Training Log Archive: bl

On Concord streets, gps battery quit. Finally more like spring, NW wind subsided.

TRT to see what it was like which was icy. Skied some on the crusty scalloped field. Old groomed track too hard. Maybe ok tomorrow as it's supposed to get to 40F.

Good DPs recently with the supporting crust - can go virtually anywhere out back. Also a foot taller than usual which is noticeable. Dogs spend time eating deer feces, candy to them & hard to make them stop.

SPS around 1 p. Never got above 25F today and became windy NW in the middle of the night. Crust was hard but ok most everywhere. Could pass over with very little trace behind & thus pretty effortless. Windy in the open, though openness is what’s needed…open area, clean enough, with settled enough snow but with less wind. The fields have been “diced up” in attempts to reach or clear baseball diamonds, tennis courts etc. Had to take skis off a few times; once stepped across grass.

Met Frank M with wife about to walk their dog. He said “TRT was groomed this morning”. I looked closer & recognized him under the hood. Still nice @ SPS for a change and each time I learn something new about conditions. Could also ski through the reasonably open woods between some of the fields as the crust totally supported everywhere.

Event: Fox Chaser II (U.S. 2015 IS / IC / Trail O Champs)
 

At TRT, hard old groomed with some new soft snow on top. Left around noon and the open field scallops were just soft enuf to be ok - but still better on the groomed surface. Seems like a ways to go before quitting time.

C • Ways to go before quitting 2

Went to SPS at end of day, knew it was late & surface was too soft but nice to be there, a change. May try in the am. A 15 m/o , 40 lb dog came flying by, jumping up (full to the top with exuberance). The young lady who owned it was too apologetic! Don't mind having old dogs these days.

SloGo back to Charlestown at the end of the day & week. When I dropped the pack off at the Inn to go get the car, I felt airborne for a few minutes. Weighed the pack at home & noted 15 lbs were responsible today - less the other days. Started blue but overcast by noon. Passed by the bed of flowers Beth had seen yesterday on the corner of Beacon and Joy. It was the only flower color I saw in drab Boston, fitting for an otherwise nondescript start to spring. Worth noting the passing of the winter of discontent but for the skiing. We drove out thru Newton, Weston, Concord, Sudbury to Stow to get Z at Peter's and then home.

Took the ferry to Long Wharf this morning. Calm, nice views of the city waterfront. Spoke with a young woman, maybe 30, who takes it twice daily year round.

Spring touch on Joy Street


Common view on the Commons

Cold sunset

Still windy/cold. Routine out of order this am & did not have time for the 305.
As I was entering the hotel, a lady said "worse today than yesterday" but I suggested her higher expectations were to blame.

I found this and (once again) thought clever Romans.
Antiquity everywhere is a treasure trove.

The wind had let up so it seemed fine enough. 4th interesting but tiring day.
Checked out the harbor ferry terminal. Had seen a ferry both today and yesterday coming around 7:25 but did not see anything about "off season" transport on the web site when I looked about 6 weeks ago. Learned this eve it runs year-round. Surprised me considering winter wind/cold & maybe not enough winter passengers to pay for itself.

Caught this Great Dane in action by accident. It was eating something on the ground in interesting back-lighting. And, of course, the size of a GD catches attention. Did not see anyone in charge but soon a whistle and the dog bounded out of the center of the picture:

To Hyatt, (winter) cold and gusty as promised but prepared for that. It was really windy here & in NH last night. All kinds of facial expressions on such mornings. I find I'm not getting along with prolonged elevator waits and stairwells that lead to the street but are not for exiting unless setting off an alarm.

Still windy at end of day. Beth was at the Inn so I came directly back - no wander over to the Charles paths as I had been thinking of doing.

We took a look at Bunker Hill and the monument - all very impressive. There were 100,000 for dedication at this site June 17, 1843 and just the two of us this eve just before dark. It's a picturesque neighborhood, a bit like Beacon Hill but more uniform in architecture. Then dinner in Charlestown.

Light rain, more efficient route...less climb & little traffic over Beacon Hill and across Commons. Went back to the Commons at lunch hour. It was a fine early spring moment with the sky clearing. Shared the last of the pizza crust :. These guys are like seagulls at the shore, on the lookout constantly for handouts. I enjoy passing thru city streets that have occasional gulls crying above.

End of day - stepped out of building into a gusty NW wind, a bit of a surprise. Getting satellites located surrounded by tall buildings & getting going left something to be desired. Ran over the Hill on Joy Street, started watch properly there. Windy. Between the Garden and the North End pubs on St. Patrick's Day was more intense than I cared for. Nice to get back to the room, gone from 6:45 to 7:05. Peace & quiet. Old & New at the end of Avenue de Lafayette.