I guess I had to make my annual trek to Ore Hill in Granville State Forest, and just like the past visits, the logging has destroyed any semblance of trail that had once existed.  It was a mud bog for the entire top portion.

5.2-miles of hiking due to the sore left hamstring.

Music 2020...

Effort #18,  "Seance on Crown Street"...  Opening number recorded by the Dark Heart Duo as part of the End of Chemo Sessions, August 30th, 2019.

On this day in 2006, I completed a Metacomet Marathon with my dog Tippi;  it was just us.  By 2005, most of my running turned toward exploring and mapping routes through the forest of Western Massachusetts and North Central Connecticut, with an emphasis on picking out ways to connect big tracks of land, and turn them into runs of marathon length.

Tips taking a look toward the quarry in West Suffield, Connecticut.

This run began in Sunrise Park, Suffeld, Connecticut and flowed south through Penwood State Forest in Bloomfield and Simsbury, Connecticut.  We spent 6:27:00 completing a little over 28-miles or so.  This was my 31st marathon completed, and Tippi's 7th.
 

Hueblin Tower in the distance; we would be turning around just prior to it.

Notes:  A great day;  started out 50 degrees at the 9:45 A.M. start time.  I believe it reached 70 degrees during the day, with most of it in the mid to upper 60’s.  Sunny and blue sky entire time, with a bit of a nice breeze every once and a while.

Tippi taking a look back off a ledge.

Much of the route is a ridge trail, with weather beaten trees still standing.

Tippi at the finish, ready to eat and rest.

  

 The Route we managed in April of 2006.

North Hollow along Route 20, to explore the ATV Side-Trail off South Lane Number Two.  Followed it down to Hartland Hollow, crossing Pond Brook before ending back at North Hollow along Hubbard Brook.  Ended the day with 4.8-miles.

Brook running under Old Stone Wall

Brook running under Old Stone Wall

Brook running under Old Stone Wall

Pond Brook Crossing at Hartland Hollow 

Traveled to Goshen and Cornwall to explore the Mattatuck Trail from the entrance of Mohawk State Forest.  The northern terminus of the Mattatuck is at a juncture with the Mohawk Trail on the peak of the ski-area.

The trail is really worth being on, and I would have continued further except the left hamstring caused me to mix up the running and hiking pretty much 50/50.  I finished with 8.9-miles and the expectation of returning to see more.

Signage

 

Stone Tower

Stone Tower

Passage towards the Pinnacle

Old Stone Pond

View of Everett off Mohawk Mountain

Looking Off Mohawk Mountain

Old Fire Tower Base on Mohawk Mountain?

View from Mohawk Mountain

I have been noticing the Hearts for Essential Workers displayed on lawns throughout the area.  As a wastewater worker, I know how important it has been for us to continue service, and how stressful working under these conditions has been.

I heard a public address notice on WWUH Radio that included utility workers, I am not sure if water and wastewater were specifically mentioned but I want to say "yes".

It really made me feel appreciated to be recognized for doing something not many wish to even address (wastewater treatment), especially during this pandemic.  I am appreciative for each display of support.

 

Music 2020...

Effort #17,  "Wish You Were Here"...  recorded by the Reverend King and sent to me this week.  The Road Warriors for Christ are still making music!

Rev King's guitar

Parked at North Hollow to run up Valley Brook to Black Bear Crossing.  Took the logging road uphill from there, coming out on South Lane #2, in Granville.

Decent day, except for getting cut up pretty badly from briars, 4.7-miles.

Black Bear Crossing on Valley Brook

View east climbing up towards top of west slope of Valley Brook

View south from South Lane #2, Barkhamsted Reservoir in distance

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #18 for 2020...  Jim Thompson's "Croppers Cabin", written in 1952.

Cover Image

 

Alternative Cover Image

Alternative Cover Image

Music 2020...

Effort #16,  "Belonging I (on the porch)"...  recorded on Evil's front porch while waiting for the drums to arrive.  Part of the End of Chemo Sessions, August 30th, 2019.

It seemed like a perfect time to run from Satan's Kingdom heading south, on the Tunxis Trail.  The weather was ideal, sunny and mid-fifties.  The only negative is I had a somewhat late start.

The run began on the road, and I crossed the Farmington River on Route 44 before heading back into the forest.  I visited Tipping Rock, and Valley Overlook, before hitting the road again on Route 202 for the Nepaug River Crossing.

The run toward Garrett Mountain, isn't fantastic.  There looks to be massive logging being performed, and the area is very open, and the roads are covered with stone.  A disappointing start into this section.

Returned back to the beginning, finished with 14-miles for the day.

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Tipping Rock

Slab at Trail Intersection

Slab at Trail Intersection

Valley Overlook Hill

After the morning snow melted off (about 1.5"), and the rain stopped, I took a very late afternoon run on the Mather Loop for 5.2-miles.

A visit to McLean after work, finished up with a relaxing 4.5-miles.

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #17 for 2020...  Philip Marlowe in "The Little Sister", written in 1949 by Raymond Chandler.

Cover Image

Alternative Cover Image


Alternative Cover Image

Alternative Cover Image

On this day in 1996, I was fortunate to run the 100th Boston Marathon. It was my 10th marathon completed, in a time of 3:24:14.