
‘Live Free or Die’ is the New Hampshire state slogan, but it could also be ‘Life is Good’ . On any given day of the year , intrepid enthusiasts brave the elements, moose, bear, and cougar(unsubstantiated by the state, but they’re there) to travail undistinguishable paths, vertical peaks, and ice bridges ~ mainly because they can, but also because the views are spectacular.
Mt. Washington is home to the worst weather on Earth (Just ask the Discovery Channel)with its peaks really only traversable in July and August. Even without reaching the peak, it would still require snowshoes and crampons to trudge through feet of snow. To quote Hannah Montana, ‘it’s not about what’s on the other side~it’s the climb.’
AMC is an acronym for Appalachian Mountain club. The Main office is on Joy street in Boston. Their main objective is to educate people not only about the dangers of the trails, but the imporance of equipment and gear. Having the gear and knowing how to use it are two different things. If you don’t know how to use your gear, you put yourself and others unnecessarily at risk.
They also participate in bicycling, kayaking, and have recently expanded to ski trips and a ski resort to the BAMFF in Canada.
Safety in the mountains is strongly encouraged; there are paid trail guide as well as volunteer leaders who are trained in various camps and lodges throughout the year in the Spring and Winter. Each chapter emphasizes different points of safety depending on the terrain and weather condiitons of the state.
Winter trips are taken through the ‘major excursions committee ‘year round to to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Japan), Mt. Blanc (France/Italy), and Mt. McKinley in Alaska.
The winter mentor program takes place in the White Mountains of NH. Winter leader- officially mentored (hikes with a current class I.) Class II leader is a 3 season – not encounter winter conditinos – June, July, August. Snow @ 3500 feet.
Class III leader – lower elevation mounains- restricted to mountains they can lead on.
One of the most underestimated trails in New Hampshire are those that traverse the Presidentials. (One person just went missing.) 48 4,000 footers in New Hampshire and the Presidentials are the eight highest peaks. They are : Madison, Adams, Washington, Eisenhower, Jackson, Pierce, Jefferson, and Monroe.
http://www.worcesterart.org/
http://www.breezysummer.com
The Worcester Inter-Tribal Indian Center is a non-profit organization established in 1981 for the promotion of Native American heritage and crafts. Members meet on Tuesday evenings in the Quinsigamond Village Community Center at 16 Greenwood St. Worcester Massachusetts from 7-10 p.m., where knowledge of Native American crafts and customs is shared by the members. The Worcester Inter-Tribal Indian Center (W.I.I.C.) sponsors a Native American Pow-Wow once a year in June, to share the beauty of the Native American heritage, promote education of the customs and an appreciation of the crafts of all tribes.
I was impressed and pleasantly surprised to see Brian Burris’ art opening at the Hadley. A brighter shade of Pollock than he’s used to; this is certainly stepping out of his comfort zone and his prior pieces were dark and foreboding. It’s a wonderful departure and was well received. One of the comments was , “There’s so much color.” Some of the notables on hand: Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, the City Manager Mike O’Brien, select city counselors and many of the ArtsWorcester board. The paintings were well lit by the lighting that had been installed which made the colors really ‘pop’ and present as they should.
http://www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com/index.php?a=restaurant
Nick’s is an old world gem in the heart of urban Worcester. Who Knew? The entire experience is here ~ gleam of steel, coat of arms, bronze chalices, well-lit authentic fine art reproductions, a gilded tin roof, red velvet curtains and a grand piano. Fresh flower bouquets adorn the hearth and bathrooms. For dinner, drinks, and dessert, you have your pick of authentic German cuisine. A great appetizer is the buttery, moist homemade soft pretzel with chive cream cheese dip and mustard; the chives and cream cheese cool the palette from the spiciness of the mustard. The homemade German macaroni and cheese is a steamy, flavorful concoction garnished with thick Emmentaler that is creamy on the tongue ; the four cheese melts with a complex aftertaste. I paired it with an Afflinger Blonde – Anno 1674. Also on the menu for sampling are Black Forest Noodles - fat German noodles in sweet butter with crispy bacon, carmelized onions, mushrooms and cheese; Goulasch Mit Pilzen (Goulash with Mushrooms) slow-simmered with tomatoes, spices and Lager beer in a rich and hearty stew over egg noodles. Sandwiches are not necessarily a lighter choice: Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Liverwurst on light or dary rye and Black Forest Ham / Turkey Reubens grilled with cheese,and red onion. Sides are Sauerkraut or warmed potato salad. Don’t forget the German Chocolate Cake for dessert.
http://blueelephantprovidence.com/
Armsby Abbey

