Underway.

We’re expanding our garden space at Wilbur’s, so it meant taking the green house for a little walk. 15 staff members, skiers and rowers helped move the greenhouse from behind the office to Wilbur’s front yard.

Receiving instructions and bracket draw from the TDs.

Lots of fun this Mother’s Day 2013 – see the news item here. Check out the gallery below!

Some of the Vermonters with their booty. Spencer, Marika, Qunicy, Linda, Murray, and Unnur (Icelandic BKL friend).

The Craftsbury members in Iceland capped their stay with competition in the Fossavatnsgangan in Ísafjörður. This classic race has distances from 10k to 50k (though weather mandated a shortened 45k in 2013). As alluded to, conditions were pretty memorable, as blue hard wax weather and snow gave way to 0C, rain/snow/sleet and high winds. But the Vermonters toughed it out. Member Paul Bierman reported these results:

Quincy Massey Bierman, 2nd overall woman in 10k
Marika Massey Bierman, 4th in 14 and under 15k
Anica Koontz Miller, 5th in the 14 and under 15k
Unnur (Icelandic friend of the girls), 3rd in 16 and under 15k
Spencer Eusden, 8th in 45k
Linda Ramsdell, 3rd in 30-49 woman in the 45k
Murray Banks, 3rd in 50-66 year old men

Full results haven’t been posted yet, but you can check the race website. While Vermont was enjoying balmy spring/summer temperatures, these hardy skiers were stuck in Iceland for an additional day thanks to a gale in the North Atlantic. Brrr…

Seems that any of these skiers have to be considered favorites for the Slush Cup Sprints this weekend. What a way to cap winter!

Thank God the dining hall’s open again.

Another important milestone today:  the Dining Hall opened for lunch. I can only assume the sigh of relief from staff and athletes was audible. During the break the kitchen has tooled up with some new gear:  a wood smoker. Jon and co. fired it up for today’s wings. While he’s still learning all the ins and outs, this round was pretty tasty! Want to enjoy a Craftsbury meal? Don’t forget about Saturday’s Local Dinner – reservations will be accepted until Saturday at 2pm.

The sculling staff and GRP rowers have very generously organized a staff sculling camp this weekend. We get to learn a new skill, or polish what abilities we have already – as well as better understanding what the sculling program offers our guests. They get the opportunity to have a dry run at camp logistics – and the fun of watching the rest of us learn! A great opportunity all the way round, and excellent way to enjoy time as a staff.  Stay tuned – there’s a HoH on Sunday morning!

Ida going for it. photo – Amy Wilton

Tuesday strength for the GRP skiers:
50 ring dips
100 pull ups
150 push-ups
200 sit ups (just for core maintenance)
250 low squads with the Olympic bar

Ethan’s challenge for the week:
1000 pull-ups
1000 push-ups
1000 sit-ups – all in one 7-day week.

~190 days until we roll out the Thanksgiving loop, ~220 until the first Eastern Cup, 274 to Sochi.

How’s your dryland coming?

Chickens! In an attempt to build on our self-sufficiency here at the Center, Alex Howe and the GRP are taking on the project of raising more livestock. Here’s a brief tour of the chicken tractor and an introduction to the newest denizens of Craftsbury.

New Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) just picked up for Hosmer Point and Craftsbury.

Stand up paddleboards are starting to pop up everywhere – including Craftsbury. Jon Hammond has just picked up several for Hosmer Point and the Center. Definitely a fun new way to enjoy Big Hosmer this summer – good crossover to double poling too.

Still working hard to have everything in place for summer – lots to do, but the weather’s been so nice for it, it’s hard to mind!

Not new, but still find this to be an ingenious oar rack – and now it’s locked and loaded for camp.

Today’s puzzle for maintenance: how to get a pump out from 300′ down in an old well casing.

Craftsbury Groomer and Johnny on the spot, Lucas Schulz appears in “Green at Dartmouth”.

Too much winter? No such thing for some Craftsbury members. The Massey Bierman family has spent the past week in Iceland racing, pushing their annual total of snow days over 100, and sight seeing. Lots of snow, and very wintry snow at that. They’ve reported temps remaining below freezing, and as low as -8C – blue hard wax skiing!
Last weekend was Iceland’s Donald Duck festival (think BKL fest). Quincy won the 9-10 year old classic race, and was second in the skate. Marika raced to 6th in 13-14 year old classic race, and just off the podium in 4th in freestyle. Both races were interval start. The festival drew around 150 nordie kids, along with 400 or so alpiners. Full results here.

The Massey-Bierman clan has been joined by Linda Ramsdell, Anica Koontz Miller and other Vermont skiers for this weekend’s Fossavatn Ski Marathon. Think of them as you work on your projects this weekend in shorts and a tee shirt!