Eclipse

April 11, 2024
Ever since I learned that a total solar eclipse would pass through Northern New York and Vermont on April 8, 2024, I felt compelled to go. I had seen a few partial eclipses, but never experienced totality; it seemed like this might be my best (if not only) chance to see one in my lifetime. So I was determined, considering different options to be in an observational position. We decided on an excursion to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which lay at the Northern edge of the path, with a plan to drive South and catch it along the centerline near Plattsburgh.…

Ski Wrap

April 2, 2024
For years it felt like I was not in sync with ski-friendly weather patterns, always missing storms when obligations called elsewhere or watching temperatures climbing and bringing rain when our planned trips came due. Skiing will always be fun and anytime with my family is most prized so I am content to slide down a mountain in any conditions... BUT... Sometimes it all lines up perfectly! I have a few spring break days in March, so I plan months in advance to be somewhere North at that time. Weather had been bleak for weeks and it looked like the Northeast…

Summer 2023

June 22, 2023
We passed the solstice yesterday and officially crossed into Summer, when my work obligations shift from five days a week to two, and my cherished free time blossoms. I celebrated last night with The Cure at MSG and am eagerly anticipating Dead & Company tonight at Citi Field. I have seen some other great outdoor shows already this season including Taj Mahal at Prospect Park and Dave Matthews Band at Forest Hills and have another MSG jaunt next week with Tears For Fears before returning in August for a couple of Phish shows. I was thoroughly entertained by Shucked and…

Projects

June 2, 2020
Some activities that I used to enjoy do not currently exist and the place I usually reside is 60 miles away so I have lots more time in a different place and I have been making the most of it. Here in Warwick we have woods and finding Kevin's mountain bike, a 25-year-old Specialized Rock Hopper, has changed my life; although I ride my bike every day on the streets of Brooklyn, I have never spent any time mountain biking and I absolutely can not believe that I was not diehard dedicated to the discipline! It is skiing on wheels!…

I Ski

March 20, 2018
It's been 69 days since my last entry here, which is slow news for me. It's been a hunker-down few months with work, and we are currently spinning into our fourth Nor'easter of the month, so SKIING! I spent a weekend exploring Sterling back-country around Stowe, touring into and sleeping at the classic Burling Camp and enjoying beautiful lines on the surrounding mountains. I scored an incredible day at Plattekill after 45" fell over 48 hours and skied Stowe with my favorite ski partner (and no kids!) after five feet in the past week. Eleven days on skis so far…

England and Scotland

August 29, 2017
We just returned from an incredible Buckland family trip to the U.K., first visiting G and Grand in Dorset, followed by a two-day overland voyage through London, Glasgow and The Highlands to The Isle of Raasay, a remote island of The Inner Hebrides with ferry access from Isle of Skye. The  beauty escalated throughout the journey with stunning vistas in every direction; endless open fields, lochs and mountains jutting out of the Sea. And at the furthest reaches of pavement on Raasay, we settled into Arnish cottage, supplied electrically by Wind and Sun, and made it our base for exploring…

Winning Winter

March 22, 2017
It has been months since I've been able to sit a write, partially due to a computer failure, and mostly due to a long stretch of work and life business. The high and lowlights from the Chill: • Patriots win Super Bowl LI with impossible comeback. Down 28-3 with 2:00 left in the 3rd quarter, it looked bleak (and that was being optimistic). But some textbook mental toughness and Tom Brady being the greatest ever, they complete the most fantastic comeback in Super Bowl history. Legendary. • I have been dealing with a Lyme disease diagnosis and have been through several rounds of…

Labor Day

September 5, 2015
What a Summer for this guy! I currently sit in one of my favorite spots in the known universe: Eventide Cabin on Mt. Desert Island. Acadia is a personal paradise and spending time here with my wife, child and parents is very high on my who/what/where triangulation rankings. I have been consistently scoring very well this Summer, packed with fantastic weekends around the Northeast: The Land, Bellport, Osterville, Vermont, Maine, and even a few in Brooklyn; Ivy and I rolled all over town on my bike and explored beaches and amusement parks (Coney Island!), swimming pools and water playgrounds (Sunset…

Snow Blessings

March 4, 2015
The past two weekends were spent in the abundantly snow-covered Green Mountains of Vermont, getting after some of the best conditions one could hope for; February was one of the best months for snow in the Northeast that I can ever remember. I spent two days at good ol' Magic Mountain, riding Red Chair and finding pristine stashes of untracked powder everywhere. Saturday was actually the most crowded I've ever seen the mountain, and the usually empty lift line involved a 15 minute wait a few times. While I love that place for its desolation, I like to see it…

Busy

November 9, 2014
The fact that I have not written here in over two months speaks to how fast time has accelerated recently. I am working more than I have ever worked and doing my best to learn new skills and techniques of teaching older kids. It has been a challenging period for me, but I am enjoying it immensely. Seeing the musical abilities of children rapidly improving through the elementary years is awesome and inspiring! Unfortunately, this schedule has made Ivy time increasingly rare. During the week, I see her from too-early in the morning until I leave for work. She is…