Newest completed Black Lizard / Vintage Crime read another by Chester Himes, and his 1965 novel  "Cotton Comes to Harlem".

Another early morning run along Main Street in Suffield, 3.2-miles.

I have been noticing much in the news about ecology.  I feel the following concerning the “7th generation” principle taught by Native Americans is important, and appropriate, for the growing lack of selflessness in our nation right now.

The “7th generation” principle taught by Native Americans says that in every decision, be it personal, governmental or corporate, we must consider how it will affect our descendants seven generations into the future.

Now, the interesting thing is that Western society generally considers a generation to be 25 years; while the Lakota Nation considers one generation to be 100 years.

I would appreciate if our current leaders could begin truly thinking about the many, instead of the few, and develop a "win-win or no deal" philosophy, instead of a "winner and loser". 

The "Mather" loop in Suffield, 5.2-miles before heading off to work.

Music 2018...

Effort #48, "I Want to Be Your Dog", from 1984, also in Maziarz Garage, the Primitives.

"...Now we're gonna be face to face."

More Black Lizard / Vintage Crime reading, as well as more Andrew Vachss.  This is his second "Burke" series novel, "Strega".

Ended the week with a 4-mile run at Cowles Park in East Granby.  I climbed up the Metacomet, then descended the Taj Mahal and Tobogon to get back to the car.

Last day of our Chicago visit, I took a drive out to Mallard Lake and Hawk Hollow for a run before we ended the day visiting with JC.

This was my favorite spot of the three I ran at this week.  A nice wide sand/gravel path through a forest preserve, on the plains.  I ran 7.7-miles at over 6 mph pace, including a few small hills.  On the way back I was following the largest coyote I have ever seen for about a quarter-mile, before I growled a little to get it off the trail.

DL, JC and I were back in Chicago, this time to visit the Field Museum, which is truly awesome.

Ventured out to the West Branch Forest Preserve, trying to connect to Hawk Hollow.  First section around the Bass Lake and Deep Quarry Lake were awesome, before I hit the paved bike path leading out to Hawk Hollow area.  Totaled 7.5-miles for the day.

DL, JC and I drove into Chicago to visit the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium, both of which were outstanding.

Out early to explore some of the Forest Preserves of DuPage County, Illinois.  Settled on a run at Kline Creek Farm, which was only 2-miles from our hotel, with a nice visitor center, indoor restrooms, and plenty of parking.

I enjoyed the 6-mile run, the air was crisp and clear and we had a covering of snow on the ground.

Also, on this day, in 2005, I completed a Northern Nipmuck Marathon with Tippi and Wuzzam.  Total time was 6:28:18, and it was my 30th marathon and Tippi's 6th.  Wuzzam had Summer out for the event with us as well.  Hard to beat a day when a few guys can run with their dogs.

Leaving for Chicago early morning, plenty of things planned including Thanksgiving with JC.

And... 

Music 2018...

Effort #47, "For the Love of Ivy", almost a full band version, 1984 in Maziarz Garage, my beloved Primitives.

"...I feel just like an Elvis from Hell."

Drove out to Adams for a visit with my parents this morning, and ended the daylight hours with a 3.3-mile run around Suffield (including the "trail" section from Bridge Street to Wisteria.

The ground is still snow covered from the early storm Thursday into Friday so I ran roads along the Hill Street 7-mile loop today, low-forties, grey, and a little breezy.

More and more lately, as we go on, I am caught thinking of German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller's poem:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Early morning at around 24-degrees, ran along North Main Street for 3-miles prior to work.

I am still enjoying and completing sections of my Black Lizard / Vintage Crime library, this time being the third Marlowe from Raymond Chandler, "The High Window".

Music 2018...

Effort #46, "Gloria", a trio version from the Primitives in early 1984.

"...She makes me feel so good Lord, she makes me feel alright."

An early brisk morning run with Wuzzam and K2 at the Soapstone Mountain area of Shenipsit State Forest.  The oak leaves have made the wet rocky trails difficult to navigate, so we rambled on the old forest roads (Sodom Road to Soapstone Mountain Road, to the four-way intersection with Parker, Sykes, and Webster Roads.

It was a pretty great day for all three of us, managed 8-miles without being totally fatigued.

Mt Tom to explore a few more trails I hadn't been on.  Nice sunny day, cool air in the low forties, ended the run with 5.7-miles.

Nice open view from the D.O.C. Trail

Excellent rock and moss section along the Middle Loop ext

Drove out to Adams to visit with my folks, along the way I stopped at Mrs Murphy's to pick up donuts.  On the way back to Connecticut, I stopped off in Buckland to explore Hog Hollow to Mary Lyon Hill, and the connection is very awesome.  I also saw the old trail intersection that drops down to the west and Route 112, from long ago with Tippi.  I'll re-explore that soon.

Managed the out and back to the Khandroling site, figured out that I could use the road to get to our stopping point last week (about a 1/4 mile I believe), and ended the run with 3.9-miles.  I would have loved to have gone further, but it was getting late and I still needed to manage a stop at Perkarski's on the way home, before they closed at 4 p.m.

Fireplace near the top of the Khandroling property

3.2-miles along Main Street just as it was getting dark and ice cold rain was beginning.

Also, I managed to pass my MTA 98-366 certification today at STCC (Springfield Technical Community College).  This is the Networking Fundamentals exam, through Microsoft.

Music 2018...

Effort #45, "Main Man", a beautiful song by Marc Bolan.

"...is there a sane man, anywhere, anywhere?"

3-mile run along North Main Street in the dark.  Beautiful day!

On this day in 1999, I completed my 21st marathon at Watery Hill.  It was a 6-hour run, and I completed a total of 30 miles.

Continuing to track my "peaks", or at least "high points" along the trails I cover.  October wasn't the top earner for me this season.

October's High Points:

• Peter Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Stone Wall Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Smith Brook Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Walnut Hill, Goshen, MA
• Hyde Hill, Goshen, MA
• Chapel Ledge / Pony Cliffs, Ashfield, MA

September's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Battlecock Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Bald Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

August's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Big View, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

July's High Points:

• Cat Rocks, Union, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt Tom, Easthampton, MA
• Deadtop, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Whiting Peak, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Goat Rock, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Dry Knoll, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt. Nonotuck, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• East Barndoor Hill, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• O'Neil Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Tanager Hill, Simsbury, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Barkhamsted, CT
• Pine Mountain, Barkhamsted, CT
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge

June's High Points:

• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• High Ridge, Williamsburg, MA
• Orchard Hill, Goodwin Race, CT
• Parker Hill, Dubuque State Forest, Hawlaey, MA
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• The Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, CT
• Little Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Indian Path to Saddle between Clark & Todd, Mohawk Trail SF, Charlemont, MA
• Clark Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Florida, MA
• Todd Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Hampden Overlook, Hampden, MA
• Goat Rock, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Hill 880' (Bald Mtn, Hampden), Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Rattlesnake Hill, Hampden, MA + Somers, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Camp Ayapo, Somers, CT
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Bald Mountain (Somers), Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Moore Hill, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA

May's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• Pine Mountain, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Monks Mound, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL
• Trillium Hill, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT
• North Peak, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT

April's High Points:

• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bartlett Tower Hill, Tariffville, CT
• Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, Bloomfield, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Hart's Pond Hill, Agawam, MA

March's High Points:

• Hatchet Hill, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT

February's High Points:

• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Goat Rock and Lookout Point, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge, Suffield, CT
• Hill 880', Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Ridge, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA
• Walnut Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Merritts Hill, Williamsburg, MA

January's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bald Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest
• "Balanced Rock Hill",  Shenipsit State Forest
• "Bent Birch Hill", Shenipsit State Forest

Took a drive to Hawley with Wuzzam, to put together the northern reach of Ashfield Trails.  I told him around 12-miles, but I knew it was going to be more.  We would attempt a run from Bear Swamp Reservation to the Mary Lyon Birthplace / Khandroling - The Land of the Dakinis.

I silently thought it would be around 14-miles, with some very long climbs.  We ended up taking the snowmobile trail bypass on the way back, which added a little mileage.  Everything was as I had remembered it regarding the paths.  Ended the day with a solid 15-miles, gps measured.  We did great and held up well considering we only had the fuel we drank along the way.

Wuzzam Climbing up Ridge Hill

Signage for Mary Lyon Birthplace & Khandroling - The Land of the Dakinis

  

Cellar Hole at Mary Lyon Site

Marker on rock designating Mary Lyon Birthplace

View from Bear Swamp Overlook

Also, on November 4th, 2000, I completed 33-miles in 6-hours at Watery Hill.  This was my 22nd completed marathon.