RIDING IN THE DARK
18.6 Mile Ride Along the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Wednesday, September 30, 3009
OK, at what point did we skip October and jump right into November? Last week I was scrambling to find some decent short-sleeved shirts for work and sweating my backside off... but tonight I ended up pulling out a pair of tights and digging through my gear bag hoping I'd left a pair of 180s in there (and settling for a sweatband that I pulled down over my ears to provide a little bit of warmth.)
It was 6 by the time I got to the bike path... not terribly late, but enough so that I needed a light for most of my ride. The new Nashbar 7-LED light I picked up a while back worked great. I wouldn't want to rely on it if I was a high-speed rider, but for my 10-14 mph pace it was just fine.
I started out chilly but by the time I was nearing the end of the ride I was pretty comfortable... I might have stayed out for another 30 minutes or so if I hadn't had stack of work waiting for me at home. It was mostly cloudy when I pulled out of the parking lot, but during the last stretch I rode the clouds parted enough to give me some great views of the moon and Jupiter. All in all, a pretty good night to be out, and it was probably good to stretch my legs a bit on the Dawes, seeing as I'll be doing 20 miles on it on Sunday during the Rochester Autumn Classic duathlon.
JMH
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Dumb, Dumb, Dumb...
Sunday, Sepember 27, 2009
Woke up at 5 AM to get ready to drive down to the Mohonk Preserve for the Pfalz Point Trail Challenge, and it was pouring (with a prediction of similar weather all day.) Thought about driving 4 hours in the rain, and running for 2 hours in the rain, and getting wet and cold and not really being able to get dry and warm up until getting back home, and wimped out.
So of course about an hour before the race would have started the rain stopped, and it's barely done anything since then.
You'd think I'd know better by now.
On the plus side, it going back to bed has me feeling a bit more rested than I have in a while. And I've had some time to process photos and sort photos that have been sitting my my computer for a while now. But I still think I should have sucked it up and gone to run.
JMH
Sunday, Sepember 27, 2009
Woke up at 5 AM to get ready to drive down to the Mohonk Preserve for the Pfalz Point Trail Challenge, and it was pouring (with a prediction of similar weather all day.) Thought about driving 4 hours in the rain, and running for 2 hours in the rain, and getting wet and cold and not really being able to get dry and warm up until getting back home, and wimped out.
So of course about an hour before the race would have started the rain stopped, and it's barely done anything since then.
You'd think I'd know better by now.
On the plus side, it going back to bed has me feeling a bit more rested than I have in a while. And I've had some time to process photos and sort photos that have been sitting my my computer for a while now. But I still think I should have sucked it up and gone to run.
JMH
Saturday, September 26, 2009
1.3 Mile Hike at the Pachaquack Preserve
& A Brief Visit to Valatie Falls
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I've driven past the sign for the Pachaquack Preserve many times on my way through Valatie and always wondered what it was... since I didn't have directions to the CLC Conservation Areas in Ghent and Chatham, I decided to stop there today and find out. Apparently it's a small section of land bordering the Kinderhook Creek which was designated a "forever wild" preserve back in the mid-1990's when a housing development was being buil right next door. There's a large parking area and gazebo, with trails leading off into the woods overlooking the creek. After wandering through the woods for a bit, I followed a path which turned into a powerline right-of-way/access road before eventually turning around and following the road back to the parking lot.
According to my copy of Russell Dunn's Hudson Valley Waterfalls, the name "Pachaquack" is Mohican for "cleared meadow" and was chosen because it's believed that the Mohicans used the area as a meeting place.
I don't know that I'll head back there any time soon... it was a nice little section of woods, but the areas along the creek aren't all that scenic (you can see houses and businesses on the far side of the creek, and there are occasional bits of junk and trash around... about what you'd expect for a park in a town. Actually, I'm a bit surprised there wasn't more trash and junk, so maybe volunteers clean it up periodically.) Some nice wildflowers that are getting past their prime, a few birds... the one real surprise was seeing a great blue heron across the creek, in the shady area where the Valatie Kill joins the Kinderhook Creek.
After leaving the park I drove across the creek and stopped at the Beaver Cotton Mill overlook, a parking area and viewing platform built on the site of an old mill that burned down in 1888. No great surprise, since with a ready supply of water power Valatie was primarily a mill town (according to Dunn the original name was Millville until 1832) and I can remember seeing several old brick mills when I was a kid, that have since been demolished (like many of the old Columbia County mills, which after being shut down fell into disrepair and either burned down, were razed for safety reasons, or were demolished to build newer structures.)
Valatie Falls is actually two waterfalls divided by an island, with a dam across the top. It's tough to get decent picture of it without walking out onto the bridge across the creek, and unfortunately the sidewalk is on the far side of the bridge. There was a reasonable amount of water flowing over the falls today, though nothing spectacular - pretty consistent with the other falls I've seen in the past couple of weeks. Ustream a short distance there was a good-sized flock of geese resting on the sandbars and paddling around in the creek.
Clouds were moving in, so I shelved my plans to make a side trip down the Hudson River to the Swyer Preserve, picked up some food at the local supermarket, and headed back to Albany to rest up for tomorrow's trip down to New Paltz and a hil 10 mile trail race at the Mohonk Preserve.
JMH
& A Brief Visit to Valatie Falls
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I've driven past the sign for the Pachaquack Preserve many times on my way through Valatie and always wondered what it was... since I didn't have directions to the CLC Conservation Areas in Ghent and Chatham, I decided to stop there today and find out. Apparently it's a small section of land bordering the Kinderhook Creek which was designated a "forever wild" preserve back in the mid-1990's when a housing development was being buil right next door. There's a large parking area and gazebo, with trails leading off into the woods overlooking the creek. After wandering through the woods for a bit, I followed a path which turned into a powerline right-of-way/access road before eventually turning around and following the road back to the parking lot.
According to my copy of Russell Dunn's Hudson Valley Waterfalls, the name "Pachaquack" is Mohican for "cleared meadow" and was chosen because it's believed that the Mohicans used the area as a meeting place.
I don't know that I'll head back there any time soon... it was a nice little section of woods, but the areas along the creek aren't all that scenic (you can see houses and businesses on the far side of the creek, and there are occasional bits of junk and trash around... about what you'd expect for a park in a town. Actually, I'm a bit surprised there wasn't more trash and junk, so maybe volunteers clean it up periodically.) Some nice wildflowers that are getting past their prime, a few birds... the one real surprise was seeing a great blue heron across the creek, in the shady area where the Valatie Kill joins the Kinderhook Creek.
After leaving the park I drove across the creek and stopped at the Beaver Cotton Mill overlook, a parking area and viewing platform built on the site of an old mill that burned down in 1888. No great surprise, since with a ready supply of water power Valatie was primarily a mill town (according to Dunn the original name was Millville until 1832) and I can remember seeing several old brick mills when I was a kid, that have since been demolished (like many of the old Columbia County mills, which after being shut down fell into disrepair and either burned down, were razed for safety reasons, or were demolished to build newer structures.)
Valatie Falls is actually two waterfalls divided by an island, with a dam across the top. It's tough to get decent picture of it without walking out onto the bridge across the creek, and unfortunately the sidewalk is on the far side of the bridge. There was a reasonable amount of water flowing over the falls today, though nothing spectacular - pretty consistent with the other falls I've seen in the past couple of weeks. Ustream a short distance there was a good-sized flock of geese resting on the sandbars and paddling around in the creek.
Clouds were moving in, so I shelved my plans to make a side trip down the Hudson River to the Swyer Preserve, picked up some food at the local supermarket, and headed back to Albany to rest up for tomorrow's trip down to New Paltz and a hil 10 mile trail race at the Mohonk Preserve.
JMH
2 Mile Hike at High Falls Conservation Area
Saturday, September 26, 2009
High Falls Conservation Area trail map (PDF)
My parents had mentioned a while back that there was now an official trail to High Falls, a tall waterfall in the woods near where they live. I was pleased to see that it's actually one of the Columbia Land Conservancy's Conservation Areas and since I was going to be nearby anyways for the trail run, it only made sense to head over there afterwards and check it out. I guess I hadn't fully appreciated what a major trip down memory lane it would turn out to be...
When I was in high school I started going for walks in the woods behind my parents' house. I explored all over the place and found both footpaths and a network of old roads on the other side of the ravine leading down to the basin below High Falls. Some of the roads led to fields that were used for haying, others wound all through the woods. Most of the time I walked, though sometimes I'd move a little faster... I guess I was a trailrunner in the making even back then and just didn't realize it. I spent a lot of hours in those woods, including plenty of time by the falls, both at the base and climbing up and down the steep hillsides near it.
The property that's managed by the CLC is a good-sized part of where I used to roam, and no great surprise, the trails are mostly the same old roads that I used to wander around on. Some are almost exactly the same as they were all those years ago, and others have been cleared a bit to make them more accessible. The information kisok at the trailhead had been vandalized, with two of the three plexiglass covers smashed... why do people have to be so stupid and destructive?
The biggest addition (besides some boundary fencing and posted signs) is a wonderful overlook at the top of the hillside opposite the falls. I probably would have spent more time there, but just after I arrived a family of four came noisily up as well, and I didn't want to hog the scenic spot... plus I didn't really feel like being around a noisy group. So I took the path down to the base of the falls (actually, I took an old road that was one of my major routes back and forth years ago... I suspect it's not an official trail, since it wasn't blazed) and spent a while taking pictures of the waterfall and the huge rocks that border the pool at its base. Unfortunately, the noisy group showed up not long after that, so I kept moving downstream.
Ann and I came down here back in 2003 (before the park was established) and one of the changes I noticed then was that a steel cable/wooden plank bridge across the Agawamuck Creek had collapsed, leaving only some of the cables tangled over the creek. From there I had a short climb uphill before following another trail along the hilltops overlooking the creek back toward the entrance to the preserve.
A short spur trail near the entrance leads down to the creek, so I headed down there and wandered along the edge of the water for a while. Unfortunately, there are houses on the top of the hill across the creek, and the slopes leading down to the water are covered in junk and garbage... there's even the wreck of an old VW Beetle rusting away. I bushwhacked downstream to check out the old dam... it's definitely worse for wear, with a breach in one spot that has most of the water going through the dam rather than over the spillway. I would have liked to get a photo from down below but for the life of me I can't figure out how I used to get down there - I guess it helped to be younger with good knees, because there was no way I was going to risk a climb down today!
After spending a little more time bushwhacking to try to get a decent view of the dam, I headed back toward the preserve entrance, following another old path and then making my way through the locust grove that borders the parking lot. There was no one around to see me climb over the rail fence - probably just as well, since I definitely didn't display any gracefulness, but I did manage to get over the fence without injuring myself (some days, that's the best I can hope for!) A few minutes later I was one my way, heading northwest toward more parks, more walking, and eventually, home.
Checked my photo albums once I got back and found that I have a lot of old photos of High Falls and the woods that I've never scanned... as much as scanning photos is a major pain in the backside, today's visit has me feeling a bit more motivated to get them digitized even though the photo quality is poor (I took them using inexpensive 110 & 120 fixed-focus film cameras... the jump in image quality when I got my first autofocusing 35mm camera in college is incredible.) So that's the latest addition to my ever-growing "to do" list.
JMH
Saturday, September 26, 2009
High Falls Conservation Area trail map (PDF)
My parents had mentioned a while back that there was now an official trail to High Falls, a tall waterfall in the woods near where they live. I was pleased to see that it's actually one of the Columbia Land Conservancy's Conservation Areas and since I was going to be nearby anyways for the trail run, it only made sense to head over there afterwards and check it out. I guess I hadn't fully appreciated what a major trip down memory lane it would turn out to be...
When I was in high school I started going for walks in the woods behind my parents' house. I explored all over the place and found both footpaths and a network of old roads on the other side of the ravine leading down to the basin below High Falls. Some of the roads led to fields that were used for haying, others wound all through the woods. Most of the time I walked, though sometimes I'd move a little faster... I guess I was a trailrunner in the making even back then and just didn't realize it. I spent a lot of hours in those woods, including plenty of time by the falls, both at the base and climbing up and down the steep hillsides near it.
The property that's managed by the CLC is a good-sized part of where I used to roam, and no great surprise, the trails are mostly the same old roads that I used to wander around on. Some are almost exactly the same as they were all those years ago, and others have been cleared a bit to make them more accessible. The information kisok at the trailhead had been vandalized, with two of the three plexiglass covers smashed... why do people have to be so stupid and destructive?
The biggest addition (besides some boundary fencing and posted signs) is a wonderful overlook at the top of the hillside opposite the falls. I probably would have spent more time there, but just after I arrived a family of four came noisily up as well, and I didn't want to hog the scenic spot... plus I didn't really feel like being around a noisy group. So I took the path down to the base of the falls (actually, I took an old road that was one of my major routes back and forth years ago... I suspect it's not an official trail, since it wasn't blazed) and spent a while taking pictures of the waterfall and the huge rocks that border the pool at its base. Unfortunately, the noisy group showed up not long after that, so I kept moving downstream.
Ann and I came down here back in 2003 (before the park was established) and one of the changes I noticed then was that a steel cable/wooden plank bridge across the Agawamuck Creek had collapsed, leaving only some of the cables tangled over the creek. From there I had a short climb uphill before following another trail along the hilltops overlooking the creek back toward the entrance to the preserve.
A short spur trail near the entrance leads down to the creek, so I headed down there and wandered along the edge of the water for a while. Unfortunately, there are houses on the top of the hill across the creek, and the slopes leading down to the water are covered in junk and garbage... there's even the wreck of an old VW Beetle rusting away. I bushwhacked downstream to check out the old dam... it's definitely worse for wear, with a breach in one spot that has most of the water going through the dam rather than over the spillway. I would have liked to get a photo from down below but for the life of me I can't figure out how I used to get down there - I guess it helped to be younger with good knees, because there was no way I was going to risk a climb down today!
After spending a little more time bushwhacking to try to get a decent view of the dam, I headed back toward the preserve entrance, following another old path and then making my way through the locust grove that borders the parking lot. There was no one around to see me climb over the rail fence - probably just as well, since I definitely didn't display any gracefulness, but I did manage to get over the fence without injuring myself (some days, that's the best I can hope for!) A few minutes later I was one my way, heading northwest toward more parks, more walking, and eventually, home.
Checked my photo albums once I got back and found that I have a lot of old photos of High Falls and the woods that I've never scanned... as much as scanning photos is a major pain in the backside, today's visit has me feeling a bit more motivated to get them digitized even though the photo quality is poor (I took them using inexpensive 110 & 120 fixed-focus film cameras... the jump in image quality when I got my first autofocusing 35mm camera in college is incredible.) So that's the latest addition to my ever-growing "to do" list.
JMH
Friday, September 25, 2009
3.1 Mile Run at Pittsfield State Forest
& A Quick Visit to Pontoosuc Lake
Friday, September 25, 2009
Pittsfield State Forest summer trail map (PDF)
Curly's Trail Half Marathon/Marathon course info
Drove to Pittsfield after work to run the Curly's Half Marathon course from the race last Sunday (which I missed because I spent the weekend at a wedding with Ann.) RD Beth Herder was gracious enough to send me detailed directions and a most excellent course map, so I was pretty confident I could find my way around the course even with the markers down (though she did say that some sections might still be marked.) The only question was how long it would take...
... at least until I got to Pittsfield State Forest an hour later than I'd planned to (leaving me with about 2 hours of daylight.) And discovered that my headlamp, which I'd taken out of my bag to change the batteries, was apparently still sitting back in Albany (but at least I had one of my bike lights to use as a flashlight.) And a cold front started moving in, so that by the time I'd finished about 3 miles and gone past the parking lot, it was getting both dark and cold. I made it a short way up the Lulu Cascade trail before deciding that I was being stupid, that I'd be mighty ticked if I got all the way to the Berry Pond Overlook and decided it was too dark to continue, and that I wouldn't get to actually enjoy my surroundings because I wouldn't be able to see them.
So I called it a night and headed to the other side of Pittsfield to get some dinner and do a little shopping instead.
On the plus side, I got a nice look at the first three miles of the course - some older trails and some great singletrack built by local NEMBA members, including Beth's husband Brad. But I really have to wonder what these guys were doing out there...
Along the way across town I passed a park on the shore of Pontoosuc Lake, which was looking very scenic with the sun sinking lower in the sky... so I stopped and shot some pictures while enjoying the scenery. According to a book I picked up tonight, Robert Tougias' Birding Western Massachusetts, the lakes east of Pittsfield State Forest are good sites to see migrant waterbirds in the fall, including loons. I may have to pay a few visits to them over the next month and take a look...
JMH
& A Quick Visit to Pontoosuc Lake
Friday, September 25, 2009
Pittsfield State Forest summer trail map (PDF)
Curly's Trail Half Marathon/Marathon course info
Drove to Pittsfield after work to run the Curly's Half Marathon course from the race last Sunday (which I missed because I spent the weekend at a wedding with Ann.) RD Beth Herder was gracious enough to send me detailed directions and a most excellent course map, so I was pretty confident I could find my way around the course even with the markers down (though she did say that some sections might still be marked.) The only question was how long it would take...
... at least until I got to Pittsfield State Forest an hour later than I'd planned to (leaving me with about 2 hours of daylight.) And discovered that my headlamp, which I'd taken out of my bag to change the batteries, was apparently still sitting back in Albany (but at least I had one of my bike lights to use as a flashlight.) And a cold front started moving in, so that by the time I'd finished about 3 miles and gone past the parking lot, it was getting both dark and cold. I made it a short way up the Lulu Cascade trail before deciding that I was being stupid, that I'd be mighty ticked if I got all the way to the Berry Pond Overlook and decided it was too dark to continue, and that I wouldn't get to actually enjoy my surroundings because I wouldn't be able to see them.
So I called it a night and headed to the other side of Pittsfield to get some dinner and do a little shopping instead.
On the plus side, I got a nice look at the first three miles of the course - some older trails and some great singletrack built by local NEMBA members, including Beth's husband Brad. But I really have to wonder what these guys were doing out there...
Along the way across town I passed a park on the shore of Pontoosuc Lake, which was looking very scenic with the sun sinking lower in the sky... so I stopped and shot some pictures while enjoying the scenery. According to a book I picked up tonight, Robert Tougias' Birding Western Massachusetts, the lakes east of Pittsfield State Forest are good sites to see migrant waterbirds in the fall, including loons. I may have to pay a few visits to them over the next month and take a look...
JMH
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
7.1 Mile Run in the Albany Pine Bush
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
By the time I managed to get out for a run, I only had half an hour or so before I needed my headlamp to see where I was going back in the woods. Yet another reminder of several months of evening running in the dark that lie ahead.
I ran an uneventful loop through the Madison Avenue Pinelands and Great Dunes sections of the Pine Bush... at least the lack of daylight made it harder to see the very frustrating destruction left behind as part of the ongoing habitat restoration over there. At this point most of the trails I loved most have been affected, with a lot of wonderful wooded areas stripped of trees. presumably to restore the sandy meadow/field habitat. I saw a group of deer staring at me off one trail... once again they didn't seem to know what to make of me, possibly because of the light on my head. I startled them a bit later as the trail looped around and then heard a second group disappear into the brush later on.
JMH
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
By the time I managed to get out for a run, I only had half an hour or so before I needed my headlamp to see where I was going back in the woods. Yet another reminder of several months of evening running in the dark that lie ahead.
I ran an uneventful loop through the Madison Avenue Pinelands and Great Dunes sections of the Pine Bush... at least the lack of daylight made it harder to see the very frustrating destruction left behind as part of the ongoing habitat restoration over there. At this point most of the trails I loved most have been affected, with a lot of wonderful wooded areas stripped of trees. presumably to restore the sandy meadow/field habitat. I saw a group of deer staring at me off one trail... once again they didn't seem to know what to make of me, possibly because of the light on my head. I startled them a bit later as the trail looped around and then heard a second group disappear into the brush later on.
JMH
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
SNOWSHOEING?????
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's funny... today I was thinking about fall races and how the time is going to fly by and it will be snowshoe season before we know it... and then tonight I discovered that the tentative schedule for the 2010 WMAC Dion Snowshoe Racing Series is online. As is the 2010 Granite State Snowshoe Series schedule. And not long ago I received an e-mail from Tim and Mort at Goose Racing which mentioned their snowshoe events, as well as the USSSA's National Championships which are being held in March at Highland Forest Park near Syracuse (unfortunately, I don't know that I have a prayer of qualifying for Nationals... I'd have to finish within 130% of my age group winner's time, and that just isn't very likely.)
Right now I just want to get through the fall racing season with my knees intact and a sub-7 hour finish at the Bobcat Trail Marathon... but I have to admit that I'm looking ahead and hoping for another snow-covered winter with lots of good snowshoeing!
JMH
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's funny... today I was thinking about fall races and how the time is going to fly by and it will be snowshoe season before we know it... and then tonight I discovered that the tentative schedule for the 2010 WMAC Dion Snowshoe Racing Series is online. As is the 2010 Granite State Snowshoe Series schedule. And not long ago I received an e-mail from Tim and Mort at Goose Racing which mentioned their snowshoe events, as well as the USSSA's National Championships which are being held in March at Highland Forest Park near Syracuse (unfortunately, I don't know that I have a prayer of qualifying for Nationals... I'd have to finish within 130% of my age group winner's time, and that just isn't very likely.)
Right now I just want to get through the fall racing season with my knees intact and a sub-7 hour finish at the Bobcat Trail Marathon... but I have to admit that I'm looking ahead and hoping for another snow-covered winter with lots of good snowshoeing!
JMH
Monday, September 21, 2009
Autumnal Equinox
Monday, September 21, 2009
I'm finding myself with mixed feelings about this time of year... especially when I'm out running errands at 7:30 PM and it's almost completely dark. And for the next three months, the hours of daylight will just keep getting shorter and shorter...
But I also love running and riding in the fall... the cooler weather, the crisp air, the colors all around, the crunch of leaves under my feet and tires... each season has its appeal to me, but autumn definitely holds a special place in my heart.
Too bad I can't play during the day and work at night!
JMH
Monday, September 21, 2009
I'm finding myself with mixed feelings about this time of year... especially when I'm out running errands at 7:30 PM and it's almost completely dark. And for the next three months, the hours of daylight will just keep getting shorter and shorter...
But I also love running and riding in the fall... the cooler weather, the crisp air, the colors all around, the crunch of leaves under my feet and tires... each season has its appeal to me, but autumn definitely holds a special place in my heart.
Too bad I can't play during the day and work at night!
JMH
Sunday, September 20, 2009
ON THE ROAD AGAIN, Part 7
Montezuma is for the Birds
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Since my route up the western shore of Cayuga Lake took me right by the Montezuma NWR, I couldn't resist stopping to see the wildlife. I pretty much repeated my last visit, first heading over to the May's Point Fishing Access where I saw two herons and a group of Cedar Waxwings and started donating blood to the voracious mosquitos. Then I stopped at the viewing platform for the May's Point Pool, which is mostly drained (so not much to see there!) While I was in the parking area I did see a large number of cormorants flying back and forth, so I walked across route 89 to the creek and took some pictures of them perched in the trees.
The only other place I stopped was at the Tschache Pool viewing tower, which offers a spectacular view out over the Tschache pool. While I was there I saw lots of ducks and Canada geese... nothing too unusual (unlike last time, when I saw several grebes.) Other than the hum of traffic from the Thruway off in the distance, it was very peaceful, and I had a tough time tearing myself away for the 3 hour drive back to Albany.
JMH
Montezuma is for the Birds
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Since my route up the western shore of Cayuga Lake took me right by the Montezuma NWR, I couldn't resist stopping to see the wildlife. I pretty much repeated my last visit, first heading over to the May's Point Fishing Access where I saw two herons and a group of Cedar Waxwings and started donating blood to the voracious mosquitos. Then I stopped at the viewing platform for the May's Point Pool, which is mostly drained (so not much to see there!) While I was in the parking area I did see a large number of cormorants flying back and forth, so I walked across route 89 to the creek and took some pictures of them perched in the trees.
The only other place I stopped was at the Tschache Pool viewing tower, which offers a spectacular view out over the Tschache pool. While I was there I saw lots of ducks and Canada geese... nothing too unusual (unlike last time, when I saw several grebes.) Other than the hum of traffic from the Thruway off in the distance, it was very peaceful, and I had a tough time tearing myself away for the 3 hour drive back to Albany.
JMH
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ON THE ROAD AGAIN, Part 3
Ithaca, Hector, Ithaca...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Getting out of Jordan was a hassle as usual, mainly because the streets are not very well-marked, which makes it tough to follow printed directions...
Once we were out of town, we had a long hot drive south to Ithaca. Mostly smooth sailing, except for the last half dozen miles through the outskirts of the city, which was stop-and-go (mostly stop, it seemed.)
We left Jordan later than we should have, so it was a real rush to get ready for the wedding... I think we were back on the road within about 20-25 minutes of getting to the motel. A fast drive across some very nice countryside to Hector and about 35 minutes later we were pulling into the winery where the wedding and reception were being held, only 10 minutes late... and just in time to see everybody leaving the ceremony, which apparently was very brief.
After that was a very long evening at the reception... the part of weddings I like the least (I know, that's usually the part people look forward to!) What can I say, there are just too many more enjoyable things I could be doing instead of sitting around making conversation. But Ann had a good time, and that's what's most important.
The day wrapped up with a much more relaxed drive back to Ithaca, where I was happy to finally fall into bed. The room wasn't as comfortable as our free one in Syracuse, but I was tired enough that it really didn't matter.
JMH
Ithaca, Hector, Ithaca...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Getting out of Jordan was a hassle as usual, mainly because the streets are not very well-marked, which makes it tough to follow printed directions...
Once we were out of town, we had a long hot drive south to Ithaca. Mostly smooth sailing, except for the last half dozen miles through the outskirts of the city, which was stop-and-go (mostly stop, it seemed.)
We left Jordan later than we should have, so it was a real rush to get ready for the wedding... I think we were back on the road within about 20-25 minutes of getting to the motel. A fast drive across some very nice countryside to Hector and about 35 minutes later we were pulling into the winery where the wedding and reception were being held, only 10 minutes late... and just in time to see everybody leaving the ceremony, which apparently was very brief.
After that was a very long evening at the reception... the part of weddings I like the least (I know, that's usually the part people look forward to!) What can I say, there are just too many more enjoyable things I could be doing instead of sitting around making conversation. But Ann had a good time, and that's what's most important.
The day wrapped up with a much more relaxed drive back to Ithaca, where I was happy to finally fall into bed. The room wasn't as comfortable as our free one in Syracuse, but I was tired enough that it really didn't matter.
JMH
Friday, September 18, 2009
ON THE ROAD AGAIN, Part 1
Friday, September 18, 2009
No great surprise to anyone who reads my ramblings regularly, but this is a travellin' weekend. Tonight I drive to Syracuse to spend the night (in a free room, thanks to two years of collecting points for staying at Choice Hotels properties.) Tomorrow morning Ann and I head to Jordan where I'll run the 27th Jordan Alpine Classic and she'll try not to get too bored waiting for me to finish. Then it's off to Ithaca to change into formal clothing so we can go to Hector to attend the wedding and wedding reception of a daughter of one of Ann's friends. After that it's back to Ithaca, where Sunday will find us visiting some parks - Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park are the most likely candidates - before we each head back to our respective ends of the state and drag our sorry butts to work Monday morning.
JMH
Friday, September 18, 2009
No great surprise to anyone who reads my ramblings regularly, but this is a travellin' weekend. Tonight I drive to Syracuse to spend the night (in a free room, thanks to two years of collecting points for staying at Choice Hotels properties.) Tomorrow morning Ann and I head to Jordan where I'll run the 27th Jordan Alpine Classic and she'll try not to get too bored waiting for me to finish. Then it's off to Ithaca to change into formal clothing so we can go to Hector to attend the wedding and wedding reception of a daughter of one of Ann's friends. After that it's back to Ithaca, where Sunday will find us visiting some parks - Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park are the most likely candidates - before we each head back to our respective ends of the state and drag our sorry butts to work Monday morning.
JMH
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Endings, Part 2
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
This past weekend AMAI had a black belt testing, and two students who used to be my responsibility tested, one for black belt and the other to advance from junior rank to adult rank black belt. I'm pleased to say that both passed and I have no doubt that they will do their new ranks proud, despite having had a free-thinking troublemaker for an instructor for many years.
Once their testing was over, I sent off two letters. The first was my resignation letter, in which I resigned from all affiliation with AMAI, its Grand Master, and any businesses owned by him. I outlined my reasons for leaving fairly bluntly (major problems with the way said Grand Master has conducted himself for many years now) and have no doubt that I am no longer welcome at any class or event under his direction. Can't say I'm shedding any tears at that thought... if I never see him again it will be too soon.
I also sent an e-mail to all the instructors on the e-mailing list, both to let them know that I was resigning, to clear up any misrepresentations that might pop up about why, and to leave them with the couple of parting thoughts. But perhaps I should let the letter speak for itself:
JMH
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
This past weekend AMAI had a black belt testing, and two students who used to be my responsibility tested, one for black belt and the other to advance from junior rank to adult rank black belt. I'm pleased to say that both passed and I have no doubt that they will do their new ranks proud, despite having had a free-thinking troublemaker for an instructor for many years.
Once their testing was over, I sent off two letters. The first was my resignation letter, in which I resigned from all affiliation with AMAI, its Grand Master, and any businesses owned by him. I outlined my reasons for leaving fairly bluntly (major problems with the way said Grand Master has conducted himself for many years now) and have no doubt that I am no longer welcome at any class or event under his direction. Can't say I'm shedding any tears at that thought... if I never see him again it will be too soon.
I also sent an e-mail to all the instructors on the e-mailing list, both to let them know that I was resigning, to clear up any misrepresentations that might pop up about why, and to leave them with the couple of parting thoughts. But perhaps I should let the letter speak for itself:
I am writing the black belt instructors and staff for several reasons. First, to let you know that Saturday evening I sent a letter of resignation to Grand Master Crandall and am no longer affiliated with any of the organizations and businesses under his direction. Second, to answer some of the speculation that has been relayed to me regarding my reasons for leaving the American Martial Arts Institute. And finally to leave you with a few parting thoughts and to say my goodbyes to some of the finest people it has been my pleasure to teach and train with .And that, as they say, is that. As the end of the year approaches, I will most likely write a little bit more about AMAI and ending my 27 year tenure with it... and a few thoughts as I look ahead at my expanded options in studying martial arts.
Let me say up front that some people reading this may be deeply offended by what I have to say. If that is the case my suggestion is simple – hit “delete” and get on with doing things that bring you satisfaction and happiness in your life. Also, please be assured that this is the only time I will be using this method to contact you, unless you indicate that you wish to continue communicating with me. For those of you that have already done so, I thank you for putting our long-standing friendships ahead of dogma.
Grand Master Crandall should receive my resignation letter early this week. I actually formulated it while we were closing down the Albany location but waited to send it out until there would no longer be any potential impact on my former students testing on Saturday. I am not going to give any details of my reasons for leaving in this e-mail – suffice it to say that it has become increasingly evident that Grand Master Crandall and I are two very different people and I have known for several years that the day was coming when I would leave the school because of those differences. If you would like to know more you will need to either ask him to see the letter or contact me and I will share any information that I can in good conscience.
I have learned of speculation about a number of possible reasons for my departure from the school, and would like to set the record straight regarding them:
I am not leaving out of loyalty to Master Allen Hillicoss, though the way I have seen him treated over time and particularly the way he was dealt with after choosing to close the Albany location has reinforced my decision.
I am not leaving because of any perceived slight, large or small, directed toward me – I cannot recall a single occasion where Grand Master Crandall has said anything negative to or about me, despite the volume of negativity I have seen him direct toward numerous others both within the school and in the wider martial arts community.
I am not leaving because I no longer have the time or interest to study and teach martial arts; actually, I am looking forward to many more opportunities to do so in the future, now that I will be able to determine my own direction rather than having it dictated by Grand Master Crandall.
I am not leaving because Master Hillicoss has asked me to do so. In fact, he made it very clear that I should do whatever I think is best for me, not realizing that I have known for several years that the day was coming when I would leave the school and chose not to discuss it with him, so as not to put him in the position of having to defend his instructors’ decisions and actions to me. Neither has he had any input into anything I am writing here – he will read it for the first time when he gets the e-mail, just as he was informed that he needed to relinquish his Master status in an e-mail to the instructors and staff.
As a side note, I realize some may be bothered by my referring to Allen Hillicoss as “Master” rather than “Mr.” I understand and wholeheartedly agree that he no longer meets the requirements of Master status in American Eagle Style, being neither Grand Master Crandall’s successor nor a 7th degree black belt. At the same time he has been my instructor for 27 years and there is no doubt in my mind that he embodies all of the characteristics of a Master Instructor. Regardless of his status in the American Martial Arts Institute that is how I will always think of him, and I find it disheartening when I hear that some have apparently discarded the respect they once professed to have for him in favor of disdain and overly familiar forms of address.
If you have made it this far, please allow me to leave you with two final thoughts (what can I say, I am first and foremost a teacher.)
I have been fortunate to work with many students, both in martial arts and as a career, and I have always tried to teach my students to think for themselves, to ask questions and seek answers (even if they aren’t the same answers I might choose.)Teaching is ultimately about the growth of the student, though when it’s done well the teacher also often finds himself growing. When a student chooses to follow a path similar to mine, I have an additional goal – to help him learn to be better than I am. At times that is a scary process, since it means that at some point the student may actually outgrow his need for the teacher, but I think it is vitally important. A teacher who holds his students back from learning all they can and being all they can… well, I guess all I can say about that is if you find yourself in that situation, maybe it’s important to ask yourself why and whether or not he is the right teacher for you.
I have heard Grand Master Crandall say on several occasions that he is the “heart and soul” of the school, and that the instructors are appendages doing his bidding. I disagree. Without you, he would not have a school. You are the ones who volunteer your time and give your blood, sweat, and tears to take care of the students, pass on the knowledge, and help the school grow. When the day comes that he is gone, you will be the ones who either carry on a stagnant tradition designed only to perpetuate his name or a vibrant style that can grow and evolve to meet the needs of its students and the world they live in. Grand Master Crandall most definitely provides the direction, but you are the “heart and soul” of the American Martial Arts Institute. Without you, he is just one man – a dedicated passionate man with undeniable talents and skills, but still just one man. Perhaps Grand Master Arndt said it best when he wrote to the northeastern Kang Duk Won instructors, telling them “You don’t need him, he needs you.”
I have definitely taken more than enough of your time. Thank you for being my fellow instructors and in many cases my friends. The American Martial Arts Institute is blessed with a fine group of students and an even finer group of dedicated teachers who are passionate enough about what they do that they willingly give their time to pass on what they have learned. I have been an instructor for 16 years, and it has not been an easy decision to leave such a committed, caring group of people. I will miss the students greatly and I will miss you – both are part of the reason I stayed as long as I did. I wish you all the best and hope that being a part of the American Martial Arts Institute continues to meet your needs and bring you everything you might be looking for from it.
JMH
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