Friendly, hungry gray jay on Mt. Field, NH

10/30/10: It was with great satisfaction and delight that Sheeba and I summitted Mt. Field on Saturday, after our aborted attempt in August due to intense heat and humidity. Though we were prepared for winter weather, we were surprised at the amount of snow and wind. It was 30 degrees at trailhead and snowed steadily during our ascent.

From Crawford Depot off of Route 302, Avalon Trail crosses Crawford Brook twice, before turning abruptly southeast towards the summit of Mt. Avalon. The path is moderately steep and rough at times and we had to take care due to some icy sections (though not enough to require stabilicers). After Mt. Avalon, the trail becomes quite pleasant and in the lee from wind. We had no view from Mt. Field's summit due to encroaching clouds, though the sun did grace us with its presence for 10 seconds or so a few times. About 1" of snow was on top.

The aggressive gray jay who joined us while we ate lunch swooped down on our food several times, clearly annoyed that we weren't more generous with our food!

The ice on the lower part of the trail had melted by our descent, and we were amused to find our winter boots covered not in snow, but in black mud. :-)

5.6 miles, 2,400' elevation gain (6.5 hours due to near-winter conditions)
Summit: Mt. Field (4,340')
Route: Avalon Trail

Japanese Buddhist Fire Ceremony

10/24/10: A group of Tendai Buddhist monks from Japan visited the Museum of Fine Arts to perform a dramatic, traditional outdoor "goma", or fire ceremony. Audience members were invited to participate by writing prayers for sanctification on six-inch strips of wood. As the monks did their sacred chants, a light drizzle started and audience members mobilized MFA umbrellas to protect the monks from the rain.

A unique experience, followed by a visit to the MFA's incredible collection of Asian art and Buddhist images.

Dorr and Cadillac Mountains in Acadia, ME

10/9/10: The most beautiful, gorgeous hike! Woo hoo! One of my top two New England hikes of all-time!

Giant stone steps on Emery Path nearly all the way to the summit of Dorr Mountain, in a deciduous and conifer forest including many white birch trees. Increasingly better views of Frenchman Bay and the four Porcupine Islands and the two cruise ships du jour.

Very windy on Mt. Door. Could see Cadillac Mountain in the distance and people looked like little ants on top. Fred Field, the Boston Globe photographer, took photos of the group at the Dorr summit and on our departure for Cadillac Mountain, and then bid us adieu. [The photo appeared on the front of a special section, "Living Longer, Living Better," in the Sunday Boston Globe on 10-31-10.]

In col between the mountains, we saw beautiful rocks on the side of Dorr Mountain.

Fairly steep descent from Mt. Dorr to the col.

Seemingly a mile of flat giant granite slabs when leaving the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Passed near the auto road. Views to the south of the ocean. Lovely. Then a bit more difficult (scrambling over rocks) once we joined the Canon Brook Trail.

Thanks to AMC Boston Chapter leader Barbara Fay for a truly memorable trip!

~6 miles, ~1,500' elevation gain.

Route: Emery Path, Schiff Path, Ladder Trail to Dorr and Cadillac; Cadillac South Ridge Trail to Canon Brook Trail to road (1 mile on Route 3)
Summits: Dorr Mountain (1265') and Cadillac Mountain (1,528')