Over the Christmas break, my siblings and I started discussing a trip to New Hampshire, where my cousin and uncle have a weekend house, snowmobiles, and miles of groomed trails. As we planned the trip, it became apparent that it would only be my brother Joe and me. This page is because I didn't want to re-tell the stories over and over and miss details. I apologize for the delay as I'm sure lives were suspended in anticipation of these tales.

Note: There are some that complain I am too verbose. For them, I present the following summary. I will use small words: "It was fun, although a little warm. Go see the pictures." For the rest of you, feel free to read on.

I was able to get airline tickets on Southwest for $49 each way, direct flights from Tampa to Hartford, CT, where Joe (driving from NYC) would pick me up. On both flights, I was able to get the exit aisle which is always so nice.

Thursday
My flight left Tampa at a leisurely 11 am, putting me in around 2 pm. Joe arrived within 15 minutes of my walking outside and we made the drive in about 3.5 hours without any problems. My cousin Johnny was about 45 minutes behind us, coming up from Boston. Joe and I opened up the house (turning on the heat and water pumps, etc). We three bachelors cooked dinner comprised of frozen chicken nuggets, frozen french fries, and spaghetti without sauce. It tasted quite good but we knew a shopping trip was required. That evening, Joe and I went everything shopping at the Wal*Mart Supercenter. We got boots and any other piecemeal cold-weather clothing we lacked, plus Orange Juice, Gatorade, and other nutritional staples. There was no riding of the snowmobiles.

Friday
We woke Friday around 8 am in order to be on the trails by 9 am. Johnny was riding his 800cc machine, Joe was on Uncle Pete's 340, and I was on my cousin Dennis's 550. We rode out to me Rick, a family friend, for a day of touring. Nothing eventful happened before meeting up with him. Really. We rode on after meeting him and nothing eventful happened again, but to someone else. We rode on a number of trails and everyone made the turns flawlessly. Really. We then raced across a frozen lake where you could really open the machines up, provided you watched for the occasional snowdrift so as not to take flight. It is here that I was able to achieve the statement of which I am most proud for the trip: I did 70 mph on a snowmobile. On a frozen lake. In 45F weather.

After a short break, we made our way towards the peak of a nearby moutain top. It was a fun ride and a cool view from the top. After a few problems with the machines adjusting to the warm weather, we rode back down and across the lake, again opening things up. On the far side, while going only about 10 mph, I did not fall off while trying a trick and I'm sure all three co-riders will agree. We made our way back through the trails where some proved themselves to be remarkably consistant. Finally, we stopped at a nearby restaurant for a late lunch before heading home. In all, we rode about 50 miles that day.

We ordered pizza for dinner that night. My Uncle Pete and Aunt Kathy arrived shortly after 8 pm with my cousin Dennis and his two kids, Emily (4) and Danny (2), arriving about 30 minutes afterwards. We all hung out and chatted the rest of the evening.

Saturday
Saturday started early as the kids were eager to explore and learn about fruit. Ok, I'll explain this allusion although this is all heresay (from Joe): Apparently, Dennis was teaching Danny the names of various fruits and would whisper "Apple" and Danny would reply with a non-whisper "Pear". "No, it's a apple. Would you like an apple?" "Pear!". So Joe was awake. I got up shortly afterwards (but hadn't heard the fruit talks, more from Joe waking and leaving the room). We had a leisurely morning. My cousin Nancy arrived around noon and John's friend Nadra did a bit after that. We went snowmobiling out in the field and on some local trails. Dennis and I raced R/C snowmobiles. Then Dennis, Emily, and Pete built a huge snowman (I honestly cannot remember a better one, but I was always more of a snow-fort kind of guy). With a second day of 45+ degree weather, the snow was perfect for packing, which also encouraged a few snowball fights... but Emily started it!! Dennis, Emily, and Danny left that evening.

That night, Joe, Nancy, and I went to the field for some night riding, which is very different from the daytime as you can only see what's illuminated by the relatively small snowmobile headlights. I tried to get some pictures but they didn't come out well.

Superbowl Sunday
Superbowl Sunday involved some more local riding as well as walking on the river. We also took a drive to the nearby falls (they have a name, but it escapes me at the moment). I took a number of pictures there. Around 3 pm, John and Nadra left. Around 6 pm, Nancy followed. We then watched the Patriots win over the Eagles, which went well with Aunt Kathy's homemade brownie sundaes.

Monday
Monday morning, Joe and I left after breakfast, around 9:00 am, to head back to Hartford and the NYC for him and Tampa for me. It was another uneventful drive, which was nice. I got through the airport with little waiting and even got another A Boarding Class, which allowed me to get my unprecedented second exit aisle seat in one trip. I got home around 5 pm and was able to make it to my 9:45 pm hockey game.

All in all, it was a very fun trip. Next time, I do hope there is more snow and cooler weather, but that certainly didn't ruin anything. Be sure to look at the pictures (and 3 short videos if you have broadband)!