Thanks for those thoughts Janet. I am planning to cover the pool but leave the pump on when I leave it for any extended time due to the fact that the leaves and pine needles WILL clog the skimmer for sure. Is there any reason I am missing in this thought process to disuade me from doing this? I know that if I developed a slow leak that droped the water down below the skimmer I would be hosed. Maybe a low water switch to cut the pump off in that case? Any ideas out there on the switch?

Maybe I should just do what you suggest with the polyquat 60 and raise the Cl to shock level and shut it down for the time Im away. The other possibility is the neighbor could look after it. I have not approached him about it but they would enjoy having a pool for a couple of weeks Im sure. Just dont know if I should impose on him so much.

Oh well. Any of you that have similar issues I would sure like to hear from you.