Hanover, NH (USA)

For the first time since I moved to the Upper Valley, The Prouty Row event took place in the Connecticut River!  This morning, I drove from my condo and parked at the NH-10 entrance to the Kendal Riverfront Park.  After walking down to the rowing docks, I joined several other volunteers in working SAG support (0630).  We had donuts, bagels, lots of fruit and drinks to share with the rowers as they assembled during the next 30 minutes.  There was a formal kickoff and rousing cheer before all the boats, with dozens of teams in their sculls and 2, 4 and 8 shells, launched into the Connecticut River.  Meanwhile, we tended to tables filled with high calorie snacks.  The day was overcast but dry and the river was smooth as glass - a perfect day on the water.  All the rowers were in good spirits and their mood was infectious! At 0930, I went with the SAG manager to the Richmond Middle School (the center of all The Prouty activities for the day) and we picked up a large number of chocolate milk cartons.  I also picked up my Prouty Gear (given to fundraisers as a reward for their efforts).  Back at the rowing docks, we began to see the teams returning from their 5 to 15 mile rows (towards the north and back) and continued supplying snacks and encouragement.  At 1100, the SAG manager and I went to the NH-10 parking lot, hoping to meet up with a Dominos Pizza delivery driver (we were waiting on 35 pies).  When no one arrived, the manager went back to the Richmond Middle School to investigate.  Meanwhile, I remained behind to see if they arrived from the other direction.  During this window, I cheered on Prouty cyclers as they climbed “Heartbreak Hill” (last challenge on southbound NH-10).  All of the riders seemed very pleased to have a cheering section and I helped direct entry/exit traffic for the parking lot.  At least one of the riders recognized me from the Prouty Day video that had been showing at the Middle School - that was a funny exchange.  Once the SAG manager returned (with only six pizzas), we returned to the rowing docks.  By then (1145), there were only volunteers and a few rowing stragglers - as a result, we were able to get a head start on cleaning everything up - by the time were were finished, you’d never even know we’d been there!  Overall, I logged about six hours as a volunteer - it felt very rewarding.  I'd initially planned to join the larger festivities at the school but, since it had gotten really hot and the crowds made parking and driving difficult.  So, I headed home (arrived at 1300) and took a much needed nap.  This, like yesterday's paddle, was a huge milestone day for me - I've enjoyed integrating my life into the overall activities of the Upper Valley and am very glad that this year's Prouty went just as I'd wanted.  Hopefully, I'll be able to participate in future events...