Ragged Mt. POWDER

Today was another great day to be out on the slopes. I took my snowboard today. I knew I've ridden Ragged on my board before and I know my way around and NOT how to get myself in trouble there.

Monday is always a great day to ski/ride. Weekend traffic is gone and people are laxed about getting to mountain.

Condition-wise: The trails are packed powder with a nice skier-made powder layer on top. All the traffic kicked up and nice powder that snowboarders LOVE to ride in. All in all with the sun coming up it was a great day.

The Snow is EPIC, right now!

Woke up this morning and didn't know whether to snowboard or ski. I decided to snowboard. I need more board time. I got down to Mt. Sunapee around 12:30pm and the snow surface was mostly powder. I found out they got 4 inches of powder overnight. I believe that it only snowed on Sunapee last night. Snowboarding in powder is the best to learn in. When you fall it doesn't hurt as much. I'm at the point where I don't fall as much...but I haven't got enough confidence yet to as some speed where I'm a steady rider. I'm told by other boarders the 3rd season is when you get it. It's the beginning of my 3rd season, so I'm going with the expected to happen.

I couldn't resist around 3pm, I grabbed my skis and raced down the hill another 4-5 times, AS FAST AS I COULD GO! Figured I needed some practice, being race night.

Then when the sun went down, I headed to Whaleback to meet up with my team, Pointy Tips. I found out at the top of the racing block that I'm a regular racer now. The girl that had my previous spot from last year tore her ACL and won't be able to race this season. OW! But I have a spot now, which is good for me. Poor Erin though, they don't know if she going to get surgery, but she can walk and that's better than she could do last week. Get better Erin. I did win my first race. I raced all last season and I wasn't able to pull it off until tonight.

Next adventure day: Monday, January 31st. Check back for the next destination.

The Stanley Hotel Epiphany

Maybe it was the altitude or the event, I had a very inspiring weekend at The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado. I was most happy to spend time with two people in particular. Waiting my turn to kiss their ass was the key. It real wasn’t as much kissing their ass, as much as it was singing praises and telling them THEY were the ones I was looking forward to meeting.

Being an aspiring writer I couldn’t wait to pick their brains on how they helped me and how I can be a more successful writer and blogger. People love to talk about themselves. After all their experts on the subject.

My sister gave my a local legend tripping book about the area were I grew up, signed by the local writer. I thought the book was interesting when I saw it as a poster on the bulletin board, on the Fall Historical Society a few weeks ago. It was "Southcoast Ghosts". What real interested me was the forward of the book was written by Jeff Belanger, one of the people I was planning to met this weekend. I was dying to talk to him about the the local legends in the area and thought this was the "key" and a good way to start a decent conversation with him. I needed a in...I had several but this one seemed more of a interest to me because the book interests me as well. I wouldn't have to force a conversation.

When I finally got a clear shot at Jeff, I told him that my sister just gave me the book for my birthday. He smiled and said, "Hey I wrote he Forward of that". I nodded and ask what he thought about the book. He told me he like he local flavor the book was about. Which leas to my second loaded subject "The Red-headed Hitchhiker” on Rt 44 on he Rehobeth/Providence line. He told me that he just taped a show on the Travel Channel on that. I told him I saw it. There...a decent start to a conversation. The night ended up with a troop to the pet cemetery of the Stanley’s, who would have known they had 3 dogs named Blue.

I also got a chance to touch base the Aaron Sagers, NY columnist, blogger and owns an internet paranormal magazine. I want to start this way and see how the world (internet) reacts to my writings. He’s really nice and told me to keep in touch with him and he’ll help me out when he can and become a follower of my blog. This could help a bunch. THANK YOU AARON.

I’m ever so grateful for getting the chance to talk to these great artists. They are truly pioneers in the paranormal writing field and I look up to them. I believe I could learn for them and they seem happy to help.

http://www.paranormalpopculture.com/
http://www.facebook.com/sagers.aaron
http://www.ghostvillage.com/
http://www.jeffbelanger.com/

Cole's Pond - Enfield, NH

The shoulder has healed from my fall in July. I found it hard to type with a broken shoulder but I got some serious amount of hiking in this summer. Lots of AT and lots of new sites to see. Got rained on, sunburn, soaked of sweat and been put in awe from the trails I visited. I'll tell you about them in my next blog. New Hamphire is truly unbelievable.

Today, I headed out before breakfast for a morning hike at Cole's Pond. I was so excited because I'd never been there without snow on the ground. I would be seeing it in a totally different light, including foliage time.

To get there, take Exit 17 off I-89 (from either direction). Head towards Canaan/Enfield on Rt. 4. After about a mile Rt 4A will be on your right, head through Enfield Village and take a right on Bog Road. Cole's Pond will be on your right in about a mile. Park right on the side of the road near the trail head sign. It starts with a foot bridge going over a small stream.

The trail is very easy, some short climbs, but nothing too hard. It is a great "One Arm Hike". About thirty minutes of slow to moderate speed of hike will get you there. At Cole's Pond, there's some fishing boats (left by seasonal fly-fishermen) and a path that leads around it. It's a great view and it was gorgeous up there with the fall colors. I've seen moose tracks there in the winter so I know they're around.

The last time I was at Cole's Pond, in February, we hiked up the hill on the left of the pond and found a fort. If you aren't good with your sense of direction - please don't try to find it. Getting lost in the woods without a path to follow isn't fun. I have no idea why or what the fort is for. I hope if you find it, no one is there. Please be careful and don't go alone.

On the way back down retrace the same trail that brought you up to the pond. It's a great walk for everyone to enjoy all year long. If you want to fish there, only fly fishing is available and they stock the pond for anglers. It's bound to have some good size fish.

The hike was almost as good as a perfect cup of coffee. It was refreshing to get out there before noon and the light was awesome for taking foliage pictures. Morning light is always amazing. If you've been on this hike chime in and tell us about your adventure. Comments are always welcome and encouraged for new ideas for readers.

Bicknell Brook Trail/Enfield, NH - One Arm Hike #2

The Bicknell Brook Trail in Enfield was a new trail for me to hike today. I've gone by it on my way to Grafton Pond with my kayak and I always wanted to explore it. I took a look at the trails and map about a week ago and it seems to be a straight forward hike through the woods.

It's easy to get to; it's off of Grafton Pond Road via Route 4 in Enfield, NH. It's a little more than 1/2 mile down the road on the left, marked "Colette Trail/Bicknell Brook Trail". At the trailhead parking lot there a wooden map with the run of the land and it show the brooks that you'll hike along and it shows the 2 mile loop that you'll be following in red.

Heading into the wood you head down a little decline to a fork in the trail. I followed the Colette/Bricknell Brook Trail to the right. There were some muddy spots at first but it leveled out and turns into a really nice narrow wooden trail surrounded by pine trees. You'll be able to hear the brook ahead. Once your upon the brook you'll walk along the bank for a good part of the hike before you loop back around to head back to the parking lot.

Once you hit the trail junction of the Colette Trail heading towards Crystal Lake take the remainer of the trail to your right and head back towards the Grafton Pond Road parking lot. I noticed there are number markers in decending order along the trail. I'm not sure if they mark things on the trail of just act as just markers for the trail. The way I explained they acted like a countdown to where the trails would join up. When they join up again, head back up the hill to the parking lot.

I thought this is a great place to go for a picnic or maybe swimming in the brook. I followed the Colette Trail a bit to a bridge and a lookout among the marsh at the brook's junction. I didn't have a map of this trail and not knowing how long it was or the area it went through I didn't continue down it.

If you get a chance to try this trail let me know what you think.

Quechee Gorge/Quechee, VT - One Arm Hike #1

Are you looking for a less stress, no fuss hike? Quechee Gorge is it. One for all ages and plenty of changes to keep it a different hike everytime you go.

Getting there is easy take Exit 1 (Route 4) of I-89 and head towards Quechee/Rutland, VT. It's a left off both the North and Southbound highway ramps. A few miles down you'll be able to see the Vistor's Center on the right and the hot dog/Quechee Gorge Gifts on the left. You can park in either parking lot. Both places have an entrance to the trails.

I suggest heading down to the rock quarry first to the left when you get on the main trail. It's mostly downhill and a easy hike. At the bottom, depending on the rainfall, you'll see the Ottauquechee River opening up upon the rocks. If the rocks are showing you can climb across the rocks to the river's edge. If it's under water, you can take off your shoes and enjoy the cool Vermont river water. If you venture off on the rushing water over the rock plese use caution the rock are very slippery when they are covered with water. Plenty of people swim in the river. It's very refreshing but keep in mind the current is very strong. To return, backtrack the way you came down the hill.

If you need more hiking and sights, you can cross under the bridge and up the stairs to your right and head down to the dam. It's a hydroelectric dam. Lots of red pines usher your way to the dam and onto Dewey's Mill Pond. There's a marshy walk through the thin land bridge between the river and and the pond. The trail ends at a parking lot on Quechee Main St.

There's a campground, pizza place and some other points of interest in that area. Quechee State Park Campground, VINS Nature Center, Fire Stones and Pizza Chef are my favorite places to visit.

Here is the VT State Park site for Quechee Gorge: http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/quechee.cfm
Here's the map: http://www.vtstateparks.com/pdfs/quecheegeo.pdf

The Prouty - July 11, 2009

July 11, 2009 - Today I set off on the The Prouty in the morning at 5:15am. I was paired up with a riding partner. This is a first time I've ever rode with someone during this event.

About 8 miles into the ride I touched the rear wheel of the rider in front of me with my front tire and I lost my balance and went down. I went down hard. I was the only one that went down, which it good because I did something real dumb and I learned my lesson.

I didn't loose consciousness but I took a moment to recover from getting the wind knocked out of me. After I got up I couldn't move my right arm. I ended up with a crack when I tried to raise it (thinking that I dislocated my shoulder but popped it back in). I lost all strength in my arm. I had strength in my hand and lower arm, but I couldn't raise my arm up on it's own.

I got back on my bike and rode 2 miles to the first SAG stop in Lyme. They weren't even set up yet, but they had they're first accident victim, ME! Dan my partner for the day stood with me until Kim another team member showed up, with ADVIL, that helped a lot. I was tearing up with a lost hope and pride of doing and finishing The Prouty. I'd been training since February. It was a very emotional day for me, even before 7am. I ended up being driven to my car and then I drove myself to the ED at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. The pain from my injury was very real now.

At the emergency department, x-rays were done and after 3 hours in a bed - on & off snoozing, I got my diagnosis. I have a "proximal humerus fracture" at the top on my shoulder. Looking at the x-rays it seems I have 3 fractures near the ball joint of my shoulder. I was given a sling and was told a few basic instructions, because this is the first time I broke a bone, and was sent on my way with a pain medication prescription.

Boy I'm scared. I'm thinking how am I going to work, change my clothes, even wash the dishes. I survived; it could have been a lot worse. Only one section of my arm isn't working...I can still type, and hang on to things with my right arm. I'm trying to keep my shoulder still and hoping for a quick recovery. I thank both Dan and Kim from my team, Chain Reaction for staying with me and giving me support that I needed for this scary time in the EMT tent. Thank you to Tom the EMT at the Lyme SAG stop for keeping me calm and talking to me about mountain biking and making sure I was alright.

So for the next few weeks of my recovery, we'll be discovering places where I can visit with a broken shoulder. This is all new for me.