Weekly Log: 7.1.13 - 7.7.13 - VACATION AWESOMESAUCE

Monday - Bartlett, NH - 8.5 miles

My wife thought I was crazy for getting up early to run after running twice yesterday.  But I figured it'd be good to start July off right.  And with the forecast for the week being spotty at best, I thought it best to get my runs in when I know the weather's decent.

Woke up at 5:30 and hit the road, making the 400 foot descent to Route 302.  I had it in my mind to try to steal one of Jeff Walker's segments he created this past winter. It takes a real bastard to steal a man's segment that he set in the dead of winter but I am such a bastard.  The run along Route 302 was pleasant with mountains all around and rivers passing underneath.  There was already a good amount of traffic at 6 AM - the people of New Hampshire are industrious folk mind you.

I made my way over to Highland Road and did my best to push it up the hill.  Tough work and I was wheezing by the top.  Great views up there - people that live on these hills have it going on.  I turned around and made my way back to the cabin, feeling pretty toasted.  I took it easy knowing that the last mile was a miserable uphill climb.  The final ascent wasn't as bad as I feared - I kept it around a 9 minute pace and while I was definitely work it didn't kill me.  I uploaded my data and confirmed that I had captured the segment in question.  Sorry Gazelle, all's fair in love and Strava.  I'll probably let you keep the other one you have near Attitash.  Probably.



We spent the day at Storyland and were very pleased that the rain held off all day.  It made for a temperate, crowd-free experience.  Since we made it the whole day there, Ezri was toast and we grudgingly agreed to put off our dinner at Moat Mountain Brewpub.  We were all looking forward to it but taking an exhausted four year old there would have been dicey at best.

Beer
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA x1
Lagunitas Maximus x1

Tuesday - 0 miles

Cloudy but only slightly drizzly this morning so we took a hike to Diana's Bath where the water was roaring down the falls.  Definitely not a day to wander in for a swim.  Afterwards a delicious lunch at Moat Mountain.  I endorse their brisket sandwich.  Later on the rains finally came and we hit the strip for some shopping.  Picked up a sweet pair of NB MT00 at the New Balance outlet.

The falls were in high gear

Pocketing some trash left by scumbags

Beer
Moat Mountain Scotties IPA x1
Moat Mountain Matilda's Red Rage x1
Tuckerman Pale Ale x1
Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale x1

Wednesday - Stairs Mountain trek - 17.1 miles

Ran from the cabin to the trails to make the ascent of Stairs Mountain.  Separate report to follow.

I got back from my journey faster than I thought and caught the girls before they were heading out for the morning.  I joined them for ziplining and a gondola ride at Wildcat.  Went back to the cabin for lunch and then hit up Jackson Falls for an afternoon "swim."  The water was moving fast at the falls and it was frigid.  Still we all were brave enough to jump in and submerge ourselves - it was very refreshing!  Went back to the cabin for a delicious fajita dinner then I eeked out a Catan victory.

Scene from Wildcat

Sethopolis for the win!

Beer
Tuckerman Pale Ale x1
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA x1
Lagunitas L'il Sumpin Sumpin Ale x1
Tuckerman Headwall Alt x1

Thursday - 0 miles

We had a full day of fun planned for the 4th.  We started off in Bartlett for a quaint small town parade.  Then we made our way to North Conway for lunch.  Afterwards we boarded the train and took it first class to Bartlett and back.  By the time we got back to North Conway, the 4th of July festivities were in full swing in the park.  We set up our spot on the grass and spent the next few hours playing at the playground, listening to music and eating Ben & Jerry's.  They put on a great fireworks display and then we made our way through the traffic back to the cabin.  This was a great day all around!

Beer
Tuckermans Pale Ale x3
Moat Mountain Iron Mike Pale Ale Big Can x1

All aboard!

Fill me with beer and ice cream!

 

Friday - Franconia, NH - 4.3 miles

For our last full day in New Hampshire we decided to venture over to Franconia since we've never been there before.  Stopped at Clark's Trading Post for the obligatory souvenirs.  Amanda and I wanted to check out the Flume but the girls revolted so we went straight to Echo Lake (a different one) for swimming.

I took the opportunity to get in a short trail run in my new MT00s.  These things are definitely truly minimal with a zero heel drop.  Very similar to my Vibrams in that regard.  I found a nearby trail and took it up to Bald Mountain which had some great views of Mount Lafayette.  I only did four miles in the MT00s but my calves were feeling it by the end.  Explored some other nearby trails and then hit the water to cool off.  Spent some time with the girls at the beach while Amanda had a chance to check out Bald Mountain and then rains swept in from out of nowhere and we retreated back to our cabin.

Beer
Lagunitas Maximus x1
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA x1
Tuckerman Pale Ale x1

Saturday - Bartlett, NH - 6 miles

This is it.  The end of vacation.  Tough to leave the mountains but I snuck out early for one more quick run before the packing/cleaning began.  I ran down to the Saco and skirted across the train tracks to follow the Saco for a bit.  I thought I was on some trails for the Glen Ellis Campground but it turned out to just be behind some local houses.  After wandering around in the woods I made my way back up that monster Glen Ledge hill one more time.  I'll miss being in the White Mountains but I can't say I'll miss that hill.

 

Sunday - East Matunuck Beach, South Kingstown, RI - 2.2 miles

Amanda dragged us to the beach this morning since it was going to be blisteringly hot.   None of us were really jazzed for it but once we got there we realized she was right - it was very pleasant down by and in the water.  I did a short barefoot run up and down the beach. 

Weekly Mileage: 38.1 miles

Year to Date: 925.4 miles

What a great week!  New Hampshire is an amazing place and I'm glad I was able to get some quality runs in up there.