Okay. No photos. This blog post is just to mark our first truly decadent swim since installing the pool heater. 

Outside temp right now: 57 degrees F.

Pool temp during our swim: 82 degrees F.

Need I say more?? I think not. 

WOOHOO! The pool heater is up and running as of yesterday afternoon. The water temperature was around 72 degrees when it started (thanks to hotter weather and not so cool nights over the past two days). We also had one inch of rain on Wednesday, so it did pretty well on its own. The heater only ran for about two hours before we turned it off and it had already taken the water up to 78 degrees (temperature of the water running through the heater at the time). Warming up 30,000 gallons is no joke! This morning the pool stands at 76 degrees on opening with three frogs. I am thinking we are definitely swimming tonight!

Dad … here's one! (Bella helps with frog removal.)

Dad … he's getting away!!

I can't say enough good things about all the people that made it possible for us to have a warm pool for the Labor Day weekend. The propane tanks and all the necessary plumbing was done a week ago Monday and then we had to wait for the inspector who finally came on this past Monday. The electrician came on Monday evening to take note of what materials he would need, vowing to come on Thursday. That only left the delivery of the propane and the final hook-up of the propane to the heater. Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. the propane delivery truck was in our driveway. Rick talked to the driver and asked him to please give them a push in our direction so we could get up and running for the weekend.

Not one hour later after the propane delivery, the phone rang and it was Ken, the person responsible for the final hook-up. He said he'd be there in one hour, and he was.

Yesterday the electrician came and did his thing. (Ouch on the price tag, but he had to bring us up to code since everything was so old.) Dennis, our fab pool person, came yesterday afternoon and got the heater running and gave me a lesson in how to work it. It was so exciting to stick my hand in the water next to the jets and feel warm water pouring out!

This morning's read out with starting temp.

We only have two weeks left to enjoy it but we're going to try and take advantage of every minute we get!

Top Photo: Waterfall at Ringwood Manor.

We continue to get frogs every time it rains. If we don't have rain? No frogs! But now it's starting to get scary. I think they've heard that the pool heater will be up and running for the coming holiday weekend. (woohoo!!) They've morphed into a new species and they are bringing their babies with them!

Does anyone have any ideas of what to do next?

We are having September-type weather in August. It's weird. The nights are so cool that I find myself closing windows before I go to bed, otherwise the house is freezing when I get up. The days are beautiful: sunny, low humidity, and comfortably in the 70's. Although it feels great to not have the air conditioning on, it is just way too early for this. We are still supposed to be enjoying the pool folks! These nights in the low 50's are killing the pool temperature which has now sunk to 71 degrees F.

Our pool heater installation is going slowly. The heater is in and pretty much ready to go but we are waiting on the propane people (who are due on Monday) to lay their gas lines, etc., and also the electrician to make everything work. The electrician is going on vacation and not due until two weeks from now! Ugh. Dennis (our pool man) said he can rig something up in the meantime to get the heater running. So, we might have a few weeks to enjoy our heated pool before we have to close it for the season right before we leave for Colorado. It has not been a good pool year this year. I'm bummed. But, next year—just think—we'll have the heater to start us out early. Definitely something to look forward to.

Today our friend Carolyn arrives for the weekend. We have plans to go in to the city tomorrow to Chinatown for lunch and to revisit some of the shops that were on our tour of two years ago. It should be fun! I can't wait to eat at Dim Sum GOGO again. This time I also want to make it to the big department store, Pearl River, even if we end up taking a taxi!

Totally unrelated photo: bikes in Cartagena!

Pool time on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night dinner: Margarita Shrimp & Scallops with Mango Salsa

The sky as we ate.

Early morning canoe trip on Green Turtle Pond on Sunday.

With water like glass.

A heron.

Reflections.

A lady duck.

A trip to the Warwick Farmer's Market.