Tag Archives: humor

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Polar Caves Part 3. The caves… and more rocks.

November 19, 2019 Rivergirl 40 Comments

The caves.

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I’d like to tell you I explored them all.

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But I’d be lying.

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They were tiny, cramped, straight down and seriously dark.

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So yours truly let the husband crawl through them while I took the bypasses above ground.

I know, a post about caves from above the caves doesn’t sound very satisfying….

But does that look at all comfortable?

I still got to walk through rocks…

And without all the bumps, bruises and scrapes the husband amassed that day.

Although there were some dead ends.

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I’m not sure who named the caves…

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But there certainly were a lot of them.

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And some of the exits were awesome.

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Damn!

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That’s a lot of rock.

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Husband was happy as a clam. He used to go caving as a kid and it probably brought back some good memories. You know, like terror… and claustrophobia.

He kept trying to talk me into going down there with him, but when I peered down into the blackness?

I looked something like this….

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Just….

No.

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I think he was a little nervous after reading the name of this one …

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But he shimmied through quite well.

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Then turned around and asked for my extra camera. (Pardon his language. Sh*t is a favorite word lately)

I left him happily exploring and snapping pictures in the dark… (which I won’t share with you because he can’t take a photo to save his life. They’re either blurry… or solid black) …and made my way around another bypass.

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My appreciation for the people who built these boardwalks growing with each step.

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Clearly no rock was harmed during the construction process.

Well done boardwalk designer.

Well done.

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The internet is a funny old thing….

November 18, 2019 Rivergirl 21 Comments

I had to laugh yesterday when I checked my stat page and saw that something called The Cape Cod Daily News was listed as a referrer.

Since we just got back from a trip to the Cape, (and yes, we tend to be talkers and meet a lot of people) I was wondering which one had found me.

Not to mention how.

Because while I am a girl, it may surprise you to learn that my real name is not actually River.

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Shocking, I know.

And it’s not like I start conversations with strange people by saying, “You really should check out my blog at WordPress. There’s plenty of woodchuck drivel for everyone.”

So I perused the Cape Cod Daily News site and found this:

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I had tagged Cape Cod, so they included my post.

this post

Now I can only imagine the reaction of the poor native Cape Codders who clicked on it and found me channeling Khaled. That couldn’t have been pleasant.

And while I won’t tag Cape Cod this time… because let’s face it, I’m basically making fun of what they consider news…. the coastal cities residents are going to rue the day when Cape Cod Daily puts that action to work when I start my latest vacation series photo blitz.

There’s bound to be rocks.

Won’t they be thrilled?

http://capecoddaily.com/

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Polar Caves Part 2… rocks, trees and more rocks.

November 18, 2019 Rivergirl 31 Comments

Walking along a lovely path past a duck pond….

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We found the covered bridge.

And kissed.

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Continuing along the walkways…

We read the park’s history.

And decided what to do first.

Remember when I said this series would have a lot of rocks?

The rocks start now.

Matter of fact, this section was called the Rock Garden.

So clearly I’m not the only enthusiast.

I loved it.

It was like a moss covered fairy village with fabulously crafted wooden boardwalks.

Meticulously cut around the rocks.

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I could have happily wandered there all day.

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Rocks!

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Some seriously big rocks.

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Did I mention this was a rock garden….

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And it was full of rocks?

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I was loving it.

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Though I admit getting a little tired from all the steps.

But the rocks….

They rocked.

As did the funky lichen, ferns and moss.

The steps?

My thighs said, not so much.

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But we kept walking.

Through some seriously old rocks…

A veritable maze of old rocks.

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Fern covered rocks!

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And then we discovered the caves we’d come to see…

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Were way up there.

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We interrupt your normally scheduled program…

November 15, 2019 Rivergirl 44 Comments

So I hope you’ve been enjoying my White Mountain vacation series. I know I tend to go a little overboard with the pictures, but what can I say?

I’ll have you know it took me an entire week to wade through the 1704 shots I’d taken and distill it down to a reasonable essence.

Alright… yes.

The essence is going to run halfway through December, but just think how long it would have gone on if I hadn’t distilled.

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Sorry, that was harsh.

Khaled had me feeling a little street.

Anyhoo… the reason for this post?

Remember when I told you we were going to have to cram a few vacations in before the end of the year because the husband wasn’t retiring? Well, good news! We just finished vacation week number two and are probably on the road returning from Cape Cod as you read this.

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Yup.

That means another tsunami of photographs from our coastal Massachusetts adventures.

Nope.

Sorry, I can’t.

Hard to believe that in all the years I’ve lived in New England, I’ve never visited that region…. and though we’re going off season, I’m sure we had a blast. My plan was to hop the car ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard as well but we’ll play that by ear as I don’t know their winter schedule.

So sit back and enjoy the (virtual) ride.

Because you followed me, silly.

Now pay the price and enjoy the modern version of your 1950’s neighbor’s slide show.

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White Mountains trip Day 2…. Upper Jackson Falls

November 14, 2019 Rivergirl 44 Comments

Yes… we’re still on the second day of our trip.

And yes, we’re still at the Falls.

Hey, just be glad I’m weeding through the 1704 photos and only giving you the highlights.

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Working our way up the falls took some time.

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But it really was lovely.

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Nothing like hanging out with Mother Nature to lower your blood pressure.

The closer we got to the top, the more people just plunked themselves down on the rocks and made themselves comfortable…

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And why not?

It’s a great place to read, unwind…and enjoy the day.

At the top you cross a wonderful iron bridge…

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Look both ways…

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And say thank you Jackson Falls…

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you.

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And your rocks.

(Or maybe that was just me.)

Done with the Falls, we headed into town for some sustenance.

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And found the cutest pumpkin display ever…

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Next to our destination.

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It looked promising.

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Warm and inviting.

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A vintage inn and tavern whose bar was packed to the rafters that late Saturday afternoon.

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I wanted to love it.

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I mean come on, they had ski lift seating….

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And a sign for the Woodchuck Trail. Who doesn’t love that?

But the service was terrible, the beer was warm and the food? When it finally came, over an hour after we ordered, was barely edible.

Sorry Martin, I didn’t even bother with pictures. Dry meatless ribs and a soggy Rachel sandwich do not warrant photographs.

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But martian pumpkins and gourds?

Definitely do.

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White Mountains trip Day 2…. Lower Jackson Falls

November 13, 2019 Rivergirl 31 Comments

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When I say Falls, I’m not talking Niagara…

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In October, these are dotted with bright foliage…..

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And cascade gently down the hill.

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No barrel required.

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Which is good, because it’s a hard look to pull off.

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Selfies you shoot into the sun so you can see your hands holding your phone reflected in your glasses are so much easier.

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Did I mention there were rocks?

And tranquil pools…

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As well as some pretty nice views?

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Well there were.

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White Mountains trip…Day 2. Mount Washington Valley and Jackson Village.

November 12, 2019 Rivergirl 29 Comments

After our moose sighting, we set out through the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire.

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We’ve done Washington many times and this trip we were just passing through…

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It was a crisp and clear 64 degrees down below…

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But she already had a 4 inch dusting of snow.

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Not yet, thank you very much.

I’ll stay down below where it’s warmer and greener.

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Next stop?

Jackson N.H….. where they’re famous for their falls. They’re a little hard to find but when you see houses with backyards like this –

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You know you’re getting close.

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Along the way, the husband was fascinated by an early snow plow….

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But I told him keep walking…. it won’t fit in the barn.

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We headed down a path looking for the falls….

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And found a few rocks…

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With a wedding venue set up alongside. A sign said the public was invited, and to feel free to come as you are.

You have to love New England.

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Still looking for the falls, we backtracked, and walked up a steep sidewalk past a very pink cottage.

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And found more rocks.

Some running water….

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And the soon to be married couple…

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Taking some wedding portraits with an interesting backdrop.

And finally, the bottom of the falls….

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The baby barn saga continues….

November 11, 2019 Rivergirl 27 Comments

Next up? Permanent walls for the third side.

As opposed to the numerous sets of temporary walls we’ve installed, uninstalled and installed again.

And it’s finally starting to take enough shape for the husband to hang up a few tools.

Of course…. a chain, a pick ax and a shovel might not bode well for me and my oh so helpful ideas.

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The floor is still 2 different levels of dirt thanks to the woodchucks and chipmunks….

But we haven’t had time to deal with it between rain storms.

The husband has also discovered that when I’m busy taking pictures… he can use his head for a brace. It works quite well.

So, walls and roof section on…

The tape was applied.

If you’ve never used the Zip wall and roofing system? Let me tell you… this stuff is golden. I don’t know what the hell they treat it with but once you tape up the seams it stays waterproof for a long time. I think they say 3 months open to the weather, but on our big barn we left it for over a year… through a Maine winter.. and it was fine.

You’re only supposed to use the tape with the Zip pieces, but baby barn has so many gaps and holes we taped everything we could find in preparation for a big upcoming storm.

Did the husband get a little happy with the tar paper caps? Probably, but we get some hellacious wind blowing across the fields.

So, three and half sides are done and it’s battened down for rain and wind.

Maybe it’s just me, but I swear it’s big brother is looking down in disgust.

Sadly, we may not have time or appropriate weather to finish it this year. I seriously wanted shingles on before the snow flies but my husband says the siding and trim have to go on first… something to do with flashing.

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Although what that has to do with anything….

I’m sure I don’t know.

So, fingers crossed we can at least remove that last rotted section soon.

It’s a little too split personality for my taste.

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Things I like today… Part 9.

November 10, 2019 Rivergirl 25 Comments

I like…

The Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest. We’ve never been, but someday….

Someday I’m going up there to watch people float down the river in giant pumpkin boats.

I like…

The color coordination of fall leaves and the husband’s tractor.

I like….

The idea of cotton candy cloud coffee.

On second thought, to heck with the coffee…. just let me walk around with a sugar cloud over my head all day.

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I like…

People who are really, really devoted to a theme.

Please note the skulls on the front grille.

Doesn’t that just make you want to yell….

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White Mountains trip Day 2… Moose, mountains and fall colors.

November 8, 2019 Rivergirl 36 Comments

Moose.

When you think of Maine? You think of lobster… and moose. But let me tell you, I’ve lived here on and off since 1978 and have seen exactly one moose in the wild. Granted we live in the Mid Coast region and they’re more prevalent up north, but still… one in 41 years is not a good ratio.

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So when we crossed the border into New Hampshire after leaving the Moose Cave in Grafton Notch….. and I saw numerous signs warning of the dangers of moose crossings?

I thought, yeah.

We’ll never see one.

Until we did.

Right there on the side of the road…

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A moose!

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Happily munching away on some swamp grasses.

A real live moose!

And I was halfway out of the car to get some really good pictures when the husband said no. This was a teenage male and though he was probably too young to rut…. it was that time of year.

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So I had to stalk him from an open window instead.

But I saw a moose!

My second in 41 years…

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And then all too soon he was tired of us….

And headed back to the woods.

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Goodbye moose….

I may not live long enough to see another wild one of you, but thanks for showing up and making my day.

As I said before, the fall colors were all over the place. We had an early turn this year so by the time we got to the mountains, many places were past peak foliage. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t still spectacular…