40 lbs Sterling

While camping at Smuggler's Notch last weekend, we took a hike out of the notch up to Sterling pond -- elevation 3500 feet.

It's about 1,000 feet up and 2.2 miles. And I had 40 lbs of Robby and Supplies on my back. It took us 2 hours round trip, which is the posted average time. Not too shabby.

Top of the hill where we met the long trail

Looking North West from the top

Robby walking down the last leg of the trail to the pond 

Taking a break and having some goldfish

Trying to get into the water. Mommy = pristine wilderness protector

Not a bad view

My two fellow mountain climbers

Balance practice

Sitting practice

Heading back to the trail

A walk in the park ( in pictures)

a few weeks ago I took a few hours and walked to Breakneck Pond on the Union/Southbridge town line.

The Bakken

I spent last week traveling in northwestern North Dakota. I was there to see the oil fields atop the shale formation known as The Bakken.

It's very beautiful country, although very open and remote. The badlands sit over the oil formation, and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects a large swath of the area from drilling. But it's mainly miles of open prairie and occasional abandoned farms. The sky goes on forever, while the wind never stops blowing. I'm glad to have seen it, and even happier to be back in Connecticut.

Here's a look at how it feels to drive through there. For hours. Without seeing people.


http://youtu.be/ntZXPO6Rwkc

Old Ranch

Little Missouri River

Hay Field

Had a chance to see the Badlands

We saw deer and antelope as well