Doubles Rowing Lessons with Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC)

I am a member of the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC.)

The Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC) trains and gives lessons at Georges Mills Beach, Sunapee, NH. It is a very welcoming group from novices to experienced rowers. Rowing sculls are provided.

Novices: Starting Tuesday, June 18, 6 p.m.  Just show up!
Experienced Rowers: Starting Monday, June 17, 5:45 a.m.

Interested people are welcome to attend a rowing session and ride in the LSRC launch along side the rowers. 

Ways to Contact Lake Sunapee Rowing Club

• Email LSRC at LakeSunapeeRowing@gmail.com.
• Go to Facebook.com and Search keywords:“Lake Sunapee Rowing Club”
• LSRC Website: http://www.lakesunapeerowing.com

The below video is narrated by Brenda Balenger, an exceptional LSRC coach, as she instructs me during my recent Doubles rowing lesson.  My rowing partner, Melissa, is an advanced rower and serves in the video to maintain the boat's stability while I follow Brenda's instructions.  Melissa also demonstrates the gunnel skill drill that assists me in learning to keep my oars out of the water during my return stroke.

The last half of the video is Melissa and I rowing together demonstrating progress in my instruction.

My blog post, Rowing Through the Eyes of a Beginner, introduces you to some of the basics taught in the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club's four-week three times a week course.

My LSRC lessons opened a unique world for me.

Never say, "I wish I had taken lessons with the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club."

Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel

References:

• Rowing Through the Eyes of a Beginner
  https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/2015/08/rowing-through-eyes-of-beginner.html
• Lake Sunapee Rowing Club
  http://www.lakesunapeerowing.com/
• OutdoorSteve.com
  https://www.outdoorsteve.com

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Call to Action: 

2019May25 Perkins Pond Protective Association Ice-Out Presentation

The below pictures and video were presented to members of the Perkins Pond Protective Association at their May 2019 Meeting.

The below is a Google Map screen print of Perkins Pond.  The image with notations of the Chickadee Point and Piney Pond locations is a reference for member attendees.

The below Entry Form initiates an entrant's "best guess" for the date of "Ice-out." Members receive this entry form via email

The below dates of prior ice-in and ice-out are provided via email for member reference prior to their receiving the entry form. The orange is the 2019 date of Ice-out, the red earliest recorded ice-out date, and the green the latest recorded ice-out date.

The video below is an edit of three videos taken April 17, 19, and 20, 2019.

Members of the PPPA get regular updates at:

1. Facebook - Perkins Pond  

https://www.facebook.com/perkinspondnewhampshire/
2. Facebook - Perkins Pond Community 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/763447947149460/
3. OutdoorSteve.com Blog: https://OutdoorSteve.com

References

1. Memorial Day 2019 from Union Leader  https://www.unionleader.com/
2. Perkins Pond Ice-Out Declared April 20, 2019 7:40 PM!! https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/2019/04/perkins-pond-ice-out-update.html

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Call to Action: 

ORFS Hike Bicknell Brook Trail & Colette Trail, Enfield, NH

Our hike begins by entering the woods at the Groton Pond-ColetteTrail sign on Boy’s Camp Road in Enfield, New Hampshire. The Colette Trail intertwines with Bicknell Brook as we follow it upstream enjoying its roaring (meaning very loud) cascades and waterfalls. When we get to the bridge crossing Bicknell Brook, we backtrack to our start, and cross Boy’s Camp Road again, this time going downstream following the Crystal Lake-Colette Trail sign. We enjoy lunch on the promontory overlooking the rushing Bicknell Brook twenty or so feet below us.

We find ourselves yelling to talk over the noise of Bicknell Brook.  Hiking poles are recommended due to the rocky and root lined path.

The below narrative and above map of the Bicknell Brook Loop Trail and Colette Trail are from the Upper Valley Land Trust.

“Although undeveloped for the most part, Bicknell Brook owes its current state to humans, as well as beavers. The stream houses the site of a former sawmill just downstream of Boy’s Camp Road and the Butman Bridge. Mr. Butman constructed a hydro-powered mill circa 1821. The mill was likely active throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. Approximately one-fourth mile upstream of Boys Camp Road and the former mill site, the trail passes over the remnants of a stone wall. The stone wall was a retaining wall that created a millpond. The water was held back to be released by a sluice gate when power for the mill was needed. Evidence of the sluice door exists in the form of a rock-lined hole which likely held a post.

Also at the old mill site is evidence of small-scale granite quarrying. The extent of the quarrying is debatable, but rectangular slabs of granite in the stream bed along with indication of drill holes and remaining metal wedges speak to its existence. Most likely the quarrying was for harvesting material locally with which to build the mill. It is fascinating to note that some of the cascading waterfalls are not natural and flow over rectangular ledges cut in these operations.

Logging is another human activity that has taken place along Bicknell Brook. There is evidence of logging activity throughout the past several decades in the form of open, grassy clearings riddled with the stumps of harvested trees. Openings from former logging roads leading in the direction of Boys Camp Road are also visible, along with basal scars on the bases of tree trunks that were created by logging skidders dragging downed trees through the forest. These scars exist where the bark has been knocked off, and the inner wood of the tree trunk is exposed.”

DIRECTIONS: from New London take Rt.11 East to Potter Place. Turn left on Rt.4A and go 15 miles toward Enfield past Grafton Pond Rd. to next right sharp turn at Boys Camp Rd. Continue over a small bridge (Butman Bridge and angle park on the left. The trailheads are on either side.

Now, I never have to say, “I wish I had hiked the Bicknell Brook and Colette Trail in Enfield, NH.”

Who are the ORFS?
The Outdoor Recreation for Seniors (ORFS) group meets every Tuesday year-round at 10 am. In the summer we kayak/canoe, swim and hike. In the fall we hike, and in the winter we snowshoe and cross-country ski. Our trips are from 1-1/2 to 2 hours, followed by lunch.

Directions and location are available for our Tuesday 10 am outings via email and the monthly New London Chapin Senior Center Courier newsletter. To learn more and join, contact the Chapin Senior Center at 357 pleasant Street, PO Box 1263, New London, New Hampshire 03752 or go to their web site at http://www.coachapincenter.org

ORFS is a very informal group and participation is for all outdoor enthusiasts wanting guaranteed good exercise with a friendly fun group.

References:

Upper Valley Land Trust

• Upper Valley Land Trust: https://uvlt.org/
• https://uvlt.org/docs/traildescriptions/Bicknell%20Brook%20Loop%20Trail.pdf
• https://uvlt.org/docs/trails/Colette_trailmap-2004-10-19.pdf
• OutdoorSteve.com  https://www.outdoorsteve.com

Call to Action: 

Bentley 200 Cruiser

Perkins Pond Ice-Out Declared April 20, 2019 7:40 PM!!

By definition, Perkins Pond Ice-Out when you can paddle from the North End's Chickadee Point to the South End's Piney Point.

The PPPA ice-out committee, Dundee, Mike and Steve, accompanied by Eric and Gavin, declared ice-out on April 20, 2019 at 7:40 PM when their three canoes successfully made a historic trek and declared 2019 Ice-Out as documented in the below video!

--The below videos show the process used to monitor 2019 Perkins Pond Ice-Out--

Update April 19, 2019 - No Ice-Out Declared.

Five of us (Dundee, Steve M, Mike D, Steve P plus Oliver) paddled in two canoes to south end of Pond Friday Apr 19, 2019 around 3 pm. Could not get close to Piney Point nor Leavitt cove. Ice was 6 inches think on the edges and we could not break through with our canoes. North end of Pond open with large sheets of ice floating pushed by high winds. We had life vests in our canoes, BUT should have been wearing them! No ice out declared for April 19th!

April 17, 2019 - No Ice-Out

Click the video and join Dundee and Steve as they do an April 17, 2019 "on the pond" update of Perkin Pond ice-out status.

Call to Action: 

(Video) Mud Season - New Hampshire's 5th Season

Call to Action: 

Cooking an Egg in an Orange in a Campfire

January 16th Release of "Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors"

Hi, Outdoor Steve here. My new book, Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors, was released Jan 16th. My behind-the-scenes videos give you give the feeling of “being there.”

Kayak on Little Lake Sunapee. Feel, through my chest camera, what it is like to cross the fabled and dangerous Knife Edge Trail on Mt Katahdin, Maine. Experience sculling on a perfect New Hampshire fall foliage day. Hike with my family up Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit of Mt Washington. Ride in my iceboat as I whirl around Perkins Pond. See moose for real ... and much more.

Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors is a book for any room in the house! Most sections are set up for less than a 5-minute read.

The title, “Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors,” comes because I qualify as a “senior” in any sense of the word. I respond to Grampa, Papa, Dad, Steve, Outdoor Steve, and Super Senior.  Novices and experienced outdoor enthusiasts will wow at these adventures.

Order at OutdoorSteve.com to never say, "I wish I had read Steve’s Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors.”   

“Outdoor Play Fun 4 Seniors is a fantastic read for 50 and over novices and experienced who want to look for new challenges. Short reads, each with a story never to say, “I Wish I Had…” has come through again.” Linwood Parsons, Master Maine Guide.


"Steve’s selfie video while riding in his iceboat in New Hampshire was quite a thrill for me. The unintentional video of his son and friends discovery of paddling whitewater on the Clyde River in Vermont is a photographer’s dream." Jefferson Nunn, author, Seven Deadly Bitcoin Sins

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends" S. Priest

Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel

Books by OutdoorSteve.com

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Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

2018 ORFS Christmas Caroling and Pageant at Bittersweet and Lyon Brook

Our Outdoor Recreation for Seniors (ORFS)  Christmas and caroling pageant started 20 years ago and has developed into the "extravaganza" it is today! It remains an annual creative endeavor which warms the residents and our hearts every year.

Once again, ORFS will be nudging each other to step out of their comfort zones and become a "character" for two hours. Our leader, Kathy, asks us to TRUST, go WITH THE FLOW, and HAVE FUN! We first visit the Bittersweet Residence, and then the Lyon Brook Condominium, both located in New London, NH.

Al will be on keyboard, Barb on violin, and Ron on guitar.

The first scene is the entrance Caroling parade and we enter holding garlands and jingling bells. Of course, we have Santa, Rudolph and Frosty and Christmas songs.

The second scene is the Senior Pageant of the Christmas story with appropriate songs and costumes. And masked mischievous animals

See if you can tell the main characters of our pageant: Mary, Joseph, Star of Bethlehem, Rudolph, Santa, Frosty, 3 angels. 3 kings, Camel 🐪, black sheep, white sheep, Cow, Bull and Donkey.

After singing is over at Bittersweet Residence, we socialize with the residents over goodies making sure we wish every resident a very merry Christmas.

We then depart to Lyon Brook Condominium Community for a repeat performance, a dinner, and famous Yankee Swap.

Special thanks go to Kathy for coordination of this gala event and for her costumes, props, etc., Al (piano), Barb (violin), and Ron (guitar), Rosemary (dinner) and Joy (Yankee Swap).  Great leaders like you make ORFS fun and inspirational.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. MAY GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!

ORFS give the gifts of themselves and it is much appreciated by the audiences. Below we share the fun of belonging to ORFS.

The ORFS are part of the Chapin Council on Aging, New London, NH.

Who are the ORFS?
The Outdoor Recreation for Seniors (ORFS) group meets every Tuesday year-round at 10 am. In the summer we kayak/canoe, swim and hike. In the fall we hike, and in the winter we snowshoe and cross-country ski. Our trips are from 1-1/2 to 2 hours, followed by lunch.

Directions and location are available for our Tuesday 10 am outings via email and the monthly New London Chapin Senior Center Courier newsletter. To learn more and join, contact the Chapin Senior Center at 357 pleasant Street, PO Box 1263, New London, New Hampshire 03752 or go to their web site at http://www.coachapincenter.org

ORFS is a very informal group and participation is for all outdoor enthusiasts wanting guaranteed good exercise with a friendly fun group.

  
" Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"
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Steve's 5th book is now available. Outdoor Play: Fun 4 4 Seasons has trip preparations, routes, and narratives of bucket list places to go. Motivate friends and family to make the outdoors a key component of their daily life.

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle .

Hiking Eagle Pond, NH with Poet Laureate Donald Hall

I was particularly interested in Eagle Pond because the pond is across the street from the home of former United States Poet Laureate Donald Hall, a poet of the rural life. (June 14, 2006.) I became interested in Mr Hall’s work a few years ago when a good friend read some verses from one of his books. The words were absorbing and graphic to me as I felt in the moment and lived the poem. 

When the Outdoor Recreation for Seniors (ORFS) had Eagle Pond on their list of Tuesday hikes, I could not wait to experience the same bucolic scenes that Mr Hall had seen, walked, and wrote about.

Mr Hall wrote many books with “Eagle Pond” in the title. My wife and I have read his 2016 book titled, “On Eagle Pond”.

Hiking around Eagle Pond was very personal to me.

Our hike was 3.5 miles and took just over 1 and a half hours. We went in a clockwise direction. It had been raining prior to starting our hike, but mysteriously the rain stopped until we finished our hike. 

1. We began our Eagle Pond hike at Eagle Pond Road where it intersects with Route 4.

2. We hiked approximately 1.5 miles took a right on Jack Wells Road.

3. Jack Wells Road is .7 miles and ends on Route 4, and just before Route 4 we took a right onto the Rail Trail for 1.3 miles.

4. The Rail Trail returned to our Start.

Now, I never have to say, “I wish I had hiked around Eagle Pond with Poet Laureate Donald Hall”

Who are the ORFS?
The Outdoor Recreation for Seniors (ORFS) group meets every Tuesday year-round at 10 am. In the summer we kayak/canoe, swim and hike. In the fall we hike, and in the winter we snowshoe and cross-country ski. Our trips are from 1-1/2 to 2 hours, followed by lunch.

Directions and location are available for our Tuesday 10 am outings via email and the monthly New London Chapin Senior Center Courier newsletter. To learn more and join, contact the Chapin Senior Center at 357 pleasant Street, PO Box 1263, New London, New Hampshire 03752 or go to their web site at http://www.coachapincenter.org

ORFS is a very informal group and participation is for all outdoor enthusiasts wanting guaranteed good exercise with a friendly fun group.

References

Eagle Pond by Donald Hall

Donald Hall, a Poet Laureate of the Rural Life

Ox Car Man by Donald Hall

United States Poet Laureate

Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge (SRKG) Trail

OutdoorSteve.com

" Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"
++++++++++++++++
Steve's 5th book is now available. Outdoor Play: Fun 4 4 Seasons has trip preparations, routes, and narratives of bucket list places to go. Motivate friends and family to make the outdoors a key component of their daily life.

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and Morgan Hill Bookstore (New London, NH.)