Ketchikan, Wilderness Exploration Cruise & Crab Feast.

Juneau, Alaska.

Whale Watch. 

Skagway, Alaska.

White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad. 

Glacier Bay. 

Cruising Hubbard Glacier. 

Whittier, Alaska. 

Seward, Alaska.

Kanai Fjords National Park Cruise.

Anchorage, Alaska (Seward).

Exit Glacier Nature Hike.

Denali National Park. 

Denali National Park, Covered Wagon Back Country Adventure.

Denali National Park. 

Full-Day in Fairbanks, Alaska; Aurora Borealis viewing.

Full-Day in Fairbanks, Alaska.

And From the Marathon Archives...

Metacomet Trail Marathon - August 31st, 2019
West Suffield, East Granby, Bloomfield & Simsbury, CT

Today would be the day I would try my first Marathon distance run since 2014.  I am not as fit as I would have liked, as I am carrying 15 or so extra pounds.  I haven't really done any racing in many years, so running hard hasn't happened either.  It has been a struggle health-wise at times, with constant issues related to the bouts with Lyme Disease, as well as the entire repair from the brain tumor surgery.  Basically, I have grown tired of trying to get into "perfect" shape to attempt this distance, as it's dawned on me that "perfect" shape may never materialize.  So, today is the day to suffer if need be.

The original route was the Granville State Forest to Satan's Kingdom using Granville, MDC Forest Roads, and the Tunxis Trail that I had worked out through exploration and mapping during the past few years.  But, that would need two vehicles or a shuttle, and Wuzzam wasn't recovered from the McLean distance last Saturday.  While DL offered to shuttle, I decided to run the Metacomet Marathon that Wuzzam completed with me in 2012.

This would be the fourth Metacomet Marathon I would attempt.  Earlier versions were:

April - 2006, with Tippi.  From Sunrise Park all the way through Penwood completely, and back.  This is actually much further than 26-miles, more in the 28 or 29-mile range.

August - 2008, with Tippi.  From Phelps Road in Suffield, north to Robinson State Park and back for the first 16-miles, and then from Phelps south to Route 20 and back for 10-miles more.

June - 2012, with Wuzzam, and Tippi for the first 10-miles.  This would be the same route as today's scheduled route.  Park at Route 20 in East Granby, run north to Phelps in West Suffield and back for the first 10-miles, and then head 7-miles south into Penwood to do a 2 to 2.5-mile loop before heading back to Route 20 for the last 7-miles, with a grand total of right at 26+.

I got an early enough start, after my one aid-stash at miles 14.5 & 22.  8:50 a.m. I was running along on my way.  Completed the first 10-miles averaging 4.3 mph on the hilly, rocky trail.  All in all, I felt pretty good at that point.

The Hatchet Hill section into Tariffville and the Farmington River became a bit tougher, and by the time I was climbing up toward the Bartlett Chimney around 15-miles, I was feeling a little worn.  Recovery was achieved, and as I approached the Penwood section I was shuffling along pretty well again.

The Metacomet once in Penwood, through to the Pinnacle, is harsh.  Mostly climbing on rocks, with a few lengths of trail to actually run well.  I run this section often enough, and I am able to run it, but that is due to starting at this point, not beginning it at 17-miles.  Today, this section was taken at a fast hiking pace rather than truly running form.

Once on the bottom of the Pinnacle, I felt as though I really charged through the lower section of Penwood back to Wintonbury Road.  My time dipped to an average of 4.1-mph through 22-miles.

The two final legs, from the Farmington River and over Hatchet Hill, was extremely difficult.  For this final 4-miles, I ended up dipping to a 3.9-mph average for the day.  I was still able to jog reasonably well on the more level sections, but the uphills were pushing my heart-rate to a place I wasn't comfortable.

To finish was awesome.  I wasn't sure I had the mental determination to tackle the suffering that a marathon in the woods presents.  I proved to myself that toughness isn't an issue at this point.  My legs were in great shape, I did not have any trouble on the later downhills, even the steep ones.  I am very satisfied with my overall conditioning regarding leg strength.  Even the late uphills, it was more the cardio than the leg muscles.  Limited long trail racing over the past 5-years reared it's head today.

Final thought is I am very satisfied.  In perspective, during the 2012 version on the same route, I had a final total time of 7:01:00.  Today, I ended up at 6:56:00 total, 6:41:00 moving time.  I believe the 2012 run was a much hotter day, as my memory tells me that.  I also think the "stopped" time would have been greater for the older run, but I don't have any data proving that.  So, all in all, a real good run that I can build on.

This was my 55th completed marathon lifetime.

Mile One and Nine, Peak/Copper Mountain

Mile Five, Phelps - Suffield Land Conservancy Property

Mile Eleven, enormous Oak

Mile Thirteen and a half, overlook at T-Ville

Mile Fourteen & Twenty-Two, Farmington River

Mile Fourteen & Twenty-Two, Farmington River

Mile Sixteen & Twenty, Ledge after Bartlett Chimney

Mile Eighteen+ at base of rock stairs to Pinnacle

Depart Hartford to Fairbanks via Chicago. 

14-Day Ultimate Denali D3l onboard Holland America's Noordam.

CruiseTour!

• DEPARTURE:  Whittier, Alaska, US, Sep 7, 2025 at 7:30pm

• RETURN:         Vancouver, B.C., CA, Sep 14, 2025 at 7am

• Fairbanks

• Denali National Park (3-Days)

• Anchorage

• Seward

• Whittier

• Cruising Hubbard Glacier

• Cruising Glacier Bay

• Skagway

• Juneau

• Ketchikan

• Scenic Cruising the Inside Passage

• Vancouver, B.C.

Visit with Mom in Williamstown and Pop in Adams during day.

Final prep for Alaska trip. 

Gardening all morning with DL.

4.6-miles at Bear Hole mid-day. 

6.4-miles in Bear Hole north of  the Mass Pike.

Haircut in T-Ville.

And From the Marathon Archives...

On this day, I've finished two marathons...

In 2008, Tippi and I finished Metacomet II, which began at Phelps Road in Suffield, and covered north to Route 57 and south to Route 20.  Running time of 5:32:00.  This was my 39th and Tippi's 13th completed marathon.

In 2009, Wuzzam joined Tippi and I at Tunxis II (South), which meant we ran from Route 219 to Satan's Kingdom, and also north to Roberts Brook I believe.  Our time was 6:04:44.  This was my 44th and Tippi's 15th marathon.

Full Day of work at JMH with CWOps. 

Visit Mom and Pop in Williamstown and Adams. 

7.3-Miles in Bear Hole north of the Mass Pike;  this was K2's Birthday Adventure for 2025.

Joined by K2, Jon Evil and Ray. 

Drive out to visit folks, great visits!

Short 2.5-mile run at Clary Hill (Williamsburg/Goshen/Hilltown Land Trust).

After the run, I bumped into old friends Farmer Tom and Phil riding their bikes! 

Full Day at JMH for CWOps.

Acupuncture  in early afternoon.

Ashfield Trails, new section for 4.9-miles. 

McLean Game Refuge 4-Mile Course #1 for 2025.

DIY Version.

Cool and Overcast, mid-sixties for temperature, 10 a.m.;  39:30.

Recorded Times for this location:

#1, 2025 - 39:30 (August 20th, 2025)

___________________________________________

CWOps @ JMH. 

6.8-miles at Peoples State Forest, including all of the Forest Section of the Old Trail Race. 

Visit with Mom in Williamstown and Pop in Adams. 

 5.1-miles at Bear Hole with K2, Evil and Ray.

Suffield 5km Course #1 for 2025.

DIY Version.

Very Warm and Sunny, 3 p.m. (low 90's);  28:03.

1st loop in 14:05 and 2nd loop in 14:01.

Times for my Race Against Myself (plus official events) at this location:

• #5, 2024 - 27:23 (August 1st, 2024)
• #4, 2024 - 26:20 (July 18th, 2024)
• #3, 2024 - 27:30 (June 27th, 2024)
• #2, 2024 - 25:55 (June 17th, 2024)

• #1, 2024 - 28:08 (June 6th, 2024)

___________________________________________

• #3, 2023 - 26:36 (December 7th, 2023)

• #2, 2023 - 28:03 (September 7th, 2023)

• #1, 2023 - 29:50 (August 26th, 2023)

___________________________________________

• #5, 2022 - 27:30 (October 1st, 2022)

• #4, 2022 - 26:07 (June 20th, 2022)  Official Event

• #3, 2022 - 25:28 (May 22nd, 2022)

• #2, 2022 - 25:20 (May 7th, 2022)

• #1, 2022 - 27:24 (April 8th, 2022)

___________________________________________

• #7, 2021 - 23:50 (October 30th, 2021)

• #6, 2021 - 24:34 (September 17th, 2021)

• #5, 2021 - 25:10 (September 3rd, 2021)

• #4, 2021 - 25:29 (August 27th, 2021)

• #3, 2021 - 26:48 (August 20th, 2021)

• #2, 2021 - 25:20 (July 9th, 2021)

• #1, 2021 - 27:00 (June 28th, 2021)  Official Event

___________________________________________

• #2, 2019 - 27:46 (July 9th, 2019)

• #1, 2019 - 28:04 (July 2nd, 2019)  Official Event

___________________________________________

CWOps @ JMH.

From the Marathon Archives...

Mahican Mohawk Marathon
August 15th, 2014
Florida, Savoy & Charlemont, Massachusetts

Mohawk, Savoy, Florida Marathon for Wuzzam and I.

Wuzzam and I ran the Mahican Mohawk Marathon in 6:43:30.  We began and ended at Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont, along the bank of the Cold River.  Our turn-around or midpoint was roughly at North Pond at Savoy Mountain State Forest in Savoy / Florida.

This was my 53rd completed marathon.

Running through Stafford Meadow

 

Red Pine Plantation, set in 1930's..

Up through the Red Pine.

Wuzzam at the first crossing of the Cold River.

Bog Pond, a long-time favorite area of ours..

Burnett Homestead Cemetery in Florida..

Second crossing of the Cold River.

Wilcox Park including some Metacomet, 3.7-miles. 

PT Early.

Financials.

CWOps "DMR's".

Work at JMH with CWOps.

Run 3.4-miles on the Metacomet, Phelps South.

Massage Treatment in early afternoon.

BW II Meeting at night.

From the Marathon Archives...

Hallockville Pond Marathon

August 11th, 2005 - Hawley, Massachusetts

Today I completed my 30th marathon.  Locale was Dubuque State Forest and we named the event the "Hallockville Pond" Marathon.  

For company, I had Wuzzam being his norm good sport, and Tippi with her normal determination.  Old Farmer Tom met us along the Notch Trail on bicycle, and enjoyed a few miles with us.

This was Tippi's 4th completed marathon.  Our time ended up at 5:21:16.

Visit with Mom in Williamstown and Pop in Adams, including a tour of the pumpkins. 

Bear Hole with K2, 4.6-miles. 

"High Points" along trails during July 2025... 

• North Drake Mountain, west-side, Granville, MA
• Metacomet Ridge, Cowles Park, East Granby, CT

Work at JMH with CWOps.

Sodom Mountain for 4.5-miles. 

Run at Wilcox Park, with some Metacomet, in the afternoon.

3.6-miles total.

What Played in Ed's Head -- 

Music listened to for the time-period July 1st through July 31, 2025:

Work Day with CWOps, JMH. 

3.2-miles in Cowles Park. 

Rock and Roll Heaven News...

Terry Reid died at age 75 today.

Nicknamed Superlungs, Reid was an English musician, songwriter and guitarist, best known for his emotive style of singing in appearances with high-profile musicians as vocalist, supporting act and session musician. As a solo recording and touring artist he released six studio albums and four live albums. 

Described as an "artists' artist" by Rolling Stone, Reid was recognised by his contemporaries as an eminent talent in English rock music, both as a guitarist and a vocalist. Robert Plant praised his vocal "flexibility, power and control" and Graham Nash was quoted as saying he should have been "a gigantic star".

Reid's music career began in the early 1960s. While performing in a local British club, he was invited to join Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers as lead vocalist and opened for The Rolling Stones on their 1966 tour. 

In the later '60s, Reid was solo supporting act for Rolling Stones, Cream, Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac tours. He turned down offers from Jimmy Page to be lead vocalist of the band that became Led Zeppelin, and from Ritchie Blackmore to front Deep Purple.

Three of Reid's songs, "Seed of Memory", "To Be Treated Rite", and "Brave Awakening" were featured in the 2005 film The Devil's Rejects, directed by Rob Zombie. Reid's music featured in its 2019 sequel, 3 from Hell.

His song "Faith To Arise" was featured in the 2003 film Wonderland and in the 2017 film Win It All. 

In 2009, his song "Be Yourself", which he wrote for Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners, appeared in the film Up in the Air, directed by Jason Reitman.

Studio albums

• Bang, Bang You're Terry Reid (1968)
• Terry Reid (1969) (US title: Move Over for Terry Reid)
• River (1973)
• Seed of Memory (1976)
• Rogue Waves (1978)
• The Driver (1991)

Visit Mom in Williamstown, Pop in Adams. 

And from the Marathon Archives...

Appalachian Trail Marathon

August 3rd, 1996 - Salisbury, CT to Mount Washington, MA

I completed my 13th marathon today.  

My route took me along the Appalachian Trail, from Salisbury, Connecticut into Massachusetts.  

The turnaround point was at the summit of Mt. Everett.  

Total time on the trail was roughly 6:27:53, which included a break for a lunch at Everett.

• 1:15:44 @ Bear Mountain (from Route 41)
• 1:04:45 / 2:20:29 @ Mount Race
•    34:52 / 2:55:22 @ Mount Everett
•    10:00 / 3:05:22 @ Lunch - Rest - Refuel
•    36:03 / 3:41:26 @ Mount Race
• 1:33:46 / 5:15:13 @ Bear Mountain
•     42:17 / 5:57:30 @ Lions Head
•     30:22 / 6:27:53 @ Route 41

4-miles at Northwest Park with K2.

DL and I had lunch at the Munich Haus in Chicopee with CG & CG.

Longish Day of work at JMH followed by a 3-mile run on the Metacomet (Phelps North). 

Met up with a portion of the old snowshoe racing "CT Travel Team" today for coffee (K2 & Ken).

Run in Robinson State Park, 4.7-miles.

Massage Treatment in early afternoon. 

Nature Learning for 2025...

I have finally learned a bird's song, I am able to recognize the Northern Cardinal's call.

We have a resident in our backyard, who begins each morning as the "first" to announce the day.

Full Day at JMH with CWOps. 

Acupuncture early.

Cowles Park for 3.3-miles.

BWII Meetings x 2.

And, A Blast from the Past....

Savoy General Store Marathon

July 28th, 2005 - Savoy, Massachusetts

Tippi and I ran the Savoy General Store Marathon.  It was lengthy, over 29-miles I believe.  From Haskins Road to the General Store, which brought us all the way over to Windsor Jambs, we had the company of "Max", a friendly dog we picked up at Loop & Haskins intersection. 

Tippi along the trails of Savoy, 2005.

Oddly, each time we came to an intersection on the trail, "Max" knew which way we were planning on turning (even though he lead).  He managed this for 9 - 10 miles.

Total for the day was roughly 29 - 30-miles in 6:17:52.  It was my 29th completed marathon, and Tippi's 3rd.  After finishing, I met Jane Phinney in the Savoy Town Offices;  she is the Savoy Town Clerk and is the author of  "Taking the High Road".

To Williamstown to visit Mom.

Stop in Adams on return to visit with Pop.

Pine Cobble

Early contractor work at BWII.

5.5-miles in Bear Hole with K2, Evil and Ray.

Evening Concert at Last Ditch in Greenfield:

• Bunnies
• Lookout Honeys's
• Cousin Greg
• PMS

PT early.

Acupuncture mid afternoon.

Robinson Park for 3.6-miles.

Massage late afternoon.

Old news department...

On this day in 2009, Tippi and I explored the Robert Frost Trail through Sunderland and Amherst.

It was a day after a really hard rain, so the brooks and streams were really roaring.  

We ended up losing a bunch of time "off trail" around Eastman Brook.

We parked at Amethyst Brook and did a bit south, then north to the foot of Bull Hill.  

Outstanding area that I would like to return to.

This was my 43rd completed marathon and Tippi's 14th.  The run took us 6:03:58 to finish.

3.4-miles in Cowles, up the ridge.

PT early, Financial Advisor mid-day. 

Worth Remembering -

In remembrance of Wuzzam's dog Sam... RIP July 22nd, 2019...

Sam was my dog Tippi's best friend, and the only dog she ever gave way to.  

Sam was just so big and strong, Tips realized and respected that.  

What a beautiful pair of animals they were as they ran freely though the woods with us.  

I will remember them splashing in the streams we came across, Tippi yapping away at Sam because he fetched the stick first (or grabbed it out of her mouth).  

Time goes on but I truly miss them both, still.

Sam on the Nipmuck, February 2016

At Pixie Falls, with Wuzzam

Worked a Full Day at JMH, DOT's.

Rock and Roll Heaven...

Ozzy Osbourne, solo artist and Black Sabbath lead singer, passed at age 76.

I was introduced to Ozzy and Black Sabbath as a teenager, hearing the Paranoid Album and being amazed at the entire sound of metal.

Through the 1970's I collected all the Sabbath records on vinyl.  They were favorites of mine.

Black Sabbath studio albums:

• Black Sabbath (1970)
• Paranoid (1970)
• Master of Reality (1971)
• Vol. 4 (1972)
• Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)
• Sabotage (1975)
• Technical Ecstasy (1976)
• Never Say Die! (1978)
• 13 (2013)

Ozzy Osbourne Solo studio albums:

• Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
• Diary of a Madman (1981)
• Bark at the Moon (1983)
• The Ultimate Sin (1986)
• No Rest for the Wicked (1988)
• No More Tears (1991)
• Ozzmosis (1995)
• Down to Earth (2001)
• Under Cover (2005)
• Black Rain (2007)
• Scream (2010)
• Ordinary Man (2020)
• Patient Number 9 (2022)

Granville Reservoir for 4.2-miles

Acupuncture in early a.m. 

To Williamstown to visit Mom.

Stop in Adams on return to visit with Pop. 

Bear Hole Reservoir with K2.

4.5-miles, with a new trail being broken in. 

Cowles Park 3.6-miles.

PT at LED. 

DMR's for CWOps.

And From the Archives....

Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute Marathon

July 18th, 2008 - Hawley, Massachusetts

I completed the Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute Marathon with Wuzzam and Tippi.  

The 25+ miles were completed in 5:29:07, and ended with a dip in Hallockville Pond.  

This was my 38th completed marathon and Tippi's 12th.

Dropped bird cage off at Cousin W's.

Toured Ashfield Trails for new sections on return home. 

3.7-miles Granville Reservoir.

Shift Checking JMH for CWOps.

PT @ LED.

And from the old Marathon Archives...

Lost in Hampden II

Simons Marathon Adventure

July 16, 2000

Another attempt for about a dozen of us rambling from the Town Park in Hampden to Bald Mountain Summit and back for a marathon effort adventure in the heat of July.

Final time was a respectful 5:08:23.

Full Day at CWOps, JMH WAS Issues. 

Acupuncture  early, Massage late.

Condo Meeting in evening.

Gardening with DL early morning, building a terrace for plants in ornamental bed off patio.

To Williamstown to visit Mom.

Stop in Adams on return to visit with Pop. 

Rock and Roll Heaven News...

Strawbs leader David Cousins passed at age 85.

Strabs are best known for their hit "Part of the Union", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in February 1973, as well as for "Lay Down", a popular progressive rock hit from the same LP (1973's Bursting at the Seams).

Strawbs discography

• Strawbs (1969)
• Dragonfly (1970)
• Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (partially recorded live) (1970)
• From the Witchwood (1971)
• Grave New World (1972)
• Bursting at the Seams (1973)
• All Our Own Work (1973; recorded 1967) - With Sandy Denny
• Hero and Heroine (1974)
• Ghosts (1975)
• Nomadness (1975)
• Deep Cuts (1976)
• Burning for You (1977)
• Deadlines (1978)
• Don't Say Goodbye (1987)
• Ringing Down the Years (1991)
• Heartbreak Hill (1995)
• Baroque & Roll (2001)
• Strawberry Sampler Number 1 (2001; recorded 1969)
• 30 Years in Rock (2001; Issued with "Wondrous Stories" magazine)
• Blue Angel (2003)
• Déjà Fou (2004)
• Live at Nearfest (2006)
• The Broken Hearted Bride (2008)
• Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009)
• Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011)
• Prognostic (2014)
• The Ferryman's Curse (2017)
• Live in Concert CD / DVD (2020)
• Best of The Strawbs - Live in Concert Vinyl (2020)
• Settlement (2021)
• The Magic Of It All (2023) Vinyl / CD

4-miles at Bear Hole with K2.  Jogged a bit over 3 of it.  No super issues. 

From the Old Marathon Archives...

Lost in Hampden I

Simons Marathon Adventure

July 11, 1999

Around a dozen of us rambled from the Town Park in Hampden to Bald Mountain Summit and back for a marathon effort adventure in the heat of July.

Final time was a respectful 4:47:56.

AC Replacement finalized.

Acupuncture late.

2.8-miles in Granville at the Reservoir area.

Happened upon another new trail extension! 

Status of Resident Frog in Birdhouse...

Air Condition Replacement (Faulty).

Savings Bonds at Bank.

PT at LED.

Hike/Jog 2.6-miles at Farmington River Park. 

Resident Frog in Birdhouse...

Today from my Marathon History...

Whitcomb Summit to Windsor Jambs

Marathon with the Bandit

July 8, 1999

Today the Bandit and I completed a Marathon Effort from Whitcomb Summit to Windsor Jambs.

We totaled 4:25:00 running time, with decent conditions.

Spent a long day in Savoy State Forest for the majority of the adventure, with a barely there trail across the Cold River.  

Full Day at CWOps. 

Acupuncture early.

Bike 10-miles Suffield (Hill Street with some trail).

Visit Mom and Pop today.

Stopped at Ashfield Trails / Hilltown Land Trust "Hilltowen Boulders" trail system for 2.4-miles.