Summer Vacation in Florida

We had a wonderful trip to Florida again, spending our typical 2 summer weeks there. The first week was surf camp for Gianni. Paul and family came down for the 4th. We enjoyed sailing with Jan on Sleighride, as usual. The surf was unusually good for summer. I enjoy several excellent sessions before we had to leave midweek to get Gianni home for his People to People trip. Can't wait for next summer!

Lastest Surf Trick

Gianni is up to his same old antics. He is still enjoying moves from last year, the coffin drop-in and tripod head stand, but his new mission is a skeg first drop-in, followed by a 180 degree spin of the board and then a nice ride down the line. Above, he just paddled in and is getting up, skeg first. Below, he is starting the spin of the board. After two days, he is able to pull off the move, but the ride in is usually cut short as he is off balance coming out of the 180. If last year is any measure (head stands), he'll be showcasing the move successfully at the "competition" on Friday. He is too funny. I want him to work on his form and all the important technical things about surfing. He just wants to fool around and have fun. I think he has the right idea!

Nice Weekend on the Water

We enjoyed a great weekend of boating in Connecticut. Patti, Mike, Ben, Rosalie and Boo came down for a visit from Vermont. On Saturday we launched Hobbes out of Barn Island and after a bit of exploring, gas and shifting plans, we headed over to Fishers Island, NY. We enjoyed the afternoon at East Harbor, while Boo and the kids played and played. The highlight was Mike rigging up his new kids windsurfer. He proceeded to teach all three kids to windsurf. They are hooked! Back at the house the kids enjoyed more swimming in the pool. On Sunday, Mike, Ben, Gianni and I went back out early for some Father's Day fishing. Patti and Rosalie went down to Dad's to ride horses. Out on the water, we slowly made our way around to the south side of Fishers when the action started. We caught 6 fish, from which we then enjoyed a crispy fish meal at Mike's cousin's house, before they headed home. It definitely was a nice Father's Day and so nice to have our great friends down to CT.

Pequot Cyclists' Annual Picnic

We enjoyed a nice weekend working on the house and getting the pool ready. Our "fun highlight" was riding in the Pequot Cyclists' annual picnic ride. We had a relaxing ride along the shore and enjoyed sharing good food with the group afterward.

Global Finals, Take Two

We just spent a week at the University of Tennessee competing at the Destination Imagination Global Finals. It was a great experience. Thank you to all of our supporters! Read all about it at http://lcsdi.blogspot.com.

Mizpah Hut Weekend

Gianni and I spent the weekend up on Mt. Pierce in the White Mountains, which began by hiking up to Mizpah Hut Friday eve. It was a beautiful father-son hike. Gianni set a quick pace. We hiked in shorts and tee shirts, even as we climbed the last 600' vertical in deep snow (2'-3'). Luckily the snow was very hard packed, so it was relatively easy walking. We arrived at the hut in less than 2 hours and discovered that we were the only ones there for the night, pretty neat. Gianni didn't feel so hot the next morning and it was 35 degrees and raining hard, so I left him warm in the hut and hiked down to the car to meet up with our friends from the NH AMC Family Group.

I loaded up my pack with group food and warmed up from the cold rain in the car for a bit. The teen group headed up first and I hiked up with the younger kids' group. After a nice casual hike back up to the hut, I found Gianni in better spirits and warm. He was already in "helping mode." We had a relaxing evening with the group. Gianni helped in the kitchen as usual for both dinner and breakfast. Due to all of the snow and blow-downs, leadership decided it best not to try to summit Jackson or Pierce, given the unknowns of the trail conditions as well as some reports from scouts. So, we packed up and had a pleasant hike out, with the sun breaking through.

Bluff Point Ride

Gianni, Avery, Aaron and I went for a nice 8 mile loop out at Bluff Point today. I had them on some single track with up hill climbs, slick rock, mud, etc. It was the most challenging ride that I have have subjected them to yet. They did really well, a little whining on the uphills, but all the downhills, jumping and mud made it worth the climbs. We stopped for our usual break out at the bluff for them to continue building some kind of strange fort made of flotsam. They were tired out at the end when we arrived back at Haley Farm, as you can see!