Memorial Day Weekend

9AM Looking for turtles. The first hatch of this year is soon. Saw several small nests, but not many turtles or hatched eggs. Reports of turtle sightings were many. The Stars and Stripes are proudly flying at the NiskaIsle bridge construction! I took time to reflect on those who have died in the service of our country and those who made it through but are now disceased. Your sacrifices are appreciated. May we never take them for granted. Hi to Chris and Gary ( I've been listening to John Prine all morning). Good to see Cherie and Sarah. I went looking for the eagle's nest, but no luck. Judy will know where. The memorial remembering founders of the path, which marks the lock seven access from the path to the boat launch, is overgrown and sad. Maybe I can do something about that. Also, Mrs. H's class: How many landmarks along the path do you recognize?

Sunday AM

Easy skate today. I was gliding. I attended to my technique in order to get the most efficiency from my stride, and to use different muscles to compensate for chronic overuse annoyances.

In other words push off a little more with my left foot.

Enjoy the pictures. Mrs. H's class: The stonework pictures are from the footbridge just before the sharp right turn you'd take on River Rd. if you were driving. Do you think they are Erie canal ruins like at Rexford Bridge?

Miss Rumphius

Sat. AM High 60s and mild. Today is Niskaday! Many runners this morning and two friends.

The cottonwood trees are making it look like snow on the path. Leigh was Miss Rumphius here?

Also, children with blood cancers need our help.

Lock Seven

Another great day on the path. Hi, Tom. Temp. in the 70s, low humidity and sunny, mostly clear. I went out of my way to visit the lock and get pictures for you. I also took a pic of the stonework by the footbridge and culvert. I wonder if it is from the Erie Canal. "Low bridge, everybody down..."

Spring

This entry covers a couple skates from this weekend.

Friday afternoon was beautiful and sensuous. It was humid like an August day and I felt loose and energetic. The honeysuckle is in full bloom and the scent was pleasant and an unexpected accompaniment.

Sunday AM the bikepath was alive with runners, mostly female for some reason. I ran across a boyscout troop from Guilderland who were enjoying the path. I offerred them my blog info and hopefully they will visit. Also talked with a former neighbor who was running, and is director of this year's Mohawk-Hudson Runner's Club race.

Fishing

Calm, sunny, cool. Great day for a skate especially since it's been a while due to inclement weather. Relatively quiet. No sign of turtle hatchings yet, but that should happen in the next couple of weeks. Check out the heron in the beaver realm. Also saw one flying. I felt like I was in the "Land of the Lost."

3:30-4:30. A beautiful May day in the 70s. Skated from Lock 7 to the footbridge and back. 7 1/2 miles. A rare tailwind coming back made it seem easier. Saw Chris and told her about the blog. Will she be my third follower?

May Day

Saturday May Day 11-12 AM

Beautiful day with plenty of activity. I stopped and donated to the Schenectady Christian School who were biking to raise $$$. That's for you Kathleen. I also noticed Luke's picture from a group of pictures lining the path raising $$$ for children battling cancer. Later I saw Chrissy and skated her way for a while. Chrissy, Tom and I chatted shortly at the memory spot. Hi Stephanie.

Sunday May 2nd 5-6 PM

Squeezed in a skate before the rain. Temperature in the 80s and humid.

I saw a momma turtle skidaddling across the path back to the river after presumably, laying eggs. I took a picture of her on my camera phone. She looked nervous. I must've got her heartbeat racing up to 5-6 beats/minute.