First Annual TCPOE Riverfest-Palooza

Hubby and I enjoy going to the Acoustic Cafe Open Mic in Groton almost every Friday night.  We not only love presenting our songs and hearing other singer/songwriters, we've made some very good friends.  We call the cafe TCPOE -  The Coolest Place On Earth - because it is!

A couple of those open mic friends were discussing kayaking and canoeing, and thought it would be fun to organize a Riverfest Palooza.......everyone bring your boats, we'd launch in the Nashua River, and  if anyone was so inclined, bring some instruments and play music on the river.    What a great idea!

There were about a dozen of us in everything from kayaks
 

DAVE

RICK

PAULA

to canoes

LEE AND ROGER

HUBBY 

in the back of our canoe

a rowboat

BOB AND PAT

and even a strange pedal-driven kayak

MARC

(Gayle and Cheryl were there too, but I guess I got no pics of them!)

We spent about 3 hours paddling up and down the river, singing and playing musical instruments.  Pat added a bit of style with her parasol

After we finished on the water, Marc and Paula invited us to their home for "a couple of drinks and something to eat".   I have to say I was completely amazed at the instant party they created.  Plenty of food, drinks, and steaks on the grill!   It brought to mind the new style of tents that pop right up when you open them.  This party popped right up as soon as we stepped into Marc and Paula's house.  

And of course, after the eating, there had to be a jam.  When can musicians ever get together without jamming?  It was a fantastic day from beginning to end.   It's already being discussed that this is going to be an annual event.   I hope so!

Mini-Golf with Emily

Last year we took Emily mini-golfing and although she was young and I thought she'd lose interest after a couple of holes, she loved it.   So we decided it would be fun to do an encore......especially considering this is the last year the place will be open.  The people who own it are retiring and selling it.  They seem doubtful that any new owners will keep the property going as a mini-golf place.

This year we wisely bought the "Fun Pass" which included our round of mini-golf, an ice cream, and tokens in the arcade.

It cracks me up that we all get to "tee off" but Emily must "putt out" for all of us!

Figuring out the correct way to hold your hands on the golf club was a challenge, but Emily was very patient with Memere's instructions.

We sat on a bench for a bit to let another couple "play through".

And also for a little rest with Pepere.

After the golfing, a nice treat at the Ice Cream Shoppe is always well deserved.

Emily posed to show Pepere  how she can put her tongue through the hole where she lost her first tooth.

Pepere and Emily duke it out on the "Whack-A-Mole" in the arcade.

All the tickets we won went, of course, in Emily's stash.   She got two bracelets, two rings and a ring pop!

Emily's favorite game was the Spider Web

Emily wins against Memere in Whack A Mole

Watch this one to the end.

Fourth of July

It's always a great day when your expectations are met or exceeded by your experience.  I had been looking forward to the Fourth of July all week for several reasons.   First, it's always great to have a day off during the week.  Second, we were going to my brother's house to have a BBQ and swim in his pool.  And third, we were walking over to the local junior high to see the fireworks.

The day was perfect weather-wise.  After days and days and days of stormy weather we had the perfect summer day.......hot with clear blue skies.    We got to my brother's around noon and I immediately went into the pool.  My brother John and niece Laura and hubby joined me, and we floated and chatted for a long time before  John got out to cook for us.  And he's a great cook.  Eating hotdogs and burgers and spare ribs cooked on the grill and eaten outside just screams Summertime!!!

We spent the afternoon chatting, eating and swimming.  Life is good!

Then home for a little rest and then time to get ready for the fireworks.  I thought it would be just Hubby and me, but we ended out being joined by Jamie, Laura, and my son Doug and his wife Kara and our granddaughter Emily!  That couldn't have made things any more perfect!

As I was sitting in the infield of the ball field behind the junior high, with my family gathered around me, full of good food and pleasantly tired from swimming in the sun all day, I was as content as I could possibly be.