After satisfying her first priority, visiting the porcupine in the tree (he was still there), Maya quickly takes over for Jeanine as the Queen of Cards.

 
Speaking of Johnnie’s sister, here is Rachel as beautiful as ever.

 
Whenever Kyle and Nicolai are seperated for more than a day or two they must reestablish their brotherhood with a westiling match. Johnny looks on with great amusement accustomed only to the loving greatings of a younger sister.

 
When my sister was delayed, Jeanine and I found a most unexpected treat while waiting. A Japanese inspried garden featuring several ponds, waterfalls, a water wheel driven mill building surrounded by beatiful flowers and trees everywhere.

 
On the way into town to rendevous with my sister we passed this beautiful field of wildflowers. We collected Maya and Kyle and also picked up one cousin, Johnny, whom we will return to Concord with.

 
This guy was so intoxicated by the nectar, he scarcely noticed me sneaking up to within inches of him. The emerging theme of this vacation seems to be getting very close to animals with sharp barbs.

 
Today was an overcast and rainy day. I decided to do a little macro photography to make the most of the situation.

 
After dinner, Jeanine and Nicolai settled down for a serious game of cards. I was unable to stay awake and could hear these two carrying on as I drifted into deep sleep.

 
I was drawn to the colors and texture of this fallen birch tree and decided the composition would make for a nice art shot. It is best viewed at full resolution by clicking on the photo.

 
After settling in, Jeanine and I went for a hike one of the forest trails. We both stopped frequently to photograph the terrific assortment of mushrooms, flowers, and salamaders. Jeanine took some very nice photos and is becoming quite proficient with her camera (to my great delight).

 
Once he was secure in his tree, I was able to obtain this portrait. Once it was clear to Jeanine that I had not been attacked by this ferocious critter, Nicolai was released to join me as we continued to observe this very docile creature for several minutes. Kyle and Maya took the bus to Albany earlier in the week and will not arrive until tomorrow.

 
As we pulled up to the lodge, I spotted this porcupine in the field. I was amazed at how close it allowed me to get before raising its quills into a defensive posture. Jeanine seemed to believe that they are able to launch their quills rendereing would be attackers incapacitated. I did not subscribe to this theory and continued at close distance as the porcupine, in no apparent hurry, retreated to its tree. I had no idea that they slept in trees.

 
We are members of the Appalachian Mountain Club and rented the left half of this lodge for the weekend. Despite the modern appearance, it has no running water or bathrooms. A cute outhouse is located about 50 feet off the back door.

 
We have decided to travel to the Berkshires for the long holiday weekend. Jeanine has signed Nico and I up for an all day kayaking clinic on Sunday and this will be the maiden voyage for the newly completed kayak. I was planning to use the roof rack from my old Mercedes SUV believing it to be a universal design. When I realized it would not fit on Jeanine’s van I was faced with the option of delaying our trip for sevral hours while I located and purchased a set of bars. Instead, I spent about twenty minutes in the shop and fashioned a temporary solution out of wood which had us on the road pretty close to our planned departure time.

 
Maya and her friend Lydia made use of my workshop to make this bird house. They had very little supervision from me and I think the result was quite good, if a little over built. I think it is safe to say that this sanctuary will stand up to a huricane. Maya has instructed me to drill a hole exactly as indicated. Rest assured I will be following her directions to the letter.

 
This evening we fired up the new grill for the first time. Jeanine thought it would be nice to have rotisserie chicken. We turned up all the burners and closed the top. This is what we found moments later. Needless to say, future chickens will be cooked on a lower setting. We decided to finish cooking the chicken on low heat and it turned out surprisingly well (once we chiseled away the skin). When Jeanine and I moved into our first home together, she planned to treat our moving crew (several of our strongest friends)to a turkey dinner. Most people would simply order a couple of pizzas; not my Jeanine. She covered the turkey in a cheese cloth which came into contact with the heating element and caught on fire. First hours in the house and we almost burned it down. I have come to regard these roasting disasters on new equipment as something of an initiation which is guaranteed to produce a subsequent lifetime of delicious food.