Thursday, August 31, 2006

The Cottage

I haven't written anything about the progress of our Summer Cottage since Feb. 25th. We have been busy getting it into a livable condition since we gutted it. The electrical work was completed a few weeks ago and now we have lights and receptacles for our power tools. We did get 200 amp service and all of the wiring, etc. is new. As each faze of the work was being done the County Inspector approved of the work and he came out in a good timely manner. Then the final inspection was approved after all the work was done. Hooray!!!

The plumbing is now being installed. We have a new bathroom with tub and shower. My wife did an excellent job putting in a marble floor, it looks good. We are going to put in a toilet that only flushes about a pint of water. It is made for Cottages and Recreation Vehicles. The underground tank will serve us well with that toilet using such little bit of water.

The original sliding front doors have been stripped of the paint as have all of the windows and back door. We have the dining Room Set that I painted in place along with a sofa and other comfortable chairs. We installed 3 overhead fans to move the air. Two inside and one on the front porch. I bought a TV with an DVD player for when we want to chill. It has an inside antenna that sits on the TV and we get stations from Baltimore, Washington and York Pa. Not bad for that little antenna.

The Cottage is now quite livable and is a nice little get-away place to go to and chill. Some of the Oak trees that surround us are over 300 years old. There are over 50 acres surrounding us for our use. The acorns are dropping making a pleasant sound as they hit the ground.

The kitchen is being used now that the electric is in. It's nice to have hot food. We have owned this place less than a year and a lot of progress has been made. Maybe next year we will build an extra room and use it for another Bedroom and storage room. That can wait until we finish what needs to be done this year.

There are other Cottages there and we all get together for different activities. This Sunday the men will get together and have a Pancake Breakfast for everyone in the Cottages.

Like I have mentioned before, being there is like living back in the 1940's and 50's. It has that laid back feeling.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Tonight It's The Ravens Playing The New York Giants In Baltimore

I am looking forward to seeing the Ravens/Giants game tonight. It is an exhibition game and the 1st game this year. Steve McNair will start at Quarterback probably for the first quarter only. It will be good to see if there is any fire on defense and how well the offense has come together. Maybe by the first regular game the two will have jelled and good things will happen this year.

I will be at the Cross St. Market having a few brews and getting something good to eat at Nick's Seafood. I am up for it. I hope to hook up with my daughter Allie and her good friend Nicole. My brother and my friend Mike will be with us. It will be a fun night.

Maybe see ya there!

Where I Wuz

I have been away on vacation for 2 weeks getting back home on Wednesday. I was in Canada fishing on O' Sullivan Lake in a remote part of Quebec Providence. The location is about 200 miles above Ottawa. I have been going there for the last 5 or 6 years fishing for Northern Pike and Walleyes. Fishing was good and the weather was much more to my liking than back here in good ole Baltimore. While Baltimore was sweltering with temps reaching 103 degrees with the humidity to go with it, I was enjoying pleasant weather. On 3 occasion we had to turn the stove on to take the chill off the cabin. It was mostly sunny during the day with temps in the 70's and low 80's.

My largest Northern Pike on this trip was about 18 lbs with many more in the 8 to 15 lbs range. These toothy critters were well filled out and heavy. They have plenty of forage fish to feed on to get that way. My fishing partner and I are catch and release anglers, so all of the Pike we caught are back in the lake to grow and for others to have fun catching.

We also caught our share of Walleyes, which is one of the premier fish that fisherman are after. They are way more plentiful and are about one of the best tasting fish to be had. Though they are more plentiful than the Northern Pike they can be elusive to catch if they are not in the mood. Weather has something to do with that.

We stayed in one of the 10 cabins on this lake and is not much in the way of amenities. It does have a toilet and a hot and cold shower. The beds leave something to be desired in size, but are
are ok for the time we are there. The cabins have a full kitchen if you want to bring food with you. We had our 3 meals in the lodge and the food is plentiful and good. No skimping in this department. Actually they pack us our lunch and we eat it while out on some remote part of the lake.

It's an overnight drive to get to the Lake. We have the longest part of the drive the 1st day, stay in a motel then drive to the Lake the next morning. The last 75 miles to the lake is on an logging road and it takes about 3 hours for that 75 miles. We usually get to see some wildlife on the way into the lake. Bears, Moose, Deer, and Wildcats is what you get to see if you get lucky.

We always meet some of the same people in the cabins next to us every year at this same time, so it is like old home week when we get there. If you don't fish you better like to read, because it is not much else to do. At times we get out to pick fresh Blueberries. They are around in quite a few places on and off the trails. When they are growing wild they are actually Huckleberries and they look and taste the same as Blueberries. Nothing like Blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

You never know when you will run into some of the wild animals mentioned above, but they are there. The will avoid humans as much as possible.

We had a great trip again, but was glad to get back home safe and sound. Besides I missed all my bloggers friends.

Who links to me? Live Blog Stats