Moving off of Sycamore Island. Friday, August 27.

What a day, what a day! Yesterday was the day that I brought down two pick-up trucks to move all of my large furniture.

I had it all planned out, and I had my helpers all lined up. Everything was going smoothly until we realized that, after the big storm of the night before, there were several trees fallen across the towpath. It was as if the forces of nature were trying to prevent me from leaving the Island.

There was one big tree across the towpath near the Island that we knew about, but once we started traveling along the towpath from lock five we found many more trees in our way.

I felt like General Braddock and his army cutting a path across the continent. There was tree after tree and there was no turning back. Thankfully I had the best crew ever, unafraid of any sort of any obstacle.

It took us two hours to get to finally get to the Island. Then we could start the loading of the furniture, up the steep steps to the towpath and into the trucks. What a bear. I don't think that any of us have ever sweated so much. I was completely soaked, right down to the money in my wallet.

Mercifully, the load-out at my mom's garage was rather simple with no steps.

Thanks to my great crew! I had waitlister, Joe Dulaney and his friend Eric, couldn't have done the saw work without them. I also had third generation Club members, young Sebastian and Christian Holdridge. And Club member Steve Sholze rounded out the band, and the six of us had a great time working in the heat and humidity. What a day!

Then I took everyone to Bethesda Crabhouse, just before the thunderstorm hit!