gronkyco - just because

Amesbury Ma has never been known for its nightlife. We have a few decent pubs like “The Barn” and the “Barking Dog” in town, but nothing particularly active. Well, I guess The Barking Dog can get a little jumping, but it’s nothing that would draw people in from other towns to experience. If you live in Amesbury, and want to go out for a night with some friends, you usually have to drive to Newburyport or Portsmouth to find something fun.

A few months ago a new placed opened up in town that seems to throwing everyone into a fury, the “Mad River Tavern”. I had someone tell me that is was hands down the best place to have some beers, watch a game and chill out. Someone even went as far as to say that it’s the best bar north of Boston. So, needless to say I had to scope this place out…

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I’ve been renting places to live for years. I’ve shared houses with roommates, lived in small one-bedroom apartments, and even had a 2800+ sq. ft. colonial complete with sun porch, loft, attic, yard, and barn. I’ve had good neighbors, and I’ve had to move because of really bad neighbors. I think I can safely say that over the past fifteen years or so, I’ve experienced the gamut when it comes to being a pay-per-month tenant.

My most recent place (the big house mentioned above) seemed like a really good idea when we signed the lease last year, but as it turns out it was not the best decision. It was pretty to look at with drop tin ceilings, loft, a slate-floor family room with eighteen-foot ceilings, wide pine hardwood, and barn, but that’s where most of the enjoyment and practicality ends. Actually, to say that this house is impractical is to willingly engage in reckless understatements. To sum up, it’s 200+ years old, has lead paint, very bad windows, spiders, mold and mildew in the basement, and cost us *drum roll* about five grand to heat last year.

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Someone recently asked me “What’s the most terrifying thing has happened while hiking?” I thought about that for a bit and there is one instance that clearly stands out as the most frightening, but I was camping, not hiking. I thought I’d share.

Five or so years ago I drove down to Pocono Pennsylvania to watch the NASCAR Pocono 500. We had camped about six or seven miles from the track at a little campground that seemed to cater to race fans. (Actually, everything within ten miles of the track, or any track for that matter, caters to race fans)

It was Sunday night and we were partying at the campsite following the race. Our plan was to stay there Sunday night and drive home Monday morning. That way we would beat the race-day traffic. If you have never been to a NASCAR race, the traffic leaving the track can be simply incredible. It’s not uncommon to sit in traffic for three or four hours if you stay until the checkers and not duck-out early.

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