I planned on attending a Bark Identification Class at Goodwin today, to support the Master Naturalist Program.  The program didn't start until 1:00 p.m., so the Wuzzam met me early to take a run around Pine Acres Lake, Brown Hill Marsh, and Black Spruce Pond. 

We managed a decently paced 10.3-miles in high forties to low fifties degrees!  And the Bark Id program was excellent as well!

Foundation near Brown Hill Marsh

Old Grave-marker near intersection of Potter and Eleventh Section Roads

 Old Grave-marker, again

On my return trip back CT after a wonderful visit with my parents, I stopped off at Savoy Mountain State Forest for a 7.6-mile ramble.  Halfway home I stopped in Goshen to take some photographs of the Goshen Tunnel (see Dec 6th entry).

Savoy Mountain State Forest welcome sign at North Pond

10' High Balanced Rock along the North Pond Loop

 Another view of the Balanced Rock along the North Pond Loop

A second balanced rock, smaller in size, along the North Pond Loop

Another view of the second balanced rock along the North Pond Loop

One more view of the balanced rock along the North Pond Loop

 One of my favorite brooks, a tributary of Tower Brook

A perched boulder along the Blackburnian Loop

Another view of the perched boulder along the Blackburnian Loop

Lower Beaver Dam at Lost Pond location (I remember when these did not exist)

Looking west toward Lost Pond, from one of the lower Beaver Dams

Looking North from the South end of Lost Pond

Large Beaver Lodge at Lost Pond

Large Beaver Lodge at Lost Pond

Looking west toward Lost Pond, from one of the lower Beaver Dams

The small stone in front of the larger one is a "rocking stone"

From the "Rocking Stone", I can see Greylock to the West

Just below the summit of Spruce Hill, two sets of windmills are viewable

Looking off Spruce Hill...  My Place of Peace

Cellar Hole along the Busby Trail

 

 

Up early to drop DL at the airport for a 6 a.m. flight;  I gathered up my gear for a trip to the Folks for Thanksgiving.  On the way out, I stopped at DAR and decided to run along Ashfield Trails from West Road to the Bullitt Reservation, making my way through Chapel Ledge and Chapel Falls.

Totaled 8.5-miles of wonderful running, and the extended visit at my Folks was really enjoyable.

Cellar Hole roughly 9/10's mile east of West Road

Yellow Birch holding on tight to it's rock

View from Chapel Ledge (Pony Cliffs)

View from Chapel Ledge

 First drop at Chapel Falls

 Second drop at Chapel Falls

Third drop at Chapel Falls

Another view of the third drop at Chapel Falls

The Pebble at Bullitt Reservation (12' high, 15' long)

Another view of the Pebble

Bent tree in Bullitt Reservation, just after the Peeble

 View out into the meadow at Bullitt Reservation

Bench and cellar hole on my way back, just past Chapel Ledge

Large stones on-top of ledge, along Ashfield Trails, I

Large stones on-top of ledge, along Ashfield Trails, II

Large stones on-top of ledge, along Ashfield Trails, III

Brier Hill Cemetery, near the trail head on West Road

Roadside Memorial along Route 112 in Goshen

Roadside Memorial along Route 112 in Ashfield

 

Twenty-Years ago, close to this day, the following adventure took place...  

"Sunshine, Snowfall, and something called Frost"

Robert Frost Trail
Novemember 16, 1997

Sunderland - Amherst, MA

Music 2017...

Effort #35, This Battle Will Pass...

Jon Evil on drums, just prior to beginning treatment. Recorded Live during Summer of '17, Dark Heart Duo.

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.

We had a scheduled trip to Perkarski's in South Deerfield today, for some supplies DL is bringing to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  The North and South Sugarloafs are just a couple miles from Perkarski's, so that is where I'd run.

Tackled 8-miles up and over both hills.  It has been a while since I've been on these trails, and I was happy to see that the blazes are very improved and the trails were in great shape.

View of the Mt Holyoke and Mt Tom Range from South Sugarloaf

View of Mt Toby and Bull Hill of South Sugarloaf

View off North Sugarloaf looking towards Conway

 

Our final Master Naturalist Level II class was held at the James L. Goodwin State Forest and Conservation Center in Hampton, CT today.  We enjoyed a talk and hike concerning "Reading the Forested Landscape" with Tom Wessels.  Very good day.

Leaving Goodwin, I realized that the six Saturdays we've spent learning went by very quickly.

Also, my runs after class most of the Saturday's paid off a bit today, as I was aware of where we were, the white pines we visited, and the cellar holes.

Tom Wessels at Goodwin State Forest

Out to McLean to do a nice easy run through the cool air and sunshine.  Ended the day with 6-miles.