Field Notes

September is coming fast, and if you have lingering summer goals, you better have a plan. In our house, lingering isn’t really in the cards anyway. Our to-do list is always stacked. This summer has been no different. We have a list of large projects and commitments we want to accomplish. They’re not all getting done, and we know that. There’s a corner of our backyard near the shed that’s currently just dirt. We have visions of turning it into a real gathering space with outdoor furniture and a mounted outdoor TV. Inside, we’re taking over a corner fireplace project abandoned by a contractor, choosing to finish the work ourselves rather than chase down someone else willing to take on a small job. ...

Sometimes your runner’s high gets interrupted. Life telling you to check your ego. The day is not complete. Sitting in the parking lot after an evening run, the sun has already set, when a stranger gets my attention seeking help with a flat tire. A woman in need, I help. Yet, there’s an unchristian hesitation. The situation will evolve, weakness creeps in. What am I getting myself into? Mission creep is the rusted spare tire that won’t lodge free from the underside of the vehicle. Trying to figure out the Rube Goldberg system the car manufacturer used to mount and store the tire and jacks. Then the lug nuts, which I convinced myself must be welded on. ...

We often think of “help” as someone standing next to us while the work is happening. But the most generous help is often performed in an empty room, days before the curtain rises. It’s the work that ensures the person following behind doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. If you have to “figure it out” on the fly, you are spending your creative energy on survival. When a friend pre-programs the logic, they aren’t just doing technical work. They are giving you the gift of bandwidth. ...

We are on family vacation this week. Temperatures hit the 40s today, so we skipped the slopes to avoid the “mashed potato” snow and headed to the Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18). In the winter, this is better known simply as the Ice Runway. Located on Lake Winnipesaukee, this is the only FAA-approved ice runway in the lower 48 states. It is having a banner year thanks to an early winter and consistent cold. The runway has already surpassed the previous season record of 764 landings. ...

Yesterday, I noticed what appears to be a transient shelter in the woods right along the banks of the Blackstone River. The tall structure seems to be built with gathered wood and rope lashings. There are even a few steps in front of the entrance, suggesting an elevated floor off the ground. The structure is far enough off the running path that I’ve likely been running past it for months without it catching my eye. By the looks of all the tarps, it may be occupied, and given the recent cold temperatures, it’s a reminder that many are suffering. My assumptions could be completely wrong. It may not be a homeless shelter situation, but it does make me think about what the situation might be. ...

My wife and I have been going on long weekend bike rides for several months now. The COVID pandemic has given us extra time in our busy family schedule to discover a new date night-exercise opportunity. We schedule our start time so that we’re arriving at Colt State Park just in time to see the sunset. Regardless of the weather conditions or cloud cover, that’s our goal. The East Bay Bike Path offers great views along the Rhode Island coastline, passing through various areas including an industrial seaport, small cottage home neighborhoods, parks, and large estate homes. ...

On June 29, 2020 Ann & Hope announced they would close all remaining outlet stores following a series of previously announced store closings. This includes their historic headquarters location in Cumberland at 1 Ann & Hope Way. I stopped by to take some photos of the building yesterday, just to capture some images before the signs are removed and the building becomes mostly vacant. Ann & Hope is known as the first discount department store in America, pioneering practices now common in modern big box stores. ...

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April 2012 UPDATE: Since I wrote this blog post Fransted Family Campground has been sold and is now managed by the new owners. If you’re looking for a campground in the Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire, you need to check out Fransted Family Campground. There are many camping choices in New Hampshire and the experience can vary greatly. For example, the state campgrounds offer a low cost, no frills value in prime locations. Perfect for Deb and I when it was just the two of us.  That said, the reservation system can sometimes be a pain to deal with and alternatively the first come, first served sites often leave your vacation to chance. ...