Rained Out

Rob asked Harry and I if we would like to go to New Hampshire to cheer him on at the Pinnacle Challenge this past weekend.  We agreed, with one stipulation:  we would only go if the weather looked good.  And so the stalking of various weather sites began.  By Wednesday we were pretty confident that it was going to be a great weekend.  We researched the Lake Sunapee region and found great things for us to explore and a cozy little motel with a view of the lake.  We bit the bullet and made reservations.

We planned on riding the Sugar River Recreational Path, which promised scenic bridge crossings, foliage and plenty of wildlife sightings.  We also planned on taking in some great views on the skyride at Mount Sunapee.  It promised to be a very full day followed by a day of spectating at the Pinnacle Challenge.

Alas, Mother Nature had other plans for us.  By Friday, we knew the entire weekend was going to be a washout.  We (and by we, I mean Rob) continued to stalk the weather sites.  It looked grim and was getting worse by the hour.  But we already had reservations.  We decided to brave the weather and hope the predictions were wrong.  They've been wrong before.  Maybe they'd be wrong again.  So to New Hampshire we went.

Saturday morning, we woke up to pouring rain.  Torrential downpours.  We lounged in bed and watched the Princess Bride.  We braved the weather for a late breakfast.  While we were out, it started raining harder.  Rob started frantically researching indoor options.  It was slim pickings.  Movie theater had no good offerings.  There was a boat tour on the lake that looked okay, but it was expensive.  Back to the room to regroup.  And then we noticed that the rain was letting up a bit.  It was now just a heavy mist.  We made a quick decision to go hike the mountain bike course for Rob's race.

That was the best decision we could've made.  It starts off with this incredible staircase that brings you up a steep hill that is actually the landing spot for a ski jump.  We couldn't believe that Rob and the other racers would have to carry their bikes up this thing.  There were raging streams everywhere.  And do you know what you find on wet trails?  Salamanders.  Lots of salamanders.  And do you know who is very happy to find salamanders?  Eleven year old boys.  He collected 6 or 7 of them, named them, made little houses out of rocks and tree bark for them.  It started raining again, but we didn't care.  This was a great hike that totally saved the day!

Harry on the stairs. 

Hard to believe he has to carry his mountain bike up this set of stairs!

Harry and his salamanders.

Self portrait by Harry.

We may have dragged our bikes up to New Hampshire just to be rained out.  But we were still able to get out on the trails and enjoy the day as a family.  Isn't that what it is all about?  Stay tuned for Rob's race report!  It's coming soon.

Take care!
~Cori