I typically start off a new season with the title "Awakenings" and this year even more so than usual. I've now reached the senior years of my life with all of its challenges. A far cry from over 25 years ago when this latest leg of my outdoor adventures began to take place. This year also comes on top of a very slow year cut to pieces by pandemic precautions. However, hope springs eternal and the planning is well underway! I expect one or two new specialty kayaks to arrive and be tested before bringing them online for a fully-fledged adventure.
So now we begin! Out in Hampshire County is a 'local secret' I've been lucky to find - and visit - a couple of times over the years. Although this is really the 'cave with no-name' I've come to call it the Hermit Cave - or even the Abode of the Hermit - after a modern-day hermit took residence, perhaps thirty years ago. This is a remote - but very beautiful - location hidden away in the breakdown of some ledges. Tarps along with pots and pans still can be found. So I can't help but wonder if it still receives occasional use to this day.
Moving on, I wanted to take a stab at relocating another old site I hadn't visited in many years. My memory was indeed somewhat 'fuzzy' regarding this one but I felt a mild sense of confidence I could dig it up once again. Wrong! The old pegmatite mining site was not to be found on this day. But upon returning home I consulted the works of the late Alan Plante and quickly saw the error of my ways. However, the day was beautiful and the exercise well worth it. Just one aging old senior trying to stay in touch with his abilities. ;)
