Despite the fact they will make fun of me for saying so, I count as one of the greatest blessings in my life the friendship of Tim, Jay, and John. Granted, 96.8% of our entire friendship is predicated on us exposing and exploiting each other's weaknesses and giving each other endless rations of crap. But that is just how we roll, and these guys are the best. 

Jawm was home from Nevada for a week, and, in his altruistic nature, found the time to come along with Zin and Efth to Maine for a couple of days of debauchery. Our time together is always as good as advertised. On Friday, when the idiots finally got to my house at like 930, we made a beeline for Brews (which still had a wait #service) and indulged in some Montreal burgers (along with the best fries I have ever had) and DropDeadRed/PBR on draft. A great night to catch up a bit. Also, there was a gross dirty hippy band playing at like 8881 decibels. I couldnt even hear the voices in my head. And the band attracted a lot of dirty hippies to the place. Sorry :/

We are creatures of habit. Saturday morning found us at the Flatlanda, as it often finds us. I just love this place and woudnt get breakfast anywhere else. Simple. Solid. Homey. Perfect. And, Jawn could update his 'resume' with a currenty 2015 picture with one of the hundreds of novelty license plates that adorn the walls of the diner....just perfect. This must be the tenth version of this....

Lake George was calling us, and so we went. I repeat this often, but Lake George is just one of my favorite places in all the world. A pristine lake. Surrounded by hills. Beautiful geological concoctions. Very protected. Wonderful trails. Just a gem of a place. Thanks to my friend and colleague Jenn, who let us use one of her kayaks so we wouldnt have to cram four fatties into my Old Town Camper! We paddled out into the middle of the lake and then just stopped...sat...talked...drifted...and observed. We watched an Eagle soar and, at the same time, 'observe' or teach its young Eaglet how to fly. Just perfect. A cacophony of loons were harbingers of an approaching storm front which we watched roll in across the vast sky. It rained and thundered and then we watched the storm slide away and the sun return, the loons once again 'announcing' that all was well. I think the picture below might be one of favorite pictures of the summer--just the simplicity of floating around a gorgeous lake. Maine summer. Everyone looking at different things. Everyone spellbound by peace and time and beauty and space.

And then, after the lake, the guys wanted to check out the famed OakPondBrewery (havent been there in a while!) for some tour and tasting of fresh beer. They absolutely  loved it--I was very surprised at how much they enjoyed the refurbished chicken barn turned brewery! We sampled some new stuff, including a Skowhegan India Pale LAGER (not ale). Very hoppy. Very crisp. Very nice. Jawn, who is a beer aficionado, really enjoyed the NutBrown, and the two of together split a growler of Laughing Loon Lager, a very dark and chocolaty lager. Tim bought a growler of Somerset Lager, and Jawn rounded out his purchase with some pint glasses to take home. A great stop. Something special about getting fresh beer right where it is made...

 And then we headed back to my house for some beers, some laughs, and some fantastic food as we BBQ'd some burgers, sausages, and linguica. Just a great time with great friends. And Orso was enamored with the guys. One funny detail I have to mention is how, for both his morning and evening walks, all four of us took Orso around the neighborhood. What a sight for our neighbors: Four idiotic guys wearing silly shirts escorting a 130 pound bear around the 'hood....

Sorry....we have been having such a blast that I havent wanted to stop and post. 

You all know that I detest everything related to summer, but I have to say that this is probably the best summer I have ever had. For the first time in a long time, I am feeling good. And I havent felt 'good' in a long time. Very blessed summer. And one of the many reasons is due to the generosity of our dear friends Tom and Katie who have been letting us use their camp in St Albans (up past Newport...beautiful farm and lake country!). A couple of weeks ago, we made our way out to Big Indian Lake for a day of fun. And the big hilight of the day, for us, was the big puppy taking his FIRST swim (with us, anyway). He walked up to his belly in the water...and he took the next three weeks to fully dry...haha

Here we are embarking on our trip up 95. The camp is about a half hour or so away. Get it? Or__so...ORSO...shut up. Contrary to what you may think, Orso LOVES going for car rides! He lies right down in the back of the volvo. He loves it. And what was really awesome was seeing all the cars passing us, their owners flashing beaming smiles and waving cuz they got a kick out of seeing a 130 pound dog in the back of an 89 Volvo station wagon....it was great!

I like to sit and relax. I run hard and bike hard and lift hard and work hard and I have begun to realize that it is okay to sit still. So I have been doing that. And loving it. And loving reading. Great porch with a great view. I love the trees on the property...

At camp we mostly hung out, read NARNIA by the water, took a kayak paddle or two, and FISHED. Maira--no lie--stood on the dock and cast and cast and cast for probably a whole hour interrupted. She didnt have a hook or bait...she just wanted to swivel and a sinker so she could "practice her fishing." Callum, meanwhile, continues to be a great caster and a very patient fisherman, although he only has this sunfish to show for it...haha

And the Quarry Road race series keeps rolling along. This pic below was before the start of the 8K--a five mile trail race which, no question, is the toughest running race I have ever run. Five miles of insane hills and terrain. It is almost unbearable. I used this race as a 'litmus test,' if you will, to see if my fitness had at all rebounded or improved. Finishing it (in a thunderstorm...with a tornado warning issued by the NWS) was an emotional moment. I can/Can't wait til the next one. And, also, check out how hot Amanda is...