Ice Out!

Byron Notch... the quintessential camp view. 

Click on photos to enlarge. 

Springs can be unique in Maine... big snow and 80 degree temperatures. We never know. This year it's dry. The ice is out and the road is mostly dry. Out front, the Ogilvie's beach is a wood lot while the beach in front of the Edwards' camp looks like someone cleaned it. Oh, wait! I worked for hours on that beach. Finally, you'll notice the back porch on the Kent camp is at a small angle and a post has fallen. High water can do that. Otherwise, things are looking good upta camp. 

Bailey looking for turkey poop to roll in. 

Tree down across the road. 

Canadian Geese honking and carrying on. Video below. 

Listen to these honkers! 

If you've seen Tumbledown, the movie--this view is 

captured on film. 

The wood pile survived! 

Post down on Kent camp

Note the angle of the step and back porch.

The Ogilvie Beach (Sorry, Julie.)

The last snow banking. :-) 

 

Sadie

Sadie... click to enlarge. 

If I ever were to adopt an old dog that needed a home, Sadie would be my girl. Bailey's fur-friend from daycare, Sadie is 14 years old, has a tumor on her liver, she's deaf, and her back right leg sets off at an odd angle and is a problem. Nevertheless, Sadie is a happy, joyous dog who loves short walks and hanging out with her buddies at Sharon's. 

Almost 70 degrees on Whitecap

Sunday River White Heat Trail

We were both pooped today from the heat. Bailey took his first trail swim of the season and I did not. I"m breaking in new boots, so my toes are getting smashed up and my feet feel hot... but! We were out there. 

Find the Berner

First swim

Second swim

Last snow! 

 

And again, Whitecap

 

This cairn is after the first granite steep. The views of the Mahoosuc Range are fun. 
Don't forget, click photos to enlarge. 

It doesn't take too many days off from hiking to make the next hike a tough one. That's what happened on Easter. Bailey's been battling giardia and I've been suffering the results of being his caretaker at 3am or 1am. We got a late start on Whitecap but off we went on the Yellow trail up about a mile into the saddle. From the saddle we head up three sets of steeps--two have granite faces and one is more a traditional dirt path going fairly straight up. I was tired. Bailey looked like he was searching for dead things to eat. I swear, I'd have whacked him with my hiking pole had he started gobbling up poop or whatever. 

Add to several days off from hiking new hiking boots, and you've got a recipe for bad feet and tired legs. Nevertheless, on we went. 

Any season, this stretch of trail makes for a fun picture

Just a little closer.... 

Water bridges

Bailey posing politely for a treat at the 

Western Summit on the Yellow trail

right at his cairn.  

Where Yellow and Orange intersect

Mahoosucs

Water bridge

Let's see... Orange Trail sign. 

My skillful dog

Among the last snow patches... a good stretch

Mount Washington & Sunday River

Dr. Anne Kent, Walk of Honor, Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA

Our Anne was celebrated for 30 years of inspiring work in women's health at Hoag Hospital. Staff, colleagues, friends, and family gathered while hospital officials and colleagues spoke about her contributions. Anne received an endowed chair from the hospital that included a special coat and medallion. But something tells me the best moment came when her son, Dr. Ryan Kent, made remarks on behalf of his mom and our family.  We're all so very proud of our Anne. 

More Photos here

Springtime Smorgasbord

 

The morning after... 

Spring time means great smells and tasty treats. Many dogs, like Mr. Bailey Tuckerman Kent, love to sample turkey poop and discarded sandwiches that have lingered beneath the snow for a season. Many of these delectables cause giardiasis (a.k.a., giardia), an intestinal infection, and get dogs coming and going... if you get my drift. 

After a day of vomiting and gross stool, last night proved to be the clincher. Starting at 12:30am, Bailey maintained a steady in and out routine in the pouring rain with temps at 40 degrees.  I "slept" in a zero gravity chaise lounge in the unheated mudroom wrapped in a Walmart comforter so I could let him out. Several times, he did not come back, so I went out into the rain. At 3am, he went out at a sprint and disappeared. Two of my neighbors' big old dogs had wandered off. Sadie never came back and Jack was found 11 days later up near Joe Pond. The temps during those nights went to zero degrees. He died the next morning.

After circling the house wearing my LLBean head lamp, I walked into the woods. Thirty yards into the trees, I saw his piercing eyes in the distance and he came when I called.  

Hopefully, the medicine I picked up from the Vet's will do the job. I don't care if I have to sleep in the mud room for a month.