home again!
Apr. 10th, 2024 07:32 amWe have returned! The return drive felt longer, probably partly because of traffic, and partly because I was tired.
We decided to check out the Winooski Footbridge on the way back, and I'm still laughing at one of the online reviews. MANY of the reviews mention issues with parking (as in, there isn't any), and then there's this 5-star review from Carnomaniac:
While I haven't been there yet I'm aggravated by people saying there is no parking.... THERE IS A *PARKING LOT* FOR THIS TRAIL AND BRIDGE.
(To be as fair as possible, they're all correct. The bridge is right next to one road, which is narrow, apparently residential, and has No Parking signs up and down it. And there IS a parking lot, it's just that it's on the opposite side of the bridge, off the highway and across a railroad track.)
I never expected a review that started 'I haven't been there yet' to be so helpful!
We decided to check out the Winooski Footbridge on the way back, and I'm still laughing at one of the online reviews. MANY of the reviews mention issues with parking (as in, there isn't any), and then there's this 5-star review from Carnomaniac:
While I haven't been there yet I'm aggravated by people saying there is no parking.... THERE IS A *PARKING LOT* FOR THIS TRAIL AND BRIDGE.
(To be as fair as possible, they're all correct. The bridge is right next to one road, which is narrow, apparently residential, and has No Parking signs up and down it. And there IS a parking lot, it's just that it's on the opposite side of the bridge, off the highway and across a railroad track.)
I never expected a review that started 'I haven't been there yet' to be so helpful!
the journey home
Apr. 9th, 2024 08:28 amWe have seen the eclipse! We have walked many miles! We have purchased souvenirs!
With those pillars of a successful eclipse trip achieved, it is now time to get back on the road and head home. Hahahaha first we’ll need to fit all our stuff back into our luggage, which will be An Adventure all on its own. (Things never go back in quite the way they did at home, somehow…)
With those pillars of a successful eclipse trip achieved, it is now time to get back on the road and head home. Hahahaha first we’ll need to fit all our stuff back into our luggage, which will be An Adventure all on its own. (Things never go back in quite the way they did at home, somehow…)
We’ve arrived! Yesterday’s travel weather included some unexpected snow showers, and absolutely zero cow sightings. (Vermont, where are you hiding the cows?)
Our hotel assured us that we can come and go from the parking garage, and they are guaranteeing parking availability for all guests. But they also say they’re going to make that happen by switching to valet parking only, and their valets will be ‘creative’ in enacting this plan. (I am impressed by their commitment and skills, but we’re planning to let our car stay right in its non-creative spot until we leave.)
Today we venture out!
Our hotel assured us that we can come and go from the parking garage, and they are guaranteeing parking availability for all guests. But they also say they’re going to make that happen by switching to valet parking only, and their valets will be ‘creative’ in enacting this plan. (I am impressed by their commitment and skills, but we’re planning to let our car stay right in its non-creative spot until we leave.)
Today we venture out!
ONE WEEK TILL OUR ECLIPSE TRIP
Mar. 30th, 2024 07:39 amTHIS IS NOT A DRILL. It is definitely time to, uh, actually start getting ready? I sort of started to start getting ready last weekend, which consisted of me looking at stuff from our last trip, back in September.
Good news: the notes I wrote for the cat sitter are largely still very useful!
But in other news: it turns out that the list of things I want to pack for a hiking trip in September aren't identical to the things I want to pack for a hotel trip in April. WHO KNEW???
Related note: Why is it that you can get those little single-serve jam things at restaurants, but you can't buy them for yourself in the grocery store? INQUIRING MINDS WHO LIKE JAM WANT TO KNOW
Good news: the notes I wrote for the cat sitter are largely still very useful!
But in other news: it turns out that the list of things I want to pack for a hiking trip in September aren't identical to the things I want to pack for a hotel trip in April. WHO KNEW???
Related note: Why is it that you can get those little single-serve jam things at restaurants, but you can't buy them for yourself in the grocery store? INQUIRING MINDS WHO LIKE JAM WANT TO KNOW
2024 collage!
Jan. 6th, 2024 08:46 amYay 2024! I started listing out some things I'd like to do this year, and then I started trying to group them thematically (as one does), and then we made fun collages!
(scrapbook paper, LOTS of stickers and washi tape, and the central image is from a mini wall calendar of art by Geninne D Zlatkis)
2024, year of enrichment! With three overlapping themes, because contrary to all current goal theory, I prefer my goals to be broad, vague, and as easy to achieve as possible.
2024's Themes:
*move
*learn
*connect
Lots of my more specific goals have elements of more than one theme, which worked great for the collage but less great for my plan of writing out a few of them for each theme in this post...
Some General Goals:
*using my left hand more -- this was directly inspired by the desire to be able to crochet wings both righty and lefty so they could be symmetrical, but I've long been intrigued by improving my left-handed skills for things like brushing my teeth, writing, and coloring
*yoga practice -- this was a 2023 goal that I'd like to continue; it's been particularly helpful for my balance and range of motion. I've been enjoying Yoga with Adriene's 30 Day Yoga Journey for January.
*creative outlets -- yay for learning things and self-expression! So far I've been expanding my crochet yarn options and writing my daily haikus.
Very Specific Goal:
*ONE DAY ONLY! SKY EVENT OF THE YEAR! THE RETURN OF TOTALITY! April 8th, 2024 -- a total solar eclipse will be visible from many parts of the United States. The path goes from Texas to Maine, and we already have our SKY EVENT OF THE YEAR commemorative coins, so you know we're excited!
Deeper Meanings:
*At the heart of all these goals is really one thing: I'd like this year to be one where I feel more comfortable and connected to my physical body -- I'd like to learn and move and express myself as a path to embracing my current physical presence in this vast spiritual universe. This quote from the Yoga With Adriene site resonates particularly this year: "While yoga is and remains a good workout for many, it was originally crafted to allow our souls to experience embodiment."
When exchanging casual conversation about goals for the year, I find it easier to share something like 'I want to learn to crochet left-handed' than 'I want to embrace the experience of my soul's embodiment,' even though they're really one and the same.
(scrapbook paper, LOTS of stickers and washi tape, and the central image is from a mini wall calendar of art by Geninne D Zlatkis)
2024, year of enrichment! With three overlapping themes, because contrary to all current goal theory, I prefer my goals to be broad, vague, and as easy to achieve as possible.
2024's Themes:
*move
*learn
*connect
Lots of my more specific goals have elements of more than one theme, which worked great for the collage but less great for my plan of writing out a few of them for each theme in this post...
Some General Goals:
*using my left hand more -- this was directly inspired by the desire to be able to crochet wings both righty and lefty so they could be symmetrical, but I've long been intrigued by improving my left-handed skills for things like brushing my teeth, writing, and coloring
*yoga practice -- this was a 2023 goal that I'd like to continue; it's been particularly helpful for my balance and range of motion. I've been enjoying Yoga with Adriene's 30 Day Yoga Journey for January.
*creative outlets -- yay for learning things and self-expression! So far I've been expanding my crochet yarn options and writing my daily haikus.
Very Specific Goal:
*ONE DAY ONLY! SKY EVENT OF THE YEAR! THE RETURN OF TOTALITY! April 8th, 2024 -- a total solar eclipse will be visible from many parts of the United States. The path goes from Texas to Maine, and we already have our SKY EVENT OF THE YEAR commemorative coins, so you know we're excited!
Deeper Meanings:
*At the heart of all these goals is really one thing: I'd like this year to be one where I feel more comfortable and connected to my physical body -- I'd like to learn and move and express myself as a path to embracing my current physical presence in this vast spiritual universe. This quote from the Yoga With Adriene site resonates particularly this year: "While yoga is and remains a good workout for many, it was originally crafted to allow our souls to experience embodiment."
When exchanging casual conversation about goals for the year, I find it easier to share something like 'I want to learn to crochet left-handed' than 'I want to embrace the experience of my soul's embodiment,' even though they're really one and the same.
journey completed!
Sep. 15th, 2023 07:08 pmDay 2 recap: It was so fun and also soooooo long! We saw a river (multiple rivers, I think? maybe just one a bunch of times?) and ate lunch on the rocks of said river. Had fun in the gift shop in the evening.
Day 3: I think three days was a good max for our group -- we were all still cheering each other on and excited to be journeying together, but I think everyone was ready for some quiet alone time (I was, at least!). Fantastic views from our only official mountain summit (plus fantastic view of dog named Summit!) and a safe drive back home.
I'm really happy to be back home with the cat, and very ready to sleep in my own bed tonight. Adventure achieved!
Day 3: I think three days was a good max for our group -- we were all still cheering each other on and excited to be journeying together, but I think everyone was ready for some quiet alone time (I was, at least!). Fantastic views from our only official mountain summit (plus fantastic view of dog named Summit!) and a safe drive back home.
I'm really happy to be back home with the cat, and very ready to sleep in my own bed tonight. Adventure achieved!
We’re on a journey!
Sep. 14th, 2023 05:39 amDay 1: Rain! The downside being that it was raining, and the upside being that the low clouds floating around the mountains were incredibly beautiful! Also, dinner was very tasty.
Day 2: ??? How will today go? The weather looks much improved, and we’re going to try for a longer hike. Of course, right now I’m playing on my phone in the dark waiting for the sun to come up, but the weather app promises that will be happening soon!
Day 2: ??? How will today go? The weather looks much improved, and we’re going to try for a longer hike. Of course, right now I’m playing on my phone in the dark waiting for the sun to come up, but the weather app promises that will be happening soon!
we're going on a journey!
Sep. 13th, 2023 05:48 amMost important thing to keep in mind at the start of any trip: what is the goal of this journey? In this case, it's to have fun! Absolutely none of the plans we've made need to be kept (okay, it would be convenient to keep our room reservation, but it's not like it would be a crisis if we didn't).
Right now I mostly feel sort of tired and cranky, but that's as expected for early in the morning after a warm and humid night. Weather is in a generally improving trend from here! (After, you know, the rain. So it goes.)
Right now I mostly feel sort of tired and cranky, but that's as expected for early in the morning after a warm and humid night. Weather is in a generally improving trend from here! (After, you know, the rain. So it goes.)
good stuff today
Aug. 26th, 2023 09:28 am*cold brew coffee talenti
*research for our September hiking trip
*cats
*research for our September hiking trip
*cats
goal achieved!
Oct. 23rd, 2022 07:04 amOne thing I wanted to do this year was to avoid feeling guilty about how little I used my kayak. The easiest way to do that seemed to be to actually use the kayak for its intended purpose (aka moving about on the water, as opposed to just decoratively brightening up the lawn, which I personally think is perfectly valid!).
I set a goal of kayaking the equivalent of one time per kayaking-friendly month (May through October, weather permitting). So, six times. And I am extremely pleased (and someone surprised) to announce that the goal has been achieved! Yesterday marked paddle number six, on an unexpectedly warm and beautiful day for the second half of October. Thanks![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starandrea!
I set a goal of kayaking the equivalent of one time per kayaking-friendly month (May through October, weather permitting). So, six times. And I am extremely pleased (and someone surprised) to announce that the goal has been achieved! Yesterday marked paddle number six, on an unexpectedly warm and beautiful day for the second half of October. Thanks
starandrea!let's go adventuring!
Oct. 11th, 2022 06:28 amIt's adventure day! We're going to go climb a mountain! (A very small mountain.)
As with all adventures, you just never know what's going to happen. Hopefully good things! But I am absolutely willing to be the most over-prepared person on the trail. Will I need a rain coat or a first aid kit? I hope not! But I dearly wish to enjoy the mountains and also to not be one of the (surprisingly many!) people who require rescue out of them.
Besides, more snacks never go amiss.
As with all adventures, you just never know what's going to happen. Hopefully good things! But I am absolutely willing to be the most over-prepared person on the trail. Will I need a rain coat or a first aid kit? I hope not! But I dearly wish to enjoy the mountains and also to not be one of the (surprisingly many!) people who require rescue out of them.
Besides, more snacks never go amiss.
another approach to trail-finding
Jul. 10th, 2022 07:20 amDid another walking adventure yesterday, this time with starandrea! In an exciting twist, none of the trails were marked! Which to my mind means we were never lost, because we were always on a trail, and we got where we were going (back to the car)!
I'm debating going out for another trek today. My workplace is doing another challenge -- June was bicycling, July is walking. (Maybe they're trying to get us healthy before forcing us all to gather in August???)
I'm basically on track at this point in the month, but thanks to the holiday and taking some extra PTO hours, I've only worked two days of the month so far. Lots of time for walking! The rest of the month -- not so much, maybe. Anyway, it's one of those decisions that distracts me from all the other things I could worry about, so I'm enjoying pondering it. I'll see what happens after I manage to get through the morning chores!
starandrea! In an exciting twist, none of the trails were marked! Which to my mind means we were never lost, because we were always on a trail, and we got where we were going (back to the car)!I'm debating going out for another trek today. My workplace is doing another challenge -- June was bicycling, July is walking. (Maybe they're trying to get us healthy before forcing us all to gather in August???)
I'm basically on track at this point in the month, but thanks to the holiday and taking some extra PTO hours, I've only worked two days of the month so far. Lots of time for walking! The rest of the month -- not so much, maybe. Anyway, it's one of those decisions that distracts me from all the other things I could worry about, so I'm enjoying pondering it. I'll see what happens after I manage to get through the morning chores!
"lost" and "not lost" are relative, right?
Jul. 9th, 2022 07:00 amI went out walking on some new (to me) trails yesterday! It was great! I probably should have used bug spray!
It was a well-established forest recreation area, very popular for biking, although it was mostly deserted on a weekday morning. The trails fell into three categories: marked trails that also showed up on the map; "rogue" trails official enough to be on the map but without any markings; and "other." (There was technically a fourth category: at one point I ended up on a trail that was marked but was clearly not part of the town forest I'd started in. Embarrassing, but not unexpected, given my well-documented inability to stay un-lost.)
But! Lost-ness is a spectrum! Totally un-lost would be, like, I'm on a trail and it's the trail I thought I was on, at the point I thought I was at. Incredible! Amazing! This did occasionally happen yesterday!
The worst kind of lost (not on a trail, can't see it, don't know how to get back to safety) is To Be Avoided, which is why I do this kind of adventuring in places like town forests -- it's surrounded on all sides by roads and housing developments, and there's cell service everywhere. Also, being in New Hampshire means the answer to the question "is there an alligator here" is almost certainly no. Always a relief to me!
(At one point I was carefully switching back and forth between 1) a picture of the trail map from the town website; 2) my current location as per the map app; AND 3) the other map app that showed my path so far. I'm happy to report that with these THREE technological I was in fact able to successfully return to the town forest and relocate the path I was looking for.)
It was a well-established forest recreation area, very popular for biking, although it was mostly deserted on a weekday morning. The trails fell into three categories: marked trails that also showed up on the map; "rogue" trails official enough to be on the map but without any markings; and "other." (There was technically a fourth category: at one point I ended up on a trail that was marked but was clearly not part of the town forest I'd started in. Embarrassing, but not unexpected, given my well-documented inability to stay un-lost.)
But! Lost-ness is a spectrum! Totally un-lost would be, like, I'm on a trail and it's the trail I thought I was on, at the point I thought I was at. Incredible! Amazing! This did occasionally happen yesterday!
The worst kind of lost (not on a trail, can't see it, don't know how to get back to safety) is To Be Avoided, which is why I do this kind of adventuring in places like town forests -- it's surrounded on all sides by roads and housing developments, and there's cell service everywhere. Also, being in New Hampshire means the answer to the question "is there an alligator here" is almost certainly no. Always a relief to me!
(At one point I was carefully switching back and forth between 1) a picture of the trail map from the town website; 2) my current location as per the map app; AND 3) the other map app that showed my path so far. I'm happy to report that with these THREE technological I was in fact able to successfully return to the town forest and relocate the path I was looking for.)
happy May!
May. 1st, 2022 07:37 amIt's adventure day! I'm headed out to check out a new-to-me town forest trail. (You know, once my phone charges up and I manage to change out of my pajamas.)
The reviews were generally in agreement that the trails are nice but don't match up to the map, which is super common here in popular trail areas, especially in places that are good for mountain biking, which apparently this is. Since I am prone to getting lost even when the trails *do* match the map, I'll turn on the phone mapping so I can at least figure out if I'm going in circles.
(The whole place is surrounded by neighborhoods, so "getting lost" is more of a 'this is embarrassing and I wasn't expecting to go so many miles to get back to my car' than a 'this is a safety issue and now I'm stranded in the wilderness' thing. So it's fine! I got this! I will make sure to bring extra chocolate just in case!)
The reviews were generally in agreement that the trails are nice but don't match up to the map, which is super common here in popular trail areas, especially in places that are good for mountain biking, which apparently this is. Since I am prone to getting lost even when the trails *do* match the map, I'll turn on the phone mapping so I can at least figure out if I'm going in circles.
(The whole place is surrounded by neighborhoods, so "getting lost" is more of a 'this is embarrassing and I wasn't expecting to go so many miles to get back to my car' than a 'this is a safety issue and now I'm stranded in the wilderness' thing. So it's fine! I got this! I will make sure to bring extra chocolate just in case!)
let's goooooooo!
Apr. 3rd, 2022 06:58 am*5K weather forecast: cloudy, but not raining, and (at least for the moment) not windy!
*Also cold, but not like 'questioning my life choices' cold, just like 'ah, would've been nice if it was going to be ten degrees warmer,' so that's fine.
*Can't believe I'm still cranky about the fact that my workplace never responded to my 'hey are you sponsoring race signups for the race this year?' email. (A different race, but one they've paid for employees to participate in since I started, until suddenly this year, maybe? It's in two weeks, so presumably the answer is no, but it would have been nice to hear that from them instead of just interpreting the particular flavor of the silence.)
*(I absolutely can believe that I'm still cranky about it, but I would like to get better at letting these things go.)
*But it all worked out, because today's race is so much more convenient for me anyway! I don't have to drive anywhere! It's in my town! Oh happy day!
*Also cold, but not like 'questioning my life choices' cold, just like 'ah, would've been nice if it was going to be ten degrees warmer,' so that's fine.
*Can't believe I'm still cranky about the fact that my workplace never responded to my 'hey are you sponsoring race signups for the race this year?' email. (A different race, but one they've paid for employees to participate in since I started, until suddenly this year, maybe? It's in two weeks, so presumably the answer is no, but it would have been nice to hear that from them instead of just interpreting the particular flavor of the silence.)
*(I absolutely can believe that I'm still cranky about it, but I would like to get better at letting these things go.)
*But it all worked out, because today's race is so much more convenient for me anyway! I don't have to drive anywhere! It's in my town! Oh happy day!
first 5K since 2019
Apr. 2nd, 2022 07:18 amI am definitely rusty at doing 5K races (okay, it's not a race when I do it, it's a walk with a lot of company). I do love the new 'virtual' option for most races, which is A++ and a fantastic addition (and turns it into 'just a regular walk, but you pay for it and get a commemorative t-shirt').
ANYWAY it turns out there is a 5K this weekend right in the neighborhood, and I thought if anything was going to tempt me, it was something close enough to walk to, so now I'm signed up, and we'll see how it goes!
I did wonder where people who *aren't* close enough to walk to the start line are going to park, and I found this absolute gem on the race website: "Parking is available at [some local places]. All lots are within an easy 3/4-mile walk to the start/finish!"
(I know it's not uncommon to have that kind of trek from the parking to the start line, but it still made me laugh. Pay for a 5K, get an extra 2K for free!)
ANYWAY it turns out there is a 5K this weekend right in the neighborhood, and I thought if anything was going to tempt me, it was something close enough to walk to, so now I'm signed up, and we'll see how it goes!
I did wonder where people who *aren't* close enough to walk to the start line are going to park, and I found this absolute gem on the race website: "Parking is available at [some local places]. All lots are within an easy 3/4-mile walk to the start/finish!"
(I know it's not uncommon to have that kind of trek from the parking to the start line, but it still made me laugh. Pay for a 5K, get an extra 2K for free!)
they're headed for the bridge!
Feb. 17th, 2022 06:28 amI went for a walk on the river yesterday morning before work, which was cold and beautiful. It's hard to say how long the ice will stick around (in a form that's safe enough to walk on), and since I really wanted to get all the way to the bridge, it felt like The Moment had arrived.
Things I though to myself while I was walking:
*Those are definitely probably not coyote tracks. Right?
*This would be easier if I was wearing my ice grippers.
*Those noises are normal ice sounds, not my imminent doom. (Right?)
And I made it to the bridge! It was excellent. Very scenic, with an impressively neat 'RESIST CAPITALISM' graffiti'd on one side.
(After deliberation, I did cross under the bridge to see the other side, whose graffiti exhorted me to 'BUY LESS LIVE MORE' and also to 'BE ERIC,' which both seem like relatively sound advice. Particularly for those named Eric, I guess. The ice made an extra-alarming noise at that point, and I immediately regretted my life choices and scampered back under the bridge to start the return trip.)
In conclusion: good walk! Very fun! Ice is mysterious!
Things I though to myself while I was walking:
*Those are definitely probably not coyote tracks. Right?
*This would be easier if I was wearing my ice grippers.
*Those noises are normal ice sounds, not my imminent doom. (Right?)
And I made it to the bridge! It was excellent. Very scenic, with an impressively neat 'RESIST CAPITALISM' graffiti'd on one side.
(After deliberation, I did cross under the bridge to see the other side, whose graffiti exhorted me to 'BUY LESS LIVE MORE' and also to 'BE ERIC,' which both seem like relatively sound advice. Particularly for those named Eric, I guess. The ice made an extra-alarming noise at that point, and I immediately regretted my life choices and scampered back under the bridge to start the return trip.)
In conclusion: good walk! Very fun! Ice is mysterious!
Christmas Eve
Dec. 24th, 2021 07:02 amTime for a Christmas Eve walk! It's pretty cold, so maybe not a *long* walk, but enough to Experience The Outdoors on the day before Christmas!
