Friday, March 30, 2007

Danforth Bay - Live Entertainment Schedule!

Now that the ski season is over the staff is now concentrating on Danforth Bay! Their website has been updated with the 2007 theme schedule found here.

Us seasonals got a heads up on the Live Entertainment Schedule. Here is a list of the current schedule. Please note this is subject to change as the season progresses ;->

Saturday 5/26
Hypnotist Steve Taubman

Sunday 5/27
Pool Party with DJ Ram Jam

Sunday 5/27
Ricky and the Giants- Classic Rock

Saturday 6/16
Roderick Russell- Sword Swallowing & more!

Saturday 6/23
Magician Peter Sosna

Sunday 6/24
Pool Party with DJ Ram Jam

Saturday 6/30
Juggler and Funny Man Randy Judkins

Sunday 7/1
Ricky and the Giants- Classic Rock Band

Saturday 7/7
Country Felix- Country Music Band

Saturday 7/14
Two Show- Extreme Juggling

Saturday 7/21
Hypnotist Steve Taubman

Saturday 7/28
Physical Comedian- Mike Miclon

Saturday 8/4
Juggler and Contortionist Matt Tardy

Saturday 8/11
Magician Peter Sosna

Saturday 8/18
Roderick Russell- Sword Swallowing & more!

Saturday 8/25 TBA

Saturday 9/1
Physical Comedian- Mike Miclon

Sunday 9/2
Pool Party with DJ Ram Jam


Sunday 9/2
Rick and the Giants- Classic Rock Band

Saturday 10/6
Juggler and Contortionist Matt Tardy

Sunday 10/7
TBA

Monday, March 26, 2007

Cranmore Mountain, NH Review


From posting ski-conditions at another resort, I won two ski tickets from RealConditions.com to Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, NH.
However the free tickets were only valid for a Sunday-Friday trip so we postponed the trip.
The month of March flew by and we soon realized that this past Sunday 3/25 was closing day for Cranmore and it was either use or loose these tickets.
We decided to head up bright and early to Cranmore this past Sunday morning from Northern Mass. The drive up Rt 16 was absolutely breath-taking with a new inch or two all over the trees but NONE on the highway.
The conditions in the morning were really good and the crowds that we normally encounter were NON-existent. We headed strait for the high-speed QUAD lift (e.g., Skimobile express). We were in the fog for 3/4 of the way up and then it broke to crystal clear sky. It was kind of like when you take a plane and head up over the clouds.
The trails on the South Side of the Mountain that we usually enjoy such as Gibson and Beginner's Luck were not in good shape. Beginner's Luck was especially bad with lots of icy and even puddles in some spots. Any beginners at this point would have been disappointed.
This forced us on the more difficult trails on the North side of the mountain. I really enjoyed the Rattlesnake and Kanadahar trails. Bandit was really cool and that difficult of a trail but it was REALLY narrow and steep in some places. Austin said that he almost fell off. Arlberg was very difficult and should have been a black diamond (or maybe it was the time of day we hit it).
This mountain is much bigger than King Pine but much smaller than Gunstock.
Next Ski Trip: 2008 -- plans to hit King Pine, Gunstock, and Loon

Breaking News: Danforth Bay is now open YEAR ROUND!!!

Breaking News!

Danforth Bay Camping Resort is now open year-round.

Read about it on the front page. Discussion on the That's Camping web page.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Introducing Mowgli!











Mowgli -- the black pug... Our newest addition to our family.

Cold Springs Liquidation & Left Over Sale

Got a card this week announcing Cold Springs RV Liquidation and Leftover Sale.
I really don't have any inside information about this sale.... only what it states on the card.
The card states:
  • '06 Must-Move Leftovers
  • Freely browse our ACRES of Inventory
  • RV Rentals now available
  • Free Stay at Cold Springs Resort with RV Purchase
  • March 24-25
  • New Pop-ups available from $5495
  • New travel trailers from $13,900
  • Park Models from $32,900
  • Class C Motorhmes from $49,900

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Gunstock Review


We visited Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH Saturdy -- March 10 (home of Soulfest 2007 this summer). Wow! This place is great and easily one of my new favorite places to ski.

When we arrived at 8AM EST it was about 19 degrees but by mid day it was well in the 40s.

Gunstock is an moderate but easy drive from Northern Mass/Southern NH. It took us only about 1 1/2 hours from the Nashua area with a majority of this being highway driving.

This price of a lift ticket is about $56 per adult with teens and juniors being somewhat less. I had won two adult Primetime tickets from RealConditions.com which provides the most up to date ski conditions in the country!

Lifts

After getting our tickets and head to the Panorama High Speed Quad which is in the front of the base. This lift is REALLY easy to get on, moves quickly once it is past the base station and at the top the chair actually stops for a few seconds to allow you to prepare to get off. This may be confusing to some skiiers. I actually rely on the chair to sort of push my fat butt of the chair ;->
We also rode on the Tiger Triple lift. I believe this lift needs to be replaced. It was very wobbly and bouncy and moved very slow. We only rode this once. The Pistol Triple Chair is much better and provides an entertaining view of the freestyle terrain park. It's very interesting to watch the young ones do all types of jumps.

This resort is very popular (especially on weekends) and the lift lines at times were very long. This resort could look into replacing the Tiger Triple with another high speed quad chair in the same location.

One of the big disappointments and a logistical problem was that the immediate trail Derringer was closed for racing the entire time that we were there. This trail is a cross over trail from Flintlock trail which brings you back to the high speed quad. This closure yesterday forced us intermediate skiiers to ski down "Stonebear", which I would consider to be more black diamond than "Blue" intermediate trail since it is very steep and much more challenging than Flintlock. Not only that but it positions you back at the Tiger Triple chair vs. the Panorama High Speed Quad which I prefer.

Trails

Gunstock has some of the longest and most scenic trails that I have been on in a very long time. Trails probably twice as long as Cranmore's average run. On our first run, we headed down Gunsmoke, Gunpowder and Shotgun. Well packed powder and well groomed. Great scenery. I was amazed. Even with it being crowded at the base ... this is a big place you aren't going to have big crowds on the trails.

On our second run we decided to head down the otherside of the mountain down Flintlock. Wow! Was I even more impressed with the scenery. There was a perfect view of Lake Winnipesauke in its entirety and the surrounding towns.

Other activities in the area:

The Tilton Outlets are close by for those families who have members that do not ski. There was lots of snow-mobile trails as well as icefishing in the area as well.

Overall:

This is NOT a mountain for beginner skiiers (although they do have a beginner section but I could see spending $56 to ski there). This is more for the intermediate skiier.

With "Big Mountain" skiing in a fairly close location, spectacular views, wondefully groomed trails in a family atmosphere I'm definately going to be planning a trip to Gunstock in 2008.

If you camp at Gunstock this summer, I would highly recommend taking a hike to the summit on a clear day (if this is allowed) for an absolutely gorgeous view of the Lakes Region and NH Mountains.
Pictures are here.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Golf Cart Batteries

Got the following email from the Golf Cart Guy:
----

We will be making deliveries of 6volt & 8volt Trojan Golf Cart Batteries & golf cart tires throughout Central & Southern New England including central Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont next week March 12-16. All orders taken by Friday, March 9th will receive free delivery on each set (6) of batteries as well as any tires you may need. Free delivery of just tires must be a set of four (4). Price for tires are $56.00 for new tire on new rim, white or tan. Please call for battery prices. 508-423-6753 or 603-553-0239.

There is also a great selection or carts available at this time, call for availability & pricing.

Thanks, Tom

Saturday, March 03, 2007

15th Annual Merrimack Valley Christian Film Festival

The Merrimack Christian Film Festival is returing to the Showcase Lawrence cinemas again this year for a 15th Anniversary. All shows are 100% FREE

Dates: Palm Sunday April 1 Thru Easter Sunday, April 6
Where: Showcase Cinema, South Lawrence, MA
Cost: Free
Schedule: Located Here

Movies include:
* Facing the Giants
* Hidden Secrets
* Jesus
* Holyman Undercover
* The Moment After 2
* Behind the Sun
* Road to Redemption
MORE!


For kids there is two double features of Veggie Tales