October

Bill Smith made two nice long trips to maryland in the Fall of 2003. It has been really great. My family has been very supportive and made sure that I was able to sample all the things that are to love about being on the bay.

Of couse, we did some serious waterskiing. Here's Bob contemplatinghis next backflip on the wake board.

Here's a Blue Crab that joined us for dinner. He looks friendly enough, but on closer inspection, he just wants to Kill Bill. I dismembered him shortly after the photo was snapped.

Helping to deal with the other crabs, the wrecking crew destroy a bushel of Blues and a case of Yeungling. Front and Center is Michael a fresh addition to the family from the Phillipines. Michael is wicket with the mallet.

Bob and Greg got hall passes for a very unique day of boating. It's been 18 years since the three brothers have been out on the magothy River together. Bob's standing on the sandbar at Ducth Ship (Dobbins) Island, quite probably contemplating the onrush of his golden years.

A Pair of strangely familiar looking wading birds.

November

Joshua (rear) loves paintball and even has a place to play near his house. Bob (right) is barely visible on the right in his ingenious white camo.

Thansgiving Day, Greg and Josh Pilot their newly decommisioned Navy Seal landing craft out to Eastern Neck Island. Everything out here is called a "neck". I believe it is because the locals cannot pronounce ithsmus.

Eastern Neck Island is a wildlife preserve in the huge Chester River on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The day we were there, the beaches were still covered with the debris of Hurricane Isabelle. Still, it was great to go to a place on the water where one could enjoy a little open space free from the blight of developers.

The real key to Family unity is Bob's Ping Pong Table. Here he is captured hogging the ball from him 8 year old daughter, Brie Cheese

Once upon a time my Brothers had little kids. Now it is scary to go back for a visit and see these individuals turning into real people. At 5'11" and 120 pounds, Josh still has a way to go.

Note: The shiner is from Lacrosse. He's totally proud of it. Attaboy!

A week of this craziness is about all I can take. I'm looking forward to getting back to the peace, quiet,and wild open spaces of Durango.