In Madrid's Atocha Station

In the meantime we've made the two hour train trip to Sevilla and are in our hotel after a roundabout ride on a city bus.

Two maps of our route

 

Countdown Starts Anew for our 2012 Camino

We spent the first part of our Labor Day Weekend in Cedar Key while beginning our 2nd 2012 Camino countdown. We leave Thursday for Spain.

We got the AC fixed, definitely a good move in FL. It works so well now that we had to turn the thermostat above 80 to avoid putting on sweaters.

We rearranged the furniture. In part it was time for a change, and on part it was our continuing quest to have our one bedroom, two bath cottage work at its best when we have company. Here's how the living room and kitchen look now.

And here is the 'new' guest room, with it's super comfy, inflatable-mattress sofa bed.

We had a wonderful dinner with good friends at the Neptune Bar in the Island Hotel.

We will spend the rest of the weekend on Camino preparations. Today I water tested my new absolutely waterproof poncho. Oops! Tomorrow I will shop for waterproofing spray.

Save Our Schoolhouse

Another word or two about Star Lake's 2012 Save Our Schoolhouse fun run. We participated again this year.

 And we were able to add to our collection of trophies.

One thing was different this year. They had another nice commemorative tee shirt.

But this time our name was on the back.

 

Visitors Today

When I got back from yoga today, these three fellows were in our front garden. They scooted over to the neighbors when I drove in, but then posed when I approached with my camera in hand.

Rain

Scene along the powerline, yesterday 8/20/12

We found 4.75 inches in the rain gauge when we returned from the Adirondacks. Then this morning there was an additional 1.7 inches. It's raining now, with 2-4 or 3-5 inches expected, depending on which forecast one believes.

The predicted wet weather didn't keep us from our training walk, but we were forced to break out the ponchos for the final two miles.

San Felasco City Park, today 8/21/2012

Hiking, Swimming, Jamming, Hanging with Friends

 This is the camp where we stay in Star Lake.

 The Star Lake cell tower disguised as a pine tree. It doesn't work yet.

The lake where I swim...and sometimes Jake, and his friend the frog, wade.

 

 

 Some friends we hang with.

Phyllis and high school friend Chuck Stevens

A crowded, noisy, fun reunion at the Fire House

Don, Ed, and Jewel's Star Lake house concert!

Family time

We survived the race and went hiking the next day

We visited Meg and her Cheese to You shop in pretty Lexington, VA

Cousin Charlene's birthday cake surprise

It was a hot day to hike up to Cathedral Hill

 

Winners, Pies, Bear Mountain, and Lake Time

Having been spectators in the Poker Run on Saturday, our opportunity to be winners came at the Save Our Schoolhouse 5k on Sunday. We grabbed the ring. Each of us beat our time from last year. That would have been good enough, but in addition, Pam and James came in 1^st and 4^th in their age groups. And, Russ and I each got 2^nd place in ours. 

ready to go

waiting to start

Our Friend Stretching

Since we burned all those calories with such healthy exertion, we then went to the Pie Social, where we ate hot dogs and homemade pie with ice cream and hot fudge.

Pie Social

Yesterday we hiked about 4 miles on Bear Mountain.

met these girls and dogs on the way up the mountain to the overview

 

 Today…Lake time...hanging out with our friends!

 

 

 Gotta love this place.