Our annual camping excursion was full of promise this year. Food, drink, fire and banter are always fun but we had some particularly ambitious plans for our weekend. More specifically, we wanted to construct a one of a kind outdoor hot-tub to go along with the generally frigid Vermont climate. That’s right, I said outdoor hot-tub. I know, I know…Doesn’t make much sense but it was a silly idea that quickly morphed into a technological challenge for my nerdy friends. Just to prove how serious we were about the idea, take a looks at this schematic for the hot-tub design: Click here to download This sophisticated roadmap was crafted by the brilliance of my buddy Manny Silva, who is an engineer (no surprise) by trade. Plans were in place…Excitement was in the air.
Our mood quickly changed as we battled rain through Connecticut and Massachusetts. The forecast called for rain. Rain which would hit Vermont early Saturday morning. The weather was crisp and dry when we arrived on Friday night and there was this false sense of confidence that the weather may just hold. But we all knew what was coming…We were dealt another blow when Manny arrived late Friday night. One of the first phrases out of his mouth was “I couldn’t get my generator to work”. The generator was a key component to our hot-tub design and just wouldn’t work without it. We remained positive as there was a chance we might pick up a generator locally the following day. Friday night was comprised of setting up our tents, collecting firewood and getting the campsite situated. Weather was great and the company was awesome. continue reading »
I must say that my brother in law, Tom, did an excellent job planning our first white water rafting adventure. We started our 4+ hour voyage to New York on Friday, April 18th. There were 3 cars in total which all left at different times. My dad, Shaun and I in one car. My buddy Mike riding solo in his. Then Tom and Sandy leading the pack. The 4th vehicle was comprised of some friends from Boston, Lui and Maureen, who would not arrive until very early the next morning. That had a Flight of the Conchords concert the night before which they could not miss.
The one miscalculation we all made once we got closer to our campsite, located in the middle of nowhere, was the total lack of cell phone reception within 30 minutes of the actual site. This posed a major problem as no-one really knew where the actual site was. We just had an approximation of where it should have been. What started off as panic, quickly turned to joy as we all managed to find one another and the obscure campsite location.
What was special for me during this trip was the fact that my father had tagged along. We’ve never gone camping together, nor have we ever considered doing something like this before. All I can say is that my dad was like a kid in a candy store. Whether it was having a beer by the fire or paddling for dear life, my dad couldn’t help but let out a loud giggle of joy every 10 – 20 minutes. It was great!
So I’ve been working in Framingham, Mass for a new client over the past month and was certain I’d be spending my birthday alone in my hotel room. To my surprise, my buddy Lui and his lovely wife picked me up and took me out for a great dinner in Boston. Followed by a few drinks at a couple local bars. Thank you both for the great evening. Here are some photos from the night.
What started off as a small weekend camping trip, now over 5 years ago, has evolved into an annual excursion where close friends from all over gather to attend. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no outdoorsman, but there’s something quite refreshing and liberating spending time in an isolated area away from daily distractions. Couple that with some great friends, good food and a little alcohol and we have a memorable event. Here are some photos from our 4th annual camping retreat in Cavendish, Vermont. Photos were taken from the weekend of November 14th, 2008.
Quick stop at McDonalds for some low grade food as we make our way to Vermont: Getting set-up: Oh, yes. That’s a mining light on my head. Well worth the $30 investment: I bunked with my buddy Brian. Really roughed it with a queen size deluxe airmatress, seating area and welcome mat: Breakfast is served: Relaxing… Cooking up some pork….mmmmm My sis and brother in law:
Board games and chatting were out major activites… Devious smiles all around: Clean up and go home:
I couldn’t be happier for these two. Great friends and equally wonderful people. I wish them all the best as they grow their lives together. Here are few photos of the special couple:
The following photos were taken on 8/8/08
For more photos from the wedding, check out their website: Click here
Random, I know…But I had to squeeze it in. My sister’s Marilyn pose at the reception…Love it
Group shot!
The following morning we had a great brunch in Boston at a place called Grafton Street. From there we (about 25 people or so) took a long jaunt through Harvard Square and then to Quincy Market. Weather was gorgeous…Here are some photos, taken on 8/9/08:
