Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Taken in late October, dark but yet I thought pretty. These are from my office, over looking the track/football field. Burke Mountain is the mountain you can see.

Cars and Camping

Some of the street rods from our annual camping trip in Burlington (National Street Rod Association Northeast Show).

Camp Wildlife

Shots from the game camera at camp (Stannard Mtn.)

Rally Racing

Ok, this was one of the coolest racing events I've ever attended. When we learned the rally cars would be racing in Maine last month, we decided it was an opportunity to see something we've never seen before and it certainly was different. Below the drivers were waiting to start the final heat of the day.This is Travis Pastrana. He drives for Vermont Sportcars. You may know his name from motorbike racing (and he also stars on Nitro Circus).

Travis Pastrana talking to another driver. His co-driver can be seen getting into the passenger side of the car.

The course is on dirt roads, we were hiked out into the woods (for protection) to watch the races. We were able to watch from wherever we wanted as long as stayed in the designated areas. Here the car was going a little too fast and I missed it :)

I have no idea how fast they are going here. This is just past the finish line.

Muggy Monday

Wow is it humid today. I just got back from my evening walk and it is really muggy. The air is thick. So here I am, in the cool house surfing the web and I stumbled across a site/blog that I really like http://www.thesimpledollar.com/ Check it out. There is a lot of useful "stuff" on this site. I found one article on 100 things to do on a weekend without spending money...there were some neat ideas, some most of us already do but some things you wouldn't think of either. Below is quick shot of our patio. We were able to put it together last weekend. Its not huge but it really cleaned up the front of the house...the gardens were becoming really overgrown so the roses were moved out back of house earlier this summer. I'm happy with the result but now we need to go patio furniture shopping! I'd like to get a couple of rockers so we can watch the cars go by like the Gramma and Grampa we are :)

The Flume Gorge - Franconia State Park

The Flume Gorge - Franconia State Park

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a half day off from work and do a little playing. I was fortunate in that Elizabeth had stayed home from summer school so I grabbed her and off to the mountains we went. She's becoming quite the little hiking companion...she does as well as most adults. We ended up going over to Franconia Notch and hiking the Flume Gorge. What an amazing sight. I had read online that it was particularly beautiful this year due to all the rains we had received and the information was correct. Elizabeth was even in aw. Unfortunately I didn't realize this opportunity would present itself when I left for work in the morning so I didn't have my camera with me, hence the link to the Flume's webpage(click on the second title line). The photos really don't do it justice. It is a sight to see. I'm thankful for the day with my niece and I treasure my memories of the day together.

Mangy Moose Monday

Here are some photos of our latest "pet". I've been noticing signs of him living out back and yesterday Nikki and I surprised him while we were on our walk. Later on he decided to come down and hang out on the front lawn a while before crossing Route 114 and visiting the neighbors. He's losing his winter shed that's why he looks mangy.

I feel bad for him cause he's obviously young and alone. I wonder if it was his mama that we hit last August....

What a slacker!

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted! What a slacker I am! I hope everyone had a nice Easter Sunday. Here are some photos from our Easter breakfast at Gram's house:

Cassandra and her new bunny, with her dad.

Gram, still cook'n.

Aunt Melissa with Cassi.

Elizabeth....up to no-good, perhaps?

Kelly's new babe, Kaden.

A Book To Read

I have to admit, when The Shack by William P. Young was first recommended to me I was skeptical. I read online that the book centered around a tragedy and that it was religious. Well since the passing of my own mom, tragedy is something that I cannot handle well and therefore was worried I'd be in tears throughout the book. Let me tell you, yes, the book is based on a tragedy but it is so much more. It is a most read. It really made me think about my own life and my own actions. I don't want to give away too much for those who have not read it. For those who have read it, let's chat.

More Snow Monday

Above are a couple of quick shots out my office window. In the top photo you can see the snow coming down, yet again. The second photo is just the wonderful view I have from my desk chair. :)

I'm looking forward to spring so I can get some color in my photos. Everything has been white thus far!

Yesterday I started reading The Shack by William P. Young. This book was recommend by my friend Sarah and even though I'm only half way through it I feel safe in saying if you haven't read it, you're missing out. It's a book I cannot put down. I can't wait to find out what happens next and I have an aerobics class tonight so I probably won't have a whole lot of reading time. I will make another entry here once I have finished reading it...perhaps opening up some discussion.

Daylight Savings Sunday

Wow do I ever feel guilty. I've been slacking off on my posts here so today will be a catch up post. Two weeks ago today Stacy and I went on a bus trip to Valcourt, Canada. I was astounded by the Motorcycles racing on ICE. Yes...can you imagine. I tried to get some photos but there was a fence between us and track (my camera kept focusing on the fence so I've got to get some pointers from my photographer friend Sarah). Here is my attempt at a photo:
The second photo is of the race sleds in the pit area.

Yes, we have snow! These photos were taken on February 26th and believe it or not the snow had settled some. The day prior to my taking these the snow was up to the bottom of the window on the front door. I'm not sure if Spring will ever make it here this year....

Reflections of a Chocoholic

Valentines Day may very well be my favorite holiday. This year was that much better because the day fell on a weekend. What could be better...a whole weekend of being catered to and lots of chocolate! I have two addictions, exercise and chocolate. It's a good thing one counteracts the other!! Hope everyone had a nice weekend with their sweetie!

Monday, Monday

Every other day, every other day,

Every other day of the week is fine, yeah

But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes

You can find me cryin' all of the time

The words to that old Mamas And The Papas tune seems to come to mind most Mondays. What a busy weekend it was, and now it's 6:30 a.m Monday and I'm wondering why it is Friday through Sunday fly by and the rest of the week usually seems to move at a snail's pace!

We had some wild weather this weekend. It was 10 below zero at 7:00 a.m. Saturday, we left snowmachining at 9:00 a.m. and by lunch time we were all complaining at how warm we were riding. It was in the 30's mid day and after lunch we actually ran into some rain showers! 130 miles, one huge pizza and a good share of hiliarious stories later we arrived home.

Sunday it either flurried or rained lightly most of the morning, but by mid afternoon the sun was out and it made for a nice snowshoe. Riley, who is now 13 1/2 still snowshoes with us but usually on his terms. We let him go by himself and he follows along at his own pace. In this photo he decided it was time to go home when we hit the fork in the trail.....we were all continuing up the trail and he was headed back down to his warm little bed!

Thoughtful Tuesday

Today would have been my grandfather's birthday. He's been gone for two and a half years now...doesn't seem possible.

Superbowl Sunday

Here I sit watching the last 3:41 of the superbowl....hoping Arizona is going to get their act together. They were looking pretty good, but it's sad at this very moment. I didn't have a favorite but like to see a close game.

Went snowshoeing earlier today (you'll notice a pattern in my posts) and took some photos of the snow. I'm not a photographer, but love to click away. Here is some of what we saw:

I thought this little tree looked like it had a hat on :)....Stacy couldn't see it.

Nikki enjoying our view.

First Friday

Here I am writing my first entry thinking to myself, "I can't believe I let Sarah talk me into doing this." I don't really know what I'll be writing about or who will be reading this but as much as I enjoy technology I had to give it a try.

This is a learning as I go experience, so bear with me. I suspect there will be more photos of my dogs here than any human being should be subjected to viewing, as they are my favorite subjects.

I snowshoe most everyday, and if Stacy isn't with me than it's me and Nikki. Nikki LOVES the snow. Above she is smelling something good....she does this all the time. She also buries her face in the snow and pushes the snow along as she walks. Crazy dog.