Lyme Disease isn't always easy to deal with.  3-mile run along Main Street in Suffield, after work.

One of many Tulip Trees (Liriodendron) along Main Street, aka "Yellow Poplar".

Music 2017...

Effort #24, Passing Time...

Original done over the span of a couple days, using fragments of guitar and a line that's been going through my head.

 

Beautiful cool day in the '70's with an amazing clear sky.  I didn't feel like running but the draw to be outdoors was strong.  I settled on a 3-mile run along Main Street, which was just enough to keep the rust off for today.

Along the way, there are many large sycamore trees.

Music 2017...

Effort #23, You You You...

A quick take of a tune I heard on a movie soundtrack (original song by the 6ths).  The song made me think of my wife, and the song also made me happy.

 

When I had some follow up bloodwork done in early July, I was still showing positive for Lyme Disease.  I honestly felt really good through, so we thought it may have been residual that would fade.

Beginning last Saturday, I started not feeling 100%.  I  thought it was just normal wear and tear, but as the week progressed I felt my Lyme Symptoms returning.  As it ends up, I am on another round of doxycycline for 21 days.

I'll see what I can handle for running as time passes, but today I am sitting out again.  In the meanwhile, here is some history from 15-years ago today in Hawley Dubuque State Forest....

Me and Tippi on Aunt Charity's Chair

Wuzzam refueling at Moody Spring

Blast from the Past...

On this day in 1996 I completed my 12th marathon.  My route took me along the Appalachian Trail, from Salisbury, Connecticut into Massachusetts.  My turnaround point was at the summit of Mt. Everett,   My time on the trail was roughly 6:27:53, which included a break for a lunch at Everett.

 August 2nd, 2002... Fifteen Years Ago Today Part 2...

Continuing from yesterday, my August 2nd pictures from Savoy '02 reveal a route from Burnett Pond, to the Carter Burying Ground, then to the Dunham Burying Ground.  From there, I imagine I took a trip to Tannery Falls and/or Tower 51, but I honestly don't have records of it or photographs to jog my memory of what happened after the Dunham Lot.

The fact that 15-years ago today I was running through the woods photographing old forgotten graveyards tells me something about my obsession with such things.  Realistically, I've been searching and finding old burying grounds for much longer in Savoy and Hawley.  It amazes me that the old settlements were positioned in much different locales than what developed later on.

These are locations that are very special to me... they were in 2002, as well as much earlier.  I continue to visit them and feel joy each time I am lucky enough to  arrive.

The eastern shore of Burnett Pond

 Tippi never missed an opportunity to swim or grab a stick

Tippi on the stonewall circling the Carter Burying Ground

 Clarence F. Maynerd, son of Eber and Amy, aged 5-years and 4-months

Emma A. Maynard, wife of Eber

Step through stonewall at Carter Burying Ground

Dunham Burying Ground

Dunham Burying Ground

Dunham Burying Ground

August 1st, 2002... Fifteen Years Ago Today Part 1...

Going back to 2002, 15-years ago today, and a camping trip in Savoy Mountain State Forest. I have pictures dated for August 1st & August 2nd.

A nice thing about the August 1st pictures, the reminder that they offer, is what "Lost Pond" once looked like.  It was beautiful, and clear, with two or three levels or tiers of beaver ponds below it.  At some point in time, about ten-years ago, the beaver activity really increased and changed the entire landscape.

At some point this fall, I plan on going back and covering the Blackburnian Loop, the North Pond Loop, and the fairly recently named "Lost Pond Trail".  It will be interesting to see what the area looks like, as my last visit 3 or so years ago showed a very changed landscape.

From that day fifteen years ago at Lost Pond, I also ventured up to Spruce Hill from the Blackburnian Loop, or Lost Pond as it is now called.  What a peaceful spot to sit and think.

Tower Brook, most likely

Stream pathway through rock

One of the lower tiers of beaver pond

Lost Pond looking toward Spruce Hill

Tips swimming at Lost Pond

Lost Pond

Tippi at Lost Pond

Looking west off Spruce Hill towards Greylock

Looking west off Spruce Hill towards Greylock

Looking south off Spruce Hill toward Borden Mountain (Tower 51)

One thing I've been meaning to do is complete the Bear Swamp Trail off Pulpit Rock, down to the bottom, and someday to Monroe Bridge.  Once at Monroe Bridge, I know that Kingsley Hill Road is nearby and part of a snowmobile corridor, which may allow for future extensions of my circled world.

Monroe Bridge would have to wait, but I did get to the bottom off Pulpit Rock.  That is the good news;  the bad news is that I was really exhausted at the bottom and knew I'd have to climb back up the mountain...  and it is very steep.

This trail will really be great, once it's finished.  My fear is that Brookfield Renewable Power may consider the Bear Swamp Hiking Trail complete as it stands.  I honestly don't know the answer, but Wuzzam and I traveled a part of this on May 27th, 2016 and it appears the same as it did last year, except grown in a bit more.  The plus/minus is as follows:

• The Blazes and metal Bear Swamp Trail circular markers are done really well.
• The Trail off the snowmobile trail to the substation is fairly hidden, and you have to either know it's there or get really lucky.
• That trail down to the road crossing is very, very difficult to follow on the ground.
• Once crossing the road, on the way to Pulpit Rock, the trail needs to be traveled.  Honestly, I think I could see that a person had gone through recently, but it may have been only one over the last few months.  The markers and blazes are great and plentiful, but the trail on the ground is in danger of vanishing if it isn't trimmed back this year or next.
• I noticed several balanced rocks along the trail, which is awesome.
• The views at the openings, including Pulpit Rock, are magnificent.
• There is a very large slab of rock along the trail north of Pulpit Rock which allowed me a view of Greylock, which really was a highpoint.
• Once the trail begins the descent, it is very steep and narrow.  Not only are more switchbacks necessary, but bench-cutting is needed as well.  I normally wouldn't mind, but this is a trail that Brookfield Renewable Power had hired New England Environmental, Inc to develop and maintain.
• At the bottom to Monroe Bridge, I didn't venture along the flats but it looked grown in with knee high fern.
• Many signs of Moose along the ridge route.

The day brought me 8.4-miles on my legs, with a very difficult climb in the middle.  The trail tread isn't really set yet, so none of the route is easy going.  It is in an incredible area, so I'll be back to see if any maintenance or improvements are made.

Roadside Memorial along Route 2 in Greenfield

 Balanced Rock

 View down toward Dunbar Brook Picnic Area

Another Balanced Rock

 Off Pulpit Rock

 Do you see our winged friend?

 Moss leading to Pulpit Rock

 Yet Another Balanced Rock

 Signage along the bottom, my turn-a-round point

 Moose Sign

 Moose Sign

 A View of Greylock in the Distance

 

An outstanding summer day for Connecticut, cool in the high '70's with no humidity and plenty of sunshine in a blue sky.  My legs seemed like they were recovering pretty well from the long day on Greylock, so I drove to the Metacomet on Route 20 to run out to the notch and back, for 5.8-miles.

Looking south off Peak Mtn (Copper Mtn), towards Hueblin Tower and Talcott Mountain

Looking west down to Old Newgate Prison

Remnants of an old stonewall crossing over the ridge

I woke fairly early and quickly drove out to the Suffield, Connecticut - Southwick, Massachusetts bike path today (Farmington Canal Heritage Trail & Southwick Rail Trail) to run an easy 3-miles before heading to visit my folks.  Parked near Congamond Road, and went north for a bit, and back.  It was a good enough run at 10-minute pace to keep my legs from going into rigor mortis after yesterday's effort.  It is always good to visit the rail-trails and visualize up close how many people use and enjoy these paths.

Visit with the folks was great, as is normal.  I brought along a box of Mrs. Murphy's donuts for them, and picked fresh, ripe raspberries to take back home.  An outstanding day!

Heading back south on the Southwick Rail Trail