Know My T-Shirts, Know Me

This story has been percolating for a while. I haven't posted to this blog for weeks so I wanted to get something out there before more time passes. I think there's more to say here. I may get around to it one day.

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Where Are They Now? New Haven Establishments 2021

Several years ago, a series of “Do you remember when…” conversations piqued my curiosity about my college stomping ground, New Haven. Web searches followed and the original New Haven Establishments list was created. A few years later the list expanded to include more locations. Be sure to check out both of them as you’ll find my commentary and some cool links including one to a video of the Nirvana concert at The Moon in 1991. 

A recent visit to New Haven, several web searches, and the New Haven Independent allowed me to bring you the third edition of the list. Send updates my way and please share your thoughts in the comments section of this post. (You can post anonymously.)

Update 8.22.2025 - Yale maintains this building archive and there's a tab that says Past Tenants. I took a quick look at a few locations and some entries have more thorough information than others.

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Embracing the Spring Ski Tour

Spring skiing. Do you love it or hate it? The opinions run strong on both sides of the argument.

Duluth Trading Company - Buy or Boycott?

Duluth Trading Company - a few reflections on whether to buy or boycott. 

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Outdoor Idiosyncrasies - Contemplating High-Performance Gear

A story inspired by a hiking trip in the High Tatras of Slovakia and Poland. It was useful for me to step outside the Northern Rockies mountain town "bubble" I've lived in for so long and take a closer look at my gear buying habits.

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2020-2021 Snow Stats

It's been years eight of measuring snow stats. Although I'm primarily a backcountry skier, I refer to the ski areas to take a look at snow depths and see how the winter looks compared to others. I also remind everyone of the musings of Jim Steenburgh, a professor of atmospheric science at University of Utah (Jump to the bottom of the post to read more or click on the links throughout.) discusses sun-angle and how it influences the snowpack.

Nothing to Strava About

A ski story from a few years ago. A shorter version appeared in Outside Bozeman last winter (https://outsidebozeman.com/activities/skiing/backcountry-skiing/tootle-loo) and the original draft appeared on this blog. 

Moving Stones

A meditation on stones. Dan Snow's book Listening to Stone provided the inspiration for this essay.

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The Great American Train Story Continues

Memories of a train trip from a long time ago. I first wrote about it several years ago on this blog and updated the piece for a writing class over a year ago. The piece continues to be refined. Here is the latest. 

Do you have a train story to share? Leave it in the comments section of this post.

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Bending Beyond: Developing Persistence & Patience with Hot Yoga

The new year finds me making good on my goal to finish pieces I've been working on and put them "out there" for all to enjoy and critique. I posted a short write-up as I began a yoga fitness challenge a few years back but never posted a follow up.  The full story is below. 

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The A-List Eats: Allamuchy General Store

The first time I entered the Allamuchy General Store I found myself in a cliched moment. 

"I've discovered a 'gem' in a place I least expected to" is the tired and overdone thought that crossed my mind.  

After my meal, I did a web search to find out more and was surprised that other than Google and Yelp reviews not much is written about the Allamuchy General Store. With great food and a captivating vintage atmosphere, it wouldn't have surprised me if I had come across a New York Times article about it or a story about a visit from Anthony Bourdain - it is that good and that unique of a place. But nothing, not even a local newspaper review.

(Interestingly, I did find out that the Allamuchy General Store was remodeled in 2017 after a tractor trailer barreled through the front door.  Click here to read the story.) 

Below is my first-hand account of breakfast at the Allamuchy General Store.

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