Where is Hoffmaster?

[azbackpackr]

Hey, Hoffmaster! You having too much fun there in New Hampshire? Tell us of your adventures!

[Hoffmaster]

I'm still around here occasionally. It's hard to keep reading about a place that I don't live in anymore. I'm really liking New Hampshire and the White Mountains, so that is my focus right now.

[azbackpackr]

Sounds fun!

[Hoffmaster]

Hey guys! I just dropped by to vote for a few calendar photos. I've been poking around on this site and I really miss it.

I just want to say "hi" and let you all know that I'm still alive. It looks like you all have been getting out quite a bit. Lots of awesome adventures and photos! Keep having fun and hopefully I'll see you all this coming winter.

BTW, I posted a "New Hampshire" photo set, just to show you all that I haven't been sitting on my butt all summer long.
http://www.hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=9115

[azbackpackr]

Great photo set! Glad you stopped by to visit us!

[Hoffmaster]

I also want to say, if you commented on one of my photos months ago, sorry for not responding. I stopped visiting this site for a while; it was too depressing. And now I'm sure the comments are probably irrelevant.

My wife said if she had the chance to move back to AZ, she would. So who knows, maybe I'll be seeing you guys again some day. I think she's going to hate it here in New Hampshire. We woke up to about a half-inch of snow this morning. It melted by the afternoon, but dang, it's still a little too early for that. I kinda like it, but she hates it.

[nonot]

Snow can be fun too and there's the great way to spend a night drinking hot apple cider by the fireplace with a good book .

Um, since you spent some time in ohio, you probably already know this but buy a good quality ice scraper and snow brush combination thing for each of your cars.

[Hoffmaster]

Thanks nonot. I think we have the snow-scraper things somewhere. I need to dig them out.

Snow is fun. I'm going to be doing a ridiculous amount of snowshoeing and snowboarding this winter. Also, I am probably going to learn to ice climb, cross-country ski, and backcountry ski. So... the cider and book will probably have to wait till some other time.

This coming Sunday, I am going to Acadia for 4 days to celebrate my 1-year anniversary. If you've been there before and have any recommendations concerning hikes, please let me know. (this is not directed at nonot; it's directed at everyone!)

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, Matt, the snow thing sure can be fun. It's the day-to-day living with it (and we don't have as hard a winter here in Eagar as NH does) that wears on a person. Right now I am sad it's fall, and I want to be in Yuma with my kayak and road bike.

In 1989, age 36, when we lived in Tucson (after I had lived in San Diego and Kona) my husband went up to his hometown in Nebraska to pick up his stepmother's 1978 Blazer--since she had passed away, his dad gave it to us. (We still have the porridge thing, too. Sheesh. Cheap insurance, WHEN I can get it to run.) Anyway, it has this console inside and when he got back home and I was examining the vehicle I opened up the console and pulled out a couple of plastic things with handles. I held them up to show my husband and I said, "What are these things for?" He said, "Ice scrapers." I said, "Ice scrapers? For what?" He said, "You know, for the windshield." I said, "Oh! Ice, on the windshield, hmm, like in Nebraska?" (By this time he was laughing at me, of course!)

Yup, and I know how to USE them now, and the little brush too! And not to dump hot water on the windshield!

[Hoffmaster]

Elizabeth, I figure that with the right equipment (snowshoes, skis, snowboard, crampons, ice axes, etc...) the snow won't wear on me too much. In fact, I might be sad when it melts. Basically I feel like this: If there aren't leaves on the trees, then there should be snow on the ground. The snow in Ohio made me happy. Everything looked nicer with snow on it. I'm counting on the same feelings here.

Hey, did I tell you I got a kayak? Two actually. I bought 2 Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140's. I've been paddling my brains out, and I'm going to keep doing it till the water freezes over.

[rdavisiii]

Hoffmaster, we have never met but I am a transplant from NH and live here in AZ now. Ice Climbing season is coming soon, that is where the fun is at in the winter. You get ice in Tucks early on(Thanksgiving weekend) and usually by late December most other flows are coming in nicely. Crawford Notch is a great place to explore for ice climbing. There is a ton to do, I miss the fall hiking and the ice climbing most. If you ever need ideas just pm me.
Ron

[Hoffmaster]

Awesome Ron! Thanks!

[azbackpackr]

with the right equipment (snowshoes, skis, snowboard, crampons, ice axes, etc...) the snow won't wear on me too much.
Hey, did I tell you I got a kayak? Two actually. I bought 2 Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140's. I've been paddling my brains out, and I'm going to keep doing it till the water freezes over.

Wow! Fun! I haven't been out in the boat since Yuma.