Hiking

[Crankin]

Did the same hike as last weekend, except in the opposite direction, and with our friends. It was definitely easier in this direction. We didn't add on the big hill climb as DH is really sick with a cold, but he didn't want to ruin the what we had planned with our friends who were in for our theatre night on Friday. The temperature was about the same, too, starting at 18 and going up to 25, but no impending snow. In fact, I didn't bring sunglasses, as it was cloudy and then the sun came out. It was fun, despite the depressing discussion about climate change and no snow for x country skiing. One of our friends is up in Craftsbury, VT this weekend, which is almost in Canada. It usually has very relieable snow cover and she said it's "sketchy." I just hate it when it's this cold and no snow!
Well, it's going to be in the 40s later in the week, so I guess I will get my bike out, if the roads are not too bad. Meanwhile, we will go out to Amherst and do some hiking out where our friends live sometime in hte next 2 weeks, if we can't plan any skiing.
NY, we went to the Rockwell Museum last summer, after not going there for like 15 years. It is awesome. We do go to the Berkshires every year, but it's focused on cycling, so we don't a lot of cultural stuff. Last summer was so hot when we were there, we had to do a very short 17 mile ride one day, much earlier than usual and then we went to the museum. The grounds themselves are worth the trip. It's about 2.5 hours from Concord, definitely doable in a day from here, but it would be a long way to the Cape. Maybe you could plan an overnight around here, or out in the Berkshires. It's such a lovely area of Massachusetts that most around here never visit. Most of their visitors and 2nd home owners are from NY or NJ.
A few years ago, DH and I drove to Lenox to meet Lisa (remember her) from TE to go to a big winter clothing sale at an outdoor store there. Lisa lives about 25 miles from the MA/NY border. Deb, who was winter camping out there, also joined us. It was a very fun TE experience and DH ended up buying the most stuff!

[Catrin]

I remember when you met Lisa and Deb, TE outings are always a lot of fun - that's been my experience over the years.

I've not been able to hike since Jan 1, and I'm itching to get out. The trails are very muddy however, that's the downside of such warm winter temps. Your conditions sound perfect Crankin, much easier to hike on frozen trails

I really want to get out solo however. I do have hiking friends, but there is a small downside to that. It almost makes me feel bad to admit it to myself, but my local hiking friends do not seem to be capable to have one second of a hike pass in silence. I love these women, they are very good friends, but I need to make certain I do more solo hiking this year. I enjoy hiking with them, don't get me wrong, but when 2 or three involved conversations are happening throughout the entire hike it gets tiresome. Part of why I like to hike is to reconnect with the world around me, and I can't do that with constant chatter. Am I the only one like this? So my goal this year is to attempt to alternate solo and group hikes. I also would like to hike in every state park in Indiana - though there are two that may be overly technical for my knee.

[Crankin]

No, you are not the only one. I like my hikes with our friends, because it alternates between talking and silence.
DGD slept over last night. She didn't go to bed until midnight and I had to do the brunt of the care, as DH is sick. She slept until 7 AM, and I am exhausted. I am hoping to get out for a short hike later, as my dreas of an 8:15 tabata class went out the window very quickly.

[north woods gal]

Constant chatter would drive me nuts, too. In fact, it would irritate the heck out of me while hiking or doing anything out in the woods. It would be like chatting during church, because, well, the woods are my church.

[Crankin]

So, today we went to a state park about 35 miles NW of here. It's not far from the place we x country ski, just over the border of NH. Also near where we climbed Mt. Watatic last summer. So, based on our hike Saturday, we did not bring our ice spikes. There was no snow or ice along the road as we drove up there, so we thought we were safe! We were going to do the "moderate" 5.2 mile hike, that had a lot of climbing. Of course, after just a short bit, there were ice and snow patches, but we could either go along side of them, or walk on strategically placed rocks. However, when the trail turned, it became narrow and full of ice and crusty snow. Even DH was not willing to try, so we doubled back a bit and found the easier "family friendly" trail, that also had some ups and downs. We saw a way to make this longer and climb up a small mountain, but we were stopped by ice there, too. So, we hiked around the camping sites and went back the way we came. Not a total fail, as we hiked 3.3 miles, with some good climbs, and it was really nice. We may even try and camp there next summer.
I think we will go back next week and try again.

[emily_in_nc]

That sounds nice, Crankin. Glad you didn't risk slipping on the ice, but I am sure it was pretty. Although I don't like the cold, I do enjoy winter hikes. No bugs, spiderwebs, weeds across the trail, not as much sweating, and I like the way the woods look in bare branches -- the views are better, for one.

[Crankin]

We were thwarted in returning to the state park today. Still warmer, but in the 40s and cloudy. When we were ready to get ready to leave, we checked the weather and it said it was raining there, and we could see rain on the radar. So, we decided to keep it local. Of course, once we got in the car, we looked at ther radar and there was nothing.We hiked 3 miles in Estabrook Woods, using our app to find a couple of new trails. Saw a few cross riders in the beginning and just afew other hikers, although there were plenty of cars around at the start. We hiked down the old ski hill, which is steep, and that was fun. Not as much fun as snow shoeing up it, though. As we were driving home, we did see several cyclists, as we were on extremely popular roads. I thought about getting my bike out for a short ride, looked up, and it was sprinkling out, so that didn't happen. Stopped at the natural foods store, and headed home for lunch.
So, a 3 mile hike at a good pace. Kind of bored now, I've been reading, but the rest of the world is wrapped up in the football game, which we could care less about!