It's been a wacky Spring. 90 degrees one day - snow storm another. This was a perfect Spring afternoon walk on Friday, out in Temple. Cool, breezy and not a soul on the trail. My last solo hike with Luna was this little hike. We stopped on the trail and I told her (aloud) how much I love her and how this was our last solo hike and that we were adopting a new baby. And this past Friday was the next time I have been up there since. Without her, it was sad for me. I still love her so much and think of her often. I am very lucky to have had her as my best friend for so many years. Never ever will she be forgotten.
Mount Blue with its new fire tower. They modeled it after this 1944 tower; it was built this Fall. I watched (or heard) the helicopters working often and ducked the caution tape one morning hike up there to see what was up. They had fashioned a temporary heli-pad and had flown in some seriously heavy equipment -- tons of crushed rock, cement mixer, skid steer and more. I am looking forward to my next hike up there - to stand in the tower and look 360 degrees.
Saturday I took 15 kids up White Cap in Rumford - Outing Club trip. Killer group of kids. Super fine morning - the kids have made a lot of progress in the way of stamina. A few of them remarked at how good they felt hiking now - one had done that hike with me years ago, and she remembered feeling very challenged. She and the others flew up it this time.
Kids on White Cap - what a good Saturday Morning - awww yeah.
This is EmJay - my excellent, up-for-anything, partner in crime. When I called her a poser - as in, she was posing, just silently begging me to take her photo - she said through gritted teeth, "I'm trying to befriend your dog!" She knows eye contact is NOT okay for Dixie and that the more one ignores, the more likely she is to come see you. Dix is pretty perceptive and was fully aware that EmJay was trying to be friends. Not having any of that. But if you look back ONE short post ago, you will see her sitting in the woods, right next to Auntie Em, letting her love and pat her. But certainly not with 15 strange kids anywhere near her - nope, high alert. But a nice shot (if I do say so myself) regardless.
Mt. Washington from White Cap
The Crew - some real regulars, a couple of Alternative Ed kiddos, two brand new members to the club, two students who are home-schooled, one chaperone who just crashed the hike without communicating a word to me (freaking odd moment when she pulled in, but it's all good - just odd to not even give me the slightest clue that she might join...odd for sure). A good group. I love it!!
Boys love to climb rocks.
We took this photo near this sign because our School of Applied Science (Region 9) manages this section of woods. High School kids enrolled in the Forestry Program, with the help of their teachers, selective cut this section, leaving brush piles for small critters. The first time I hiked this trail since this work has been done (a couple of weeks ago) I noticed how much louder and happier the birds were on this section of the trail -- so, it's working. We are going to make a card and send it to Region 9 and thank them for managing the woods. I am going to work with Mahoosuc Land Trust to try to adopt this trail so we can do all sorts of projects on it. We will see : ) Trail day is June 4th - and I will be just coming off the AT with a Service Learning project with Freshmen, so I am not sure I will be able to swing it, but I am sure going to try.
Waiting for Jim at the Info Booth in Rumford - this guy must have come down the Andro during Irene - at least that is my guess.
After many adventures in Rumford - grabbing a Subaru at my Uncle's house, jumping it through the garage window because even with a known bad battery it was not backed into the garage - we arrived home, and I corralled Jimmy into a mountain bike, road ride. We have to get our "butts" in serious shape for the NC love fest where the bicycle seat imprints with pain. We did a 23 minute climb - no shit, straight climb for 23 minutes - and then descended some. Found this pretty little view of Abraham up in Kingfield (the Longfellow Range) on the descent. Had to stop and grab a pic. You should SEE the farm that goes with this field and this view. Off the charts.
Grampa gets a Red Sox hat for his birthday. Yup, Wayne, Jim's dad and these two little guys' "Grampa" turned 70 on April 1. We had a nice surprise party for him. His kids chipped in and bought two tickets to Fenway for Delia and Wayne - they have never been and they are both pretty into the Sox - Delia is the more faithful of the two, but they enjoy watching together. Anything that gets Wayne to sit and not be working on a project of some sort, well, that is something. Almost threw up when I heard the Assistant Pastor remark when Wayne pulled out the Padroia shirt that was given to him, "Oh, he's not even American." The guy was not kidding, and I had another one of those moments where I loathe the hypocrisy I witness in those who preach organized religion. Save it, dude. And like it matters, but Dustin is American. Love thy neighbor there, toolbox.
Kiddos! Cousins keeping it real on the Gator.
So sweet. We are staying overnight with these guys this Friday so their mom can head to Portland with a friend to see Lord of the Dance -- should be fun.
Here's another one of the three we will be staying with - FULL of stories and cuteness.
Another FULL weekend moving a warp speed.
Sure am looking forward to the slow speed of camping in Carolina. And the looooong road trip down.
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