Ritzhikes

Where: Collinsville, CT When: 7/24-25/2004 With: The Stupids I'm not sure who initiated the preparations this year, but the usual flurry of emails and phone calls secured a mutually agreeable date for another edition of the Farmington River Trip. A few brief suggestions of other destinations and activities were quickly dismissed in favor of a return visit to Collinsville to see if Jack was still waiting for us. Jack, for those who haven't read last year's write-up, was a huge bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey. The amount consumed on that trip (2/3 of the bottle) had had a significant influence and as we packed to leave the campsite we debated what to do with the remainder. In the end we decided to hide the bottle at the campsite and leave Jack in Fate's hands. It was now time to head Back to Jack. A month or so prior to the trip we got news that altered the focus of our gathering. Chip announced he was dealing with some serious personal issues related, in many ways, ...

Where: Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, NH When: July 4-10, 2004 With: Andy & the Scouts Andy's second year at summer Scout camp. I drove him up, then just came home. At the end of the week, Jane came with me to get him and we visited Weirs Beach for lunch and the arcades before going home. More photos

Where: Mt. Greylock When: 03/24/04 With: Solo For my traditional birthday vacation day I considered either a fishing trip to the Westfield River or a hike up Mt. Greylock. I wound up tossing the gear for both activities in the car and headed west toward Greylock. I'd seen an indication on some maps of a shelter in a ravine on the eastern slopes but none of my information sources (maps, trails guides, etc.) seemed to agree on its existence. On some maps it appeared at the terminus of a dead-end trail from the summit. Other maps didn't even show the trail and trail guides made no mention of it at all. I figured I could get in a nice hike and make a side trip to check it out to see if it might have potential for a future trip. I also had tentative plans for a camping trip in the southern Berkshires (Mt. Alander) the following week and wanted to check out the ground (i.e., snow) conditions. So, west I drove, following the Pike out to Lee and then travelling north on Route 7 up...

Where: Mts. Whiteface & Passaconaway When: 11/22-23/2003 With: Chip & Dave I'd long advocated a late autumn hike - no crowds, no bugs, no heat, no snow - and Chip had mentioned during the summer that he might be available for just such a trip this year. Following my hike with Andy's Scout troop I was psyched to get out again, so I contacted Chip and we began making plans. I suggested a number of possible routes, all based at Lincoln Woods. They ranged from a long, tough ridge loop to a relatively easy flat amble into the backcountry. I figured trail conditions (snow?) and our mood would guide the final decision. Chip managed to recruit Dave and we started thinking about dates. We started in October but life being what it is, we kept pushing the dates out until finally settling on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Along the way, I continued to look at routes. I began to shift my attention to the peaks between Waterville Valley and Mt. Chocorua, an area we haven'...

Where: Sudbury River to Cedar Swamp Pond When: 10/25/03 With: Brian It had been a while since I last paddled up the Sudbury River, probably the time with Jane & Andy where we just explored the lower section as far as the highway culverts. That trip had proved that the canoe could navigate the waterway, but I still wanted to see if it was possible to make it all the way up to the headwaters. I'd promised Brian a local canoe adventure and decided to use him a crew on my attempt. We met at my house at 8 and were on the water by 8:30. The cool autumn overnight air had frosted the marsh grasses with their own mist but a bright sun promised to melt it all by the time we returned. Though the water level was a bit lower than usual as we set out, the only trouble we experienced came from the rust on our paddling skills and the size of the canoe. We constantly bumped into the bank or drove into brush as we figured out the best way to maneuver the long craft through the river's mea...

Where: Mts. Welch & Dickey, NH When: 10/11/03 With: Andy, Jane, Brian, Audri, Sidni, Jeff I had responded to Brian's call for hikers at work and his first trip was the famous Welch-Dickey loop. It's well-known as a popular hike for beginners, with a short distance (4.4 miles), moderate climbing and great views, but I've never done it. Other than a hike up Mt. Cardigan long ago I haven't done any day hikes in the White Mountains. If I go up there I go for the weekend, and this trail is only a 1/2 day walk. Still, I've wanted to check it out and this seemed like a good opportunity. I even convinced Jane & Andy to join me. We got an early start Saturday morning and arrived at the trailhead at 9:30, getting one of the last spots in an obviously new parking area. Quite a few other folks landed about the same time and they all packed up and started on the trail while we awaited the arrival of the rest of our group. Brian had arranged to meet Audri and Sidni a...

Where: Pemigewassett Wilderness, Wilderness Trail When: 9/26-9/28, 2003 With: Hopkinton Boy Scout Troop 1 Throughout Andy's Cub Scout career I was an active parent, but never served in any official capacity. When he joined Boy Scouts I hoped to become an assistant Scout Master and participate on as many trips as possible but that didn't work out. Schedule conflicts kept me on the sidelines and Andy went on the trips on his own. When this year's schedule came out though, I noticed a backpacking trip in the White Mountains and decided to sign up as a parent volunteer. I knew the area well and welcomed the opportunity to get out hiking. It worked out well, because two Scout Masters were the only other adults participating. We gathered at the usual meeting area Friday night and drove north in three vehicles. Most of the kids were in the Scout Master's (Randy) huge van and the assistant Scout Master (Pat) had another crew in his car. I had Andy and one other boy in my ...