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.