A surprise was coming as we turned into Bay Furnace area and found this new fence up in the large picnic area. True, the cliff area has been slipping away (although not high up) but I suppose to keep people safe from their own actions, it probably was a good idea. However did take away from the scenic look. I guess the message is stay away from the edge. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jayne Hallifax)

Buzzing around the area often means a ride down to the Grand Island Boat service recreation area. I believe the boat goes over every half an hour and just takes minutes (actually too short a ride). I remember the summers of perhaps 40 0r 50 or so years ago when the Hotel Williams was an important part of the island social season and what a treat it was to actually dress up and ferry across to the hotel for an evening dinner, when Charlie Everett was the host. Now those were the days. However that is all ancient history and now it is more or less a nature preserve and in the summer, backpackers, hikers, cyclists take the trip and in the fall season take their sturdy bicycles and make their way around. This particular day, there were several relatively young folks with their heavy duty cycles, very heavy looking backpacks and they had a three-night reservation for one of the very rustic cabins on the island. And turned out the next three or four more nights, the weather was more than perfect and they must have had a glorious time and made many memories. And just as a side note, the mosquitos have been kinder this year by staying away as we have been a very dry season. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jayne Hallifax)

I recently ran into Gary Bovan with a group of helpers busy preparing the field for the Friday Night Cruise which will be held Friday night, Sept. 17 and then the car show on Saturday, Sept. 18. From left, are Susan Bovan, Jude Holloway, Gary Bovan, Chris Case, Scott Mitchell and a few others who were scattered about the area (such as) Fred Ebert and Kathy Zimminck. Also helping were Pete Lindquist and Russ Viau. IDs were not necessarily in order as shown. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jayne Hallifax)