I guess it was exciting, I took pictures.  Looking back I think we were lucky there was not some  significant damage. The dam must have been the cause of the  torrent not the  rain. I  think the DPW had  and has no expertise in regulating dam flows. The dam should be removed.

Mike

This Thursday morning at 9am there is a  River meeting  at Town  Office. November 12

Just read in the Newsletter about  some fellow starting a peony farm on Brentwood Rd. I put some peonies in last year and they bloomed beautifully this Spring.

Then that rain came and that was it. The head  simply gets too  waterlogged and over they go. A blow dryer is  of no use, believe me. So, I suggest the  farmer  also carry this item. Its not paper, its nylon. A fun Christmas present for your garden.

http://www.treepeony.com/Books-Supplies/Garden-Umbrella.html

Mike

The call  has  gone out for more pictures of the drawdown, so I went  out for few snaps this am. I was on a spit of land with the Exeter River on one side  and a draining swale on the other. The River side muddy bank was loaded with  animal tracks.  Raccoons  seem to be enjoying the clams/mussels. I happened  upon a slide to the water, and I figured a muskrat , a big one. The slide is to the left of the stump.

This next one is the entrance to the lodge

This the top of the lodge below.

The slide or haul out went to the top of the  lodge, yes, I figured it out. I just had never seen a riverbank lodge. I am used to the lodge in a pond. I guess prior to the drawdown it was a pond. So as I was looking around I hear a great slithery kerplunk at the bank, but see nothing but a swirl. Then a great  splash, really loud. Frankly I thought someone was messing with me and had tossed a huge boulder in the River.  Then I spotted this guy,  and saw him hit the water  with  his tail  about 30 yards away.  Making every effort to draw me away from his lodge, now exposed. I didn’t move, so  now he comes back.

This  next picture is basically his “charge” He was really pushing some water my way.

Then a quick turn,

Up came his paddle of a tail.

Wham , water everywhere and he was  gone, and so was I .

http://www.nhptv.org/Natureworks/beaver.htm

Check out the beavers eyes at about 1:55 in the video below. ( all they found was Lambert’s camera!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF1-DLAzwLM&NR=1

Pretty cool, just a moment really from Downtown.

Mike

I was speaking with Wayne Patten at the auto parts store Saturday. He asked me if I would  throw in with him to alter our budget process. I have told you all before I really don’t pay that much attention to that stuff. I did hear Bill Campbell throw the “blame”back on the citizens recently during a testy exchange. So, I agree with Wayne at this point that  something needs to be done. I think Wayne basically wants to make it a citizen function and cut out the  Selectmen. The Board seems unwilling  to make the tough calls.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091109-OPINION-911090310

Mike

I dug this bulky old monitor out of the barn  attic. Bulky , funny, so negative. “Ok I’ll help you move, wait, you don’t have anything bulky do you ? Cause I hate that. No armoire’s right?

I prefer reading on the boat. Plus it looks stupid.

So for  15 bucks  today  downtown I can  get rid of it. 10 dollars goes  to Project Prom. So get rid of all that stuff you are just moving from one spot to another. Project prom is a winner. Bring cash!

Mike

Hello all,

This Saturday 11/7 from 9:00-2:00 there will be an electronic recycling
fundraiser at the bandstand in downtown Exeter.

Here's the best part...*All* of the proceeds except $5.00 per monitor will
go towards Project Prom/Graduation for the 2010 class of EHS!

The weather is supposed to be great, clean out your attics and basements.

Strong current on the outside. Little  River

Little River looking to footbridge

Gilman Park at the boat ramp looking upstream

From the Academy pump house looking to Gilman Park upstream

The Academy’s big footbridge to the Stadium . the bike dump.

The rope swing.

Little River flowing to the Exeter at the  little footbridge

That fellow on the opposite shore was collecting artifacts.

Mike

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091008/GJNEWS_01/710089700/-1/FOSNEWS

Really,  the executives at  the Tradeport are  not capable fellows. Shrug.

The Pease Post  is coming , there is so much to wade through. I hope you saw the front page article in USA Today regarding the funny business in keeping these defunct airports going. Many members of Congress are mentioned.. Shrug your shoulders , go on.

Random

B-Dry has been in, no more  wet basement. The old asbestos wrapped steam pipes, removed the right way. It costs, but you feel  clean as to how you disposed of it. No funny business. It’s all these real estate shows. These kids  seem to be turned off by the wrong shade of green.

When I bought it I fixed the asbestos squarely and  shrugged, no heat? shrug. I had 4 sumps running here at some points. That asbestos and the damp basement fix  was the final caress.

Next.

Mike

I was scanning  the classifieds in the Newsletter today and  spotted the advert for the  Strand, going to auction. I was away all last week and missed  the story. Here are two  stories. I had never been  to the venue. It had  already been  through  the restaurant & movie conversion.

“wax  nostalgic”  That’s really  ok now and then, but moving forward is invigorating. I wish Fosters  still covered Exeter. I always liked their tone.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091031/GJNEWS_01/710319918/0/FRONTPAGE

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091104/GJOPINION_01/711049989/-1/FOSNEWS

Mike

Great pumpkin bisque at Blue Moon today. I got caught up a bit with Kathy Gallant. Possible Fall  soup class/fun thing coming, keep an eye peeled.

Here are some snaps. The River continues to reveal itself during the drawdown.

This is the Route 111/Kingston Rd bridge below  Pickpocket Dam. It would seem that  the dam/no dam  effect is negligible at this point.

11/3/09

11/04/09

11/05/09

Downtown. I am not spending much time with these shots as they don’t matter that much. The area will be restored, the business owners  can improve their  stream side presence, it will be very nice. Here is the link to observe the nice job being done in Greenland NH , the Winnicut Dam removal. It’s a cam link.

http://www.earthcam.com/winnicut/

I am sure we  can expect  a similar effort  when the Great? Dam is removed.

11/04/09

11/05/09

11/04/09

little river

11/05/09

I’ve got some more snaps but I am all clicked out and sort of sleepy. In addition to the bisque was a chicken salad  sandwich.

Mike