2-APRIL-2015: Paul, Colin, and 4 friends spent a semi-snowbound week.
Very cold the day we arrived, last Saturday. Could see our breath as we sat in the livingroom after dinner. Fortunately the space heaters in each bedroom kept our sleeping quarters cozy each night.
The weather was all over the place. Cloudless bright sky on Sunday, 4 inch of fresh snow on Tuesday, 50’s today, raining tonight. Lots of snow still on the ground, but today saw a lot of melt. Ice on the lake is still quite thick and solid. We all enjoyed some stargazing from the middle of the lake on Wednesday night – clear sky, bright moon, crisp temperatures, the whole scene lit up by the bright moon and the reflecting snow cover.
The water is off because of overnight freezing temps and the complications of starting and stopping the water. We borrowed 3 5gal jugs from Ann & Bob and filled them from their handy frost free outdoor spigots. We augmented that with melted snow which we used for toilet flushing, dish washing and pasta boiling. The 15 gallons of potable water lasted us the week with some to spare.
We had two outings, otherwise we stayed on site. Monday was a shopping trip to Canton followed by lunch at Subway. Tuesday we ate at Baumunk’s general Store, chatted with Ann & Bob and then headed over to World’s End for some frolicking along the icey shoreline of Loyalsock Creek.
The boys spent their time sleeping in, reading, staying up late, tromping around in the snow exploring, board games, video games, DVD movies (complete with popcorn). [YES—they brought a video monitor.]
Meals were simple and delicious — a big pot of oatmeal for breakfast, snadwiches for lunch and a simple dinner each night: hamburgers Sat & Sun, spaghetti Mon, pork roast Tues, brats Wed, Chili Thu.
We were able to park at the end of the grade at the top of the driveway — Bob & Ann play the grade and their driveway. So transporting all our gear and supplies in the week wasn’t too difficult.
I managed to get in two bike rides the past two days. I was worried the bike was going to end up spending the whole visit in the rack atop the van between the cold weather in the early part of the week and the heavy all day snow fall on Tuesday, but the last 2 days warmed up enough for some enjoyable expeditions. Wednesday I followed various unpaved roads as far as they’d been plowed — Pleasant Stream, Dry Run, and the Masten Road. The “No Winter Maintenance” signs on each marked my turnaround. Today I rode down Wheelerville Mtn Road (fast!) and up Ellenton Mtn Road (slow).
Colin’s friends are all high school classmates — all SENIORS. They are twin brothers Daniel and Taylor Myers (who were here 3 summers ago), David Messina, and Tommy Barlow.
Our goal tomorrow is a one day drive back to Chicago!
May 22, 2015
Here for a day – before Memorial Day. Lilacs, Foam flowers, Goldthread, Canada Mayflowers – all in bloom! Lovely sunny day.
J.
May 25, 2015:
The Helliwell back with the Jason & Abby crew. A new addition “Heather”. Bradley back for 2nd time & now more about exploring & the lake. Wonderful weather, friends & time. Thanks so much!
May 25, 2015
Thank you for a great weekend! First time I’ve arrived before night on Friday. Great to hang out with Jason & Abby & Steven, Sean Blinn, and David, all the Helliwells, and to meet Adam & Seera
Diane Chan
May 25, 2015
Nice to see everyone again! Thanks for having me back. – Sean Blinn
MAY 25th, 2015
Great weekend with family and friends. Steven has two friends to play with for the first time!
Jason & Abby
May 25th, 2015
AARRGGHH!!! The gate is locked!!! Oh well, still a fantastic time
David _. ___
June 12-14 2015 — Charlie & Friends:
Thank you so much for your hospitality— I had a great time reading, canoeing, playing Koob & cooking.
Perfect summer weekend!
Love, Liz Fritz
6/12 — 6/14
Had an amazing time swimming, canoeing, playing games and eating delicious food! Thanks so much for having us!!
Kristie Wong
The trails were amazing… Enjoyed getting lost in nature, and finding all of the stars in the sky.
– Ian Guerin
June 12–14, 2015
An absolutely fantastic weekend! Too much to do and not enough time to do it all. It felt like going back to summer camp, but with way better food. Thanks!!
Orion Burt
June 12 – 14, 2015
What a wonderful weekend! Had a great time canoeing, hiking and eating great food. This was such a relaxing & fun weekend, thanks so much!
Josie Pratt
JUNE 12–14, 2015
Perfect mini-vacation in a beautiful house. Loved the kayaking, canoeing & a nice hike to check out the scenery!
Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend of food and outdoors.
Thank you so much ~ SARA RUBIN
Here for a few days with friends. Wonderful! Warm weather and a great time. Back in July!
Charlie
July 22, 2015
BLP meeting
Lucy Baumunk
Ann Henderson
Ken Ford
Joanne B. Ford
The Board ending 2015
8-2-15: Two week vacation! Built a bridge and 3 benches. Made 2 batches of Blueberry jam and 1 batch of raspberry jelly. Filled all the potholes on the grade. Took lots of hikes. Saw deer, eagle, great blue heron, grouse, cooper’s hawk, a squirrel, and a bear! Back to work.
Adam & Seera
August 2, 2015
Enjoyed a wonderful afternoon hike with some climbing. Thanks for the jam and apple butter.
Karen Ladd & Darby
8-6-15: My first fish was a 13 in, Bass! –Naima
8.08.15: Only here a week? However, we built fairy houses behind the treehouse and caught 13 adult Red-Spotted Newts (no red efts, sadly!). I also caught my first fish, a 10–12 inch pike. I went to Rock Run with Thomas and Uncle Paul. Naima, Adina, and I played “Newt Club” and Warrior cats. —Isaiah
8/8/15: I was here with two kids plus Adina (for a few days) and Mark (for two days) The rest of us stayed for a week.
We made a lovely fairy house on a stump behind the tree house. I did a lot of baking: oatflake cake, blackberry pie, blueberry muffins, cornbread. The lake was beautiful! Naima and Adina went kayaking by themselves for the first time (8 years). We all had a lovely time. A fire in the fireplace every morning. I cleaned the forest. Now back to Providence. Nina
8/8/15: Paul Casy Julia (Casey’s friend) & Lakota had a great week
Fishing, paddling, biking, cooking, Knoebel’s, World’s End, campfires, board games, Scrabble, cousins, Rock Run. Busy week.
8/14/15
Thomas and Maggie made the journey up from New Orleans via camper truck! I was really excited to be able to bring Maggie up here and she absolutely loved it. Tromping around the woods, wading in streams and getting endless love. I got the chance to overlap with Nina & co. as well as Paul and co. which is always a treat, plus the first time ever w/ Charlie, Daniel, my mom and grandparents with no one else, some great family time! As always a great relaxing trip. I can’t wait for next year.
Thomas and Maggie
August 15, 2015
I picked up Daniel from Exeter Summer School (a great experience), stopped by Keith’s stepmother Michal’s farm in NY for a night then spent a week here. A little stressful as I had to work on closing the daily books for centre Technologies, but hiked down to Buttermilk Falls, canoed, played games, cooked, baked, ate good food, LOVED being with all 3 boys Charlie, Thomas, & Daniel!!
Caroline & Daniel
Aug 18, 2015
I came back for some quality early August time with my family and, later, Liz. It was a great stay — lots of games, blueberry picking, and relaxation.
Charlie
August 18
I met Charlie here on Sunday after spending time last week in Pennsylvania with my family. It was a lovely respite – I enjoyed walking around the lake, canoeing and swimming to train for my triathlon.
Thak you!
Liz
19 Aug. 2015
With many thanks for your warm hospitality. Great sharing of stories, memories, songs…
___ ___
I am very glad I got new towel and was able to come to your beautiful summer home. Thank you very much for your wonderful hospitality.
Elize Coxe
8-19-15
Thank you for your wonderful hospitality – what a wonderful home! I am so glad I have a new book to “explore” — & I’ve met the author! Elize was looking so happy.
Kathleen R__ Coxe
Words don’t capture it. I love you both. So happy to get to know you better. We’ll share more @ mtg. Looking forward to your book, Ken. Joanne you are great!
C__
9-7-2015
Steven and I came up for the weekend. Steven climbed to the top of the quarry ~ twice! He started kindergarten last week. Great weather and company in Shunk this weekend!
–Jason
9/8/15
I had a great week at the lake before heading off to Exeter. I did a lot of kayaking and swimming, and scrounged for the last remaining bluebberies. I also played ping-pong w/ Pop (lost 3 times) It was wonderful enjoying nature and relaxing with family before the busy school schedule resumes.
Masha
9/8/15
It was wonderful coming back here after 15 years, enjoying many ___ in the lake (discovering new and old treasures with Masha. How yes, we convinced Pop/Ken to several ping pong games) What an honor! Thanks for having me back. Barbara
09/09/15
WHEW! Packed and ready. A quite wonderful summer — even if I feel my age.
Ken
Two days to pack up — lovely summer. Lots of family & a few friends.
9/26/15: I’m leaving. No dock yet. Masha’s 17th birthday. Picked Cortland apples.
9/27: Don & Sharon visiting Adam to help him close up for the year. Fun time fishing, hiking, napping & packing up for winter. Always a pleasure to visit & thank you!
Don & Sharon
9-27-15: I’ve been sick for a few weeks now, but i managed to make it through the weekend and close up the house, with help from Don and Sharon. I don’t want to leave, but i have to get back to work and more tests to find out what’s wrong with my gut. Wish i felt more inspired.
ADAM & SEERA