HUNGRY HUNGRY DUCKIES (& GEESE)
0.5 Mile Walk at Webster Pond
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
FEELS MORE LIKE MARCH...
17.2 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
... temperatures in the mid-40's, no snow, and large patches of water on the ice on the river... of course, the sun setting around 5 PM was kind of a giveaway that yes, it's still January.
The last time I was on the bike path in Colonie and Niskayuna, there were some substantial patches of snow and ice in the shaded areas near Lock 7 and just past the Colonie wastewater facility - so I took my mountain bike, which can handle that sort of thing better than my road bike. Unfortunately, it's also heavier and the knobby tires have significantly more rolling resistance, but I guess that just means I got a better workout. I could have ridden most of the path on the road bike, but there were a couple of spots where I was glad I was on the ATB instead.
Over sixty miles so far in January, and I'll probably get out for at least one more ride before the end of the month... pretty bizarre.
JMH
17.2 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
... temperatures in the mid-40's, no snow, and large patches of water on the ice on the river... of course, the sun setting around 5 PM was kind of a giveaway that yes, it's still January.
The last time I was on the bike path in Colonie and Niskayuna, there were some substantial patches of snow and ice in the shaded areas near Lock 7 and just past the Colonie wastewater facility - so I took my mountain bike, which can handle that sort of thing better than my road bike. Unfortunately, it's also heavier and the knobby tires have significantly more rolling resistance, but I guess that just means I got a better workout. I could have ridden most of the path on the road bike, but there were a couple of spots where I was glad I was on the ATB instead.
Over sixty miles so far in January, and I'll probably get out for at least one more ride before the end of the month... pretty bizarre.
JMH
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
A Frustrating Week...
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Woke up Tuesday morning and was clearly fighting a cold... which then proceeded to mildly kick my butt all week. It was just enough to make life unpleasant, but not enough to justify waking a day off to stay in bed, especially since we had a short school week as it was. So no running or riding all week... bleah.
Today I was set to get out for a run... and then my guts decided to let me know they were unhappy as I was getting ready at the trailhead. Faced with the likelihood of making an unpleasant pit stop out in the Pine Bush, I decided instead to head home, where I could at least have an mildly unhappy GI system in relative comfort.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, and I'll be able to get out for a ride, a run, or maybe even both...
JMH
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Woke up Tuesday morning and was clearly fighting a cold... which then proceeded to mildly kick my butt all week. It was just enough to make life unpleasant, but not enough to justify waking a day off to stay in bed, especially since we had a short school week as it was. So no running or riding all week... bleah.
Today I was set to get out for a run... and then my guts decided to let me know they were unhappy as I was getting ready at the trailhead. Faced with the likelihood of making an unpleasant pit stop out in the Pine Bush, I decided instead to head home, where I could at least have an mildly unhappy GI system in relative comfort.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, and I'll be able to get out for a ride, a run, or maybe even both...
JMH
Friday, January 22, 2016
1.3 Mile Walk at Buckingham Pond
Friday, January 22, 2016
I tried to learn from the past several days, and since it was fairly comfortable when I left work, I headed over to Buckingham Pond without going home first. It was surprisingly quiet - only few people out, and even the traffic seemed less noisy than usual.
The two larger ducks are gone... hopefully because they headed off to someplace where they'd have water and food for the winter, and not because the cold and frozen pond did them in. Most likely the pond will be waterfowl-free until the ice starts breaking up, hopefully sometime in March. I did spot a few birds in the bushes (sparrows, mainly, though I did hear a cardinal as I was walking) and a couple of squirrels scurrying around.
JMH
Friday, January 22, 2016
I tried to learn from the past several days, and since it was fairly comfortable when I left work, I headed over to Buckingham Pond without going home first. It was surprisingly quiet - only few people out, and even the traffic seemed less noisy than usual.
The two larger ducks are gone... hopefully because they headed off to someplace where they'd have water and food for the winter, and not because the cold and frozen pond did them in. Most likely the pond will be waterfowl-free until the ice starts breaking up, hopefully sometime in March. I did spot a few birds in the bushes (sparrows, mainly, though I did hear a cardinal as I was walking) and a couple of squirrels scurrying around.
JMH
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
6.1 Mile Run in the Albany Pine Bush
Friday, January 15, 2016
Left work planning to take the bike out for a ride, but once I got home I was really feeling like a run instead, especially since it was over 40 degrees so I could run without tights. Headed over the the Pine Bush and ran the "new" trail to DiCaprio Park, which I have only been on once before, back in the summer. There are a couple of steep parts but it's mostly flattish, with only slight ups and downs. When I stopped at the trailhead kiosk in the park, I noticed that there's a new trail over to the Hunger Kill Barrens, which could potentially add another 1.5 to 2 miles... I'm looking forward to exploring over that way at some point in the future.
JMH
Friday, January 15, 2016
Left work planning to take the bike out for a ride, but once I got home I was really feeling like a run instead, especially since it was over 40 degrees so I could run without tights. Headed over the the Pine Bush and ran the "new" trail to DiCaprio Park, which I have only been on once before, back in the summer. There are a couple of steep parts but it's mostly flattish, with only slight ups and downs. When I stopped at the trailhead kiosk in the park, I noticed that there's a new trail over to the Hunger Kill Barrens, which could potentially add another 1.5 to 2 miles... I'm looking forward to exploring over that way at some point in the future.
JMH
Sunday, January 10, 2016
DRIZZLE, FOG, RAIN,... & SUNSHINE
19.4 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Sunday, January 10, 2015
My preference would have been to go for a run today, but my knees were a bit grumpy from yesterday's run and I don't want to risk screwing them up right before next weekend's double header at Mendon (probably trail running, though there's an slight chance they'll have barely enough snow for snowshoeing... in which case I may regret signing up for both the 5k and the 10k.) And really, 50 degrees in January with bike paths mostly clear of ice and snow just calls for a ride... when it's not raining.
But the rain had eased up by mid-afternoon and the hourly forecast called for things to be pretty good until later... so I packed the bike on the car and headed over to Rotterdam Junction.
The ride out to Scafford Lane was chilly but with only a slight drizzle and fair amounts of fog. The old canal is mostly frozen over, so not much to see there. Stopped at the car on the way back through to add a fleece pullover under my rainjacket and a neck gaiter - the damp air made it feel chillier than 50 degrees.
Good thing I did, too, because when I stopped to take a picture at the wetlands near the I890/5S/Thruway exit cloverleaf, rain (mixed with some ice pellets) swept in with a vengeance, and I spent the next several miles riding in the rain. Tights, gloves, shoes and socks all got soaked. Eventually that eased up and then stopped altogether, though I think the temperature dropped a bit in the process. As I was heading back toward Rotterdam Junction, the sun even put in an appearance through some breaks in the clouds.
I figured who knows when I'll get another chance to ride my road bike on clear bike paths during daylight, so when I got back to the car I kept going and rode out to Scafford Lane a second time. Lots of fog, and I got to see some nice bits of sunset. But it was still pretty nice to finally pull up to the car for good and peel off the wet clothes. Fortunately I had an old pair of shoes in the car, so I was able to give my feet a chance to dry out and warm up.
Temperatures are supposed to be in the 20's and low 30's for the rest of the week, so if I do any riding... it will be a shorter trip than today (and most likely in the dark...)
JMH
19.4 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Sunday, January 10, 2015
My preference would have been to go for a run today, but my knees were a bit grumpy from yesterday's run and I don't want to risk screwing them up right before next weekend's double header at Mendon (probably trail running, though there's an slight chance they'll have barely enough snow for snowshoeing... in which case I may regret signing up for both the 5k and the 10k.) And really, 50 degrees in January with bike paths mostly clear of ice and snow just calls for a ride... when it's not raining.
But the rain had eased up by mid-afternoon and the hourly forecast called for things to be pretty good until later... so I packed the bike on the car and headed over to Rotterdam Junction.
The ride out to Scafford Lane was chilly but with only a slight drizzle and fair amounts of fog. The old canal is mostly frozen over, so not much to see there. Stopped at the car on the way back through to add a fleece pullover under my rainjacket and a neck gaiter - the damp air made it feel chillier than 50 degrees.
Good thing I did, too, because when I stopped to take a picture at the wetlands near the I890/5S/Thruway exit cloverleaf, rain (mixed with some ice pellets) swept in with a vengeance, and I spent the next several miles riding in the rain. Tights, gloves, shoes and socks all got soaked. Eventually that eased up and then stopped altogether, though I think the temperature dropped a bit in the process. As I was heading back toward Rotterdam Junction, the sun even put in an appearance through some breaks in the clouds.
I figured who knows when I'll get another chance to ride my road bike on clear bike paths during daylight, so when I got back to the car I kept going and rode out to Scafford Lane a second time. Lots of fog, and I got to see some nice bits of sunset. But it was still pretty nice to finally pull up to the car for good and peel off the wet clothes. Fortunately I had an old pair of shoes in the car, so I was able to give my feet a chance to dry out and warm up.
Temperatures are supposed to be in the 20's and low 30's for the rest of the week, so if I do any riding... it will be a shorter trip than today (and most likely in the dark...)
JMH
Saturday, January 09, 2016
ALWAYS PUT FRESH BATTERIES IN THE HEADLAMP...!
8.7 Mile Run on the Appalachian Trail (South Egremont to Sheffield)
Saturday, January 9, 2016
I've been wanting to get down the the AT between South Egremont and Sheffield for a couple of weeks, so when this morning's snowshoe race was rescheduled (no snow, and apparently the organizers didn't want to hold a trail race) and the temperatures were supposed to be in the mid-40's, it seemed like a good opportunity. Unfortunately, for a bunch of reasons I ended up getting a late start, which meant I'd probably be running at least a couple of miles back to the car in the dark. But that's what headlamps are for, right?
I took it really easy on the way out, so that I was sure I'd have some energy left in my legs for the run back. Stopped just before Route 7 - I would have like to have kept going all the way to the Housatonic, but between the impending sunset and not having done much running for the past two weeks, that didn't seem like a good plan. I did get a treat at the turnaround... first a hawk flew up from its perch on on the bales of hay sitting in the field that the AT runs through, and then a kingfisher swooped around for a bit, chattering away (I suspect both were miffed that I was there.)
I pushed more on the way back, trying to get as much done as possible before switching on the light. Unfortunately, I had to break out the light when I re-entered the woods just after crossing Sheffield-Egremont road (the site of the Shay's Rebellion monument and a parking area for trail users.) At first I thought the light seemed dim because it hadn't gotten really dark yet, but it quickly became clear that the batteries were weak and getting weaker. My own fault - I used that light for a run three weeks ago and should have put fresh batteries in before leaving the house (or at least packed a spare set.) With the light dim I did more walking than running, but at least I made it almost to Route 41 before the light died completely. Fortunately, swapping out two of the batteries for the ones in my camera helped, though it was clear the light was still weak... I ended up doing the last mile and a half with it on its lowest setting (or even shut off, for one stretch where the trail is out in the open.) Fortunately it lasted all the way back to the car... I could have followed the trail in the dark, but it would have been very slow going.
Despite the light issues, I still managed to do the return trip in 10-12 minutes less than the run out. A definite plus considering my otherwise glacially slow pace.
JMH
8.7 Mile Run on the Appalachian Trail (South Egremont to Sheffield)
Saturday, January 9, 2016
I've been wanting to get down the the AT between South Egremont and Sheffield for a couple of weeks, so when this morning's snowshoe race was rescheduled (no snow, and apparently the organizers didn't want to hold a trail race) and the temperatures were supposed to be in the mid-40's, it seemed like a good opportunity. Unfortunately, for a bunch of reasons I ended up getting a late start, which meant I'd probably be running at least a couple of miles back to the car in the dark. But that's what headlamps are for, right?
I took it really easy on the way out, so that I was sure I'd have some energy left in my legs for the run back. Stopped just before Route 7 - I would have like to have kept going all the way to the Housatonic, but between the impending sunset and not having done much running for the past two weeks, that didn't seem like a good plan. I did get a treat at the turnaround... first a hawk flew up from its perch on on the bales of hay sitting in the field that the AT runs through, and then a kingfisher swooped around for a bit, chattering away (I suspect both were miffed that I was there.)
I pushed more on the way back, trying to get as much done as possible before switching on the light. Unfortunately, I had to break out the light when I re-entered the woods just after crossing Sheffield-Egremont road (the site of the Shay's Rebellion monument and a parking area for trail users.) At first I thought the light seemed dim because it hadn't gotten really dark yet, but it quickly became clear that the batteries were weak and getting weaker. My own fault - I used that light for a run three weeks ago and should have put fresh batteries in before leaving the house (or at least packed a spare set.) With the light dim I did more walking than running, but at least I made it almost to Route 41 before the light died completely. Fortunately, swapping out two of the batteries for the ones in my camera helped, though it was clear the light was still weak... I ended up doing the last mile and a half with it on its lowest setting (or even shut off, for one stretch where the trail is out in the open.) Fortunately it lasted all the way back to the car... I could have followed the trail in the dark, but it would have been very slow going.
Despite the light issues, I still managed to do the return trip in 10-12 minutes less than the run out. A definite plus considering my otherwise glacially slow pace.
JMH
Friday, January 08, 2016
14 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path & Lock 7 Road
Friday, January 8, 2016
The warm weather and lack of snow may be lousy for snowshoeing and skiing, but it definitely creates some nice opportunities for January riding. Usually this time of year I'd be mostly limited to riding back and forth on the two sections of bike path that get plowed, but tonight I was able to ride between Lock 7 and almost to the top of the hill past the Colonie water treatment facility, with only a couple of spots where I had to stop and walk over some ice. Even with temperatures in the high 30's it was chilly at first, but I was sweating by the time I started back on Lock 7 Road and I might have kept going for a few more miles except I didn't want to fry my legs before going for a run tomorrow.
Of course, last winter started out warm with little snow too... and then we had snow, ice, and frigid temperatures well into April. Time will tell what this winter has in store for us...
JMH
Friday, January 8, 2016
The warm weather and lack of snow may be lousy for snowshoeing and skiing, but it definitely creates some nice opportunities for January riding. Usually this time of year I'd be mostly limited to riding back and forth on the two sections of bike path that get plowed, but tonight I was able to ride between Lock 7 and almost to the top of the hill past the Colonie water treatment facility, with only a couple of spots where I had to stop and walk over some ice. Even with temperatures in the high 30's it was chilly at first, but I was sweating by the time I started back on Lock 7 Road and I might have kept going for a few more miles except I didn't want to fry my legs before going for a run tomorrow.
Of course, last winter started out warm with little snow too... and then we had snow, ice, and frigid temperatures well into April. Time will tell what this winter has in store for us...
JMH
Monday, January 04, 2016
Sunday, January 03, 2016
10.2 Mile Ride on the Albany County Rail Trail
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Tough time getting going today... I think a combination of not sleeping well last night and the last day of winter break. But it was too nice a day, temperature-wise, to not get out on the bike, and by the time I got outside there was even some sunshine to enjoy.
While it isn't officially open to bikes, I took my MTB over to the Bethlehem trailhead for the Albany County Rail Trail and headed east, with the plan being to ride all the way to South Pearl St and back. The first mile is pretty rough, lots of stone and gravel, then it gets a little smoother until the Veterans park in Delmar, after which it is now paved all the way to South Pearl. They've done a nice job on the paved section, refurbishing several bridges and installing some safety fencing in certain spots. It's also a pretty easy ride because it's downhill pretty much the whole way (of course, that's not so easy for the ride back.)
I was a bit disappointed to see that they removed the old auto bridge about a mile east of the current start to the pavement... I'm glad I ran that far last spring and took some photos then. It was nice to ride the rest of the trail under the Thruway and Rte 9W, along the Normanskill - never been there before. And there were plenty of folks out enjoying the relatively warm weather, so I suspect the trail will see lots of use.
I still have mixed feelings about the paving... on the one hand, it's definitely better for riding a bike, and the trail will get used a lot more. On the other hand, we have almost no dirt rail trails left around here, so there are very few options for easy off-pavement runs. I know the current plan is to pave the rest at least out to where I parked in Bethlehem... don't know yet about the stretch from Bethlehem to Voorheesville. There's a public meeting in a little over a week regarding the rail trail - maybe I'll go to that and here what the powers-that-be have to say about future plans.
JMH
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Tough time getting going today... I think a combination of not sleeping well last night and the last day of winter break. But it was too nice a day, temperature-wise, to not get out on the bike, and by the time I got outside there was even some sunshine to enjoy.
While it isn't officially open to bikes, I took my MTB over to the Bethlehem trailhead for the Albany County Rail Trail and headed east, with the plan being to ride all the way to South Pearl St and back. The first mile is pretty rough, lots of stone and gravel, then it gets a little smoother until the Veterans park in Delmar, after which it is now paved all the way to South Pearl. They've done a nice job on the paved section, refurbishing several bridges and installing some safety fencing in certain spots. It's also a pretty easy ride because it's downhill pretty much the whole way (of course, that's not so easy for the ride back.)
I was a bit disappointed to see that they removed the old auto bridge about a mile east of the current start to the pavement... I'm glad I ran that far last spring and took some photos then. It was nice to ride the rest of the trail under the Thruway and Rte 9W, along the Normanskill - never been there before. And there were plenty of folks out enjoying the relatively warm weather, so I suspect the trail will see lots of use.
I still have mixed feelings about the paving... on the one hand, it's definitely better for riding a bike, and the trail will get used a lot more. On the other hand, we have almost no dirt rail trails left around here, so there are very few options for easy off-pavement runs. I know the current plan is to pave the rest at least out to where I parked in Bethlehem... don't know yet about the stretch from Bethlehem to Voorheesville. There's a public meeting in a little over a week regarding the rail trail - maybe I'll go to that and here what the powers-that-be have to say about future plans.
JMH
Saturday, January 02, 2016
SAD NEWS - ANDY M. STEWART
Saturday, January 2, 2016
One of the sad parts of getting older is learning that folks you've known of for much of your life have died. During my drive back to Albany this evening I heard on a radio program that one of my favorite Scottish singers, Andy M. Stewart, left us last week.
Andy M Stewart's obituary
Andy was a Scottish singer/songwriter/musician who was the primary vocalist for Silly Wizard for around a dozen years (until the group disbanded in 1988) and who toured pretty extensively as a solo artist or in combination with several partners. I'd heard that he had some pretty major health issues recently, particularly problems with his back, and apparently unsuccessful spinal surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down for the last few years. He suffered a stroke recently and passed away on December 27.
Along with the Tannahill Weavers, Silly Wizard and Andy's solo efforts were some of the first celtic music I listened to, in part because of Charles DeLint referring to Silly Wizard in one of his books that I really enjoyed (Moonheart, I think.) And while I have since added hundreds of albums by various groups and musicians to my collection, they remain some of my favorites.
While I was in graduate school I had the good fortune to hear Silly Wizard in concert during their final tour in 1988 (ironically, I've since learned that they performed their last gig in Voorheesville, all of 20 minutes from where I live now) and what an experience that was! In addition to the wonderful music, the stories and jokes were fantastic. A year or two later I had the chance to hear Andy in concert, touring with Manus Lunny - another magical experience. Looking back on that now, it's a shame that it took me so long (24 years, I think) before I made the effort to hear some of the other performers I've enjoyed for decades in live concerts. Regardless, Silly Wizard and Andy M Stewart were the first, and they remain among the best.
There had been rumors on and off of a Silly Wizard reunion which never happened, and between the deaths of Johnny Cunningham in 2003 and Andy now, it never will. Fortunately, they've left us a wealth of music to enjoy. Andy said in a 1991 interview that he hoped he'd be remembered fondly by his friends and those he'd leave behind, and that he hoped his songs would endure. I think it's fair to say that he more than accomplished that.
I'm linking to several videos that give a sample of Andy's music both with and without Silly Wizard... needless to say there is plenty more to listen to if you like what you hear.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
One of the sad parts of getting older is learning that folks you've known of for much of your life have died. During my drive back to Albany this evening I heard on a radio program that one of my favorite Scottish singers, Andy M. Stewart, left us last week.
Andy M Stewart's obituary
Andy was a Scottish singer/songwriter/musician who was the primary vocalist for Silly Wizard for around a dozen years (until the group disbanded in 1988) and who toured pretty extensively as a solo artist or in combination with several partners. I'd heard that he had some pretty major health issues recently, particularly problems with his back, and apparently unsuccessful spinal surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down for the last few years. He suffered a stroke recently and passed away on December 27.
Along with the Tannahill Weavers, Silly Wizard and Andy's solo efforts were some of the first celtic music I listened to, in part because of Charles DeLint referring to Silly Wizard in one of his books that I really enjoyed (Moonheart, I think.) And while I have since added hundreds of albums by various groups and musicians to my collection, they remain some of my favorites.
While I was in graduate school I had the good fortune to hear Silly Wizard in concert during their final tour in 1988 (ironically, I've since learned that they performed their last gig in Voorheesville, all of 20 minutes from where I live now) and what an experience that was! In addition to the wonderful music, the stories and jokes were fantastic. A year or two later I had the chance to hear Andy in concert, touring with Manus Lunny - another magical experience. Looking back on that now, it's a shame that it took me so long (24 years, I think) before I made the effort to hear some of the other performers I've enjoyed for decades in live concerts. Regardless, Silly Wizard and Andy M Stewart were the first, and they remain among the best.
There had been rumors on and off of a Silly Wizard reunion which never happened, and between the deaths of Johnny Cunningham in 2003 and Andy now, it never will. Fortunately, they've left us a wealth of music to enjoy. Andy said in a 1991 interview that he hoped he'd be remembered fondly by his friends and those he'd leave behind, and that he hoped his songs would endure. I think it's fair to say that he more than accomplished that.
I'm linking to several videos that give a sample of Andy's music both with and without Silly Wizard... needless to say there is plenty more to listen to if you like what you hear.
Silly Wizard - The Queen of Argyll
Silly Wizard live - Donald McGillavry
Silly Wizard live - Land o' the Leal
Andy M Stewart - The Ramblin' Rover
Andy M Stewart - The Man in the Moon
Andy M Stewart & Manus Lunny - If I Never Spend a Morning Without You
JMH
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