Trail Conditions: Cold Running Water

Westbound at Hurd Field, Arlington Heights

Hurd Field from Trader Joe's

The body of water in the background is an extension of the usually small and placid brook which flows from the Old Reservoir.

Flooded

Near Lowell Street Place, Arlington HeightsPhoto by Carla Scotto

Update: More flood photos, showing points on the bikeway from Frazier Road up to Hurd Field. Click through the thumbnails for full-size views.

Milestone

Today I'm just over half-way to this year's weight-loss goal, 19 days ahead of schedule. I've only done one-twelfth of the resolved skating, but I'm not worried. Improving weather should allow the remaining 371.5 miles easily before my June 24th deadline. The only untouched part of my resolutions is the easiest part, running 3.5 miles in less than 45 minutes. That's barely above a snappy walk and no problem at all at my goal weight.

Google Maps Adds Bicycle Routes

Check "Bicycling" under the Google Maps More... menu to turn bike paths and lanes a startling fluorescent green.

Lexington's big blower was out clearing the path at mid-day today, doing a nice job with the winter debris. There's a clear contrast as you reach Bedford.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 35.5 miles.

Seen Along the Trail

A footpath enters the trail across from Joyce Miller's Meadow and alongside the footpath stands a sign erased by the weather. To my eyes, it looks like the triplet of two signs along the trail in East Arlington.

Years back, there was a whole series of tepee frames along the trail in East Lexington, near the Great Meadow. Now one, at least, has reappeared.

Today: 8.7 miles. This year: 27.5 miles.

The End of the Ice

The last of the ice and snow is along the deepest shaded areas of the trail and off-trail on the vernal pools. What was under all that ice? Acorns, millions of acorns.

South of the trail, west of Route 128

Near Tophet Swamp

Trail Conditions: Wide Open

No full-width puddles, no ice-lined bottlenecks. Plenty of small debris.

East of Hartwell Avenue

 

Today: 8 miles. This year: 10.8 miles.