Great Adventure Challenge

On August 20th, we competed in the 4th annual Great Adventure Challenge.  The race is held at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton and consists of a 2.5 mile kayak in Moose Pond, a 14.5 mile mountain bike ride on local logging roads and snowmobile trails, and a hike to the top of Shawnee Peak and back down again.  This was our third year doing it.  It is definitely a challenge and I am always really nervous at the start, but it really is a fun race.  The proceeds go towards a local organization for adults with disabilities.  

I won my age group and was the fastest overall female this year.  I am still 3 minutes off the course record.  Maybe next year.


Here's the link if you want to check it out.  http://maineadventureracing.com

Acadia

I went trail riding in Acadia with my friends Melanie and Becky.  It was a beautiful day and the horses all took everything in stride.  A great bunch of bay ponies.  It must be the M names.  Good boys Max, Maverick and Milo!

Vermont

Last year we competed in an adventure race near Stowe, VT.  If you want to check it out, the link is http://www.gmara.org.  We were planning to do the race again this year, but they limited the registration to teams of 3.  We couldn't find a third team member (if anyone is interested in doing it next year, let me know), so we decided to get married instead and travel to Vermont on our own.

This year, we stayed at Little River State Park and despite starting the trip off by arriving at the park when the paramedics and state troopers were responding to a drowning, we had a great time.

On Saturday, we went zip lining at Smuggler's Notch.  A big thank you to my family for this gift.  It was a blast!

We hiked Camel's Hump, biked around the park, kayaked in the Waterbury Reservoir and visited Quechee Gorge in the pouring rain on our way home.

Wedding

We got married on July 30th at a friend's lake house.  My sister married us and one of my best friends sang during the ceremony.  It was a beautiful, but emotional day.  We were so blessed to share a perfect day with wonderful friends.

I know it is weird that there are not any pictures of us together.  I will post some when I have the professional photos.  

Growing

The goats, chickens and garden are all growing like crazy.  Gauge is enjoying  stalking the chickens.  He is convinced that I brought them home just for his entertainment.  We don't have any eggs yet, but the chickens are still here and I will take that for now.

The goats eat like crazy, but are staying in the fence except for one short period where they pushed the fence out.  I don't think that they even realized that they had escaped.  They love to climb and they love people.

We have an overabundance of zucchini, cucumbers and beans.  I am trying canning for the first time.  I don't love it, mostly because I don't have the patience for waiting for the water to boil for sterilizing, packing the jars, then boiling again.  Overall though, I think everything is going to be edible and that is what is important.

Backyard Adventures

We were running short on time one day and decided to ride our bikes locally instead of heading to the University trails.  We rode down an old road to a waterfall that I have ridden the horses past several times, but never walked down to the falls on foot.  The water and falls are amazing.  It is so nice to have something like this so close.

Adding Chickens Part 2

After returning from the horse show, Greg checked on Henry who was inside the coop.  When he saw Greg, he came out of the coop and heard the other three chickens who had survived the night and were milling around outside of the coop.  He tried to fly away and even with his wings clipped, somehow managed to make it over the fence......directly into Gauge's line of vision.  Gauge grabbed the bird, but released him after Greg chased and scolded him.  All four chickens flew/scampered/ran into the woods in the dark.

Sunday morning, three chickens were spotted in the woods behind the house, but were not seen again during the day.  We were certain that they had been or would be eaten by coyotes.  However, after returning from grocery shopping at 6 pm.  The three chickens were outside the goat fence and appeared to be trying to get inside.  We we able to catch all three and clip their wings fairly easily.

Tonight, the three hens are sleeping inside the coop and I am fairly certain that the rooster has been eaten.  If the chickens decide to stay for a while, I might name them, hopefully all girl names.