This is the covered bridge at the Old Mill. We were there yesterday for the memorial dinner for my wife’s aunt’s birthday.
Tuesday, 12/30/2025: Posted photo — Falls.
Falls at the Old Mill.
Wednesday, 12/31/2025: Posted photo — Gazebo.
The gazebo at the center of town. I stopped by on my way to my before New Year’s Day hike incase the weather did not cooperate in the morning.
Thursday, 01/01/2026: Posted photo — New Year’s Hike.
A photo of me from yesterday’s hike. We received snow in the morning and it was too dangerous to drive to the trail head for the hike. My street was not plowed at the time I needed to leave for the hike.
Friday, 01/02/2026: Post photo — Icefalls.
Some wonderful icefalls seen during a hike on Wachusett Mountain.
Saturday, 01/03/2026: Post photo — AMC Mount Monadnock.
Today I was co-leading a hike on Mount Monadnock. The AMC has a winter hiker series that starts out with new winter hikers attending a winter hiking workshop. That leads to a Track I hike, easier hikes on flat to semi flat trails. Today was a Track II hike, one that involves more technical hiking for higher elevations. For the Track II, full winter hiking equipment was used — microspikes, crampons, shoe shoes, goggles, and some rope work. This was the first time some of the hikers attempted winter hikes that were more technical. Everyone did great.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” — Elliott Erwitt
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 10/26/2025: Posted photo — Corn.
“Corn is a healthy grain and a source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It may promote eye and digestive health.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/corn
Monday, 10/27/2025: Posted photo — Gourds.
“Gourds are any of the hard-shelled fruits of certain members of the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Many gourds are cultivated as ornamentals, decorations, or food crops, and some can be dried and used to make decorative or useful objects.” https://www.britannica.com/plant/gourd
Tuesday, 10/28/2025: Posted photo — Roses.
Just a photo of roses for today. Shopping day leads to “what am I going to photograph today?” There are usually flowers where I go shopping.
Wednesday, 10/29/2025: Posted photo — Onions.
“Onions may provide potential health benefits. These may include reducing the risk of several types of cancer, improving mood, and maintaining skin and hair health.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276714
Thursday, 10/30/2025: Posted photo — Rainbow.
This is an older photo of a rainbow. Rainbow symbolizes new beginnings and change.
I am posting this photo as a symbol of joy and remembrance.
Friday, 10/31/2025: Post photo — Knollwood Memorial Park.
“Knollwood Memorial Park was founded in 1898 by a group of people with a vision of a modern garden-style cemetery that would serve the residents of Eastern Massachusetts. Centrally located in an idyllic setting overlooking the Neponset Valley in Canton, Massachusetts, Knollwood’s location on 340 acres was carefully selected for it’s natural beauty.
Although it is one of New England’s oldest and largest memorial parks, Knollwood is a modern, well designed cemetery with exquisitely manicured grounds. Distinctive works of Carerra marble sculptures and statuary provide visitors with inspiring settings while flowering trees and a myriad of floral plantings serve as a lovely haven that comforts those who come to remember their loved ones.” https://knollwoodmemorial.com/about/history-of-knollwood/
We were at the park for an burial yesterday and took a photo of this statue.
V/. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. R/. And let perpetual light shine upon her. V/. May she rest in peace. R/. Amen.
V/. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R/. Amen.
Saturday, 11/01/2025: Post photo — Reflection.
A reflection of a fake Jack-O-Lantern in a window.
That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.
“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”
“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Pentecost is the day that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles and gave them the courage to go out and speak to the people about the faith. Before the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles, they did not know what why they were told to spread the Good News, and how they were going to do so.
They left their shelter and spoke to the people. Each heard them in their own voice. The message was one of love and understanding. These are all people, not just the people that you like.
Today, people forget this message to love one and other and to preach kindness to one and other. Today, if you are not of the same social economic class, same religion, same skin color, come from the same country, you are an outcast and troublemaker. The message of the Holy Spirit is to include all, help all, and love all, even if you are told not to do so.
Monday, 06/09/2025: Posted photo — Jack Frost Trail.
What a great hike today. The mountain was fogged in so there was an airy feeling on the hill. I just finished two weekends of teaching navigation, so tonight was a perfect day to use the skills that I taught to navigate the mountain. This is from old-growth area of the Jack Frost Trail. Most of the mountain was clear cut, apart from this area of Jack Frost and an area around the visitor center.
When I saw this area, to took out my cellphone and took this picture. I liked the way the fog and the old growth contrasted with each other.
Wachusett Mountain is home to one of the largest known stands of old-growth forest in Massachusetts, covering approximately 100 acres. These trees, some dating back to the 1600s, have not been cut and are living out their natural lifespans of several hundred years. The mountain also boasts a high diversity of lichen species, including those rarely collected in Massachusetts.
Tuesday, 06/10/2025: Posted photo — Mountain Laurel in Bloom.
Last week I posted a photo of the mountain laurel in our year starting to bud. This week I am posting a photo of the delicate looking flowers on the mountain laurel. There were a few areas in which there was more bloom than other areas.
Mountain laurel is unsafe for people to take by mouth. It can cause many side effects such as pain, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness, dizziness, headache, fever, loss of vision, muscle weakness, serious heart and lung problems, death, and other severe side effects. You can touch mountain laurel, just don’t eat it.
Wednesday, 06/11/2025: Posted photo — Lost Summit.
One of my brothers made a 3-D topographical model showing the relationships between contour lines. I use this model during my classes over the last couple of weekends. The model was in an old hockey elbow pad bag that the summit piece fell out of.
He needed the model back from some training he was giving, so I taped up the holes in the bag so that the pieces did not fall out. When I put the pieces in the bag, I saw that all of them were in it, including the summit, so I thought.
Later in the day, after I handed the model off to another hiking leader to bring to my brother, the summit was found on our living room floor. The model will still work for training purposes. I just need to find a way to always keep it in the bag, otherwise the mountain cannot be claimed!
Thursday, 06/12/2025: Posted photo — Waiting for a Bed.
These rose bushes have been at our house for a few weeks and I have not been able to plant them due to the weather. We have been looking for a good location to plant them, since we had rose bushes before and they did not like their location. We tried multiple locations with no luck.
The new location seems to be a good one for them. The only problem is that they are in an area that gets the heaviest snowfall. The area is also in a location where snow is thrown while shoveling the walkway of the roof.
It was decided to make a raised flower bed in this location to plant them. This will be one of my first summer projects. I just need to keep room around the bed for mowing the lawn and for shoveling the walkway and roof.
Friday, 06/13/2025: Post photo — Daisy.
Today is the first day of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I took this photo earlier in the day since I do not know how busy I will be tonight. I will be taking photos at the RFL and will be posting one for tomorrow’s photos.
The photo that I plan on posting is one of the luminaires that are around the track. Luminaries are bags with candles in them. The bags have the names of cancer survivors, living and deceased. I take a photo of the luminaires every year.
About the photo — I saw a few patches of daisies as I was packing my vehicle with supplies for the RFL. I spotted the bug resting on one of the daisies. I always look for bugs or bees on flowers since they take a better photo than just the flower on its own.
Saturday, 06/14/2025: Post photo — Luminaria.
Luminarias honor every life touched by cancer. They are dedicated to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who’s overcome it. It is one of the most emotional ceremonies at RFL.
Here are some of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of luminaria that surrounded the track last night.
“When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear.” — Alfred Eisenstaedt
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.
Sunday, 04/27/2025: Posted photo — Pope Francis.
“Who am I to judge?” Pope Francis July 28, 2013. The Roman Catholic Church emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere, striving to be inclusive of all people. “Love one another as I have loved you” John 13:34-35.
Many Catholics forget, or pass over these teachings, to discriminate against migrants and others they do not like or judge people on one topic. Pope Francis pushed for these traditions, and some did not like him for that.
He may not have been the perfect pope. He was human just like us. Matthew 25:31-46 teaches us to love all: “Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44–45.
Communications tower on the summit of Wachusett Mountain.
It was a great and uneventful hike tonight. The adventures started on my ride home from the trailhead.
Let me tell you about kidney stones. Not the greatest of topics and some of you may not want to read on. I felt a stone coming on my ride home. I had stones before and knew the feeling. Most of the time the feeling goes away. Not tonight. I got home and was in pain. The decision was made to go to the ER to get it checked out. Good decision. I have an 11 mm stone that needs to be removed. Fun, fun, fun. It will be removed on Monday.
Tuesday, 04/29/2025: Posted photo — Flag.
This is my attempt at negative space photography, this week’s photo topic.
I made the photo a little darker to get more of the negative space feeling.
Wednesday, 04/30/2025: Posted photo — Tulips.
On my way to my medical appointment, I saw that one of the tulips in our yard had bloomed. I took multiple shots and liked this one because of the little spot of dew on it.
The tulips in our yard are hit or miss on their blooming. We have lost a few over the years and are glad to be about to see them bloom in daylight. The bad thing was that I was able to see them bloom in the daylight because I was going to a doctor’s appointment for my stones.
Thursday, 05/01/2025: Posted photo — Bluets.
Bluets are perennial wildflowers that may grow to a height of 6 inches. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin. The leaves that originate at the base of the stem are large, while the two leaves on the stem are small. Blue flowers with yellow centers first mature in mid-spring and continue into mid-summer.
We have many patches of bluets in our yard. They are there until the first mowing of the lawn.
Friday, 05/02/2025: Post photo — Fiddleheads.
Fiddleheads are the young, curled fronds of certain fern species, and are a popular and edible springtime vegetable. These fiddleheads grow next to our mailbox. I take a photo of them every year and have not ventured into tasting them.
I do see that many stores in our area are starting to stock them this time of year.
Saturday, 05/03/2025: Post photo — Spillway.
This is the spillway from the Barry Falls Dam. Stopped today on the way home from doing an errand.
From the Barre Falls Dam website (https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Barre-Falls-Dam/): The project of Barre Falls Dam was authorized by Congress in 1941 to reduce flood damage from storms like those that devastated New England in 1936 and 1938. Construction of the project began in May 1956 and was completed in July 1958 at a cost of $2 million. A portion of Route 62 was relocated to accommodate the project. The project has prevented $53.2 million in flood damages since it was built (as of September 2011).
I went to the dam a few years ago to look for a geocache and wanted to go back. Soon I will be able to go back and explore more of the area.
“Once you learn to care, you can record images with your mind or on film. There is no difference between the two.” — Anonymous
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Using the old format for my photos this week. I have been very busy at work and tired when I came home from work.
Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.
Sunday, 04/20/2025: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.
Hallelujah, the Lord has risen!
Today is the holiest day of the liturgical year. Today is the day the Lord has risen to save up all. Immigrants, minorities, people we do not like, people with different views from ours, believers, non-believers, everyone! Jesus said “Love one another as I have loved you” in John 13:34. If you do not love immigrants, minorities, people we do not like, people with different views from ours, people with different political views, believers, non-believers, everyone, then do you not love yourself? The first of the 10 Commandments is “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me.” People are forgetting this and are following false gods today.
We should all love everyone and stop the hatred in our hearts.
Happy Easter to all.
Monday, 04/21/2025: Posted photo — Disc Golf.
RIP Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis). Some people disagree with your teachings since you were not conservative enough for them. You have direct lineage of back to Saint Peter and were chosen by the faithful. You were a very Holy man who truly taught us, and showed the world, how to be humble. You did not want attention to yourself, only the teachings of the church.
A popular sport is disc golf. There are a few courses in our area, and I always wanted to try the sport. My son, my niece, and their friends started to play it more often last year.
This is a photo of our son practicing putting. This is my niece and her husband’s goal. We did purchase a goal for our son so that when they are not on a course, they can practice.
Tuesday, 04/22/2025: Posted photo — Mount Monadnock.
On my hike this week, I saw some interesting clouds. I do not know if this photo gives you the feeling of the clouds as it did for me on the hike.
The photo is of Mount Monadnock in the distance. I was attempting to show the waviness of the clouds as they formed over the mountains.
Wachusett Mountain ski area is getting a new high-speed quad. To make room for the new lift, they are dismantling the old one.
Thursday, 04/24/2025: Posted photo — Sunflower.
A sunflower to brighten your day. I saw this while out shopping.
Friday, 04/25/2025: Post photo — Nest Reno.
We have an abandoned nest on a light next to our front door. A bird built it last year. I did not remove the nest. This year, a bird decided it was a great place to live and built a new nest onto the old one.
Saturday, 04/26/2025: Post photo — Crowded Room.
Today they laid Pope Francis to rest. People paid him respect by wearing black. Wearing black to funerals primarily symbolizing mourning and respect for the deceased. It’s a visual expression of grief and solemnity, acknowledging the loss and showing reverence for the departed.
Now for today’s photo.
The data team and staff in a small room in Lexington this afternoon. Last Monday was Patriots’ Day and it marked the semiquincentennial of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Lexington would have been a busy place to visit last weekend so they held the competition today.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/100 s, 20 mm.
Desert View Watchtower, South Rim Grand Canyon National Park.
We arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon just before sunset. We spent the last couple of nights camping and hiking along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and would be spending time on the South Rim. I have been to the Canyon before, but never from this entrance.
From the National Parks Service: “A National Historic Landmark, the Watchtower was constructed in 1932.The design by Mary Colter, is based on the architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Southwest. This particular tower was patterned after those found at Hovenweep and the Round Tower of Mesa Verde.”
We have been to Hovenweep and to Mesa Verde and agree with that statement.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/16, 1/400 s, 49 mm.
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states.
Tuesday, 03/08/2022: Posted photo — Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/13, 1/800 s, 90 mm.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mosca, CO.
One of the amazing things about the Great Sand Dunes is that you can see them from miles away. As you turn off the main road and head towards the dunes, they are right in front of you. We spent the day hiking the dunes pretending we were in a desert. When you look at this photo, you see a couple of dots in the sand. Those are people. The sand was hot. According to Park Service, the sand surface can reach 150 degrees F (65 degrees C) on a summer afternoon or drop to minus 20 degrees F (minus 29 degrees C) on a winter night. It was close to the 150 degrees when we were walking on the sand.
From the National Parks Service: “The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Great Sand Dunes National Park is a complex geologic story going back millions of years. Intense volcanic activity built the San Juan mountain range to the west of the modern day dunes and tectonic activity raised the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the north and east.”
Wednesday, 03/09/2022: Posted photo — Hiking the Narrows.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/9, 1/2050 s, 18 mm.
Zion National Park Springdale, UT.
This is a photo my wife took of me as we were hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park. It was a refreshing hike on a hot summer day. When you hike the Narrows, you need to be very aware of the weather. Because it is so narrow, there is no escape route if there happens to be a flash flood.
From the National Parks Service: “The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park. You can see The Narrows by hiking along the paved, wheelchair accessible Riverside Walk for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava. If you wish to see more, you will be walking in the Virgin River. This can involve wading upstream for just a few minutes or it can be an all day hike.”
Thursday, 03/10/2022: Posted photo — NRAO Very Large Array.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/10, 1/800 s, 165 mm.
NRAO Very Large Array, Magdalena, NM.
One of the most interesting places to visit. As you can see from the description below, the array can be very large. When we visited, there were 26 radio antennas pointing in one direction and one pointing in an opposite direction. We thought that was strange. They told up that the odd one was scanning the sky.
“The Very Large Array, one of the world’s premier astronomical radio observatories, consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of an antenna 36 km (22 miles) across, with the equivalent sensitivity of a dish 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter.” — http://www.vla.nrao.edu/
Friday, 03/11/2022: Post photo — Owachamo Bridge.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/125 s, 18 mm.
Owachamo Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, UT.
Owachomo is the smallest and thinnest of the three natural bridges in the National Monument and is commonly thought to be the oldest. We had a great hike out to the bridge.
We like to travel to the lesser know parks. These parks are lesser know mostly because of location. They are not close to any major city or town. We like to say it is great to have a park to ourselves.
Saturday, 03/12/2022: Post photo — Spruce Tree House.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/5, 1/50 s, 20 mm.
Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park, CO.
From the National Park Service: “Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling (Cliff Palace and Long House are larger), was constructed between about 1211 and 1278 CE by the ancestors of the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest. The dwelling contains about 130 rooms and 8 kivas (kee-vahs), or ceremonial chambers, built into a natural alcove measuring 216 feet (66 meters) at greatest width and 89 feet (27 meters) at its greatest depth. It is thought to have been home for about 60 to 80 people.”
We were lucky enough to get to the park prior to 2012 during one of our northern National Park tours. We were able to explore the Spruce Tree House. We went into some of the rooms and into the kivas. Due to the unstable cliff about the Spruce Tree House, the entire site was closed to the public in October 2015. We have visited the park since then since I have a relative that works at the park. We were able to obtain permits to do some backcountry hiking with my relative guide to some dwellings that are off limits to the public.
“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” — Don McCullin
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 02/02/2025: Posted photo — Bouquet.
A bouquet of flowers in a store today. With the dismal state of the world, higher gas and food prices, shortage of food in the stores, and many people losing their livelihood in the last few weeks, I wanted to start this week with something positive.
Monday, 02/03/2025: Posted photo — Summit Sights.
Today’s hike was messy. Not that it was rainy or anything, the snow was just like mashed potatoes, sticking to the bottom of my microspikes and balling up. I did not know what would be more dangerous, keeping the microspikes on or going bear boot. I decided to keep them on and clear the bottom of them often. As an editorial note: the temperature dropped on Tuesday and the Tuesday night group had not issues with the snow.
The trail I took passed the top of one of the ski trails. I have posted photos of this location in the past. I took this photo just to have one for today.
Also on the summit is a plaque paying tribute to the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and its service in Italy during World War II. This plaque was covered in snow. Next time I am on the summit, and if the plaque is still covered, I will remove the snow. Honorary plaques should not be covered.
Tuesday, 02/04/2025: Posted photo — Succulent.
The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning “juice” or “sap”. Succulent plants have thickened stems, or leaves. Succulents may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems.
This was a succulent that I saw while shopping tonight. There were many items out for St. Valentine’s Day. I keep thinking to myself that if you purchased flowers or other items this week, or when the first arrived in the stores, they would die before St. Valentine’s Day arrived.
Wednesday, 02/05/2025: Posted photo — Sunflower.
There is no reason that I posted this photo of a sunflower that I took today. When I saw it, I wanted to practice making a HDR photos using only one photo in GIMP. I have made single photo HDRs in Paint Shop Pro, but I am moving away from that program and using GIMP more.
This is the results of my experiment. Enjoy.
Thursday, 02/06/2025: Posted photo — Tracks.
Snow fell this afternoon, so I took this opportunity to walk to and from work so that I did not have to drive home on bad roads. I have used my new shoeshoes only once. When I got them, I took a loop around our property. Every time that I was going to hike with them, the conditions were not correct. They were mostly conditions for the use of microspikes or crampons, too much ice and not enough snow.
My new snowshoesMy snowshoe tracksRabbit tracks
These photos are from my walk home. There is a photo of one of my snowshoes (if I took a photo of both, my shadow would be in the photo), my snowshoe tracks, and the tracks of a wild rabbit. I have seen deer tracks, bear tracks, coyote tracks, and what I think were mountain lion tracks in the past. Today I only saw rabbit tracks.
It was good to finally test out my snowshoes. I may use them on Wachusett on Monday since there is a prediction of almost a foot of snow in this area on Sunday.
Friday, 02/07/2025: Post photo — Puddle.
For my photo challenge this week, I am to take a photo of a reflection in a puddle. The problem this week was that we did not have many puddles. Most of them were frozen over. Today there was a brief period of melt, but the wind was blowing. I was able to take this photo of clouds in a puddle. I am not happy with it. You just have to take with Mother Nature gives you. At least I have a photo that fits this week’s topic.
Saturday, 02/08/2025: Post photo — Competition.
Today I competed in a cubing event for the first time. The event took place at the school our son teaches so it was a great opportunity to do so. We have been to many comps over the years and our son’s friends keep asking us if we can solve. We say “yes”, and then they ask if we compete, we say “no”.
I took the plunge. I did not finish last, just next to last to someone that did not complete all their solves.
My name tagMy first offical scorecardNon-consistant on the 2x2x2
Today I competed in the 3x3x3 and the 2x2x2 events. I have posted my times below. For the 2x2x2, there were three solves when I thought I was solving the cube and it looked to me that nothing had happened. I gave up on one. Some of my son’s friends were laughing at me because they saw something that I should have done.
“Essentially what photography is is life lit up.” — Sam Abell
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it keeps me inspired.
Sunday, 01/05/2025: Posted photo — Mary and Jesus.
Mary and Jesus next to the Paschal candle. Today was the feast of the Magi but the kings were hiding at the time I took this photo. When I was putting up the numbers for the hymns, I liked the look of this setup. The Paschal candle is lite at Easter and represents the light of Christ coming into the world.
Monday, 01/06/2025: Posted photo — End of the Line.
I posted a photo of the ski lift last week when the snow was melting and the trails were wet. This week, the temperature was in the low 20’s F with the wind chill making the real feel temperature of around 3 deg F.
Tuesday, 01/07/2025: Posted photo — Gardner City Hall.
I had my yearly physical yesterday and took this photo. Gardner is the 92 our of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Wednesday, 01/08/2025: Post photo — Brussels Sprouts.
Brussels sprouts are named after Brussels, Belgium, where it is believed they were first widely cultivated in the 16th century.
When I took a photo of the moon today, it came out looking a little abstract. This is due to the fact that the mount of my lens was loose so there was too much movement in the lens. I knew it was loose, but I thought that it would not effect my photos. Guess I was incorrect.
Friday, 01/10/2025: Post photo — Trip Planning.
I am finalizing my plans on my second leadership hike this winter so that I can receive my Winter Upcountry credentials. I am looking for a hike in the White Mountains. I will be selecting a hike that is not one of the 4K mountains, yet the mountain will be challenging. The full planning of the hike is the last requirement for my credentials. I have planned many winter hikes in the Whites, including some of the taller 4K mountains, but none of them for the AMC.
The most difficult part of this hike is to get the one or two mentors that are needed to evaluate me. There are only a few people in the chapter that are qualified and there is another hiking series going on at the same time. Once I am credentialed, I will be able to lead hikes year round, both locally and upcountry in the higher, more dangerous, mountains.
Saturday, 01/11/2025: Post photo — Snow.
The inch of snow that was predicted turned into three plus inches. Not much snow for this time of year. The temperature will be getting warmer and then a freeze will happen, so I went out today to clean off our driveway, walkway, and deck before the freeze.
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it keeps me inspired.
Sunday, 12/22/2024: Posted photo — Never too Old.
You are never too old to believe. This is our son with Santa, his grandfather. My nieces and nephews all know that my father-in-law is the real Santa.
On a sadder note, I found out today that my college roommate passed from COVID a couple of years ago. I wished him a happy birthday on Facebook and a mutual friend let me know he passed. So sad that someone so young died from an illness that some people claim does not exist. COVID is real! Be safe.
Monday, 12/23/2024: Posted photo — Weather Front.
Here is a photo of a weather front that came through the area today. I like the look of weather fronts, the crisp line that creates them.
Here is a bonus photos of how some people feel so close to the holidays.
Tuesday, 12/24/2024: Posted photo — Possible White Christmas.
Here is a photo of my neighbor’s driveway. I just love the way the driveway looks in the winter. It is even better with tire tracks.
A white Christmas is a Christmas when there is snow on the ground or it is snowing on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a white Christmas as at least one inch of snow on the ground at 7 AM local time on Christmas morning. The last white Christmas in our area was in 2009. We had a little snow last night and there might be some more tonight.
Wednesday, 12/25/2024: Post photo — Christmas and Hanukkah.
Merry Christmas to all. Happy first day of Hanukkah.
We have an official white Christmas this year. This was a great year for this hiker. I received new MSR Lightning Explorer snowshoes, CAMP crampons, and heated socks. Friday I will be picking up a new to me ice axe. I should be ready for my above tree line winter training on Saturday.
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, and it’s mentioned in the New Testament. At that time, Hanukkah was called “the Feast of Dedication” because it commemorated the dedication of the Temple. My family celebrated both Christmas and Hanukkah.
Thursday, 12/26/2024: Posted photo — Day after Hike.
It was a wonderful sunny day today. The temperature was cool and the air was refreshing. I went on a hike today during the day for the first time in a long time. The trails had heavy ice on them in some of the typical locations.
It was a practice hike for me. I had a full pack on me to practice carrying heavier weight. I wanted to carry the weight to practice for my above treeline leadership/safety training on Saturday.
Friday, 12/27/2024: Post photo — Headstone.
I had a day off today so I went to a neighboring town to pick up some supplies for tomorrow’s training hike. On the way back, I went to visit my parents, paternal grandparents, one of my aunts, one of my uncles, and by brother to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
This gave me an opportunity to see if my brother’s name was on his headstone. It was.
Saturday, 12/28/2024: Post photo — Hike.
Today was a training hike for AMC up-country winter leadership. This was also a practice hike for next weekend when the AMC is leading some hiked up Mount Monadnock. All of the participants for this hike were AMC up-country winter leaders. I was the only Leader-in-Training that went on the hike. The other LIT’s could not make it for various meetings. This was a very good training in leading winter hikes and included the use of crampons. I expect to be fully certified by the end of the winter.
The summit was fogged in and there were winds of an estimated 40 mph. We were dressed for it so the weather did not bother the members of the group. These photos do not show how windy it was on the summit.
An Up-Country Hike is defined as a hike (offered within the state of Massachusetts) that is over 8 miles in length or over 1000 feet of elevation gain or any hike offered outside the state of Massachusetts. A winter hike is defined as any hike that takes place during the time period between December 1 and March 31.
Photo by Joseph Ciras 