Sorry about the re-post…  Our webserver pooped out a couple weeks ago so I just wanted to get these back in rotation…

Although I’ve been working my way through an aggravated disc in my back, I have not totally lost my mind with that title.  It just occurred to me this morning, that although still 5 months away, we have a lot to be thankful for this weekend.

First and foremost would have to be our fathers.  They have nudged us in the right direction to keep us from making the same mistakes they did.  They supported us through soccer games, football games, skateboarding shows and what I’m guessing were painful band concerts.  They drove 13 hours to visit us in college and made countless other sacrifices solely for our benefit.  I’m only talking of my dad here, but I trust there are many other reasons all of you reading this can come up with.

At this point in my life, I have the responsibility of providing food and shelter for just Remy and I.  (Remy is my cat if you haven’t been following along.)  What this has taught me over the years is an incredible respect and admiration for parents everywhere.  My parents were in their 20’s when they were raising my brother and I.  When I look back at myself in my 20’s, I can’t imagine being responsible for a cat, let alone a human.  My life was filled with work, basketball games at York beach, chasing girls, albeit unsuccessfully, and saving money for a motorcycle.  My 30’s weren’t a whole lot different except my job became more of a career and living in Portsmouth certainly left no space for a child.

The life-altering changes that parenthood brings are something only those of you who have children will fully understand.  My good friend Chris G. was the first to say to me, though I have heard it many times since, that once your child is born “everything changes”.  Your whole focus shifts to your child, this beautiful thing that you have created.  No longer are your dreams and aspirations at the top of the priority list.  There is somebody more important that needs your focus now.  This shift was crystal clear for my father and nothing I can do or say will ever be thanks enough for all he did for me and means to me.  Happy Father’s day, Dad!

My parents are on their way to New Hampshire for a couple months and the reason they are coming back home is the other thing we should be thankful for this weekend.  Have you looked outside?!   Apparently some of the bikers made nice with Mother Nature because they got themselves (and us) one heck of a stretch of amazing weather.  This, my friends, is one of the many reasons we love it here.  I’m not sure if you have checked the forecast, but the terms “sunny and pleasant” are plastered across the weather websites for the foreseeable future.  I can remember many of the past years that bike week has been laden with nothing but clouds and rain.  Be careful out there and remember to look twice before pulling into traffic.

If you live here and own your own piece of North Conway NH Real Estate, you know the drill.  If this is your first time visiting the Mount Washington Valley at the onset of Summer, you are in for a treat.  Of course we just struck gold with this amazing weather, but the flurry of activities this weekend is sure to keep your whole family excited, entertained, exhausted and looking forward to your next visit.

Our friends over at Wildcat are finally open this weekend and dad’s ride on the gondola on Sunday is going to be free!  They’ve got a zipline, disc golf and some scenic hiking trails too.  Their sister resort Attitash is also bustling with attractions including horseback riding, the famous alpine slide, waterslides, mountain biking and their mountain coaster along with sponsoring the Thad Thorne 5K memorial race on Saturday morning.  For a more tasty treat, the Jackson area chamber of commerce is hosting the jingle bell chocolate tour.  That one is sure to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.

It’s no secret the bikes are here for the weekend.  The Mount Washington Valley chamber is hosting their 6^th annual Rally in the Valley.  Speaking of being on the road, there will be a bevy of elite athletes convening on the big rock on Saturday morning.  The Mount Washington road race kicks off at 9:00am, so don’t make plans to drive up to the summit until after lunch.  The Conway Scenic Railway, Six-Gun City and Story Land also have full schedules this weekend.

Our friendly neighbors across the Kanc are also cracking open the fun gates for this weekend.  Clark’s trading post, Lost River Gorge, Polar Caves and Whales Tale Waterpark are all open and have great specials for dads to keep him off the lawnmower on Sunday.  There are countless attractions, restaurants and activities for the whole family.  I just spent a few minutes online and found the ones above, do a little searching around and I’m sure you will find plenty to do to take full advantage of this beautiful weekend.

And I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t remind you to take a minute during your day, and appreciate your surroundings.  Take in that breathtaking vista of the Presidential ridge.  Appreciate the fact that you can’t drive for more than 2 minutes without finding something beautiful to see or something fun to do.  We live here because we love it.  We love the seasons. We love the scenery.  We love the people and we love the mountains.  Rates are low, inventory is slowly shrinking.   This could be the weekend you start to seriously consider making the Mount Washington Valley one of the places you call home.  Click here to start your search!