Overheard

...tumor pressing on her brain.

Will she stay with you?

Not really an option...

...because of the stairs?

The only shower is upstairs.

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...se siente como asi.

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So they're raising chickens.

Chickens?

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Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 230.7 miles.

Perfect Day

The threat of showers later motivated me to skate early this morning and rediscover why it can be the perfect time of day. The sun is low and doesn't burn me. The wind is low and doesn't slow me. The temperature is low and keeps me comfortable even when I'm fully warmed up. And there's more wildlife to be seen than later in the day. This morning I saw two obviously wild rabbits -- dark, mottled, and shy -- near Parker Meadow in Lexington.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 208.9 miles.

"The regulars are coming!"

I heard that from a horseman coming up Mass. Ave. as I skated past Lexington Center today.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 195.9 miles.

"Bikeway to Reopen"

Arlington says the bikeway will be open after 8 PM tonight, April 15th. While that notice was in the e-mail, I skated through the repaired section and found it wide open. The detour signs are gone, the rebuilding and repaving are complete. The new pavement is a little wavier than the old -- you'll feel the difference under your wheels.

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 187.9 miles.

Paving in Progress

The cut-out sections of the trail are semi-paved today: just the base layer, not the top coat. I turned around at Park Avenue to avoid detouring through the soft shoulder and filling my skate bearings with grit. I expect the paving to be done tomorrow at this rate.

Today: 10.8 miles. This year: 179.1 miles.

Detour Optional

At mid-day today the detour was still posted, but the barriers were off to the side and trail traffic was moving through the construction zone. All the damaged sections are cut out, the roadbed is mostly refilled with sand and gravel, only pavement is missing. Some of the damaged areas are lined now with granite blocks to prevent future wash-outs.

Behind Arlington Coal and Lumber

 

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 158.3 miles.

Fresh Paint

Many Lexington crosswalks are newly repainted, part of the town's annual run-up to Patriots' Day.

The stock of cut stone, broken stone, gravel, and sand at Hurd Field dwindles as repairs progress. The detour sends bike traffic through the parking lot there, so watch out whether you're driving or riding.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 149.5 miles.

Detour, Repairs in Progress

From the Hurd Field parking lot

Behind Trader Joe's

Last week's ring post, better lit

West of Lexington Center

Today: 13 miles. This year: 123.5 miles.

Bikeway Repairs: This Week For Sure

Arlington will repair the bikeway this week. Expect closures or restrictions Tuesday through Friday.

How Many Ring Posts Can There Be?

This ring post lies on the south side of the trail, very nearly behind my oral surgeon's office. I rolled away a branch obscuring the inscription.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 102 miles.

Repairs in Progress

Tuesday morning there were signs of Monday's repair work: cleared debris and vegetation, and pavement cuts around the damaged areas. Friday morning the only change is that it's sunny and warmer. Nothing more's been done.

Behind Gold's Gym

Approaching Park Avenue

Behind Alpha Auto Body

Old ties exposed near Park Avenue