We've enjoyed a really rainy day - the first we've had in a long time.  We actually had something like a downpour late this afternoon.  I think it did everything a world of good, but now we're going to have some cold weather and maybe snow . . . pretty typical, really, but after the nice stretch of very warm weather we've had, it's going to be a blow.  We're being warned to cover any tender young plants.

An article in the Caledonian Record recently tells us work is going to begin on the 15 mile stretch of rail trail between St. Johnsbury and West Danville.  Two bridges need to be constructed, and there will be ditching and surfacing.  The work hasn't been bid out yet, but hopes are high.  This will be a two-year project that will connect to St. Johnsbury's Three Rivers Transportation trail, which ends at a bridge abutment for Mount Vernon overpass.  The VAST trail project will construct the opposite abutment and the bridge to connect the two and continue the their trail work north to eventually end in Swanton.  There will be a second bridge in Danville near Trestle Road to replace a culvert which was washed out in 2011.  VAST will also be working to complete abut 15 miles of trail between Morrisville and Cambridge Junction, and a 10 mile stretch from Sheldon to Swanton.  Work will be funded by a $5.4 million grant that requires a 20% cash match or a 25% in kind match, so fund raising efforts will be stepped up.  No state money is involved.
 
We were in West Danville today and noticed Sambel's Catering and Concessions has set up near the public beach where John Woods had his lunch cart a while back.  They will be there every day this summer, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  They are offering a pretty full menu - appetizers such as chicken fingers, shrimp cocktail, onion rings and fries; burgers in various combinations; specialty sandwiches; chicken, shrimp, scallop, fish and fried clam baskets; and dinners that include choices of beef, seafood, chicken or surf and turf.  There is a kids menu, too. 

There are three people who will be working varying shifts, and each has a cell phone, so if you want to call in an order, try any of these numbers until one answers:  802-249-7758, 802-505-9019, or 802-238-1015.  If you want to find out about catering service, call 802-461-4669.  We wish them well - it looks like they'll have a pretty nice setup when everything is ready.  This was only their second day, but Bob Sambel said they've already had quite a few customers.

We had actually been up to see Bill and Bo Keach's new house that was set in place this week.  It is a Huntington Home and came in two parts.  Bill said they were supposed to bring in the pond side of the house first, but instead brought the one that would be on the road side.  So they set that in place and when the pond side came it was just lifted over the first section and set in place on the pond side.  Must have been interesting to watch.  Both Bill and Bo were there today and excited to be seeing things taking shape so quickly.  Bill said they may be
in by July 1.  It is a great looking home.  The
top picture was taken from the Narrows Drive side and below is one we took from Route 2 looking across the water.

There is also lots of work being done at the Paul and Dorothea Penar home (see photo on the left)at the entrance of Narrows Drive.  Most places around the pond are looking really good and there are quite a few people here already, getting a head start on repairs and updates to be ready for summer.

Most of our road signs around the pond seem to be in place and looking good, too, and we noticed there are buoys out, too, so boaters can safely navigate.  It's hard to believe that only about three weeks ago we were waiting for the ice to go out.  I expect the water is still very cold, but with this rain, the grass and leaves are looking lush and green so when this brief (I hope) cold spell is over, we should be on the verge of a great summer.

Oh, I should mention - the black flies have arrived.  We'd been fortunate they were delayed by the very warm dry weather, but now the rain has awakened everything - including those miserable little pests.