They're alive!
It's been a brutal spring as far as cold-blooded animals are concerned, but the next generation of Grumpy Swarms I & II appear to be prospering. Here they are seeing the world for the first time.

Huckleberry Mountain Bushwhack
Thanksgiving day bushwhack of Huckleberry Mt. just north of Crane Mt. Had the operator of the ADK guide not been intimidated by posted signs on the road in, the hike would have been much shorter. As it was, Mr. Melon went straight instead of left and wound up realizing the mistake somewhere near Armstrong Rd. Not deterred by ignorance or a 20 year old map/guide, an overgrown logging road offered a left that went up a western shoulder of Crane Mt. where the Huckleberry ledges were bright across the Paintbed Brook valley. Two beaver ponds negotiated, the Snowshoe Pond camp avoided and the Paint Mine trail found, climbing started up the ledges. I think this bushwhack would be easier in winter, but nonetheless worthy of the 1992 description in the ADK guide.
[Huckleberry Mt. near Johnsburg, NY]

Blackhead Mt. - Acra Pt. - Burnt Knob
Should have brought those pointy things you put on the bottom of your shoes.
[Northeast Catskills]

Katahdin
Hike up a crowded Katahdin, loons at Kidney Pond, next day up Double Top.
[Baxter State Park]

Grey Fox 2012
Another great year at Grey Fox...
[Grey Fox 2012]

Ciclismo

Spent a week trying to keep up with old friends and new friends including guide Bill on a fancy rented Wilier bicycle around Borso del Grappa, Bassano del Grappa and Asolo in the provinces of Vicenza and Tristano, Veneto. Awkward considering the amount of food, beer, prosecco, espresso, tiramisu and pastry consumed. Thanks to Bill at Your Cycling Italia for his expert guidance on bike, roads, food, etc. and thanks to JG for putting it together.
[Ciclismo Photos]
[Your Cycling Italia]
[Nick e gli Squali]

Avalanche Lake
Picked the coldest night of the year (which is not saying much) to mess around Avalanche Lake between Marcy and Algonquin.
[Avalanche Lake photos]

Tongue Mt. Range
Thanksgiving walk in the woods: Clay Meadow - Five Mile Point via Fifth Peak.
Clay Meadow 400ft el.
2.0 miles to junction
.4m to Fifth Peak 1,813 ft
.4m back to junction
1.7m to Five Mile Point 400 ft. el.
3.7m to Clay Meadow
[Clay Meadow - Five Mile Point via Fifth Peak]

Hurricane Irene
Took some pictures while out in the storm.
[Hurrican Irene Pictures]

Grey Fox 2011
20 miles from the house and yet Bender (Pinky) Melon still camped for 3 nights... why? Uh... cuz it's fun. Although too old for the endurance sport of learning / listening by day and picking all night, we certainly made a fair attempt. Highlights included an excellent improvisation workshop led by Matt Glaser, a speed/tone/accuracy workshop led by Dan Miller, Chris Thile and Michael Daves on the main stage, the Masters stage appearances of Chris Thile, Michael Daves, Tim O'Brien and Sam Bush including a comedy show / guitar schooling by Red Stick Ramblers' Chas Justus, fine set by Del McCoury, the moon, the weather, noodling with strangers at 3:00 am most of whom were sober and a regroup with a friend on Friday and lots of friends on Saturday after spending a day and a half with my lonesome self in a giant crowd.
[Grey Fox 2011 Photos]

Solid Sound 2011
Followed a moving truck over Petersburg Pass yesterday to endure eleven hours of music, rain, mud, art and post-industrial landscape. Highlights included sunshine on the Handsome Family, a fine set from Liam Finn, a mind-bending 45 minutes of Dave Douglas' Brass Ecstasy, Syl Johnson somehow managing to get me moving in four inches of mud and, of course, Nels Cline. I mean Wilco.

Thanks to Wilco for putting on a music festival the way it should be, people listening to music because it's interesting.
[Solid Sound photos]

Joey's Song
Good music for a good cause. Get some for you and a child near you.
[JoeysSong.org]
[Joey's Song - Final Tracklist]

Helderberg Exotic Cats (and Russian Brides)
Every two years Bender Melon releases a song. Here's one about a local purveyor of felines and other associated products.
[Helderberg Exotic Cats (and Russian Brides)]

Inside Mt. Rainier
Here's what it's like to stand inside a volcano....
[Short Mt. Rainier Crater Video]

Rainier Summit
View from the (near) summit waiting for a large group to finish pictures...

[Short Rainier Summit Video]