Music 2018...
Effort #23, The Modern Lovers "Roadrunner" covered by the Primatives in 1984, the trio version (Farmer, Aldo, Lee) at "the Art Studio".
"...Don't Feel so Low with the Radio On."
"...Don't Feel so Low with the Radio On."
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
After a nice breakfast with DL & Bonita (our dog friend), and some laundry, I hit the road to run the northern section of Tunxis Trail.
It was pretty warm, and humid, and the four days of no-running didn't really place me in a great spot. I enjoyed the run north, out to the Massachusetts / Connecticut state line monument, but prior to the steep climb up towards Pell Road I thought about running the road back, just for a change.
The swampy section on-top has been improved with planking / bridgework, and the trail is in really great shape. Actually, I've been on this section several dozen times over the years, and today was the most "easy-to-follow" I can recall.
Once at Pell Road, I headed south and passed the road heading east that drops down to Route 179 in North Granby. A bit further along I saw an old path leading west, and decided to explore. Luckily I did, as it was a really great connector to the Hurricane Brook Shelter along the Tunxis Trail.
Once back within throwing distance of the trail, I continued along Hurricane Brook Road back up to Route 20. Lots of climb, just like the trail, with nice views of the stream on my right most of the way.
Managed 6.1-miles in the warmth of late May, and it was encouraging to piece together the "new" trail into my network.
Top of Trillium Hill
Hurricane Brook crossing
Hemlock and Rock
Monday, May 28, 2018
Spent a reflective Memorial Day back in Wheaton, Illinois with JC & DL before flying back to Connecticut in the evening. My current thought on flying, which I had done a lot of in the 1980's but have only made three recent trips (last two years), is that I enjoy driving much more.
It was a great small vacation, and I'll be back to Illinois and Cahokia.
Also, on this day in 1995 I completed my 6th marathon, Vermont City. I had trained for a year specifically to run sub 3:10 at a marathon, so that I would qualify and gain entry into the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.
I recall feeling awful for the first couple miles, and beat from around 10 - 13 miles. At some point, my training kicked in, despite the heat, and I finished in 3:08. Qualified for Boston!
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Back to Cahokia to climb Monks Mound and explore the Woodhenge.
The climb to the top of Monks Mound is split into two levels, with a flat "platform" between. The location seems to be very popular with people training up and down, repetitively. The views across the Grand Plaza toward the Twin Mounds is very impressive, early morning would most likely be fantastic.
The feeling I had while on top was special, as all four cardinal directions were open to me. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was easily in view. Fascinating location and the work that went into constructing this landmark made an impression on us.
After about an hour on Monks Mound, we moved over to the Woodhenge, which is aligned with solstice and equinox calendar dates. Again, amazing site.
Ended the day with some time inside the interpretive center, and gift shop purchases. I enjoyed the visit so much, and being present at the location will help as I read through the books I have on Cahokia. I definitely plan on another visit within the year.
Monks Mound
JC & DL starting the climb up Monks Mound
Across the Grand Plaza at Twin Mounds, from Monks Mound
Across the Grand Plaza at Twin Mounds, from Monks Mound
From Monks Mound toward the Stockade
Monks Mound signage
JC Atop Monks Mound, with St. Louis in the background (including arch)
Top stairway going down off Monks Mound
Steps up Monks Mound
Monks Mound
Monks Mound signage
Monks Mound
Monks Mound
Woodhenge
Woodhenge signage
JC walking around the Woodhenge
More Woodhenge
Cahokia signage
Art on Interpretive Center doorway
Birdman Tablet at Cahokia
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Drove from Wheaton, IL to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site & World Heritage Site in Collinsville, Illinois today with DL and JC. It is a site I wished to see for the last couple years, and once there I was impressed with every detail.
We took a couple hours in the Interpretive Center, including the film presentation "Cahokia: City of the Sun". The time inside was informative, and amazing.
Once outside, we focused on a walk that would include The Twin Mounds (no.'s 59 & 60), Mound #56, and also the location of Mound #55. We also passed through a view that extended over the Grand Plaza toward Monks Mound.
Some information on the Grand Plaza is as follows (from wikipedia):
To the south of Monks Mound is the Grand Plaza, a large area that covered roughly 50 acres and measured over 1,600 ft in length by over 900 ft in width.
Researchers originally thought the flat, open terrain in this area reflected Cahokia's location on the Mississippi's alluvial flood plain, but instead soil studies have shown that the landscape was originally undulating ridge and swale topography.
In one of the earliest large-scale construction projects, the site had been expertly and deliberately leveled and filled by the city's inhabitants. It is part of the sophisticated engineering displayed throughout the site.
It was used for large ceremonies and gatherings, as well as for ritual games, such as chunkey. The game was played by rolling a disc-shaped chunky stone across the field. The men would throw spears where they thought the chunky stone would land. The game required a great deal of judgment and aim.
After our visit at Cahokia, we drove just a few miles into St. Louis, past the Gateway Arch, to Pappy's Smokehouse, which was also a lot of fun (and the food was delicious).
We took a couple hours in the Interpretive Center, including the film presentation "Cahokia: City of the Sun". The time inside was informative, and amazing.
Once outside, we focused on a walk that would include The Twin Mounds (no.'s 59 & 60), Mound #56, and also the location of Mound #55. We also passed through a view that extended over the Grand Plaza toward Monks Mound.
Some information on the Grand Plaza is as follows (from wikipedia):
To the south of Monks Mound is the Grand Plaza, a large area that covered roughly 50 acres and measured over 1,600 ft in length by over 900 ft in width.
Researchers originally thought the flat, open terrain in this area reflected Cahokia's location on the Mississippi's alluvial flood plain, but instead soil studies have shown that the landscape was originally undulating ridge and swale topography.
In one of the earliest large-scale construction projects, the site had been expertly and deliberately leveled and filled by the city's inhabitants. It is part of the sophisticated engineering displayed throughout the site.
It was used for large ceremonies and gatherings, as well as for ritual games, such as chunkey. The game was played by rolling a disc-shaped chunky stone across the field. The men would throw spears where they thought the chunky stone would land. The game required a great deal of judgment and aim.
After our visit at Cahokia, we drove just a few miles into St. Louis, past the Gateway Arch, to Pappy's Smokehouse, which was also a lot of fun (and the food was delicious).
Mound 55 with Monks Mound in the background
Monks Mound from the edge of the Grand Plaza
Marker for the Twin Mounds
Twin Mound #60
Twin Mound #60
Twin Mound #59, with Twin Mound #60 in background
Twin Mound # 60
Across the Grand Plaza toward 100' tall Monks Mound
Monks Mound again
DL & JC at the Twin Mounds
Friday, May 25, 2018
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Made it out early to Tunxis, to complete the Route 219 to Route 20 section. On the way to stash water north of Pine Mountain, I was able to watch a young black bear cross the road and then stop to look at me. Brother Bear (Br'er Bear), first sighting of the year for me.
Wuzzam met me for the run, we rambled out north from Route 219 and took the alternate dirt road options around Indian Council Caves and Pine Mountain for the "out" trip to Roberts Brook (our turn-around point on May 20th). We managed the single-track trail sections on these two wonderfully magical locations for the trip back.
10.8-miles in sunny, mid 70-degree weather. What a way to spend a Thursday.
Wuzzam met me for the run, we rambled out north from Route 219 and took the alternate dirt road options around Indian Council Caves and Pine Mountain for the "out" trip to Roberts Brook (our turn-around point on May 20th). We managed the single-track trail sections on these two wonderfully magical locations for the trip back.
10.8-miles in sunny, mid 70-degree weather. What a way to spend a Thursday.
Wuzzam at the Dog Pool
Looking east off Pine Mountain
Wuzzam pondering sites east off Pine Mountain
1st large boulder at the Indian Council Caves
A tiny Wuzzam climbing the caves
Looking north at the top of the Indian Council Caves
~10-miles of the Tunxis
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Full morning of doctors for DL and PT for me. The afternoon was flexible enough for me to roam around McLean Reservation again.
I jogged past Spring Pond to look at some of the 140' white pine, which were amazing. It is a little bit funny that I have been visiting McLean regularly since 1990, to enjoy the solitude and peacefulness of the white pine here, and to feel their height and presence, without knowing how tall these trees were. Suddenly, very tall white pine have been measured to over 140' within this forest!
It was a slow run, which allowed me to notice a short, tall stonewall at the intersection of the North Trail and the forest road, just west of Kettle Pond. I'll need to pay attention to this in the winter, and grab some photographs.
I worked my way up to the Eastern Barndoor Hill and enjoyed the climb, and the view. Rambled on back to the car with 4.5-miles on my legs.
Looking at West Barndoor Hill from Eastern Barndoor Hill
Looking at West Barndoor Hill from Eastern Barndoor Hill
Looking northwest off Eastern Barndoor Hill
On this day in 2006, I completed a Tunxis Marathon in 5:41:50. I had Johnny Bandit along for company, as well as Tippi. It would be my 32nd marathon completed, and Tippi's 8th.
John Bandit rambling through the meadow.
We rambled from Route 20 to Route 219 in East Hartland, Connecticut, and back for the first 19.5 miles. We finished up with the Route 20 to Pell Road near the Massachusetts border for the final 6.5-miles.
Small Waterfall on the northern section of Tunxis Trail.
Old Notes: Another great
day; started out 45 degrees at the 9:15
A.M. start time. It reached a high of
maybe 60 degrees during the day, with majority in the mid 50’s. Sunny and blue sky entire time, occasional
strong breeze every once and a while. Started the run at 9:15 A.M.
John and I both felt that it was the easiest marathon either of us had ever done. We finished strong, running all but the very start of Trillium Hill from mile 24.5 onward. I believe we could have easily gotten thru another hour on this day. Plenty of water for Tippi, no problems with her other than the porcupine around mile 18. We escaped from that ok.
Tippi taking a look down from the climb a mile from Pell Road.
John and I both felt that it was the easiest marathon either of us had ever done. We finished strong, running all but the very start of Trillium Hill from mile 24.5 onward. I believe we could have easily gotten thru another hour on this day. Plenty of water for Tippi, no problems with her other than the porcupine around mile 18. We escaped from that ok.
The Pell Road TurnAround.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Monday, May 21, 2018
An enjoyable 3.5-miles along the Metacomet north from Phelps Road. It was a bit warm, but a decently blowing breeze made me smile.
Just past a mile out, after the peak
Ladyslipper are prevalent along the trail
Additionally, on this day in 2005, I completed my 26th marathon (and Tippi's 2nd) at the Mount Greyklock Marathon '05 version {AKA Molitori 50th Birthday Bash & Annual Celibacy Run}. Total time of 6:47:02. Five out of twelve starters completed the full 26.2-miles.
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