Londonderry, VT (USA)

I’m holding on to Winter!  All week, I checked the ski trail reports for Nordic Centers in the Upper Valley, NEK, Whites & Greens - nearly every one had some snow but was fighting the 50+ F temps to preserve it.  So, I was taking a Vegas-style gamble when I decided to venture away from home this afternoon.  After completing chores around the house until 1115, I was ready to depart for a winter adventure.  First, I drove into Hanover to get gas - unfortunately, I found the normal station to be too expensive.  I ended up finding a better price at Irving in West Lebanon.  Once my tank was filled (1140), I used used VT-14 and US-5 to reach I-91; from there, I headed south.  After getting off the Interstate at the Ascutney exit, I took VT-131, VT-106, some back roads to get around Springfield and then got on VT-11.  Took that road to Chester - along the way, I got stuck behind some slow drivers but mostly had the roads to myself.  Mud Season was in full swing in nearly every town I passed but, in the shadow of Magic and Stratton Mountains, I found a slice of February had survived!  And, even better, it seemed that very few other people had any idea that cross country skiing was possible in this area.  Score!  I arrived at the Viking Nordic Center just before 1300 and, for the next three hours (1300 to 1600), I practically raced around the trail system (about nine miles).  I didn’t wear a coat, hat or gloves - some people I met were wearing short sleeved shirts in the balmy weather.  There were big hills to climb/descend, farmhouses to admire, muddy roads to cross, a Bigfoot sighting and tough conditions (slush & ice, bare ground, fallen trees) to navigate.  Through it all, though, I felt great!  I met some nice people but also had the woods to myself at times.  Was thinking a lot about if this might be my last ski of the year...  It would be a good note to end on but I’ll keep hoping for another storm! Afterwards, visited with some of my new friends and the caretakers - by 1620, though, I was on my way towards home.  Before leaving Londonderry, I'd done a quick search on Google Maps and found a place to sample beers (Twisted Horn Brewery) just about a mile away.  When I arrived, I found the proprietor and one of his friends were alone inside.  This was good for me because I had their full attention as I tried two of their offerings.  I discovered that the brewery had just opened recently and was using another brewery's equipment to set up a production line.  In the end, I spent about 30 minutes with them, sampling beers and having good conversation - I also ended up buying one of their four packs (Ground Breaker Pale Ale) just as they closed (1700).  From Londonderry, I used VT-11 to drive all the way to I-91 - the traffic flow was pretty good.  To the west, I got to see a pleasant sunset developing...  Once I was on the Interstate, I made even better time and was back at my condo by 1815.  Great day!]

White River Junction, VT (USA)

[started teleworking very early in the morning - at 0800, I drove to White River Junction (UVAC) and spent 45 minutes swimming (54 lengths) - afterwards, I did some errands West Lebanon - headed home, arriving at 1000, and resumed teleworking - everyone at work had lots of worries about potential Government Shut Down - finished teleworking at 1745 and then headed to Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon to volunteer with the Knights of Columbus during the second fish dinner of Lent (American Night!) - afterwards, helped set up for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day Celebration (1800 to 2000) - arrived home at 2015]

White River Junction, VT (USA)

[teleworking from early in the morning - at 0745, I drove to White River Junction (UVAC) and spent 45 minutes swimming (54 lengths) - afterwards, I went shopping in West Lebanon before heading home (arrived at 09345) - continued teleworking until late afternoon]

Danville, VT (USA)

With 50s/60s headed towards the Upper Valley, I was highly motivated to make today’s cooler weather count.  Once again, though, I did as many chores around the condo as I could during the morning hours.  After lunch (1230), I left Hanover and drove north on I-91, hoping to find good skiing conditions.  Got off the Interstate at the first exit beyond I-93 junction and then started searching for parking areas for Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in St. Johnsbury.  No luck in town due to uncleared parking areas and/or private property uncertainties.  Undeterred, I continued west on US-2 and eventually found some back roads (VT-2B, Pumpkin Hill Road, Trestle Road, Parker Road) that, ultimately, led me to a place (snow mobile staging area and pull out) to park at 1400.  So, in the end, it took driving more than 50 miles north to find cross country skiing conditions but it was definitely worth the effort!  I had a hunch that the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail would be groomed (or, at least rolled) and I was right.  After parking at the trailhead next to the Mile 6 marker (Danville, VT), I logged 9 miles (in three hours, 1410 to 1710) on my EVOs under cloudy skies and a steady falling snow.  The grade was rather steep for a railroad bed because the railroad was built high above the river (a wise decision, I think, after all the flooding I’ve seen around here).  Saw several deer (who'd crowded around on the closed section) and some interesting feather patterns (raptor swooping on to "dinner"?) in the snow.  Despite having to dodge some snowmobiles (including one who nearly hit me when he lost control), I was able to connect to the place where Mollie and I had turned around last time (VT-2B on the western edge of St. Johnsbury).  As I was wrapping up, a local guy with his dog came by to ask if the trail was worth walking on - I replied that it might be with snow shoes.  His dog didn't look too thrilled...  Afterwards (1715), I headed home (using US-2 to I-91 and then south).  It was snowing almost all the way but not in Hanover, where I'd really hoped it would.  I was at my condo by 1830, feeling good about my great day in the snow.  From now on, I’ll try to keep walking west on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail! 

Dorchester, NH (USA)

After several days of warmer temperatures and rain this week, I didn’t even bother planning to ski this weekend. Last night, though, I experienced the true impact of Facebook on mental health - for worse or better.  First, I saw a post about how the Eastman Cross Country trails were closed until further notice (“the ski season might be over”).  As my hopes sank, I scrolled a bit further and found a post about the Green Woodlands (“we have a great base and are grooming - tomorrow should be wonderful”).  Armed with this wildly disparate view on snow and Winter conditions from locations I’ve regularly used, I made plans this morning to head towards the latter trails complex this afternoon.  After working around the house all morning, I departed my condo at 1430 and drove (via Etna) towards the parking area for the Green Woodlands in Dorchester.  On the way, it seemed like it was a bad sign that the dirt roads on the way showed signs of mud season, full of ruts and slick in places.  Believe me, I crossed my fingers all the way to the west side of Dorchester...  Upon arrival (1500), I was rewarded with a packed parking lot (I got the last spot)!  I guess others heard the same news… For the next two hours (1510 to 1710), though, I skied to my heart’s content (4ish miles), rarely encountering anyone.  It was very windy and icy (temps in low 20s) but I was bundled up well. I stayed mostly on the southeast side of Cummins Pond and enjoyed groomed tracks, along with fast downhills - in some places, I only needed my arms to keep the momentum going for hundreds of yards.  By the end of my ski, I’d almost forgotten about the bare ground, mud and dirty snow piles back at my condo.  Afterwards (1715), I reversed my early afternoon driving route to reach my condo (arrived at 1745).  VERY glad I ventured outside today - thanks, Facebook!

White River Junction, VT (USA)

[teleworking from early in the morning - at 0800, I drove to White River Junction (UVAC) and spent 45 minutes swimming (54 lengths) - afterwards, I went shopping in West Lebanon before heading home (arrived at 0930) - continued teleworking until dinner time, when I went to Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon to volunteer with the Knights of Columbus during the first fish dinner of Lent (Mediterranean Night!) - stayed at the church from 1745 to 2025]

White River Junction, VT (USA)

As usual, I started my telework day very early.  One bonus today, though, was that it was Fat Tuesday and I'd signed up for a cooking class at the Lebanon Co-Op Kitchen to make Beignets!  At 1115, I made the five minute drive to our local Co-Op so I could participate in a “Lunch & Learn” Cooking Class (1130-1230).  Like the Gumbo experience I had there a few years ago, I got some “hands on” time in the kitchen, working the dough (made by the chef last night), deep frying small slices and then liberally dousing them in powdered sugar.  The other members of the class were upbeat and interesting.  Sitting down afterwards to enjoy the treats I’d made, I reveled in some good memories from my times in NOLA at Cafe du Monde.  Added a shot of Caffe O Le to wash it all down.  Awesome!  Back at home again (1245), I teleworked until 1530.  Afterwards, I drove to White River Junction to volunteer at the LISTEN Community Dining Hall, where I assisted with meal prep (enchilada casserole), got the counter ready for serving and then helped serve meals (1600 to 1800).  We prepared about 100 meals for the guests but there were also plenty of leftovers.  The food was so good that I made a point of asking for some to take home (they let me!).  On the way back to Hanover, I did some errands in West Lebanon; arrived back at my condo by 1845.  Bon Mardi Gras!

White River Junction, VT (USA)

[teleworking from early in the morning - at 1230, I drove to White River Junction (UVAC) and spent 45 minutes swimming (54 lengths) - afterwards, I did some errands in West Lebanon before heading home (arrived at 1400) - resumed teleworking until 1800]

Grantham, NH (USA)

The day started with temps below 0 F but ended with a crystal clear blue sky - even through it never got warmer than 20, I couldn’t miss a chance for more time on my EVOs!  One of my Thursday Happy Hour buddies (Ed) had told me about a field across the street from his house that looked skiable so made plans to meet him there in the afternoon.  I did chores in my condo all morning and, at 1430, drove down to Grantham (via I-89).  After I arrived (1500), Ed B. and I went cross country skiing on the Howe Hill area.  We had to cross the street and make our way through a deep snow-plow-drift along the pavement - getting our skis on after this (in knee deep snow!) was comical and tricky.  Once on our skates, we made our way carefully though a nice mix of powder and newly frozen “crust” - conditions were good!  In the end, I did about 3.5 circuits of the property, for a total of two miles in one hour (1510 to 1610).  We topped off our afternoon of outdoor fun with some “Chipmunk Love Story” (oatmeal stout from Flying Goose).  At 1700, I said goodbye to Ed and his wife and made my way (via I-89 and US-4) to Enfield so I could got to the Vigil Mass at St. Helena's (1730).  Arrived in time and enjoyed (as always) Father Sammy's Homily.  Once church was over, I headed back to my condo (arrived at 1830).  Winter life in the Granite State is good!

Lebanon, NH (USA)

Today was probably the most Jekyll & Hyde day, weather wise, that I’ve experienced in New Hampshire.  Snow was melting for most of the morning but temps started dropping in the afternoon.  And then it started snowing and getting really windy (initially, swirling flurries, but it later started sticking!)… While doing chores around the condo throughout the day, I kept thinking things would calm down - I'd really wanted to leave town for an afternoon of skiing!  Delayed, delayed, procrastinated - finally decided to drive down to Dartmouth Hospital, where I knew there could be a chance for some skiing or snowshoeing.  In other words, with daylight nearly gone, I “settled” for the Boston Lot trail system near my home.  I arrived at 1625 and decided to follow the access road and wooded trails that lead to the Boston Lot Lake.  Fortunately, the conditions were pretty good and I was able to log about an hour (2ish miles) around the north and east side of the lake.  These trails are really for mountain bikes so, as a precaution, I walked in a few of the more treacherous places.  There was also a bit of danger from slushy and thin spots on the access road to the town’s water tower - I made it, though!  Afterwards, I headed home (arrived at my condo by 1745).  I’m glad I had someplace to go when all looked hopeless until the sun had nearly set.  If I’m lucky, the big drop in temps tonight should make skiing easier tomorrow...