Three for Three

The Manz Family have this down to a science…only it’s too bad that all the kids are now married!

We were once again guests at a Manz wedding this past weekend--Matt Manz and Rachel Smedy--and it lived up to expectations.  After work on Thursday we headed for Jericho, VT and stayed at the Tuscany B&B (Gail Tuscany's home in case you haven't travelled to this part of New England). Gail was waiting up for us and we spent some time visiting and having a little bit of sweet tea vodka with lemonade.

Early the next morning Dan picked me up to head out for a round of golf with some members of the wedding party. Since there were other activities for the wedding party that day we did limit the outing to nine holes. Regardless we had a great time and it was enjoyable to gather around the last hole and watch the big hitters of the final team play up--Mikko, Kyle, Cameron--and then proceeded to fall apart attempting a four foot putt. It could have happened to anyone...

Dan dropped me back off at Gail's house and I managed to spend some of the afternoon making up for a few lost days of napping. Cheri and Gail spent the time doing some gardening around the house (which really meant choosing what plants they would dig up and send back with us to Connecticut).

Gail needed to work that evening so we sent her off and then headed out to meet with James and Stephanie Morris for dinner. We went to The Hungry Lion--what use to be Emma's when we lived in Underhill--and we were able to enjoy a nice meal 'al fresco'. Following dinner we headed to the Jim and Lois Nassau's house--where James and Stephanie were staying--to visit with them and enjoy a berry pie that Stephanie had made for dessert. Then back to Gail's for a fairly early evening.

Saturday morning we had plenty of time before the 2 pm wedding, so we hopped on our bikes and headed out Pleasant Valley Road. If you have been to Underhill you know that this is a fairly smooth and level road for the first few miles and then by Casey's Hill you start climbing up. Cheri pushed herself and kept saying, "I'm going to make it just a little further," and before we knew it we were at the top. Cheri said, "if we're this far we might as well ride down the other side of the hill and go as far as the Manz house,"...which we did...and they weren't there. So we climbed back up the hill and then had a great ride back down into Underhill. All in all a 16 mile ride that included some interval training (Cheri is getting ready for another triathlon) and some hill work--which I always like.

Since we were in Jericho...and had to have lunch someplace...we decided to go to Joe's Snack Bar and see if the sandwiches and grinders were as good as we remembered...and they were. As we got ready to leave we ran into Robert Morris, Thomas Morris, and Amanda Ruggerio just showing up with the same idea of re-living time at Joe's.

Then it was time for the wedding. We were just about to go inside when I realized that I left my camera in the car. I made do with my iPhone, but you know that those photos can be hit-or-miss...particularly with the delay that happens between hitting the shutter and when it actually decides to take the picture. Here is what I was able to get after some cropping (to get some reflective heads out of the pictures) and light adjustments.


 

I did retrieve my camera from the car for the light refreshment time on the front lawn of the church and I was able to get a nice photo of the newly married Mr. & Mrs. Manz.



Then we were off to South Burlington and Charlotte for our hotel rooms and the reception, respectively. The reception was held at the Old Lantern Inn and it was a very nice setting in a large post-and-beam building. There was plenty of food...great toasts and speeches...cake cutting...and then dancing. A little too much motion and I should have turned on the flash, but you can see that people were having a good time.



The next morning it was back to Underhill for a post-wedding brunch at the Niles' Farm--you may recall that they also hosted a brunch following David and Heather's wedding and likewise following Ken and Sarah's wedding. It was fun having more time to visit before getting on the road to head back to Connecticut.

Another adventure for us...and the start of Great Adventures for Matt and Rachel Manz!

Another Point of View

As Jimmy Buffet says…it’s just another trip around the sun…and here we are back at another men’s outing to the wilderness of New England.  Again, as we have the previous two years, we travelled to Little Lyford Pond Camp (LLPC) in the 100 Mile Wilderness area of Maine (why mess with success…plus several of the group had not been to LLPC yet).

We—Jim and TJ Nowak, Rick Cloutier, John Cimochowski, Charlie Bottieri, and me—met at the church mid-morning on Friday and loaded up the Bell Choir’s Tour Bus…also known as the Nowak’s mini-van.  The back was packed, the center aisle was packed, under the seats was packed, and we fit six good size men into the van to head north.  Leslie Sweetnam and Bob Kirk were going to fly up and meet us in Greenville, ME, but weather predictions for Sunday’s return held them up and they made a decision to not chance flying this year.



Almost eight hours later (we did stop for some lunch and bio-breaks along the way) we were making our way down the logging roads of the Katahdin Iron Works—the edge of the 100 Mile Wilderness.  James Morris travelled up from Standish, ME the night before…to get a several day experience…and Dan Manz drove over from Underhill, VT while we were heading up from Connecticut.

Dan arrived ahead of us so he and James had settings ready for us  at the dinner table.

After dinner it was time to settle into our cabins and do some exploring before it got too late or too dark.  We headed down the paths and walkways—designed to protect the ground and to keep above flooding—to the First Pond. Dan took a few minutes to show off his fly fishing expertise, and we all spent some time enjoying being in the great outdoors.

Of course the evening wouldn’t be complete without retiring to our cabin and under the gas-lights letting the stories begin.  This first evening we began with how James, Dan and Dana first met and a story known as “The Cheesecake Fiasco”.  Storytelling moved from there to fast cars, jumping out of planes, chickens executed mob-style and the mutilation of sheep—all stories I never tire hearing and adding my part. 



We did imbibe a little, which kept the stories flowing, but with hiking and fishing planned for the next day it was fairly early to bed for everyone.


As I have mentioned to you in the past, I am normally an early riser and with the sun coming up a little earlier further north it was easy for me to be up well before the group the next morning—around 5:30 am without an alarm clock.  I headed up to the Lodge for a cup of coffee and then headed out to do some canoeing before breakfast.

It is always so quiet  and calm on the pond early in the morning and the light is not too bad for taking some pictures..  It was enjoyable to paddle around the pond and the beaver dam and look for wildlife.  It turned out that I was on the wrong side of the pond when a moose and her calf came down to eat…maybe next year. 

You can see the view from the dock…



The view from my canoe…



Some of the water flowers…



And the view back to the dock…



A very enjoyable way to begin the day.

After everyone got up, we had a great pancake breakfast (did I mention that they feed us well at this camp), and got ready to head out for the day.  Dan and John were going fly-fishing in the Pleasant River for the day while the rest of us headed out to hike the Gulf Hagas. 



James drove separately to the trailhead and hiked a section of the Rim Trail on his own.  The rest of us started out from the Camp and hiked our way down to the Head of the Gulf and then worked our way down the Rim Trail  and looped back along the Pleasant River Tote Road Trail.



The Gulf Hagas is described as the Grand Canyon of the East Coast and it shows the effects of water flow through the granite and slate of Maine over a millennium of time.





We took a break along the way to have a bag lunch (also prepared by the Camp), before heading back.



As we made our way back we did come upon a few capital J’s scratched in the trail…James letting us know that he was ahead of us.  Overall we hiked more than 8 miles and felt we’d earned our tired muscles.

We got back in time to shower and relax before letting LLPC feed us again.

After dinner Casey, one of the Naturalists and Guides, described the AMC development in the area and then Lindy, another Naturalist, showed us photos of the activities of the day. We then retired to the cabin for some more stories—lost children, frog catching, loose lips sinking ships—it could have happened to anyone!

Part way through the evening it began to rain, which only made the sleeping that much better.  I was still up early, but it was a little too wet to head out in a canoe or kayak…at least for me.  It was very enjoyable to simply sit on the porch and watch the water rivulets work their way down into the camp.



Dan had been successful (at least in a relative way) the day before in catching four fish larger than an Altoids box (the quick guide to whether the catch was legal).  The Camp staff cooked them up for breakfast and Dan demonstrated how to show that they overflowed the plate before we dug into them.

  

They were very tasty, and I admit that Dan does make me want to try fly-fishing…sometime.
With it being so wet we did little but pack up and prepare for the trip back to Connecticut.  It was another long drive—thank you again Jim for driving both ways—but well worth it to spend some quality time with other men. 

Let the Adventures Continue…anyone else want to join us next year?  The invitation is open and we’d love to have you along.

    

Split Boards May Be the Only Way to Ride

Friday – A New Way to Ride

Our adventures in Breckenridge continued with PJ giving skis a try—a split board approach. We spent a little time on Friday getting him acclimated to the skis and a couple of runs down the bunnies’ slopes before Jess and PJ’s friends, Ryan and Lindsey, joined us.

While Jess, Ryan and Lindsey gave PJ some further lessons—without the pressure of future in-laws around—Cheri and I headed up to the top of Peak 10 and made some runs down the expert trails…and yes, I did take another spill while making my way down one of these trails.

It wasn’t much longer before we had PJ out on some intermediate and advanced slopes…he took to the split boards almost naturally.

Our day was spent primarily on Peak 9 with all of us getting in some good runs. Then it was back to the condo to unwind (although who needs to unwind from skiing…it was actually sitting in the hot tub and working the soreness from some of the muscles).


You can see where everyone settled in to text each other across the room (Jess had just put her phone down), but it wasn’t long before we tucked into a wonderful stuffed manicotti dinner that Cheri had prepared the night before. A couple of glasses of wine, a few rounds of the game Taboo (another game for us to try at one of our get-togethers), some tiramisu (also made by Cheri), and we were all ready for bed…so we could do it all again the next day.

Saturday – Back to the Slopes

Another day with all of us on split boards. We settled into what was becoming our routine—ski for 2.5 to 3 hours in the morning, settle down for some homemade lunch with a libation to wash it down, and then get in a few more runs in the afternoon.

While the sandwiches all tasted good and were very much appreciated, you can see that they sometimes got a little squished riding in the backpack. Cheri would say I was pushing back against the backpack while riding the chairlift, but I contended that I was just trying to get the cheese to blend in with the cold cuts.

We did ski our way across the peaks that make up Breckenridge—Peaks 7 through 10—and finished, once again a little sore and out of breath.

It was back to the condo and where we were joined by Jess and PJ’s other friends, Jake and Jessica. Ryan and Lindsey made up the main courses for dinner and we all snacked on various finger foods that everyone made. We taught the group how to play upstairs – downstairs (the card game) for a few rounds and then a board game (Quelf) before Cheri and I headed off to bed. The “younger” crowd stayed up playing some more Taboo, but we didn’t hear them up too late…more of the soreness and out of breath.

Sunday – 12,650 Vertical Feet…Before Lunch

PJ had to be out early on Sunday morning so he could be back in Denver saving lives in the ER by 8 am. Ryan and Lindsey were also on their way early Sunday morning, and we got to see Jake and Jess for a few minutes before they too headed off to family commitments.



Cheri, Jess and I got a little bit later start, but we were soon making our way quickly up and down the slopes. We hit a few expert trails on Peak 10 and then decided we’d work our way across the peaks. As we skied across the mountain we kept coming to trails that we’d previously looked down, but not skied and thought…what the heck!

After one great run we were back up Peak 8 and decided to take the T-bar to the upper slopes. The T-bar brings you to the upper bowls and expert terrain. There is one lift that will take you higher, but the conditions were not good enough for us to give that a try. At this point we had an outstanding view back over the village, the valley and the surrounding peaks. You can see Cheri and Jess on the T-bar approaching the top.



Then it was down a steep, heavily moguled expert run. I skied down a ways and you can see the pictures I took back up the slope of Jess and Cheri working their ways down.




The picture gives you a little feeling of the trail, but doesn’t adequately show the steepness or the moguls. It was a challenge, but great to say we did it.



Our efforts (and the lack of having to wait in lift lines) had us skiing 12,650 vertical feet before we stopped for lunch. After our normal break we hit the slopes again and managed to get in 20,779 vertical feet for the day…our original goal was to get in at least 14,000 vertical feet, so we excelled on this day!

Monday – Sometimes Split Boards are Meant to Be…

PJ rejoined us Sunday evening and we all headed out for a day on the slopes Monday morning. Although he enjoyed the skis, PJ was back riding his board this day…at least for a couple of runs. Then he broke on of the bindings on the board and instead of renting another snow board he went back to skis…hmmm.

I commented to Ryan earlier in the week (and he is a great skier) how much I enjoy watching Cheri ski down the slopes. She is fluid and graceful in her skiing and makes it look easy. It was likewise fun to see Jess following in her footsteps and starting to ski like her mom.


Similarly, it was gratifying to see PJ on the split boards working his way down the trails. He undertook any of the challenges and was skiing like someone who had been doing it for a couple of years instead of his first time out.  You can Jess and PJ skiing down one of the slopes  and that is me in the background with the backpack.

Tuesday – Wet Snow and Tired Legs…Then a Jack-ass Dinner

This was our last day on the slopes and it was warm early…which meant many wet snow areas. We did get in several runs before Cheri said she’d had enough and was heading back to turn in her skis. Jess, PJ and I made a few more runs and then we also worked our way back across the mountain to drop off our equipment and head back to the condo.

After picking up and finishing packing we headed back to Denver. Maggie was picked up and we got back in time to relax (or nap) a little before heading out for dinner.

Jess and PJ wanted to take us out to Pinche (Mexican for Jack-ass) Taqueria for dinner. Pinche started out with a taco truck and expanded to include this sit-down restaurant (and they still run the truck as well). We had an outstanding meal tapas style—many small servings that we shared—including small flour tortillas served with carnitas (pork), lengua (charred beef tongue), pork rind, guacamole, and fresh vegetables. It was wonderful and worth the wait to get into the restaurant. It was early to bed since we needed to get up for an early flight back on Wednesday.

In the interest of full disclosure…because I know you really want to know…I ended up falling four times over the six days.  Three of them on expert trails…one on a yellow patch of ice where trails merged (not an excuse…just a fact).  Plus, there was one incident getting off the chairlift.  Some contend that the individual on the snow board next to me may have pushed me, but I can neither confirm nor deny…it did seem more like the chair hitting me in the back of the legs before everyone cleared out, but since no one actually saw it …it may not have happened at all…I may have simply taken my skis off to get back with the group easier.  

What do you think…Another wonderful adventure…including our daughter and future son-in-law?
 

13,196 Vertical Feet Later…

Today the Adventures continued with an outing to Breckenridge, Colorado.  We actually began on Tuesday by getting up early, heading out to T.F. Green airport in Providence, and flying out to Denver.  Jessica met us at the airport and brought us back to her place for the evening.  PJ joined us at a local Mexican restaurant for dinner and our trip to Colorado officially began.

The next morning we took our time to get some shopping done, Maggie off to visit some friends for the rest of the week, and loading Jess’ car up for the trip to the mountains.  From the amount of baggage you probably think we are moving up there for a month, but since the weather is a little unpredictable this time of year we needed to pack for both cold conditions and Spring conditions.


We moved into a condo right in Breckenridge Village and proceeded to set up house.  Some other friends of Jess and PJ are coming to join us this weekend so Cheri set right in to making some meals so we could just heat and serve…leaving time to visit and play some games.
















Today we walked over to the Quicksilver lift serving Peak 9 and began a day of skiing.  The sky was completely clear and the weather was perfect for Spring skiing; we were on the lift at 8:53 and on our way.  We decided to take a fairly easy run first to shake out the cobwebs.  I haven’t skied in a couple of years, Cheri only a few times in the last couple of years, Jess once this year and PJ not at all this year.

The groomed snow was corduroy-like so early in the morning; softening up on the side of the trail in the sun and still crusty on the side in the shade of the trees along the trail. I haven't fallen skiing in over seven years--a combination of not skiing the last two and then several good years of being lucky--so I made up for it by moving over to the shady side of the trail and catching an edge. Good to get it out of the way early...the rest of the day was not a problem.



We skied fairly hard for much of the morning, moving across the mountain from one peak to another.  Finally taking a break at 10:45.  Since it was afternoon someplace we thought that a cold beer would be okay or in Jess’ case a Bloody Mary and Cheri drinking water…we did need to keep fluids in us to combat altitude sickness. 
     
The altitude did effect us a little—the base at Breckenridge is at 9,600 feet (2,926 m)and the top summit at 12,998 feet (3,962), although we didn’t get to the tip-top today—so the air is a little thinner.  Although Cheri and I take spinning classes or run several times a week, it didn’t help with shortness of breath…and the quads (thigh muscles) started to feel it as well.  By early afternoon the snow was getting to the consistency of mashed potatoes, which is also tiring to ski through.  So by mid-afternoon we called it a day and headed off the mountain…after having skied 11 runs totaling 13,196 vertical feet (the type of ski pass we have keeps an electronic track of what you did for the day).

We enjoyed some time in the hot-tub at the condo and a pleasant dinner.  A great way to end the first day of this adventure.

Southwestern Flair…

A short blog…but an update none the less.  We didn’t get the cameras out often enough (plus I forgot mine in the hotel a couple of times)…anyway, on to the blog…

The beginning of March was a time for us to head to the Southwest.  I Chair the jury process for the American Society of Hospital Engineering / Architectural Institute of America Vista Award which is given annual to a Health Care New Construction project, a Renovation project and an Infrastructure project; all of which have displayed teamwork between the Planners, Designers, Contractors and Owners in delivery of the projects.  The annual Planning, Design and Construction Conference was being held in Phoenix…in March…so you can understand why Cheri joined me.

Besides some time in the temperate southwest, this trip gave us an opportunity to meet up with Jess and her fiancée PJ (they flew in from Denver), and even more importantly for us to meet PJ’s parents, Larry and Ditas.

We arrived in Phoenix on Friday the 2nd at a time that seemed continentally late for us (with a 2 hour time change…it was 7:30 there), so Jess and PJ picked us up at our hotel and we were off to dinner at a southwestern restaurant.  It gave us a chance to visit and catch up.

Saturday, we were up fairly early (the 2 hour difference again) and we used the light-rail system to take us downtown.  That way we could scope out the convention center where the conference was being held and then we set off walking around the area for about ninety minutes.  It was a beautiful day, obviously low humidity and the temperature was very comfortable.

We did work our way back to the hotel so we could shower and change before heading over to Larry and Ditas’ house for a family gathering.  Many of PJ’s cousins and their families live in the area so this was a chance for Cheri and I to meet the larger family.

 
It seemed that everyone kicked in on the food preparations so we had a wide range of home cooked southwestern fare.  The food was all outstanding and we very much enjoyed meeting so much of PJ’s family.



In the top photo are Cheri, myself, Jess, PJ, Ditas, and Larry; then in the lower we added PJ’s sister Veronica, her husband Matt, and their daughter Ana.

Sunday evening just seven of us—Jess, PJ, Larry, Ditas, PJ’s niece Ana, and two of us—went to Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn for dinner.  We were able to eat under the stars (and a propane heater for Cheri…it gets cool in the evening in the desert) with some live cowboy music—Shenandoah, Home on the Range, Tumbling Tumbleweeds…you get it—to round out the mood; a wonderful evening to get to know Larry and Ditas even better.

The conference went well from Monday to Wednesday—I presented the awards during the opening plenary session and then had the rest of the time to attend the conference.  I heard some very good speakers and presentations and came away with some useful ideas.

We did have one other time on Tuesday for the six of us to get together…and if you can believe it we were eating again.  Jess and PJ were flying back to Denver that evening so we all went to a diner that is featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Dives, and Drive-in’s (Chino Banditos...we went once before with Jess on an earlier trip to Phoenix).  Another great evening before we all headed our separate ways.

More Adventures…and some weddings to come!