Monday, March 31, 2008

A weekend of two halves

We spent all day Saturday doing our civic duty, voting to spend taxpayers money at the Lincoln Town Meeting. And yes, I did stand up twice to ask questions and make a point, although I left the hat at home.

Highlight was the adoption of a warrant article to reduce the use of fossil based fuels in new construction and major renovation of town owned buildings (including residential) by 50 percent by next year (2008) and to eliminate its use completely by 2030 - a very aggressive schedule. The town is following the lead of the Architecture Challenge 2030 initiative.

The warrant is particularly relevant given the Lincoln Public Schools K-8 identified the need to spend between $33 million and $65 million on rehabilitation or rebuilding over the next 10 years and the town's green environment committee identifies these public building as the least energy efficient in the town.

It was also good news for people who like to speed through Lincoln as they make a rat run around 128 bottlenecks in their dash to Routes 2 and 2A. The town voted to spend $5.5 million dollars over three years fixing its notorious - some would say quintessentially Lincolnesque - potholes.
Sorry everyone, the work will not start until after next winter's pothole season.

So if Saturday involved sitting in the dimly lit Brooks Auditorium for a little over nine hours, albeit for me for the first time in the "comfy seats" rather than steel chairs set out for non-voters, then Middlesex Fells once again provided an antidote of blue sky, bright sunshine and croaking of tree frogs in place of, at times, the long winded carping of residents.

We met up with AMC friends for a more leisurely walk of the Skyline Trail which afford the opportunity to spot and handle a garter snake, listen to freshly minted tree frogs and see numerous birds, including red tailed hawks and a great blue heron swooping overhead.

Sadly the Osprey Aether backpack was missing from this trip. It's on back-order - one of the many other signs of spring.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Middlesex Fells a revelation of a reservation


OK, so no snow, elevation, mountain vistas or cold weather, but Middlesex Fells, only 20 minutes from home (excluding the time taken to find a parking spot among the dog brigade) is nothing short of delightful and proved a great place to try out my new Asolo Fugitive GTX boots.

The 7-mile long Skyline trail, cunningly marked with white blazes to simulate the Appalachian Trail, criss-crosses the parks other trails to such an extent that it is more a test of observation than stamina. Its craggy terrain, mix of mud and occasional steep section were a vast improvement on the silly-sloped test bed found in most outdoor stores. Pity it left its mark on the sole - guess I'll be keeping these boots, despite the relaxed fit.
Covering the 7 miles in a little under 3 hours under light to no-load conditions sets a useful benchmark for measuring fitness conditioning as we count down to the big trip.

Next up it will provide the perfect place to try out my new Osprey Aether pack, the one I currently covet for our Alaska back country trip. That is when I buy it.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Another weekend of magic in the snow


We got to play in the snow again as part of the above treeline workshop run by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Thanks to Larry, Reji and Bob for all their sound advice and encouragement.

Check out the self-arrest practice.



Lot of fun.

More pictures: Harvard Cabin Above Treeline