10/28-11/1/24 I went up to Camp Serendipity for five days: Monday through Friday.

Even though it rained most of the way over, it was dry and cool when I arrived at 12:20. I brought my gear up in 2 trips, hoisted the flag, and then had my lunch and a nap. Then I walked to the grave.

On Tuesday morning the temperature outside was 26 degrees. I built a nice fire in the stove and then practiced the piano. After listening to the radio for a while, I geared up to walk to the grave. I had only walked a mile or so when I met Ida and their dog River walking in the other direction. It was the first time I had met Ida face to face, and we had a nice introductory conversation. She was interested in seeing our cabin, so I invited her to visit right then. The three of us walked back to our cabin and when we got there, River decided to continue on by himself. Ida and I had a nice visit inside the cabin. She particularly liked my loft stair railings. Then I showed her the scale model of the cabin, and I gave her a souvenir Camp Serendipity mug to mark the occasion.

After Ida left, I had my lunch and a nap. Then I went outside and worked on the handrails for the scaffold. I decided to use plumber's hanger straps to fasten the rails to the stanchions and it worked excellently. I used a cordless impact driver to drive drywall screws to hold the straps. It is a good system.

On Wednesday morning the temperature outside was 23 degrees. I built another fire, then practiced the piano, and then walked to the grave.

After lunch and a nap, I use the Sawzall to buck firewood and an ax to split firewood rounds. I stacked the firewood against the foundation wall under the scaffold where it will stay dry all winter and stay out of the way of my work.

Then I did some work fitting the step ladder to the abutment so that it will be safe and comfortable to use getting up and down the scaffold. Next, I filled and staged the water jugs in the entry room.

On Thursday morning the temperature outside was 28 degrees. I built another fire and then watered the plants. Then I practiced the piano and when I finished, I walked to the grave.

On this trip I saw that someone was home at the Smiths house. I looked up and saw Connie working on something outside and I called to her. She told me about her kids' Halloween plans.

Then I proceeded on and stopped to see John who was working outside. He had just hung his big front doors and while I was talking with him, Barb drove up and had an urgent request for John to come and help build their shed. I excused myself and continued my walk while they made arrangements.

After lunch and a nap, I loaded the water jugs into the truck. Then I split and stacked most of the remaining firewood.

On Friday morning the temperature outside was 30 degrees and it was raining cats and dogs. I practiced the piano and then Ellen called and warned me that the weather was going to be bad on the West side of the pass. I decided to leave fairly early and avoid the weather if I could. I had my lunch, closed up the place, and left for home at 12:15. I avoided most of the bad weather and had no problem driving home.