Earthquakes? Hurricanes?

Two things we didn't worry about. Now we hear the Washington Monument is closed because of quake damage. Huh? When someone said Washington, I assumed Seattle, but I guess not. Well, I think we can still let that worry go. But hurricane Irene - the first expected to hit the US in a few years and they think it may cause evacuations in Massachusetts about two days after we get there. If it stays on track, it should arrive on our rest day in Williamstown, probably about the best we can hope for. Lots of wind & rain on a day we don't have to travel. Bruce would miss a golf game he is really looking forward to, but he can handle that. So close to our end point - could get complicated. Well, hurricanes are notorious for changing course. We'll just have to pay attention.

Aline & Jim, I hope you and Granddad & Gretl don't experience any problems - hope you are far enough inland. I gather you will begin to feel it very soon. We'll keep our fingers crossed that all will be ok.

For now, though, we are at Hemlock Hall in Blue Mountain Lake. It's a charming lodge with some cabins, very Adirondacks-style. An old clapboard lodge with a great big living room/library, a huge porch where I am sitting in one of a dozen rockers looking over the lake, a little beach and dock with canoes & kayaks we can use whenever we wish to, family-style dinner & breakfast included. The interior includes a lovely old wooden staircase and a big fireplace. There is a huge osprey nest on an island we can see from here. Bruce is in heaven; all his childhood vacations, and his father's and his grandmother's were spent here. He has gone off for a little hike.

The weather has really cooled down. We had learned to like the heat, but the cooler temperatures are more restful. So far, no actual cold, so I am happy.

Miles today: 38
Total miles so far: 3903