An Outdoor Life – Page 81 – A blog about running, hiking, dogs and seeing the world

April 7, 2018March 27, 2020

Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier the Jazz Singer

I watched the Jazz Singer last night. The movie was originally released in 1980 – 38 years ago. Man, those songs are so important. And the actors are fantastic:
Neil Diamond
Laurence Olivier
Lucie Arnez

I remember watching that movie so many years ago and loving the music and wishing I had Lucie Arnez’s hair.
The movie starts and ends with the song, America. Oh the irony of watching this movie today with the current administration not wanting anyone into our country. The song at both times in the movie is powerful with images of the Statue of Liberty. Such a great way to start a movie:

“Far, We’ve been traveling far. Without a home, But not without a star. Free, Only want to be free, We huddle close. Hang on to a dream. On the boats and on the planes, They’re coming to America. Never looking back again, They’re coming to America”

The movie is about so many things: following your dream, finding love, the importance of family. I may just have to watch it again.

I loved the scenes with Neil Diamond dancing and singing with Laurence Olivier.

Watching the movie again reminded me of my obsession with with Laurence Olivier in the 90s. I watched every movie and read every book about him and Vivien Leigh.

One of my all-time favorite songs from Neil Diamond is “Songs of Life”. When music is such a big part of your life and songs bring you to a particular place in time, this song is so meaningful.

“Songs of life, they ring From quiet steeples to distant valleys Along the hillsides of lovers’ hearts, Of lovers’ heart.
Come sing you songs of life, And they will keep you, From ever wanting, from ever needing, Forever more, forever more.
Oh, and when the moment’s true It sings so softly to me and you, You know it’s true.
So I sing my songs of life, That I will hold you inside forever, And you will know me, And I’ll be yours and you’ll be mine.”

April 1, 2018March 27, 2020

Road Trips, New Hampshire Brewery Tour, Happy Easter

The second weekend in a row that there were all-day road trips that took me to places I’ve never been. Last week was western Maine and this weekend the lakes region in New Hampshire.

On Saturday Jeff and I planned to go to at least two breweries: Kettlehead Brewing Company in Tilton and Woodman’s Brewery in Bristol.

Winnie came along for the ride too.

We met Kendra and her boyfriend at Kettlehead and had a great time trying new beers. I had the Shuttlebus Rye IPA and the others tried flights of different beer. I forgot to take a picture of us.

Then Jeff I I headed north to hike off the calories to find that the trail we were hoping to hike was closed: Rattlesnake Mountain. Bummer. So we decided to drive to Meredith, get some coffee and walk around. This is the southern tip of Lake Winnipesaukee and normally it is bumper to bumper traffic, according to Jeff.

But it is March so there wasn’t much traffic. The day was sunny and in the 50s. A perfect day for a road trip.

Then we headed to Bristol to find the Woodman’s Brewery, a very rural-type tap room. We lost cell service in Bristol and need to actually ask for directions. Once we found it – it was indeed rural up a hilly paved road, then the driveway was a hilly-muddy dirt round. I had the Subaru so we made it just fine. And, boy, was it worth it.

The people were fantastic and I was able to bring Winnie inside.

It was a good road trip followed by some great Vegan food at Hermanos back in Concord.

Today, Sunday, I spent the morning with my parents, went to church with my Mom and then we walked on the beach in Rye. It was the first time I can remember that there were big seashells on the sand. I brought a few home to remember the day.

Happy Easter everyone!

March 30, 2018March 27, 2020

Working From Home Fridays

One of the best things about working-from-home-Friday is that I can take Winnie for a long hike before the work day starts. The trails in Concord are looking great; not too muddy.

This morning we took a side trail in Winant Park that I’ve never tried. It was a blue-yellow trail the skirts around the summit. Gorgeous.

Now back to work. Happy Friday.

March 25, 2018March 27, 2020

Winter Adventure in Western Maine

My adventure to Western Maine was so much fun. I started the drive east through Wolfeboro, which I’ve never driven through and then into Ossipee and small towns in western Maine I’ve never seen. My GPS offered the fastest route which included small town roads off the beaten path that at times scared me so much with the thought of losing service and not knowing where the heck I was.

The initial destination was the Norway Brewing Company but when we got there at noon they were serving brunch and had no vegetarian options so the second (and best) choice was Cafe Nomad just down the street. We stopped in to the bike shop where Brad used to work and they were busy! The Green Machine Bike Shop on Main St.

Cafe Nomad had the best beer (Maine Beer Company, Lunch) and I had Nomad burger, a bean veggie burger – delicious combination. Brad had the cuban sandwich.

Then we drove north to see Brad’s new house and snowshoed around his property.

It is such a great feeling to connect with friends that you haven’t seen in so long. Brad is his same silly self and still loves to walk slowly in the woods and see everything.

There was still so much snow in the woods and snow squalls came in from the east as we hiked around. Winnie loved running around the steep snow and was exhausted, sleeping the entire ride home.

I drove home the northern route, through Gorham and Jefferson, down through Franconia Notch. Northern New Hampshire is so beautiful and I want to get to know it again after being away for so long. I still have some mountains to climb.

March 23, 2018March 27, 2020

Deleting Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

This morning I went on a hike with Winnie and wanted to take a picture to capture the day. In the past I would have posted on Facebook. But now, I just want to remember this morning, for me, so I will post the photo and write my thoughts here.

The snow is starting to melt and parts of the trail are finally peeking through. The temps are still in the 30s in the morning and I didn’t see a single person on the trail. Winnie loves running free and smelling all the earthy smells that have been hidden all winter.

If anyone cares to read about my morning adventure they will have to do a little more work than view their Facebook Feed. I’m guessing no one really cares about my hike but me.

Before I deleted all my social media accounts I saved a few photos to my phone. Here are a few I like to remember:

After being off social media for a few days now, I understand how easy it was to know what was going on in the world, and in my friends’ lives. It was easy to know what events were happening nearby because businesses created their events on Facebook.

Now I have to figure out a way to stay in touch with my friends. I decided that I will write letters, print photos and call my friends. I will subscribe to blogs and sign up for newsletters – that’s how I’ll get my news.

It’s old-school, baby. Just like my friend Mark who still uses an alarm clock to wake up in the morning.

I think there is some value to changing the way you do things instead of doing what everyone else is doing. I know that I’m going to miss out on some things but I think I’ll have much more free time to read and think and do.

Here’s my new profile picture (ha!):