Hurricane Sandy October 29-30

We survived Hurricane Sandy without losing power or sustaining any damage from wind or water.
The weekend before was spent preparing for the storm.  We stockpiled batteries, candles, water, etc.  The generator was moved into position and filled with gas.  We cleaned the yard of possible flying objects like toys, lawn furniture, etc.
Monday morning was very rainy and windy.  It got worse as the day progressed.

 

We spent the day playing games, doing crafts and trying to ignore the storm.  All the schools and colleges in the area had announced closures for both Monday and Tuesday.  Local authorities urged people to stay home. Businesses were closed.

Henry and Frances decorated plain white pillowcases.


























Our only pumpkin got a makeover with googly eyes, a lime-peel smile and an acorn nose.

We played Perfection, Lego Games and Millbournes along with Wii Just Dance.

Tuesday we made homemade soft pretzels.

 

Beaver Encounter

The weekend of September 28 through October 1 was the Wiedmann Women's Weekend. This year we stayed at Karen's cabin.  We had beautiful weather - in the 60's during the day, and into the 40's at night, and mostly clear. During the weekend we took several long walks.  We hiked up the back road and then down the power line.  It was here that we saw fresh bear tracks in the mud.  Four of us hiked into the bush and found Balancing Rock where Celia gathered ferns for her backyard pond.  On Sunday the Mossy Spring was our destination.  While at the Spring we discovered the Bear Wallow where we imagine bears come to cool off in the heat. 




We found Red Efts, a newly emerged Buck Moth, a Luna Moth Caterpillar, and lots of fungi.  No dead squirrels, though!

On Sunday, Karen, Meg and Celia had to head home.  That left Mom, Agnes and myself with plans to stay until Monday.

Around dusk we decided to go beaver hunting.  We got out the canoe, paddles, life jackets and dressed in our warmest coats.  We headed downstream to check out the dam which is now being built in a horseshoe shape.  We canoed upstream and checked out 4 beaver lodges along the way.  The water is quite high so we were able to angle in pretty close to each dam.  Agnes was in the back of the canoe, Mom in the middle, I was in front.  After making a survey of the lagoon we paddled back down stream and parked ourselves on some pickerel weed about 15 feet from the beaver lodge near Stillwater.  We sat there for 20 minutes or so waiting to see some beaver activity.  It was getting dark quickly.  Suddenly we heard chewing across the stream.  Agnes and I heard chewing; Mom didn't hear it at first.  We listened for quite a while.  It sounded like at least two beavers.  At one point we heard water noises at the lodge we were near and then a big beaver slapped his tail not far away.  Suddenly the creek was swarming with beavers clearly agitated that we were so close to the lodge.  They slapped and swam.  We stayed as quiet and still as we could while craning our necks to see where the beavers were.  Finally, the beavers gave up and we no longer saw or heard them. 

We had been sitting  in that one spot for about an hour.  Agnes told Mom and I to just sit still while she paddled us further downstream. (She is so the oldest sister!)  Agnes maneuvered the canoe silently toward the lodge between Karen's cabin and Stillwater.  As we got closer we could hear chewing quite loudly along with vocalizations that sounded like a baby whimpering.  Instead of stopping to take it all in, Agnes paddled us into the pickerel weed just feet from the lodge!  It sounded like the beavers were chewing just inches from the front of the canoe.  It was totally dark and we didn't have any flashlights but the Moon was on the rise.  Finally the moon crested the trees and cast our shadow over the beavers.  We were spotted! The beavers immediately stopped chewing and started slapping and swarming and making us feel like the invaders we were.  I must admit that I was scared.  One beaver looked big enough to overturn the canoe!  After listening to them chew, I wanted no part of those teeth!  The beavers tried to get us to leave, but Agnes wanted us to stay - so we did.  Eventually the beavers gave up and vacated the vicinity.  By now we had been out in the canoe for close to two hours.  We were all chilled.  My hands and legs were freezing! We reluctantly headed back to the cabin.  Thank god we had Celia's tomato soup to warm us up (Thanks, Celia!). 

Monday morning we headed back out in the canoe to see what the light would show.  We saw fresh chewed sticks on the various lodges.  When we stopped at the lodge at Stillwater,  I thumped on the structure to see how sturdy it was.  My thumping elicited beaver vocalizations like we had heard the night before.  They started out low then got higher and more panicky eventually stopping completely.  That was the only beaver signs that morning. 


 

I will put the link Agnes found that has the sounds on it.  This was truly an amazing experience.  It took alot of patience, sitting still and quiet, but it was worth getting so cold. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/beaver/?source=A-to-Z

Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Sunday, September 16, 2012

On Sunday, September 16th, I participated in the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon.  Since I had finished the Broad Street Run (10 miles) in May, I figured now would be the best time to try for the 13.1 mile half marathon distance.  I trained hard all summer.  Getting up early so that I wouldn't be running in the heat.  I even ran 3 days while on vacation in New England! 

This race was the best organized of any races I have ever done.  Packet pick-up was on Saturday at the Philadelphia Convention Center.  I was expecting a mob scene.  John dropped me off at the door and planned to circle the area until I called to tell him I was done.  I was in and out in 15 minutes! 




On race day John, Madeline and I headed to the start at Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum.  We found an open on street (FREE!) spot as soon as we exited the Vine Street Expressway.  The staging area had tons of Port-a-potties.  The ones we used were still clean and untouched!  We wandered around for awhile waiting for the start.  We climbed the Art Museum steps and took some great photos.




When I signed up for the race I estimated my finish time to be around 2 hours - so I was in start corral #12.  I headed to my corral and waited to begin.  I'm pretty sure I crossed the start line before 8:30.  We headed passed Logan Circle toward the Delaware River and turned back toward the Art Museum at 4th Street.  It was weird running through the empty city.  The race features bands every mile or so which gave me something to mark the miles.  When I passed Logan's Circle and the fountain on the way back, John and Madeline were there to cheer me on and take pics.  The runners continued around the Museum onto Kelly Drive all the way to the Falls River Bridge which we crossed over to head back along the West River Drive. 

I felt pretty good the entire race. The weather was perfect - sunny, low humidity and in the 60's.  I got water or Gatorade at every water stop.  I had a packet of GU that I ate by mile 7.  I picked up a new GU at mile 9. After the 10 mile mark there was a Christian rock band wearing kilts and playing bagpipes - very strange!  Then I started to feel my left knee get tight.  My breathing was fine and I was having no stomach issues.  I used my yoga breathing to power trough the last 3 miles. 

I finished in 2 hours 3 minutes 7 seconds, which I am very proud of.  John and Mads met me at the end. I ran the whole way (except when I needed to drink - I still haven't mastered running and drinking!).  My left knee was aching the next few days.  I was limping quite a bit.  I have run a few times since and my knee s not happy.  I am taking a break from running.  I will swim, do yoga and Zumba.  But I'll be back.