11-26-12 Shelburne Museum

Like I said in the previous post my friend Charlotte came out from Mississippi to visit me and we went to the Shelburne Museum.

 The special exhibit was snowmobiles, this was notable.  A proper schoolbus.

 This one was just classy.  The style is so indicative of the times.  It was actually quite a cool exhibit.

 That is right, a snowmobile motorcycle.  Made for the military, able to be broken down, and very, very dangerous.  And yet I want one.

 She is a cat person, even the big ones made out of wood...stone...stuff

 The train that is kept there.

 I just liked this shot of the signals.

 Although I do have an affection for rusted things.

 The Ticonderoga, I have many fond memories of this as a kid.  Still is cool.

 The inside of its boilers.  Just fascinating that these things really did what they did.  Mechanics.

 And the interior is just beautiful.  Not the worse way to cross Lake Champlain.

 The pilot house.  It was open for the first time in my visits.  I am such a dork.

 Just some nice image of multiples.  These held medications and herbs.

 And of course the straight razors which I had so much more an appreciation for this time than when I was younger given I use them to shave.

 I just like this.  It is my desktop on my phone.

 Seriously.  I didn't know there was a cure.

 From the print shop.  I do have sets of movable type so it always has fascinated me.

 Because it was that kind of day, a bit cold but amazing light.

 And robot sculptures.

 Because why not!

The stairs in the lighthouse.  Such a unique buildings with huge iron bolts throughout the walls but still stylish.

 Charlotte rocking it next to the lighthouse lens.  It was an awesome visit and we had a lot of fun.

11-25-12 Snake Mountain

 My friend Charlotte came out to visit from Mississippi and we took a trip down to Snake Mountain for a quick hike.

 The view from the top of Snake Mountain is always nice even on the cloudy days.

 Tucked under the corner of the concrete foundation was this.  Quite cool.

 Sal, always inquisitive, at the edge of a very steep cliff.

 Charlotte, reclined.  How else does one enjoy a hike?

This is the view from the car window of the mountain, it is rare that I take this shot, usually they are of the hike up, a nice change I think.

10-20-12 CAT Trail

On those days when I don't want to be on a busy trail and just want to screw around in the woods I go to the CAT trail by the base of Camel's Hump.

 The stream was higher than I ever had seen it.

 This is why I love Vermont.

 Seriously

And the frosting on the cake.

10-16-12 Niquette Bay

Niquette Bay is a small state park compared to some around here, but a nice place to wander and trail run when the mood strikes.

 The fall was in full affect and the color quite nice.  Sal was eager.

 There was a section which had a clear view to Mount Mansfield and to be honest the picture does not do it justice.

 And a cool little bench over the lakeside view.

 My new Underarmor base layer with my Vivo shoes, a nice combo in the cooler time.

 This is the part of the trail that dips down to the lake.

 And in the distance Camel's Hump is visible.  Maybe.

 Some Model-T did not make it home.  Personally I was amused by the bullet holes as well.

 There were a couple of cairns around the trial, this was the largest by far.

Parting view of the lake. a great day.

10-13-12 to 10-14 Overnight at Skyline

For the first overnight trip of fall/winter I ended up with a friend and his dog climbing to the Skyline Lodge on the Long Trail near Middlebury.  It was a beautiful 55 degree day but all forecasts indicated at the most a 30 degree night and heavy wind, rain and sleet on Sunday.

 The beginning.

 There was a cool little bridge in the beginning and for the most part the trail wasn't very steep.  My pack weighted in at 35 lbs so not too bad.

 There were a lot of people doing day hikes, many passed me on the way up, a couple were surprised that I was planing an overnight.

 Dry, warm and loaded with the pack.

 This blaze is always indicates a steep incline and switchbacks.  Vermont is filled with both.

 There was snow on the ground and the temperature dropped noticeably as I got close to the ridge line 

 The shelter, or lodge (it did have walls on all four sides after all) was right across the Long Trail.  To the south was a short jaunt to an amazing lookout.

 This shot can't really show just how expansive the view felt.

Breadloaf Mountain to the North.  Sadly this was the end to my photos, I thought I had more but I deleted them by mistake.  The lodge was very nice, it overlooks a small pond which in turn overlooks the Presidential Range and that day we could even see them.

By the time nigh fell at 6:11 there were five of us and two dogs.  We ate, played poker to pass some of the darkness and retired by 8:30.  The temp dropped to at least 30 degrees and in the pitch black a heavy storm came in unleashing rain then sleet, then more rain for the whole night.

My gear stood up alright but not great, even fully clothed in my mummy bag I was not comfortable and I struggled to keep Sal covered and warm through the night.  13 hours and only a couple hours of sleep later the dawn revealed a drizzling ice covered terrain.  I ended up heading out early, moving quickly down through the now ice cold puddle filled trails down to the car.

All in all it was a good learning experience and a safe introduction to what it means to hike overnight in colder weather.  It was intense but tonight I am glad for central heat, a comfortable bed and the promise of a warm shower in the morning.

10-7-12 Honey Hollow

Honey Hollow is part of the CAT trail I go to so often.  It is at the base of Camel's Hump and it a nice quiet place.  And the leaves had started to turn.

 Just beautiful.  Anyone who has seen this doesn't need to ask why I would want to return.

 TaDA... panorama... too much fun.

 And there were these bleach out ferns.  Dead?  But looked cool.

 And an old gas stove.  It was way off the trail on the side of a hill.  Not sure why or how but there it was.

 The mother of all burls.

 The return down the path back towards the car.

 Where the Red Ferns Grow.  For those who know the book, you can start to tear up now.

 And of course flowing streams.

 The light here doesn't do the trees justice.