Winter fog

This morning I grabbed my camera on my way out to run errands. You just never know when you'll get a good photo-opp. I was passing a beaver pond on my road, and noticed this serene winter scene. The sun was bright, and a fog had settled on the ice covered pond.
I'm not sure the photo really does it justice. Experiencing the spot made me take pause and thank God for putting me there at that moment.

The Day After

This picture is of my sister and me. You know the guy in the middle. I really didn't know what to make of him.
I'm guessing I was around four years old at the time.

Christmas dinner was at my house this year. We remembered my grandmother, Florence who passed in June of this year at the age of ninety-five. Christmas was one of her favorite times because she loved having her family all around. Though she wasn't there physically, I definitely knew she was with us.

I tried to get folks to sing carols with me, while I played my guitar. Trouble is I hadn't practiced, so the carol idea fell by the wayside :-) All in all, Christmas was a success. How could it be otherwise?

It's Just a Crush

Last Wednesday night, I had the misfortune of crashing my truck. I didn't think the roads were slippery, they hadn't been until I reached Surry. Surry, NH has a reputation for not maintaining the roads very well, and I shouldn't have guessed. Anyway, there was just enough greasy slush on the road to bring me in to a fishtailing skid. When I landed, I had slammed into some trees. I banged my head on the driver's side window, and bruised my legs on the steering wheel. I think perhaps I pulled a muscle in my lumbar region too as it has been achy ever since.

Who knows when the truck will be fixed, there was a problem with my auto insurance. Apparently when I bought the truck last February it was never processed. I have been paying for car insurance on a car I don't have anymore. The insurance company is investigating and will determine if they will be helping me repair the truck. Meanwhile, I'm driving my dad's plush Blazer. It's kind of a gas hog, but a nice ride nonetheless.

With all the rain we're due to get today, hopefully alot of the snow will melt. My roof is leaking despite raking the snow off, so I am definitely anxious for the rest of the snow to disappear.

On a more cheerful note, Christmas is nearly upon us. Merry Christmas one and all!

The Life of Merle

We've had a pretty good dump of snow the last couple of days. I ventured out on my snowshoes Saturday. It was sooooo cold, I stayed out there for two hours. Today it warmed up a bit, and I have about 9" of snow everywhere. Sleet came down on occasion. I stayed inside most of the day, running on my treadmill, watching TV, studying for my A & P final, and watching Merle basking in the firelight. She hadn't a care in the world, Oh the life of a cat.

The First Snow

The first real snowstorm hit Sunday night and into Monday. It has been a beautiful sight for sure. I decided to give up my wicked cool Christmas job at UPS. The thought of pushing a couple hundred pounds of packages through the snow using a two wheeled dolly wasn't worth $9.50/hr. I went hunting instead. For several hours I tracked four deer but never saw them. I suspect they could hear my heavy breathing! I was on snowshoes, and struggling. I was soaked with sweat but warm. I had prepared by wearing my "under armor" then a layer of wool. Works every time. I didn't see the deer, but I got a great workout, and found the biggest White Birch I've ever seen. I am going to estimate it to be at least 7' around. Two people would have a hard time stretching their arms around it. I may go back and take a picture of it, while my tracks are still there.

As I made my way out of the woods, I heard a shot ring out from the other side of the brook where I had been! Only one shot. I wondered if that hunter was successful, or whether he just had an itchy trigger finger.

This photo is of my neighbor's apple tree. There were deer tracks beneath it. The tree is only a few feet from the road. I imagined this deer could be that four pointer that has been eluding me! Just imagine what would happen if he got a hold of all these apple? He'd be so drunk! Then I might stand a chance of getting him. Perhaps I should shake the tree?

Winter Is Upon Us

This just in! I just got this photo from my Mt Monadnock connection, Jim Bacon. He lives just above the foot of Mt Monadnock, more like the ankle. Anyway, snow fell there from daybreak until 10:00 or so. I had some brief spits of snow in Walpole. I am betting on a white Thanksgiving, and absolutely a white Christmas.

Just more photos of "Tobacco Rd." to the Pinnacle

Trust me, when I saw these places I did NOT get out of the truck! I could just imagine all the booby traps. I think these folks don't like tourists come through their neighborhood to hike. The good news is, there is another trailhead south of here!
In case you can't read the sign, it says, "Vermont Chernobyl Evacuation Zone". These signs were all over the place.

Scary Road to a Nice Trail

Today I bought a book on Vermont trails. So I decided to "take a hike" in nearby Westminster West. It took me nearly an hour to find the road I needed to take to reach another road/trail to the trailhead. The journey took me along a dirt road, and then to a not so great logging road, where people were living in squalor! It was like driving somewhere through a scene in the movie, "Deliverence". There were weird stenciled signs warning of Chernobyl Vermont, and Evacuation Zone. The photo with the little piece of heaven you see, was littered with everything under the sun. There was even a scarecrow dressed up in gas mask, and radiation warning signs. I got the feeling that either the person who lives in "there" was really eccentric, or there was a psychopath in there. It was creepy. I passed travel trailers, that appear to be inhabited. Mind you, I didn't see any electrical wires overhead, no telephone poles. At the end of the road, there is a more normal looking house, also with no electricity! I quickly backed out of this guys' driveway and continued down the road a little further, bearing left. Ah, finally the trailhead to "The Pinnacle". By the time I found this place, it was too late to do any decent exploring/hiking, but at least I know how to get there. I did have the benefit of a beautiful sunset. The trailhead faces west, and is mostly upland, hardwood forest with lots and lots of ledgy granite. I walked down "Paul's Ledges" trail for about twenty minutes, then walked back because I didn't want to be out there in Deliverence.....alone, .....in the dark....no worries, I was armed as usual. I'll go back there another day, earlier.

Cabin in the Woods

This little cabin is well into the woods on Monadnock Conservancy land. Every time I've visited, I check to see that it's still in good order. It has never been vandalized or even chewed on by porcupines. In fact, there is only a screen door between in the inside and the outside. One day I closed the inner door, figuring I was being a help. A few days later I returned to find the inner door was now held open by a small piece of firewood. The owner apparently wants the door open. Surprisingly, the cabin is no worse for the wear. Inside, there is a big wood stove, two pair of snowshoes, two bunks, a small table with hours of melted wax piled up from candles long since burned out. There is a neat trail leading away from the cabin, through a fairytale forest of older White Pines. The landscape changes to ledgy granite hilltop, and hardwoods. A most interesting and inviting stand of young Sugar Maples. Always on the lookout for deer, I spotted a great scraping. I thought it ironic the buck should be on conservancy land, and not mine! Oh well, next Wednesday I will be out on my land. I've chosen a spot along a stone wall. I'll sit out there and make my silly sounds(bleats), that actually do bring deer in. It actually has worked for me, but no bucks. Maybe I'm bleating out of key?

Bald Mt, overlooking.....everything!!! OMG

Today I ventured over to Willard Pond, in Antrim(I always think of it as Hancock). This area is part of the dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, (NH Audobon Society). I took the Tamposi Trail to the top. Very strenuous, and not for the weak of heart. I was huffing and puffing! There are some steep parts, but the view from the top is well worth the workout. Even at 3 in the afternoon, the sun was so warm on my face. I had this beautiful place all to myself. I took the Bald Mt trail down, then Tudor trail back to the parking lot. A word of caution, the trails are marked with yellow pieces of plastic on the Temposi Trail, and red plastic on the Bald Mt trail. The markers were not always easy to see(partly because of the foliage), but mostly because they were spread out. I had to do some searching around the top to locate the Bald Mt trail back.

The trail map recommends 2-2.5 hrs. for both trails, but I did not come close to that. I brought a walking stick, and found it very useful. There are plenty of large glacial eratics to crawl around and under. Large boulder fields cover the eastern slope toward the pond. There are awesome views of Crotched Mt., and Mt. Monadnock with Silver Lake below. I couldn't have asked for a better time, or place to be today.

It's Fall in New England

These Red Efts and Ladybugs are all over the place this time of year. Red Efts are the adult stage of Notpthalmus viridescens. They can remain in this stage up to seven years. After which they may or may not return to the water to undergo a second metamorphosis. In the winter, they go underground and emerge in the spring. In their larval stage, they are aquatic for nearly the whole summer, as those brownish salamanders you can see swimming around in ponds.

Ladybugs have converged on the side of my house, as well as inside. So my cats are entertained all the time. While riding my mountain bike I am continually aware of the orange salamanders on the trail. Sometimes I see them at the last second and have to try to avoid them without causing myself bodily harm. Needless to say, I've taken a couple of "headers". The balmy weather over the last several days suits me just fine, as does the sunshine. Today is gray and gloomy, but a good day to get household chores out of the way, and start an art project.
If you ever get to Keene, NH. check out the art gallery on Main St. next to Miller Bros. The art inside is extrordinary! Check out Kyle Stuckey. He's a teenager who is homeschooled, with no formal art training. This kid is an artistic genius in my book. His artwork is far more mature than his years. He IS going places. Very Monet-esque.

Whale watch

For some unknown reason, I can't get this picture rotated 90 degrees. But anyway, this is one of many of the "you might be fat if" series. This chubby girl is not looking for whales, she IS the whale. My oh my, that bathingsuit looks alot like mine.
I drew this while sitting on the beach in Maine this summer.

Grape Scott!!!

Today was a gray, dampish sort of day. I decided to go foraging for Chicken of the Woods, a lovely orange polypore I had seen yesterday. I couldn't find it again, so I went looking for the Concord grapes. I did find THEM! I collected a couple pounds worth and made this great grape pie! That's right grape pie, with struedel topping. Yum! It is a labor of love though. Fun to squish the pulp out of the skin. I felt like a kid getting all purpley....is that a word? I bet this pie is gonna be good with some Walpole Creamery sweet cream ice cream.

Who Knew Mt Ascutney Has an Auto Road?

Mt Ascutney does have an auto road by Jove. I happened upon whilst out on my motorcycle last Sunday. It was a bittersweet day. I had sold my grand piano for $500. I put the cash in the pocket of my chaps, and off I went. After the beautiful four mile ride up the mountain, I took off the chaps and stowed them in my saddlebags. Didn't give it another thought. I walked the .7 mile to the summit of Mt. Ascutney. Spent about a half hour up there, and exploring nearby trails. The mountain is a 2000 footer for those keeping track. I could see Mt Monadnock to the east, and the Berkshires to the southwest. The view everywhere was incredible and well worth the trip.

When I got home, I once again took off the chaps. I emptied all my pockets as I usually do at the end of the day. No $500! That's right. Was I upset, and disappointed, and angry. But easy come, easy go right? Hopefully the money wound up in the pockets of someone who needed it more than I do. I still thanked God for the wonderful day of riding, and finding that mountain. I shall go there more often since it's practically in my back yard.

Busy Beaver

Days like this become numbered this time of year. I took advantage of a warmer than usual fall day to paddle on the Connecticut River. The river is just a few short miles from my house, so I can throw the kayak into the truck and be on the water in less than twenty minutes.

On this day, I paddled from North Walpole, nearly to Charlestown, up one side of the river, and down the other. Virtually no current! I stopped paddling to confirm this. I barely moved. The river was as flat as glass. From every point the view on the river is spectacular, and peaceful. I'm never disappointed when I go. As I made my way downstream on my return trip, this beaver popped out from the bank. He slapped his tail hard against the water, warning me to stay away, or warning others that there was an intruder in the midst. He swam around my boat at a healthy distance, and I could see he was a very large beaver.
The photo doesn't due him justice.

I saw King Fishers, and Great Blue Herons along the way. I noted how much the water had dropped over the summer. There were plenty of spots where I could have pulled on to shore and had a picnic. I thoroughly enjoyed carpe diem'ng.

Tiny Turkeys

The first photo is a proud moment for me. I caught this beautiful smallmouth bass at Squam Lake, NH. during the B.O.W. Weekend(Becoming an Outdoorswoman). Ladies if you ever get the chance to attend a B.O.W., do it! You have a blast, and learn things you wouldn't otherwise get the chance to try. I learned about Falconry, and how to use a muzzleloader. Neither of which I had ever had occasion to do. I went swimming, met new people, ate too much, and spent quality time with my sister.
I can't wait til the next B.O.W. Each state has them, just look them up on the state Fish and Game sites.

The second photo is a family of turkeys making a routine of laps around my house in the late afternoon. This hen has ten little chicks, no bigger than tennis balls. They grow a little bit more each day. If they survive the elements, they will be able to fly in a couple of weeks! I saw one little guy stretch his tiny featherless wings.

Sugar River Trail - Claremont to Newport

Today I wanted to do a mountain bike ride for my workout, so I grabbed my Trail Book of rides for NH, VT, and ME. I headed up to Claremont, to the Sugar River Trail, a.k.a. Rte 5 snowmobile trail, home of the Shugah Valley snowmobile club. The trail is super flat and fast for most of the time. However, if you're scared of beach sand you may want to avoid this trail. There are some spots where the sand is fairly deep. Fat tires are a must. If you have a single speed beach bike, perfect! The trail runs along the Sugar River, and is nearly all in the woods, with no houses! I came across a little camp which could be seen across the river. It might be the "Cathole Warmup hut", but I'm not sure. There are two huge, as in tall, covered bridges which had trains running through them at one time. The trail crosses the river many, times. There is one crossing, just as you enter Newport, where people swim. It looked perfect! I opted to stick my feet in further into my ride, after my "wipeout".

I brought my GPS along, just for kicks. I was holding on to it, and the handlebar with my left hand. The GPS started to slip from my hand, and the next thing I knew I was flat on the ground. Let me just say that railroad beds are as hard as pavement. I wasn't lucky enough to fall in deep sand. I was lucky enough not to break anything, on my bike or me. After pausing to assess the pain in my right hip, I got back up and peddled to a shady spot under a bridge. I decided I was at that moment, Rumplestiltskin, guarding my bridge. I took off the shoes and socks, and sat down with my feet in the warm, really warm, water. I tried to catch a Crayfish, but no luck. The river was low, as most seem to be this time of year. I saw a couple dead Crayfish, but live ones too. After I was sufficiently collected, I got back on the bike and finished the ride. According to my GPS, not quite 10 miles to Newport from Claremont. The ride back was decidely faster, averaging about 13 mph. but I wasn't trying to go fast. I made several stops to check things out; the bridges, rode through Newport, checked out a bunch of old cars dug up by road construction near the river.

Agimenti-who-ticus?

Agimenticus! Mt. Agimenticus that is. I have been going to Maine for eons, and I never heard of this mountain before. It's just outside of Kennebunk, Wells area. You can drive to the top, or hike, or even ride a mountain bike up. From the top, you get a 360 degree view of everywhere. You see the Atlantic, and I'm told, the Boston skyline, but I'm not too sure I believe that. You can see the White Mtns. though not that day. A small group of mountain bikers had been resting in the shade of a small oak, when we arrived. Me, my mom, and Al. Not another soul. After the bikes left, not a sound, but the occasional cedar waxwing, or white throated sparrow. I read the epitaph of David Hilton, a past forest fire warden who used to watch the distant woods from the fire tower. He died at the age of 40, in 2003, no reason given. He had written a book on all the fire towers in Maine, and he was an accomplished fireman. I imagine he loved being atop Mt. Agimenticus, just as I loved being there even for the short visit.

I spent three days in Maine, with the folks. It was good to get away, smell the ocean once again. We spent time at the beach, and getting lost on backroads. Al always enjoys finding the "shortcuts" home. We stayed at "The Garrison House", motel and cottages. Very nice, and I would recommend it to anyone. From our room, we could see the ocean in the distance. There was a lush salt marsh, complete with Purple Loosestrife, Cattails, and Marsh Rose. All floating a beautiful sea of green. The weather was perfect, and I could have stayed in the moment forever.

The BEST Lobster Roll

I had occasion to drive up to Maine on Monday. I took a leisurely route along Rte 202 all the way to Augusta. Then I came back down via Portland, and Rte 1, with the requisite stop at L.L. Bean. I got the tag end of their sale, which has been going on for two months. I'm not into shopping, so I hit the fishing section and the sale tables, then outta there. I picked up a pair of low-quarter hiking shoes for $39.00 before the ME tax. so I was happy. I stopped for ice cream in Old Orchard Beach, then drove right down the main thoroughfare where the crowds are. I remembered why Old Orchard is NOT my favorite place in Maine to be. I much prefer the less visited places, more out of the way, like Pemaquid Point. I heard alot of Francais! I mean ALOT! The place was thick with Quebecoise. After I made it past Old Orchard, I continued on and found "Day's Take-out". Here you will find the best lobster roll around. No lettuce, not too much mayo, just a lot of big chunks of lobster meat. Just the way I like it!
I sat at a picnic table overlooking the salt marsh out back. The sun was still quite high, with barely a breeze. I sucked the marrow out of that moment for sure. I just love the salt air, the smells, the sounds, everything....except too many people. Luckily there were not many people at Day's.