We finished the one storm panel that was unfinished last night and then Lowell hung the one at kitchen window and Paul Voyer brought his handy power screwdriver to drive the screws in the two big remaining frames. All was tight around the windows at last.
Then to collect anything left in yard and take to shed or porch. We sealed the porch slider at both ends, removed slider screen and placed on porch and placed wood frames inside against the sliders. We swept and washed down where needed and finished the last-minute packing of final suitcase and collecting stuff I forgot to pack…humm.
We emptied the refrigerator in kitchen. One of porch was cleaned and defrosted Wednesday.
We started on disconnecting the water system about 8:30 a.m. and with the help of Paul Voyer (our angel indeed), we retrieved the foot valve in milk crate stand without incident. I planned to wade into the lake and pull it toward shore and then empty the rocks and pull up to shore. But, just in case I needed to wade all the way out to the crate, Lowell and I decided I should have a rope attached to me just in case I slipped and hit my head….as we were securing the rope around my waist, Paul V. spotted the two of us (probably heard me laughing at Lowell’s question as to how did I want to be pulled in? head or feet first?) and insisted we wait for him to get his trunks on and let him help. I really thought we were fine but Paul insisted so he appeared momentarily and went into the lake and did exactly as I had intended. The crate slid easily with several tugs of water line by Paul and Lowell. Paul instructed us how to clean the screen and set the foot valve for winter and it was done in less than 20 minutes….
Then Lowell and I opened the covers to access the water valves under the camp and were able to drain the water in no time. We drained the water tank and added antifreeze for camps and RVs in the pump and all drains in camp. Think we did it right….time will tell and so will the winter. Thanks to Adam’s imngenuity and installation of shutoff valves in water lines at each unit the draining went without a hitch (we hope). Again we are thankful for all the work and care invested in the camp over the years beginning with Dad and Mom and Ron and Marj and Johnny and Donnie and Patrick and Peter and Neil and Danny and Molly Dutilly and Johnjohn and Ed and Kelly (yes Kel) and Andrew and Mat and Kim and Peter and Katie and Linda and JoAnna and Adam and our adopted brother Paul V. and Tom Voyer and anyone we may have forgotten. Their efforts have made Maine Camp the special place it is.
We didn’t have to drain the water heater since we had no hot water for the last two weeks were in camp. Will install the units and fill the tank when we open next June, God willing.
I had cut the grass early in the morning so Lowell waited for the motor to cool before storing it in shed. Everything left to be was placed in shed was taken care of by Lowell and the shed was locked.
We turned off the gas, made a final check, emptied all the buckets inside and placed the bucket under the spot where roof leaks on porch and locked up. By now it was almost 2 p.m. so we were forced to make the trip in two days.
We managed—with a few detours for missed signage---to get to Vernon Conn. and had dinner at the Jewish deli in the neighborhood of the Comfort Inn.
We raced for the hot shower and were in bed by midnight.
Thank God we did it!
August 14
We got up, had breakfast and repacked suitcases and car and took off before 7:30 a.m.
Headed west to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with a few stops and arrived home at 3 p.m.
Too late to get the mail which was held while we were gone but there was plenty to do to get things organized again and prepare for trip to California and Minnesota.
Another summer in the Camp History Book and another step in the restoration project of Connemara North.
Hope more who enjoy the woods and Maine will join us next year at one of the most peaceful (some times) places in God’s earth. Let us know so we can leave the kitchen spotlight on for you…
Thank you Lord for preserving Maine Camp and for allowing us another year to enjoy it.
Love and God bless,
Joan…..and Lowell
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