MAPLE SYRUP

Yesterday we visited Gerry and Jackie's maple sugar bush.

They were busy loading the bins and keeping the fires going.

The steam is from all the water in the sap. It must be boiled off until you are left with just maple syrup. The flow of sap is totally dependent on the weather and so far it hasn't been a good year. Still, every bottle one gets is worth the work and time spent collecting. You must boil down forty litres of sap to get one litre of maple syrup.

Winter returned last night. Wish we were back on the beach.

Safe travels and thanks for stopping by.

FUN IN THE SUN IS OVER

Tomorrow we head home, our time in the sun is over. I will miss my morning walks to King Neptune but we have thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing time away.

This weekend is the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon and the beach looks ready. They have been busy installing shelters, washrooms, registration desks and first aid stations all week.

From the number of portable washrooms brought in I would guess they are expecting a large crowd.

Shortly after we leave the roads will be closed and the race will begin. By then we should be in Pennsylvania.

Once home we won't have internet access until April the 6th. 

Until then, thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

THINKING OF HOME

Another beautiful morning here.

Some folks are out fishing, others exercising.

At 7 a.m. the boardwalk is quiet and I'm enjoying the walk and the sound of the waves rolling in.

Time to think of heading home. Good times pass too quickly.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

KING NEPTUNE

King Neptune sits on the boardwalk at 32 street a 34 foot bronze statue dedicated in 2006. He has become my morning destination. By walking from our unit I get in over 7,000 steps a little over 3 miles in distance. It's a great way to start the day.

Neptune is surrounded by all his sea creatures one might find off the coast of Virginia.

He will be here to greet you when you visit.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

CLOSE TO SHORE

When we first spotted this boat so close to shore we thought he was in trouble.

He was low in the water but still maneuverable, so maybe not in the distress we thought.

Talking with folks on the boardwalk this morning they thought it was likely a fishing boat. That probably was the case and would explain the low water ride; just wonder where all the guys are to look after the fish.

Another cool, foggy morning; but we don't mind as it is still warmer than back home.

Update:

The sun did appear after lunch today and we enjoyed a walk along the boardwalk.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

FOGGY

The fog has rolled in and we are experiencing typical coastal weather. Looks like a good day to visit the aquarium.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

OLD COAST GUARD STATION

Each morning I walk a little further north on the boardwalk. Today I reached this restored Coast Guard Station built in 1903. It is now used as a museum dedicated to the men who maned such stations along the Virginia shoreline. I just can't imagined jumping into that rowboat in the middle of a storm to rescue some crew-members from drowning as their ship floundered in the waves.

I find as I walk the deserted boardwalk my mind says "Run Art" and my body says "walk". Just wish they would make up their minds so I would know what to do.