Day 93--Catskills

Took my first trip up to the Catskill Mountains with Ace this weekend. Really much more exciting than I expected. We hiked up Panther Mountain, at 3,720' it is the 14th most significant peak in the range. It is also one of the required winter peaks of the Catskills 3,500 Club, although I'm not too concerned with that. It would be a good goal if I planned on staying here a long time, but I have a feeling this summer I'll be spending lots of weekends in the Greens, Whites, Longfellows, Adirondacks and Taconics and fewer in the Catskills. Anyway. . .

The hike was good. We brought snowshoes and could have used them but they weren't really necessary. Most of the snow on the trail was well packed, although stepping off trail often caused postholing up to my knees or thighs. The peak wasn't easy by any means, but it really wasn't too difficult either. Steep uphill sections followed by long, flat sections. I must say the best part wasn't the summit as much as the hike over Giant Ledge which offered incredible views of the Burroughs Range and the mountains along the Devil's Path.

Ace at the saddle intersection after a very icy climb from the trailhead.

One of the overlooks on Giant Ledge. Pretty outstanding. There were a half dozen more like this.

Looking down. The snow will break your fall, I promise.

Me lookin' handsome on the summit. Is this a new facebook profile shot?

The Burroughs Range from Giant Ledge. The mountain on the right is Slide Mountain, #12 in the Northeast and highest point in the Catskills.

My little attempt at being artsy with my photos. That's Ace walking across the saddle on the way back to the car.

I was really happy with this hike, and I can't wait to get up to the Catskills again for some more action. I also want to do one more BIG peak out here before winter is over. . .I'm thinking Whiteface, Equinox, Mansfield, Killington, Carter, Jay or Algonquin. Any thoughts?

More importantly, however, is that Tory will be in town in less than 2 days. I'd tell you about our plans for the weekend, but I haven't told her yet so I don't think it'd be too fair. Suffice it to say that our plans will not be hampered by the white death currently approaching the metro area. And no, I'm not talking about Whit. I'm talking about the "blizzard".

Well I'd better get ready for bed. Concentrating this week has been hard enough without a lack or sleep.

Song: "More than a Feeling" by Boston

-U

Day 85

In the midst of so many big changes in my life recently and big changes coming up, I think it would be healthy to point out 3 little things today that made me pretty happy.

1. I generally try to avoid the big chain restaurant genre--you know the one I'm talking about, where the menu is bigger than it needs to be, the food is generally only mediocre, the prices are too high and as mac from super troopers put it "that restaurant. . .with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzerella sticks". Places like Applebees, Fridays, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, or Ruby Tuesday's. Today though, for lunch, some folks from the office went to Friday's to celebrate a new employee starting. I had their Jack Daniels Burger and let me say--that is one tasty burger. I was amazed. Delicious. And on top of that I ordered the sweet potato fries and they were cooked perfectly. Just an excellent lunch. I've been thinking about it all day.

2. My new running shoes are great. They are Nike Moto 7's. I've never bought Nike shoes but after these I can't imagine buying anything else. They're so comfortable! The first few runs in them I was a little worried--I was still getting shin splints after 10 or so minutes of running. But now that I'm used to them I feel like I'm running on air. My old shoes were addidas trail runners and they were always uncomfortable. . .foot pain, shin splints even back pain. None with the new shoes. Add that to my Sony MP3 player that is also fantastic, and running is now a joy instead of a burden.

3. If you've never heard the band Good Old War, I suggest you check them out. I saw them live a few months ago and they were excellent. In particular, though, I just can't get enough of the song "Coney Island". It such a wonderful song. When I was out running this evening, thinking about my delicious burger from Fridays and this song came on, I gotta say it was a little slice of heaven. In all seriousness though, if you haven't heard "Coney Island" yet, check it out because I know you'll love it. And see the band live, in a smaller, more intimate venue (i'm not sure they play anything else). It'll be worth the expense.

So that's it. And I know you're going to look it up, so I'll just tell you right now: I don't want to hear about how nike shoes are made in china, or about the 1500+ calories in the burger, or how you think folk rock is a dead genre. I already know, and I'm over it.

Song: "Coney Island" by Good Old War

-U