Wednesday, Oui? Acorns

When Aaron and I began "dating" (I put dating in quotations because he was dating me -- I was simply hanging out with him) one interest we shared was a love for the outdoors; specifically, hiking.

On our very first hike together we journeyed to Oak Hill Fire Tower in the Concord area. It's an easy but long hike that leads to a fire tower/lookout area. The views are glorious and, on a clear day, you can see Mt. Monadnock, Mt. Kearsarge, Mt. Cardigan and some of the White Mountains up north including Mt. Washington.

When we reached the summit Aaron wanted to continue up to the top of the fire tower. Now, you have to understand, I'm not a fan of heights. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm deathly afraid of heights but, they do cause me some discomfort and anxiety-- mostly I get wobbly legs and I start to shake. Never the less, part of me didn't want to be a baby so, I scaled the tiny staircase that felt like it reached into the heavens... and boy was it worth it! The views were gorgeous.
 
At the top of the tower there is a platform where you can stand to get a panoramic view of the expansive mountain ranges. We weren't dating at this point in time, although Aaron was trying desperately to entice me to be his girlfriend so, with his Honda car key, he carved our names into a support beam on the tower. It read: Aaron (heart) Jessi. I remember when he did this my first thought was, "I hate graffiti" followed by "isn't he assumptive!?" I wasn't pleased he marked the tower but, ours was among hundreds and hundreds of names so I rationalized it was "semi-okay" that he did this (and, deep down, I was a bit flattered.)
 
Hiking back to his car I picked up an acorn cap and, feeling the need to impress and out-do his graffiti, I put the acorn cap to my lips and let out a shrill whistle; always pleased with my ability to be a Tom-boy. Aaron was amused and asked me to teach him how to do it. I placed the acorn cap in his hands and he tried, unsuccessfully, several times.
 
We have hiked the Oak Hill Fire Tower twice since that first day, the most recent time being 4 days after we were married. Each time I fight the nausea as we revisit the view and our names carved illegally into a support beam. Little did I know, the day we took our very first hike, not only would this be our first hike as husband and wife but also, years later, Aaron and I would have together hiked many of the mountains you can see from the top of the tower (Cardigan, Monadnock, Kearsarge.) It's really funny how life happens.
 
The reason for the title of today's blog is three-fold. While planning our wedding I wanted to do something original with the tables; most people use just a plain old number. I, on the other hand, named each table by a hike we have taken together. The place card bore the name of the guests, their respective table (mountain), and they were written on a seed packet that could be directly planted to grow wildflowers. The cards were set on a table decorated with-- you guessed it, acorns.
 

 
Now this story comes full circle.
 
As many of you may or may not know, weeks ago, Aaron's car was totalled by a tree falling in our yard. We just bought him a "new to us" truck but, before the old Honda was towed away, we had to go through the process of cleaning out Aaron's personal belongings. As he unloaded the car and brought travel mugs and tuperware into the house (grrr) I watched him set something, carefully, onto the counter; an acorn cap. I had already begun doing the dishes that were sitting in his car when I went to sweep the acorn cap into the trash. The conversation that ensued when something like this:
 
A: (excitedly) Nooo!
J: (startled, confused, holding the cap out to him) You wanted to save this?
A: Yes! It's the acorn cap.
J: I know what it is.
A: No. It's theee acorn cap.
J: (staring blanking, confused) "Theee" acorn cap?
A: The one from our first date... at Oak Hill. Remember?

All this time he saved it. Unbelievable.
 

Wednesday Oui? Oui love Winter!

The weekend before last was the weekend of the big storm and it dropped a ton of snow on our part of New Hampshire. It makes me so sad that most of the snow has melted. I love winter and don't look forward to the mud spring brings.

Aaron is a machine; I don't know where he gets his ability to keep going, and going, and going, but I'm grateful for it! Often, when we get a big storm, he'll shovel us out, then head over to his grandmother’s house to shovel her out and then check to see if his parents are set (we all live within walking distance from each other.) I’ve never had to clean off my car, shovel the driveway, or be inconvenienced by winter. Perhaps that's why I love it so much!! He will even go so far as to shovel me a path to my various bird feeders so the birds can eat me out of house and home during every season (I won't even post how much it costs me to feed the bird-pigs but, I love them! Especially my cardinals and woodpeckers.)

That same weekend we went for one of the most beautiful snow shoeing excursions I have ever been on. We live about 2.6 miles from a huge gorgeous lake, which for us being outdoorsy (hiking/kayaking/etc.) was a major selling point in deciding the location of our first home. I had never really spent much time around this lake to date (considering we just moved here in April and gutted out the house- this didn't leave much time for exploration.) My gosh what a beautiful, breathtaking hike we took. It was beyond words. The whole time we were hiking I kept saying aloud, "Wow, look how beautiful this is! It's ours for the taking."

When it comes to the outdoors, I am a bit of an elitist. I can't fathom how everyone wouldn't enjoy the beauty of New England as much as I do. We have the ocean, mountains, lakes, beaches, big cities, small towns and four seasons. I love it! But then again, I'm a bit crazy about nature and I love to do things outside with Aaron, which, I understand, isn't for everyone.

Being outside always makes me feel better. Whenever I spend too much time indoors I can feel my brain rotting and my muscles atrophying. Okay, so that's an exaggeration, but if I don't get fresh air, I usually end up getting mildly depressed and sick. Further, nothing says a good nights sleep like a day of fresh air and physical activity.

Here are some pictures from the big storm and our gorgeous snowshoe.

Our backyard

One of the sets of feeders.

Another feeder

A cathedral of trees.

My favorite time during our hikes is when we stop at a spot we find to be the most beautiful and have a snack, or a small meal and just talk. We talk about everything; big subjects, small ones, gossip, daily happenings and our future. I love these times with Aaron, my best friend and confidante.

Menu Monday: Perfect Easy Chili

I can't say I'm a huge fan of spicy food; my stomach just can't handle it. Although, I do love chili and I like my chili pretty hot. Over the years I have perfected a concoction of ingredients, borrowed from various recipes and shuffled together to make, arguably, the best chili ever.

Yesterday, after being sick for a better part of the last 7 days, Aaron and I, along with a friend, went for a hike/snowshoe. We snowshoed up one side of the mountain but took off the shoes on the way down, as it was easier. This particular mountain, Mt. Uncanoonuc, in a local native language actually translates to "breasts" or "woman laying down" (depending who you talk to) because the two mountains look like two breasts! We did the North Trail which wasn't too strenuous (although, at a few points I thought I might have keeled) and the summit provides a nice view of Manchester.

In a cave Nickie and I explored, I found the most amazing icicle. I was mesmerized by it!

Once at the summit we made hot cocoa on a small stove, ate various snacks, and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. All in all it took us about 3.5 hours and afterward we were HUNGRY. Luckily, early yesterday morning, I prepared chili and it was already simmering in my crock-pot. When we got home we warmed up by making some fresh corn bread (mix courtesy from none other than Trader Joe's) and filled our bellies with Chili.

Jessi's Perfect Easy Chili:

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (yesterday we used ground turkey as it's healthier and our friend doesn't eat red meat- both are delish.)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cans Bush's chili beans
• 1 jar of salsa (I get regular flavor, medium size jar, medium hot)
• 3/4 cup onion (any onion)
• 3/4 cup green pepper
• Chili spice (to taste)

*** Brown the meat and throw it in the crock-pot. Add all the other ingredients and set to "low" for about 5 hours or until simmering (stirring occasionally- but stirring isn't necessary.) Add cheese and hot sauce to the top and, if you're ambitious, make some corn bread and drizzle it with honey. Amazing!!!

It's not "from scratch" but it's easy and delicious!

Aaron + Jessi

The White Mountain Range

Last Saturday Aaron and I went to the Oak Hill Fire Tower. It's actually a bit of a hike, considering it's so close to home. I love the fire tower-- you can see for miles and miles, you can even see Mount Washington on a clear day.

This was actually place Aaron and I went on our "first date." When we got up there, that day, he carved our names into the metal at the top of the tower, something I NEVER do and usually consider rude and disrespectful. BUT there were thousands of names and initials carved into the beams of the tower so he couldn't resist. When we went back on Saturday we found them, a little aged by time and the elements.

There is a cabin-like-thing at the top of the tower and lucky for us, this Saturday, there was an older gentleman "manning" the station and using his walky-talky to call in any suspicious smoke. Oak Hill is actually a State Park so this man must have been a forest ranger or something. He invited us up the last set of stairs into the cabin and showed us the view, explaining all of the mountains in the horizon. It was amazingly beautiful with the day so clear and the foliage so brilliant.

It was nice doing it again, and talking about when we first met, when Aaron begged and begged and begged for me to be his girlfriend ;) Thinking back to that time in my life, when I didn't want commitment, there was a deep sadness in me seeing him proudly carve our names into the tower. I specifically remember thinking "I hope I don't break his heart." He loved me then, way less than he does now; but then, just days into our "dating" and years after we'd first met, he knew. I didn't, but he did.

At the top of the tower there was a guest book. I signed it on Saturday, "The Molloys- Concord, NH" months and months later, this time completely agreeing with him.

Hiking for a cure

Yesterday I participated in the fifth annual Expedition Inspiration-NH Take a Hike Program at Mount Major near Alton Bay, NH. What an amazing day! Our team "Hiking For a Cure" raised almost $700 to benefit breast cancer research and awareness.

Unfortunately Aaron wasn't able to make the hike as originally planned due to a skin issue but, I still went, bright and early on a beautiful autumn day.

I had never hiked Mt. Major before so I was excited for the challenge. Not having really hiked alone (without Aaron) I was forced to carry my own pack for once (which will totally help me think twice when I insist that Aaron bring me a full change of cloths... oops) I found the hike to be easy with some points that were sticky. It's a great hike for kids and dogs with an amazing view of Lake Winnipausakee and the Presidential Mountain Range. The foliage at that top was absolutely breathtaking and my pictures don't even really do it justice.

On the way down I decided to separate from the rest of my team and explore alone. I truly think I found a new passion, trail-running. I had never before ran on a trail, but I ran down the side of Mt Major (only about 2 miles) and had a great work out. I have always run on pavement and it never occurred to this nature lover to run on a trail. I loved it!

I was way too early for the 8:30am meet at Mt. Major's trail-head so I stopped at a scenic outlook and took a few pictures and finished the rest of my coffee. Steam was coming off the lake as the morning sun made the water glisten even from a distance... Amazing.

The foliage was amazing. These pictures don't do it justice, trust me!

Us at the 'near summit.' I was so proud of my team. Two of the ladies had bum knees, Zachy who is 8 years old was so excited to be hiking and Sue is a survivor- we conquered the mountain!

The best team, ever; Sue, Leana, Zach, Erica, Josiah and Me!

The picture at the beginning of this post is our packs at the trail-head of Mt. Major. We painted tribute flags in honor of those who we were hiking for. We hiked in honor or remembrance of someone we love who has been affected by breast cancer. I hiked for one of my best friends, Kim. A 37-year-old mother of a 12 year-old-boy; an amazing friend, colleague, comedian, hard-worker, mother, advocate, and survivor of breast cancer with mastectomy. I love you Kim, you inspire me.

I heart Waterfalls

We have been on three beautiful hikes recently. The first on Monument Mountain in the Berkshires, which I posted about during our Tanglewood 2008 trip, the second to Moxie Falls in Maine (where Aaron proposed- I will post about that at some point) and the third to Arethusa Falls in the White Mountains of NH. Something they all have in common? Waterfalls. When hiking or going on a trip Aaron always tries to find me either a waterfall or a lighthouse... love em both!

Arethusa Falls was exceptionally amazing. We took the Bemis Trail which was a bit more difficult and required us to scramble up a steep embankment and do a bit of bouldering, but it was so, so worth it!

It's roughly about a 4.5 mile hike to get to the 200 ft waterfall that originates from the Wildcat River in Crawford Notch, White Mountains; Bartlett, NH!

Amazing!

April Vacation: Day 4

The week had been so beautiful already, and it was only Tuesday. What more could we possibly ask for? Truth is, we had a ton of things planned, and not too much time to complete them. But none-the-less I was thankful for the time and opportunity we had.

We woke up pretty early, had a huge and tasty breakfast (I love that about hiking, gotta prepare your body) and headed up the Waterville Valley area to hike Welch & Dickey. It was a perfect day; not too hot, but not too cold, not a cloud in the sky. There are a few things I like about hiking, specifically with Aaron: 1. It is something we both enjoy, and do together. 2. Aaron is always prepared. He brings a pack filled with anything and everything that I might possibly need/want while on the mountain. 3. Our conversations. We have the most intelligent/intimate/relevant conversations when it's just us, no distractions, and they usually start in the car on the way up and end when we get back home.

Welch & Dickey are two mountains that have a small plateau between them, the total hike is about 4.4 miles from start to finish; not too bad at all. In fact, the perfect "first hike of the season." (Excluding, of course, our winter hikes.) Both peaks have beautiful views of neighboring mountains. While we ate lunch atop Dickey, we were able to watch jets from a NY base do tactical maneuvers and practices.

Aaron and I keep a notebook (honestly we do) of funny things we hear people say, either on the street, or while hiking/doing something. The rule is- we have to be together to hear it in order for it to "go in the moose book" On this hike, there were just a few other people sharing the mountain, two of which were a couple about our age. The guy was wearing big heavy boots, thick denim jeans and a cell phone on his belt. Now, Aaron and I do our best not to be judgemental, but come on, it's about 75 degrees and you're hiking two mountains? This guy, boy was he a complainer. We listened for a while, but eventually sprinted up the mountain to lose them. He kept asking us "Have you guys hiked this before?", "How much longer?", "Where's the top?","Is it quicker to finish or just go back?" Aaron was really patient with him, and his poor girlfriend was suffering. He was A-N-G-R-Y and this often happens to people if they don't eat enough, or get discouraged/tired easily. I had my own episode on Lafayette, remember? If not click here. Something funny the guy said, once he thought we were out of earshot, " My jeans are too heavy to do this, let me just lay down for a while, I am so fu*king mad you made me come out today." Poor thing!

When we got home, we ran a few errands. On the way up to the mountain we had decided to throw a BBQ to celebrate good weather, great friends, spring clean-up, and our vacation. So we placed a ton of phone calls/texts (my preferred method of communication) and put something together.

Pat & Jeremy, taken by surprise.

Ryan (one of my best friends), Me, and Matt enjoying the BBQ. Ryan and I had a few too many Mojitos...

February Vacation: Day 2

It had been a long time since Aaron and I had done anything outside, and as I have stated many times before, I am happiest when I am outside. I love nature. I have always been that way. When we were small, my mom would have to drag my sister and I into the house after being outside since the crack of dawn.

We woke up Sunday morning, our second day of vacation, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do. It was a gorgeous day, why waste it doing chores or watching the tube? I stated, "Let's go on a hike." Something I love about Aaron is that he is always up for any adventure. I say what I want and he organizes/plans it. He decided Mt. Kearsarge in Wilmot, NH (practically our back yard) would be the perfect climb considering the current conditions (icy & snowy.)

We got all packed up and after stopping at S&W Sports for a new hat (I, of course, needed a new hat to match my new jacket) we were on our way. The ride up was beautiful. I really enjoyed this climb. It seems each hike I always say "this is my favorite mountain" (with the exception of Mt. Lafayette)

This is Kearsarge. It is about a 4-mile-round- trip hike. Very strenuous this time of year due to the conditions. Additionally, it is not accessible by vehicle in the winter, so you have to hike the auto-road to the base of the mountain which adds another mile each way.

This tree was at the base of the Mountain. I do love and often photograph trees. One of my favorite things about hiking in observing the vegetation and how it varies as you near the summit.

A view, about half way up, of Mt. Monadnock

Aaron says this summer I have to start carrying a pack too... I guess I have to use the "stair- climber" a little harder at Planet Fitness :( But I bet I can weasel out of it ;)

If you look in the very back, a clear view of snow-covered Mt. Washington. You could see several peaks from this spot: Mt. Sunapee, Pat's Peak, Crotched Mt., Mt. Monadnock.

All in all it took us about 4 hours. Whew! Some spots were very icy and difficult to navigate, but it wouldn't be a challenge if it were easy.

After our hike, we went straight home, ate some leftovers and hung out in bed for the rest of the night... we were exhausted!