Thanks for the question about the garden layout. I think the raised beds along the south side would work better than placing them near the fence. The sunlight exposure is much better there, and the soil drainage has always been more reliable in that corner. I tested the pH last week and it was around 6.4, which is fine for tomatoes and peppers. You might want to add some compost before planting though, just to give the young roots a good start. I can help you turn the soil on Saturday if that works. Also, the drip irrigation kit I mentioned is still available at the hardware store on Main Street. They had two left when I checked yesterday afternoon. Let me know what you think about the layout plan. I sketched a few options and can share them when we meet. The weather forecast looks decent for the next couple of weeks so we should have good conditions for getting everything set up.

I looked into the hiking trail you mentioned near the lake. The southern loop is about four miles and has some moderate elevation changes, but the views along the ridge are really nice this time of year. I went last Saturday and saw a few deer near the creek crossing around midday. The trail markers are clear and the path is well maintained, though there are a few rocky sections after the second bridge. I would recommend bringing plenty of water and maybe a light jacket because it gets breezy near the summit. The parking area has room for about a dozen cars and there is a small map board at the trailhead. If you want to go together next weekend, I am available Sunday morning. We could start around eight and be back by lunch. Let me know if that timing works for you.