Ball of fire sunset. The setting sun is going down so hot it's even melting those clouds. Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. May 25, 2021, 7:47 PM.
Its the small things that count.
While out walking today ...
Trails Percorso Verde Ex Guidovia (Former Tramway Greenway) in Gaiazza, ItalyDoes tree fungus dream of white Christmases Tree fungus catching the fresh falling snow. Finch Brook Preserve, Wolcott, CT. December 25, 2017, 3:18 PM.
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October 1, 1983: After crossing Pollywog Stream on a logging road bridge, the AT proceeded to Rainbow Stream, which it followed for a good distance upstream, passing a long series of cascades and small waterfalls in the boulder-strewn shallow waters. About two miles into this stretch I arrived at Rainbow Stream Lean-to, where I took my first real break of the day.
The Reservoir in Bloom Sunset. New Britain Reservoir, Southington, Connecticut. September 28, 2020, 6:18 PM. Not sure what this white flowering plant was that proliferated on both shores, but there was a lot of it.
Black and white world.
Winter abstract, Finch Brook Preserve, Wolcott, Connecticut. December 22, 2017, 3:27 PM.
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May 29, 1983: I began hiking beneath a heavy overcast, but no rain. My first three miles were the climb up Big Bald I knew from experience that the weather would progressively deteriorate as I gained elevation. I was right. Within a half-mile, I was in a light drizzle which soon became steady. Nearing the summit, I finally broke out into better weather.
Deep blue twilight late winter sunset. Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. February 24, 2020, 5:56 PM.
Tall trees, first blush of autumn. Herron Pond outlet stream. Litchfield, Connecticut. October 1, 2021, 12:40 PM.
Spring greens and vibrant growth. Early May at White Memorial Foundation, Morris, Connecticut. May 8, 2023, 5:04 PM.
Ribero do Meio in Centro, Brazil
A natural waterslide in Brazils most expansive national park.
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August 6, 1983: It is 9:00 P.M. Crazy and I have our tents pitched next to a busy road known as the Old Orange Turnpike. With all the traffic and the racket coming from a nearby rifle range, it is not an ideal spot for sleep.
The major (major for some definition, at least) #hiking #trails apps in the United States are Alltrails, GaiaGPS, FarOut (f/k/a Guthook), Avenza, and OnX Backcountry. (Let me know if there are others!)
I used to use Avenza, but its honestly mostly just here are maps from a variety of sources in a variety of qualities here is a blue dot where you are.
So I started looking at others. A reliable source told me that FarOut started out more long-range/through-hike focused, and indeed, my primary experience with it was getting the full set of NC Mountains-To-Sea Trail maps on it.
GaiaGPS is super customizable, apparently, but the paid version is like $6 a month & that seems like a lot. Its owned by Outside Magazine now, FWIW.
OnX Backcountry seems to have started out as a skiing map app (plus of course its kin to OnX Offroad, the vehicular off-road mapping app) so while it does OK with hiking trails, its kind of odd.
So even though I initially felt some degree of annoyance at the social aspects of AllTrails (ugh, can we not make everything social Can we refrain from Yelping the great outdoors), ultimately it wound up ticking all the boxes for me:
- decent web experience, including a good selection of curated maps plus the ability to build custom maps
- a mobile app with offline ability for only a few bucks a month
- an Apple Watch app that can poke you if you wander off course
Putting this here in case anyone else finds this useful!
Last day of the year, is a walking day in
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September 10, 1983: The AT joined the Lost Pond Trail for the first mile today, following the course of the Ellis River through Pinkham Notch and brushing the shore of a pretty lake.
Ich war schottern.
Bin immer noch nicht berzeugt von dem Konzept. Abseits von Gravel ist es einfach sehr langsam. Die 40er Schwalbe Reifen halten sich zwar okay fest, aber das macht es auch sehr langsam und krftezehrend. Aerodynamik ist halt gut bei Gegenwind und die verschiedenen Griffmglichkeiten.
40km
2:31h
783Hm
15,9km/h
I think that this is not bad for a software tester.
Tody I ran the last time this year. Up to the next one for more adventures on the
They say a rainy November day in Connecticut can be dreary, but sometimes you just need to look around and look closer. Finch Brook Preserve, Wolcott, Connecticut. November 7, 2019, 4:24 PM.
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June 3, 1983: The climb up Hump was a bear, but views from every inch of the trail lightened the load. Like Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Little Hump, this summit had 360-degree views, but Hump Mountain stood more remote from the other high peaks, and the panorama extended for miles in every direction.
Bus to Banuyls-sur-mer and a walk to a viewpoint and back. Continuing to Cerbre didnt seem that fun, that trail got too close to the coastal road and its sound of
had one trail I hadn't gotten to try. Aimed at horses rather than mountain bikes, it started off trail-like enough, but is mostly signed along decaying roads. It does wander some pretty hills with a few nice views plus I discovered the American Discovery Trail on the way.
New blog post:
Morro do Pai Incio in Palmeiras, Brazil
This peak in Chapada Diamantina National Park offers the most stunning sunsets.
Streaks of orange sunset. Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. March 27, 2021, 7:16 PM.
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May 12, 1983: I walked non-stop for the first ten miles. This mountain pass marked the onset of a long climb up to the summit of Wayah Bald which was the grueling climax of the ten-mile grind. Along the crest, the AT joined a paved road which had also ascended from Wayah Gap. The hard surface was not kind to my feet, which had been pounded by my non-stop marathon.
I always enjoy the opportunity to see the underlying structure of trees & wooded areas in winter time. You get a good look at the arching and branching as well as the damage and decay. This path is only about ten minutes away & it's the entrance to trail I use most often. I've taken many photos in this little part of the trail & have encountered numerous subjects & scenes.
(12/23/23)
A very October sunset. Cliffs above Hancock Brook, Mattatuck State Forest, Waterbury, Connecticut. October 24, 2020, 5:43 PM.
There will be a family-friendly early outdoor New Year's Eve celebration along the Cochituate Rail Trail this Sunday, 4:30 to 7:30 pm in both Framingham and Natick. Looks like the weather will cooperate!
More info:
cc
Late afternoon rays of sun. Indian summer hike at Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden, CT. November 4, 2022, 4:50 PM
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July 7, 1983: Views of the Shenandoah Valley opened as I reached the crest, following a line of westward-facing cliffs. As the ridgeline narrowed, a nice view of the Piedmont appeared from some eastward-facing outcrops. Beneath todays clear skies, the prospect was especially impressive
Heute erster Hrtetest mit dem neuen Rad: aufgeweichte Elmtrails.
Pink and violet December sunrise, Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. December 6, 2019, 6:54 AM.
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June 2, 1983: After rolling along the ridge crest over Round Bald and Jane Bald, both of which topped out at just over 5800 feet, the Appalachian Trail maintained those lofty heights as it crossed a spur ridge of Grassy Ridge Bald north of the actual summit. The AT descended a few hundred feet.
Rainy autumn evening stroll along Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. October 13, 2020, 5:27 PM.
Washburn's Station in Willow Grove, Nevada
It bustled briefly in the late 1860s, but little is now left at this stage stop on the Hamilton/Pioche Stage and Freight Road
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September 8, 1983: After Eisenhower, the trail descended into a col before another stiff climb up Mount Franklin, the first 5000-footer of the day. The sky had cleared very nicely by the time I reached this peak.
Tiny yellow flowers sunset. A thick swirl of clouds and haze brings on the sunset a bit early. New Britain Reservoir, Southington, Connecticut. August 3, 2020, 6:47 PM.
Cascadia Soda Springs in Cascadia, Oregon
Now a secluded county park, this site was once a "health tourism" destination for wealthy Oregonians.
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May 7, 1983: And then, disaster struck. Last night, swarms of mice, the only permanent inhabitants of almost every Appalachian Trail shelter, staged a mass assault upon my backpack. Dave, more experienced than I, had put his food in a stuff sack and hung it from a nail projecting out from a rafter beneath the shelter roof. I stood up, chased the little bastards away,