Check out our June newsletter!
aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley | 845-256-6158
COMFORT CONNECTIONS
ANGLING FOR MORE Memories of Fishing with Grandpa and My Son
Some of my favorite summertime memories as a kid include digging for bugs in the dirt, inhaling the musty smell of the creek, and feeling the radiating heat as I stared at my bobber, praying to see it dip below the surface. And I was lucky enough to share all these memories with my grandpa. While I was growing up, my family lived pretty close to my grandparents, which meant adventure and fun were just minutes away. There was nothing more exciting than loading up our tackle boxes and poles and venturing out to Fishkill Creek with Grandpa. He taught us how to fish when we were just little kids, and each trip out to the creek was as exciting as the last. We would have to dig in the dirt to find our worms, and when we finally had a good pot, Grandpa would teach us how to bait the hook, where to cast, and the value of patience as we waited for the big catch. Of course, part of fishing with Grandpa also involved listening to his many stories. Grandpa worked on the subway system in New York City for years, and it was in his nature to pick up stories and make other people laugh. There really was no better way to spend the day. Taking a cue from my grandpa, I taught my son Nick how to fish. Behind our house, there’s actually a wonderful pond where you’re guaranteed to catch something, and we primarily catch bass there. It’s always exhilarating to feel that tug on the end of your line, knowing you have something hooked. There’s an eager anticipation of wondering what’s waiting on the other end of the hook as you reel in your catch. We don’t keep the fish, releasing them back into the wild, but the thrill of catching something after patiently waiting will never dull. Of course, throughout the years, there have been plenty of lines caught on trees and magnificent fishing tales to match. My son and I haven’t been able to get out fishing as much as we would like anymore, but I’m glad I was able to share and pass on this tradition to Nick — especially now that he has grown up and is getting married! As readers may remember, this past summer, Nick and his then girlfriend, Carly, got engaged. They plan to marry soon, and we are all thrilled to watch them take this big step.
comics, but he’s also a whiz at video games and is quite the movie buff. I have the pleasure of working alongside him at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, and while he hasn’t taken on a technician role like his old man, Nick is great at helping behind the scenes of our business. Every now and then, I think about the connections between Nick and my grandfather, even though the two never met. At the very least, they both share the memories I have over worms, hooks, and the musty smell of the water. "There’s an eager anticipation of wondering what’s waiting on the other end of the hook as you reel in your catch."
–Jim Serra
Nick has grown to become a kind young man, and I’m proud of what he’s done with his life so far. Like his dad, he’s really into superheroes and Marvel
845-256-6158 1
3 TRICKS TO KEEP YOUR GEAR DRY Even On a Rainy Outdoor Weekend
3. Suit Up Your Sleeping Bag Moisture that collects in the night can lead to a damp sleeping bag, and you want to do everything you can to retain heat in wet weather. Get better sleep by using your rain jacket to further insulate your sleeping bag. Put your jacket around the end of your sleeping bag and zip it up, creating a heat trap that will keep your toes toasty. Insider Tip: Keep wet gear out of your tent whenever possible by storing it in the vestibule rather than the main space.
As you prepare for family road trips, baseball games, and swimming lessons this summer, take a few minutes to prepare your HVAC system for the slew of storms that are sure to hit the Northeast. Before the clouds roll in, follow these four P’s of safety to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. 1. Prepare. The first step to getting your HVAC system ready for any severe weather that may hit involves gathering supplies for power outages, knowing when your unit needs coverage from high winds and debris, and taking extra precautions to protect any components of your system that may be susceptible to damage. But being prepared also means educating yourself about the possible damages your unit could incur and ways you can minimize destruction. 2. Practice electrical safety. In addition to becoming familiar with your HVAC unit, educate your whole family about the importance of electrical safety. Your unit runs efficiently with powerful electricity, but storms threaten this usage and can leave your unit without the safeguards that protect your family on a daily basis. Together, learn how storms affect electricity and how turning off circuit breakers during an outage can prevent dangerous spikes when the power does come back on. Incoming clouds can really rain on a weekend camping trip. Getting wet isn’t just a nuisance; it can be dangerous in cold climates. Outdoor experts, like the instructors at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), know the tricks to keeping dry, even on the wettest days. Here are three tricks these pros swear by. 1. Line Your Pack with a Plastic Bag Garbage bags are an easy and cost-effective way to waterproof your pack. As you’re preparing for your trip, put the garbage bag into your backpack first and place your sleeping bag, clothing, and any other items that must stay dry inside it. Carefully twist and fold the bag inside your pack to close it up, place any items that are okay to get wet on top, and look forward to having dry, warm clothes. 2. Use Your Body Heat to Dry Damp Clothes There’s nothing like getting to camp at the end of a hard hike and taking off your pack to finally relax. But if you got caught in a rainstorm or had to cross a river, you might not feel the same sense of relief. An effective way to dry wet socks and other clothes is to use your own body heat. Once you’ve changed into something dry, place wet socks between your layers of clothing, allowing them to warm and slowly dry. Insider Tip: While weight is a consideration for backpacking, it’s worth it to carry an extra pair of socks designated for sleeping so you’ll always have a dry pair to look forward to when you arrive at camp.
Happy trails, and stay dry out there!
YOU’VE GOT THE POWE
PREPARING YOUR HVAC UNIT FOR SUMMER STORMS
3. Protect your home from surges. One of the most important steps in preparing your home for upcoming storms is to install a surge protector onto your HVAC system. This device will protect the expensive heating and cooling equipment you rely on by detecting when a power spike is occurring. It will then promptly shut your system down to avoid further damage. 4. Professionally inspect. You can take all the necessary precautions, but disasters are unpredictable. After a summer storm, request servicing from a HVAC professional to ensure your system is running smoothly and any necessary repairs are caught early.
When storms hit, there’s nothing more important than making sure your family is safe, and your HVAC unit is a significant part of this safety. Learn more HVAC safety tips online at AireServ.com/Mid-Hudson-Valley, and when a storm does hit, let our experts help you and your family recover. Call 845-256-6158 to learn how we can help.
aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley 2
COOL AS A … HORSE? How Animals Cool Down in the Summer Heat
When the summer heat has you dripping in sweat, cold air conditioning can be the perfect remedy. But for animals with heavy fur coats, big bodies, and unusual skin types, the science of cooling off becomes an art form. This summer, impress your friends with these fun facts about how animals stay cool in the heat. Dog Days of Summer Just like when you breathe heavily from overexerting yourself, your dog or cat can break out into a steady pant when they feel overheated. But rather than trying to catch their breath, canines and felines are expelling heat from their bodies and guzzling up the cool air. Believe it or not, they are not the only animals that do this. Birds pant to stay cool, and lizards often sit with their mouths open as a way to chill out. Not So Dumbo With their massive stature and leathery skin, it’s no wonder elephants have a few tricks for keeping cool. Of course, a good roll in the mud always helps, but elephants also use their genetics to their advantage. Their large ears often serve as fans on particularly hot
days, while their trunks provide them with a personal hose-down for the heat. A few spritzes from the river and a gentle wave, and the elephant remains one cool mammal. Feverish Foals Like their dog and cat counterparts, horses pant as a way to keep their temperatures down, but they also have something in common with their human riders. Horses actually sweat to cool down, too, and if you have ever noticed a sleek, almost foam-like substance emanating from a horse’s skin, you’ve seen them sweat it out. Considering their racing abilities and the fact that we use their speed to classify a vehicle’s power, it’s no wonder horses need such a drastic way to cool their engines. While animals have cooling mechanisms down to a science, human innovation has given us the luxury of air conditioning. This summer, make sure your unit is running at peak performance to keep your family cool all season. If you need assistance or maintenance, call the experts at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley at 845-256-6158.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Creating golden, crisp, and delicious hash browns at home requires a little diligence and elbow grease, but that’s exactly what Dad deserves to start his special day. NO. 1 DAD HASH BROWNS
INGREDIENTS
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tablespoons ghee • 3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste • Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee). Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes with salt, pepper, and cayenne. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat reserved butter (or ghee) to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more butter (or ghee) if potatoes begin to stick. 4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with additional salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.
3
Inspired by Bon Appétit
845-256-6158
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Fishing Memories INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 How to Stay Dry While Camping in the Rain 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Preparing for Summer Storms
3 4
How Animals Stay Cool
Hash Browns for the Best Dad
Exploring the River of No Return
JOURNEY DOWN A RIVER OF NO RETURN
THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF CENTRAL IDAHO
There’s more to Idaho than potatoes. Sitting square in the center of the Gem State is one of the largest contiguous areas of protected wilderness in the U.S. While the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area may not roll off the tongue as easy as Yellowstone or Yosemite, this 2 million-acre swath of mountains, gorges, and alpine lakes offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. RIVER OF NO WHAT, NOW? The name of the wilderness may sound a little ominous at first — who wants to travel down a river of no return? — but in truth, it’s a title from times gone by when canoes and small watercraft could travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River swiftly but couldn’t fight the current going back up. Today, those same rapids make the Middle Fork a wildly popular whitewater rafting destination, with plenty of local and out-of-state enthusiasts making a return journey every summer. RAFTING ISN'T FOR ME. WHAT ELSE YOU GOT? If crashing down 300 Class III rapids isn’t your speed, the Frank Church Wilderness has plenty of other ways to enjoy the wild mountain country. There are several lodges that were grandfathered in to the wilderness area, most of which are only accessible by jet boat, light aircraft, or good old-fashioned hiking. Some, like the Middle Fork Lodge, offer five-star accommodations,
located conveniently close to one of the area’s many natural hot springs. Those with the right permits will find the rivers and lakes full of fishing opportunities, and the surrounding pine forests are teeming with game.
LODGES? I JUST WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. For those looking for a truly unplugged experience, backpacking to the many campsites scattered throughout the
region can be an incredible journey. If you spend a night beside the crystal-clear waters of Langer Lake, hundreds of miles away from any light pollution, you’ll find peace, quiet, and a sky bursting with stars. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a truly untamed part of the United States, Idaho is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
4
aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker