Tag Archives: Phish

The Humidity Is Here To Stay

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We are wind, we are wind
And we can’t hold on
Hold on to anything we see that’s gone
We’re gone in a heartbeat, fleeting, it’s gone
We are wind, we are wind
We crumble into nothing, we are wind
Two parts me, folded together
For one brief moment everything fits
The sun…

-Trey Anastasio

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A shelter not too far from the start of the trail. You could easily bring small children for an overnight at this shelter.

Today was an interesting day at Ward Pound Ridge. I did a really nice 4.3-mile loop and I actually saw two people trail running. I almost never see anyone when I’m out hiking early in the morning but today I saw two people. That is almost unheard of! The first guy would have scared the hell out of me but he had the common courtesy to yell, “good morning” when he was about 20 yards behind me. Good thing that he did because I was in a good rhythm and had no idea he was there.

The news said last night that it was supposed to be less humid this morning than it has been. I really didn’t find that to be the truth and ended up sweating like it was going out of style. With that said, it was still nice enough out and the promise is that the humidity is going to stay with us for the next three or four days. I can’t wait.

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A connector trail on today’s loop. 

So even with the promise of really high humidity in the morning, I’m already planning tomorrows hike. If you have noticed, I have kept the hikes at just around four to four and a half miles. I think it would be a good idea to keep it at that for a little while longer.

When the weather gets cooler I’ll probably think about some longer hikes but with the weather the way it is, hydration has to be my main concern. Gatorade Zero before, during and after the hike as well as 96 ounces of water. Of course, then the rest of the day will be spent getting rehydrated.

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One of the more interesting rock formations on the hike,. 

HAPPY HIKING!!!

Hike #26-8/15/19-4.3-115.4

Hike Like An Antelope

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“Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.”

-Phish

Today’s hike was a little on the weird side. Not only was there no breeze during the entirety of my hike, but it was totally silent. No squirrels, birds, chipmunks. Nothing. In all of the hikes that I have done in Ward Pound Ridge, this is the first time I have encountered total and utter silence. It’s been close before but never like this.

It was as close to perfection on a hike as you can get. The start of the hike was also pretty cool. With the sun still not up, the moon was perfectly silhouetted against the blue sky.

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As the hike began, it was odd to see the entrance to the woods covered in the same mist that is usually reserved for the heavily wooded areas just to the east of this area.

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Moving into the woods, it felt really good to be out again. It was especially nice because the only sounds that I could hear were my hiking sticks hitting the ground and the sound of my boots on the earth. To say that it was outstanding both physically and mentally would be a serious understatement.

“Take a walk outside – it will serve you far more than pacing around in your mind.” 
― Rasheed Ogunlaru

The loop that I have been doing is an excellent way to start the day. It’s not too easy, not too hard, it just happens to be just right. It looks like for the time being I’ll be sticking to my four-mile loop while I explore some reoccurring health issues.

 What follows are some pictures taken along the loop.

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Trails along the loop as well as a connector trail.

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Trail markers along the loop.

I have been keeping an eye on a bees nest for the last couple of weeks.  When I happened upon it a couple of days ago, it was gone! The only part of it that was left was the top of the nest. I can only think of three ways that the nest could have disappeared. First, due to the proximity of the nest to the trail, perhaps the staff of Ward Pound Ridge decided to get rid of it. Second, some pretty severe storms had moved through the area and maybe it was blown off of the tree. With that said, I couldn’t find the remains of the nest. And lastly, maybe a fellow hiker took it upon themselves to get rid of it.

Needless to say, I was surprised when I saw it today and the bees were busy rebuilding a new nest.

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A new nest in the same exact spot as the old one.

New nest on the left, old nest on the right.

Let’s see how long this one lasts.

HAPPY HIKING!!!

Hike #22-7/26/19-4.4-98.6

Back On The Trail, Again…

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“Got a blank space where my mind should be, Got a Clif Bar and some cold green tea, Got clouds that seem to follow me, Got strange demands piled up on me,
Got memories, Got memories, Memories of being free.”

-Trey Anastasio

 

After a week of blistering heat, rain, and thunderstorms, it was finally nice to get back out on the trail again. Just to refresh everyone’s memories, I made the choice to not hike, even in the very early morning based on my fear of becoming dehydrated. Temperatures were in the 90’s with the humidity just as high. In the mornings when I would start my hikes, temperatures were already in the mid to high 70’s to low 80’s. So every day with the exception of yesterday I rode my stationary bike to keep the legs moving.

 

Being outside was a welcome respite from the days of oppressive heat and humidity. I think that this morning was the first time it has been in the very low sixties with practically no humidity in a couple of weeks. It was outstanding to feel the air on my face and hear the sound of my boots hitting the moist trail with every step.

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Looking down on a connector trail.

 

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This entire area is famous for rock walls that are in the middle of nowhere. These rock walls were used as property boundaries by farmers and landowners.

 

As you can see by the pictures, the woods are as green as they were in April and May. I have seen summers where by this time on July the woods are a barren brown from the lack of rain. But not this summer. We are being treated to something relatively rare for this area of the Northeast in late July-a lush green landscape.

 

Since the humidity was as low as it was, the sun actually felt good when you actually encountered it as it rose through the trees.

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As always, Ward Pound Ridge offers excellent hikes and the loops I have been hiking this summer have offered me the solitude and silence that I have been looking for.

HAPPY HIKING!!!

Hike #21-7/24/19-4.1-94.2

Back On The Trail!!!

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“I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.”

-Jack Kerouac

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If every morning could be like this morning, hiking would always be easy and life would be perfect. With clear blue skies and a starting temperature of 48 degrees, it was a beautiful morning to get out into the woods for a hike.

Since this is only my third hike since my surgery, I’m still keeping things kind of slow and trying to stay on trails that I know aren’t that difficult. So at around 5:30 am I headed out to Ward Pound Ridge. With a Phish show from 12/29/18 playing on the Jeep’s stereo, all was right with the world.

All told I hiked 5.1 miles this morning. I think that once I can get out more often than I

am now, my legs and feet won’t hurt as much as they did. They know as well as I do that they haven’t been out in the woods for a loooong time. But that’s ok. I’ve got between now and the summer break and then two glorious months to try and get out every day.

HAPPY HIKING!!!

2019 Mileage:

Hike#3-5/11-5.1-12

Soule Monde

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“Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.”

-Aldous Huxley

soule monde

In my never-ending search for good funky jamming music, I have come across once again, two guys who know the true meaning of funk. I mean really cool fluid funk that you have to dance to. The band is called Soule Monde.

Composed of only drummer Russ Lawton and Hammond B3 Organist Ray Packzkowski (both members of TAB), they often seek the company of like-minded musicians with the only thought being of producing a collaborative effort that will melt the mind. Standby for an altering of consciousness!

You would think that the missing guitar and organ produced bass line most of the time would take away from the quality and depth of the music, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. With guests dropping in like Trey Anastasio (1/10/19). an element of musical exploration is added that you wouldn’t necessarily see with TAB or Phish for that matter.

These two guys trade grooves almost to the point where you would think Mr. Spock had a mind meld on them. But it isn’t just one groove that sustains an entire show. It’s a carefully coordinated mixture of movement from both of them that actually compliment each other throughout a show. Now granted, I am basing this on videos that I have seen on YouTube as well as recorded shows on archive.org and not only can you feel the intensity from the musicians, but the audience as well.

As luck would have it, they are playing tonight 3/21 in Port Chester, NY and I will not be able to attend the show. I would think, however, that with The Capitol Theatre’s close proximity to NYC, they may not be playing alone. And that would be a good thing.

 

 

Pre Phish-Appalachian Trail->Osborne Loop->Carriage Connector->Appalachian Trail (17)

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“Hiking is the best workout! You can hike for three hours and not even realize you’re working out. And, hiking alone lets me have some time to myself.”

-Jamie Luner

“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in boot.”

-Diane Spicer

Last night I went to my fourth Phish show in just over a week. If you are not aware, tonight will be night number nine of a thirteen night run for the band at Madison Square Garden. These shows provide me with the same type of Zen that hiking does. As with hiking, the music allows my mind to wander and to block out the stress of the day.

Yesterday’s hike started out at the intersection of route 9 and route 403 where the Appalachian Mart is located. Starting out on the AT, the trail begins a slow and gentle climb for a just over a quarter of a mile. Turning sharply left, the climb now becomes a bit more demanding. Heading up through the woods with the sweat now streaking my shirt, I stopped for a quick water break and to take a picture of the climb.

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The AT at the start of the hike.

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The AT as it begins its ascent.

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The AT during a moderate climb.

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The AT as it meanders through the woods of the Hudson Highlands.

Once you get to the end of the climb, the AT joins the Blue Blazed Osborne Loop trail where they will remain together until the AT heads off to the left to continue towards Bear Mt. and the loop moves off to the right.

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The Osborn Loop

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A small marker where trails from Manitoga intersect with the Osborn Loop.

A little over half way through the hike you will see the sign above. Trails from Manitoga join up with the Osborn loop or you can hike to your right and meet up with the AT in .7 of a mile. You can learn more about Manitoga here-www.visitmanitoga.org

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More of the Osborn Loop.

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Overall this was a pretty decent hike and a great way to prepare for seeing what will be another awesome Phish show!

Happy Hiking!

Summer 2017 Mileage:

8/1/17-7.2-87.02

Post Phish Trip To The Nose (16)

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“Music has always been my protection against the world, from a very young age. I feel safe inside of a jam.”
-Trey Anastasio

“We want to have a spontaneous adventure. You can’t plan an adventure, or it ceases to be one.”

-Trey Anastasio

Sunday was a late night. After attending my third Phish show in a week, I needed to get out into the woods to think and get the legs moving. So where did I go to accomplish this? The Nose of course.

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Phish at MSG 7/30/17

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Looking south on the Hudson River as seen from the southern end of the Nose.

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Iona Island

Happy Hiking!

Summer 2017 Mileage:

7/31/17-4.0-79.82

“Dance Like There’s Nobody Watching”

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“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,  Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

-William Purkey

One of the things that I love about hiking is the solitude. Most of the time, based on my really early start times, I get a great deal of alone time. For me, that’s ok. I don’t mind hiking alone and I certainly don’t crave having a hiking partner. If someone wants to join me, then of course I’ll hike with them, but it doesn’t really matter.

Why do I mention that? And why did I choose the very famous quote from William Purkey to start this post? I’ll tell you why. When I get out on the trail, I get into a zone. My legs feel good, my mind is clear and I feel like I can go on forever. When I take a break, I’ll drink some water and listen to music (usually Phish). This morning, I was on the AT taking a quick break before I finished the hike. I pulled out my iPod, put on my headphones and dialed up a Phish show from last summer.

One thing that you need to know about Phish is that most of their songs are songs that you can’t help but dance to. Filled with funk and rhythm, the music itself calls out to you!

So, today I’m taking this break and I’m moving and grooving. I’m not going to lie-it was at the end of great hike, I was in the zone and I was really getting into the music. The one thing that I didn’t see were the four thru hikers that had come up behind me! They said that they had been watching me for almost 5 minutes. At first I was a little embarrassed, but then I thought, WTF??? Why be embarassed? The best part??? I got a round of applause when I turned around and saw them.

Another reason to love hiking!!!!!

 

A Baker’s Dozen (Phish Style)

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At the end of January the band Phish announced that they would be playing thirteen nights at Madison Square Garden, aptly titled “A Baker’s Dozen”. Running from late July into early August, this announcement has excited Phishheads everywhere. I have to admit that when I first saw that they would be spending so much time in my backyard (I live an hour outside of NYC), I knew that I would be able to see a couple of shows.

When the shows went on sale in mid February, I was lucky enough to get the two shows that I wanted and I thought that would be enough. But as any fan of Phish (or any jam band) knows, if more shows are for sale, then you have to see what is available! So a couple of weeks after getting my initial two shows, I went back to Ticketmaster fully expecting the run to be sold out. But lo and behold, it wasn’t. Now I am going to three shows.

Over the next five weeks I kept getting alerts from Ticketmaster and ended up going to the website to see if tickets were still around for this unprecedented string of shows. I soon added a fourth, a fifth and then a sixth show. My question is, when will it end? Isn’t six out of thirteen shows enough? Spread out over the full run, it’s not like I’m going to first six, last six or the middle six shows. I should get a full representation of what they will offer their fans this summer. So what do I do?

Oh crap, can’t answer that now. I have to go. I just another alert from Ticketmaster…

The Wonder of Music

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Magic is what we do. Music is how we do it.

-Jerry Garcia

Ideally the point of music is community, not the player. Musicians are simply channels to link the audience to the music and to each other.

-Trey Anastasio

Wrapped in a shroud of psychedelic wonderment,

The music washes over the senses, dripping lyrical sweetness.

Each musical trajectory soothes, shifts and drifts, melting

The false perception of what we believe.

Each reality in its beginning, each note building and climbing,

Waves, rolling and splashing, being absorbed as one, by all.

Musical movement, slow and meandering, snakes through the mind,

Flashing lights corrupt lucid thought, unencumbered by the blizzard

Sweeping in and around the soul. Auditory and visual bliss are within reach, for now.