PMIACW

Saturday, July 25, 2020

When the day began, all I had left of the Connecticut Section of the Appalachian Trail is south from Route 341 in Kent to Hoyt Road in Sherman. This, according to the Connecticut Walk Book, measures out at 12.7-miles. Other sources call it slightly less.

I set off as early as I could, as it was to be a very hot one again today. I hoped to run for 5 or 6-miles, before turning back for my out and back.

It was already warm, and humid at my start. The climb up Mt Algo all the way to Indian Rock in the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, roughly 3-miles, was a chore.

Speaking of the Schaghticoke's, a little research reveals:

Schaghticoke Tribal Nation

Schaghticoke Indian Tribe

Schaghticoke First Nations

After a series of many up's and down's, and the presence of many balanced / perched rocks along the route, I finally encountered a "runnable" section that opened to a majestic overlook (Schaghticoke Mountain Overlook) to the south at 5.75-miles. A great spot to turnaround.

Along the way back, I managed to take a fall, hitting my head on a branch and "...knocked the tar out me" as my friend Paul H used to say. It was also really hot by this point, and the climbs were crushers today. I managed to push through the final 3.5-miles or so, but it wasn't pretty.

Ended the day with 11.6-miles, and despite the difficulty I had (mostly due to the heat, I believe), I would like to re-visit this section of the Appalachian Trail. I captured many balanced rocks in photographs, but on the return I believe I noticed a few more slightly off the trail. These are worth documenting.

There were many views, and Thayer Brook was running with some water... during a "wetter" year I imagine this would be a beautiful stream.

AT Path between rocks, 1-mile out from Rt 341

First View of the Day off Algo, roughly 2-miles from 341

View off Mt Algo, roughly 2.5-miles from 341

Indian Rock, roughly 3-miles in from 341

Indian Rock

View within the Schaghticoke Reservation

Balanced Rock on Schaghticoke Mountain

Another Balanced Rock on Schaghticoke Mountain

Balanced Rock on Schaghticoke Mountain

View south from Schaghticoke Mountain

Heading back toward Mt Algo

Friday, July 24, 2020

Old news department...

On this day in 2009, Tippi and I explored the Robert Frost Trail through Sunderland and Amherst (I think). It was a day after a really hard rain, so the brooks and streams were really roaring. We ended up losing a bunch of time "off trail" around Eastman Brook.

We parked at Amethyst Brook and did a bit south, then north to the foot of Bull Hill. Outstanding area that I would like to return to.

This was my 43rd completed marathon and Tippi's 14th. The run took us 6:03:58 to finish.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

5.5-miles on another humid morning, this time to work.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

3-miles prior to work along a humid Main Street.

Also, in remembrance of Wuzzam's dog Sam... RIP July 22nd, 2019...

Sam was my dog Tippi's best friend, and the only dog she ever gave way to. Sam was just so big and strong, Tips realized and respected that. What a beautiful pair of animals they were as they ran freely though the woods with us. I will remember them splashing in the streams we came across, Tippi yapping away at Sam because he fetched the stick first (or grabbed it out of her mouth). Time goes on but I truly miss them both, still.

Sam on the Nipmuck, February 2016

At Pixie Falls, with Wuzzam

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #30 for 2020...

"New Hope for the Dead", Charles Willeford's 1985 continuation to the Hoke Mosely's story.

Black Lizard Vintage Crime Cover

Alt Cover

Monday, July 20, 2020

Music 2020...

Effort #30, "Cinnamon Girl"... sixth slab of sonic mayhem from the Dark Heart Duo's Cleansing Spirits Session, recorded September 6th, 2019.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Run with the Wuzzam in Shenipsit State Forest. We managed to explore a path we hadn't covered before, which was fun. Finished with 6.1-miles.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

I am still working on completing the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, and today I would connect to last week's end point on the Housatonic River Walk section.

I parked on Route 341 in Kent, and worked north over Fuller Mountain, Caleb's Peak and the St. John Ledges, before turning around and returning to my vehicle. Completed 9.9-miles, and managed an early enough start to be finished by 11:00 a.m., before it really got hot today.

Start at Route 341

Entry through field at Route 341

Two Balanced / Perched Rocks side-by-side along AT

View off Fuller Mountain

Balanced / Perched Rock on AT

Caleb's Peak

St John's Ledges

Stairs climbing St John's Ledges

Macedonia Brook and Mt Algo

Also, on this day in 2008, I completed the Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute Marathon with Wuzzam and Tippi. The 25+ miles were completed in 5:29:07, and we ended the day with a dip in Hallockville Pond. This was my 38th completed marathon, and Tippi's 12th.