Millstone Trails, Vermont - September 14th, 2013

Seven of us traveled up to Millstone Trails in East Barre, VT on September 14, 2013.  These VT mountain biking trips are a bit of a haul, but it is worth it once or twice a year to try some cool new terrain (or in my case, to watch people who are actually good at mountain biking try some cool new terrain).

Millstone is on the site of a huge network of quarries, which makes for some spectacular scenery while riding.  On a warmer day, it would also be a great place to do some ledge jumping/swimming.  Within the last few years, Millstone has invested quite a bit of money in developing a "second half" to its existing trail network, and this new half has lots of cool descents and other interesting features.  And lots and lots of rock.  The old network is pretty solid too, but more consistent with what you might find in Exeter, NH or Mt. A. in Maine.

Anyway, enjoy the photos and video (including a bonus video of Scott doing a clean run around a trail called Vortex).  Clearly need to improve the camera angle going forward for these mountain bike posts, but we'll get there eventually.  Also - credit where credit is due - thanks to Josh for a number of these pictures, his came out much better than the ones I took.

(shockingly, I made it down this ramp)

 

Iceland - 2013

Fortunate to travel to Iceland with Kelly for our August vacation.  What a trip.  Most August vacations center around a relaxing beach vacation.  We decided to mix things up and spend a week in a country where there was a legitimate chance it would rain every single day and a 100% chance that it wouldn't break 65 degrees at any point.  Consider it a risk well worth taking!

Iceland is a spectacular country, and when the sun is shining, its hard to imagine a place with more breathtaking views.  Mountains, fields, cliffs, waterfalls, geysers, and black sand beaches at every turn.  And lots of sheep hanging out dangerously close to a dangerously narrow road.  As if I wasn't nervous enough learning how to drive stick!

We also met some really friendly people, including an Icelandic tour guide on his day off, and a guy and a gal who were both biking around the perimeter of Iceland over the course of 40 days.  What a trip that would have been.  I would love to go back again.  I'd probably pass on the 40 day bike ride, but a multi-day hike through the highlands would be spectacular.  And, of course, just about every mountain in the whole country is composed of perfect, wide open 35-40 degree slopes.  Perfect for skinning up and ripping down.

Anyway, words really cannot due this country justice.  So instead, I'll simply leave you with a few pictures and a 17 minute video.  I know - the video is too long.  But there was just so much good footage.  No expectation that anyone watches the whole thing, but if you do, I think you'll be glad you did.  And you might even book a flight to Iceland for yourself before its over.

 

My faithful hiking boots.  2000-2013.  RIP in Iceland.