Continuing to track my "peaks", or at least "high points" along the trails I cover.  September got me a bit back on track, as I was still recovering from an issue with my left periformis.

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

3.0-miles along Main Street during mid-morning.  Somehow, it began to get uncomfortably warm and humid again.

Also on this day in 1994, I participated in the 1st Hartford Marathon, running a time of ~3:16:00.  I needed sub 3:10:00 to qualify for Boston, and completing the run "easily" at this pace gained me confidence for my official attempt the following May at Vermont City.  This was my 4th marathon.

Drove out to visit my Mom today, and on the way back stopped at DAR State Forest to make an attempt at connecting the Tilton Farm Trail along Rogers Brook to the Bradley Sanctuary.  The last time it existed as an easily followed path for me was 2012.

I had efforts out here on February 24th and May 12th of this year.  Getting down to the brook from Tilton is a little tricky, but I believe I have that covered now.  Along the brook is easily to follow until the sharp "left" (east) uphill toward Merritt's Hill.  That has been clear-cut, with downed limbs left in a several hundred foot swath.  The tough part of this is the old snowmobile trail went right through this section for a little more than a half-mile.  Now, it is ruined.

Once the old route somewhat returns, until the intersection with the Bradley Snowmobile Trail, its very clear, yet still littered with timber and branches.  Not as bad as what preceded it, however.

On  the way back, I followed the well maintained gravel road until I spotted an old path just after Roberts Brook crosses under the road.  I recall being on this many, many years ago with Tips.  It brought us right back to the initial spot where the logging started, but by using this "alternate", the clear-cut is avoidable.

Oddly enough, I started down this path on the May 12th exploration, to get to Devil's Den.  Somehow, I lost the path on that day, although it appears strange that I did seeing it today.

Ended the day with 4.8-miles, which wasn't even half of what I had wanted.  The good news is making the alternative connection is very valuable, and I was worn out and tired before the run even started anyhow.

Also, on this day in 2012, I completed my 47th marathon, Nipmuck.  My time was 4:46:30, which was good for 28th place.  This was the 9th time I completed this event.

Tilton Town Farm Trailhead

Turn to Bradley Sanctuary

Old path after logging

Rogers Brook

Early run with K2 along the Metecomet, from East Granby to Suffield, and back.  It felt great to move along the ridge, the 10-miles went by somewhat easily (especially at the pace I was "running".

The fog covered the low lands, valley, and river bottoms like an ocean this morning.

Driving to an evening meeting this week, I noticed a Roadside Memorial on Route 159 in Suffield, Connecticut.  No name, but dates are evident on the cross, 4:10:66 - 6:14:15.

I set a goal of visiting twelve Williamsburg Woodland Trails this season.  There were not twelve sites within the Williamsburg Woodland Trails Properties, but there were some that subscribed to the same type of designation, and were in the area.  The twelve properties are as follows:

• Bradley (visited February 19, 2018)
• Breckenridge (visited February 24, 2018)
• Devils Den (visited May 12, 2018)
• Tilton Farm (North & South), Goshen Open Space (visited May 12, 2018)
• Henhawk (visited June 2, 2018)
• Historic Dam (visited July 4, 2018)
• Hall / O'Neil (visited July 19, 2018)
• Graves Farm (visited July 19, 2018)
• Big View (visited August 25, 2018)
• Briar Farm
• Petticoat Hill / Locke's Loop (visited August 11, 2018)
• Lily Pond

I have managed to visit 10 of 12 so far, which is just ahead of the one-per-month pace I originally thought of.  Big View and Petticoat Hill were added in August, and I have revisited both a few times since the initial visit.

Music 2018...

Effort #39, "Autumnal Equinox"...  acoustic guitar playing a blues in A, with a chorus of crickets recorded mid-evening.

"...On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet."

In Memory...  Rest in Peace Dusty (August 28, 1986 - September 25, 2000).

"Dusty" at Old Sturbridge Village, 1998

DL brought Dusty home at Christmas 1986, when we lived at Old Mill Pond in Arlington, Texas.  He was a cocker-spaniel, and a really great dog.

Once we made the move to Connecticut in 1989, we began hiking and backpacking.  Dusty loved the trail, and camping out in a tent.  As a spaniel, he also loved water, and even in December's winters, if the water was open, he was going in.

We began running in Shenipsit State Forest around 1992, after building up with the years of hiking.  We ran on the Metacomet three or four days a week, right up to a week before his passing. 

I have been extremely lucky with the dogs I've had.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of them.  As I still ramble through the woods, I encounter hints and reminders constantly.  Those first explorations throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts were with Dusty,.  Rest easy, boy.

Looking back to something really special run-wise, on this day in 2006 I completed my 34th marathon, at Mount Greylock.  Greylock Marathon's always mean more to me, and this one was especially memorable due to the company I had for the entire route.

Tippi enjoyed completing her 10th marathon, her second time at Greylock.  I had my dad and our friend Paul H along as well.  We finished at 7:29:23, and just beat some rain.  Unbelievable day!

Greylock Finish, 2006 

Another day spent with Wuzzam and K2 at Shenipsit.  Outstanding weather for being in the woods, or for anything really.

We managed 5.5-miles through the maze of trails around Bald Mountain Pond.  While the basic structure of the trails are embedded in our memory, I do get frustrated with "loops within loops".  Regardless, it was an awesome run.

Wuzzam at rocks

Rocks

Wuzzam identifying Black Birch

A beautiful morning... clear, crisp, no humidity or bugs.  Drove out to Unquomonk & Big View and explored trails leading around the reservoir and to Petticoat Hill along the Gas-Line.

I connected some trails, which was the purpose of the run.  I was still feeling poorly due to the head cold, but managed a solid 5-miles total.

Pond along the way, looking north

Pond along the way, looking south

Stonewall at Petticoat Hill Gasline

Stonewall at Petticoat Hill Gasline

Falls along Unquomonk Brook

Falls along Unquomonk Brook

Falls along Unquomonk Brook

A nice cool day, especially compared to what the last 3+ months have been like.  I visited Cowles Park, and ran a nice looping track inside the park for 3.5-miles.

Back in Time...

On this day in 1997 I completed my 15th marathon in 5:03:39.  This was my first attempt at Pisgah, and I have it listed as 29.3-miles.

Early morning run on South Main Street to the underpass, 3-miles.

... And On this day in 2009, I completed my 43rd marathon, the 2nd Curly's Marathon.  After feeling as though I was demolished at this event in 2008, I had a goal of finishing under 5-hours this time around.  In 2008, the event took me 5:54:36.  This would be a challenge, and something I do not usually stress myself with (having a "goal" time).

The day was tremendous, and I felt great.  Somehow though, in the first 5 or 6 miles, I missed a turn.  I ran a ways before I turned around.  By the time I re-entered the correct course, I was at the very back of the race.  After several minutes, I caught my (at the time) 70-year old father.  This was not great, but I felt so fantastically good that I wasn't really bothered by it.

A few miles later I caught Wuzzam, and we ran along the top and Berry Pond together.  I pushed decently down the Turner Trail, lost Wuzzam but got to half-way just after 2:30:00.  All I needed to do was run the same time for the second loop - yes, I would be tired, but I wouldn't have to run the extra mile or more.

I can still recall getting back to the top and knowing I would really have to push down the entire Turner Trail.  I did, and finished under my 5-hour goal with a 4:59:27.  I felt really, really good on this day.  I have no idea how far I went out of my way on that first loop - but judging where I came back out on the course and who I was behind at that point, it was meaningful minutes.  Keeping a positive attitude through it really helped, and I felt blessed.

We have three doctor visits scheduled today for DL;  in between the first and second, we arrived home long enough for me to run 3-miles along Main Street.

Music 2018...

Effort #38, "Splash 1"...  13th Floor Elevators classic done solo.

" ...I've seen your face before, I've known you all my life.  And though it's new, your image cuts me like a knife."