Here comes summer!

Friday night sunset cruise on Little Ossipee Lake

Memorial Day weekend always starts off the summer…and if my summer is going to be anything like my Memorial Day weekend, then I have lots to look forward to!

Post barefoot 5k at Pineland Farms

The majority of Saturday was spent at a trail running festival in southern Maine, where my friend and I ran a barefoot 5k. We made sure to get there early for the 5k canine cross, in which dogs run with their owners. Shout out to the corgi, the dachshund and all the other little dogs that defied expectations and crushed the 3.1 miles of rolling hills.

Go, doggies, go!

Saturday afternoon, we headed back to the lake and had a relaxing evening complete with a kayak/SUP around the lake.

Out for an evening paddle

Sunday, we hiked Morgan & Percival, two mountains along a ridge over by Squam Lake in NH. The weather was perfect and we met up (though somewhat later than expected) with a geology classmate of mine that I hadn’t seen in two years!

Looking out onto Squam Lake from the rocky outcrops of Mt. Morgan

Welch-Dickey Loop

I haven't been doing much hiking lately due to marathon training. I've been itching to get up to the mountains, so I decided to get a short hike in during my taper. This past Sunday, I meet a couple of friends and we drove up to Waterville Valley, NH to hike Welch-Dickey. Despite being only 4.5 miles long, this loop has great views and packs a variety of terrain into just a few hours.

The trail was a little muddy in a few spots and a few small patches of snow lingered in the shade, but overall the trail was in great condition after the long winter. It was a gorgeous spring day with the warmth of the sun, no bugs, views for miles and, of course, great company. We had an absolute blast out there!

The first set of open ledges you come to as you head up Welch.

Squeezing between the split rock on the way up Welch.

Approaching the summit of Welch.

The view from Dickey with a snow-capped Franconia Ridge in the far distance.

Headed down the open ledges of Dickey with a snowy Mt. Moosilauke in the distance.

Rain moving in over the Sandwich Range.

Weekend Wanderings: World's End

This past weekend finally felt like spring had arrived in New England, and I spent Saturday afternoon exploring World's End in Hingham, MA. To my surprise the reservation had a little bit of everything, including: rolling hills (technically, drumlins); rocky shorelines; winding trails; tidal marshes; a view of the Boston skyline; and, some fascinating geology.

  

Farewell, Winter!

So, it's been a while...

March flew by and it's already April, which means spring is coming to New England. Mud season will soon be upon us!

*****

Here's a quick recap of the adventures of past several weeks:

- Competed in all 3 Winter Wild races, and finished 2nd in my age group for the entire series! Even convinced my brother to do one with me.

- Spent a long weekend in Vermont skiing Jay peak. My brother and I rented telemark skis for a day, and we even got a powder day in!

- Went back to my college stomping grounds and hiked in Mt. Tom State Reservation. 

- Ran the Eastern States 20 Miler as a long run for my upcoming marathon.

*****

What's on the horizon?

- Easter hike with the family

- Tuckerman Ravine trip

- Maine Coast Marathon

- Planning and organizing an all women summer backpacking series

Rise and Shine, Lake Tahoe!

Sunday morning, Kelly went off to work early, so I had the morning to myself to poke around before meeting her at the mountain for lunch. I walked down through the towering pines to the public beach. The morning sun was filtering through the boughs above chasing away the frost that had come overnight. The lake was surprisingly calm this morning, and small wind-driven waves lapped gently on the shore. Small cairns have been built nearby using rocks from the lakeshore, and with the morning fog and mountains in the distance, there is a mystical quality to the place. 

Next up, a short hike while the sun still shone. A huge storm system was in the area for the majority of the weekend, and the forecast called for rain. I headed over to the Nevada side of the lake (the eastern side) and found a trailhead high on a hill overlooking Crystal Bay. Here, a gated fire road led uphill to the ridge that ran North-South along the state line. I followed the fire road for a bit before branching off to the right onto a hiking trail that zigzagged through the trees and tall shrubs that dotted the ridge. Despite the presence of snow, I was hiking in a t-shirt. Absolute heaven! And to think it was February!

I took a side path that appeared to have the most direct route to ridge line, and soon came out onto clear section. To the south, the majority of the lake was visible, its blue depths ringed by snow covered mountains. Clouds were already beginning to gather in the west, blown by a steady wind and darkening the sky. After taking in the views, I threw on a layer and retraced my steps back to the car.

Kelly, Niki, and Ania's Day of Fun!

I had 4 full days in Tahoe, and they were jam-packed with all sorts of fun adventures. My first day there, Kelly, Niki, and I had planned what was aptly named: Kelly, Niki, and Ania’s Day of Fun! (Trapper too!) We spent the majority of the day driving all 72 miles around Lake Tahoe with plenty of spontaneous stops along the way to explore. 

Some highlights along the way included:

Hiking Eagle Rock: Kelly & Trapper!

A damp & foggy Emerald Bay: Kelly & Niki. 

Walking the beach and looking for rocks at Galilee.

Hiking around Spooner Junction in the snow.

Westward Ho!

Photo Credit: Kelly Greenwood

Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see. - Angelina Jolie