A Walk Across the Giant

To follow up on my last post about Coke’s “Vote for Your Favorite Park” campaign ... I was at Sleeping Giant today, and met a seemingly sane young woman. During our short conversation, I happened to mention Coke’s marketing contest that will give $100,000 to the State or National Park that gains the most votes on their website. And that I thought it was a cool thing for the company to do. And then I got hit with a verbal two by four - Didn’t I realize that the reason America’s kids are overweight is because of companies like Coke! How could someone like me, who purportedly lives a healthy lifestyle (I hike therefore I am) even think of supporting this campaign to make Coke look better?? First I had to clear something up. I enjoy a good hike. I also enjoy a bacon cheeseburger and a bottle of Yuengling. Guess that makes me tough to pigeonhole. Next I turned her around, pointed out toward the mountain, and said “Coca Cola, a 30 billion dollar multi-national corporation, is going t

Let's help Coca Cola spend some money!! The Coca Cola Company has supported America's National Parks for years.  And now they are running a contest, offering a $100,000 grant to the park that gets the most votes.  Click this link to check the contest website and vote for your favorite State or National Park.  Last time I looked, Sleeping Giant Park had 18 votes, and Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota was slightly ahead with 1.3 million votes.  Come on, Sleeping Giant fans - we can do it!! screenshot from Coke's livepositively.com

This section of the Quinnipiac Trail is a thru-hike from the trail head (and start of the Quinnipiac Trail) on Banton Street in North Haven, through the end of the park at Toelles Road, back into the woods ending at the entrance to Sleeping Giant State Park on Chestnut Lane in Hamden (total distance approx 6 miles). Update - as noted in one of the comments below, this part of the Blue Trail was closed and is no longer maintained by CFPA.   See their notice here.   The new southern end of the Quinnipiac Trail is Hartford Turnpike - so start here. State Park website         Get a copy of the Connecticut Walk Book West for a good trail map. Starting from the south, the trail begins along an old road - Banton Street - and then turns right into the woods toward the Quinnipiac river. It follows the river the rest of the way north. Imagine a trail meandering through forest and brush, maple stands and pine knolls, following the winding river.  As it crosses muddy creek beds, deer, ra

Maybe it’s just me, but when you hike with a group is there always somebody who should just keep their mouth shut?  They probably mean well; there might be a shade of truth to what they say, but still… Aimed at the guy who just asked we take another break – “No problem, pal. Before I lost that 20 pounds I couldn’t go a hundred yards without stopping like you.” You're right – While I stand here trying to catch my breath, I’ll just make a note to call Jenny Craig as soon as we get back. To the person who brings up the rear on that quarter mile uphill climb - “You should try hiking poles like mine.  Maybe they'll help you keep up.” (And no, he wasn’t offering a short trial of his.) Thanks, man.  I’ll try that next time. Then I complain about the bugs – the swarm of mosquitoes that didn’t realize OFF was supposed to keep them away.  “Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide.  Maybe you give off a lot of CO 2 .” Pause to think of an appropriate response… Schmuck

and who in the world is Al? 5.7 mile loop hike through the upper Paugussett Forest along Pond Brook and the Housatonic River. Moderate to difficult. It’s a little tough to rate – much of the trail is level and easy, but there are sections of steep up and downs, rock scrambles, and slippery eroded trail sections.  But it's a beautiful area and a great hike.  Hike time - including the hike, a few photo stops, and a panic stricken slap-dance (keep reading, I’ll explain later) – just under 3 hours.       Trail Map              Don't miss this parking lot Check out the Connecticut Walk Book (West) for directions and trail description. The parking lot is small and unmarked. Coming from the south, I went right by it – if you come to Pond Brook Rd and the Boat Launch, you’ve gone too far. The blue-blazed trail starts out on Hanover Road, and the first trail marker you see says “Al’s Trail – Northern Terminus”. Yes, you’re in the right place. The trail is named for Al Goodric

I had planned to hike the northern section of the Quinnipiac trail, but time was short so I settled on a shorter route – from Route 42 in Cheshire south around Mt Sanford, and then back north on the blue trail.  A quick loop hike, moderate with some steep inclines, about 3½ miles taking just about an hour and a half. The starting point was a small parking lot for the Quinnipiac Trail on Bethany Mountain Road (Rt. 42) in Cheshire , near the northern tip of the   Naugatuck State Forest .  Hiked south into the woods, down and then over a bridge over Sanford Brook – two cut logs, a little bouncy and more encouragement to lose a little weight. Soon after the bridge, the trail splits with the blue/red blazed Sanford Alternate Trail heading east away from the Quinnipiac.  This trail leads down into Nettleton’s Revine – a 14 acre property part of the Cheshire Land Trust . The Sanford trail comes out of the woods onto an old camp road.  You soon pass a dirt trail into a group camp area, w

Off for a few days vacation in Maine... Maine Quilts 2010. Augusta, Maine. A really Big Quilt Show – 810 quilts, classes, etc. Can’t miss it! Well, my wife couldn’t miss it. After I dropped her off at the Augusta Civic Center, I went a few miles north and hiked Round Top Mountain in Rome, Maine . Part of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance land and the Kennebec Highlands.  It’s a 4 mile loop hike, moderate with some steep climbs to the 1100’ summit of Round Top Mountain. Link to   Trail Map   Trailhead parking on Watson Pond Rd, about 4 miles south from its junction with Route 27 The trails are well marked with blue blazes and trail signs, and very well maintained. From the trailhead, the Round Top trail takes you through a pine grove, up the east face of the mountain, and into a Birch forest that opens up to wide views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. It starts with a easy climb, through granite quarried for a foundation, and through the pine grove – the trail i