Tank fourteen

Total miles: 5201. Trip miles: 370.0. Gallons: 7.338. Price per gallon: $3.099.

Screen mileage: 55.4 mpg. Tank mileage: 50.4 mpg. Tanked up at the usual pump. Note that the difference between tank and screen mileage is larger than it has been, strange.

Crescent Lake and Castle Craig

Crescent Lake and Castle Craig
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I never get tired of this view over Crescent Lake, with Castle Craig off in the distance.

Today I went letterboxing by Giuffrida Park, hiking around Crescent Lake and all the way up to Chauncey Peak and back again. Nice day for it, although it is still too humid. There was a breeze, which helped.

Computer recycling

This week, I decided that I should get rid of a couple of old CRT monitors that have been cluttering my apartment, and I wanted them recycled. The Connecticut DEP has a little page listing companies that recycle computers and tvs, although many of them are out of state.

I tried The Computer Recycler first, since their site says they offer a free 24/7 drop-off bin for monitors. Fortunately, I called before going there - they've suspended that service ("temporarily"). Next I tried Computer Recycling & Refining, L.L.C.. I called and yes, they accept monitors. So I went on over there with my two monitors: it cost $12 for the smaller one and $15 for the larger.

I did briefly wonder if they were legit; they seem to be, but how can you tell for sure? They've got a Federal EPA registration number, which inspires some confidence. I recommend them: they were nice.

I'm under the impression that you don't have to recycle CRTs in CT (at least for non-commercial residents), but it still seems like a good idea...

Graffiti art

Graffiti art
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Is it graffiti or is it art? To me, it is both. I like it. This was done on the shed off the red-diamond trail at Sleeping Giant. I like the fact that the artist has (so far) refrained from "defacing" any geological features, but sticks to the old human structures around SG.

I'm pretty sure the guy on the right is supposed to be Buddha. But the left guy, I'm not so sure about. Is it Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Baby snake

Baby snake
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

When letterboxing, you often wind up picking up stones to see if there's a letterbox underneath. A somewhat risky procedure, I guess.

It is hard to imagine how this little snake had managed to cram itself under the rock that I picked up. I guess it was at least as shocked to see me as I was to see it. Nevertheless, it took several minutes before sliding away. Probably going to tell its snake friends about the alien monster that flashed lights at it.

Tank thirteen

Total miles: 4831. Trip miles: 417.9. Gallons: 8.038. Price per gallon: $3.159.

Screen mileage: 55.1 mpg. Tank mileage: 52.0 mpg. Tanked up at the usual pump, today.

The car got its first oil change on Monday of last week. Free of charge, the dealer does all oil changes free!

North Farms Trails map

North Farms Trails map
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I did a quick little hike over at North Farms Trails, in North Branford, Connecticut, today. Letterboxing, of course.

The park is pleasant, though small. The stream running through it gets pretty wide in spots, and the trails that I took were nice and shady.

Naugatuck Trail hike

Trees
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Today's hike: 4 h 30 min | 11 mi | 2.4 mph.

I did most of the Naugatuck Trail today. I've been there before, but this time I also went letterboxing. While I only hiked for four-and-a-half hours, I was out there for about eight hours, with lots of letterboxes to hunt down! Whew. I'm wiped out.

The Naugy Trail was peaceful and pleasant, not a soul around. The heat was excessive, but other than that the day was perfect. Well, except for the fact that I picked up a deer tick! Yargh!

Black Pond

Black Pond
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Another day of letterboxing. The weather was far from perfect, but once I reached this great view of Black Pond, high up on Beseck Mountain, there was a nice, constant, cool breeze.

Shagbark hickory

Shagbark hickory
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Another look at the shagbark hickory. The leaves are pinnate (i.e. feather-like), with three, five, or seven leaflets.

Shagbark hickory

Shagbark hickory
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Nature lesson for today: This is the trunk of a shagbark hickory tree.

Tank twelve

Total miles: 4413. Trip miles: 394.6. Gallons: 7.163. Price per gallon: $3.139.

Screen mileage: 56.8 mpg. Tank mileage: 55.1 mpg. Tanked up at the usual pump, yesterday.