Stop-motion drawing of "The Old Man and the Sea"

Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is one of my favorite books.  A combination of simple prose, brilliant narrative, and a compelling message make it a true classic (and the ocean setting should appeal to any water-lover). I stumbled upon the below video today on Vimeo in which an artists transposes the Old Man story (shark attacks included) into a series of pictures in stop motion.  The song in the background has been overused as of late in online videos but it fits so I'll overlook it.

Enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/39473645

 

Top 5: Things to do in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is the only United States national park in New England and a go-to destination for everyone from young thrill-seekers to families looking to go camping to older couples hoping to chow down on some lobster and enjoy the sights.  I have been leading adventure tours through this amazing park, located near Bar Harbor, ME, since 2008 and have been visiting Acadia since the early 90's with my family.  Although tiny in size when compared to the behemoth parks out west, this protected enclave on the Maine coast is one of the coolest places on the planet to explore.  Below are five of my picks for activities to enjoy on a trip to Acadia. Top 5:

  1. The Beehive - Harrowing yet manageable cliffs, limitless views of the Atlantic coast, getting up close and personal with some native creatures, and juicy wild blueberries are some of the highlights of this classic New England hike.  The parking lot is overflowing by about 9AM in the peak season so I always get an early start and beat the midday crowds.  While not recommended for those of you who are afraid of heights, I have seen the Beehive (so named because the rocky peak resembles the cone shape of a beehive) convert even the staunchest city lover to a full blown granola eating tree-hugger.

  2. Ocean Kayaking -No trip to Acadia would be complete without checking out the rocky coast and surrounding islands and by far the best way to do that is to strap on a skirt - kayak skirt, to keep the 39 degree water out of your lap - and hop in a kayak.  While you could rent a 'yak and bring out your inner Magellan, navigating the coast is best done by a local professional as they not only know the best spots to visit but know how to deal with inclement weather, distracted lobster boats, and vicious, killer seals.  I recommend a full-day excursion so that there is time to get out on an island for lunch and get to see some of the coast.

  3. Thunder Hole and the Coastal Park Loop - A short walk from the base of the Beehive will get you to Thunder Hole, a naturally occurring phenomenon where waves crash into the cliffs and are directed up through a chimney in the rock to create a massive sound and huge spray.  Keep exploring the coastal road for tremendous views, little hiking paths, and other fun stuff, like the millions of snails crawling along the endless coast.  The best way to do this is on bike but if you are a bit tired from your other adventures a ride in a car with the windows rolled down is a close alternative.
  4. Pop over to the Jordan Pond House for Pop-overs - This upscale restaurant, nestled between some mountains and the aptly named Jordan Pond, serves seriously gourmet meals while still allowing patrons who have not showered or changed their grimy camping clothes in days to sit inside or out in the amazing and scenic back lawn.  Every meal comes with a pop-over and fresh jam; there is really nothing better after days of campsite cooking.  Before or after your meal it is mandatory (not really, but really on my trips) to walk the two mile or so loop of the Jordan Pond.  It is relaxing, filled with wildlife, and a great way to burn off those pop-overs.

  5. Take a dip at Echo Lake - It is mid July, 90 degrees in the sun, you are sweaty and disgusting from camping, hiking, biking, and not showering.  The ocean is too cold to jump in.  Echo Lake is calling.  While there are numerous bodies of fresh water that you could go to in Acadia, I have always been partial to the shores of Echo Lake.  The water is clean and refreshingly cool, there is a sandy beach as well as some grass, and friendly people from all walks of life come here to lazily unwind.

Those are my top five, which may not necessarily be yours so do some exploring, leave the beaten path, discover new things, and have some fun in the outdoors this summer!  Oh, and do not forget to enjoy a lobster or two, fresh from the Maine coast.

What is Billy up to?

Our head instructor, Billy Ackerman, does not lead a boring life.  In the ten months of the year that Water Monkey Camp is not going on he is down in Jacksonville Beach, Florida making the most of good weather, sandy beaches, and limitless watersports activities. Recently he has been hooked on kiteboarding.

Kiteboarding is a super versatile sport, mixing a bit of wakeboarding, some surfing, and some serious kite flying skills.

Kiting makes impossibly huge airs and tricks possible due to the power of the massive kite.  Most of learning how to kite is mastering the kite itself; the board skills will follow.

All of Billy's kiting adds to his ridiculous board skills so that he will continue to be a one of a kind instructor to our campers each summer.

We are lucky to have Billy at Water Monkey Camp and he says he is pumped to get back to NH in a few months.  Keep on shreddin' Bill.

An innovative new snow sport or the next "mini-ski"?

I found this new product online and thought it would be a great follow up to our last post about obscure water sports. http://vimeo.com/35672273

This product is essentially two miniature snowboards with normal bindings.  Personally, I think that the novelty would wear off in about two runs and I would be strapping back in to my full size board.  Anyone who hit the slopes in the late 90's/early 00's would remember the mini-ski fad where mostly kids and young teens traded in their skis for tiny planks the size of their boots with a leash and no poles.  This new product is the same theory, just for snowboards.  Just as mini-skis came and went quickly I just do not think that the dual board has a viable path forward.  Miniaturizing the snowboard means less edge (less control) and less surface area (not good in powder), while splitting the board in two means your front and back feet can move independently (less stability, especially at speed).  As their video shows, it may be fun in the park for a bit, that is until you spread-eagle a rail and remember why it was you switched from skis to a board in the first place.