This is a special place to my wife Holly Oldenburg, her mother Harriet, father Burg and sister Bonnie – Squaw was home to their early days of skiing and what’s more, they lived in nearby Greenville – a wonderful small town at the base of Moosehead Lake.  Burg was a ski patrolman here for many years and the “girls” learned to ski on this lovely old mountain.  So it was great pride and certain reverence, that Kate and I drove into to Greenville, past the Jameson’s Country Store (where a crowd of very successful children were raised on the second floor in a three room apartment over the store), under the railroad trestle, past the white, wooden clapboarded former home of Holly’s family and up the road a ways to the foot of Big Squaw Mountain.

Up we drove on the winding access road and walked into the lodge where we were warmly greeted by mountain manager Rich and staff person Kathy with her friend Jock.  Sure it was a windy cold day (as it was all over New England) but Squaw gave us a great trail in the “East Branch Penobscot” – long gentle curves blessed with wonderful vistas over what Holly reminds me is “the largest fresh water lake contained in one state in the country” – the majestic Moosehead.

Of course I have a few awards to give out to Squaw; 1) greatest indoor woodpile and fireplace at the south end of the lodge – great wood odor permeates the entire place; 2) employee with the shortest tenure – yes it was that real friendly guy at the chair lift who was on his 5 day of employment – good luck, seems like a great place to work.

A few pictures, a lot of laughs, many ski poles (see photo) and we departed from this singularly friendly place that held many memories for the Oldenburgs.  I also want to dedicate the picture of me in front of the old Oldenburg homestead to my dear, sweet mother-in-law Harriet – I know you are looking down with that big smile on your face – cheers.