1/26-30/25 I went up to Camp Serendipity for 5 days: Monday through Friday.

I got a late start because the truck was getting serviced and I had to stop at the drug store. I arrived at 2:00, but before I parked, I talked for quite a while with Dave Bartholomew who was out walking.

Once I parked, I brought my gear up in two trips, hoisting the flag between the trips. I don't think the temperature had been above freezing at all over the weekend and it hadn't snowed, so the trails were still frozen with tracks that were several weeks old. It made walking easy.

After unpacking my gear, I took a nap, did some exercises, built a fire, and had my dinner.

On Tuesday morning, the temperature outside when I got up was 16 degrees. That's the coldest I've seen for a while. Ellen called me first thing and told me about a car prowl and theft from Ocean's friend. Her backpack with her laptop and the key to our house were among the items taken. We agreed that we need to change the locks on our house and that Ellen would keep me informed of any progress in recovering the stolen items.

After practicing the piano, I went outside and dragged more firewood rounds up the hill and stacked them. Then I went in for my lunch and a nap.

When I got up, I walked to the grave. On the way back, I saw Ron Sideritz pull into, and then out of, Frank's driveway. He stopped and we chatted for quite a while before I continued on to the cabin. I built a fire in the stove which made my shower a little more pleasant.

On Wednesday, the temperature outside was 20 degrees and there was about one inch of new snow that had fallen overnight. After practicing the piano, I went outside and dragged and stacked more firewood. Then, after lunch and a nap, I walked to the grave. I brought an umbrella with me and used it for about half the trip after it started raining. I talked with John for a while after he stopped in his truck.

On Thursday, the temperature outside was 26 degrees and it was snowing. There was another inch of new snow on the ground.

Dave called and we had a very interesting and informative conversation. Dave needed to hang up to do an errand before we finished, so I fixed and ate my breakfast while I waited for him to call back. He called back just as I finished eating and just as I started drinking my coffee.

We finished our conversation, and then I watered Tiger. Finally, I did my piano practice and just as I finished that, Bill called. There had been quite a bit of family news lately so there was plenty to talk about. When we hung up, I had my lunch and a nap.

Right when I woke up, I got a nosebleed which I caught in time to confine the bloody mess to just one paper towel. Fortunately, it didn't take much to stop the bleeding so I was not bothered by it for the rest of the day.

Next, I walked to the grave. Just as I got to Smith's place, where there is cell service and Internet service, I somehow made a butt dial to Howard Hutchings. I don't know how that happened and Howard assured me that he did not initiate the call. We had worked together some 30 years earlier, but I don't think I have talked with him since. We caught up on some old times and had an interesting conversation without either of us figuring out how we happened to connect.

On Friday morning, the temperature outside was 28 degrees. After practicing the piano, I had an early lunch, packed up my gear, and left for home in the rain shortly after noon. This had been another delightful and interesting week in the woods.