Learning to Dance in the Rain

So I've been sidelined with a back problem (again), which has me applying ice packs, waiting it out, and hoping I'll be able to kayak or bike a few more times before the snow flies. But then I stumbled across this quote and it got me thinking about ways to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Granted, having back problems is a tiny storm in the big scheme of things and I'm usually not one to wallow. But I guess I was temporarily stuck in the "I wanna" mode, as in, "I wanna kayak."

Sunday I decided to get unstuck, so we got in the car and headed to the town of Jaffrey just to explore. My inspiration for this little side trip was an article about the Monadnock region in New Hampshire magazine. They pointed out some landmarks in Jaffrey that we'd driven by many times on our way to Gilmore Pond, but had never stopped to notice.


First off, there's a river that runs on the west side of Main Street. Could it be the Contoocook or is it the Ashuelot? I couldn't find the answer, so please clue me in if you know. Below that is a reflection of the Meeting House (built in 1775) in the window of the Little Red School House. These buildings are both located in Jaffrey Center, the historic area just west of downtown.


Also in Jaffrey Center, the Old Burial Ground -- eerie even in the daylight -- is the final resting place for Amos Fortune, an African prince who was brought to America as a slave in the 1700s. He bought his freedom, moved to Jaffrey, and became a prominent businessman. Also buried here is Pulitzer-prize winning author Willa Cather. (Pay attention, class, there's going to be a quiz at the end!)

I was captivated by Cather's books as a kid, including My Antonia! and Oh Pioneer! I knew she was from the Midwest -- Nebraska, to be exact; so it seemed odd to learn she's buried here. But I found out she spent summers writing her books in Jaffrey, in a tent at the base of Mount Monadnock. I didn't get a good picture, but her headstone has pens and pencils that visitors have left behind.

So there you have it. A brief photo tour of Jaffrey, a lively, welcoming little town in the southwestern corner of the state. Almost forgot to mention, the Main Street was lined with so many scarecrows they looked like spectators lining a parade route. Sometimes dancing in the rain can be fun!

Gilmore Pond is a Favorite

We kayaked a tried and true favorite today -- Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey, located in southwestern NH. I've written about Gilmore at least three times before, so I'll just add a few highlights from our paddle today. All I can say is that for us, the allure of this place never goes away.

What you will find here

A Resident Loon (or two) -- Doug was within 30 feet of a loon today as it sat quietly near the bank. We weren't trying to encroach on this beautiful bird; it just appeared near us and didn't seem disturbed that we were so close. The black and white checkerboard pattern on the loon's back is a pretty cool gift from Mother Nature. A fellow paddler noted that he was amazed that the bird could stay submerged for so long. If you're curious about why, take a look at my earlier post about the Haunting Call of the Loon.

Peace and Quiet -- Gilmore isn't remote, but it's peaceful. Many houses on the pond are tucked behind the trees and there are no main roads nearby. It's a no-wake pond, so that helps, too. We paddled around mid-morning on this hot and sunny day, so it was no surprise to see other people swimming, fishing, picking blueberries, and paddling. But we never feel crowded here and everyone seems to treat this place with quiet respect.

You can get directions to Gilmore and read more about the crystal clear water and mountain views here. Enjoy!