Below is a compilation of some of the video I shot during the run.

A little ways in is a marker, erected around 1838. It reads:

“Killed on this spot by the fall of a tree, 25th Sept., 1798. A monument of filial piety to paternal affection”

It is the spot where one Capt. Sam Greele, a Town Selectman during the birth of the Town, was struck by a dead tree while riding to a town meeting. He fell from his horse and was killed. The monument was erected by his sons in 1838, and still stands, well cared for, today. It is surrounded by a small wrought iron fence, decorated with flowers and ribbons. This old byway at one time must have been the major thorough fare to the town. Hard to believe and envision now, with a two lane blacktop with a 50 mph speed limit not 2 miles away.

Road maintained? or not?

We spent the better part of 3 hours driving rather aimlessly, enjoying looking at old homes in various states of upkeep. Our county is full of old gravel roads, some unmaintained, some well maintained, that bring back to the past. Back when homes were built with doorsteps practically within arms reach of the edge of the road. We travel the roads, much slower than the posted limit in order to keep the dust cloud trailing us to a minimum. Wave to the people tending their gardens, or walking on the side of the road, to those also out enjoying a beautiful late summers afternoon.
Drives like this, spending time in the quiet back roads of New England, always make me wonder if I would have lived the simpler life well. I forever find myself wishing my life would slow down… too many emails that demand instant replies, on demand music… on demand TV. But then, I find myself seeking out information about distant travel, or searching for pdf’s to diagram the part of my truck I’m trying to fix and I realize that it’s a great time we live in. So much to see, and so much to learn. But for an afternoon, we can be back in time.

Then maybe they wouldn’t have stories like these:
CNN link

I can’t believe that the US government would allow companies to put products like these on the market without approval. Who knows what kind of ingredients there are inside these pills. It’s no wonder people get sick.

The Vermont Expedition Society has developed a tradition over the last few years of having a New Year’s Day trail run first thing on New Year’s Day. Having missed the last couple of runs, I wanted to make it a point to be sure to attend this one.

The day started bright and early (well, dark and early) as Jacob and I got up at 5am to meet Peter V. at Brattleboro, VT by 8am. It was cold… like 3 below when we left in the dark. We made it to Vermont with a little time to spare so I made sure I re-filled at Dunkin’ Donuts. Peter arrived and we caravaned south into Ma.

Met up with the rest of the early morning crew and headed pff to the trail. There was a pretty good snow covering (6 or so inches), and 3 or more inch ice covering the waterways.

The going was pretty quick, even with the cold. My picture taking duties were severely limited. For some great shots, look here.

On October 23, 2008 the Vermont Expedition Society gathered in Northern Vermont on the border with Quebec to begin it’s 4-day, 335 mile trek to Massachusetts. What makes this trip special, is that over 170 miles of it are on trails.
By utilizing unmaintained town highways, or class IV roads, the club hopes to draw attention to the possibilities that these venues give to the public for recreation.

I had the pleasure this year to ride along with Jason Merrill, the Executive Chef at The Hanover Inn in New Hampshire. He offered me the co-pilots seat in his rig for the trip, with the plan for he and I to fuel saturday night with some fare we’d brought in. Due to family obligations (and Jason’s work obligations) we’d both missed the first day. We met up with the group late night on saturday. The plan was to meet them at Camp VTXS (Vermont Expedition Society), but the weather that day had put them so far behind in time that we were forced to change plans and meet them at the VTXS Flophouse a few towns over.

sorry for the pic quality… it was POURING!

We spent our time warming the place up and heating up dinner. Jason made his fantastic chili for the crew (30 quarts for 15 people!)

I busied myself with the heat, and making sure the desserts I brought were set up. The crew finally rolled in about 8:30pm. after a 15 or 16 hour day on the trail. We all ate very well thanks to Jason and hit the beds.

The next day started with Brian discovering a leak of ATF into the radiator. He and Chris T. headed off into the morning to patch it up. We made out way on to a great day of trails. And marvelled at Brian completing a radiator tear-down, a trip to Concord, NH from Woodstock, VT and back, and a radiator install in something like 4 hours. The trip alone is around 3! We made great time and arrived at our bed down right on schedule.

A good nights rest had us waking to the final day. After a coffee and food run the group was off on our way. We managed to dig up some nice challenging terrain, along with some really great views. We finished our day and the trip on the border of Massachusetts right about 5pm.

It was a great trip and I really look forward to it next year with all new towns and roads to explore.