As They Say, "When it Doesn't Blow, It Sucks."

No Wind Blowing, LETS GO BOWLING!!!!

Sometimes we just have to accept defeat. Sometimes, even with all the best wishes and prayers and animal sacrifices in the world, we just can’t change the weather systems no matter how much we’d like to think we can.

It’s frustrating and it sucks. Winter in New England can be pretty long and if you don’t have something to keep you occupied you probably drink a lot and have frequent urges to kill yourself or somebody else. Or, you waste every hour, minute, second of life waiting for the next episode of American Idol to come on. In which case I wouldn’t hold it against you if you killed yourself.

As a snowkiter you learn to adapt to whatever weather you get stuck with. In the most basic sense it can be as simple as a clothing, gear or location choice. But when the weather doesn’t cooperate at all you really have to dig deep and go with “Plan D” to keep yourself entertained on a cold New England day.

This is where you thank whatever deity you happen to subscribe to for The Berlin Bowling Center.



The Berlin Bowling Center (we’ll refer to it as the BBC from here on out) is located about 45 minutes north of us through Pinkham notch and on the other side of Mount Washington, in the city of Berlin. We’re talking full size “grown up” bowling and not that silly “candle pin” nonsense. We’re talking about taking a step back in time and having a hell of a lot of fun even if you don’t know the first thing about bowling. Its not just bowling it’s the whole experience.

First there’s the drive. We’re fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. New Hampshire is so under rated and off the radar that a lot of people don’t even know where the hell it is. It’s about 1/9th the size of California, tucked up between Maine and Vermont and awesome. We’ve got tons of mountains and lakes and it’s just a hell of a nice place to be if you love being outdoors.


Mike and his lady friend Nicole joined us with our friends Steven Darcey a.k.a “White Lightning” and B-O-B a.k.a. “Irish Cream” and we headed up to Berlin. The drive up is beautiful. You drive right up to the base of Mt. Washington, through Pinkham Notch, past Great Glen, through Gorham north to Berlin. It’s a great drive.

Steve's car and Steve looking to ice his soda.

It’s especially fun when you get to ride up in Steve’s crazy blue Audi. (that's it above)  I’ll be honest I don’t know much about the car beyond the fact that it’s blue, has a V8, all wheel drive and it goes stupid fast. Steve will be the first to admit it’s way more car than he deserves but I will say that he’s probably one of the few people on this planet that owns a car like this and actually has the skills to drive it the way it’s meant to be driven. The kid can drive and it makes for an interesting experience.

(right to left) Irish Cream, White Lightning and Mo.

On the way we came across an ice jam right along the highway. It was amazing! The water was threatening to cover the road as it flowed back upstream through the ditches at the same time flowing downstream along the road. It was something to see and we stopped to check it out. In the 20 seconds it took us to turn around and park the jam broke and the water was gone. The only evidence that it was there were the huge ice chunks left in the woods and the scars that the ice flow left 6’ up on the trees lining the riverbank.

We got to the BBC in the early afternoon. I love the place; it’s a total time warp. No glitz, no BS, just pure “old school” bowling. The place probably hasn’t changed in the last 30yrs and I’m okay with that. It’s low key and really comfortable. If you’re looking for good lighting, digital scoreboards and sissy candlepins you can keep looking but if you want a great time playing in what is essentially a museum of bowling bliss then the BBC has you covered.


We walked in and Norm, the owner of the BBC was behind the counter. You’re greeted by the smell of lane oil, shoe sanitizer and pizza. Smells like heaven.

Keepin' Score

We got our bowling shoes and grabbed a couple of lanes. The BBC has an odd mix in regards to how it feels. Sort of a seedy, dark, bar kinda feel mixed with “Chucky Cheese”. You can feel the history of the place. A lot of people in Berlin have bowled here over the years and the fact that the BBC is still there even after the mills shut down and the town’s economy tanked is a testament to it’s importance to the area.


Norm got new shoes and they were slick as hell. After a few practice rounds we got it together and started playing. 3 couples teams of Molly and myself, Mike and Nicole and B-O-B and Steve. They we’re a not so cute couple.

Clash of the titans

It wasn’t long and chaos ensured. Before you knew it Steve “White Lightning” Darcy was dueling Bob “Irish Cream” Daniels out on the lanes.

Down to the wire

It was awesome. You couldn’t have planned the competition any better. It came down to one spare on each lane AND THEY WERE THE EXACT SAME PINS! I mean how cool is that?

B-O-B hookin' it.

In the end I think Steve won. I can’t remember for certain but we’ll always remember the battle between “White Lightning” and “Irish Cream”.

We went home and had some further adventure ice skating out on the highway.  It had gotten pretty icy.  Steve slid underneath his car getting out and B-O-B destroyed himself in a parking lot in the notch playing on the ice cover pavement.  No injuries though.

I know this a kite blog and I know this entry didn’t have much about kiting in it. I’m sorry.  But that’s the problem with kiting no wind no ride conditions.  I just wanted to illustrate some of the options we have here when we can’t ride.  I did get 10miles in yesterday afternoon. My top speed was just over 29mph. Not much to write about there!

Till next time!