I did not update the blog for the last several months of the year. I went on another five hikes not included in the blog. Blame facebook. It was just easier to post a couple of pictures to facebook than write a blog post. I am going to try and get back to writing the posts this year because I include more information on the blog.
Hiking
1. 52 hikes.
One hike per week. I think this is a good goal. I was able to complete just over the average one hike per week for 2016. The idea for this goal came from the 52 Hike Challenge.
33 hikes - disappointing. I can blame some of the shortfall on being out of town for some family issues, but that doesn't explain it all. This year, I eschewed walks in the woods for walks in the neighborhood. It was more expedient, but I don't count walks in the neighborhood as hikes.
2. Hike 250 miles.
I was short of this goal in 2016, and I really want to make sure I reach it this year. I have been happy with MapMyHike and plan on continuing to use it to keep track of my miles in 2017.
As with above, disappointing: 115.8 miles
3. Visit 3 waterfalls one of which has to be Bash Bish Falls (Massachusetts).
Yay, this was a win! I went to Bash Bish by myself back in May. Beautiful!
4. Hike Mount Monadnock (New Hampshire).
Did not happen. Again. I have suggested to my hiking partner that we each pick three new-to-us hikes for 2018 and she has picked Mount Monadnock. Better get training.
5. Visit two "new-to-me" state parks or forests in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts (Bash Bish does not count).
Sunny Brook State Park in Torrington, CT. Much better than I expected.
Horse Guard State Park in Avon, CT. Great views for not too much effort.
Sandisfield State Forest in Sandisfield, MA.
6. Visit two "new-to-me" Trustees of Reservations properties.
Questing Reservation - New Marlborough, MA
6. Visit two "new-to-me" Trustees of Reservations properties.
Questing Reservation - New Marlborough, MA
Glendale Falls - Middlefield, MA
7. Visit a National Park Service site.
This idea comes from the 52 Hike Challenge: Adventure Series. There are no "typical" National Parks in CT, but there are places that fall under the banner of the Park Service. Two that I have come across in my research for places to hike are Weir Farm National Historic Site and The Last Green Valley. The Appalachian Trail would count as well, but I reached the goal of doing a hike (albeit a short one) on the AT last year.
7. Visit a National Park Service site.
This idea comes from the 52 Hike Challenge: Adventure Series. There are no "typical" National Parks in CT, but there are places that fall under the banner of the Park Service. Two that I have come across in my research for places to hike are Weir Farm National Historic Site and The Last Green Valley. The Appalachian Trail would count as well, but I reached the goal of doing a hike (albeit a short one) on the AT last year.
Did not happen.
8. Hike to a body of water.
8. Hike to a body of water.
The trail at Winchester Land Trust's Hurlbut Field took us to Winchester Lake.
9. One group hike.
Multiple hikes with both the Simsbury Land Trust and East Granby Land Trust.
9. One group hike.
Multiple hikes with both the Simsbury Land Trust and East Granby Land Trust.
Kayaking
10. Go kayaking at a "new-to-me" location.
Only got out once, I think, and it was not a new-to-me location.
Biking - Fail. Did not ride my bike once.
11. Bike to the northern end of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail in Westfield.
12. Bike on another bike trail.
Probably either part of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in NY or the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in the Berkshires. I'd also consider biking in a state park that allowed it.
Other
13. Read at least 3 books about hiking, nature, or other outdoor pursuits.
I read 42 books this year (lower than average), but only two were about the outdoors:
Lost on The Appalachian Trail by Kyle Rohrig - meh. I've read better AT books.
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery. I'm not sure he proved his thesis, but an interesting book.
14. Make enough progress on my "places to hike" list that I can publish it on my blog.
When trying to decide where to hike, I have to go to multiple sources to find what I am looking for. I also lose track of ideas of where to hike. I am working on creating a master list of places to hike by town.
I started publishing these on the blog and got up to East Hartford. I will try to add to it in 2018.
I am glad I did this exercise of reviewing what I accomplished because I did do more than I thought I did. Not great, but okay. As with most resolutions, more got accomplished at the beginning of the year. Time for another fresh start!
