Had a fabulous weekend at Becoming an Outdoorswoman (BOW)! Obviously too much to put in one post, so here we go.
BOW was held at Silver Bay YMCA this year like the last few years. This is the 19th NY BOW workshop. Silver Bay is really a magnificent facility. The Inn is the main building and has that wonderful wraparound porch with rockers where you just want to put your feet up and sit all day.
Especially with this view:
Those hollyhocks are so tall, too.
Yes, you will see more flower pictures 😀
My sister and I ended up in the same room that we did last year, which was nice. We weren’t in the Inn, but a couple buildings away.
Quite comfy accommodations, really. We had a suite with another room and a shared bathroom. The rooms have Wifi, but no cell service (Adirondacks — typical) and no TV. So nice and quiet. Most certainly not roughing it!
The workshop ran from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. You take 4 classes. It’s really hard to choose classes because you can only take 4 out of about 40 choices. My first stop was the kayak class. Now, I really wish I could have taken pics on the water, but I was not risking bringing my camera out on the water as it is not waterproof and I didn’t think to get a cover. But I have some pictures of the kayaks!
Check out that beauteous weather, too!
It was about 90 and sunny. I wore lots of sunscreen. The kayaking was fun. Way different than being in a canoe and I actually liked it better. It didn’t feel as wobbly as a canoe does (to me). The classes are about 3-1/2 hours long. We had safety and equipment instruction, then you just get out there and do. Only one person rolled over in our class, but that was when she switched kayaks to a small tight one. Getting in and out is the hardest thing with the kayak, and you need a surface to lean your paddle on as you kind of pop out of the boat onto it. I am sure I looked graceful indeed, but I was happy not to end up in the water!
After that class, it was dinner time. Did I mention they feed you well here at Silver Bay?
I ate so many cucumbers this weekend LOL! I just wasn’t feeling the salad, so that’s what I ate. I also ate a lot of chocolate. My sister seemed to think we would be starving, so she brought candy and cashews (hello trigger foods). 
After dinner, we listened to a presentation on ticks. Lyme disease is very prevalent in our area, so it’s always good to get as much information as you can.
Then we went out fishing on the lake. This is still Lake George, by the way. Just up north of the village a lot more. Actually, I did not fish because I didn’t get a license.
Found these footprints in the sand. I wish I had put a dime down there for scale. Maybe chipmunk?
Lake George is really one of the most beautiful lakes out there. It really and truly is.
We heard loons, too. So cool. Actually, I saw and heard a lot of cool things on this weekend.
Back with more tomorrow!
Oh what a wonderful place! Now I want to visit Lake George. I hear they have froyo there too :))
I love hollyhocks. Haven’t ever had luck with them myself.
Looks fabulous so far! Can’t wait to see more.
Your photos just scream SUMMERTIME! It looks great!
What beautiful pictures! Looks like I may have to check out the NY BOW sometime 🙂 Wisconsin’s accomodations are a bit more rustic – 4 person dormitory style. They do feed us well and the outdorrs are peaceful and beautiful. Sounds like you had a lovely time.
Outstanding!
What a fun weekend Lori. How nice to shar it with your sister. Telll us more…
OMGOSH what a very cool experience Lori.
you do the neatest things.
What a neat opportunity in a gorgeous location! Looks like an amazing time.
What a fantastic place – I remember how much fun you had last year. If you flip over in a kayak, are you easily able to get out without assistance? That always worried me a bit so have yet to try – but it looks like a blast!
Most people just come out of the kayak as it rolls over and don’t even get their heads wet. You just pop out, especially in the wide kayaks we had (for newbies). Now, it is really hard to get back *in* a kayak in the water, so people practice rolling the kayak all the way around so they stay in there and come back up the other side.
Beautiful place for you outdoor weekend Lori. We have rented a kayak 2 years ago in Belgium and it was lots of fun to do.
What a disappointment that you didn’t have a chance to try that upside down in water thingie. 🙂
It looks so pretty I started thinking I could become a outdoorswoman myself…
Just beautiful! Since I’m not so outdoorsy, I’d be tempted to just sit on that porch all weekend…
“Hello trigger foods.” You crack me up 😀
Lori, that main house & porch area – I want to be there! Beautiful! All the pics are beautiful! Such fun you have & can’t wait to hear & SEE more pics!!!! Eager to see if you were gun shooting or bow & arrow shooting or what! 😉
What a gorgeous place to have so much fun!!
Ah, Lake George…..how I miss you! Can’t wait to hear about classes 2-4! And I agree that this is such an awesome “sister” time. Hope you can make it an annual tradition.
I have always wanted to kayak – so fun! And fishing is one of my favorite things to do – looks gorgeous – did you guys swim in the Lake at all?
What a fun post! I’m jealous of your weekend. It sounds like so much fun. I’ve never been in a canoe or kayak and it’s my goal to do it this summer.
WOW….how beautiful is Lake George??? Glad you had such a wonderful weekend. Thank you for sharing the photos with us.
How fun! 🙂
The loons! Makes me think of ‘On Golden Pond!’