Block Party: New England Style

So last Saturday, the people of Fairview Avenue (that's the street I live on) held their Annual Block Party. After seeing the posted signs and being invited by three different people in the days prior to the event, I made up my mind to go and meet, mix and mingle with the neighbors. And eat their free food.

This was not your average, run-of-the-mill, Utah Valley Mormon potluck. Although all present were dressed in casual attire, the food was anything but. Here's a sampling of some of of the food: Eggplant Parmigiana (for the vegetarian crowd, according to the toothpick-sign), homemade thin-crust pizzas: one with pesto and one with homemade tomato sauce, chocolate-walnut bars, a salad made entirely of vegetables from a local farm, artichoke dip, chocolate-dipped strawberries (the strawberries were grown by a neighbor), a variety of premium beers, and the option for make-your-own tonic and gins (or gin and tonics? I don't remember), and of course, quality hamburgers and hot dogs.

For entertainment, croquet was set up, and bocce balls were at our disposal (I played a rousing game of bocce ball with some people...and totally won. Bocce ball is my hidden talent apparently). After playing and eating I sat down with some of my neighbors and we ended up talking for a long time. They were all very friendly and we talked about local trails and places to see, winter weather (and survival), education in America, perks of living in Hanover, etc. They were incredibly friendly and I was amazed that we got along so well, being on average 20 years younger than most of them. It was a good time. Good food, good people, and good talk. A block party to remember.

Nature Walk

Sunday evening I went on a walk up to this cool forest near my apartment. I had run past it several times but I had never stopped to explore. Anyway, I brought my camera to try and take some good pictures but it was too dark, and I ended up getting only one good shot:

New Hampshire: Where all the license plates say: "Live Free or Die".

Go Dartmouth

Dartmouth has an amazingly beautiful campus. I hear it gets even better in the fall (and I'm not even going to think about the winter version of Dartmouth--I'll cross that bridge when it comes). Anyway, this is a picture of the famous Dartmouth green. At any given time there are clusters of students and others playing frisbee or sitting in circles or taking naps in the usually-somewhat-muted sun. Behind it is the famous Baker-Berry Library.

Here is a close up:

More to come later...

Tour of the apartment (WARNING: It's quite small)

So here is my little basement apartment. It's in a really nice neighborhood and just a few minutes walk from the Dartmouth Green. Yes, it's small, but I think it's pretty nice. It kind of feels like I'm at the famous Rickenbach ranch, with the wooden shelves and the little wagon wheel table. And I like that. Here's a shot of the outside:

not bad, huh?