Hike

This morning Edwards and I were invited up to Sue's to go on a hike. Before we set out we all admired Sue's new raised bed garden! She is done with on the ground weeding, DONE! It would appear that she does not plan to share with the rabbits. . .I am sure the deer can leap that fence and Mr. Moose will just walk through it if he wants to.

We were joined on the hike by Iris, whom I picked up as I drove by, and Joyce and her dog, William. Joyce lives over on Perch Pond. So we four ladies and three gentlemen dogs set out. There are wonderful ATV trails down through Sue's property.

Sue had strategically placed political signs along the route which made me laugh. Take a look at these three relatively clean dogs. . .when we got to the end of the trail they looked like pitiful mud wrestlers. . .

At one point on our hike we spied what looked like bear tracks in the clay. There were definite claw marks.

The going was not very easy in places. Road pretty rocky and did I mention it was muddy.

In jig time we turned in at our old red gate up back and came down the trail and there was our outhouse. Next stop was a swim in the lake before these dogs could become part of civilization again.

Such a handsome William, despite the mud.

Edwards is ready to take the plunge.

Dripping wet and mudless!

A happy swimmer.

Good dog!

A True Team of Servants

Job and Jamin Peck gave up a beautiful week in Vermont to go to Idyllwild, California to help Job's brother, Josh, and the rest of the Camp Maranatha Staff during an intensely busy week. They have worked hard and are at this time at the Newark Airport waiting for their delayed flight on to Albany. Praise the Lord for willing workers.

More Cruise

This is a picture of a picture so not too good. Back row: Linda, Kendell, Kim, MomZup, Nikki. Front row: Susan, Tracy. This picture was taken on Mother's Day.

At dinner that night all the mothers were given this special dessert and a beautiful pink carnation.

The three of us were in one cabin and the other four were in another. Our cabins had balconies and were very nice! Looks like Tracy was really stepping out in style!

A Few Cruise Pics. . .More Later

This picture is of Miami Beach as we were pulling out of the Port of Miami. Doesn't it just look so inviting. It sure did to the seven of us winter weary Vermont gals!

More shots of Miami.
That building in the foreground is the Port of Miami. Those elevated walkways were what we traversed after we had cleared customs and walked onto the ship. Let the cruise begin! Of course I uploaded my pictures in the order they were taken and so they are in reverse order once I am ready to post them.

More Miami skyline. We set sail at 1600 on May 9th.

Before the ship could leave port we had to do the mandatory life jacket drill. This is Linda and Tracy my fellow cabin mates enduring the longest half hour of the whole trip!

Ben Franklin in Fair Haven is going out of business!

I was out on the town today with my very own, favorite JMF (that is Junior Mint Fairy for those of you who are uninitiated) and we came upon the Ben Franklin going out of business sale. 20% off is 20% off! Pretty exciting stuff so all you bright eyed little searchers keep your eyes peeled!

Last Day at Sea!

Will not be able to post pictures until I get home but we are having a wonderful time. Weather has been gorgeous and we are all a little sun shy today as we spent a good part of yesterday aboard a catamaran as we swam with the sting rays at Sting Ray City off of Grand Cayman. You would all pay money to see the picture of me cannon balling off the back of the vessel in my bright orange flippers with my snorkel equipment around my neck!!! We also were able to snorkel over the coral reef being very careful to not even tred water in that spot and definitely no standing up in that vicinity.
When we were in Ochos Rios, Jamaica we swam with the dolphins and that was absolutely the greatest. We were able to say "no" to most of the vendors/beggars. Jamaica was much worse than Grand Cayman in that respect. Grand Cayman seemed much more wealthy. Just wanted to check in. . .home tomorrow evening!

A Late Afternoon Stroll

A beautiful day for a walk.

One less big old tree to have to worry about during a wind storm!

Looking for ticks!

Found a tennis ball instead. . .also found several skeletal fish left by eagles or osprey. . .yummy!

Lots going on at the Sawyer place. JET and I checked it all out. The young couple have an old black lab named "Lucy" and are going to have their first baby in July.

We Have Too Much Stuff!

We are pooped tonight after a long day of packing. Transporting. . .carrying stuff down to the cottage. . .you get the idea! Barry has been bringing loads over all week so he is really pooped. All the things we brought over are still right where we set them down when we got here except for the frozen things which are in the freezer! We went to the West Haven Historical Society potluck tonight so I did not have to find a usable spot in the kitchen to make dinner. Loretta at the Benson Village Store made my salads!

Edwards has been alarmed to find that after dark this house is surrounded by dogs peering in the window at him. They bark when he barks and that makes him go nuts! The dog outside the sliding glass door is very scary. . .but when I let him out to confront the interloper the other dog disappears much to Edwards consternation. We are thinking he will get used to this. . .he is curled up in the crate. . .the one constant in his ever changing world. Now to rest my weary bones! We will take less stuff next winter. . .remind me come October, please. I would post some pictures but that would require finding my camera and all the requisite cords etc. Ah, home sweet home!