4-19-13 Little River North and a Bike Ride

The northern access to Little River has been a bit hard to get too because they log out of those roads all winter.  But now that is done so I took Sal out there and we took a somewhat short hike.

Sal was glad too run, I love watching him tire himself out.  Originally this was going to be a trail run but in the end not so much.  Felt more like strolling.

I think a truck rolled and dropped part of the trailer along with the woodchips.  Could not figure out if the metal you see is the top or the side of the trailer though.  The pile was as tall as me though.

See?  Clear water, no ice.  The water was high as spring melt was in full swing.

This is normally a calm stream.  Not so much now.

After all of this I ended up fixing um my bike and going for a 12 mile ride.  I went further than I have ever run on the bike trail and it was pretty amazing.  Also bumps on a road bike suck but my calves are in good enough shape that I could just fly.

This is an elevated platform that goes through a wilderness area so animals can go under it.  Plus, bog...so.

We have our beaches even in Vermont

There is a bridge.  Like I said, further than I have even gone.  This is over the winooski river.

Actually kind of a cool structure.  There are spots to stand and fish too.

No amazing sunset but instead moody clouds.

The winds were really strong and were blowing almost tidal surf off the lake.  Reminded me of beaches in California.

This is the North Beach park.  It was a good ride, it has been years since I have gotten on a bicycle.  A perfect day combined with the bacon wrapped scallops and maple syrup creme brûlée as lunch.

4-14-13 Little River

Again Little River.  A little less snow, another part I had not been to before.  It is a big park.

It was an odd space but I liked it.  The water was mostly frozen over but what wasn't was crystal clear.

Looking north up the lake.  Cold cold water under that.

There was a faucet for warmer times.  I tried a couple of different shots. This was one of the better ones but still did not get the oddness of it.

Ever optimistic grills.  Slightly askew.

And if you ever have to ask, what does a grill see?  Well here it is.

Beaver hard a work and very fresh. Saw lots of stumps.

There was this fantastic bend and you could see down 10 feet.

Probably the last time I will see this frozen this winter.

This is the powerstation behind the Waterbury Dam.

At the top is a small concerte structure with this on it.  Built in 1938 they did go art deco on it. On a dam.  In the middle of the mountains.  In Vermont.

Even with the fixtures, art deco.  I like though so all  is good.

The actually flood gates.  This is where the magic happens, ladies...

Roof Golf and Kayak

Most of my posts are outdoors related but not this one.  As I have taken to playing putt putt golf on the roof at work through all weather, well here is a picture of it in sleet.  It was messy but a lot of fun.

You could hit it as hard as you could and it would go a foot.  The ice took all the energy.

Also spotted this on a walk.  Skin on frame kayak with a broken skin.

Plywood instead of steam bent framing but the frame looked solid if not overbuilt.

The place it was behind was a business, I will need to go when they are open and inquire.

4-7-13 Little River

I really wasn't kidding about Little River.  I decide to take a new pair of running shoes out in the snow and see how they did.  At some point I will actually review all the minimalist shoes I have tried, but not today.  This time I went to a part of the park I had not been to before.

When the  snow is not here there is a beach I believe.  Can't be sure though.

Wool socks combined with breathable trail shoes work, only occasionally does snow get inside and sure your feet get wet but not cold with wool.

Mounting points for the docks.  I like finding these man made objects and shooting them in contrast with nature.

Rivers are not in full force yet but are growing.

Yet another foundation.  There were so many houses in these hills that foundations or walls are everywhere.

We found this metal roller in the middle of one foundation pit (detail shot later).  Sal was intrigued.

This one site had lots of debris, this looks to be part of maybe a mantel?

I am sure if I grew up on a farm I would know exactly what this was but I have not a clue.  Looked damn medieval though.

Someone had gathered broken glass and piled it up on the rock wall.  It made a pretty shot.

Vergennes and a visit from my Folks

First I had to include this shot of Sal.  You can see why.

My parent's came up for a visit and one of the things we did was go down to Vergennes.  There was a specifici coffee//bakery I wanted to show them but we stopped at the park at the base of the falls first.

I had actually never been down there and did not realize just how big it was.

Walking from the car.

Dashing captain.  It was a good visit, made better by nice weather and sun for us to walk around in.  We were all tired but the end of that day but the rule is get the sun while you can around here.

3-23-13 Snake Mountain with my Uncle

In a pleasant turn of events my Uncle was able to get a ride up to Vermont and spend a long weekend with me.  While we spent a great deal enjoy the decedent nature of Burlington I did manage to convince him to go for a climb of Snake Mountain.   While I have done this multiple times it is always a nice hike and the view rewarding.

The view.  Rewarding.

My uncle bundled sort of.  It wasn't frigid but there was a plucky wind that battered us.  And we even sorta ran on the way down.  He was quite explicit about the nature of aging and finding me when I am his age so I would then have clarity.  We stopped at a sandwich place on the way back in Vergennes that was awesome and brought the experience to a good close.

End of the world...

Calvin and Hobbes eat your heart out, Sometimes I feel right at home here...

3-16-13 Ice Climbing

Through my workplace I got a very unique opportunity to learn how to ice climb from the Mountaineering division of the Army Rangers which happen to be located in Vermont.  We spent and a day up on the ice and had a blast.  Some but not all these pictures are mine, others in the party also took a lot of great shots.

In order to get to the climb site we got a ride in the military version of a snow cat.  Very loud but so, so so cool to ride in.

Gearing up, not me but some of the soldiers that were up there with us.  There were also climbing so we all got to climb together.

All tied in and starting a climb.  It may not look crazy steep, and perhaps it wasn't but it was steep enough.

This was by far the hardest and the last climbing place we went.  This is not me but Maureen from work.  I was able to get up all the other ascents but this one I only got half way up before my hands gave out.

You can see the safety lines there, we were all roped up with crampons and ice picks.

Spikes on the feet.  I had to be conscious of them at all times so I did not catch myself and the rigid boots weighted a ton.

All of us had an amazing time and want to go back.  I know I can't really afford another hobby, and this one is quite dangerous but it was so cool.  A 3D puzzle that was mental and physical exercise.

And what a beautiful place to be.

All of us infront of those awesome snow cats.  It was incredible and I am very grateful to these soldiers for their patience and working with them to climb and belay.  I think it is rare for civilians to spend time with military personel like this and was a surprising almost emotional experience of something that I am certainly not exposed to otherwise.