Enjoying the River

One of the things that we enjoy most about living in Morgantown is that the Monongahela River runs right through the center of it.  The Mon river flows south from Pennsylvania, down past our house (you can't see it from here, it's sort of just over the hill) and into Morgantown.  If we drive just about a half mile north from our house, we cross over into Pennsylvania, another mile and we're in the little town of Point Marion, PA.  The above picture is taken in Point Marion, at a park we have been visiting lately. 

 Part 1 of the river enjoyment is the littler of the kids enjoying the water's edge this week.  I've been going to the park once or twice a week to walk around a track that is there.  The kids can play on the playground or ride their scooters on the basketball court while I walk.  Sometimes the biggest boys fish on a dock on the river while we're there.  This week was the first time that we discovered this shallow inlet and explored it. 

 It was Elijah who finally convinced me to let them take their shoes off and put their feet in the water.  Then there was no way we were leaving right away.  We stayed, enjoyed the water and came home for a late lunch when I finally had to cut it off.  The older boys, who were fishing, didn't mind the delay, of course.

 Isn't it beautiful out on the river?  It was the perfect weather that day.  I love the sun sparkling on the water.

 Part 2 of river enjoyment is, of course, fishing.  The boys have come to love this fishing spot at Point Marion Park and it's so close to our house that they have had a lot of opportunity to get good at catching things here and pulling up some different species than they have gotten out of surrounding lakes. 

 Sam's first Crappie.

 Using his new fish scale to weigh and measure his catch.

 And Part 3 of river enjoyment  is for Peter and I, who recently got to enjoy a lovely Italian dinner out on a patio alongside the river, in town.  The weather was the same perfect temperature and we were there all through the sunset and into the dark, where the little white lights hung around glowed and the hanging flower baskets were fragrant.  I soaked up the wonderful atmosphere and enjoyed the best company that I know.  :)  We were thankful to get this date night in before the arrival of our newest little one.  It will be a special memory.

 Just for fun, here's some pictures of some of the food we enjoyed.  Crab dip with deep-fried bread.  Super good.

I ordered a salmon and penne pasta dish with whole wheat penne.  It was wonderful.  Having some seafood was exactly what we were hoping for.