Monday prior to vacation.

 Can you tell I'm excited? A countdown? It's lovely.

Update from the trials and tribulations of Friday:

Needed a recharge for the a/c (Q***K Mazda sucks for wanting $800.00) however, I do have a blown CV so, that needs to be fixed this coming weekend. pbthbth. Ride in this am was fantabulous and chilly even.

No more blue screen of death --whew! Thanks to Heather and Jim for assisting with that one.

Didnt get alot done for vacation really but, Jim did get a list all written out of the meal plan/grocery list so, thats nice. We did pick up the meats so, I guess we are on our way. I also picked up about a months supply of cat food so, they wont starve...got the catlady coming to take care of them and the fish so, thats more all set.

I guess it's a pretty good start.

Back from vacation and I'm trying to devise a plan on how to go back - soon. You know how it is on Monday after vacation. It will pass and I will accept reality - eventually.

New Gallery has lots of photos of the times had by all. Me, James Royer of Littleton Mass, his puppy, and oh yeah- the bear. All quite interesting to you all, I am sure.

http://www.tabulas.com/~PandaFan/gallery/59950/

1. More photos of the rustic cabin, the surroundings - including the bath house. Why didnt I get a picture of the tent area or the dishwashing station? I don't know - maybe next time for all of those inquiring minds.

2. Not much going on with the hiking things unfortunately but, my current nerves are keeping me on the kiddie/old folks trails and not even much with those. Lots of roadside Geocaching to be done. I think we found about 12 out of 20 - Jim knows better-he keeps detailed records.

3. Not much fishing on this outing either. What boring stuff, eh? Jim did catch a bass - you can see the poor little thing in the gallery. Yes, he did throw him back.

4. Abby was both a joy and a concern. Bringing a puppy out into the woods will bring your childhood excitement back and at the same time make you a nervous nellie. She sat by the river trying to figure out the water and its depth with her little paw slowly pushing into the stream or puddle. It was cute. She'd get excited and start running around like a nut too. Her favorite spot was at the corner of the driveway watching everyone coming and going from the bathhouse. Oh so interesting. She also spent time in the weeds - poison ivy and all. The chipmunks and birds kept her sighthound instincts alive. The flies kept her reflexes on edge. We did finally hear her bark - thank goodness. Just got dark, had the fire going and she's over on the driveway and she gets up and barks twice. Got our attention. Thought maybe the raccoons were arriving. Jim went to check it out - yeah - um - no - it was Mr. Bear.

5. About Mr. Bear. I love the fella, I really do. I'd love him more at a greater distance. Really. Do I want the Black Bear of the wood to come up in the dark and scare the heck out of me? No, I really dont. It's all so exciting - especially with a little puppy. Heck, without her it's crazy enough. I like seeing Mr. Bear out in the field, scrambling through the woods and even skirting the cabins for opportunity. I don't like Mr. Bear  sniffing the porch, putting his nose in the dogs bowl and you know what -- I really dont like when he takes my drink right out of my chair cup holder and gets his slimy tongue all over my cup. It's pretty gross. Pretty amazing that he knows to take a cup out of a cup holder too. He's not stupid. Neither am I. I go into the cabin - it's all good. Yep, you can call me a sissy girl - I really dont care. The bear is great in the woods, not around the cabin. Okay so - lots of pictures of Mr. Bear in the gallery as well. He visited most nights. Joy.

6. Picturesque. It's all so quite calm, refreshing and picturesque. Since I couldn't go rambling through the woods I decided to go back into my artsy fartsy picture taking so, dont mind if you dont enjoy those types of pics - it kept me entertained. If you like them though - they're in the gallery as well - enjoy!