Some people have asked me why I enjoy walking so much after a career of flying at high speeds (“it’s such a slow way to get around”). I usually tell them it’s my therapy - give me several hours “in the zone” on a trail and my mind is almost always clear. But walking is also a way to really get to know a place at a pace which doesn’t allow you to miss (like passing by in a car does) interesting businesses, animal behavior, great scenery, shortcuts and homes that might be worth having. After the worst of the cold weather passed the Upper Valley overnight, I considered going skiing but the snow was old, crusty and dry. Instead, I drove across the Connecticut River and walked for three hours (0925 to 1225) between Norwich and White River Junction. Fortunately, the temps today were between 18 and 30 F during this time. Along the way, I explored several neighborhoods in the town of Hartford (Wilder and WRJ) and checked out the frozen outflow on the Dam that keeps my house powered. It's nice to know a little more about the area where I live! I then returned home (arrived at 1300) and started relaxing on my couch. I was enjoying a good book on my couch when the fire alarm went off (1400). I took my time going outside because the temps were back in the high 20s but, when I opened the door, encountered Niagara Falls coming down from the landing above. It appeared that my upstairs neighbors’ sprinkler system had deployed so I checked on them, only to find them bailing buckets of water out of their unit! From there, gravity took over and soaked all the other units below - what a mess... The Hanover Fire Department came and, after securing the water, helpfully shop-vacc’d most of the moisture away. I was fortunate to not have as much damage as everyone else and didn’t even lose any of my property. We speculated that our -18 F weekend weather had frozen a sprinkler line - the firemen said they’d already been to over 20 other apartments earlier in the morning! Spent the evening drying out my stuff - hope things settle down after this...
