Dear God

Discovering North Quabbin and Hail in August

Recently I have been doing a lot of exploring in the Orange/Athol area at the northern end of Quabbin Reservoir and have discovered a lot of fun things to do up there. It is close to 50 miles one-way but the drives have been worth it---in fact travelling scenic Route 202 is part of the enjoyment, especially on the scooter.

I initially went up about two weeks ago to find Tully Lake which I had heard about from a friend who goes there to play frisby golf.  I decided to ride the scooter up one Sunday afternoon and although I got a late start and it was pretty cloudy, I convinced myself that the skies looked clearer in the direction I was going so it would be fine.  It started raining just about 5 miles past Belchertown so I went back to Dunkin Donuts to wait it out.  It didn't rain too long and after waiting for the group of about 30 Harley riders who arrived at Dunkin shortly after I did, to leave, I resumed my ride. (They probably would not have made any snide comments about my scooter but I waited for them to leave anyway.)

After riding a short distance, a quick time check revealed that I had endured too many delays and that it was too late in the day to continue my trip, so I detoured through Pelham and worked my way around to Atkins Farm in Amherst.  Enjoying the great views of the Notch while having an ice cream cone and reading awhile would have to be my substitute adventure for the day.  At one point  looking up from my reading I discovered some very dark clouds had crept in so I immediately headed for home.  I don't mind riding in a gentle rain but I don't like getting soaked.

I made it make to the general area of the second rotary on Memorial Drive when the rain started, gentle at first, then heavy.  If I had chosen the underpass near Al's Diner, I would have been very protected but I chose the back of the service station by Al's, hoping the wall would protect me from blowing rain.  It didn't, so I soon gave up any hope of not getting soaked and headed home in the pouring rain.

Guess who was sitting at a looong red light facing the Munich Haus in Chicopee center, soaking wet, when he started getting pelted by hail.  The whole situation was so ridiculous that I just burst out laughing---soaking wet, getting wetter by the minute waiting for a long red light which was controlling no other traffic but me, and getting hailed on in August!

This was certainly not the adventure I had planned but it is how I got started  exploring the Northern Quabbin area.  I have since been back about 5 times (on dry days) and have several discoveries to share:  Johnson's Farm Restaurant, Tully Lake, and the Community Boat House in Orange where you can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards for $8 per hour!

 I highly recommend you check out these places out for yourself----and don't forget Annie's Ice cream.

That's My Pitching Arm

Enough said!

No Softball Game Tonight!

I play on First Central Baptist Church's slow pitch softball team and we usually play doubleheaders every Tuesday night--except for the 9 or so nights we got rained out this season!  Now that the playoff's are behind us and the season is over, I am really enjoying this first free Tuesday night off. My usual summer's evening schedule is softball on Tuesday night, visitation on Wednesday night, and Celebrate Recovery on Thursday nights.  Looking forward to not having three nights in a row committed for a brief time.  Especially on such a hot and humid day as today!

While we are talking about softball, I might as well tell you that we came in second place in our division!  I would like to especially thank several of the young guys who rounded out our team this year: Austin, Josh, Jose, and Jason.  Also would like to thank all the fielders who made our next to last game look easy.  In slow pitch softball, players are going to hit the ball so it is very gratifying to a pitcher to have the backing of good defensive players.  Thank you all.

Here is a picture of the team with some of the above mentioned young guys missing.  I don't know the average age of our team but I can tell you the combined age of two of the pitchers is 137 years!

Austin at bat.

Speaking of "wisdom", here are the two "mature" pitchers.  I think Danny    was blessing the ball in the middle of the second playoff game. Apparently someone had blessed the other team's bats first!  We only lost 17-9 (I think) so that was not too bad.  The other team was good.

"Blessing" of the ball?

No backspin, must be a knuckler.

Austin is one of the young guys who has been a great addition to our team.  Great year Austin!

One last thing, First Central's team is known for its good sportsmanship and Christian conduct.  That's the most important thing of all.  May our conduct always be exemplary and honoring to God.

Curtis' BBQ

My friends know I love BBQ, especially pulled pork.  So far, Tennessee has the best pulled pork that I have ever had but that doesn't stop me from looking for the next best BBQ where ever I am.  One of the most unique BBQ places that I have ever been is Curtis' BBQ in Putney, Vermont.  Hopefully I can find the video interview with him and his pig C.J.  Cracks me up every time.  C.J. is his pet hog that actually stays in the area where Curtis is cooking.  Here it it:

 Interview with Curtis of Curtis BBQ Putney Vermont

 BBQPilgrim.com says- C.J. the pot-bellied pig entertains visitors young and old who come to Curtis' Barbecue in Putney, Vermont. But Curtis points out that the good-natured pig also has another important role. "He's my supervisor," Curtis said. "He makes sure I'm doing a good job." This is the second pot bellied pig that Curtis has had for a pet. "The first one, Isabelle was 250 pounds," he said. "C.J.'s only about 80 pounds. But he's a good little guy"-

In a previous interview with Curtis somone asks him how C.J. feels about him cooking ribs.  Curtis replies, " He don't know any better, I tell him it's chicken."  Here's his website:  Curtis BBQ Website .  Curtis does chicken and ribs but no pulled pork.

I recommend you drive up and check out his food at least once.  It is an unforgettable experience.  I love Curtis!

Curtis' BBQ

 

 

 

 

 7 Putney Landing Rd  Putney, VT 05346

(802) 387-5474

     (802) 387-5474

Getting Started

 A friend suggested I start a blog about  my scooter adventures and other fun things in the life of a retiree.  Before we go any further, let me make it clear that I LOVE retirement!  The best part is getting up in the morning when I  wake up, without a clock or any designated time.  When my body says it is time to get up, I do.  Doesn't matter if it is 7:30 or 9:30.  It's usually about 8:30.  And believe it or not I usually wake up thinking about the things I need to get done.  Even after 5+ years of retirement I still have the daily mindset of having to be productive.  But if at all possible, I make all my appointments either late morning or early afternoon and start my productivity later in the day.

After grinding the beans for coffee, making breakfast, working the word jumbles, reading the paper, and cleaning the kitchen then I begin my to-do list for the day.  All is not fun and games but I do try to take time to do some of the fun things I didn't have time to do when I was working, taking night college courses, and raising 5 daughters.

One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful summer day is to hop on my Yamaha TMAX 500 scooter and head out for a day of exploring.  On such a day I  tell my wife, "See ya, I'm heading out" and she graciously says, "Have fun" as I leave.  Riding and exploring gives me such a sense of freedom and happiness that I want to exclaim, "What a great day to be alive!" as I turn down a road I have never been on before, just to see where it goes.