Pennsic (first visit)

[cellio]

We went up today to set up the camp. As we pulled in we were astonished by how much was already done -- the kitchen and pantry buildings were assembled, several pavillions were up, and the shower was being put together. It turns out they had more people than usual yesterday, so they got a head start.

Today's projects were house maintenance, plumbing, the shower, setting up the kitchen and pantry (as much as we could; not everything's on site yet), setting up one or two more pavillions, and setting up the communal eating and socializing area (furniture and a couple of flies for shade). Oh, and Dani washed most of the camp's dishes, I gather. (We store them in the house, because this is stuff we use only at Pennsic, so they get dusty over the year.)

The house had been attacked by mold -- the dangers of storing it in a field with high grass in a wet year, I guess. So I spent a while scrubbing that all off; fortunately, it's treatable. We also had a hornets' nest this year; I am grateful to other camp members for killing it for me before I got there. Ick, stingy things.

I didn't do much that was especially strenuous, but I'm exhausted. I assume that some of that comes from working outside in the heat and sun (though the heat was moderate and I was wearing a hat). It's been a long time since I've had the boundless energy and stamina of a 20-something; sigh.

I owe a big favor to one camp member who did a lot of house-related work for me (including jacking it up to make it level and killing the aforementioned hornets). Can anyone reading this recommend decent single-malt scotches? He enjoys trying new things, so I'd rather not get one of the defaults (like, if I understand correctly, Glenlivit). I'm looking for something good and a little off the beaten path (hindered by not being a scotch drinker myself).

I was checked in by dr_zrfq. Heh -- I didn't expect to find him that quickly. :-)

Comments

[jducoeur]

If you want something off the beaten path and quite good, I commend Michel Couvreur. Yes, it's odd having a French name on a Scotch, but it's my personal favorite (and I discovered last year, also the favorite of another of my Scotch-fond friends). Rather expensive (ballpark of $50 or so), and not trivial to find, but a fine choice if you want something that isn't one of the usuals...