Yeah, it looks like I can do this. Not sure if it gets filtered down all the way through internetworld.

I fixed this. It was difficult to get goodreads right, but I finally figured it out.

Goodreads should be worth it. Everyone who actually reads uses it afaik.

TR

My wife is from Maine and her daughter lives in Boston, so we planned a trip to visit both. The day we booked everything, her daughter let her know that she was going to Thailand so we scrambled a bit to figure out what to do, but we weren't going to cancel the trip.

I had this vision of Maine being a sleepy little state where you didn't see a whole lot of people. I was wrong. We got into Boston about 4:00, rented a car and headed to Freeport, Maine. Bumper to bumper traffic on the highway the entire way. Damn, there were a lot of cars.

My wife's sister was house sitting for some people that had a very very nice house just outside of Freeport. It was beautiful. The weather cooperated with us the entire trip and just sitting in the cool fresh air was fantastic.

My wife wanted me to experience some Maine stuff so after some discussion with her sister, we decided on Bailey Island. I must say it was gorgeous.

Before we hit the island, we went through the shops at Freeport, the home of LL Bean. Lots of high end shops around and very touristy. OK, but not worth an extended stay. Then we headed to Yarmouth so we could see the house my wife grew up in. She was very excited to see the old neighborhood and bring back childhood memories.

Then it was off to Bailey Island. We stopped along the side of the road to take this picture. I think I might frame it , it was so good.



The place we stopped was just before this bridge. The entire bridge just sits on those boulders. I don't have a pic of the whole thing but I would guess it is about 2-3 hundred yards long. We found out later it is the only bridge of its kind.



While we were taking pictures, we spotted a ferry coming in. We hadn't really planned anything other than just looking around be we thought it might be fun to check out the ferry.

We drove to the ferry and saw that they had a noontime cruise. We got there about 10 minutes before noon so we figured it was karma. We found out that you buy the tickets once you get on the ferry so we waited in a very small line. As we got to the front, we learned that it was cash only. Yikes! We had enough for only one ticket and, after going in the restaurant next door we found out that there were not ATMs around. We confirmed with the guy working at the ferry that they didn't take credit cards so we started to walk away when he said "hey, don't worry about it. Come join us. The more the merrier.". Where in the hell does that happen? We ended up paying them for one ticket and they were perfectly happy to have us there.

My wife has most of the pics from the cruise. It wound around a bunch of islands and took about an hour and a half. Some of the islands had homes, some didn't. A few of the islands were owned by just one person and would have a mansion on it. The captain had all kinds of stories about the history and it was fascinating. Its hard to put into words how beautiful the area was. Just a fantastic outing.

When we got back we decided to eat lunch at the restaurant there. I wanted to have some genuine Maine cuisine so I ordered (as did my wife) a lobster roll. Which is just a sandwich with bits of lobster in it. It was delicious. I'm not sure if we just didn't notice a price or if it said market price or what but we just ordered them without checking out how much it would be. I was shocked when I got the bill for lunch - $104!!!!!. Turns out the lobster rolls were $37 each. Holey Moley!. For the rest of the trip anything we looked at to buy we compared to a lobster roll. "Cheaper than a lobster rolll? We'll take it!".

The next day we headed back to Boston. We decided to go along route 1 through some of the coastal towns. Aye aye aye. Unbelievable traffic. Stop and go the entire way. Each town came with a traffic jam. We planned to eat at a fairly well known place in Kittery called Bob's Clam Hut. It was packed. They advertise great food fast. The food was OK, but certainly not fast. About 45 minutes.

From there we were able to get back on the highway and back to Boston. Not much to report other than the gps that came with the rental car sucked. It got us lost around the airport multiple times. But we eventually got there.

We stayed in the Bostonian - right next to Faneuil Hall. The area was very nice - lots of shops and restaurants near the water. By the time we got to our room we were pretty tired and hungry and hit the first restaurant we saw - McCormick and Schmit (or something like that). Pretty sucky chain restaurant but we didn't have the energy to find anything else. We ordered a bottle of red wine and as I was drinking it, I started to not feel so good. I knew I needed food but the service was less than ideal and it took another half hour before we actually ate anything. By then I was feeling pretty bad. We got back to the hotel and I thought I could lie down and it would pass. It didn't. First time I've puked in at least 10 years. Ugh. But once I did I was fine and felt fine the rest of the trip.

The next day was devoted to walking around and seeing what we could in the general area. Our first stop was the aquarium. We love aquariums and this one did not let us down. It was fantastic. They have a huge circular tank in the middle of it that is 3 stories tall. We could have sat and watched the fish swim around in it for days. We were able to see a seal training session which was cool. We ended up staying in there almost 2 hours. Loved it.

It was lunch time by then and we passed some cruises next to the restaurant we ended up eating at. We booked a short one and got on. We enjoyed it quite a bit as well. Went by the USS constitution which is pretty cool. Lots of other local sites and heard a bunch of history trivia. Quite enjoyable.

Then we decided to walk the Freedom Trail. It winds around the area by places like where the Boston Massacre was and where Paul Revere did some stuff. The trail itself is just some red bricks that you follow around. It is advertised as only a few miles, but it seemed longer. At the far end of the trail is this Bunker Hill monument.



We were already pretty tired by the time we got there. There were people sitting around it on the grass. I wasn't quite sure why but I found out. We walked into the adjacent building and the lady working there said we could walk up to the top if we wanted. Without thinking I decided to go for it. It kicked my butt. My wife followed along and her butt was kicked as well. But we made it. The stairs went around in a circle and it was pretty tight and steep. Then you get to the top and its just this little tiny room which was packed with people. Then you go back down which was a bit easier but hard in a different way. By the time we got down we just wanted to lie down in the grassy area with the other people we saw earlier (which were either people that had to rest from the climb or the smart ones that didn't try to climb).

We needed water. There was some guy selling snow cones near the monument and he had water too. He said "climbed the tower, eh?". He could tell. We chatted with him a bit and it turned out he lived in Boston during the summer but lived in St. Pete - not that far from us, in the winter. Small world.

We still had quite a hike back and when we got close to the hotel we stopped in a little pub for a beer. Best tasting beer I've had in a while. We went back to the hotel to freshen up and out for a dinner.

We were advised to go to the North End to eat. My wife's father highly recommended a place that had been there for decades, but had apparently finally closed shop. We got another recommendation for another place which was packed and only took reservations. Our third recommendation was a place called Al Dente. It was phenomenal. If you ever go I would highly recommend it. We couldn't finish our meals there was so much food.

We had gone through the North End earlier on our Freedom Trail walk and thought about getting a world famous cannoli. There is a place called Mike's which is apparently really famous and another called Modern. Both had lines out the door so we decided not to wait. But, after our dinner we decided to try again. Mike's was still packed but there weren't too many people in Modern so we went in there. The cash only rule bit us again. Who in the hell has a bakery this popular and doesn't take credit cards? Reeediculous. But we wanted a cannoli so we searched for an ATM machine and got enough to buy some cannolis. Of course, the line went out the door when we got back but **** it - we wanted a cannoli. I have to say it was worth the wait. OMG it was delicious.

We had an early flight so we hit the sack as soon as we finished our cannolis.

All in all a quite enjoyable trip. I would go there again. But, as always, it is good to be home.

Yes, prices on Amazon magically change and not just on books.

As I am a grandpa who loved reading as a child, I will probably be good for a couple of sales.

Man, it still sounds weird to call myself a grandpa.

nice TR Mr. Boat

Great TR!

Not a whole lot to report.

Got a job at a local marina. I'll be working in the bait shop 2 days a week. I've sort of been eyeing this type of job for quite a while. They posted an opening on NextDoor so I sent an email. Ended up being hired on the spot. The manager recognized me and the other girl that works in the office knows me fairly well. I've dealt with her numerous times with boat issues.

Should be fun. I need to get out of the house.

go fishing.

I did yesterday.

Hurricane a-comin'

or not

looks like you will luck out pardner. and wont have to suffer without air conditioning for two weeks.

I was on matchdotcom a few years ago but have long since deactivated my account. A few days ago I started getting emails from them wanting me to "activate" my device. At first I thought this was some sort of phishing but after doing a little research it seems that match has reactivated people's profiles.

Now I'm getting "likes" from women. This does not seem optimal. I contacted them so we'll see if they fix it.

In other internet news. My wife and I applied for TSA precheck a few weeks ago. She went in one week after I did and received the all clear a couple of days later. I still haven't received anything.

I blame facebook for all of this.

It looks like this might get back to a building boondoggle blog.

The repairs on my deck are scheduled to begin next week. Without looking I think this is about a year after I reported the issue.

It seems, though, that only one deck is going to be repaired. Although this deck definitely needs to be fixed, the other one is significantly worse. It is sagging noticeably and there is a big stress crack in the fascia.

I've reported this numerous times and they assured me they would be fixing it. However, the notice I got only mentioned the one deck. While I was driving out yesterday, I happened to spot the head of the condo association (who I'm not a fan of) and the head maintenance guy talking. Once again I asked about the other deck. They both said that this would be looked into when they start on the scheduled deck.

Job update.

I am working 2 days a week - noon until 8:00. Once the time changes it will be noon until 7:00.

So far so good. It rarely gets crazy busy. There is usually a slow stream of customers throughout the day, but sometimes I don't see anyone for an hour or more.

We sell a lot of gas. Some guy filled up with over $600 yesterday.

Our biggest selling non-gas item is live shrimp. We probably sell 500 shrimp a day and this is a slow time of the year. One of my chores is to count dead shrimp. I have to do this every hour.

The vast majority of customers are fishermen but we do get pleasure boaters. There are a lot of fishing guides that come in. Most are super friendly and love to chat up about what they caught and how. Met one yesterday that has TV show.

Not much to do other than ring up customers. At the end of the shift I close out the register, count money, and lock up. Easy peasy.

So far I'm loving this.

Day 1 of the new boondoggle.

We cleaned he patio off yesterday and shoved everything on our smaller patio and in the corner.

Here is the cleaned patio.



They started staging today. Here's a bunch of stuff.



They spent about 30 minutes trying to get this bin off the trailer.



My wife is pretty pissed they aren't planning on fixing both sides. The side they aren't fixing is really bad. She is going to be on their butts about this.

My wife went to the office and talked to the guy in charge. Her strategy is apparently kill him with kindness. He assured her they would do the other side, but wouldn't commit to when. I'm fine with this.

The workers tore off the trim that surrounds the 6x6 posts. I tried to get a good pic but it just won't come out. One of the posts looks just fine and I doubt they have to replace it. The other had a little discoloration on it. Not really rot, but it doesn't look good as new. If I made the decision I would leave it but they may choose to replace it.

The horizontal support beam is the issue. It looks like maybe a 4x8 with 2 2x4s nailed to the bottom of it. The bottom 2x2 has almost crumbled completely away and the other one looks pretty rotten. So does the beam. I'm guessing they will have to replace all of that.

so, how is your retirement coming along?

Good now. I really like the job at the bait shop. I enjoy talking to all of the fishermen. My people. It's only 2 days a week so it doesn't feel like a job.

That leaves 2-3 days without the misses which gives me some good alone time and 2-3 days with her which creates a really nice balance.

So far so good. Thanks!

The deck repair has begun in earnest. They told me it would take about 3 months

This beam is completely gone. I can't believe the deck didn't cave in.



I'm pretty sure the one they aren't working on is worse and the caving in has already begun. The wife is really worried and is going to press them to put some temporary supports in.

They boarded up one of our doors. It really changes the light in the living room.



They put up scaffolding and tarp. The tarp is probably a sun block. It is hotter than hell right now in the morning.

that wasnt a proper hanger for that beam either.

Haven't read this thread in a year, maybe more. First two posts are about pumping gas and "my wife". I guess a lots changed.

You could say that about most of the construction of these condos.

Yeah, life has changed dramatically. For the better.

Biggerwife decided to send the condo guy an email this morning. She is worried (as am I) that the deck they aren't working on could possibly collapse.

It worked. She gets better results than I do. They tore into it to take a look. Pretty bad.



The put some support poles on it now. So, our entire patio is a construction zone and the door to the patio is now blocked. We still have a side door so it isn't too bad.