Aug 9 - a whirlwind day

The girls were supposed to come fishing with me at 7am but they were a no-show.  Their alarms didn't work, apparently.  Heading out anyway, I brought home bass and pike for dinner.  We had the bass; the pike will likely be tonight's fare.

Back home and fish in the fridge, I entertained Zoe for a while.  We went for a putt-putt along the shore in the boat -- she loves the boat -- and then went visiting, walking over to see Don and Claudia.  I hadn't realized that they were here all week or else I'd have stopped by earlier.  As it was, they were leaving in a couple of hours.

I wanted to squeeze in a short bike ride before Stef and Aaron arrived, so I headed west on 522 -- my normal direction -- intending to turnaround at 69, which I did.  After about 1/2 way back, I expected them to catch up since I'd heard that they were leaving around 10:15 or so, but they must have left a little later because I got home just before they did and when I came out of the shower, they'd just arrived.

Some lunch and then off again, this time with the girls.  I'd promised them that since they hadn't made the morning run, we would go out even though mid day isn't the best for fishing.  We went straight across the lake and actually did catch some fish.  It seems that the fallen trees from that mini tornado a few years ago have created nice roosting places for Bass.  Megan was the lucky one, pulling in a keeper and a come-back-next-year catch and release small guy.  Lauren brought one to the boat and up in the air ... but I wasn't able to net it.  Oh well. 

With only one fish in the basket, not enough to make a dent in a meal, we let him/her go.  Back home again, I got organized to head into Loring for Mass.  I had an errand as well -- get gas and eggs.  My aunt and Christine's family were there; they congratulated us on the new grandchild and then I filled the two jerry cans.

Eighty-something for two cans of gas -- ten gallons -- really hits home.  Pricey.  That would be one-sixty to fill the car if it took gas ?  Pricey indeed.  Oh well, it lasts a long time with the Whaler and I wouldn't want to be bringing the gas for a long distance.

Once back home, I was the grill man, doing sweet and regular potatoes and the fish.  Sandy did broccoli.  We fixed a plate for Zoe, a tiny bit of everything.  She tasted the sweet potato and then entertained us with spitting it out ... didn't want anything else on her plate at that point but Sandy was ready with a hot dog, which she ate.  She knew what a hot dog was.  A year ago she devoured everything in sight !

Stef and Aaron headed out a little after dinner, taking Megan and Lauren with them.  She was worried that they would be wound up but sent us a picture from the car of them both sleeping.  Yup, they'd had a busy few days here.  They were both great. 

We were sorry to see them go ... a too-short visit.

And onwards .... plan is to head for Reading tomorrow, leaving later so that the girls will do part of the trip sleeping.  Emma isn't a problem; Zoe would be on a 12 hour drive.