(6.26 miles) Day Hike with Aaron & Mary

Due to some time constraints, changed the original plan and since we had two cars, we started above the lean-to, and walked down to Wixon road. That section from the lean-to to Wixon road as much harder than it looks due to all the walking at a slant. My ankles hurt a little, but it was only 6 mi. Generally, not much to see due to all the foliage, but it was good company and a good test.

(6.1 miles) Solo Hike on Crystal Hills Trail - 6 wet & soggy miles

Wore my Salomon boots and due to recent rain and tall grass, feet were soaked as soon as I started. Didn't get any better, and I had to wade through a river near the turn around point so feet were even more wet on the way back. I used the SMD Flight 30 as a bit of a test run and it was comfortable with about 10 pounds in it. Hated going solo, but glad to get outside.

Coronavirus

Outbreak you may recall - within 1 month it killed over 2K people. Not sure how it will affect the USA. Our family bought some extra food, medicine, and water just in case the country gets shut down. The stock market is taking a nose dive and now I'm personally worried about retirement in another 10 years! Will we have enough???

This first set is from Feb 27, 2020.

Then, around mid-March, we in NY received a "stay-at-home" order and all the schools & non-essential businesses were ordered to close. Here are some other images from April 2.

It's stunning how nonchalant President Trump was at the start and how starkly different things are now. The current "hope" in the US is that the infection apex will be mid-April and then things will slow down & eventually stop. But no one knows yet if this is seasonal like the flu, or if it will stay vibrant all year round.

It's been nice being home with you kids more, but I do have about 10 - 100 time the stress that I used to. We are worried about our jobs, your grandparents, our health, retirement savings, provisions for living at home, etc... Before all this, the only thing I worried about on a daily basis was whether or not my boss would notice I wasn't that busy. That and what was I going to prepare for everyone to eat for dinner.

Runners Knee

Started having runners knee (L). Been trying to add a few jogging laps during my January workouts. Then added some weight to my squats and that's what I get for that...

(7.12 miles) Watkins Glen Solo Hike

Why didn't I bring Belle??? She would have loved it. I ended up stowing the trekking poles and didn't see anyone else so I really wish I'd chosen differently. Beautiful hike, though. Backpack, with 2 liters, was at 17 pounds. Good workout all around.

(3.5 miles) Building Up The Miles

Three miles last week and a very muddy 3.5 miles this time. 

Belle was so happy! Pack was about 12 pounds.

2019 Books...

• Star Wars: No Prisoners
• The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz
• The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz
• The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz
• The Night Window by Dean Koontz
• Creepers by David Morrell
• Scavengers by David Morrell
• The Spy Who Came for Christmas by David Morrell
• Joomla! 3 explained

Elmira Enforcers, Friday night 12/27

It was a loss unfortunately, but a solid game. Everyone had fun and it was nice to have Mary there.

Nutcracker In Motion

It was a totally awesome experience. My family was Allison, Landon, Brennan, Lexi, Caelyn, McKenna, & Rosalee. Can't wait to do it again!

West Point

I made all the purchases & arrangements for this. Even did the grocery shopping. For my very first event, it went okay.





Drove to Camp Bullowa on Friday night. Advance party was supposed to be Matt, Paul, & Sara, but Matt had house trouble and Sara had a surprise Dr appointment so I had to get the boys out of school quickly and get on the road. Because of that, we didn't arrive before dark which made setup difficult. We never even deduced if we were in the correct camp site or not.

 The game was a blow-out and we were late arriving which meant late for tours, etc... It worked out okay, but could have been better. I fell short on the arrangements - no water supply and I didn't gather info on how to sign up for tours, where the scoutmaster activities were, etc... I could have done better.

After the 3rd quarter the scouts decided to visit the West Point Museum which was cool. But it was closing soon after we arrived - started late because some scouts were in the bathroom / food lines. After the museum we had to walk briskly back around the stadium and luckily caught a bus to take us back to our parking site. Then we were in the dark, AGAIN, trying to make dinner - frozen hamburger foil packets.

Boys were exhausted on night #2. That's why Brian is wearing his winter jacket in the second tent picture.

Cycling Merit Badge

5 Mile bike ride to start the Cycling Merit Badge. Brennan was a little unsteady at first with the big bike, but he got comfortable and made the trip. Brian did fine - I didn't see him most of the time. That night Brennan had terrible pains in his leg while Annie & I were out - Allison did a solid job taking care of him with an Epsom salt bath. It was difficult to see.

Camp Brule Camporee

One night affair. Drove down Saturday morning, set up camp, made chili, the scouts set up their catapults / trebuchets, and then there were a bunch of night-time activities, including a ropes course. Both boys did great. Brian was able to do the ropes course, but Brennan was too young & too cold. Boys slept in the half-dome tent while I stayed solo in the Lunar Solo. It got down to 25 degrees at night! It was a good time, but exhausting.