After a lengthy absence, Neighbor Alaska Curt is back for the summer!

May 25, 2021 - Tuesday morning

65 degrees/cloudy/windy

Pentoga Road

It was good to reunite with our friend and part time neighbor, Curt, yesterday. Opting to remain an Alaskan resident, the former warden can only be out of state for so many days a year and still receive Alaskan benefits, so we only see him a few months a year. 

Retired, Curt is also a long distance walker and has developed a love for riding bicycle. I've been after him for several years to hike the AT with me, but his response is that he spent enough years as a warden sleeping in a tent on the ground, that those days are over. 

Welcome back to the neighborhood, Curt. All of us on and around Pentoga Road have missed you.

I left home Monday morning at first light for my walk and dodged deer for most of the way. 

The backhoe was towed to the plant soon after and I  was pleasantly surprised how straight it followed the Blazer. After a quick visit with Yooper Brother Mark, I shoveled a load of wood chips/shavings into barrels before heading home. 

In fact, three trips were made to the plant yesterday for a total of eighteen barrels. These aren't your commercial kiln dried shavings and chips. All are green, wet, and heavy.

It came as little surprise that I could feel my heart beating in my arms and shoulders last night. The mind may be that of an energetic twenty year old, but the body is definitely much older.

 

Sargie and I worked steadily throughout the day. When she wasn't with me in the garden or loading more chips, the girl was carrying yard and patio goodies from the storage container. 

New this year is our Elf Tree. It's where any and all grandbabies, nieces, nephews, and other munchkins, can visit with real Pentoga Road elves.

I've heard that if a little boy or girl are really really really good and remember to always say yes please and no thank you and promise to never hassle the very nice people who live here, the elves will occasionally leave surprises and treats for them to find.

I know that makes me want to mind my manners. Well, there's that and Sargie's long arm of the law.

We weren't the only ones who were busy on Pentoga Road yesterday. The county road crew, mostly female college students on summer break, came through filling cracks in the road with hot tar.

We supplied them with bottles of cold water as they worked past the house, thanking them for keeping Pentoga Road in such good shape.

It was a hot and tired couple who finally quit working late yesterday afternoon. Sargie was ready to lay another load of chips in the garden, but her husband, who'd been up since 4 AM, wasn't nearly as eager to extend the day. 

It's finally daylight and time to head out for a quick four mile walk. Today's agenda looks much like yesterday's. With the temperatures to dip below freezing over the next two to three nights, I'd like to finish the aisles in the garden so we'll be ready to plant next Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. 

I also promised Sargie I'd help her retrieve the lawn pretties and patio furniture from the storage container. In other words, it's going to be another busy day.

Time to get moving.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...