A sudden darkening of the skies, complete with thunder, lightning, and rain, made me re-think my intended run on the Tunxis today.  I stayed closer to home and completed the route from Route 20 in East Granby to the Farmington River in Tariffville.  Total for the day was 7.8-miles for the out and back.

 

Well, the day was supposed to get drier (less humid) and the chance of rain was supposed to lesson after 11:00 a.m.  I made my way to the Metacomet Trail at Route 20 in Granby, with a goal of running north to Phelps Road, Suffield, a total of 5-miles.  Then, I would turn-around and finish the ridge.

It was warm today, that high of 76-degrees that weather dot com promised me was 9-degrees off.  I finished easily enough, and even ran the return leg almost ten-minutes faster than the out.  But, I could feel soreness in my body as well...

Not included in my "running times" was a talk with Dr. Ed and his new (4-days with him) dog Bridgett.  Wonderful to catch up, and Bridgette is a wonderful dog.  Good for both Ed and Bridgette!

10-miles total, excellent run on along a comfortable, rocky route.

Also, my friend Wuzzam posted this video from April 29th, 2012 - five-years ago today, of our dogs Tippi and Sam playing at Tunxis State Forest - maybe Hurricane Brook.

Dubuque State Forest to assist Farmer Tom with exploring a viable route for the Goat Head Trail (getting it off a piece of private property).  We had our old "route" from September, so we used my GPS to stay west of the swamp and wetlands.  

Everything worked out well, and it was great to spend and hour and a half with Tom.  We'll see if the route we flagged will pass with the powers that be.

My friend the Woods Walker convinced me to travel to Goshen, Massachusetts to see the Goshen Stone Chamber (aka Potato Hole).  The path leading uphill is one I have been on prior, with my old trail buddy Tippi.  Turns out we were close to the Chamber several years ago, without knowing such a thing existed.  The chamber is an incredible object, and something I will return to.

Funny thing is that when we returned to the car, there was a truck parked along side me (in the middle of nowhere), and it turned out to be Farmer Tom, a friend of mine from a nearby town.  Just yesterday afternoon, Tom and I made plans to meet up on Friday - so it was pretty awesome that we ran into each other at that moment in a pretty secluded spot, with no prior expectations or knowledge of being there today.  Things sure are mysterious at times.

Also, on this day in 2006, I completed the Metacomet Marathon with my dog Tippi;  it was just us.  This run began in Sunrise Park, Suffeld, Connecticut and flowed south through Penwood State Forest in Bloomfield and Simsbury, Connecticut.  We spent 6:27:00 completing a little over 28-miles or so.  This was my 31st marathon completed, and Tippi's 7th.

Music 2017...

Here is effort #11, Summer Breezed, The Dark Heart Duo.

WMAC / Dion Snowshoe Series interview at Hoot Toot and Whistle...

Tippi in Dubuque State Forest.... Part II.

2013 along the Lumpy Bumpy Trail in Hawley, Massachusetts

Since last Sunday at Tunxis was so rewarding, I went back to cover Route 219 north to Roberts Brook, and back.  Outstanding weather, high 60's and sunny with no humidity.  11.2-miles in about two and a half hours.

Today's Route

Top of Indian Council Caves

 Roaring Brook, cooling off point

 Approaching Pine Mtn from the south

 Roberts Brook

 Small Falls upstream from Roberts Brook Crossing

 Liddy, Tippi and Sam's favorite pool off Pine Mtn

Total 13-mile Tunxis section, Rt 20 to Rt 219

While it was supposed to be clear, the rain kept up throughout the day.  Granted, it was just a drizzle, but it still wavered my motivation.  I stuck fairly close to home and drove to McLean, thinking I would enjoy the 5 1/2-mile loop I often do.  

I made it out to the Bissell Brook crossing (which, unless you want wet feet is a balancing act on a large, smooth, bark-less tree limb stretched across the brook, about 20' or so).  The limb was slippery and impossible to navigate, so I turned around and did an out-and-back.  Somewhere around 4.4-miles.

Map of the full route, I turned back at Bissell Brook

Skunk Cabbage

3.2-miles along the Metacomet Trail, with a drop down into Cowles Park.  The rain held off, and it was in the low 50's for temperature...  which made for awesome running.

Tippi in Dubuque State Forest....

2013 along the Lumpy Bumpy Trail in Hawley, Massachusetts

Music 2017...

Here is effort #10, Afterburner.

More from the Road Warriors for Christ, October/November of 1987. This one also written by the Reverend, lead vocals are mine, chorus by Rev. K. He also supplied the scratchy guitar piece.

 

I've completed the map for the Tunxis Marathon route.  The plan is for a one directional venture, north to south, beginning at Granville State Forest and joining up with the Tunxis Trail just north of Route 20 (joining the Tunxis at the Hurricane Brook Shelter).  Map measured at 25.8, so it will be a bit longer than that in the real world.

Metacomet North from Phelps after work for 3.1-miles.  I was dragging a bit, and had doubts about running today, but I was glad to have stuck it out.  Every day running makes running every day a little easier.

Easter Sunday, beautiful day with clear blue sky and temperatures approaching 80 degrees.  Wuzzam wanted Tunxis, and he wanted about 12-miles.  We managed 11.60.

Our thoughts through this run turned toward our dogs.  The little brook with all the cascades near the Balanced Rock has always been a favorite spot for Liddie, Tippi and Sam.  The one pool in particular, with a little bench on the side....  

Wuzzam asked me about trail racing, and if I ever think about entering a race again.  I thought about it a bit.  I've raced probably 300 events or more, but none in the last 5 or 6 years (honestly, I just don't remember).  I mentioned feeling as though in a race we follow the rhythm of the race, which is fun and fine.  But on our own, we can just follow the rhythm of the forest.  No one and nothing to distract us from the pace the woods wishes us to understand.  I like the idea of following the plan that the forest has for me.

Roberts Brook

Old Foundation

Balanced Rock

We had three birthdays to celebrate today (Tracy, Donnalee, and Otis) and Easter a day early.  Pop, JC and I also drove up to High Bridge to search for the Lead Mine.  Pop said he was last there 67 years ago, and we felt confident.

Pop and I found two cellar holes, and JC wandered up higher and found the mine for us.  On the way back, we spotted a large chunk of Chaga on a birch tree.  Total hike ended right at 2-miles, with two crossings of the Tophet Brook without any of us getting our feet wet (water is high & roaring now).  

1st Cellar Hole

 2nd Cellar Hole

 Low and Behold, the Lead Mine

JC on top of the Lead Mine

 Pop & JC at the Lead Mine

 JC & I at the Lead Mine

 Chaga on Birch close-up

 Chaga on Birch

Also, on this day in 1996, I was fortunate to run the 100th Boston Marathon. It was my 10th marathon completed, in a time of 3:24:14.

Scheduled Easter Ham pick-up at Perkarski's in South Deerfield, so I rambled into Conway State Forest to check out forest road and trail conditions from the late February tornado.  I covered just under 8-miles (7.8) and saw that White Pine didn't hold up well.

I'll check in with DCR to see if there are any plans for cleanup, etc.  This is not a heavily used state forest, so I am not sure what the priority will be.  Snowmobiles use it in winter, so I imagine the main forest roads will be cleared out.  Hunting is popular here, but I don't know how dependent hunter's are on the trail system.  There has been a really wonderful series of single track trails through the forest, unmarked and obscure for the most part.  Some made it, some didn't.

 

 Parked at the Church off Rt 116 and crossed the Burkeville Covered Bridge

 A look off Joe Herrick Gulf

 Nice stonework along a forest road

 Cellar Hole

  Cellar Hole

 Plaque inside Covered Bridge

Out to McLean Reservation for a 4-miler, using a couple trails I haven't been on in a while.  Wonderful day, low 60's and breezy with plenty of sun and blue sky.

Including a map of the route, and photos of Pitch Pine (Bark, Top, Cone and Needles).

 

Another addition of music for 2017...

Here is effort #9, Addicted to Love, The Dark Heart Duo.

No  run today, ended up with poison sumac/ivy and needed a trip to the walk-in clinic.  Spent a good chunk of the day cleaning out our basement.  The day off running did feel good on my legs.

Back to East Granby Farms after a valuable yard-work day.  Connected the old path fairly easily, with the only setback a brutal thorn that stuck in my forearm and swelled achingly.

Map included, the climb towards the metacomet on the northern section is crossed by briars, and they will only get worse as summer approaches.  4.5-miles in 84' degree heat.  Not a bad run.