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Synchronized Swimming July 23, 2011

John — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:56:43 +0000

Rippin’ it up in Seal Beach last weekend!

John — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:47:30 +0000

Lucia Micarelli

John — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 09:08:52 +0000

This video has been around for awhile, but it continues to be awesome!

June’s great adventure

John — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:08:40 +0000

Shannon the Adventure Girl discusses Yellowstone

Blackberry Storm review

John — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:33:34 +0000

Also known as “farting around with Camtasia and a video camera”.

Shopping for new Hiking Boots

John — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:16:27 +0000

We went shopping on the 21st for some new hiking boots for my nephew. He’s in Cub Scouts and is a Webelos II and should have a need for some good boots and socks.

I’m used to being able to pick between REI, Adventure 16, Sport Chalet, and others for selection price and knowledgeable sales staff. So I figured that since we’re in one of the most outdoor-inclined states that the task would be simple – just go to Dicks (about like a Sport Chalet) and start the task from there. Wrong. Both selection and knowledge was lacking and no recommendation as to where to look. LL Bean would have been a good bet if we weren’t 200 miles North of Freeport – outside of Freeport, Bean only has outlets, impressive outlets, but without a full Boot Department.

The guy at Foot Locker recommended Epic Sports in Bangor. On a lark we found some Columbia’s that fit the bill on clearance at Olympia Sports. Being both an outdoor wonk and a business wonk, in no situation should Olympia out-do Dicks in this area, but that’s just my opinion. We did wind up visiting Epic after the purchase and found it very Adventure 16-ish (a compliment in my opinion).

There is an market up here that isn’t being serviced very well and I’m cogitating upon the subject.

Hiking the “Moose Walk”

John — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:21:11 +0000

On day 7/20 (day 6) we hit Baxter State Park – home of Mount Katahdin – for an easy (if a little long) hike for the kids. Both Shannon and Sean went as well as our nephew.

John & Tiffany at the trail head

Some of the hike was on the Appalachian Trail and took us by Grassy Pond, Tracy Pond, and Elbow Pond. The hike was 3.7 miles and took about three hours.

The trip had numerous water crossings – this is the first, the outlet for Grassy Pond.

When going on a hike, even a short one, it is important to take trail food to keep up your energy,

keep yourself well hydrated,

and it doesn’t hurt to have a good day pack to keep everything in.

There is a wide variety of flora on this hike. In school, Tiffany did a science fair project where she collected a bunch of different mosses and identified them (I think she said she tied for first). Can anyone identify this mushroom?

It is nice to be able to take a nap when you get tired and yet still keep moving…

As I said, there were several water crossings. This one was probably 200 yards long and was interesting on these little balance beams.

You know…. these are the best times with our kids and I cherish the time to spend with them before it becomes unfashionable to spend time with dad.

John & Shannon

It tells me I’m doing something right if they’re still smiling at the end.

Sean