Summer Retreat

I walked outside this morning and realized that Summer will officially be over in a couple days. It was just a few months ago that we were kissing Spring goodbye and welcoming the heat. We were able to squeeze in a nice little vacation, but - like most - never get to take full advantage of Summer. Now, we wait for the cold. Winter in NYC makes Dan even more of a Bummer...


In another reality, Dan has a secluded Summer retreat up in Maine. He spends all season there in the North woods to avoid work and the oppressive NYC heat. The retreat is set on a lake near the coast where it's always about 75-80, with a cool down east breeze.

The neighbors are sparse and quiet. You can occasionally hear kids in the distance. Some family visit now and then, and even a few Stinky Town comrades make the trek up during the Summer months. But it's mostly just Dan and ODA sharing the space with the snapping turtles, lake trout, osprey and other birds... there are lots of birds.


Endless days are spent swimming and lounging on the dock listening to shags discuss preferred fishing grounds. There are some black flies and mosquitoes, but they're not too bad - after all, the songs birds need grub, too.


Long boat rides and naps on old intertube floats. After the sun goes down, we head into town - about a fifteen minute drive - for a nice meal at our favorite restaurant. Late at night, we fall asleep to the echo of loon songs on the lake...


In the morning, the chickadees wake us up and another day begins.