| 1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart offers good perspective of public thinking and attitudes during this era. Lacking are the nut and bolt front line battle tactics of the war years but still a good historical refresher. The book has a focus on political and sociological influences during the wars crucial early stages. Many of the thoughts and notions presented are missing from any official textbook teachings to which one may have been exposed, so there is some excellent awareness here. |  |
The Black Power Mixtape
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Either I wasn’t paying attention or it didn’t seem relevant (to me) at the time but it sure is interesting stuff now. The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975 is a documentary that gives introduction to a cause and a taste for learning history. Having switched off certain current events back in the day; it’s not too late to catch up. [ Netflix ] |
Teterboro
| It’s a gateway for New York City. It’s where the business jets go. La Guardia airport you may know about, but happens to be saturated with commercial flights. Teterboro caters exclusively to small airplanes. Located on the other side of the Hudson, New Jersey is not as glamorous as Manhattan but this area is traffic safe enough for getting out and good for a lap. Beginning from Hasbrouck Heights the route runs through light industrial zoning and older office parks. On the far side is Moonachie and a quiet clean residential area in Little Ferry. South Hackensack is last on loop. The runways intersect making for a small perimeter. This can be completed in less than an hour. [ GPX ] |  |
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Chicago Midway
| Having sat on my hands all day due to flight schedule reductions in anticipation of Irene, I was open to suggestion. Leaving the airport in the shuttle and seeing a jogger with the driver remarking that it was a popular route and pronouncing it safe, was all I needed. Turned out to be a fine lap. The navigation is easy with left turns (orbiting against opposing traffic) on sidewalk. At 4 miles the perimeter is compact, as far as airports go, and a nearly square footprint. Unfortunately there is nothing to see. The property boundary fence is a 20 foot wall. However, this barrier could be a plus in the winter months as the wind does tend to blow here. There are narrow stretches of packed mulch in unused garden beds between fence and concrete to save the knees. |  |
earth mover
 | Something besides the broken glass brought this twin 8V-71 Detroit Diesel engined beast down. I nearly missed this one on a Charlottesville jog pass by. Identified as a WABCO 252FT elevated scraper, these mammoth machines today are rather obscure (no pun intended). WABCO, short for Westinghouse Air Brake Company whch ran a heavy equipment division at one time, but the design has roots with R.G. LeTourneau. The value in this relic may be as a donor keeping others operational. I wonder if some bank lending asset ledger records serial GR-47106-CPA17-L and its whereabouts– or is it be reclaimed by the same earth that it toiled to transform. [ GPX ] |
Charlottetown
The Boardwalk is disjointed because of intervening waterfront homes and historic properties. Still, these structures are easy on the eyes. Actual sections of wood planking lend a bit of cush to the stride as they spring and bounce. The view from Victoria Park is quite good and the Cornwall farmland across the river is inviting. The place has political history as a summit between Britain and the other Maritime Colonies met here and agreed to form a union to share resources and protect against a feared Yankee land grab during the US Civil War. FUD. [ GPX ]
Nantucket
 | The island probably needs the tourist trade but I’m sure that the wealthy home owners don’t. Public beach access is invisible. 82 miles of sand — less than 5 of it shared. Looking at a google map what appears to be a grid-work of roads toward beach are actually driveways to pricey private real estate. Some named streets are overgrown paths used by residents. Spotting a local on a bike with a beach towel bungeed to the back fender proved an excellent scout and I gave chase in running shoes. [ GPX ] |
Bent Creek
 | With only a recommendation in Ashville, I ventured in expecting a walking hike but found that I was able to jog at least a third of it. There is a level crushed rock road from the Hardluck Trail Head all the way to the NC Arboretum with numerous branch trails best explored with map. This section of the Pisgah National Forrest is popular with the mountain bikers due to its close proximity to Asheville, NC. but there is plenty of width. Arrive early before automobile parking becomes saturated. |
Bronx River Pathway
Parallels and follows the Bronx Parkway, the first and the oldest limited access express highway in the USA. I picked up the asphalt greenway in White Plains, NY and ran towards the Kenisco Reservoir. Bronx River wetlands lush with Sycamore trees provided a green surroundings. I saw not a single bike. Following custom, the Parkway is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays for a period and opened to bicyclists. I came too late for that event but evidently that crowd had worked their sillies out and gone home. [ GPX ]