Back to Swain solo

Temp w/ wind chill = -19. Not so fun because the ground was hard. Wore undershirt, sweater, fleece, & jacket. Fingers & toes got cold. Good thing I had goggles! Wore long underpants under my pumori's. Nice combo. Only skied 2.5 hours. Hope to go somewhere this weekend, too.

Skiing Solo at Swain

Chilly today - high of 26, low of 11. Went to Swain for the first time. I wasn't jazzed about it, but had an awesome time. They were making snow AND it was sprinkling snow. Had to but goggles because the man-made stuff hurt my face & kept me from seeing. Skied for about 4 hours. Lots of pee breaks at first - I wanted to stay hydrated because I have to work tomorrow. Only took 1 hour to get here! I was very tired today and almost didn't go. Very friendly atmosphere as well.

Greek Peak - free pass

Went skiing at Greek Peak in Cortland, NY. I had a free pass I won from an online contest. Man I was tired when I was done. Seemed like I was always turning left so my R leg was exhausted when the day ended. It was warm out and most of the snow was fake, but it was SKIING!!!

Takeaways:

• Bring quarters for the lockers
• Drink water
• Bring food
• Thin sock liners were a must
• Goggles would be a good purchase. Not a requirement, but it would have helped me have a better time next time.

Brook -n- Wood for Nordman Apple Picking

Brook -n- Wood
1947 Route 8
Elizaville, NY

Here camping with Annie, Jeffrey, and Velicity. Met up w/ Uncle Rudi, Uncle Eb, and Carlos. Others too, but don't know them all. Pot-luck dinner had a lot of stuff, but we didn't bring anything. We already ate our hot dog

Lessons Learned:

• Always put rain-fly on tent, or at least make it quick to put on
• Good call on Tarp
• Bring saw to cut firewood for ourselves & to leave for next campers
• Leave firewood for the morning
• Always bring foots & liners for tents. Kids were cold because tent was so big.
• Radio next time! Kurt go you one for his wedding that is really nice.
• Shovel!!!

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.

MSL with Kurt (2 of 2)

Bring poncho to cover things, it's not just for you. Get them-a-rest pad. Need better sleeping bag. Froze overnight. Condensation frozen in the morning. SO glad to have stove & thermos. Put things in bivy w/ you if you don't want them frozen (water, lighter). Oatmeal & hot cocoa were fantastic as was instant capuccino. Now it's snowing!

Next time, thick socks no matter what. That way at least if boots aren't a perfect fit, there won't be room for foot to move & create blister. Also bring baby wipes for latrine and a chair / stool for around the campfire.

MSL with Kurt (1 of 2)

Started hike at 1353 hours.

Chilly today! Bit of wind, too. Got to lean-to at 1615. Kurt set up sleeping area and I boiled water for soup & hot chocolate. Also made potatoes w/ canned chicken. Molly McButter is great. Getting dark now. Kurts back & the blisters on my heels are forcing us out the way we cam in. Don't think I'll get any reading done.

Climbing w/ National Guard folks

Supposed to meet Lingo, Sgt Luciano, and Kazmirski at Moss Island for climbing. I've been here since 9:45 and still no sign of them.

They showed up at 10:55. I was going to leave at 11 so they just made it. It was Lingo, Luciano, Kaz, and Kaz's girlfriend, Megan. We did Jeff Loves Eileen, Goat Crack, and Tumbleweed. Much fun.

Blue Mountain

Hiked Blue Mountain w/ Eric & Lisa. Took 70 minutes on the way up, only 40 minutes to get down. Went the wrong way driving. Remember to take route 30 or 28N! Don't just stay on 28!
Wish C were here.

Black Mountain

Friday - Saturday (5/28-29) Colleen & I went hiking up Black Mountain. Next time, just take the Thruway unless going for the scenery! Took around 4 hours to drive and my brakes go so hot I had to pull over and let them cool before continuing. Nice shopping outlet in Queensbury. Colleen was a blast as usual. Heard some large animals in the night. Next time, be prepared. Bugs weren't bad at all.