The black flies are the worst I have seen.  The heat did not kill them off, the cold did not kill them off.  I am beginning to think that the little blood suckers live as long as they like and that none of the lore about them is true.  In another week or so they SHOULD be subsiding.  We shall see.

I have been trying to get the gardens situated, weeded and re-mulched for the season.  A few more to go.  They really make a difference in the foreground of the buildings.  One area has an underground bee hive that we have been slowly taking over.  During the volunteer work weekend we moved a log into a place to help stop people from injuring themselves on a sloped area.  It was just before lunch when we placed the log, put in a few stakes to hold it in place and then went to eat.  As we neared the log after lunch the bees were hovering angrily.  I had never noticed the hive before.  We placed the log right on the entry way.  It has been a slow process, but I do not see the action there that there once was.  A bit of Hot Shot spray has done the trick. 

The recreation majors have been fun.  It is great to watch each student grow as both an individual and as part of a community.  For example, (I missed this program because I fell asleep at 8:30) at dinner each student was asked to bring the funniest or most outrageous article of clothing or item they brought with them to evening program.  The group dressed up their trip group leaders with the collection of clothing for a fashion show.  The students were all talking about it this a.m., so it must have been good. 

As I write this the shade temperature is 75 degrees and a slight breeze is blowing out of the southwest.  A few clouds are stretched across the sky and Blue Mountain is standing strong showing her elegance and beauty as she always does.  Until next time…

Rob, Chris and I were working on a project in the parking lot.  We easily had a few hundred flies on us each.  People who would normally not wear head nets or bug jackets have donned them this year.  According to the local folks there are three different hatches of black flies.  The last hatch has white legs and faces (if you can see them, they are only 1/8 inch or smaller).  The speculation is that the week of cold weather pushed back one of the hatches causing two to happen at once.  All I know is that there is plenty for the birds, dragonflies, fish and whoever else eats them.  I guess I should add humans to the list.  We always get one or two a season.  With any luck two more weeks and they will be gone, although hot weather is expected for this weekend potentially killing off many. 

The recreation students will return on Thursday.  I am always excited to hear their tales of triumph and woe, while reliving my experiences.  One thing is for sure the meal times will be a buzz and the volume high as different trip groups share.  I cannot wait!

I have enjoyed spending time with Sharon Todd, the director of the rec. camp.  Sharon was one of my professors and has always helped me to be a better person.  Late yesterday afternoon we went to Ferd’s Bog because she had not been there.  The bog is located down Uncas Road between Browns Tract Ponds Campground and Eagle Bay.  It is a short hike in to the bog.  The forest was alive with the sound of bees buzzing, several birds and a slight breeze now and again.  We reached the boardwalk to go out on the bog and continued our walk.  The bog water was higher than I had ever seen it, but I have never been there this time of year.  Flowers dotted the walk as we approached the platform.  We heard several birds but could not pinpoint them.  We stood silently for a bit and soaked in the unique environment. 

On the way back to the trailhead, Sharon heard something that I could not hear inside my bug jacket.  I unzipped, happy to find that only a few black flies had followed us back into the woods.  In the distance there was a faint drumming sound.  We waited for a few minutes and then it flew; it was a black-backed woodpecker.  The black-backed woodpecker has a yellow patch on its head and appears to have a mostly black body with a white belly.  It was neat to watch, unfortunate too far away for a picture.  Little moments like this give us the energy and excitement to continue looking and listening closely to our surroundings. 

Have a great day campers!

Flies, speaking of flies, the black flies are out in full force.  I was raking yesterday and got chewed on pretty good even with my bug jacket on.  Those little 1/8 of an inch insects sure do have a big bite and healthy appetite.  Not mentioned they get in the darnedest places.  I sometimes refer to the students as blood donors.  I feel like I have given a pint already.  Ugh!   A few more weeks to go before they die off for another season.  If that is the price that I have to pay to live in this beautiful place, then it is worth every drop of blood. 

A not so nice group was here and left this place a mess; however, they were followed by the recreation course.  It is always nice to see people return to teach both the recreation and physical education courses here year after year.  The classes are like greased wheels that keep on churning.  The recreation group is out on the trail this week and will return on Thursday.  The group gelled quickly and laughed a lot!  Sung quite a bit too. 

I need to get started on the wall and floor project.  It may take awhile. 

Last week I gingerly tried to take my wall apart and saw no easy way to accomplish that task (it was so nicely redone a few years ago) so I stopped.  I should have known better then…today was the last straw it warmed up to 60 and I could not take it anymore.  With flies (not black flies) swarming I started with a few screwdrivers and a hammer.  Before I knew it I was getting the crowbar and more.  I got the wall apart and much to my surprise, nothing was there.  I had to take a fresh air break at that point. 

I was talking with Richard, the caretaker from Camp Huntington, and he said that he would take a look.  So I brought the ladder up to check out the drop ceiling one more time to see if I missed anything last time, of course I could not be that lucky.  Richard started looking around and could not see anything at first either.  The only place left to look was the floor (it is a second story apartment).  The way that the walls are set up, it allowed us to look through the floor joists.  Richard said, “I think there might be something here.”  I took a look, flies; hundreds of flies on insulation…still no critter.  We both thought that is where the foul odor was coming from.  I thanked Richard and he left. 

During another fresh air break, I contemplated what would be the best way to get close to the infected area.  Was it better to cut into the wood floor and lift the “thing” out of there or would it be better to cut into the sheet rocked ceiling in the office.  The office does not smell…they would both be fairly easy to repair oh, the dilemma.

I chose to cut the floor; it is where the couch sits anyway, right?  I carefully chose a spot to begin cutting.  I got through the floor and then realized the sub floor would have to be cut too.  I began to have visions of the movie the Money Pit…I continued to cut anyway.  The smell had died down a bit, no pun intended.  Humm, was it the right spot.  Donned in gloves and a mask I carefully set up a system to remove the “thing” and surrounding insulation.  The flies were active, I must have been close.  As I started to remove insulation the flies got thicker.  Still could not see anything though. 

The next handful revealed the “thing”…its sharp teeth were clenched tight and its body rigid.  I am willing to bet by now you have guessed what it was…that damn raccoon!  It was a few more boards away.  I tried to get to it by using various tools; it just did not want to move.  Because all I could see initially was the head I thought it must have been a big daddy not to move easily.  I decided the best thing to do was to cut more boards.  I hated to, but I needed to get it out and fast.  I removed the boards and was able to use a pitch fork to move it into its new plastic coffin. 

I bleached the area and that is as detailed as I will get about that.  I plan to leave the area open for a few days to air out and I will continue to bleach.  Disgusted at what I found, but glad that I decided not to leave it. It would have been really rank as the weather continues to warm.

Did the raccoon get turned around? Could it not remember how it got there?  Or was it just looking for a place to die?  I guess the RV antifreeze fluid label is correct, “harmful to animals”.  I am still trying to figure out who had the last laugh, me or the raccoon…

The weather forecast was cold and rain which we did not get.  The weather was beautiful.   It was 68 in the sun and not a cloud to be had for the morning.  In the late afternoon clouds started to roll in and it sprinkled a bit just as we were cleaning up the last little bit of our projects.  We then headed down to the Tap Room for a celebratory beverage.  Returning in plenty time for another one of Rob’s spectacular meals. 

People took days off of work, traveled for hours only to be put to work.  The moment the volunteers got out of their vehicles there was a sigh followed by a deep inhale of the fresh air as large smiles crossed their faces and worries and stress melted away.  I know that people have a love and affinity for our facilities here at Raquette Lake; however, I am always surprised by their willingness to keep doing more.  It is a special place that many hold near and dear to their hearts.    I am blessed to be here and thank everyone for their support of all kinds.  Enjoy another beautiful day!

I have finished my class work and final with a satisfactory grade.  A group is in camp and doing well.  I almost cannot believe that the season has begun.  No blood donors yet…the black flies are still at bay.  I have heard rumors that they are out in other places but only swarming, not biting.  In the coming week the little guys will get their fill of SUNY Cortland’s student’s blood. 

The group here now is TST Boces.  They arrived yesterday and have been busy every since.  Many of them went swimming, as well as, canoed, kayaked and fished followed by a campfire.  It was a great first day.  Today the group will head over to Camp Huntington to use the challenge course and return later to help with a service project; raking pine needles and leaves.  While it is a small group, the extra 17 pairs of hands will make quick work of it. 

Have a great day!

The biggest problem I have had is the dead animal that I cannot find.  I really hope that it is not the raccoon.  I started to smell it just after I moved back in, then the days got warmer and the smell get stronger…it is somewhere in my house!  I checked all of the furniture and the drop ceiling with nothing but a stronger smell.  It must be in the wall in my living room, eeeewwe.  I hope that is it only a mouse and will dry out soon.  I know, gross to think about. 

I have walked most mornings, but this a.m. my feet need a break.  The last few patches of snow that were tucked away in the woods have melted and the weather has been spectacular.  Yesterday fog rolled in as soon as the sun rose and faded away in an hour or so.  No bugs yet! 

I have done a bit of everything today.  Cleaned out some toilet guts, raked and planted grass seed, breathed fresh air, cleaned the summer assistants quaters and removed the nails from all the windows that are used to keep them tight during the winter just to name a few.  The pleasant spring air is blowing winter’s dampness right out of the buildings.  I spent quite a bit of time vacumming cob webs from ceilings and windows.  It is only the beginning…five more buildings to go.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a great day too.  I am sure it will not be long now before the black flies are out…ugh!  Enjoy your night campers. 

The smell of rain first entered my nose as I started towards town.  It quickly changes as I found a pocket of balsam and pine.  I stopped for a moment then moved on.  A light rain started to fall, so light that I could not feel it but heard it in the forest dripping from leaf to leaf.  As I moved closer toward the cedar swamp the chorus of birds singing and calling filled my ears.  It was a very busy place.  Again the air changed, carrying a slight whiff of cedar followed by the natural decomposition of leaves and other matter then more balsam and pine.  

The village was quiet as I passed through and continued to the bridge where the red-winged black birds were very busy.  They were singing and calling from trees and tall grasses.  You can alway find them there.  A few swallows have returned too.  It is fun to watch them swiftly swoop under the bridge and out the other side. 

On my return trip towards camp the rain started to come down much heavier, so I picked up the pace and scurried home.  The rain has stopped for now.  I need to get busy unbuttoning camp and getting one day closer to groups arriving! Enjoy your day…�