Feb. 21, 1997: Joanne – with recovering twisted knee – tramped through the deep snow to pay a winter visit. All is well.
May 31, 1997: ARRIVED AFTER A 3 DAY DRIVE FROM ALBUQUERQUE. DIDN’T HAVE A KEY SO I CLIMBED IN A WINDOW. NEW BARN IS IN PROGRESS. TECO ALREADY LOVES IT HERE. NOW TO BUILD A PATH…
– ADAM
July 5, 1997: Arrived 6 days ago with Rebecca and Jason. It’s unbelievable how gorgeous this place persists in being. Grateful to be alive when here.
– Clinton
P.S. Joined by Audre, Erica Beuler, Harry, Sean, Helen and Amy as well as a new barn in construction.
How had an incredibly relaxing vacation enjoying this beautiful, peaceful spot. THANK YOU!!!
Rebecca
July 5, 1997: Absolutely wonderful. A relaxing week with friends; this is as good as it gets.
Sean
None of us logged in last year although we were here (Jason, Rebecca, Clinton, Sean, Phil, Emily, Audrey, Abby). We had a great time—as always. This year we added a couple of “old faces” and one (or 2) new ones. Phil is history. It is interesting to observe the changes in us as we age. And marvelous that we all still posess that which makes it possible for us to be friends and to truly communicate. Sunshine, starry nights, games, conversation, singing, laughter, campfire, communal meals—I’ll miss it and enjoy again next summer.
– Audrey
July 6, 1997: Spent my first stay of greater than a weekend since I was a kid. The new barn and ping-pong table are great. My broken elbow has recovered (mostly) ao I was able to spend seven fabulous days here.
– Jason
7/6/97: I usually enjoy adventure-packed, sight-seeing vacations, so this was a great change of pace. Enjoyed meeting new friends, great meals, warm sunshine, starry nights, cool breezes, and playing games. Thanks for inviting me, Jason. Now I understand why you’ve never encountered woods you didn’t want to walk in.
Helen
7/6/97: A nice relaxing weekend with good laid-back folks. Thanks for the invite
harry
7/6/97: I’m very excited to have been a part of Jason’s first extended stay as an adult! I was amazed to see how many years ago I made an entry – & then with even more astonishment realized that it hasn’t been that long compared to how long I’ve known Jason & some of these other folks. It felt like a wonderful reunion from my last visit w/Amy, Audrey, Sean, & Jason. I was so happy that Helen, Rebecca and Harry were able to come this year, and it was terrific meeting Clinton & Adam – who so graciously let us invade his living place & made us feel so welcome. The lake, woods & weather were perfect, and it was great to have a wonderful pet dog join us this time & the barn is great!
Thanks!!!
Erica
July 14: I went swimming today off of the sailboat while in the middle of the lake, then i tipped the sailboat over. Teco plunged inwillingly in and looked a little panicked. He couldn’t get back into the sailboat, so bravely clung to the sail, which was in the water at this point, but couldn’t get a good hold there, so finally he turned and headed for our dock and swam all the way home. Good dog! (by the way, i’ve tipped him off the sailboat a number of times (never on purpose) and last night he fell out of the paddle boat while i was swimming – he still comes back for more.)
– ADAM
P.S. In the middle of June, with the new Dodge (Dog) pickup having only 477 miles on it, i bumped into with the tractor and put a dent in it. oops.
July 19, 1997: PAUL’S 40th BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
We are thrilled to share this weekend at “Fern Lodge” or whatever is finally decided as a name. Joanne shared her special walk at “The Devil’s Elbow” and we found pitcher plants, blue berries almost ripe, rhododendron in bloom and mountain laurel just past bloom. Rescued a Rhododendron for planting a “remembering Tree”. Beautiful place in a ferny paradise. Thanks for letting us share it with you this magnificent weekend Dave & Sandy White
July 25–27, 97: Paul and Donna Wilhelm here. Hiked the circle path at Devil’s elbow to find the pitcherplants & sundews. Also bushwhacked into Buttermilk Falls. Paul has a nifty new walker.
July 27: Juliet called with news of Henry’s stroke which happened on July 17-18. He and Elizabeth were to come on Thurs. for the usual Shunk week. It will be the first summer in my memory when the Kolms will not be here! He is mending. Next year, for sure.
Aug. 3: Time to go back to Philadelphia. Had a full Fri PM, Sat, & Sun AM of sailing, hiking, paddleboating, finding a salamander a home, touring Shunk & the sawmill. Quite an experience, much better than expected. Very peaceful. Julia
Aug. 11, 1997: I’ve been here for three weeks now. And I’ve done EVERYTHING paddleboated, canoed, sailboated, went to church, hiked and a whole lot more!!
– Charlie (8½) eight and a half
Aug. 13: End of summer already for me. I built 226 yards of path, including 6 more bridges (for a total of 10). I painted a directional sign for the top of the driveways. I repainted the blue background on the flower mural on the kitchen island. I populated the islands on the lake. I cut up a lot of trees. I fixed the player piano. I built a wood rack in the new barn. I tightened the screws on the main bathroom door, adjusted the toilet, and fixed the closers on the cabinets above the oven. I soldered a new piece of pipe up to the shower head. I put 3 dents in the new pickup. I caught 3 mice by hand. I took lots of pictures and video, including some aerial shots, courtesy of daddy and a Cessna 172. That was the first time i’d ever seen the lake from the air. Now i’m off to Chicago, where work for Wendy White awaits, then eventually i’ll make it back to Albq., where more work awaits. This summer went by too fast and i didn’t do nearly as much as i wanted to. I’ll just have to come back again soon.
Adam and Teco.
Aug 14: Swimming in the lake every day – I could not think of anything more invigorating. We had a double-birthday party … … … … – 1st anniversary celebration. Here is much nicer than Albuquerque. It’s great to be able to call this home now –
Barbara & Ian
Oct. 12, 1997: This a.m. I bushwhacked my way from the lake, down Rock Creek to the Beaver dam at Ellenton Rd. It was not a walk for weak knees! At the beginning, the high hemlock covered bank made an O.K. path. Later, the creek divided, making a jammed-log island in the middle. very difficult. Two small streams came in on the left side. About 2/3 of the way the land flattened out into a swamp-like place; few trees, nearly impassible bushes, and a deeply narrow no-rocky-edged stream. I tried to find deer trails. Saw a deer and several bear scats (with berry pits). Passed two dirt roads; one a usable one going to a cabin to the right, the second one was ancient & the bridge had washed away. Again, at the Beaver dam site, it was rough going—all disturbed land. Saw many birds here, including a brown creeper. Ken came to meet me. It took about 1½ hrs. Hardly a Sunday stroll!
Beautiful warm fall day. End of summer. J.
Oct. 12, 1997: The summer of the new barn.
Planted the Colin grandchild Blue Spruce.
New paddleboat
And Adam’s Path!!
December 28, 1997: Joanne, Ken, and Nina dropped in on a beautiful, sunny, chilly (20°) day – the day after the Caroline–Joanne–Ann birthday celebration in Eagles Mere.