Task 96 - Go Mountain Biking 10 times (Callahan State Park)

(96) Go mountain biking 10 times (9/10)

Location: Callahan State Park
Distance: 2.73 Miles
Time:        32:27 Minutes

Excited to try something new my brother and I had decided to check out Callahan State Park today. We picked the entrance on Edmand’s Rd. After getting all our gear on and the bikes off the rack we began the ride. About 100 yards into the woods down the trail we were faced with a pretty steep incline. I grabbed onto my grab bars and powered up the hill and it was a killer. I stopped at the top and looked back to see my brother on the ground. After what seemed like forever he joined me at the top and I discovered that he had not been had a good gear ratio at the start and couldn’t have made it up the hill and fell to the ground as a result of being clipped into his peddals. 

We continued on and went downhill at a slightly less steep incline. The trails had lots of loose rock and sand with exposed tree roots which made for a difficult ride. Once we got to the bottom of that hill the trail leveled out and was no more than a tire tread in thickness. Eventually the trail surfaced near the meadows where there were a significant number of dog owners with their unleashed dogs roaming free. 

Unleashed dogs wouldn’t be an issue for me except that the dumb dogs seemed to want to explore who and what I was on the crowded trail and I almost ran a few over. We continued on through a few more narrow trails before ending up near the south entrance and the Earthen Dam. The dam was very cool and had some good trails leading to and from it in a variety of directions. 

We rode along the earthen dam but annoyingly there was a lady talking on her cell phone while looking down at the ground unaware of her surroundings and walking like a drunken sailor. My brother just sneaked past her without hitting her. To avoid a collision I announced myself by saying “on your left” and I clearly startled her and she jumped. She was so engrossed in her conversation that she was oblivious to those around her also trying to enjoy the park. As I rode by she called me a jerk. It took everything in me not to stop and tell her what a stupid inconsiderate bitch she was.  

With no great trails from here we opted to head back down through where we had come. My brother went down the side of the earthen dam before me making it to the bottom only to fall off the trail landing on his back crossing the small bridge. I road down the hill next but rather than try to jump the bump at the bridge I stopped to get off.

We continued back through the meadows and began the long trek up that slightly less steep hill but it just seemed to go on and on and on and I couldn’t make it. I was forced to walk the last 100ft or so. Once at the top we looked down the very steep hill and I carefully descended down the hill with the loose rocks below me. Once at the bottom we were close to the cars and I think both happy to be done with this ride. 

We quickly packed up our gear and hit the road. While having dinner afterwards we both agreed that it was a less then fun excursion. Between the steep hills, the unleashed animals and their inconsiderate owners, we definitely did not enjoy ourselves. 

 



Task 38 – Eastern States Exposition – Big E (West Springfield, MA)

(38) Visit 10 Festivals of Fairs (10/20)
Festival: Big E
Location: West Springfield, MA

Website: www.thebige.com

When: September 15, 2012

Rating: 4 - Stars

The Eastern States Exposition’s Big E isn’t just a fair held every year; it is a New England Tradition. Every year it amazes people of all ages and interests and reminds them why New England is such a great place to live.

This year the show lived up to its rich history and offered great events. My favorite event by far is the Big E Super Circus hosted by Ringmaster Ty McFarlan. The lineup for 2012 includes the exceptional Perky Pekes by David Rosaire.  He starts the shows with his lovable dogs that perform tricks in this comedic routine.  

Next we were amazed by the net free aerial acrobatics of the Marino’s.  Griorgio and Luisa perform a graceful routine while suspended at the top of the circus tent.

Of course what circus would be complete without a clown and comedian Mark Gindick who reprises the role of Grandma for his light hearted geriatric exercise routine. His use of the audience as unwilling props always gets a great crowd reaction.

The most amazing display of pure strength, balance and endurance came from Anton and Adam of Duo A&A who performed a series of hand to hand balancing to create graceful human sculpture that defied gravity.

The energetic Dany Daniel and Edina show a dynamic display of balance and equilibristic abilities as they stack tubes and platforms in a human form of jenga without ever falling.

The circus is rounded out by the annual sphere of fear and this year it included a cage sphere thunderdrome with 4 of the Big E Thrill Riders who at times are all inside the small sphere propelling themselves around it without colliding

Of course the Big E is so much more than just the circus. Another favorite of mine is the Better Living building. Here you will find a variety of house ware items that claim to make the home experience more exciting, healthier, and easier. One of my favorite displays is the Vitamix demonstration. It is hear you can learn how this super powered blender can make everything from hot soup, ice cream, salsa, peanut butter and more with nothing but fresh wholesome ingredients. If you don’t need a blender that’s ok because you can get anything you could ever imagine needing in or around your home in this one place.

There is also the Young Building where you can learn a little about farming in the New England states. Here you will come up close and personal with goats, chickens, and of course the Hallamore Horses.  These mighty horses are a stunning juxtaposition to the freshly hatched baby chickens who share the building.

If excitement is more your speed you can enjoy the motocross event at the Comcast Arena where daredevil moto cross riders perform stunning jumps while doing some acrobatics in the air.

Or if you want to be part of the action you can enjoy the enormous selection of carnival rides. Be forewarned that they are not cheap but try to sucker you in with a modest ticket price of $1.25 per ticket. What they don’t tell you is that each ride is between 4 – 6 tickets.

All that made me hungry and the Big E doesn’t disappoint with their selection of fair foods. You can pick up a fair favorite cream puff or stop at any of the many food stalls for everything from a corn dog to a sausage sandwich. Or if you want something a little nicer stop by Storrowton for a beer in the Sam Adams Beer Garden and have a bite to eat as well.

One thing to remember is that this event is designed to showcase not just Massachusetts where it is hosted but all of the New England States. It is the only place of its kind where you can visit each state in less than 20 minutes. Every state is not only represented in the form of building designed to replicate each state house along the Avenue of the States but each building is actually the property of the respective state. You can buy state lotto tickets and find food and goods that represent each state.

Daily they also have a parade that goes around the fair grounds and includes floats and representatives from the daily groups being honored. Today it was the 4H and FFA who were honored.

The Big E runs for 3 weekends and you should plan to spend at least a full day. Be open minded and wear comfortable shoes because a good deal of walking is involved.

 

 

 

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Task 51 - Create a Photo Album (San Francisco, CA)

(51) Create 2 new photo albums of past vacations (1/2)

Album: San Francisco, CA
Year:    2012

There is nothing I enjoy more than taking pictures of places I visit. I equally enjoy being able to show others where I have been and what experiences I had while there. I think the best way to do that is with a photo album. Sometimes things are lost when nothing more than a photo exists and as such I prefer to use my photo albums tell a story about my trip. I focus on keeping the order the same as I experienced it and I include notes and information about each of the places I visit so that later when the memories aren’t as fresh less is lost.

My most recent trip was to San Francisco with two friends. It’s admittedly taken some time since returning to complete my photo book but it is finally done. I made several different versions of the book one for each of us to enjoy and changed the pictures around so that each of our books focus on each individual’s experience. While they are not inexpensive to create I believe these albums will always be a reminder of the great experiences we had and hopefully will continue to have. This particular album is 73 pages long. I have posted the first few pages below.