A Dirt Road Anthem

Note: This is a column I had published in the November 26th edition of the Kings County Record.  I fits rather nice with my previous post about country music. Dirt Road Anthem is a country song that I would often turn up when going on a fishing trip with my son.  Somewhere in my blog roll I have even talked about that.  The roads I discuss in this blog are just a small sampling of what the area in and around Kings County, New Brunswick have to offer.  Hope you enjoy this small taste.

 

This photo was taken a few years ago on a dirt road near Marrtown NB.  This was taken in late spring after a late season snowfall.  My brother and I were supposed to be fishing that weekend.

Have you ever been out through Jordan Mountain?  Have you ever taken the Mount Hebron Road the whole way through?  I mean the whole way you didn't just stop at the horse farm at the top and turn around.  Recently through my work I took a drive over some of the great back roads between Millstream and Knightville.  It was a truly enjoyable drive mixed with some scenic walking.

This time of year the weather is often cold, wet, and windy.  This is not great hiking, biking, or paddling weather, so driving is a great way to see the country side and we have lots to see.  The drive I talked about above provides some great vistas over farm fields and forests.  The ridges possess rocky outcrops and tall trees while the valleys house clear brooks and fertile farm fields.  There are some great dirt road drives that show off many of the natural surroundings.  I want to lay out my top three for you.

The first drive starts in Norton and isn't truly a dirt road drive but still has some great highlights.  From Norton take Route 124 towards Midland but take a left hand turn on the Dickie Mountain Road.  Make sure to drive slow and look around and if the rivers are high make sure to peek at Almshouse Brook where the falls will be wild.  Cross Dickie Mountain to Route 855 where you take another left until you drive to Route 121 where you take a right and the take another right onto Bloomfield Station Road, then find your way to the Bloomfield Ridge Road.  When you reach the Saltsprings Road take a left and make your way back towards Norton.

Dickie Mountain is tough to top but I think if you take a drive towards Waterford you might be rewarded again.  Waterford in its own right is a jewel.  Keep going though, out the Creek Road, until you can take a left onto Pleasant Lake Road.  You might need a truck for this drive, so drive slow and take in the awe inspiring brook that cascades down this steep valley.  When you reach the top of the ridge take a left onto the Philamunroe Road back Chambers Settlement.  At the Chambers Settlement Road take a right and follow it around to the Cedar Camp Road.  You'll pass by some high rock faces owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  As you take the left turn to stay on Cedar Camp Road you can make your way back to Waterford but be sure to stop at the bridge over Trout Creek and get some great photos.

Now for the drive I introduced in the beginning you'll need to be resourceful as I don't have the space to tell you all the details.  You'll need to know where the Carsonville Road is, once you find it, start your drive at its northern end, say at the Hayes Road, near Millstream.  Then find your way to the Mount Hebron Road being careful on the sharp turns before you get there.  The start of the Mount Hebron Road feels like your driving up someone's driveway, watch out for fences across the road, but don't worry the farmer has had someone drive through it before.  Push to the top of the hill but be sure to look behind you.  From there just drive and explore the ridges in this area.  The Mount Hebron Cross Road, the Jordan Mountain Road, Whites Mountain Road, and the Mine Road are all worth exploring. 

Take a lunch, a spare tire and jack, maybe some extra gas, and simply enjoy.

How Did Music Move You

Music!  It fills you.  It soothes you.  It moves you.  Today was a tough day and tonight I sat and watched the Garth Brooks special and wow.  The day brightened and my mood has changed drastically in the couple of hours the show was on.  Why?  I spent my teen years listening to Garth and his songs have been in the background of many memorable moments.  Heck there are country songs that sing about just that thing and ironically I love songs that focus on that theme whether they were songs by Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, or whoever.

I saw Garth Brooks perform live once and there is something about the guy that draws you in.  He can perform and he can make you feel the music with him.  I think he might be a bit crazy too but his fans seem to even relate to that...I know I do.  He gets giddy performing and you start laughing with him, maybe even at him a little, but he doesn't seem to care as long as you're enjoying the song.

Lately I've been going through some of my older music and listening to that 80's and 90's country and remembering how I got to where I am today.  Garth talked about his musical journey and it got me thinking about what mine might look like.  What would yours look like.  Would it have Ray Charles, Alabama, Keith Whitley, the Statler Brothers (that's true harmony and I loved trying to sing bass), Kenny Rogers, Beatles, Alan Jackson, and my all time favorite George Strait (a man's man if there is one in my opinion)?  Maybe it would be Twisted Sister, Haywire (do you remember them?), Harem Scarem, Warrant, Motley Crue, or AC/DC.  The Canadian boy I am, I would have to include some Hank Snow (thanks Nan), Blue Rodeo, Paul Brandt, the Rankins, Great Big Sea, and Chris Cummings oh and don't forget Terri Clarke (I loved Terri's attitude).   I think my show, not that I'd ever have one, would have to be a marathon.  There is no way I could narrow it down to even just 20 songs.

All the good moments have songs and the bad moments simply became good ones because of the music.  Friends bond over music, whether through a mutual love of a song or through teasing someone about their taste.  It's no different than a Habs fan tormenting a Leafs fan but let's not go there.  Go pull out some old CDs or 45's even and let 'em blast. "Ooohh I got friends in low places...."

When to Celebrate

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  My wife is winning the battle over whether we should turn on the lights yet or not.  She's had the Christmas music playing, the eggnog running, and has been wrapping gifts for two weeks already.  With all that going on around you it's hard not to get into the spirit.

Personally I always seem to fight a moral battle over when it is proper to celebrate Christmas.  Why does it have to be a battle?  Christmas is all about Christ and in my mind, we should celebrate him everyday.  Oddly though, because of the commercial side of Christmas, we tend to forget what its about and then we tend to think, "Wow is it bad to celebrate Christmas before Remembrance Day is past?" 

I am going to try from this point forward not to worry about when I start to celebrate Christmas and instead try to make every day a celebration where I thank God for the gifts he continually gives me, especially my wife and kids who help me celebrate no matter what time it is. 

Misty Mountain Madness

Blogger's Note:  This is a copy of the column I had published in the November 12, 2013 Kings County Record.  I have performed a clean up, on the waterfall site referred to, in the past.  I have also cleaned up sections of  the road that leads up to Misty Mountain.  It is maddening that people continue to dump garbage in various locations along the Millbrook Road.

There is a place near where I grew up that has long been a destination for partiers, hunting, and outdoor enthusiasts.  Parties were held there, first time camping trips have also been a part of the landscape there, bike trips often rest there, and water will always be its signature.  Misty Mountain is a local landscape legend.  It has a long history that includes farming, forestry, and spring water. 

Topographically, it is not overly impressive, its rounded mass and height though make it stand out amongst its nearby counterparts.    Two steep valleys surround the mainly forested mountain and the valleys provide some beautiful scenery, no matter the time of year or the weather conditions.  The Cotter Hollow stream wraps its way around the hill flowing from its source on the high southeast shoulder, moving first to the east for a short time, then an uninterrupted run north before turning west towards the Mill Brook.  The Mill Brook runs the other way, clock wise, around Misty Mountain.  It starts in dramatic fashion with a high waterfall at the source and I often love to visit its look off which you can drive up to.

I use the term "drive up to" rather loosely.  You'll need a four wheel drive vehicle with modest clearance to get there.  The roads aren't fully mapped so that gives you an indication to how rugged it might be.  Approaching from what locals call the Misty Mountain Road it is a steep ascent up the southwest portion of the mountain.  Deep gullies fill the road and you need to choose your path carefully or you could end up hung up.  As you near the top clear cuts currently become noticeable to your right and you get a great view towards Sussex and beyond that to the hills around Springfield.  It is a great view and an almost noble location that will always speak to those who know its greatness.

On my latest trip up there I had my kids and I was hoping to show them the waterfall and sharing with them the Mountains modest nobility.  Not everyone knows about its nobility though and I was frustrated to see that a great deal of garbage was thrown into the small stream at the top of the falls.  I couldn't believe it and I loaded my kids back into the truck without walking down to the look out.  Instead I drove a little further on where a large stump provides a great seat as you look back down the Valley. 

Many people gripe about clear cuts but at this point I was more frustrated with the illegal dumping than with the large clear cut swaths that now dominate this area.  The mountain is no stranger to clear cuts as it was likely cut over about 60 years ago.  The trees that replaced the ones cut back then were ready to be cut again and so, they were cut.  The steep slopes mean that not all the trees are cut and the streams still appear healthy when viewed from the channel.  Litter and trash though scar the landscape for years and don't regenerate like the trees.  Dump sites actually grow because when someone sees a dump site they think it is ok for them to dump too. Clear cuts provide vistas to see beyond the trees and stumps to sit on while you take in the view.  Dump sites simply stink and detract from the scenery both near and far.  Before you dump trash along a back road, no matter how far back, keep that in mind.  With waste management systems today it is easy to get rid of trash.  Heck you pay for the system through your taxes, so why would you pay for the fuel in your truck to dump it illegally.

Remembrance Day 2013

Like many people this morning, I awoke with a bit of a heavy heart.  It is Remembrance Day and it is a day where we take time to solemnly think about our freedom.  It is a day where we thank those who bravely serve in our forces and other protective services, those who run towards the danger while many of us run away.  So why is my heart heavy on this day?  Why do I not celebrate those great people?  Their loss is felt not just locally but across the globe.  They leave us wishing we could all be a bit more like them, or at least that is the way I feel.

In Sussex the cenotaph stands tall in the middle of Town and today many people stood around it to Remember.  It was one of the best attended Remembrance Day services I can remember.  Even with the skies threatening snow flurries, people withstood the cold to take off their hats during the prayers and national anthem.  It is a pale suffering given what the soldiers have suffered in the past.  The many kids, not certain why they are there, look up at their parents with inquisitive eyes as their parents try to explain what is going on.  This next generation will hopefully only have to remember and not have to fight.

The day is also a time for me to acknowledge some of those great elderly people who have helped form my life and have had positive influences on the man I have become.  It is great to chat with a couple of them and introduce them to my kids and see a light in their eye as they see it was not in vain.  To all those who serve, thanks so much for giving me a chance to raise a family I hope will do us all proud.

Trying Tir Na Nog

This post has been a while in the making.  It was a topic that came to me a while back but for some reason I just kept putting it off.  I often talk about the joy of youth and of interacting with kids while outdoors.  Over a month ago now I was invited to talk to a number of 4 year old kids.  These weren't the run of your mill preschoolers.  These kids were already committed to being outdoors two days a week while at preschool.  The Tir Na Nog Forest School  is offering a new approach to learning and man do I ever wish I could have learned this way.

I arrived at the school on a drizzly morning but from the commotion I could hear down in the woods, it hadn't dampened the kids spirits. I immediately noticed a number of chickadees and realized I was in for a special morning when one perched right beside me for a moment and looked me straight in the eyes.  I found the majority of the group huddled around a cold fire pit and many were doodling on slate boards or stacking wood, or playing tag through the woods.  I had to fight off the urge to go play tag with them and instead I got comfortable with my surroundings and planned my approach for the lesson I was going to provide to the kids that day.

After introducing my self to the kids, who listened incredibly well when the teacher called them to the fire circle, I briefly discussed the importance of water to us as humans and to our ecosystem.  I was there on behalf of the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee and I was hoping to take them for a walk along the MacGregor Brook and maybe get their feet a little wet.

There was a trail down to the brook and the kids scurried excitedly through the trees and forest as the chickadees continued to flit through the white and yellow birches, the cedars and spruce.  I pointed out some deer and coyote tracks and the kids stood patiently in the mud wanting desperately to feel it squish under the feet.  Once I said "let's move on." the kids jumped and squished in the gooey mud.
This time I let the kid in me shine a little too as I stomped through the mud as I continued to make my way to the streamside.  A broad smile creeped across my face as I did.

One of the little girls asked to hold my hand and at first I was a bit reluctant.  I had the "If I hold your hand then I have to hold everyone's hand" feeling.  She left me no choice though and before long we were chatting away about everything under the sun.  All the kids were huddled around me and I did my best to make a connection with each of them.  Surprisingly, I thought I was pretty good at it.

When we reached the brook the teachers provided all the kids with snacks and I took the opportunity to show the kids some flowers from the nearby field.  I also show them some stinging nettle and insisted they stay away from that one.  After a nice snack the kids were eager to get their feet wet.  I didn't have a script or anything to work off of so I was willing to let the kids and nature lead me through the learning.  It was easy to find things to show them and simple to find ways to engage them and get their hands wet too.

As my time with the kids wound down, I couldn't help but feel down as well.  I was really enjoying myself and I thought "wow, I could do this for a living.". It was an indescribable feeling.  I felt positive about my interactions with the kids and I felt positive about teaching the kids outdoors.  The combination of the teaching and outdoors is a concept I really believe in and I think the younger we implant this process in our kids the more comfortable they will be outdoors.  

Thanks to the kids and the teachers for giving me the opportunity to explore this side of my personality.  I only hope that you all received as much from me that I received from you.

Some October Fun

During the Thanksgiving Weekend my brother and his wife hosted us for a family dinner.  We took an opportunity afterwards to enjoy a hike and some photo ops.  

That same day we took a picture that would make any dad proud.  Love my kids.

On October 19th we had a busy day which started with "Halloween at the Mall"  Here the kids chow down on some worms in dirt.  Seth had to remove his costume to eat.

After all those worms the kids needed to expend some energy so we hiked to the Bluff.  This is just one of the photos.  I'm not sure they really liked it up in the tree.

My sister has never had a fear of heights and casually walked to the ledge to get some photos of the rest of us.  I took a second to snap one of her with the wonderful background.

I managed to get one of Seth too but it wasn't easy.  Unfortunately, Shaylee wouldn't stop long enough to get her photo taken.

On Sunday October 20th, after a great weekend we were once again blessed with a wonderful scene.  I managed to take this photo from my front yard.

Lucky Dad

There are days that when its over you simply say "Wow am I ever lucky to be me."  Others might say "Am I ever lucky to live where I do."  Some even say "My family is incredibly fun to be with."  Well for me, today, I could say all of those things.  It was an incredible day where I spent the entire day with my kids having fun and enjoying our great community.

Like most good days, this one had great people that helped build it.  Communities are built around its people, even more so it's volunteers.  The kids and I woke up and they were already anticipating the day despite the fact that their Mom was away on a shopping trip.  They knew there were a couple of Halloween events and they couldn't finish breakfwast fast enough.  I kept stalling our departure and it was killing them, but if I didn't then we would have been there much to early.  I had some chores to do thankfully, so stalling was not a problem.  When I stated that I had to fold a load of laundry I thought Seth was going to throw it down the stairs.  When I said I needed to sweep the floor I thought Shaylee was going to toss the freshly folded laundry onto it in protest.  I have to admit I was having a bit of fun with it, and they knew that and we're giggling along with me.

We finally left the house a little after 10:00 and none to soon if you asked the kids.  We killed a bit more time by stopping at the coffee shop and they were fine with that at least for a few minutes.  By the time we reached the Gateway Mall the kids were bouncing.  They we're so excited I didn't know if their costumes would stay on.  At the back corner of the mall a large group of kids and frazzled parents were getting busy with the various crafts and activities.  The PACK group, organized by Heidi Stephens, did another great job with their "Halloween at the Mall" this year.  It is because of great organizations like this that we have such a great community.  The kids paraded around the mall and afterwards were able to trick or treat from store to store.  It was a great way to spend a morning.

After some lunch we headed out again for another Halloween event.  This time Joan Babineau and Beth Johnston and the rest of the volunteers from the Sussex Corner Elementary School's "Truck or Treat" event need to be thanked.  This event has quickly grown into a big success and the proceeds
will go to maintaining the school playgrounds.  See what I mean about bring in a great community?  
My kids scurried from truck to truck, sitting in every seat, honking every horn, and even jumping on
some beds.  Sorry to the truckers who now have Shaylee's foot prints on their pillow of their sleeper.  When I asked her to stop jumping on the bunk, her response was "I'm just so excited!" after judging a chili contest and escorting the kids around to each truck it was time to go exercise the dog for a while.

Earlier in the day I had arranged with my sister to possibly meet up with her and her boys again to hike the bluff.  We were able to make this happen after only a minor hiccup with my car.  For those who don't know about the Bluff, it is a modest hiking trail in our community that has a fantastic destination, especially in the fall of the year.  Two of my sisters friends joined us for the hike and I was surprised to find out one of them was making the hike for the first time.  

At the trail head it was easy to see we were not alone in our desire to enjoy the great day.  There were a number of vehicles there, including one from North Carolina.  We passed many people on our hike and everyone had smiles on their faces and it was easy to see they were enjoying the day God had made.  When we reached the summit of the Bluff the sun was shining right and we all sat and tried to take it all in.  The scenery was spectacular and you could take it in but the gift of the day was so large my mind is still struggling to comprehend it.  It sounds weird to put it like that, but it's true.  As I sat on the rock face looking out over the Trout Creek valley, my thoughts were not about the physical realm but of the emotional and spiritual influences that I had experienced to that point in the afternoon.

Challenges with my car.  Frustration with getting the kids out the door. Pride, in the way Seth handled not winning a prize at the "Halloween at the Mall"  by simply looking at me with a smile and shrugging his shoulders.  Joy, as I watched Shaylee smile and laugh as her brother helped into another truck.  To often I think I have let many days like today go by unnoticed.  To often I think I let my own stress and anxiety get in the way.  Today I had the patience I needed and the attitude I needed to see it all and recognize it for the gift it was.  So this is sort of a "Lesson Learned." One I hope not soon to forget.  I'm a lucky Dad and I'm glad I can have these days with my kids.  

Sorry I have no pictures to post but I only had my phone and they all seemed to turn out blurry today or the people in the photos had funny faces and likely wouldn't appreciate me posting those on here.  Hopefully you get the sense of the day by my writing anyways :)
 

Thanksgiving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Truly I think this is one of my favorite holidays.  Not because of the food, not because of the long weekend, but because of the fall setting and family.  The crisp fall air seems more honest somehow and it encourages you to be closer to the ones you love, if for no other reason the warmth.

My life, as you might see through my blog, is great.  God has given me so many blessings to be thankful for.  By far the biggest is my family whom give me love, inspiration, comfort, and security.  Another blessing that I think gets overlooked a great deal is this great place we live.  A stable environment that is expansive, relatively healthy, and provides us with all we need.

I'm guilty of sometimes wishing I had more but maybe one other thing that I should be thankful for is God's patience with me as I relearn to be grateful and content with what I have and His guidance as I remember that everything I have is through him.  My community, my church, my job, my car...it all comes from him.

Fall Fun at Poley Mountain

I have seen the post on-line a number of times "Cousins are our first friends."  Looks so true here.

What a beautiful fall day!  Wow.  The kids and I made the best of it while my wife visited family in Saint John today.  Poley Mountain is typically considered a winter destination but from what I saw this afternoon, they should expand their marketing strategy.  The view from the chair lift and from the trails was astounding.  I met my sister and her two boys in the parking lot and at that time was uncertain what to expect.  I didn't need to worry, we were outdoors and the weather was sunny with a light breeze.  What more did we need?

After exploring the facilities a little, including a brief stop at the cozy "Fireside Lounge" we purchased a lift ticket for a reasonable $5 fee.  I know I have paid $5 for a lot worse experiences.  We then made our way to the chair lift.  Now might be a good time to mention that I haven't been to Poley Mountain since I was a kid about 8 years old, so I guess about 20 years ago (wink, wink.)  I was a bit nervous about getting on the chair lift as the last time I was there, I struggled riding the t-bar to the top.  The chair lift is much easier.

Getting on the chair lift was easier than I anticipated and the kids loved the leisurely ride.

The kids and I sat nicely into a chair, pulled the security bar down, and enjoyed the slow pace ride to the top of the hill.  Numerous times we would crank our necks around to see the view back down the hill and across the Trout Creek Valley.  The Bluff, which is usually a dominate land feature from the valley floor looked tiny from our perch high up on the mountain and in the chair.  The various shades of yellows, oranges, and reds, expanded your imagination as you would never have guessed how many shades there were.  As we got about half way up the hill the drone of the lift turned silently and the ride became very peaceful and even the kids were able to enjoy the whole situation.

When we got to the top we excitedly jumped off the chair and before I could say a word the kids were running back down the hill.  I'm not kidding, the boys ran off, leaving Shaylee, my sister Becki, and I behind.  When they realized we weren't running to catch up they slowed down.  We finally convinced them to come back to us so we could snap a photo.

The view from the top of the "Mountain" was impressive and full of fall color.

The whole way down the hill the kids laughed while I let my eyes explore the surroundings.  I noticed a mountain bike trail that would add another great activity to the hill.  I had a fantastic time throughout the day but I was left wondering...why don't they open the hill up more often for this type of event?  They could even have hike in tent sites available there through the summer months.  Since I may have some time this winter to partake in new events, maybe we'll have to try skiing.  Regardless, I hope to visit the slopes again sometime, even without snow.

Thanks to my sister for sharing the pictures she managed to take on her phone.  I have been terrible lately at taking my camera along.  Thanks too Becki for sharing our fun adventure.  Love you.