So Much Rain!!!

Four amazing days in Vermont. Originally, the plan for this weekend was to auger the post holes and pour concrete. However, when we arrived Friday night, things were wet. Very wet. So wet that we immediately had to change plans for the weekend. We also had to find a camping site in the pouring rain and set up the tent in the pitch black. Awesome.

Camping in VT is fun. Camping in VT in the rain is not horrible, but not the greatest either. Once you're wet though, you're wet, so you don't care so much. But we made the best of it and were rewarded Sunday and Monday with amazing weather, crystal clear stars on Sunday night and a gorgeous sunset over the mountains. I don't think I've ever seen stars so bright as I did this weekend. We had to go to NH for a trip to Walmart (where we bought Tiki Torches) and bought some fireworks as well--how can you not when they're two-for-one? Ahhh, New Hampshire. It would be a crime not to stop. Needless to say, we lit off a bunch of fireworks Saturday night. It was fun.

We also got a bunch of things done and, damn, we actually ate pretty darn good too. Saturday morning we spent clearing the Look-Out spot, leveling it, and building rock stairs. It came out amazing and we moved the grill there and built a small firepit. The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent there. Sunday we built a wood storage shed and also rented a wood splitter and began splitting about 1 1/2 cords of wood. We'll need it eventually. We also leveled and bulked up the driveway trench. Monday we split more wood and stacked it all. We also met with Todd, our tree guy, who is going to come back for some more water re-direction work for us. In a project where all we want is dry weather, he told us this was "the wettest year ever in Vermont." Lucky us. Today we also laid out the cabin in a spot we're very happy with and will probably use as the final layout. We also bought some crushed stone for the driveway to help with water and wetness. Crushed stone is heavy by the way. Very heavy. Just ask my forearms.

Friday night we drove to Wilmington and ate at The Vermont House Tavern. It was pouring out, but we didn't care, because the place was so cool. We met and talked with Charley, the owner. Nice guy.....of course. We went back to Wilmington to Dot's for breakfast on Saturday. Also amazing. The rest of the weekend we pretty much just spent grilling a bevy of meats (man-food, as Chris called it) from the General Store. Damn, I love me a General Store and the one we go to is the quintessential general store. We also visited the "Coffehouse" on the corner of RT 9 and RT 100 about 12 times...so much in fact that we are already on a first name basis with Lisa, the owner, and already get the "local discount".

It wasn't what we originally were hoping for (cough cough, thanks weather) but in the end things ended up great. We got to get a lot of work done that we wouldn't usually get the chance to do. And, our street was very busy and we now have met just about everyone on the street. It's amazing how relaxed a few days away can make you feel. Driving home, Chris and I wished we could have stayed a few more days.

Next trip is in two weeks where we'll try to get the holes and concrete done again. Hopefully it stays dry. I never could have imagined to have the fun I'm having on this project. It's amazing to build something from nothing and to do it with my family. Awesome experience so far.

I'm off to spend the next 45 minutes checking myself for ticks. Fingers crossed.