Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Is there summer out there somewhere?

Oh, it just won't stop raining.

It truly does not feel like the last week of June around here and while temperatures in the 60's suit me just fine, I need to see the sun!!!

And so do my bees.

The bees are doing well, building comb and filling it with honey and when they are able to fly out of their hives they have a smorgasbord of nectar awaiting them but they need a stretch of sunny days.

Other than the bees, I have two other summer projects and both require dry weather.

Project #1
In 2005, I began hiking the mountains above 4000 feet in New England with the hope of finishing the 67 mountains by my 50th birthday in 2009. Well, this is it and so far 23 days into June, I have not added a single one to my total. Last year was not a big year for climbing accomplishment either as we had rainy weekend after rainy weekend. I consider myself a fair weather hiker and a viewbagger more than a peakbagger--translation: I don't like to hike in bad weather.

In Maine, I still have 6 of the 14 to climb including two in Baxter State Park. One of the Baxter mountains is called North Brother--I got within 2/10 of a mile of the summit of North Brother last summer but turned back in the rain and slippery conditions--gotta try again.

In New Hampshire, I still have 7 of the 48 to climb. Two of those mountains can be combined into one hike, so with six hiking days I should be able to finish up those.

In Vermont, I still have three of the five which I can do in two hiking days and hope to accomplish my goal at the summit of Mt. Mansfield on my birthday in September IF it ever stops raining and I can get out on the trails.

Project #2
The beaver lodge and dam that I watched last fall, seems to be abandoned. If we get a dry stretch and the water level goes down in the pond, I want to try accessing the lodge with a flashlight and camera in a ziplock bag--that adventure will definitely be bloggable! So far my mother, my daughter and my husband are adamantly against this idea. Molly at least agreed to stand on the bank with a cell phone ready to all 911 to report her mother attacked by rabid beavers but so far my husband and my mother have not signed on even for that duty. My father, thinks it's a great idea although his idea is to take the top off while I insist on accessing it through their underwater tunnel even if I have to enlarge it a bit. I don't want to make it too hard for them to come back and make it their home again.

Some sunny days, please?

11 comments:

beth said...

just so know...it's going to be 95 degrees today with a heat index of 105 here in wisconsin...and if this is summer, OUCH..

so I'll trade you my day today for yours and even throw in some lemonade :)

KGMom said...

We have had loads of rain this year--but the last two days have cleared.
So, maybe, if the weather moves east from central PA you might get some sun.
Hmmm--you want to inspect a beaver lodge. While I recognize the blog-ability of the proposed adventure, it does give me pause. Have that cell phone handy.

SJ said...

The beaver adventure sounds great, let me know if you need another set of hands!

Pappy said...

I think someone hid from hostile Indians in a beaver lodge in the "Last of the Mohicans" didn't they? Sounds like you have plenty to do before the snows return. Good Hiking. Pappy

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have plenty of adventures awaiting. Yes it's summer here in Dallas, we're on a run of several 100 degree days and no rain. May we can trade weather for awhile. Carey

Jayne said...

I'll take some of your rain down here Beth. Ugh. We are under such a dry heat wave, it's not funny. Whew. What I wouldn't give to see some 60's about now!

Hope it does clear up for your climbs, and for your dear bees. :c)

June said...

I am SO with you over here near the coast. This is not supposed to be the dark-solstice time of year. I wish we could share some of this bounty of rain with others, but geesh. I had to resort to cleaning closets. In June!

Cindy said...

I'm with you Beth, entirely too much rain so far. I could do with some sun.
Your adventures sound fun. I wish I could be there for the beaver home exploration. Happy adventuring!

A New England Life said...

I know what you mean about the weather and feel your pain! Seems like it will NEVER end! However, the forecasters are calling for sun over the next few days so lets hope they are telling the truth.

My next door neighbor is doing the same thing as you, climbing all the 4000 footers in NH. She was supposed to climb last Friday, then Monday, but both days were rained out. She too has a goal of when she wants to get it done by but who knows if she'll make it now.

It can't stay like this forever ... or can it????

Sharon, NH

Kathie Brown said...

Beth, I wish I could accompany you on a couple of thsoe mountian hikes, but I am back in AZ. I was in NE for 2 of those rainy weeks. Makes for poor bird watching and bird photography! I hope the sun does come out and you do accomplish those goals, though I am a bit concerned about the beaver dam investigation. You and your son have something in common there!

Anonymous said...

great 95 degrees..
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Britney
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