Grantham, NH (USA)

Another full day of snow kept me at home yesterday but it improved the Eastman Cross Country Center trails tremendously!  When I arrived at the John's Glen Trails, I was surprised to find the weather was very warm (mid-high 30s).  I didn’t even need a hat or gloves - the season may be winding down now...  I spent time on the flat tracks (no forest exploring) but did play on some of the little hills near the back of the track system.  I had the place to myself, initially, but it got busy in the middle of my workout.  It still felt pretty remote, even with other people around.  Skied for two hours (0920 to 1120) and logged about 3 3/4 miles in the groomed track.   Headed for home feeling good about my progress on the ski trails this winter.

Norwich, VT (USA)

After work (and dropping off Mollie at the restaurant), I went off in search of a new place to hike just across the Connecticut River in Norwich.  I’d seen the dotted lines of trails near the Ledyard Bridge on Google Maps but hadn’t been exactly sure how to access them - there also weren’t any prominent signs on VT-10A.  In the process of locating the trailhead, I stumbled across the Montshire Science Museum - it looked pretty cool and like a fun place for a school field trip.  They had a nice trail complex of their own which apparently required a fee to use but I couldn’t figure out how to pay (because they were already closed).  I decided to check it out anyway...  First, though, I parked on a side street (1630) and ended up having a nice conversation with a local cop - he told me where to find more trails (e.g., Parcel 5 Loop).  After I walked back to the museum entrance to start on one of the well marked trails.  The snow was almost solid ice but, on every third step, I fell through to the softer snow underneath.  I ended up putting on my spikes to make sure I didn’t slide down any steel embankments into the River!  One of the trails followed a path with a scale model of the solar system - the inner planets were all close to the main building but Pluto was 1.8 miles away (I didn’t walk out that far).  When I headed back to the main road, I found another trailhead (for the Hazen Trail) and walked on it until I got to the highest point in the area - I could see prominent buildings on the Dartmouth campus from there.  The full moon has risen and looked huge in the darkening sky.  I was probably in the area for about an hour and walked about 2.5 hours (done at 1730).  After my hike, I drove down to Lebanon to help out at the Sacred Heart Fish Fry with my fellow Knights of Columbus.  It was our Parish’s second observance (this year) of a Lenten Friday evening and there was more food (and more people) compared to last week.  In addition to fillets, fries and coleslaw, each to-go box included delicious desserts made by the ladies of the Church.  There was good fellowship and fun as we worked in the kitchen and outside (in the falling snow) with the fryer.  The looks on the faces of our fellow Parishioners as they picked up the meals made our night.  Somehow, we managed (thanks to Bert’s planning, John’s frying and the Ladies’ baking) to serve everyone who wanted a meal.  After a year full of restrictions and canceled events, it felt good to add a simple, yet significant, element of “normalcy” back into our lives!

Grantham, NH (USA)

Another nice morning on the trails at the Cross Country Ski Center at Eastman - I got 90 minutes of exercise (0900 to 1030).  It was a bit tough because of the thaw and refreeze last night (very icy).  There were lots of pine cones on the ground.  Only saw two other skiers - it was nice to have the place almost to myself.  Went grocery shopping on the way home - then teleworked for the rest of the day.  Great day in Grantham!

Grantham, NH (USA)

After Mass (0800), I headed down to Grantham and got an early start on the cross country ski trails at Eastman.  It was a beautiful day, with sun and newly groomed snow - the temps started in the high teens but warmed up at least 10 degrees while I was there (0915 to 1115).  Being an early bird had its perks again - I didn’t see many people for most of the morning and there were trails with almost no tracks at all.  Worked on my “ski V” technique - I’ve made a lot of progress this year but can see I’ve got a long way to go to get the really good form that the experienced skiers have.  Might even need to get some new skis...  Back in the wooded loops of John’s Glen, I mastered the scary “turning slide” hill that I chickened out of last time and also checked out a new route.  Craig’s Corridor was almost a backcountry trail (definitively not groomed), with minimal area (trees everywhere) for turning and stopping.  But I made it out and back and met a few people on the way who told me how to maneuver even deeper into the forest (beyond the map edges).  Ran into the “Chairperson” (my nickname for Ruth-Anne) again; she helped design the trail system and is a charter member of the Eastman Community. When I got tired, I “cooled down” on the molded tracks - arms and legs kept moving throughout my visit.  Managed to log over 3.5 miles of skiing in two hours - finished up just as the big crowds started to arrive.  I made it back to my condo by noon.  It's hard to believe I got so much done in the AM - another great day on at Eastman Cross Country Center!

Danbury, NH (USA)

After dropping Mollie off at work (1015), I decided to go exploring and getting ideas for hiking when the warmer weather arrives.  I drove north (via I-91, NH-10, NH-116 and NH-112) and made my first stop at the WMNF and NH State Parks Visitor Center in Lincoln (1115).  The lady inside was very helpful and I got a bunch of maps/brochures.  From there, used I-93 to drive north into Franconia Notch.  I parked at the big Trailhead lot (usually full in the summer but empty today) and looked around nearby.  The falling snow (which started right after I arrived) was swirling in a stiff wind, so I didn’t have any illusions that it was hiking weather...  I did talk to hikers who had tried to summit Lafayette today but they reported "no dice" because of visibility and wind.  Won’t judge them for trying, but the miserable conditions in the Whites this time of year often lead to hikers requiring rescue - this seemed like one of those days.  I drove a bit farther north and ended up watching skiers enjoying the slopes on Cannon Mountain.  Somehow, the conditions were better on the north side of the Notch...  Before leaving, I walked along the shore of Echo Lake.  Perhaps I should have rented a skimobile instead - those guys looked like they were having a ball on the multi-purpose trail!  Wanted to go father north (Crawford or Pinkham) but it seemed like a bad idea.  Decided instead to look for a place where the sun was shining a bit more before committing to taking a snowy walk farther from the car.  To complete my tour of the Pemigewasset Valley, I took I-93 south towards Concord.  I located the WMNF HQ (I was thinking about visiting it to meet the rangers sometime).  A bit later, I got off the Interstate and used NH-104 to drive west.  Enjoyed my drive through pleasant villages and found another ski resort.  I intersected US-4 in Danbury and decided to walk on another section of the Northern Rail Trail - there was a nice parking lot right in the center of town.  Wasn’t exactly sure how far I had to walk to the Grafton Town Line (where Mollie and I turned around the last time we were in the area) but figured it couldn’t be more than three miles.  As I left civilization (1345), I quickly realized that I’d entered the “Kingdom of the Skimobiles.”  Unlike the western half of the NRT, there was no grooming at all and the deep snow (from another storm the previous day) was uneven, slippery and unpredictable.  I had left my snowshoes in the car and only brought microspikes - neither seemed to fit the slushy conditions, though.  I walked past several Northern Railroad markers with the mileage to White River Junction but really didn’t encounter much more in the way of scenery or buildings.  It felt cold (mid 20s) initially but I soon warmed up and was able to shed my hat and gloves as the sun came out on my outbound leg.  I started my backtrack at the town line, as planned but was getting tired of walking in the snow.  After dodging the skimobiles all the way, I decided to exit the NRT a short time after turning around - the distance on the blacktop (US-4) was roughly the same but I made much better time getting back to the car.  The sun went behind the clouds again and the temps dropped low enough that I later realized that the sweat in my hair had frozen!  Who needs hair gel (or Gorilla Glue) when you can have freeze dried locks?  Overall, I walked over six miles in about two hours and 15 minutes - not bad!  As I was getting in the car (1600), it started to snow - I was glad to be on my way before there was a real chance of getting stuck so far from home...  Went home via US-4, NH-11 and I-89 and arrived at my condo by 1700.  Feeling energized after another great walk on the Rail Trail!

Glencliff, NH (USA)

My high school friends, Nancy and Rick, were visiting the Upper Valley and asked if I had time for a tag up.  It’s probably been almost 35 years since the last time I’ve been in the same town so, of course, I said yes.  My work schedule and Rick’s/kids’ school/ski schedule didn’t end up aligning but Nancy suggested she and I do something outside.  The temps were expected to rise above 20 degrees and she’d brought her snowshoes so I recommended we hike a short, snowy, hilly section of AT near Glencliff (off NH-25).  With barely enough time to spare (got hung up by a work meeting), I crossed Connecticut River and used I-91 to get to Bradford (VT).  Then took VT/NH-25 (and NH-10) to reach the planned meeting spot.  Nancy was already there when I arrived (1015) but didn't seem annoyed at my tardiness.  We quickly got geared up and headed across the road (NOBO) to the AT Trailhead.  A recent snowstorm had obscured the trail itself but we saw white blazes back in the trees.  With snowshoes on, we plowed into the forest. Immediately, we encountered our first challenge of the day: a four to six inch deep creek with no bridge.  It took some creativity and willingness to get wet but we managed to ford the stream successfully.  We then bushwhacked until we located a more obvious pathway with (barely visible at times) white blazes.  From there, the biggest challenge was the terrain - the section wasn’t too long but had several Pointless Ups and Downs (PUDs).  Nancy commented on the pleasant silence of the snowy forest and we both enjoyed the scenery.  Moosilauke was nearby, there were a few picturesque spots near the creek and the snow covered evergreens made for a nice ambiance.  We spent a lot of the walk chatting about life since high school - there were many, many professional/family accomplishments to share.  I’ve spent so much of my life away from New England that some of the names and memories Nancy recalled were foreign - but I definitely had several similar recollections of exceptional teachers and agreed that it was quite a unique experience to be raised on the Cape. Despite the decades that have passed since we peer reviewed each other’s Creative Writing papers nearly every day, it really didn’t feel like any time had passed at all.  I believe it would have seen the same if Rick had also been there - hiking in the woods with friends as youngsters leaves a mark on your soul that resurfaces when you return in middle age...  After about a mile of snowshoeing, we passed the Jeffers Brook Shelter - soon after that, we arrived at the end point of the AT section (USFS-19).  Due to some steep, slippery hazards we’d already passed on the outbound leg, I suggested that we use the blacktop (sans snowshoes) for the backtrack - no sense getting hurt after we’d had a nice walk.  We used High Street and NH-25 to get back to the cars, arriving at about 1145 after around 2.5 miles.  After saying goodbye to Nancy, I backtracked by the same route I'd used in the morning (NH/VT-25, I-91) and finished up my work day after I got home (1245).  This was a short section but, like my last visit to the area, a nice reminder of the potential I have for an AT hike in the middle of any week.  I’m lucky to be living in the Granite State - and to be close enough to my childhood hometown that mini-reunions like today are possible!  AT Today = 1.0 miles / Grand Total AT = 1768.2 miles

Meriden, NH (USA)

Another snow storm was inbound (ETA 1100) but I didn’t want to waste my day off from work.  Decided to drive down to Meriden to check out the trail system that Mollie and I had hiked back in November.  I arrived at the Plainfield Elementary School at around 0915 and was impressed by the excellent grooming job they had done of the well-marked complex of trails.  If I’d wanted to, I could have walked, skied, biked or snowshoed for hours and never tread on the same ground - fortunately, they banned skimobiles...  I took my snowshoes with me and walked up the trail that went to the French’s Ledges (I didn’t want to wreck the great skiing surface).  A speedy snowboarder passed me on his way down the hill and I later passed a snowshoeing lady and her dog - otherwise, the only sign of life was a huge woodpecker who was trying, vainly, to find food in a big tree.  I eventually reached a point where the grooming stopped and followed a slightly worn track up the side of the mountain.  It was quiet and the temps were pleasant (mid 20s) - as I paused to enjoy the solitude, I wondered how long I might be able to stay out there in the woods before it wasn’t fun anymore...  The last 20 yards to the rocky summit was quite challenging - the trail was already steep but several previous climbers had worn all of the snow down into ice at several scary turns.  Somehow, though, I made it to the top safely (trying not to think about issues with the descent).  The views were tremendous!  I could see Killington, Pico and Ascutney ski areas to the west and the long, rising ridge to the north - I could easily follow the line of peaks: Moose Mountain, Smarts Mountain, Cube Mountain, Moosilauke as they rose into the distance.  At the farthest point, I saw bright white snow but I’m not sure if it was the Kinsmans or something even higher.  Wow!  To get down, I decided to slide most of the way on my backside - I figured it was far less risky than trying to step gingerly until my pole, snowshoe or knee gave way...  Instead of backtracking, I explored some unlabeled (on the map but no signs) trails on the ridge until I managed to locate the “So Inclined!” trail - from there, I tracked back down through snowy forest until I reached the Townsend Bridge again.  Back at my car (1045), I could see that more people (appeared to all be locals) had the same idea as me - so departing before the rush and crowds was a relief.  Very pleased to have squeezed in another morning in the great outdoors before the work week starts!

Grantham, NH (USA)

We had sort of a “heat wave” (mid 20s) this morning so I took the opportunity to ski at the Eastman Cross Country Center for two hours (1000 to 1200), logging around four miles on the trails near the Clubhouse.  I made several rounds on each of the loops and practiced my turns, hills and hilly-turns.  Kept moving the whole time and only fell once (second time down the steep, curving hill on the Pond Loop that is my nemesis).  Used almost every muscle - tired and sore afterwards but still feeling great about the exercise I got.  If temps can stay above 20 degrees in the daytime (and a little bit of snow falls every few days), I’ll be wishing for another month of Winter - sorry to all of you hoping for Spring already...

Glencliff, NH (USA)

My dad recently got me a book about snowshoeing in the White Mountains and I decided to try one of the hikes today.  A bonus of the chosen route was that it followed the Appalachian Trail for part of the time - I was definitely excited to log some AT miles in the snow!  I had to drop Mollie off at work this morning (because of the low temps) and couldn't get on the road until 1200.  I used NH-10 and NH-25 to reach the little village of Glencliff (on the eastern side of Benton) and soon located the hiker parking lot (it was near the Nursing Home).  The place was packed with cars from MA and CT for some reason (peak bagging?) but I managed to squeeze into the last spot (1330).  Temps were still in the low teens so I spent about 15 minutes verifying survival gear before starting my walk.  I had to carry my snowshoes for the first half mile because I was on the road surface - it was also where I used the AT.  The book had mentioned parking at the entrance to (gravel) USFS-19 but I never saw it as I passed - this screwed up the mileage cues for where I was hoping to find the Blueberry Mountain Trail.  I had to actually leave the ground completely to climb over the gate that blocked the road - not sure why it wasn’t open, since the gravel appeared to be plowed and well worn.  After about a mile, I found a parking area off to the side and thought it might be the place I wanted.  Perhaps I should have been more suspicious because there wasn’t any sign and there were boulders across the entrance to the lot...  Regardless, I started into the woods on an old logging (?) road - there appeared to be sunken ruts that looked like a trail but no blazes or signage.  Still, the direction seemed good and I didn’t mind the six inches of new snow that I had to plow through.  The sun was out and, for the first hour, I could see snow-capped Moosilauke to the east almost the entire time.  I passed through small forests of shivering aspens and noticed many animal tracks on the undisturbed snow.  The road was pretty easy to follow but hadn’t apparently been cleared often - I had to clamber over lots of fallen trees, tentatively step through frozen creeks and wade through snow filled with sharp briars.  I took a few turns at forks, thinking I was going the right way, but soon realized I was tracking further west than I’d expected.  I had cell signal and was able to figure out that I was walking towards a massive geological landmark I’d seen from NH-25: the Owl’s Head.  Dang...  Even though the plan I’d had to summit Blueberry Mountain was out the window, I hoped to still see something cool and kept following the road.  It eventually ended abruptly, though (in the ravine below the back of the Owl’s Head...  Oh well!  Headed back towards town - it was much faster and easier going since I had blazed the trail on my outbound leg.  When I reached USFS-19 again, I decided to try to find the correct trailhead - it turned out to be about half a mile north (up a steep incline on the road) of where I’d chosen to hike.  Hopefully, I can try the climb from there another time.  Walked back to the car and saw some more good views of Moosilauke (looks VERY cold up there).  At the parking lot (almost empty) by 1530.  Not the hike I’d planned but I successfully walked/snowshoed about four miles on a cold February day - and got some AT mileage too.  After this, I’m itching to try some more snowshoeing in the area again!  I didn't rush going home because I was trying to time the end of Mollie's shift.  So, after using NH-25 to reach the Connecticut River, I crossed into the southern part of Bradford (VT) and got on US-5.  I hadn't been this way before and it gave me a chance to find the Drive In Movie Theater (in Fairlee) and take a detour to drive around Lake Fairlee.  At the latter location, I was amazed to see how much people trust the lake ice - big trucks, lots of fishing huts and plenty of people!  I, however, was not one of them...  After getting back on US-5, I drove to Norwich, crossed the River into Hanover and picked up Mollie up at Molly's (1730).  Another nice winter day in the Upper Valley!  AT Today = 0.4 miles / Grand Total AT = 1767.2 miles

Canaan, NH (USA)

Work was kind of slow today and I had a short section of NRT left in Canaan Village that I wanted to finish so I got permission to take a long lunch break.  Actually, I'd waited as long as I could to try to hit the warmest part of the day but had to give up on the temps climbing higher when they stabilized at a whopping 10 degrees...  At around 1245, I headed over to where the old train depot (near the WRJ 19 milepost) was and started westbound (1:30).  The section wasn’t very exciting but I did get to see a lot more snowmobiles (I think the long weekend started early!).  The sun wasn’t out but at least it wasn’t windy - I was layered up and didn’t really feel the biting cold from the last few winter walks.  After turning around at Potato Road, I enjoyed the views of snow-capped Cardigan.  Was done (after about four miles) by 1445 and headed back home to finish my work week.  The winter weather still isn’t getting me down yet!

Enfield, NH (USA)

A big snow storm was expected by 1100 this morning so I didn’t have a lot of options for outdoor activity.  I’d saved a short section of the Northern Rail Trail near Mascoma Lake for this kind of scenario so headed over to Enfield (0845) to try to squeeze it in before snow arrived.  Temps were just over 10 degrees again and, with the overcast, it felt a lot colder.  Walked from the Rail Trail parking lot (right next to the old train depot) to the place where I’d previously parked (Hardy Street) near the Enfield-Canaan town line.  Saw lots of people with dogs and a few snowmobiles.  I passed some old (glass broken, roof cave in) buildings that looked like mills or factories - I guess the area has seen busier days.  Finished up by 1000 and headed home before a single snowflake had fallen - maybe I should have tried a longer walk...  Oh well - "getting outside to exercise" mission complete!

Grantham, NH (USA)

When I visited Eastman Cross Country Center on Thursday and was looking at their map, I noticed a complex of X-C trails that appeared to be off by themselves - when I asked about them at the Clubhouse, I learned that the John’s Glen Trails were in a Beginner Level area on the edge of the Eastman Community and were very popular.  So I decided to go check them out today.  I managed to locate the trailhead (at the end of a gravel road) and got started (1000).  The trails were mostly flat and passed through pretty, snow-covered trees - they were also fully groomed (I’d been worried they might be back country) and there were many options.  The routes/loops (appeared to be old roads) followed the edges of small lakes and streams - very picturesque!  I navigated up and down a few steep hills and felt pretty proud of myself to be able to try so many things.  And then I found a tough spot - at one place, there was a long, steep, turning portion that made me stop.  I couldn’t see around the bend so I backtracked and looped around to approach it from the other direction.  I climbed it and was getting ready to try the downhill when an older guy - skiing with a camera in is hand so he could film - almost took me out!  I decided I wasn’t ready and headed off on some other trails.  Shortly after this, however, I met two nice ladies (one was named Ruth Anne) who tried to convince me to go back and try the hill again. (I later learned they were 80 years old and members of the Eastman Community Board who had planned the trails).  I followed them but, before I had my turn, a huge crowd of skiers showed up - there was a logjam!  And I got to hear things like “I fell on this hill yesterday” - needless to say, I chickened out again.  There was plenty of other trail to explore and I kept on working on climbs, downhills, turns, etc.  Got my diagonal stride going well too,  After about 1.5 hours (finished at 1130) and over 2.6 miles, I wrapped up my day with some track skiing - much nicer when warmed up and for a cool-down.  There weren’t many people in the lot when I started but the place had gotten busier by the hour - the parking area was packed when I reached my car.  Overall, the whole experience was a nice change from the trails near the Clubhouse.  I wasn't tired yet, so I drove over to the parking lot for the Heath Forest trails and walked the whole circuit again (1200 to 1330) in my snowshoes.  This time, I didn't use a map - but I only got lost once.  Best part: I got another chance to win the Five Punch Raffle!  I wanted to turn in the punch card before I left and arrived at the Clubhouse just as the Nordic Ski Races at Eastman started.  The kids were fast!  I was humbled as I watched them race around on Beginner Trails that I've been trying to master...  I stayed until 1415 and then headed home.  What a day in the snow!

Grantham, NH (USA)

It was a grey day (after a few days of snow) but the temps were close to 30 F.  With good conditions like that, I decided to take a break this morning on the Eastman Cross Country Center trails.  I arrived in Grantham at 0910.  For the first time since mid-December, the groomer had laid a track - what a difference the thick pack made!  Spent most of the day working on hills (up and down), making controlled turns and trying to remain in constant motion.  I’m pretty happy with the results: didn’t fall once, completed the Lazy Loop twice (also did Pond Loop and Practice Loop) and ended up skiing for just over three miles in 1.5 hours (I was finished by 1040).  My skiing techniques seem to be coming along - I used the track a few times but actually found it to be too constraining. There weren’t many people on the trails, although some school kids from Croyden appeared to be getting a cool recess on the sledding hills and ice rink.  I ran into a lady who liked my Notre Dame hat (she was married to a Domer) and saw Maureen (giving ski lessons to others).  Otherwise, I had the place mostly to myself.  Can’t beat a morning like this - I'm definitely getting my money’s worth on the membership!