Island Update Ending November 2, 2002

WEATHER: What can I say, my records are on the island. The wind blew lots this week and the temperature the last few mornings was in the 20s, so yes it was cold. We have decided that next year we will probably leave before DST ends.

Sunday. Mom's goodies after church were a hit as always, banana w/some apple bread (always excellent) and a chocolate bunt cake w/choc chips and orange frosting (Halloween) and flowers in the middle. I delivered my latex paint to Richard for safe keeping over the winter and then Mom came up and we visited and had tea with the Ericos. They have tea every afternoon around 1600. We had a very good time. Monday was a lazy day - filled oil tank, 122 gallons, for the second time in 3 weeks. It really is cold in this house.

Tue we were off to town to pick up some stuff we had ordered at LL Bean, ran some errands, had lunch and went to City Hall to get the property layout of Peaks Island so we can look up assessed value of various properties. Wed was another cold day - puttered around the house getting ready to depart.

Thursday the Brilliance of the Sea was back again, the last cruise ship of the season. We went in on the 1445 ferry to get the car - back on the 1630 ferry. We would have had lots of kids for Halloween, but we walked up to the Lion's Club to see the path of jack-o'-lanterns. It was pretty neat. On Friday the troops arrived on the 0645 boat - Mom spotted them and had bacon and potatoes cooking when they got to the house after a tour around the island. The female contingent went to town shopping and came back with our last lobster of the season. Very very good!!!

Sat we continued packing - loaded the car and did all the misc. things we do to close up the house. It does take some time and effort, but things moved much faster with all the help. Sunday Paul (the plumber Paul) called first thing and allowed he would turn off the water and winterize the place this very day. We caught the first boat at 0815. I worried some about whether it would get filled up since the next boat is at 1000, but there was plenty of room. This'lldo is now closed for the season and we headed to see Mike, his house and horses on our way home. Most had not been to Mike's before. Diane drove our car, so I had a very relaxing trip to Mike's. Mom and I stayed overnight while the troops headed home after dinner at Linda and Yon's place at the farm. Good meal - we stayed at the nearby B&B and left around 100 Monday morning arriving back in Fairfax around 1930 after a leisurely trip.

And with all that we are home again and getting settled in so to speak for a Virginia winter. We had lots of help in getting ready to leave the island and on the trip back which made the whole process much easier this year. It was very much appreciated. Love, Dad