Ritzhikes

Where: Westfield River When: 7/23-7/24, 2005 With: Chip, Dave We'd set aside this weekend some time ago for a Stupid adventure. The destination and activity were left undecided, though most bets were on a reprise of the annual kayak adventure in Connecticut. As the date got closer, I sent out another message to see if anyone was still interested in going. Chip responded immediately that he was on board. Xeth took a bit longer to reply and after a brief exchange of emails he bowed out, citing a heavy work schedule. Dave waited even longer, then sent a "So, are we going?" message. The Connecticut river trip was closely linked to Xeth and I didn't feel it was appropriate to go there without him, so I began to consider alternatives. Somehow I got the idea of a return to the Westfield river, but with mountain bikes. I knew Dave & Chip both had the bikes, and I'd wanted to ride in the area along the river for some time. I figured we could park at the usual spo...

Where: Flat Mountain Pond Trail When: 7/9-7/10, 2005 With: Chip This year's edition of Andy's week at the Hidden Valley Scout camp in Gilmanton NH began on the Sunday of a three day weekend (the Independence Day holiday was Monday), so I had an idea to drop him off and then run into the woods for a quick overnight. I recruited Chip to join in the trip and began researching places to go. The area just north of the camp (the Belknap Range) seemed like an interesting possibility for a destination. Very close by, and lots of area to explore. I'd run up Mt. Major for a dayhike after last year's drop-off and figured I could use that route as my entry point. The trail to the top of Major continued on over Straightback Mt., then disappeared into the wilderness. I searched the internet for info, looking for maps and descriptions. I also posted an inquiry on a New England hiking forum (Views From The Top) seeking advice. The responses I got indicated the area offered lots o...

Where: Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, NH When: July 3-9, 2005 With: Andy & the Scouts (and Chip) Andy's final year at Boy Scout summer camp, and the end of his Scouting career. When it was time to join up again in the fall, he decided he'd had enough. Interesting side note: Andy's Scoutmaster asked me during the summer to help plan a fall hike for the troop in the White Mountains. I put together plans for a trip to the 13 Falls Campsite in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, but had to just pass them along with my apologies when Andy left the troop. I used the drop-off at camp as an opportunity to get in a quick overnight in the Sandwich mountain range, just north of Squam Lake, and I invited Chip to join me. I don't remember if Donny came along that year and rode up with us, and I have no pictures from the camp. The only photos were taken at home, before our departure. In the first one, Andy is flipping me off behind my head! More photos