Either I wasn’t paying attention or it didn’t seem relevant (to me) at the time but it sure is interesting stuff now. The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975 is a documentary that gives introduction to a cause and a taste for learning history. Having switched off certain current events back in the day; it’s not too late to catch up. [ Netflix ]
| It’s a gateway for New York City. It’s where the business jets go. La Guardia airport you may know about, but happens to be saturated with commercial flights. Teterboro caters exclusively to small airplanes. Located on the other side of the Hudson, New Jersey is not as glamorous as Manhattan but this area is traffic safe enough for getting out and good for a lap. Beginning from Hasbrouck Heights the route runs through light industrial zoning and older office parks. On the far side is Moonachie and a quiet clean residential area in Little Ferry. South Hackensack is last on loop. The runways intersect making for a small perimeter. This can be completed in less than an hour. [ GPX ] |  |
| Having sat on my hands all day due to flight schedule reductions in anticipation of Irene, I was open to suggestion. Leaving the airport in the shuttle and seeing a jogger with the driver remarking that it was a popular route and pronouncing it safe, was all I needed. Turned out to be a fine lap. The navigation is easy with left turns (orbiting against opposing traffic) on sidewalk. At 4 miles the perimeter is compact, as far as airports go, and a nearly square footprint. Unfortunately there is nothing to see. The property boundary fence is a 20 foot wall. However, this barrier could be a plus in the winter months as the wind does tend to blow here. There are narrow stretches of packed mulch in unused garden beds between fence and concrete to save the knees. |  |
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Something besides the broken glass brought this twin 8V-71 Detroit Diesel engined beast down. I nearly missed this one on a Charlottesville jog pass by. Identified as a WABCO 252FT elevated scraper, these mammoth machines today are rather obscure (no pun intended). WABCO, short for Westinghouse Air Brake Company whch ran a heavy equipment division at one time, but the design has roots with R.G. LeTourneau. The value in this relic may be as a donor keeping others operational. I wonder if some bank lending asset ledger records serial GR-47106-CPA17-L and its whereabouts– or is it be reclaimed by the same earth that it toiled to transform. [ GPX ] |
The Boardwalk is disjointed because of intervening waterfront homes and historic properties. Still, these structures are easy on the eyes. Actual sections of wood planking lend a bit of cush to the stride as they spring and bounce. The view from Victoria Park is quite good and the Cornwall farmland across the river is inviting. The place has political history as a summit between Britain and the other Maritime Colonies met here and agreed to form a union to share resources and protect against a feared Yankee land grab during the US Civil War. FUD. [ GPX ]
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The island probably needs the tourist trade but I’m sure that the wealthy home owners don’t. Public beach access is invisible. 82 miles of sand — less than 5 of it shared. Looking at a google map what appears to be a grid-work of roads toward beach are actually driveways to pricey private real estate. Some named streets are overgrown paths used by residents. Spotting a local on a bike with a beach towel bungeed to the back fender proved an excellent scout and I gave chase in running shoes. [ GPX ] |
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With only a recommendation I ventured in expecting a walking hike but found that I was able to jog at least a third of it. There is a level crushed rock road from the Hardluck Trail Head all the way to the NC Arboretum with numerous branch trails best explored with map. This section of the Pisgah National Forrest is popular with the mountain bikers due to its close proximity to Asheville, NC. but there is plenty of width. Arrive early before automobile parking becomes saturated. [ GPX ] |
Parallels and follows the Bronx Parkway, the first and the oldest limited access express highway in the USA. I picked up the asphalt greenway in White Plains, NY and ran towards the Kenisco Reservoir. Bronx River wetlands lush with Sycamore trees provided a green surroundings. I saw not a single bike. Following custom, the Parkway is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays for a period and opened to bicyclists. I came too late for that event but evidently that crowd had worked their sillies out and gone home. [ GPX ]
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The weather had become unsettled yesterday as we ended our sail for the afternoon. There were distant storms and associated thunder could be heard. However we were safely able to gain the shelter of Little Harbor, our intended stop, and enjoy the rest of the evening dinning a shore at Harris’ Place before returning to LILIA when rain finally arrived.
Spencer had the idea to stand bare chested in the cockpit receiving the full effect of the falling moisture. Call it a fresh water rinse off but I think his plan was to enjoy the sensation of cold — something hard to achieve in the tropics. I joined him but less boldly by donning Dede’s new (and graciously lent) yellow rain slicker. I stood there Capt’ Ahab ish, even taking a lap around slippery deck during the pelting getting an idea what it would be like to adjust rigging or change a sail in the dark harshness. A personal achievement for me earlier was to set sail SOLO and trim them during our departure from Green Cay. Realize that Spencer was ably standing by and that instead of lashing down the wheel I was able to use the auto helm which maintained a roughly into the wind heading as I raised the main. The jib has roller furling which greatly simplified that task. Even still, juggling the halyard and lines is serious multitasking single handed. Yo ho ho ho a sailors life for me… Spencer and I tried the Scuba at a site called The Playground but it was rather boorish. After awhile one reef begins to look like the other reef. I’ve been quietly hoping to see some really big fish but the water is probably too shallow. We did see some nudists from another charter “free” diving as we flippered past. Or maybe she was just a mermaid? I’m starting to become this sea life style. Time for this one to come home! |
Decided to try my land legs. Jeff and Spencer both say so-long, “you have fun on your jog”, as they bee-line for Foxy’s, the nearest watering hole from the dinghy dock. Consulting a google map my route looked rather flat and benign but in reality it wasn’t a jog. Not even a walk; it was a huff and puff steep incline hike. Surfaced and maintained road ended abruptly although still passible with a sport ute in low gear under dry conditions. I had the hillsides to myself. Just me and the wild goats. I was surprised to encounter them as were they and they took off like deer. That was fine by me. For a brief standoff moment as both sides analyzed threat, I wasn’t sure that one of them dominant and fearless might not charge and headbutt me off the hill.
The restauranteur, at the Ali Baba’s described how she’d like to capture some if these and make use. I explained that would be futile. I couldn’t even close in for a camera shot.
We are in the harbor after sailing most of yesterday. Upon arriving at Jost Van Dyke, the 3rd largest in the BVI chain we made directly for White Bay named for its sand beach of the same color. They don’t allow dinghy boats on the beachhead so the only way, and this is their claim to fame, is to swim for it. The destination: The Soggy Dollar Bar. Can you guess why they call it that? We empty everything else from our clothing pockets and off we went. Spencer sampled their famous ‘Pain Killer’. Word has it that 3.2 of these drinks equals — naked. No debauchery but it was the closest to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean thus far.
Whelp, time to rustle up some breakfast and today one without the clean-up ordeal. We are lazy islanders today staying put. Well, perhaps a Dive excursion for sure.
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