NO MORE HERONS
2.3 Mile Walk at Black Creek Park
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Fast Paving
Saturday, April 30, 3016
On my way home from Thacher last night I passed the Slingerlands parking area for the Albany County Rail Trail, and it was pretty clear they've gotten the paving done. I would imagine there's more work to be done - railings in some areas, etc - but it would seem that the trail is paved all the way from Slingerlands to to Albany (about 5 miles.) While I will miss having the dirt rail bed to run on, it will be nice to be able to take my road bike on that section... and fortunately I can still run on pavement, so that option remains as well.
JMH
Saturday, April 30, 3016
On my way home from Thacher last night I passed the Slingerlands parking area for the Albany County Rail Trail, and it was pretty clear they've gotten the paving done. I would imagine there's more work to be done - railings in some areas, etc - but it would seem that the trail is paved all the way from Slingerlands to to Albany (about 5 miles.) While I will miss having the dirt rail bed to run on, it will be nice to be able to take my road bike on that section... and fortunately I can still run on pavement, so that option remains as well.
JMH
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
GREEN WITH TURTLES...
20.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Friday, April 22, 2016
A bit warm and muggy today but it was really nice to get out for a ride in the morning rather than the evening. Initially the bike path was pretty quiet, though it did get busier around lunchtime.
Everything continues to green up nicely... a really pleasant change from the grey & brown winter we had. And there were turtles on all sorts of logs in the old canal, enjoying the warmth and a bit of sunshine.
The dams were down at Lock 8, so the river/barge canal west of there is full again - still low east of Lock 8, but I imagine that will change in the next week or so.
The ride today did have me wondering if I should have gone out to Rochester after all... but then I reminded myself that 20 mostly flat miles is very different from 20 very hilly miles - especially when sandwiched between a 5k run and a 3 mile paddle. I'm still feeling some of the effects of being sick, so I'm confident I made the right decision - as much as it sucks to be missing the paddle tri.
JMH
20.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Friday, April 22, 2016
A bit warm and muggy today but it was really nice to get out for a ride in the morning rather than the evening. Initially the bike path was pretty quiet, though it did get busier around lunchtime.
Everything continues to green up nicely... a really pleasant change from the grey & brown winter we had. And there were turtles on all sorts of logs in the old canal, enjoying the warmth and a bit of sunshine.
The dams were down at Lock 8, so the river/barge canal west of there is full again - still low east of Lock 8, but I imagine that will change in the next week or so.
The ride today did have me wondering if I should have gone out to Rochester after all... but then I reminded myself that 20 mostly flat miles is very different from 20 very hilly miles - especially when sandwiched between a 5k run and a 3 mile paddle. I'm still feeling some of the effects of being sick, so I'm confident I made the right decision - as much as it sucks to be missing the paddle tri.
JMH
Thursday, April 21, 2016
DEVELOPMENT EVERYWHERE... BLEAH!
6.4 Mile Run on the Albany County Rail Trail
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Seems like all over the place trees are being cut down and fields are being torn up for construction of new buildings... there were several points where this was very obvious along the rail trail between Voorheesville and Slingerlands, in addition to plenty of sites I see in lots of other places.
I don't know why I was drawn to the rail trail between Voorheesville and Slingerlands today... for some reason as I was thinking about places to run, I kept coming back to it, so finally I decided I might as well make it happen. With the warm weather it was a lot busier than it has been other times I've been there.
One very unexpected sight this evening was a huge barn up on supports near the trail where it crosses Hilton Road. A bit of research when I got home revealed that this barn was originally across the street and was moved about a month ago to its new location, where it may someday have a role to play in the rail trail. Apparently the plan is to construct a new foundation and have the barn settled in its new home by the end of May. In any case moving this structure was a major engineering accomplishment - it's truly immense and dates back to 1898.
On my way home I noticed heavy equipment at the Slingerlands trailhead - the trail between Slingerlands and the Veterans Park in Delmar has been graded and surfaced with stone dust in preparation for paving - another project the County expects to have done by the end of May.
I'll be curious to see what they do with surfacing the section I ran tonight... currently it's very stony, so it's not always the most comfortable surface for running. I know the paving that's currently underway is a joint venture of the County and the Town of Bethlehem, so perhaps the answer will depend on whether or not the County, Bethlehem, and Voorheesville can work together. It will also be interesting to see how they're going to connect the two sections of trail - there's a rail bridge over New Scotland Ave, but access to it on the southern end runs through someone's yard...
JMH
6.4 Mile Run on the Albany County Rail Trail
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Seems like all over the place trees are being cut down and fields are being torn up for construction of new buildings... there were several points where this was very obvious along the rail trail between Voorheesville and Slingerlands, in addition to plenty of sites I see in lots of other places.
I don't know why I was drawn to the rail trail between Voorheesville and Slingerlands today... for some reason as I was thinking about places to run, I kept coming back to it, so finally I decided I might as well make it happen. With the warm weather it was a lot busier than it has been other times I've been there.
One very unexpected sight this evening was a huge barn up on supports near the trail where it crosses Hilton Road. A bit of research when I got home revealed that this barn was originally across the street and was moved about a month ago to its new location, where it may someday have a role to play in the rail trail. Apparently the plan is to construct a new foundation and have the barn settled in its new home by the end of May. In any case moving this structure was a major engineering accomplishment - it's truly immense and dates back to 1898.
On my way home I noticed heavy equipment at the Slingerlands trailhead - the trail between Slingerlands and the Veterans Park in Delmar has been graded and surfaced with stone dust in preparation for paving - another project the County expects to have done by the end of May.
I'll be curious to see what they do with surfacing the section I ran tonight... currently it's very stony, so it's not always the most comfortable surface for running. I know the paving that's currently underway is a joint venture of the County and the Town of Bethlehem, so perhaps the answer will depend on whether or not the County, Bethlehem, and Voorheesville can work together. It will also be interesting to see how they're going to connect the two sections of trail - there's a rail bridge over New Scotland Ave, but access to it on the southern end runs through someone's yard...
JMH
Morning Cleanup at Buckingham Pond
Thursday, April 21, 2016
My advising group (minus 4 kids who didn't come to school today) and I spent the morning at Buckingham Pond as part of the school's spring community service day. Last Sunday the Conservancy had their public spring cleanup, and from what I saw on Tuesday they got an incredible amount of work done. But there's always more to do... in our case, it was three hours of raking and bagging leaves and then hauling the bags to the parking lot for eventual pickup by the DGS Composting Unit. And in my case, lots of walking back and forth in between bouts of raking and bagging to see how my two groups of students were doing.
All in all it was a productive morning - we filled between 30 and 40 bags with leaves from the areas near the playground & maintenance shed and then the small grove of trees and lawn near the southern side of the pond inlet.
The goose came ashore a to graze a few times while we were there - his mate is still sitting on her nest across the pond, I'm guessing another two weeks to go for her. An even more welcome sight was a number of turtles crawling up onto logs to sun themselves... I don't see them often there, so it's always a pleasant surprise when they put in an appearance.
One thing this morning solidified - there's no way I'm doing the paddle tri out in Rochester Saturday morning. Raking and hauling wore me out big time - I just haven't recovered enough yet to handle that tough bike course after a 5k run and then go on to paddle three miles, half of that against the river's current. It's a shame - I've done every year since they first established the race back in 2010 - but it is what it is.
JMH
Thursday, April 21, 2016
My advising group (minus 4 kids who didn't come to school today) and I spent the morning at Buckingham Pond as part of the school's spring community service day. Last Sunday the Conservancy had their public spring cleanup, and from what I saw on Tuesday they got an incredible amount of work done. But there's always more to do... in our case, it was three hours of raking and bagging leaves and then hauling the bags to the parking lot for eventual pickup by the DGS Composting Unit. And in my case, lots of walking back and forth in between bouts of raking and bagging to see how my two groups of students were doing.
All in all it was a productive morning - we filled between 30 and 40 bags with leaves from the areas near the playground & maintenance shed and then the small grove of trees and lawn near the southern side of the pond inlet.
The goose came ashore a to graze a few times while we were there - his mate is still sitting on her nest across the pond, I'm guessing another two weeks to go for her. An even more welcome sight was a number of turtles crawling up onto logs to sun themselves... I don't see them often there, so it's always a pleasant surprise when they put in an appearance.
One thing this morning solidified - there's no way I'm doing the paddle tri out in Rochester Saturday morning. Raking and hauling wore me out big time - I just haven't recovered enough yet to handle that tough bike course after a 5k run and then go on to paddle three miles, half of that against the river's current. It's a shame - I've done every year since they first established the race back in 2010 - but it is what it is.
JMH
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE FLOWER CITY RIVER CHALLENGE...
14.3 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
... though I suppose I should be happy I was able to ride at all, after coming down with some type of flu-like bug at the beginning of the week. I rode some hills on purpose to see how my legs would handle it, and I definitely found it tough going after 10 miles or so. Given that the riding portion of Saturday's paddle triathlon is a hilly 20 miles, plus I'd need to run 5k and paddle about 3 miles - unless I make a miraculous recovery in the next day or so, it makes sense to pass on the tri.
The trees and bushes are starting to green up, which is really nice to see - especially on a warm, sunny day like today.
JMH
14.3 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
... though I suppose I should be happy I was able to ride at all, after coming down with some type of flu-like bug at the beginning of the week. I rode some hills on purpose to see how my legs would handle it, and I definitely found it tough going after 10 miles or so. Given that the riding portion of Saturday's paddle triathlon is a hilly 20 miles, plus I'd need to run 5k and paddle about 3 miles - unless I make a miraculous recovery in the next day or so, it makes sense to pass on the tri.
The trees and bushes are starting to green up, which is really nice to see - especially on a warm, sunny day like today.
JMH
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
AND THE MYSTERY DUCK IS...
2.1 Mile Walk at Buckingham Pond
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
... a red-necked grebe.
I don't typically go for a walk at the same place two days in a row... but I didn't feel like going far, and tonight's weather was very different than yesterday (sun and clouds vs clouds and showers)... and I was really hoping the mystery duck would still be around. And it is... from what I'm seeing in my guide books and on whatbird.com, they're not that common around here - I'm not sure if I've ever seen one before (possibly out at Iroquois NWR or Montezuma... we've seen a few different grebes out there.)
I wish I'd brought my better camera, but even the SX110 was able to get some decent shots of the grebe.
As well as some nice shots of the interplay of sunlight and shadow. Or in other words - it was a nice evening for a walk around the pond.
JMH
2.1 Mile Walk at Buckingham Pond
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
... a red-necked grebe.
I don't typically go for a walk at the same place two days in a row... but I didn't feel like going far, and tonight's weather was very different than yesterday (sun and clouds vs clouds and showers)... and I was really hoping the mystery duck would still be around. And it is... from what I'm seeing in my guide books and on whatbird.com, they're not that common around here - I'm not sure if I've ever seen one before (possibly out at Iroquois NWR or Montezuma... we've seen a few different grebes out there.)
I wish I'd brought my better camera, but even the SX110 was able to get some decent shots of the grebe.
As well as some nice shots of the interplay of sunlight and shadow. Or in other words - it was a nice evening for a walk around the pond.
JMH
Monday, April 11, 2016
SLOW GOING ON TIRED LEGS
5.6 Mile Run at Saratoga Spa State Park
Monday, April 11, 2016
It's funny how fond I've become of running at Saratoga Spa State Park - and even more so that roughly half the times I've run there, it's been raining to one degree or another (of course, I've also been treated to a couple of glorious, sunny fall days there too.)
One plus to the chilly, grey weather (and probably the time I was there) - very few other folks in the park. I only encountered two other people actually out on the trails.
Legs were functional but definitely tired after 10 miles Saturday and 20 miles yesterday. I think tomorrow's going to need to be a walk day, if I want to have any hope of making it through Muddy Sneaker on Saturday.
JMH
5.6 Mile Run at Saratoga Spa State Park
Monday, April 11, 2016
It's funny how fond I've become of running at Saratoga Spa State Park - and even more so that roughly half the times I've run there, it's been raining to one degree or another (of course, I've also been treated to a couple of glorious, sunny fall days there too.)
One plus to the chilly, grey weather (and probably the time I was there) - very few other folks in the park. I only encountered two other people actually out on the trails.
Legs were functional but definitely tired after 10 miles Saturday and 20 miles yesterday. I think tomorrow's going to need to be a walk day, if I want to have any hope of making it through Muddy Sneaker on Saturday.
JMH
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Saturday, April 09, 2016
Thursday, April 07, 2016
SURROUNDED BY TIMBERDOODLES...
14.8 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Thursday, April 7, 2016
When I left work it was raining hard enough that it looked like this evening would be a washout. But then the rain stopped and we even got a few flashes of sun through the clouds, and I successfully resisted inertia and took my bike over to the Lions Park for a ride. It was a bit chilly at first; the storm late this afternoon was apparently triggered by a cold front which dropped the temperature around ten degrees. But as I kept at it, I found warmed up a bit and by the time I was done I found myself wishing I could stay out for a few more miles. But it was getting late...
On my way back to the car I heard the first woodcocks (otherwise known as timberdoodles) so far this year calling away. In a couple of cases I was close enough that I actually caught glimpses of them as they launched themselves into the air for their courtship flights. There were certainly plenty of them out there - I heard them consistently all the way back where the bike path parallels River Rd. They were definitely the highlight of tonight's ride.
JMH
14.8 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Thursday, April 7, 2016
When I left work it was raining hard enough that it looked like this evening would be a washout. But then the rain stopped and we even got a few flashes of sun through the clouds, and I successfully resisted inertia and took my bike over to the Lions Park for a ride. It was a bit chilly at first; the storm late this afternoon was apparently triggered by a cold front which dropped the temperature around ten degrees. But as I kept at it, I found warmed up a bit and by the time I was done I found myself wishing I could stay out for a few more miles. But it was getting late...
On my way back to the car I heard the first woodcocks (otherwise known as timberdoodles) so far this year calling away. In a couple of cases I was close enough that I actually caught glimpses of them as they launched themselves into the air for their courtship flights. There were certainly plenty of them out there - I heard them consistently all the way back where the bike path parallels River Rd. They were definitely the highlight of tonight's ride.
JMH
Wednesday, April 06, 2016
INSTEAD OF A RIDE...
2.0 Mile Walk at the Crossings of Colonie
0.8 Mile Walk Around Buckingham Pond
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
I had planned to go for a ride after work, since tomorrow it's supposed to rain... but it was grey and windy, and I really couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for going out on the bike. So instead I did a bit of shopping and then wandered around the Crossings of Colonie for a bit. Overall it was pretty quiet - more folks than I saw yesterday at the Corning Preserve, but nothing like the kind of numbers that turn out on a warm afternoon.
On the way home it seemed like a shame to waste perfectly good daylight, so I stopped at the pond and did a short walk there as well.
It seems strange to look around and see snow... like it's February instead of April. Of course, tomorrow's warmer weather and rain should finish off the remains of Monday's storm...
JMH
2.0 Mile Walk at the Crossings of Colonie
0.8 Mile Walk Around Buckingham Pond
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
I had planned to go for a ride after work, since tomorrow it's supposed to rain... but it was grey and windy, and I really couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for going out on the bike. So instead I did a bit of shopping and then wandered around the Crossings of Colonie for a bit. Overall it was pretty quiet - more folks than I saw yesterday at the Corning Preserve, but nothing like the kind of numbers that turn out on a warm afternoon.
On the way home it seemed like a shame to waste perfectly good daylight, so I stopped at the pond and did a short walk there as well.
It seems strange to look around and see snow... like it's February instead of April. Of course, tomorrow's warmer weather and rain should finish off the remains of Monday's storm...
JMH
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
10.2 Mile Ride Through the Corning Preserve
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
A shorter ride tonight than I would have preferred, for a couple of reasons:
One plus to the cold weather - I saw very few other people on the path. Three guys riding, two runners, and one fellow walking. Very nice!
I did spot dozens of robins, a few geese, a single deer - and at least two woodpeckers.
And this marks the 4th month of 2016 that I've gotten out riding... I'm definitely on track for another year of riding every month.
JMH
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
A shorter ride tonight than I would have preferred, for a couple of reasons:
- while it was sunny and warmer today than the past two days - it was still pretty chilly, so I really wasn't that enthused about a lengthy ride
- my legs are definitely still tired from Sunday's slog through the snow
- since I wasn't sure what condition the Corning Preserve path would be in, I took my mountain bike, which is heavier and more tiring to ride than my road bike
One plus to the cold weather - I saw very few other people on the path. Three guys riding, two runners, and one fellow walking. Very nice!
I did spot dozens of robins, a few geese, a single deer - and at least two woodpeckers.
And this marks the 4th month of 2016 that I've gotten out riding... I'm definitely on track for another year of riding every month.
JMH
Monday, April 04, 2016
FEBRUARY PAYS A VISIT...
1.6 Mile Walk Around the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Monday, April 4, 2016
Woke up to more snow, as expected from the forecast... what was unexpected was that the storm continued all day. But even with the extended duration, we only ended up with about six inches or so, which will undoubtedly be gone in a couple of days. Still, with the temperature hovering right around freezing and the air very damp, the sidewalks were pretty slick in spots.
The birds definitely appreciated the feeders in the backyard... I filled them when I got home, and when I looked out the window an hour or so later, there were at least two dozen sparrows, two or three grackles, three or four mourning doves, a couple of starlings, and surprisingly, a red-winged blackbird all chowing down on all the seed they could get. I ended up refilling the feeders again before heading out for my short walk.
JMH
1.6 Mile Walk Around the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Monday, April 4, 2016
Woke up to more snow, as expected from the forecast... what was unexpected was that the storm continued all day. But even with the extended duration, we only ended up with about six inches or so, which will undoubtedly be gone in a couple of days. Still, with the temperature hovering right around freezing and the air very damp, the sidewalks were pretty slick in spots.
The birds definitely appreciated the feeders in the backyard... I filled them when I got home, and when I looked out the window an hour or so later, there were at least two dozen sparrows, two or three grackles, three or four mourning doves, a couple of starlings, and surprisingly, a red-winged blackbird all chowing down on all the seed they could get. I ended up refilling the feeders again before heading out for my short walk.
JMH
Sunday, April 03, 2016
Saturday, April 02, 2016
One of THOSE Days...
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Despite having slept well when the alarm went off at 4 AM (I needed to leave by 5:30 to get to Tenafly, NJ, in plenty of time) I couldn't muster up much enthusiasm for the travel, so I went back to bed instead of heading south to the Lost Brook trail race... didn't sleep all that much more, so I probably should have just sucked it up and gone.
This afternoon was an example of really bad timing... left the house with temperatures in the low 50's, but by the time I got to Shenantaha Park, I passed through several rain squalls, the temperature had dropped more than 10 degrees, and the wind was blasting away. If I'd brought tights I would have ridden anyway, but as it stood my legs would have frozen, so I turned around and drove back home. At least I managed to fill the gas tank on the way...
Hopefully tomorrow I will have more success at getting off my butt and outdoors than the walk to the store and back that I finally managed today.
-JMH
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Despite having slept well when the alarm went off at 4 AM (I needed to leave by 5:30 to get to Tenafly, NJ, in plenty of time) I couldn't muster up much enthusiasm for the travel, so I went back to bed instead of heading south to the Lost Brook trail race... didn't sleep all that much more, so I probably should have just sucked it up and gone.
This afternoon was an example of really bad timing... left the house with temperatures in the low 50's, but by the time I got to Shenantaha Park, I passed through several rain squalls, the temperature had dropped more than 10 degrees, and the wind was blasting away. If I'd brought tights I would have ridden anyway, but as it stood my legs would have frozen, so I turned around and drove back home. At least I managed to fill the gas tank on the way...
Hopefully tomorrow I will have more success at getting off my butt and outdoors than the walk to the store and back that I finally managed today.
-JMH
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