Training Log Archive: bl

Two sessions of shoveling light snow, the second around 10:15p when the NE'er was largely over and it seemed extra quiet. Some 14" est. fell. The sun's power will provide a quick remedy. However, the snow fall made for an enjoyable day at spring's doorstep.

Out back on snowshoes. Haven't done such in a few winters. Thought roundly of a mile, came closer than expected after feeling that 40' or so was getting sufficient. As much as even 2' in a few places, mostly less though. Truly a winter wonderland with snow falling hard/fast but gently, too, all pm. Followed the stream, then up into the contours, under hemlocks everywhere as much as possible. Not much was distinguishable until what I believe was the first or second '09 BG control, a prominent knoll. From then hunches proved right to the site where we used to set up tent. Then down to the bottom and "straight". I was beginning to wonder had I managed to lose sense of direction but then spotted the house. Fell once, got hands cold a bunch, stopping for photos and gloves were inadequate anyway. But not a cold day, either. A nice mini-adventure on a day when much is paralyzed - schools, library etc closed, voting white-out etc.

"Every pine and fir and hemlock
Wore ermine too dear for an earl
And the poorest twig on the elm-tree
Was ridged inch deep with pearl"
James Russell Lowell, 1898

Always liked that stanza though the story the poem relates is very sad. Surprisingly to me when I first learned, Lowell is buried in nearby Dunbarton in small Stark cemetery in the woods, at this moment perhaps much as he describes in his lines of old. I first visited there on a very cold winter day about a year ago.

In Boston for a MEEI appointment at 2:30 so had time for a walk. Wandered away from roads/traffic where I could. At one point, I came upon the route from Charlestown I ran to lecture a few years ago. Generally nice day, a bit raw March. In one garden, a few green shoots pushing up. Lucky to be there and back before snow made it all not possible.

Cocoon City for live aboards.

Old warrior

Went to BHS on early side. Didn't feel like what crust there was was of any use. Walked the school loop and to my surprise saw a groomed oval by the high school. Likely done yesterday - certainly a surprise given that it is the weekend and time of year. Skied for about 20'. One other set of tracks that were made when the surface was quite soft.

Skate - first tried BHS this am but surface was too soft or a bit too deep over the track. Around 5p went to Turkey River trails. Had spoken with a fellow near Fruit St upon seeing no grooming this morning. He said he saw a lot of cars parked by the state facility on Clinton. When I got there fairly late in the day, it was empty but for 2 cars and a usual muddy March parking lot. Groomed surfaced was packed hard in most places so it was hard to get an edge - or classic skiers had left their tracks that hardened and skiing across them wasn't so good. Lots of dog visitors, too! Probably due to end of season slacking off. Acres and acres of untracked snow waiting in the fields though. Excellent crust potential when it does get cold. Barely below freezing last night.

DST came as a big surprise when Beth pointed it out just now.

Close to 10" wet, heavy snow. Drove by CHS around 4pm to see if anything was groomed which it wasn't. Probably a tough snow to work with.

C • heavy snow 5

Walk-jog on power line with Mocha late pm, snowing pretty hard, ground just getting white. Second NEer in a week, this time with snow. Would that it be better distributed.

From Great Hill home, Beth dropped me off. Walked some of the '09 BG course backward with map & compass. Was tired by the time I got to Woodhill-Hooksett so kept to the main trails until the final bit where I followed the stream which was more pleasant than anticipated. Turned into a fine day with considerable snow in store for tomorrow. Plan was to enjoy snow-free woods. The SVTs were snow & ice for the most part, however.

The first point I looked for, #13, a knoll by a swamp, was in the middle of the old Woodbury lot, logged winter '08, and still mapped as semi-open. It's mostly hidden by dense saplings now and a few contours up and maybe 100m to the south is a new house that appeared with the sale of the lot. Pretty ugly at that, too. That seems to be the direction of travel. Passed by/thru some favorite parts of the forest & recalled the days when Z&M accompanied me on field work.

Fine wx but not prepared for outside as I hurried off to work early. So inside it was.

Event: World Cup and World Masters SkiO Championships
 

Charlie Shabazian and JP Lande (a Norwegian living in CO many years) came yesterday for dinner & the night on their way to the WMOC ski O. A really nice visit - lots of general orienteering and other discussion...travel, people, pets/animals, kids, guitars etc etc.

Then grandchildren today. Cake, ice cream and defeat from the point of view of something considered genuine exercise healthy. Well, last fall's newly uncovered leaves were raked some by all present.

Token skate behind the Bow town hall - a followup from the other day...a shaded arc of snow, too soft however as it was around 12:30. But fields collect snow and shade can keep it going. And token stuff keeps balance and flow going, too. Two birds with one stone as Mocha got her sniffs etc in at the same time. Had a bleacher to sit on, 25 yards of grass to traverse, no need for gloves.

Yesterday was moderately windy and rainy. The local coast got hit hard with a savage NE storm with considerable flooding. Boston was inundated in places.