, dry salami, Wheat Thins and a Moscow Mule

Sunup, Saturday.

A quick sketch before driving back to Springfield to get the girls.

Playing in the water.

Frank B. brought an odd but interesting little folding boat.

Nathan O. brought this great stripper canoe.

My three skin boats - a Kidyak kayak, a Chuckanut 12 kayak and a Lanui SUP by Dave Gentry or gentrycustomboats.com.

Small boats at rest.

Gene B.'s grandson paddles his canoe around on Sunday morning.

Again, a great time. We'll be back up there September 23-25.