Mid Summer

I had the good fortune of spending Labor Day weekend in Big Sky, Montana with "family friends." Big Sky, as I referenced in my April blog, is a magnificent area, and just as majestic in September as it is in April. We mountain biked, hiked, fly fished, listened to Willie Nelson play under the stars and gawked at moose, bear, elk and fox.

My biggest adventure was on Sunday, when I did my first fly fishing float trip. Thanks to my brother in law who arranged a trip with East Slope Outdoors -- http://www.eastslopeoutdoors.com -- we floated the beautiful and productive Madison River. Six of us launched in three boats led by our colorful and expert guides: Sklyer, Adam and Stuart. While the fishing could not have been better as we landed plenty of Rainbows, Browns, Whitefish and even a Cutthroat; the weather was another story.

We knew the forecast called for a chance of rain with a high in the mid 60’s and upon departure the weather looked favorable – a beautiful mix of sun and high billowy clouds and moderate temperatures. Then we were off and within the hour the temperature dropped and we faced hail, lightning and thunder . . and we had six hours to go. I was hanging in there until my guide, Stuart, told me to set my rod down while we waited out some lightning that was a bit too close for comfort.

Fortunately, my family members have been very loyal supporters of Black Squirrel and I must say we were all well prepared with our layering systems that included plenty of Black Squirrel gear – Ibex base layers, fleece and down insulating layers and good waterproof shells.

Had the fishing not been so good I am sure I would have packed it in sooner – given that I am not a big fan of the wet and cold – but I sure would have hated to miss all the fun. This trip was a great reminder of why I opened BSQO in the first place. I love being outdoors and I don’t want to have to change my plans every time the weather changes. I am also not the kind of person who is going to run out and buy a new fishing or skiing or hiking outfit every time I want to try a new activity – so I need Black Squirrel gear – attractive, quality and above all, functional.

Best of all, by the time we got to Eino’s Tavern in West Yellowstone, I was warm, ready for a cold beverage, and ready to swap fish tales with my family and our guides.

Slacklining

I just sent out my email announcing Black Squirrel’s mid summer sale and I am feeling a bit nostalgic that I have only one more month before my boys head back to school. But when I stop and think of all of the great things that have happened, I get even more excited and determined to take advantage of these last few weeks with my family. Now that camps are over and summer lacrosse has wrapped up we will have the opportunity to spend some time in the Catskills.

I am working on a mental “to do” list of fun things I want to accomplish before September is here. A fun adventure is always on my list. Thanks to my kids, nieces and nephews this item rarely goes unfulfilled. Earlier this summer my 10 year old niece told me about always wanting to try parasailing, so next thing you know, Eliza, Quinn and Aunt Anne are 50 feet in the air attached to the back of a boat. While it decidedly is not an “adrenaline” sport (my nearly seventy year old mother joined us too), it was fun and beautiful and I am glad to say I have tried it. It is a great “one and done” activity.

Also on my list is to sit, relax and read a book. I have definitely mastered the art of sitting (albeit without the reading and relaxing parts) this summer, as I have spent many weekends under the blazing hot sun watching kids play lacrosse. I did have one big thought for the store though, after seeing so many teams in uniforms with all of the trimmings – bags, helmets, t-shirts, socks etc - I am convinced I should start a Black Squirrel Teams (BSQT) division. My goal would not only be to put the kids in some decent looking garb, but plenty of the parents could use a little Black Squirrel touch as well.

Last, but certainly not least, on my list are a few exciting new initiatives at Black Squirrel. I recently attended a few fashion and gift shows and saw some new lines for next spring that I am working on bringing to BSQO. Also, I am getting closer to finally making the BSQO on-line shopping experience a reality.

While I am old enough to know that not everything on my to do list ever gets done – I will and I encourage you to enjoy the last days of summer.

Nut of the Month

So Monday was a fun day at BSQO. One of the Gibbon Slackilines’ Pros, Micki, who refers to himself as a “Slacker,” stopped by the store for the afternoon. Micki is in the midst of a busy cross country tour, performing tricks and introducing the sport of slacklining to thousands of people. Although the sport is just start to catch on the East, it is growing like crazy out West. Micki’s recent tour stops include EMS stores in the North East, Paragon Sports in NYC and other retailers like Black Squirrel Outfitters.



Micki’s advice for beginner slackers was simple:
- keep your head and eyes looking up, not down at your feet
- put your arms over your head slightly bent
- concentrate/focus
- practice, practice, practice (sorry – there are no short cuts)



Micki has been a slacker for over eight years and he is extremely talented. He showed us jumps onto the slackline, on the slackline, from one to the other and most impressive were his yoga poses. In between tricks he spotted quite a few of us as we tried to walk the line. The photos say it all. Hopefully Micki or another slacker will come through Pelham again.


Don’t forget the slackline makes a great gift for $80. We are also carrying the new “funline” which is perfect for young kids ($100).


Keep Practicing!!

Memorial Day Weekend

For my "nut of the month" I am constantly looking for products and ideas that are new and cool, and sometimes I overlook some of my "tried and true" favorite things that, in this case, are literally at the end of my nose. Garth and I have been wearing Native sunglasses for years and I was thrilled to add them to my lineup this year. They are not the sexiest glasses on the market, but we keep coming back to them because they are a hit on so many fronts. I think they look great to start. All of their lenses are polarized which is a key point for Garth, an aspirational fisherman. Most of their models come with interchangeable lenses for any light conditions. They have a fantastic warranty and importantly, the price is right starting at just $89. So whether I am on my bike in low light conditions, on a boat or just knocking around town - these are my go to utility lenses. They are meant to be used and abused. If they break, send them back in, if they get scratched up - change out the lenses. Remember natives when thinking about graduation gifts and father's day -- Black Squirrel carries several styles.

Picking Crabs in St Michaels Maryland

                   

Watching NCAA Lacrosse Finals  

                            

I cannot believe it is already the end of May and Memorial Day is here. Being from North Carolina Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. I have learned that for some New Yorkers the summer season does not start until July 4th, but that seems like you are just shortchanging yourself by a month. So when the days start getting long, the pool opens, kids are talking about finals, graduation parties are happening, the weekends are full with fun escapes and we start getting the boys’ clothes ready for camp . . . . then I know it is summer.

While summer is one of my absolute favorite times of the year, it is also one of the most hectic – there is simply never enough time to ft in all of the activities we want to do. One of my tricks for summer weekends is to do as much in advance planning as is possible. For instance, I know that summer means weekends away and the need to have great hostess gifts. I think the key to a great gift is getting something that is unique and always trying to find items that the whole family can enjoy. Whenever I nail this criteria I immediately stock up. (Now that Black Squirrel Outfitters is carrying more of these types of items life is a bit easier for me.)

This Memorial Day we are making what is becoming an annual tradition of visiting good friends down in Virginia Beach. I hope I survive the heat and that the Southerners like our Black Squirrel treats.

Where ever you are have fun and enjoy the long weekend, and the taste of summer.