Damp start, enlightened finish

Yesterday's weather at Madawaska Lake began as expected with scattered showers. A break from the overnight rain provided an opportunity before breakfast to take my daily walk. I grabbed Patches' leash and the two of us headed out while Ian slept in. Cloudy and strangely cool with a hint of humidity we kept a brisk pace north along Shore Road the continued north along Route 161 until cresting Carlstrom Hill before reversing course to return to camp sticking to 161. Rounding a bend and presented with high ground view to the south I was able to pick up a cell phone service (unlike at the camp) so I call Carol at her office and for most of the last half of my walk talked caught up on what was happening back home. The rest of the morning was kicking back on the porch or inside the camp as the rain began then hung around for the remainder of the morning. After running a couple of errands and returning to camp Margaret stopped by for a visit. The weather was still cloudy but we were able to note a brief appearance to the south of blue sky. For supper I resorted to my beer brats recipe cooked on the gas grill. As Ian and I were sitting out on the porch eating, the sky began to open up to the southwest and the potential for catching the sun setting on the shore of the lake seemed certain. We kept Patches busy fetching a stick thrown aways out in the water and I kept an eye on the progress of the sun making it's way to the horizon. As I had hoped the remaining clouds to the south and scattered remnants to the west made for a interesting sunset. Dusk settled in with an increase of mosquitoes and no-see-ems followed soon afterwards by bats swooping through the front yard and out over the lake feeding on the pesky bugs. As far as I was concerned the bugs won the day and we moved ourselves into the camp for the evening. Tonight's game was Rummiqub, Ian won the round and remains the champ for another day.

Patches, forging ahead on our morning walk.

Ian has the full attention of Patches as long as that stick may go flying out into the lake.

The day's visual payoff.