Training Log Archive: bl

WH loop in Nottingcook, Z&M along. A warm, humid, sunless day. Dogs were hot, yet Z, the wheezer-geezer, managed to lead as always. Walked some & stopped at water holes.

BB USOC on the radar screen for me finally. Looked at Ernst's courses today for the first time...doing the best we can perhaps with the significant constraints imposed on UNO late in the game (why not grandfather current situation - that would have been sensible & considerate) by DRED (NH Dept of Resources & Economic Development). Easy to dread bureaucratic 'sensibility'.

AM DP with Z&M. The Sand Box has an unblemished face. Who will be the first to mar it?

BHS at 6p - was set to run on the track but there was a soccer game going on in the infield. The campus was full of people on a Friday eve. "Retired" to another soccer field, ran 8 times av 1:45 at 4 pace on grass with 60" walk between each.

Went to Hopkinton for Patch-Rollins loop around 3p. Recalled 'beckoning' gated road so elected to explore what was there instead. Not much: piles of soil, a bit of a brush dump & a target range. Crossed the brook beyond by an old stone dam & found a series of logging trails which kept me going & even closed a route as I was beginning to wonder if I could retrace my route. Used mark route mode as well as rudimentary map on 305.

Walk/feeble jog with Z&M after returning from Maine. 3.5 hrs in car generates kinks. Sun to south, thunder storm to north.

Ashore around 7:30. Merchant Tr to Long Pond to Ridge then back along Duck Harbor Tr. Took a short cut for some adventure, walking along a stream - it had to cross DHT & did. With the 305, creativity is entirely possible tho my impression of Isle au Haut forest is one of thickness...that said, I'm noting exceptions. Did not see a soul (an entry in the Eli Ck log noted sighting of some 20+ birds on a 12 mi hike - for me, some squirrels scolding, a few birds' rush of wings). Very low tide upon return.

Over to Duck harbor from Moore's harbor. Never would have guessed I'd eventually cover 5mi. Called Beth from the pier where there was cell reception. Returned on Duck harbor Tr so a bit shorter than going. Back maybe 20' before too dark for trail. Saw a family of 4 campers & one fellow jogging with a dog. Took a cold dip in the stream by the well-equipped cabin, now it has a name: Eli Creek cabin. Makes a nice camping destination - have never seen anyone there but there are notes in the log. Dealt with a very low tide & got back to boat being eaten alive by mosquitoes & no see ums as I went. Very still/quiet.

Moore's is special for its isolation, its completely dark shoreline at night with ready access to Acadia NP trails. There are some old/modest summer homes but the entire place has a sense of Before Man. Waves lapping & the Milky Way for company - not to mention NPR.

Sunday was disorienting in going from Vermont green of Brattleboro environs to gulls and open water of Penobscot - not to mention a lot of miles driven.