On Tuesday, Sept. 7 we made a quick trip of 540 miles to Ft. Knox, KY to visit our son and his family there. It had been more than a year since we had seen them so even though our stay was short and the drive was long, we do feel that it was well worth the drive. While there we were able to attend "Grandparents Day" at our granddaughter's school and to have lunch with her. After two very busy days there it was back to the car and return to the refuge as we work weekends. All went well and we are once again back home at Swan Lake NWR.
One of the neat things about where we are is the population of birds. We especially enjoy the goldfinches that come around, although we also have large numbers of crested titmice, a few nuthatches, cardinals, blue birds, and assorted other regular visitors to our feeders. And the humming bird feeder is busy most of the time as well. We seem to have a pretty popular spot with our feathered friends.
We have been working on the new laundry and storage building for the RV village this week and this was day four of the construction. Shane from the refuge has been working with me on this all of the time and Rick has helped as well when he has not been busy at other work. One more day of good weather and the building should be weather tight. At that point I can work inside even if it should rain. 
This has been such a cool, wet summer here that a week with no rain has been a very nice change for everyone.
At this time of year the refuge employees are very busy at the farming side of things because it is time to do the final plantings of feed for the migratory ducks and geese that are expected soon. The first of the green wing teal have already arrived.
Monday began the construction project for the RV village. Two employees from the maintenance department and myself have 
begun construction of a laundry building for the volunteers. The building is 12' by 20' and will contain a washer, dryer, refrigerator/deep freeze, sink and a shower. Depending upon how things go, there might be one or two other things added later. This building is perhaps 100 feet from the RV pads and is planned to relieve the need to go down to the bunkhouse basement to do laundry. With three of us working we have made really good progress.
The weather here has been nearly perfect for such work with low temperatures in the low 50's and highs in the upper 70's, sunny and little wind. It has been much cooler than is usual for northwest Missouri in late August/ early September.
Saturday was "Green Wing Day" at the refuge, sponsored by the Yellow Creek chapter of Ducks Unlimited. This was a major event for children of the area to teach them about the different ducks which migrate through the refuge and to introduce them to duck hunting and shooting sports. 
There were 220 kids and a bunch of parents here for the event. The weather was perfect and everyone seemed to have a great day.
On Friday, Aug. 28 we took a trip to one of the attractions on Pam's "must see" list for this area. Watkins Mill is the only 1800's textile mill which still is completely intact with all of the original machinery. The park is located about an hour from us and was a day well spent. There is an excellent visitor center and museum and a collection of buildings that are original from the family farm and industrial complex that once housed Waltus Watkins and his family consisting of his wife, their nine children, his mother and his sister. He was a very successful farmer and business man.
The mill is of particular interest because it is the only 1800's mill which has the 
complete inventory of machinery which was in it while it was in production. Not one piece of the original machinery is missing. Another reason that this mill is so unique is that the factory was powered by one steam engine which also powered the grist mill which was in the same building. Should you be near this park it is a "must see" for anyone who enjoys history and old machinery.
On Monday we headed out to explore some of the local areas. Our destination was to be Jamesport, a community known 
for it's Old Order Amish community. We traveled there by the state highways to see the countryside as we went. About halfway was the small town of Lock Springs, which we found to be quite interesting. The most interesting of all was the "community post office." The town seems to be quite alive, even with the slow disappearance of business there.
The town of Jamesport is about 35 miles northwest of Chillicothe and is a very 
worthwhile trip. The community is actually inhabited by a mix of Old Order Amish, conservative Mennonites, and some German Baptists, all of whom have pretty similar beliefs. The Old Order Amish do not live in the town but have businesses on their farms that are scattered about the area. Only two of the Amish businesses are right next to the town. There are Mennonite and German Baptists who have businesses right in the town including an excellent restaurant that is Mennonite.
Our grandson, Bryce is here from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, and so finds this area quite different. His dad has
never been much for fishing so he has done very little of that. Here in Missouri there is a great deal of fresh water fishing, mostly bass and catfish so that was one of the things which Bryce was looking to do. Here on the refuge there is some fishing that is considered good but the fishing for catfish is highly rated. On Monday I was fortunate to give him a lesson in fishing, and a pretty successful one. And was he ever proud to have provided fish for our dinner! One more great day!
There isn't much that is better in life for a grandpa, than to take a grandson out on a successful first fishing trip! This will be a day that is long remembered by both of us!
We have now begun to do some of the volunteer work which we came here to do. Thus far our work has been only to operate the visitor center on Saturday & Sunday with the days split between the two of us and Judy, the other work-camper who is here. In addition, the first Friday of each month 
there is an evening program for the local residents to attend, that we also help to put on.
For the short time that this First Friday program has been in operation the attendance is very good. This is a rural area with no significant towns near the refuge, but attendance has been running about 200 people. The program also involves the "Friends of Swan Lake NWR" group and they supply hot-dogs, cookies, and cold drinks. The local community seems to really enjoy this evening program series.