July 1, 2005

Photo of sunset, Whipple Hollow Road.
Bearfoot is parked under the protective canopy of an ancient Maple tree at my daughter's home in Pittsford, Vermont. We are partially on the lawn therefore our starboard side settles into the grass necessitating a releveling every other day or so. I think that will stop soon or perhaps we shall tip over to China. It is a lovely spot actually. They generously had the appropriate electrical outlet put in for me and the water is nearby. The weather continues hot and humid. It actually has felt more like July since we arrived in the northeast the first week in May. Having the AC is a blessing. Wednesday night after a T-shower, the electricity went out for 4 hours. Temperatures were still in the 80's after dark. I started my gennie which enables the AC unit to run. Several of us(this is a large family of 8 offspring) camped out in Bearfoot. I turned the lights and generator off about midnight. Everyone had a flashlight. It is amazing how older children and grandmother's can have lots of fun in the dark with a flashlight. We giggled and carried on for another hour or so. Sebastian only wanted to go to bed.

I went for a bike ride this morning while it was cooler. It is beautiful biking here except for the mosquitos. There are acres of wetlands nearby. I wanted to stop and observe but due to the bugs and lack of bug repellant, I peddled quickly by. Later on I drove over to an outdoor outfitter to find the best places in the area for kayaking. It was the first time I had driven the car with the kayak loaded. I discovered that moving the racks to this smaller car doesn't give me the stability I formerly had. I ended up buying a Thule cradle system that will fit my Yakima racks.

Now it is threatening to storm again and is supposed to cool off. I am going to bring in all my awnings since the wind is blowing hard. My plan is to kayak Chittenden Resevoir on tuesday after the 4th of July revelers leave. The Chittenden Res is approx. 170 acres of pristine water. Speaking of pristine water, Sebastian leaped in the pond here yesterday after the frogs. He came out covered in mud and pond slime. Happy but smelly. Since he insists on sleeping with me, he was immediately rinsed. He amazes me with his patience and tolerance of the