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.