You know it's fall when...

• Half of Juneau vacates to the Yukon for the 110 mile Klondike Road Relay. Although I swore last year was my finally, I tagged along as a support driver this year with my former team. I had a blast, as usual, and greatly enjoyed the comradery and beautiful country.

• John takes his hockey referee certification for the upcoming season.

And my least favorite sign of fall...

• The winter cover goes on the boat.

As one would expect, the cover restricts visibility and daylight and I'm never ready for that. John however is always anxious to get the boat covered. In fact I have come home from my annual Klondike weekend in years past to find the cover already on!! He at least held off a week this year, and we just completed putting it on together. The weather, in true Southeast fashion, turned windy and rainy just in time for the task. But we managed to keep piece from blowing away and successfully got all parts attached and fastened down. I'm truly hoping this will be the last winter we cover the boat for a few years!