Jamestown, Rhode Island

All photos Courtesy Efrem Bromberg

Located in the small "Ocean State" of Rhode Island on Conanicut Island, Jamestown remains a quaint, rural village despite the highly developed tone some of it's surrounding beach communities have taken. With an agricultural past, the island has acres of unspoiled pastures and rolling hills protected by open space.

Jamestown is an ideal destination for summer recreation, but failing to appreciate it's beauty throughout the colder months is a mistake. A simple drive around the island is enough to suffice most, but exploring by bike or boat is more rewarding.

The small downtown area is credited with an array of restaurants as well as the infamous Narragansett Cafe, best known for their "rockin" weekend music and smoke filled dance floor (prior to smoke ban)!

A trip to the island would not be complete without an excursion to Beavertail State Park. With its rocky coastline and hiking trials, Beavertail offers some of the best coastal vistas that the state has to offer. Renowned for it's saltwater fishing and historic lighthouse it is a must see if you are visiting the island.

Enjoy

Medelise

Wild Horse Tours...Currituck, North Carolina

Currituck, North Carolina

"The wild horses of the Currituck Outer Banks have survived nearly 500 years of fierce Nor’easters and hurricanes. They are truly representative of the Outer Banks spirit – untamed and rugged – and are an integral part of what draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the northern beaches every year. Nowhere else can you see wild Mustangs walking along the beach and grazing among beach homes"Corrolla Wild Horse Fund

Definitely, one of the highlights of our 2008 trip to the Outer Banks. If the horses only hold a mild interest for you take the tour for the pure joy of cruising at relatively high speeds throughout the sandy dunes and beaches of the northern tip region of the Outer Banks. The scenery is spectacular and the rush you get when you hit the high points of the rolling sandy dunes is invigorating. I'm not sure my sister-in-law will ever be satisfied again driving through the streets of Houston after her turn at the wheel.

My recommendation, make your reservations far in advance of your trip to the Outer Banks and be sure to bring everyone along for the ride. We were late in our plan making and a number of us where left behind at the house enviously listening to the stories upon the return of the wind blown, elated, jeep loving herd!

Back Country Outfitters and Guides - 252-453-0877 - 4WD, Segway and Kayak nature tours
Beach Jeeps of Corolla - 252-453-6141 - Self-guided Jeep rental tours
Civilian Jeep Adventure Tours - 252-489-4878 - Outer Banks Civilian Jeep adventure tours
Corolla Outback Adventures - 252-453-4484 - Jeep rentals, guided, self-guided and sunset tours
Wild Horse Adventure Tours - 252-489-2020 - Air-conditioned Suburban tours or personal Jeep off-road adventure tours
Corolla Jeep Rentals and Tours - 252-453-6899 - Jeep rentals, guided, self-guided and sunset tours

Have fun and hold onto your hat.

Medelise

Franconia Notch, New hampshire

I was glancing through "my pictures" file looking for photos that might inspire a post. I'm sorry to say I have not been out traveling much in the last few months so the pickings are slim! But I came across some photos my daughter took one stormy afternoon going through the Franconia Notch in the White Mountains on our way to our house in Vermont.

It's a funny place the "Notch"... passing through on a sunny clear day you are awed by the beauty of the mountains that engulf you as you head north, yet days like the one these pictures were taken have a certain gloom about them with a bold reminder of the quick and fierce storms that can roll through these granite topped peaks , easily claiming lives as they have done so many times in the past. We have a saying whenever we go hiking in Franconia Notch...."cotton kills"....it is part in jest but also a reminder to be prepared while enjoying the great outdoors in this spectacular park.

Post your comments about experiences you have had while hiking the "Notch".

Check the link to Franconia Notch for more information on hiking and camping in this section of the White Mountians.

Medelise

Franconia Notch, New hampshire

Election Day

Election Day....finally here! It is getting harder and harder to weed through the barage of e-mails from various friends and family members trying to sway an already established mindset. I have enjoyed the many humerous tidbits coming over the airways poking fun at both canidates...although we all know that Barack's campaign has been spared the bulk of the attention. Yes, even though I am a dedicated Obama supporter, it has been hard not to notice the favoritism shown to him by the media...in this I agree with my republican opposition.

Indeed this is an important election, so I encourage all to vote. But with that said, I have an inner desire and wish to see some acceptance of the results after the day is through and the polls have shut down.

A little peace on earth or should I say peace between democrats and republicans would be a welcome Change....and isn't that what we are all really hoping for as this election winds down?

Medelise

Back in the Water

Okay.... so I am finally back and ready to get down to business. After months of recovery from my illness and removal of my colon, I am back in the water surfing, ready to hit the mountain biking trails and getting my edges sharpened on my skis in anticipation of a repeat of the winter ski conditions that I missed last year. Please check out my previous post on Go Surf Costa Rica, an outfitting group in Tamarindo that is sure to provide you with an amazing surf experience whether you are a beginner or expert surfer.

I am currently working on some surf related peices right here in Rhode Island. This is my favorite time of the year in Rhode Island; the crowds are gone, the hurricanes crank up and the water is still warm.

So stay tuned and pass this Blog onto anyone you think might enjoy it.

Thanks for all your support and prayers over the last six months.

Medelise

Go Surf Costa Rica

Surf Outfitters
Tamarindo, Costa Rica












I am re-posting from this winter on a surf outfitting group in Costa Rica. With winter right around the corner, it is time to start planning for that great adventure you have been dreaming about. Eduardo and Erika are sure to make your trip the best! Please check out their site and let them know I sent you.

Okay....for all those surf wannabes and surf guru's , we would like to introduce you to an outfitting group out of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.Go Surfing Costa Rica was established by two individuals, one Costa Rican and One American, who have worked to combine their experience and knowledge in creating the perfect surf vacation for you , your family or your friends. In their own words, " We offer organized professional management, with all the comforts of home, in a laid back environment, which never lets you forget…you’re on vacation! Both Eduardo and Erika have extensive experience with surf instruction, travel and adventure, but equally as important, they are two people that you will truly enjoy meeting.

We are quite confident that their hospitality, knowledge and enthusiasm will result in an outstanding surf vacation for you, your family or your friends.My family met both Eduardo and Erika last March when were were surfing in Costa Rica. Eduardo was in charge of the surf instruction and tour program at another well know surf camp that we were staying at. Fortunately for us, we bumped into both of them on our last night in Tamarindo this past December. He gave us a quick update on Go Surf Costa Rica and I am ready to sign up. If all goes well, I hope to book a trip with Go Surf Costa Rica and check out one of their surf packages in February or March of this year. With a little persuading, I might even rope my brother Bob, know in the surfing world as Tuna, to pack his board and join me. We will keep you posted.Check them out!!!

SURFING IN COLD WATER

Surfer's Ear - Exostosis

Wow, this is information that you need to read if you surf in the winter or in cold water. It was brought to my attention by Gidget(Lee) Ferraro, long time surfer and surf pioneer(See Article Perfect Wave). The medical term is actually Exostosis, which really means abnormal bone growth.
The condition is found primarily in cold water surfer's, hence the name, but can afflict anyone who participates in cold water sports such as kayaking and diving. Basically when your ear canal is exposed to cold air and water it causes the bone around the canal to produce new bony growth. With time, this bony growth causes a narrowing of the canal which ultimately causes painful ear infections due to inadequate drainage, and more importantly hearing loss. The treatment is not pretty and requires surgery that is very painful and has a two month recovery time, that means no surfing! And often those that have surgery will have even faster bone growth in the future requiring a second or third surgical procedure.

So what's a surfer to do? It is widely agreed that the best solution is prevention. That means keeping your ears protected! So if you are prone to being Macho out there in the water by not wearing a hood, save it for another time. As Gidget so aptly stated in her e-mail to me, "keep the lid on!!!" If you hate the thought of a hood there is a product you can buy called a Surfmuff that might be a good alternative.

Thanks Gidget for bringing this to my attention.

For additional information about surfer's ear see links below:
Wikipedia
Surfline
The Health Center

The Tyler Place Family Resort

Located in Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain

Great Summer Vacations: Part One

I am not quite sure where to start when it comes to the Tyler Place Family Resort. But, I can tell you this, after 16 consecutive years of family vacations with my husbands clan, the Tyler Place is the only resort that we repeated....five times!!!

Why?

In a Boston Parents Magazine review on the Tyler Place Family Resort, they state "It is how to take a vacation with a really young child and really enjoy it"

If you are a parent, especially of very young children, sometimes your family vacation is not really a vacation for you. But all that is about to change...at the Tyler Place Family Resort, you can have your cake and eat it too. There is no need to feel guilty. Rest assured your children will be having the time of their life as you enjoy a little alone time or quality time with your spouse.

With every feasible activity available to adults such as sailing, tennis, mountain biking and Yoga(to mention a few), there are endless possibilities for creating the ultimate morning adventure. But don't neglect the opportunity to just sit and relax with a good book as well. You choose...will it be the pool side today or the Adirondack chair overlooking Lake Champlain? My favorite was a quick swim out to the trampoline raft to soak up the heat on the warm top. What about the kids you ask? Your kids, they will be off on their own adventure in the award winning children's program that has set the Tyler Place Family Resort apart from other inclusive family resorts. I am sorry to inform you, but by the end of the week your kids will gladly trade you in for one of their camp counselors, no regrets, no looking back!

And as much as the Tyler Place has perfected the art of entertaining and caring for small children, they have also managed not to neglect addressing the number one kill joy to a great family vacation....the teenager. On all five of our stays at the Tyler Place, one of the nine offspring in the Reifsteck clan was in that teenage sulk stage. And although the nieces whined a bit about the overnight camping on an island, secretly they pined for the handsome counselor that crooned folksongs while strumming the guitar, as they all sat around the campfire.

Probably the biggest factor in our repeat trips to The Tyler Place Family Resort, was their approach to dining. With nine children ranging in age from 3 months to 16 years of age the adults in our group never seemed to have an opportunity to actually sit down and enjoy a meal together. You know the drill... in between cleaning up spilled milk, trying to coax a ten year old to eat more than just the cookies and preventing the boys from throwing food at each other, adults don't have a chance. With two camp sessions a day( one in the morning until after lunch, the other for several hours in the evening) not only do the parents get to enjoy a meal talking with one another, they can even get in a romantic moonlight walk down to the shoreline. The food at the Tyler Place is outstanding. The only downside...withdrawal when you arrive home and realize that you do not have five different dessert choices.

If you are looking for a great, relaxing vacation this summer, The Tyler Place Family Resort should be at the top of your list. With many of the children in our group on the verge of adulthood, we are looking forward to a new generation of Tyler Kids!

Look for Part Two in the series on the Outer Banks by subscribing below.

Summer is almost here...start planning!
Medelise

Three Great Summer Vacation Ideas

So are you thinking about the summer and what to do with the family, yet? Well, I am hoping to make your dilemma a bit easier with a Summer Vacation Series sure to spark some interest and get your summer vacation planning kicked into high gear!

As stated in previous posts, My husbands parents plan a great summer vacation every year for my husbands whole family...all twenty of us(at the latest count)! We have been to each of these three destinations and loved each one. From the shores of Lake Champlain and the Tyler Place Family Resort, to the beautiful sandy beaches of the Outer Banks and finally the glorious green countryside surrounding Keuka Lake of New York, each trip offers a little bit of something for everyone.

Wake Boarding Keuka Lake
Finger Lakes, New York








The Outer Banks...Corolla Beach, North Carolina






The Wall
Photo Courtesy
The Tyler Place Family Resort









Look for part one in the series highlighting The Tyler Place Resort located on the shores of Lake Champlain just north of Burlington. Better yet subscribe at the bottom of this page to be e-mailed the most recent posts.

Start Planning...summer is almost here!
Medelise

Home and Recovering

Hello everyone,
It has been a long time.
For those that don't know, I have had a very lengthy and scary hospital stay. I have spent the better part of the last six weeks in one of two hospitals, Westerly and Brigham and Womans in Boston. To make a long story short, a bacterial infection in my colon caused my ulcerative colitis to flair ended in the ultimate removal of my entire colon. So after two months of no food, lots of pain medication and major surgery, I am home and recovering.

Although the recovery is slower than I would like, I am making progress. I am gaining about 1/2 lb-1lb a day and developing some of my muscle tone back. It will take months to get to where I was but I am grateful to be heading in the right direction.

So with all this somewhat behind me, I am gearing up for some great new posts. I am planning on a three part series that will highlight some great family vacation ideas for the summer. I am also working on adding to the Rhode Island surfing section with photos and updates on where to surf in the Ocean State. Inspired by the retro surf photos of Leroy Grannis and considering that I will not be surfing in the next few months, I thought I would would experiment a bit with our camera.

So check back soon or better yet subscribe at the bottom of the page to be notified of all the new posts.

To all of you that have held me up with your prayers, thoughts and acts of kindness, Thank you!
Hardly adequate as a way of expressing my gratitude but heartfelt.
Medelise

Women and Surfing

Did you know that for the first time in history the number of woman entering the sport of surfing has surpassed men. Traditionally, surfing has been dominated by men, but not anymore. Some statistics indicate that there are twice as many women entering the sport as men.
"There are an estimated 260,000 women surfing in America, and female participation is growing twice as fast as that of men, according to the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association. The number of female surfers jumped 15 percent last year alone."
Read More
And those are statistics from as far back as 1998. In the last three years, I have seen an explosion of young and not so young female surfers at our local beach break in Narragansett, Rhode Island. On any given day, I witness just as many women in the water as men...sometimes more.

About five years ago, My daughter was interested in a surf camp here in Rhode Island. Having tried surfing 12 years earlier but never really getting the knack for it, I thought it would be fun to enroll myself. I have been surfing ever since. At forty five I may not be the youngest female in the water but I am certainly not the oldest one either. In the early 1980's, "Gidget" Lee Ferrera, began surfing at the age of 21. She was recently featured in an article in the Rhode Island monthly on the diehard pioneers of surfing here in the Ocean State.

Photograph by Dana Smith
Rhode Island Monthly November 2007
She surfed for love before she loved to surf. “I had a boyfriend who surfed, and if I ever wanted to see him I had to go in the water,” says the Peace Dale resident. “That first time felt like dancing on water. I still get that feeling, that ‘Yeeaaahhhhh!’ What a rush!” A year and a half later, she was surfing competitively. Ferrera was a Northeast division champion in the Eastern Surfing Association and still competes, recently scooping first place in its thirty-five-and-up women’s division. Her first board—a 9'6" 1967 David Nuuhiwa longboard—still “rides like a gem.”
This article appears in the November 2007 issue of Rhode Island Monthly.


I love this paragraph run in a SurfPulse publication back in 2002 titled Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,
"Today, however, a whole new culture is emerging within women's surfing: surfing for fun. While previous rises in popularity revolved primarily around professional surfing, today's surfer-girl to be isn't necessarily aspiring to be a traveling pro. Rather, she may just want to go down to the local beach to ride a longboard, hang out with her friends, and enjoy the ocean. This represents a 180 degree shift in both mentality and image for women's surfing. Instead of the previously serious, often very aggressive representation of women in the surf, today's portrayals are centered simply on women having fun."
Written by Dane Larson


So this is for all you women out there!!! You are never too old or too young to start surfing. It may just turn out to be the most exciting thing you have ever done. If you need a little inspiration, check out this link to my a favorite video clip of an amazing longboarder by the name of Summer Romero that can be found on the online surf magazine Jetty Girl.

If you are ready to take the next step there are numerous camps, clinics and resorts that cater to the female surfer. Here are a handful to get you started.
Surf Diva
Las Olas...Surf Safaris for Women
Pura Vida Adventure
Boardfolio.com...surf directory

Yours Truly...Costa Rica 2007

Marty's 1st Stop

Danville, Vermont
Rt 2


So I am almost embarrassed to admit that one of my favorite places in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is a convenience store. So enamored by this establishment that when we decided to sell our Danville house that even our children would check a potential property off the list if it's proximity to Marty's was not close enough (no joke). Aah, but Marty's 1st Stop is so much more than a convenience store, in fact we like to call it a gold mine.

Located on Rt 2 Between the town of St. Johnsbury and the center of Danville, Marty's has positioned itself as a first stop and a last stop for many a hunter, camper, skier and leaf peeper alike. But don't be mistaken, this is not a tourist trap as the locals seem just as fond of this small grocery/gas establishment as the tourists. And as well they should.

Marty's, and yes there is a Marty, provides its shoppers with the perfect alternative to the grocery store. The deli and meat department is quite possibly the best stocked meat counter I have ever encountered. It is regular part of our weekend routine to stop by Marty's and pick up some marinated beef tips and marinated chicken breast for cooking out on the grill. but you can also get rosemary encrusted lamb roast, salmon steaks and yes even fresh lobster! If you are looking for a sandwich to go, their deli subs and grinders are delicious with a generous helping of cold cuts and vegetables.


After you move on from the meat counter you realize that you might have been hasty in your choice as you notice the huge crocks of homemade soup. On this particular day I actually found the chef himself stirring the pots, Marty! Although he was hesitant to have me take a picture of just him alone claiming that it takes a whole lot of folks to make this business run. Soup of the day....shrimp and scallop bisque and pot roast and potato stew...not too shabby for a small town convenience store.

Along with the soup, you will find fresh made egg sandwiches in the morning, Pizza throughout the day and a variety of other comfort foods that change daily. Need a bottle of wine to go with dinner, Marty's has got you covered. Located next to the produce is a nice selection of wines to please every palette.




But there is even more! For all you coffee lovers, there is an entire counter filled with fresh brewed Green Mountain coffee (baked goods to the left) Hot summer evening, stop in for some ice cream at the ice cream shop out front, need some food for the livestock, yes there is even a feed store. According to Marty, you will even be able to do your banking soon as a local bank will be setting up two tellers. Oh yeah and did I mention that it was a gas station and on the VAST trail!

As I said earlier, we often call Marty's a gold mine. Undoubtedly it is busy every moment of the day four seasons out of the year. But the store is well equipped and experienced to handle the love fest with several registers ready and manned. Many of the customers and employees seem to know one another and take a few minutes to say hello and catch up at the counter.

The down side of Marty's, well I haven't actually found one yet...even the bathrooms are nice and clean!

Medelise

An Unfortunate Change In Plans

Due to health issues, I will not be covering the 2008 TD Banknorth Craftsbury 27th Annual Race and Tour on February 2nd. If there is anyone who would like to take over the coverage as a guest writer, I would be so appreciative.
Look for my coming posts on two great places in the Northeast Kingdom, Marty' 1st Stop in Danville Vermont and the Village Sports Shop in Lyndonville. I am behind but hope to be back writing shortly.
Thanks for your patience
Medelise

Stowe Derby

"Crazy....but a helluva lot of fun" were the words used by my husband to describe his first experience at the Stowe Derby.

Dubbed one of the oldest and most unique ski races in North America, it was voted the top sports event in the state by readers of Vermont Sports Magazine.

This years event is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2008. And what an event it will be! Hundreds of competitors will participate racing from the top of Mt. Mansfield(Stowe Mountain) to the finish line in the Stowe Village...10 miles of challenging terrain. The course has a total vertical drop of around 3,000 feet. Just imagine bright Lycra racing outfits flying past on thin Nordic Skis down an alpine ski slope...Crazy... as my husband said. The spectators provide half the fun lining the trail while taking a break from schussing down their own trial in the more traditional alpine fashion.

Race Course Details

Registration Details

The race was originally a personal challenge set back in 1945 between two great skiers; Austrian Sepp Ruschp hired to head the new ski team at Stowe and world famous mountaineer Erling Strom. Ruschp prevailed and a tradition was born.

Read more about the race at Mt Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club who now host the race along with their sponsors.

The race is broken down into four divisions: Long Course freestyle, Long Course classical, Short Course, Derby Meister

Short Course: Designed for kids ages 6 to 13 or those who prefer to avoid the rigors of a long and sustained descent. This race is approximately 6km. The course begins in a mass start at the Stowe Recreation Path Parking Lot at 9:00 A.M. next to the Alpenrose Motel and follows the final leg of the Long Course. Course subject to change.

Long Course Races: 16 km course. We offer two separate divisions- skating and classical. The Skating race starts at 10 A.M. with five racers every 30 seconds. The Classical race starts at 12 NOON with the same starting format. The track will be set all the way to the finish line for classical racers. Computer timing stops at 2 P.M. If you are caught skating in the classical division you will be disqualified! If you are unsure of which course to sign up for, most likely you will want to enter the Skating (Freestyle) course. Please contact MMSC if you have further questions.

Derby Meister: Derby Meister participants compete in back-to-back Skating and Classical races and are included in the individual Skating and Classical results in addition to Derby Meister results. Racers do not have to use the same pair of skis for the Classical and Skating races but must use the same pair to complete each of those individual races. The Derby Meister is for experts only and limited to the first 100 entrants.

Photo courtesy of the Mt. Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club

Woman and Surfing

Did you know that for the first time in history the number of woman entering the sport of surfing has surpassed men. Traditionally, surfing has been dominated by men, but not anymore. Some statistics indicate that there are twice as many women entering the sport as men.
"There are an estimated 260,000 women surfing in America, and female participation is growing twice as fast as that of men, according to the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association. The number of female surfers jumped 15 percent last year alone."
Read More
And those are statistics from as far back as 1998. In the last three years, I have seen an explosion of young and not so young female surfers at our local beach break in Narragansett, Rhode Island. On any given day, I witness just as many women in the water as men...sometimes more.

About five years ago, My daughter was interested in a surf camp here in Rhode Island. Having tried surfing 12 years earlier but never really getting the knack for it, I thought it would be fun to enroll myself. I have been surfing ever since. At forty five I may not be the youngest female in the water but I am certainly not the oldest one either. In the early 1980's, "Gidget" Lee Ferrera, began surfing at the age of 21. She was recently featured in an article in the Rhode Island monthly on the diehard pioneers of surfing here in the Ocean State.

Photograph by Dana Smith
Rhode Island Monthly November 2007
She surfed for love before she loved to surf. “I had a boyfriend who surfed, and if I ever wanted to see him I had to go in the water,” says the Peace Dale resident. “That first time felt like dancing on water. I still get that feeling, that ‘Yeeaaahhhhh!’ What a rush!” A year and a half later, she was surfing competitively. Ferrera was a Northeast division champion in the Eastern Surfing Association and still competes, recently scooping first place in its thirty-five-and-up women’s division. Her first board—a 9'6" 1967 David Nuuhiwa longboard—still “rides like a gem.”
This article appears in the November 2007 issue of Rhode Island Monthly.


I love this paragraph run in a SurfPulse publication back in 2002 titled Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,
"Today, however, a whole new culture is emerging within women's surfing: surfing for fun. While previous rises in popularity revolved primarily around professional surfing, today's surfer-girl to be isn't necessarily aspiring to be a traveling pro. Rather, she may just want to go down to the local beach to ride a longboard, hang out with her friends, and enjoy the ocean. This represents a 180 degree shift in both mentality and image for women's surfing. Instead of the previously serious, often very aggressive representation of women in the surf, today's portrayals are centered simply on women having fun."
Written by Dane Larson


So this is for all you women out there!!! You are never too old or too young to start surfing. It may just turn out to be the most exciting thing you have ever done. If you need a little inspiration, check out this link to my a favorite video clip of an amazing longboarder by the name of Summer Romero that can be found on the online surf magazine Jetty Girl.

If you are ready to take the next step there are numerous camps, clinics and resorts that cater to the female surfer. Here are a handful to get you started.
Surf Diva
Las Olas...Surf Safaris for Women
Pura Vida Adventure
Boardfolio.com...surf directory

Yours Truly...Costa Rica 2007

New Lodge at Craftsbury Nordic Center

We just returned from Vermont after the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend. As usual we split our days between Burke Mountain and the Craftsbury Nordic Center. I justed wanted to post some pictures of the Craftsbury Nordic Center's new Nordic Lodge. We witnessed the work in progress this summer and have been anxious to see the interior. Although a few conveniences and finishing touches need to be added, such as more cubbies for stuffing bags, hooks to hang things on and a bench or two in front of the Wood Stove, the new lodge is open, sunny and bright. It also boasts a second floor with a large table for eating and plenty of seating.

2005




































2008

Surfing in Rhode Island

Photograph by Dana Smith
November 2007 Rhode Island Monthly


It still amazes me! Most people I meet in my travels find it surprising that I surf in Rhode Island and that surfing is popular here. I am not sure if it is because they think the east coast just doesn't have waves or if they have this idea that it is cold here most of the time and that the water must be way to cold to surf in.

Well listen up, Rhode Island is a great place to surf!!! But you have to be willing to pull on a wet suit in the fall and winter to appreciate the best the state has to offer it's surfers.

The Rhode Island Monthly recently ran an article (November 2007) The Perfect Wave, about the diehard pioneer surfers of Rhode Island and their role in establishing the sport of surfing in this small state. All you folks from Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut will need to grin and bear it as you read on, but it provides an interesting perspective on the history of surfing in Rhode Island and is worth a once over.
View Article

Now, much to the chagrin of Peter Pan, I would like to dedicate a section of this Blog to providing information to those that want to surf in Rhode Island. Personally, I have only surfed at about four different breaks here, primarily in South County. So I am encouraging readers to contribute by sending information, pictures and stories (via e-mail) of anything that they consider relevant to surfing in Rhode Island. And maybe together we can actually produce something worth looking at.

I have dedicated a separate Blog site to this endeavor....Yearn To Travel Surf Rhode Island

For starters, here is a list of Websites that I like to check out regularly and a list of surf shops in the Ocean State.

Surf Reports:
Magic Seaweed(New England)
Surfline

Web Cam:
Warm Winds

Surf Shops:

	Island Windsurfing Sports - Write a review 86 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI - (401) 846-4421 Website - Directions
	Warm Winds Ltd - Write a review 26 Kingstown Rd, Narragansett, RI - (401) 789-9040 Website - Directions
	Gansett Juice - Write a review 76 Narragansett Ave, Narragansett, RI - (401) 789-7890 Website - Directions
	Gansett Juice - Write a review 74 Narragansett Ave W, Wakefield, RI - (401) 789-7890 Website - Directions
	Elemental Surf & Skate - Write a review 89 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI - (401) 846-2280 Website - Directions
	Matunuck Surf Shop - Write a review 706 Matunuck Beach Rd, Wakefield, RI - (401) 783-2566 Directions
	Water Bros Surf Report - Write a review 89 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI - (401) 849-9283 Directions
	Elemental Surf & Skate Report - Write a review Newport, RI - (401) 841-5160 Website - Directions
	Blockhead Surf Shop - Write a review 461 Chapel St, Block Island, RI - (401) 466-9876 Website - Directions

Burkie Bear

Hey Burkie!!!

I finally got to meet Burkie Bear. After five years of skiing at Burke Mountain, I managed to track down the elusive bear and snap a quick photo with him. I am sure that he is off hibernating once again as the temperatures have dropped since this picture. Maybe you too can be photographed with the famous Bear. So drive on up to Burke Mountain.... you are sure to have a great day of skiing or snowboarding and you just might find my furry friend.

Head North!!!

Medelise

2008 TD Banknorth Craftsbury 27th Annual Race and Tour

February 2, 2008

I remember five years back I signed my husband up for the 25k cross-country Nordic Ski Marathon at The Craftsbury Nordic Center. I was helping him make good on a New Years resolution to start racing again after a twenty-five year hiatus. A 25k marathon was not exactly what he had in mind at the time of verbalizing his New Year's resolution several weeks earlier, but I had complete faith that he could handle it!!!

That is how it began. Not only did Dan handle the 25k marathon but placed a respectable ninth in his age group. He has been participating every year since. And this year, yours truly is entering the tour portion of the race!!! The date for this years event is February 2, 2008

The Banknorth Craftsbury Annual Race and Tour is
"a point to point cross-country ski adventure traversing Vermont's Northeast kingdom presented by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center."

Read More

Although the race is in its 27th year, It has just been in the last seven years that the tour segment of the race has been added to combine skiing with gourmet food. And for the first time, this year the food stations will be competing with one another to be the most creative.

"Seven years ago John Brodhead, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center's Director of Skiing, proposed a partnership among several Craftsbury and Greensboro inns to produce a marathon with special food stations along a linear course stretching 25 kilometers from Greensboro to Craftsbury, Vermont. To his surprise they eagerly agreed and participation has since increased almost 700% to 1000 participants including racers and tourers."
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If you are interested in joining me or participating in this event, please go to The Craftsbury Nordic Center site and register. Below is a list of the food station participants and a map of the course and food stations.

Note, You can see the location of the stations on a course map and a course profile at http://www.craftsbury.com/skiing/marathon/course_map.htm

Food Stations:

Highland Lodge Willie Smith, highlandlodge@verizon.net, 802-533-2647 (1^st station before start).
Craftsbury Inn, Bill Maire, cburyinn@together.net 802-586-2848 (5^th station in Craftsbury Village).
Craftsbury General Store, Dave Stember, dstember@aol.com, 802-596-2893 (2^nd-4^th stations, Skunk Hollow, Rocking Rock, and Craftsbury Road Stations between
Highland Lodge and Craftsbury Village).
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, John Brodhead, johnbrod@craftsbury.com 802-586-7767x26, (6^th-8^th stations for the last 25 kilometers).

Look for complete coverage of this event in February. Let's pray for nice weather! I hope to see you on February 2nd!!!