BSA Boston Trip

Drove up to New England Base Camp in Milton, MA. With me & Brian were Seojun and Will Stetter. Great group to travel with. We left at 9:32am Friday, 5/25 and arrived at 16:42. Stopped twice for about 20 minutes each plus an emergency 2 minute pee on the side of route 88 near Oneonta for Brian.

Sleep system: Coleman air mattresses, sheets, sleeping bags, real pillows. My mattress kept deflating. Brian had an accident on his the 2nd to last night. And because it was so hot during the day and we were so active, it was a horrible time to not get enough sleep! But we powered through and made some nice memories. Fortunately I had purchased an air pump that recharges so I didn't have to have electricity because the camp site was hundreds of feet away from the nearest outlet.

Food: cold cereal, sandwiches, campfire pies, bag lunches, etc... Once or twice Brian & I ate out, but not much. It wasn't the healthiest of times, but it was fun. Although we had camp stove & cookware, we didn't use it at all. Larabar supply was completely consumed - love those!!!

Water: Gregory 3L bladder was key for me & Brian.

Ozark Trail day pack was very uncomfortable. And not having side-pockets to stash stuff quickly was a huge pain.

Clothes: Always bring jacket & winter hat in daypack! We went to Fenway to watch Red Sox and it got so cold they sold out of blankets! I bought us some hats and it was just enough for us. We weren't comfortable, but it wasn't miserable either.

Crazy weather! Wicked hot Friday & Saturday (90℉). Very chilly & windy Sunday (55℉). Rained Sunday night before we left Monday morning (67℉). A little of everything except snow.

Road trip: NJ Lax, Wilkes-Barre, Binghamton, Corning, Drill, Rome, back to MA

At Annie's in Corning, NY. She flew into Bedford, MA on Friday using the Corning shuttle (5/25/01). She slept at the apartment and I ended up getting out of work early because Janet & Julie left early. We drove to NJ Friday night and stayed at a Holiday Inn near Voorhees State Park because it was late (11pm) and raining. On Saturday we met up w/ Kurt and want to Rutgers to see SU vs Notre Dame and also a bit of Princeton vs Towson. It rained the whole game. Definitely needed REAL wet-weather gear for Annie. Plus need padding for the seats. We stayed @ a Super 8 in Raritan, NJ because it was still raining. Saturday we visited Aunt Judy & Uncle Eb and met up w/ Katie & Mark for breakfast. Then we went to Harold's which is right near Uncle Eb's. Then we went to Mark & Katie's and stayed there for the night. That was awesome, but we got ticks on us just from walking outside. Katie made some GREAT dinner from a cookbook by HP Books called Mediterranean Cooking. On Monday we drove to Rutgers to see SU lose in OT to Princeton. Then drove to Wilkes-Barre to have dinner w/ Ann's Aunt Cathy, then went to Binghamton to stay w/ the Dibble's. Then in Corning the last two nights.

Annie got really mad when we stopped at a mall because she wanted to look for a CD that I had already bought for her birthday, but hadn't yet given her. That was in NJ after Harolds. I knew she was looking for the CD I got her & told her Kurt was waiting for us & we didn't have the time. She was mad and thought I was saying Kurts feeling were more important than hers. But once I pulled out the CD from under the seat, she understood. Not happy, but she understood :-)

Tuesday night in Corning we slept outside in the tent which was cool. We also had dinner at the Outback with the Wexell's and Mary. Dale sure reminds me of Gumps in some ways. On Thursday I stayed & packed up while Annie went to work. We got together for lunch with a bunch of people from her work. Then I went to Snelling and got onto their system. Then I had NYARNG drill Thursday - Sunday. I did so much lifting that I overexerted. I had a bad headache all the next day. The poncho set-up I had was great!! I have to get 2 of my own ponchos & bungy cords. Sunday I stopped to see Mom for a couple hours. She made me cookies! I had to stop on the drive home and take a nap. I was still really tired and shouldn't have driven, but I made it back safely.

Billerica walking

Here at the apartment in Billerica. A couple weeks ago I went hiking / walking around the area. Ended up doing about 6 miles I would guess. Mostly on roads though. I've walked to the grocery store a couple times. My #2 toe on right foot gets sore. I also have rubbed skin just underneath both #2 toes. Almost a blister, but never filled with puss. Should get the car back in a couple days. I ordered a new tent, gaiters, and a sleeping pad. Can't wait to test them.

Skiing

Went to Toggenburg with Kurt last Saturday. Went to Wachusett last Wednesday. I love skiing! I bought my own skis after Christmas. I've been to Woods Valley a couple times and TBurg again w/ Rich. I think I've picked it up pretty quickly due to my learning to ice skate.

Wachusett was big & cold. They didn't have any new snow and there was a lot of ice. It was good to ski, but not much fun.

TBurg was a blast! I love cutting through the trees and stuff. Kurts legs started cramping and we left after 2.5 hours. It was a little icy, but not bad. I think I may like skiing more than climbing - probably because I can do it by myself, but there are also more people to do it with.

Berlin Boulder in Berlin, Massachusetts

Berlin Boulder, Berlin Massachusetts.

• From Fort Devens, take Route 2 West
• Then 70 South
• Then 62 South
• Turn Left onto West Street just before train crossing (5-way intersection)
• Turn Right onto Randall (just before Train Stop restaurant)
• Turn Left onto Lancaster

Boulder is on the left side of the road just past "Northbrook Greenhouses" which is on Right. About 1/2 hour - 45 minute drive.

I set up an anchor for practice. I climbed all East & North face - hardest was 5.7. Left at 11:05am.