Mini Camp

On Monday, Mark drove from Lake Placid to my house for a visit and a little training. The next morning, Robby drove up from the Berkshires for a visit and a little training. As soon as Robby arrived, we went to our rooms and got dressed for an "endurance strength" session that Mark learned in his travels. Moments later, mark emerged from his room wearing leather overalls, a horned viking helmet, and wielding a battle axe. "You kids want to see how we do it in Norway?" he asked Robby and me. We said "yes" and what followed would leave us sore for two days and counting. The workout featured 14 exercises, done 1 minute on 15 seconds off, four times each. Bruuutal. Afterwards, we met up with Caleb, who had been working, at the Moat (the place we ate for UNH) for a nice meal.

The next morning, we took advantage of the incredible weather and did a sweet run/hike over Glen Boulder, Boott spur, and Mount Washington.

The obligatory "pushing over Glen boulder" photo.

Mark pulls a Norwegian trick on Robby.


Some westerners and a swiss person may laugh, but I don't care.

After the hike, we spent a few hours eating and watching the US Open. Once we had rested enough and picked up a few moves from Rafael Nadal we headed to the clay and whacked some balls.

Mark shows some intensity on the courts.

Working on the shin angle.

Mark rips a backhand down the line.


Nice snag!

Robby swings from the heels.


Eye on the ball.

Mark chases down a sneaky Cuthbert lob.

Mark retaliates.

Today we got out for a skate rollerski in Crawford notch. The weather was beautiful again and we spiced up the OD with a bunch of 30 second pickups, and we've got the video to prove it. Robby and Mark cruise by Mount Washington.

Robby skis north as our plan for senior year housing drives south.

We also paid a visit to Caleb's chickens and gave them some water.

After a nice ski, we headed to the river. Consecutive nights in the 30s turned the Saco into an ice bath, but it was still "refreshing."

Back at the house, there was work to be done... man's work. We nominated Mark to represent our gender, and he donned the protective chaps and helmet, and wielded the chainsaw (this actually happened).

Limbing like a champ.

After we took care of business in the woods, we switched gears. Big time. Story Land, where fantasy lives (tm), is a lovely amusement park in Glen and proud employer of Caleb. Caleb used his upper-management position to reserve tickets for us, so we strolled in for free. Mark had to get back to the Olympic Training Center, so he hit the road after we chilled with Caleb for a while. Robby, however, wasn't going anywhere until he added rollercoaster #147 to his tally.

Master of his domain.

The Polar Coaster, which Robby says is "probably
the biggest roller coaster I've been on."

Cinderella's castle looms.


There's really nothing creepy about two guys
hanging out at Story Land.