After receiving 27 entries earlier this month, response to the Trail Treasure hunt seems to have slacked off. 

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Most runners I know don’t care much for the heat. Humidity and temperatures in the 90s can slow a body down no matter how much water one guzzles, and the hot weather often coincides with Bad Air Days, when we are cautioned not to inhale outdoors. There are races throughout the summer, but the schedule seems to get even fuller in the fall. 

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As several people wrote to let me know, someone swiped the Treasure Chest while I was off on vacation. I have since replaced it, and checked on it just last night, so check back if you get a chance!

This contest was perhaps too easy, and the chest hidden in a place too often visited. The next one will be much more challenging, and the hunt will require hiking or running.

This second round of the contest also gave us our first entry in verse, from Larry Wedick, 69, of Nashua.

 

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NHPR (New Hampshire Public Radio) had a nice piece on the physiology and psychology of running. Check it out here.

There's a whole genre of literature, of which I have become very fond, that involves people going off to live in a cabin in the wilderness, and writing about it.

 

 

 

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I spent the past week with family, getting acquainted with the southern end of West Virginia on a Sierra Club multi-sport camping trip.

 

 

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I've got plenty of responses from people who found the Treasure Chest, and also heard from some people who have the good dope on regional rail trails.   

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Congratulations to "Hogans10," the first person or persons to find the Treasure Chest! I will be off from work and away from e-mail this week so I won't be answering messages till I get back. If my inbox gets full, you'll get a message to that effect; just wait and resend it later. I'll keep the contest open for a couple weeks at least.

My good friend Steve has agreed to check on the chest at some point while I'm away in case it needs a refill. Thanks, Steve! Anyone with children in their lives should check out Steve's CDs (check his web site for ordering info). Steve is a great story teller, and writes some terrific songs and his newest CD, "Outta School," is in my opinion even better than his first, "Hang On Henry." You can also catch him live in Nashua at the Cultural Festival on Ash Street this Sunday Aug. 26.

 

 

It’s hard to imagine that the Nashua River Rail Trail needs any introduction, seeing the number of cars crowding the parking lots on sunny summer Saturdays.

There are other rail trails in the region, too, and still more are in the planning stages. That’s good news for people who like to get outside. Rail trails are terrific places for family bicycling (look, ma, no cars!), in-line skating, running or even just an evening stroll.

 

 

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Two studies have been published just lately touting the benefits of my favorite recreational drug: caffeine.

 

 

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Congratulations to Ken Miles of Nashua, winner of the first-ever Trail Treasure contest! Ken won a $50 gift card at Eastern Mountain Sports, courtesy of The Telegraph.

 

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Here's another guest post, since I haven't been up to anything much too exciting of late, from my dear friend Margo, who wrote of a recent kayak outing. We all have those favorite places we visit over and again, savoring subtle differences in weather and season and relaxing in the familiarity of scene. This is one of hers.  

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The first Trail Treasure contest is about done. Get out tonight, or wait till next time... I will be drawing the winner of the $50 EMS gift care Tuesday (or Wednesday if I get too busy).

If you missed it, you won't have long to wait; the next contest starts Thursday.