Nice weekend in Woodstock

Woodstock, VT was all it is cracked up to be. Beautiful Inn...

The town itself is just as quaint as advertised. I wanted to apply for a job at this place... but it was closed. 

We imagine in a less plaugey year the streets would be a little more active.

Ah, for the days when dog poop was considered a pressing health concern.

One really cool thing: there are a ton of hiking trails right off the main drag in town.

My legs were tired, but the view was worth the climb.

We also had a nice date night.

And we got lots of relaxing in.

Bonus: this was the best burger I have had in forever, at the Worthy Kitchen.

On our way home we stopped by to see my friend Mark's place outside of town. Mark and Karen bought this neglected old farm three years ago as a second home and have been fixing it up gradually ever since. They unearthed an entire apple orchard on their land that had been overtaken by young maples! 

We capped the trip with maple creamies on the way out of town.

Had some work done on the yard

Melissa and I noticed this year that the back yard is full of flowers, but the landscaping in the front was looking kind of tired. "How about a few more flowers" is not something to be uttered lightly to our landscapers. 

Several hundred plants later, and the front yard is well and truly refreshed, and we're looking forward to the full bloom when the plants have "taken." 

Pan Mass Challenge (reimagined)

Like most everything else this year, the Pan Mass, which I have done faithfully for eight years now (!!!) was canceled. Or, more precisely, it was "reimagined." In place of the traditional event, riders were invited to develop their own challenges, while fundraising for the same cause.

When we realized that we were going to drop Syl at camp on the usual PMC weekend and then continue on to Woodstock, VT for a quick weekend getaway, I googled the distance, spent some time looking at roads, and had my challenge.

I headed out from Wayland at about 6am, and was surprised (and really grateful!) to find a couple of my old athenahealth cycling buddies on the side of the road early on in the ride, out there to see me off. These are a couple of really good guys.

With all respect to Massachusetts and its many challenges, the climbs in the White and Green Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont along my 133 mile route made this "Pan Mass Challenge" a butt-kicker like it has never been before.

In place of the usual volunteer-staffed fueling stops, I mapped out stops at small town general stores. The Hancock Market in Hancock, NH is worth a stop any time, if only for the smiles.

PB&J on Melissa's homemade bread came out of my pocket well-squished and warmed, but delicious.

To a driver, this sign means "careful." To a cyclist, it means, "sweet mother of God, thank you!" Five mile climbs are no joke, but when they are followed by five mile descents? Worth it!

I entered Vermont very near to Springfield, where I spent some of the best days of my childhood and where my mom grew up.

Vermont is gorgeous from a bike.

Sadly, J's Lemonade is only available on "market days." But they sold me some Gatorade.

These guys told me to "moooove it."

Almost there!

These were my ending stats.

This is me, collapsed on the lawn of the Woodstock Inn.

My welcoming committee was late!

And this was really cool. Harpoon Brewery sponsors the PMC every year, and gives out free UFO at the end every day. Last year I was first in line BOTH DAYS, which I count among  my proudest, meaningless accomplishments. This year, I felt like the fact that UFO was on the short beer list at the Inn was like a hat tip from above.

My dinner date was radiant, as always.

Ice cream, then bed!