Pictures from Copenhagen
Category: Personal
Surviving the heat (a visit to Dianna’s Pool)
With the humidity somewhere well above 100% (at least in the house this morning) and the temperatures soaring into the 90’s (mid-30’s for those across the pond using Celsius) we decided to let the air-conditioning take a break from its thankless task and head north to find some shade and water to temper the heat.
I did some digging on the Internet and found a listing for Diana’s Pool – a spot on the Natchaug River in Chaplin, CT. We got to the pool in late morning, beating the crowds (and getting good parking).
It was a great place to get a break from the heat. The water was cool, there was plenty of shade, and lots of waterfalls to play around in. The boys claimed that they overheard some of the other visitors talking about how it got its name – the claim was that someone named Diana drowned there. Of course, I’m sure they heard it from the college kids that were playing around (and drinking crap beer – but of course I drank crap beer when I was that age) and a morbid story is always the better option. But an article from the Hartford Courant from about 2003 give many rumors on how the pool was named (and only one of them was morbid). We had fun, no matter how the pool got named.
The crowds picked up around 1pm, and we decided to head home around 2pm. Now both boys are trying to beat the heat by playing Minecraft (with Ben live-streaming it on YouTube) in their air-conditioned rooms while I wait for the workshop to cool off enough for me to head out there.
Working on Ben’s Boat
Susanna and Isabella departed for Sweden yesterday. Will is volunteering as a preschool camp assistant at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center all week. So, Ben and I get today and tomorrow to hang out together. Today we put some time into the boat. We are (still) working on replacing the stringers. We had replaced part of the center stringer two summers ago, but we didn’t do a very good job at it. So earlier this summer Ben and I cut out the repair and more of the rotted stringer.
Today we glassed in (partly at least) the new stringer. Tomorrow we will put another two layers of glass and cover the entire stringer.
Saturday Pictures
The weather was perfect for a morning hike. Ben slept in, so we got our start a little later than I would have liked, but we were home by noon. The two boys and I took a 4.5-mile hike on the Narragansett Trail and Will only complained about half of the hike about the bugs.
Father’s Day!
I had a great day. The boys came back early from their Mom’s house to spend the day here. Will came over pretty early and Ben followed a couple of hours later. Ben was sick last night and slept in late tonight.
This morning we had planned on doing a long hike as a family. But, Ben didn’t feel up to it, so we postponed the hike until tomorrow. We got to enjoy the beautiful day at home instead.
This morning I worked with Will on his mowing/trimming skills for the yard. His summer chore is keeping the front yard in good shape, which takes a lot of oversight to make sure it gets done right.
Ben and I worked on a quick project – replacing a the sill cock on the south side of the house. I have had the replacement. The old one leaked and was difficult to shut off. A trip to home depot to get the right connector for the PEX piping and some time in the basement clearing the spider webs in the way and the project was done.
The boys and I also disassembled the old microwave, throwing most of the parts into the recycling and saving a few choice parts for later projects (such as a couple of strong magnets Will pulled out – one of which he promptly broke).
It is nice that things are calming down – of course just as the school year ends and the summer starts its mad dash towards fall. I can tell when life is more relaxed; I write more. I have found time to post pictures over the past 4 months, but not much time to write.
Will being Will
Saturday Morning Hike
This summer, Ben is spending three days hiking in the White Mountains with my Dad. He hasn’t been too active this winter, so now the warm weather is here, he has to get back into shape for the hike.
This morning we decided to do a quick (and short) local hike up Lantern Hill (1.7 miles). It was a good climb, and a chance for him to break in his boots on a steep hill. We finished the hike in about 50 minutes with breaks and picture stops.
Selfie Sun.. Friday!
Susanna, Isabella and I enjoyed a beautiful day in New York City today. I figured a picture taken in Central Park would be perfect for Selfie Sunday, so here it is. On Friday.
Dad visits
The weather this weekend was nearly perfect. Of course it wasn’t quite as nice as it was earlier in the week when I had to spend the day inside at the office (go figure). But it was nice enough to spend a lot of time outside.
My dad is visiting for the weekend – which is extra-exciting for the boys and fun for all. On Saturday we did a hike in the morning (yes, even the dogs enjoy guests). In the afternoon we went to the Preston park to watch Ben play baseball. Preston won. Ben is getting confidence to swing at the ball, even though this time he struck out (but better to swing than to not try at all).
Today we did another hike in the morning. Will joined us by biking ahead down the trail and sitting at his private spot along the stream (just downstream of a small waterfall). Ben is breaking in a new pair of hiking boots, trying to prepare for a three-day trip this summer to the White Mountains with my dad so he didn’t quite hike as far as the rest of us. And Isabella slept most of it.
This afternoon the boys and my dad biked up the hill into Norwich for a snack (donuts – go figure). And after everyone returned the family drove back to Norwich for a nice dinner at a new-ish brew pub. Will was even adventurous enough to get onions on his hamburger. Ben will eventually get there – just not tonight.
The sun. Finally.
