school's out, summer plans

Schools out, summer is upon us, and a common question is what are your plans for the summer?
Perhaps you are planning a wonderful week’s vacation on the coast. Or in the mountains. Or at a favorite campground. Or you will be visiting family. Or exploring a faraway place. Or maybe you are going on a road trip to a national park.

​You might be more athletically inclined. Your plans involve hiking Mt. Washington, or whitewater rafting, ziplining over a gorge, or biking the Kancamagus.

Maybe your plans involve relaxing with a good book in your backyard.

Maybe there isn’t time or funds to get away. But, we live in a corner of the world where other people come for their getaways.

Summer Fun in the Eastern Monadnock Region
Let’s think about the possibilities for fun, relaxation, and renewal right here where we live.

We have lots of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams. We can swim, paddle, or sail in Dublin Lake, or Cunningham Pond, Thorndike Pond or Contoocook Lake and more.

Fishing holes are everywhere- the more secretive the spot, the better it seems. I guess you need to consult a fisherperson to find the best spots. Mandy, our Kinship Navigator, organized a June 1 fishing day for Kinship families on Grassy Pond in Rindge. It was a perfect spot for some fishing fun.

There are so many trails to explore. The White Dot trail up Mt. Monadnock or one of the trails up Pack Monadnock will give you a view well worth the effort. If negotiating rough terrain is difficult, the accessible trail at Crotched Mountain is a beautiful spot.  On a walk around Gilsum Pond at Monadnock State Park you might see a duck or beaver.

The rail trails offer a safe, flat surface for bikers large and small. I hadn’t really thought about the flatness of rail trails until a few years ago. Trains don’t do well on steep grades. Hence, rail trails are ideal for those not fond of hills on their bikes. Jaffrey to Rindge, Peterborough to Hancock, Harrisville, Greenville, the rail trails are everywhere. Give them a try. They are also great for strollers.

Families, Forests, and Farms
If you would like to join other families for some exploring, then I urge you to sign up for The River Center’s Families Forests and Farms this summer. This weekly program meets at different places throughout our region.   Or, you might like to join a book group to discuss Bonnie Harris’ classic, Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids. For the 6-8th graders, we are offering Safe Sitter Essentials on July 20.  For more information on any of our programs or to register please go to rivercenternh.org.
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For more information on trails and outdoor activities in the Monadnock Region, you can go to Visit the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire | NH Travel Destination (monadnocknh.com)
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Whatever you do this summer, make time to relax and rejuvenate. Find a rock with a view, have a seat, and let your mind rest.
Happy summer!
 
Margaret Nelson
Executive Director