Spring is finally here. Well, almost.
Driving to work this morning, I had an almost un-controlable urge to turn around and head back home to play hookie. Almost! Why today? To answer that question, let us go back to the last time we saw bare ground and 60 degree weather here in New Hampshire. It was late October, and I was deep in the woods scouring for deer sign, taking a vacation day with my wife while the kids were in school. We hiked areas that she had never been to, bringing a picnic lunch and a couple of cameras in case we saw anything worth shooting. The deep ravine, with the roaring brook running through it, was more spectacular to her then I described. Other then being spooked by a beautiful Great Horned Owl leaving a tree directly in front of us, it was a quiet hike.
Seeing ten deer grazing in a bare spot of an otherwise snow covered field this morning is what triggered these thoughts of delinquincy. This winter has been one of the longest in New Hampshire's history, topping over 100 inches of snow. It started in late October, and today being April 1st, it is a little discouraging to still have two feet of snow in most parts of the woods. Normally this wouldnt slow our family down, but the kids are at that age where they can't quite keep up with us snowshoeing, and late March sickness has taking over our household.
The good news is the ponds are opening up from being covered in ice, so we will be dropping the 1933 Old Town Canoe into the water very soon. And I can't wait to try out my new kayak. My wife is itching to get her hands deep into the soil, and the kids have already dusted their bikes off. Goodbye snow, hello green grass.
Author's Name: Rick Menard
Posted Date: April 1, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Filed under: Rick Menard
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Tags: biking, canoeing, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, hardwood floors, hardwood surface, hiking, kyaking, outdoors, spring, whitetail deer, wide plank floors
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Rick, Thanks for this ode to the first signs of spring post. I think everyone in the north east can relate with your summary of what I would call a miserably long winter season. I'm not sure it has ended yet but your post urges me to get back out into nature. Living near the city my experience may be a little less pristine then yours but I'm looking forward to taking the kids on a hike at Wachusett Mountain and even spring cleanup in the yard. Of course these activities will happen on the weekend as i seems that I will be chained to my desk M-F until July.
Posted by Stephen Turcotte on April 2, 2008 5:37 PM
Rick,
This old Texas boy can actually relate to some of the nature experience you talk about. If you take snow and ice out of the picture you could actually find yourself in the hill country of Texas. When I got to the part about the Old Town canoe and new kayak I really perked up. I too enjoy kayaking and have spent many quality hours on the Brazos River and lake Whitney where I have a summer home.
I am a recent new customer of Carlisle and have enjoyed working with Laura Lier in your Colorado Springs office. I live in an 1898 two story frame home in Midlothian, Tx just South of Dal/Ft. Worth. My restoration project has now been a work in progress for 22 years and I have learned to appreciate quality wood. I am also involved with organizing the Midlothian Area Historical Society and have contact with many in my community that are involved in restoration. I have samples of your wide plank flooring and will be showing them in our meeting tonight.
I enjoy reading about your company and the product you offer but was very pleased with the service I received.
A happy Texan,
Ted Howard
Posted by TED HOWARD on April 3, 2008 3:06 PM
Hi Ted,
It was great to see your posting! I appreciate you sharing your expierences with Carlisle and I look forward to hearing from you!
You Rock
Laura
Posted by Laura Leier on April 4, 2008 5:15 PM