The attack of the cottonwood trees

Ever heard of a cottonwood tree? I had not heard of them (or I just wasn't aware of them) until we moved to Iowa. Since the time I learned about cottonwoods, I have developed a serious love/hate relationship with these trees.

Some of the things I love about them is how huge they are. And the sound that the leaves make when the wind blows. And the great shade they provide. And the way they look leaning over the water...

Awhile back, I looked up information about the tree and discovered a lot of history behind it!

Here are a few things regarding the cottonwood:

• It is the State Tree of Kansas and Nebraska. 
• There are many legends and mysteries and love stories involving cottonwoods.
• They can grow over 100 feet high.
• There are male and female trees.
• Cottonwoods can become rotten and it is unnoticeable -- until the tree falls.
• They prefer to grow by water.
• They were a sight for sore eyes back in the pioneer days on the plains. They provided shade and wood for fires. And because they like to be wet -- water was usually found nearby.
• If you cut a branch from a cottonwood tree, there is a shape of a star inside. There is an old Native American legend that the stars from the skies were hiding inside the trees because they liked to be near people on earth.

On the lake where we live, there are thousands of cottonwood trees! At certain times of the year when the cotton seeds open and release into the air, it looks like a heavy snowstorm as they blow around. It is a beautiful sight to behold! The cotton will land on the ground in large clumps resembling a pile of snow.

I love seeing the cotton in the air.

But on the flip side, I loathe seeing the cotton in the air. It makes a mess and sticks to everything and worst of all, I am apparently allergic to the cute little fluffs that float around.

It happens quite a few times throughout the spring, summer and fall. Sigh... 

Cottonwood trees along the shore of the lake.

You can see the cottonwood seeds against the house -- looks like snow! This was a very light amount.

A branch with the seeds attached.

Cottonwood in the water. See how it clumps?

This cottonwood tree came down during a storm a few years ago and crashed through our neighbor's house (two doors down). They rebuilt after this!

As much as I dislike them sometimes, they are truly beautiful trees! As I am writing this blog, the late afternoon sun is shining through the trees -- and combined with a nice breeze blowing, they are making the leaves shimmer and I can hear the very distinctive rustle of the leaves.

Thanks for visiting!

Weekend on the Water #1

I thought I'd post some photos from our lake after each weekend throughout the summer. A kind of "mini tour" of the lake that we live on... 

Here is "Weekend on the Water #1" 

Enjoy! 

 

Three families of geese cruising the north side of the lake. Very friendly geese!

A handful of water-skiers were out this weekend!

The swimming beach is beginning to get busy...

Same boat -- different water-skier (ya show off!)

My favorite photo from this weekend! You can see the goose's legs in the water.

And... they left.

Tree-lined road going around the lake by the Nature Center and camping area.
If you enjoy birdwatching -- this is a great place to go!

One of my favorite spots on the lake -- my own patio.

Enjoying one of my favorite snacks -- salt water taffy!

It doesn't get much more relaxing than that!

More water sports -- this guy was pretty intense.

Redwood Resort area

Love the Iowa skies!

Thanks for visiting!

The boat is in the water!

We have finally launched the boat for the summer! The official date we rolled it in was May 26. It's also officially the latest we have ever waited to do so. It has been such a cold and rainy spring! Usually the boat hits the water sometime in mid-April.

Since launching on May 26, we have not had a nice enough day to take it out again! Maybe this weekend will bring some calm and warm weather.

Join me on a ride...

Welcome to our house! You can see the sunporch on the upper level. Behind our house, you can see the garage and guest house we built.

Holly loves to go for boat rides... We are slowly cruising the north side of the lake in our pontoon boat. Fun to see the activity as docks, boats and hoists are going into the water!

Here is the eagle carving from the other side. You can read about the eagle here and here. 

A grouping of fishing boats. They were pulling in lots of fish today!

Holly watching the shoreline. Not many boats are in yet. Only one can be seen in this photo and usually every house has at least one boat.

This is such a beautiful time of year when the trees are so pretty and green.

Water-skier drive-by.

Holly has her own stash of toys on the boat.

And she loves playing with them when she gets tired of the view!

Calm water approaching the swimming area.

Not many swimmers yet. This place will be full of people on hot summer days...

Great day to be cruising on the water. Another fishing boat is coming in for the evening.

Check out that Iowa sky! 
This kind of a day -- and this view -- is why I named my blog "Adrift on the Lake"

Thanks for reading!