Best Life

 An absolutely beautiful sunny, warm day.  Coffee on the back deck was the perfect way to start the day.  It no longer feels like fall but a perfect summer day in Maine. Paul began the task of measuring and staking the footprint for the carport. Meanwhile I continued the process of washing the interior of the boat. The ski locker was the worst.  I found standing water and lots of dirt but thankfully no critters.  After an initial wash most of the dirt was removed.  It spent the remainder of the day in the hot sun drying nicely.  After our scrub brush arrives from Amazon (apparently we have none here!) - I will complete the cleaning.  When we pulled the wet/dry vac out, we found some critter's stash! The water skis cleaned easily.  The tow rope - not so much, it had to be trashed.  (Another Amazon order.) And then we headed south to Farmington to see Bob Marley.  The venue was the outdoor drive-in - warm, beautiful sunset and great p...

 Today felt  like a fall day in New England.  Cool, crisp and a brisk wind.  Too cold to take out the hose and wash the boat.  So I cleaned inside instead.   And Paul has begun his next project - a carport on the side of the new garage.  We sorted through the wood salvaged from the old ugly shed. A new pile situated on the side of the garage for the carport. The ugly shed we dismantled last year.  So thankful we salvaged most of the wood.   A trip to the lumber yard to order the few missing pieces and roof material with delivery next Tuesday means the project can move forward in early August.  We also visited the bargain barn at the dump where I found books for me and Brianna. And a very pleasant and late night with our neighbors Steve and Dorothy.  Dinner morphed into a talk fest that continued until well past 11pm.  Lively conversation with lots of "gossip" about the residents in the town of Rangeley.  Though w...

 While Paul completed the rewiring of the boat trailer wires, I scrubbed the front half of the interior of the boat.  Inside the cooler I found cups and a water bottle that have been there for years. But under the seat cushions where lifejackets and floatation cushion were stored was surprisingly dry and clean.   Dark skies arrived just after 1pm with thunder in the distance.  We quickly moved the boat back in the garage under cover. Then when the rain held off we decided to blow up the towable tube to check for leaks.                                              So far, so good.  Five hours later the tube remains inflated! The rain arrived with a suddenness and lots of thunder rolling through the mountains.             And eight minutes later - the rain was gone, the thunder more distant a...

 Invite an Alien to Live With You Day.  The only alien in our life was a friend of Peter's back in 2000.  He traveled all over Pine Road with Peter! Word of the day - prosaic.  Meaning everyday, ordinary.  This was the definition of my day.  A bit of laundry, a bit of cleaning, some raking and cleaning fallen branches. A short nap, some reading and cooking.   The weather - cool, very windy and mostly cloudy.  Rain threatened most of the day but has yet to materialize.  Very unmotivating. Paul accomplished a bit more than I.  He siphoned the old gas (at least 8 years old) out of the boat, changed the oil, installed the new propeller and even had the engine running.  It sounded good!  Hopefully by the time the warm temperatures return, we will be ready to take her out on the lake! And with power in the garage - he had music via bluetooth.  Music makes the work easier! And we are now enjoying internet service via Fidium!...

 Today's adventure - kayaking on Flagstaff Lake in Eustis, Maine.  The weather was a bit cool (low 60s) and the sun intermittent, but still a delightful excursion.  Geese, a loon, a blue heron and lots of mountains.                                 Rebecca and Scott with the Horns of Bigelow Mountain in the background.                                                                      Rebecca                                                  Scott and the Canadian Geese family - 11 ducklings! Same lake in 2007:      ...

 Today's adventure took us to Hunter Cove.  A favorite snowmobile path, today we hiked almost 2 1/2 miles to the cove.  Beautiful spot.   We also made a quick stop at the Rangeley History Museum in downtown.  We have never stopped in despite walking by it for so many years.  Part of the issue are the hours of operation.  Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm during July and August only.  Is it any wonder we have never been inside?                                                       A Rangeley boat hanging from the ceiling.                                              An old photo of Main Street, Rangeley            ...