I kept a handwritten "log" over the weekend -- with the idea of typing it into my blog. It was fun to do -- kind of like "blogging"! But with a pen and, yes, WET, paper. You won't be able to see the rain smears.
Saturday May 29th
Sitting in the tent, 
"listening to the rhythm of the falling rain, telling us just what stupid fools we are..."It has been off and on a sucky day, many times just how I envisioned it. (The muddy footprints and pawprints, soggy everything). We were fortunate that it didn't rain while we hauled all our shit gear to the tent site, and also while JDub finished constructing the platform and then pitched the tent -- all which took a while. However, we were not fortunate while we were eating our marinated tenderloin steaks. We thought we timed it pretty well between squalls, but we were caught at our nifty little picnic table with paper plates quickly turning into rainwater/marinade mush, and the pot of baked beans into a lumpy caramel-colored rain gauge. 
But we stuck it out! Rolled our eyes at each other across the table while water dripped off our ears. (The fact was, the steaks were so good, we really weren't up for any interruption).
We ended up driving into town -- to Walmart -- since our only other option was to sit in the tent and roll our eyes at each other. Which is what we're doing now. At least we now have a heater. And some wine!
Sunday May 30th
Yesterday, I was marveling at how basically uncrabby I was, despite the weather. Today, as I once again sit inside the tent with hubby and wiener dogs, I ask myself: "What the f#$!k are we doing here?" The rain on the tent sounds like popcorn popping. We keep holding out hope, especially since the forecast is for "improving". Hopefully, this is a morning shower, it'll end, the sun will come out, and everything will dry off, and we can actually go kayaking.
Where would we be without hope? (Gee, maybe home in a warm and dry house?)
Later
Made another run into town, mostly for a change of scenery. We stopped at Lumberman's for some 2x4s so JDub could construct some sort of frame for our tarp to use as an awning. Somehow. It wasn't clear to me just how he planned to do this, but I have lots of faith in MacGyver JDub, because he can create wonderful things from paper clips and pipe cleaners. We also stopped for a mocha/latte which did wonders for my disposition. (Did I mention that my sweet demeanor has been gradually eroding?) Things were looking up -- we actually saw some patches of blue sky on the way back.
And then we pulled in and a storm hit. The wind howled and the rain slammed us from every angle. In the midst of this, JDub worked valiantly trying to get the awning up -- scrambling to measure, handsaw, pound nails, lose the hammer, misplace the bag of nails... And all the while the two of us fighting the &$#! tarp that was hell-bent on being a parasail. What. An. Ordeal. Needless to say, nothing went smoothly, and the rain continued to slam us and the wind (combined with the unwieldy tarp) threatened to take us for one helluva ride. There were moments when even JDub felt despair. Then something would kick in for me, and I'd say, "Well, what if we...." and with both of us putting in a good effort, we now have a very decent awning to keep the rain off (and it'll provide nice shade if there is ever a time when that would be welcome).
I'm pleased to report that the white trash factor isn't quite as glaring as I was afraid it might be.
For a little while, the sun came out and we walked on the the beach (I found two nice agates). It felt so good. I'm currently sitting at the nifty picnic table -- beneath the awning -- listening to tunes, handwriting my blog, sipping wine, and smiling at weenie dogs lounging in the sun.
And as I speak/write, here comes another storm.
Later Again....
Storm has passed -- and so has company! Right about at the same time, my friend and her sister (their family has property here on H*ars*tine Island) stopped by, as did JDub's folks! Thankfully the weather improved (a wee bit) while they were here. The word this afternoon is WIND. I've never seen the waves so ferocious -- you could almost go surfing. (You could -- I'll just watch).
Critters We've Seen/Heard
Good Things About This Weekend
Here comes another storm...
Monday Morning May 31st
It's weighing heavy on our minds all the packing and hauling UP the slope we need to do today before heading home. JDub is doing some grading and widening -- with a shovel -- so that he can back the Durango down a little further so we don't have quite as far to haul shit gear. If it works OK, it'll sure help.
I've begun to pack up a few things in the tent, but there's no big hurry. (There are, however, storm clouds threatening). (What else is new?)
I just wish we could trust people enough to leave a bunch of stuff here. If it was up to me, I'd probably risk it. I'd even leave the tent up. (Sigh). I think a locking shed is in order.
Update: I don't think the grading/widening (with a shovel) is going very well. JDub has a nasty blister. And it's taking a very long time. [He just informed me that he's made significant progress, though].
A shower will feel nice later. I'm glad there aren't any mirrors around -- I can pretend that my natural state isn't too bad. I do know that's not the case, but at least I'm not being constantly reminded.
A Little Later
This is nice. I'll have a little flurry of packing-up activity, then I'll sit down at the nifty picnic table and handwrite my blog to tunes on the boombox. (Nice campfire going, too). Currently listening to Norah Jones (her first CD). Prior to that was "Simply Red's Greatest Hits" which is a truly excellent CD.
I ventured up to see JDub's progress on his grading/widening (with a shovel) and it's amazing! What a difference! (What a guy!)
Weather's not great, but at least it's not raining. Looks like it could though. No kayaking this weekend. We never even took them off the top of the Durango.
Guess we'll finish up, take a last walk on the beach, and head home. At least it wasn't a total wash. (Speaking of "wash", I'm sure looking forward to that shower!)
