DAY 22 -MOUNTAIN HILL CLIMB ... MORE RUNNING

ASCUTNEY DOG  "GUS"

JULY 22 – MT ASCUTNY MOUNTAIN RUN


Our camping neighbors who were participating in the Endurance race were not back in their site yet.  We headed down to the bottom of the mountain around 8:30AM to see what was going on.

It was another morning of athletes gathering at the base of Mt Ascutney … this time for the mountain run.  This is race 6 of the USATF-NE Mountain Running Series.  At least a dozen participants had competed in the BUMPS race the day before. 

 STRETCHING AND RESTING ... WAITING FOR THE RACE

Last night at dinner we met Danny, one of the campers/athletes camping here this weekend.  He joined us for dinner and we had a great time.  His wife and kids are back in Taiwan for the summer visiting her parents so he spends his weekends competing in various races around NE. Yesterday he did the BUMPS race. This morning he kayaked the Connecticut River, rode to the top of Mt Ascutney on his bike and was getting ready to compete in the Mountain Run. We used to call that a "testosterone weekend".

Everyone was milling around.  One group was getting photographed against the stone wall; they must be part of a bicycle club.  

I noticed various running gear but one pair of pants, in particular, caught my eye!  He obviously enjoys this whole thing and dresses for the fun!

Spied a pair of running shoes that I thought were particularly pretty!

Mark got to fire the gun .... the race was off to a good start!  

But the surprise of the race, was the last two competitors.  

These men are in their 70's. The very stooped man is 77 years old.  This mountain is half of Mt Washington so it isn't something to sneeze at!

He looked ready to go.  Wonder if he could pace me.  I doubt if I could keep up!


They were off.....and so are we.  It's our day off and we have several things on our agenda .... none involving biking or running.

WINDSOR FARMERS MARKET


Headed down into Windsor for their Farmers Market held Sundays 12-4.  The vegetables are slowly coming in.  Corn has just arrived and selling for $5/dozen.  We picked up 1/2 dozen for dinner tonight.  Blackberries are in and fresh out of the garden.  Couldn't resist a pint for $3.  Since I've still got fresh veggies in the frig, decided to wait before getting any more


We have an organic farmstead just around the corner, Deep Meadows, so will be heading down there this week for more squash and stuff.  There are lots and lots of green tomatoes on the plants around the Ranger's house.  If I'm real nice, Lucy and Mark will share!


Another huge perk being here is Ed's free range eggs!  Ed works here at Ascutney during the summer and manages the ski shop at Okemo during the winter.  He has free-range chickens. 


We talked a little about CSA - Community Supported Agriculture where you buy shares of a farm and get what they pick each week.  Green Flamingo in Oakhill is a CSA and worth the price.  


Anyway, he told me he had acerage - 12-14 acres (I can't remember) and I said, "You could have your own CSA!"  He said he'd have to quit the summer job to keep it up.  They have goats, sheep and chickens.  What more could you want!

SUMMER CULTURE ... AGAIN

The rest of our afternoon was spent at Saint Gaudens afternoon concert featuring the Greenwood Chamber Players. 

The afternoon sky was that beautiful blue with puffy clouds, the breezes were blowing off Mt Ascutney down onto the valley, the bees were very busy buzzing from clover to clover under our feet as we sat under the apple tree, in the shade with our bottle of Vognier from Wagner Winery in the Fingerlakes; Billy with his ice cubes in a glass and chewy bone.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  

The notes from the  flute drifted up from the Little Studio across the lawn as we lounged in the afternoon shade.  This is Billy’s first cultural event so wanted to stay as far back from everyone as we could just in case he decided to take ownership of the estate….which wouldn't have bothered me but I don’t think I can afford the taxes!   

Billy was outstanding.  He couldn't have been better behaved.  He found an apple that dropped to the ground and played with it like a ball --- throwing it up in the air and then pouncing on it.  Quietly chewed his ice cubes from his glass and gnawed on his chewy bone.  Next time we’ll try to get closer to the music.

On our way home we went by Cornish Covered Bridge and from this angle, Mt Ascutney looms up in the background.  We continued down to Claremont crossing at the Claremont bridge.  This road is very pretty, 12A, but you never know what you’re going to happen upon.

This farmer was luring his cow across the street using the feed bucket to get her back home.  

When he finally got her across the street, there were other cows behind the fence, and as all sociable girls want to do, she stopped to visit!  The farmer was none too happy, calling her to come.  Eventually she made her way home. (That is a cow ... right?)

Now we’re back at the camp.  Dave is drifting off to sleep in the chair.  Billy is curled up on the sofa.  I’m just sitting here writing, thinking about the fresh corn on the cob and zucchini pancakes I’m making for dinner.

Life is peaceful.  Life is good!