Sunday, August 17, 2008

Acadia again, but new experiance.

Sashi planned for a 3 days trip to Acadia national park 9-11 aug. we started at saturday morning. took a halt at old orchid beach, nice and popular beach. We were there for around 40 minuts, enjoying the waves. Then reached the Motel at around 2:30pm. We went to national park first took a nice path for walking. It was a scenic path, which was a round of very beautiful lake. Then we went to the bar harbour. Then at eve we went to a beach. There was no sand there, but we reached there at a perfect time of sun set. Though we were at the east US but that place was heading 3 ways on the sea, so we could see the sunset. It was cloudy but nice. I swimed on the heated swiming pool of the motel than. I really like the motel. It had wifi and the room was with kichen.
At the night I alone went to the down town of bar harbour for dinner. The main purpose was to visit the downtown. I did little shopping. and were there for couple of hours. Nice small town.
Next day me and sashi went to the top of the codiac mt for sunrise, was it was very late. but it was very scenic palce. One of the most beautiful scenic place I have ever been. Then we did at little trek of around 2.4miles. It was nice trek on the bear brook trail. Now ew were back at the motel took bhabhi and went to Sand Beach. Where last time I could just stand for 5 minuts. this time I had opportunity to swim. We were there for more than 1.5 hrs. Very nice picnic spot. Next destination was gordon pond. we took a little walk there. but it was more beautiful on the falls, last year. On the eve we were again at the top of codiac. It was looking totally different than morning. Realy very scenic.
Next day was for other part of the park. we went to some sound and bass harbour, nice places but not as good as last 2 day's places. Though echo lake was very good. A kalm and clean lake with sand beach. Perfect place to take rest. We went to a light house which totally disappointed me, I was expecting a tall light house on which we will go up. but it was not at all tall. In my child hood I went to light house in kanya kumari that was very tall and we went to the top of that, I don't remember much but it was very nice experiance. I even touched the lights there.
Well, after that we were back on the way to home.
This 3 day trip was 3 rd trip, in this session of my US tour. 3 trips back to back. Every weekend. So the next weekend is for rest. Anyway my Birthday is there on this weekend. So I was at home only. Taking full rest, and talking to my fiance. Last year also I was alone at my B'day, at Chennai, on the Marina beach after the visa interview.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Trek Alone, Franconia ridge

United stats is a very beautiful country, may be it looks more beautiful because it give you easy access to the natural beauties, whereas in India you'll need little pain to go to a scenic place. Here I travel on I93 in NH and all around me is greenery, they have such a great infrastructure that u can reach 100 miles (more than 160KM) in 1.5 hours, the second thing I am inpressed by U.S. is their infrastructure. I dream the same thing for India.
So let's come to main point, I am planed for a day long trek and since there is not partener, I decided to go alone. I know it's little crazy but I think I'll enjoy alot in this trek. Even when I go with my friends many times I just trek little seperated from them enjoying the beautiful nature, and sound of water or birds,, or my ipod is allways with me. So going alone was not a big prob with me. I found a great 8.9mile trek called franconia ridge which is said to be one of the most dramatic hikes of new england area. I think I am gonna enjoy it. So I just packed my backpack and started at early morning 7-7:15 at my Azera. Weather is cool, I am driving at around 75mph, ya I know it's little higher than the limit(65), but I want to start early. But on the way when I was trying to overtake a car, I realized that that is Police car, oh my, now I am at 70 and I am on the left lane, where I am suppose to go when I have to overtake, somehow I tried to overtake them being under the 70. Now I was leading them at 70, after some time the car overtook me. I was just follwing them at normal speed. After 15-20 minuts they went somewhere else hfff.
So I reached there at 9am. The good thing about this place was, the trail starts at highway only, so I had no problem in looking for the way to go. I remember when last time Me and Bharat went to Mt. washington, we got very late because more than half of the way was not the highway and we had difficuly to find the way too.



I parked the car lookeed here and there, reduced some weight, took some snaps and started. At the starting only I started hearing souund of flowing water. Oh man, I love this sound. The very beautiful music of water removes all the tiredness out of you. Starting part was very nice. The trek is around 3 + 3 + 3. First 3 to Mt lincoln then other 3 from Mt. Lincoln to Mt. Hafayette and other 3 from there to down again. There was a wood bridge over the flowing water so I took right and went over the bridge. There I found a very nice thing. I saw a box containing a register where you are requested to register yourself, like which trail u r fololowing (there were more than one trails starting from there), and how much big is the group, and how much time u r gonna take. I wrote 7 hrs. I was going beside the water stream, and enjoying with the extreme. There were few very nice water falls on the way. Near one water fall I thought let me take pic from the front so I started going to the front over the water, but my shoe slipped, I lost balance and I was lying on the ground. Now I saw the camera which was lying on the water. I carefully went there and picked it up. I got good design on the front side. That's OK. Not a great damage to me and to my cam.
One good thing about this incident/exident was I was extra careful now. there were many more dangarous places later I went thru, where If I would have slipped as earlier, it would have given me more trouble. So whatever happens, it happens for good ;). Later I found a nice group. a tall water fall (see the pix).
Then the trail entered the jungle. It was a dence jungle, as the pix taken inside were also dark. I was hearing romantic songs on my ipod. suddenly I realized that there is no sound coming from outside. I paused the song, and there was no sound. In India u'll listen to many birds and all but It was totally silence there, strange.
When the jungle finished I was rocks where we were climbing. Later I realized I am not on the right trek. Actually I took the round anticlockwise whereas I palnned for clockwise. Actually I was not supposed to take the wood brodge. That's OK. Now after some time I was over the jungle, and big rocks. Now it was totally open area. After half a mile I reached on top of a hill, I think it ws little haystack. Then after some more trek I reached the My Lincoln. wow what a great place. I took some rest there.
Then after going thru the real trek I reached socond big mountain, Mt Lafayette. A 5260 ft highmountain. The view from there was very very beautiful. I was totally enjoying the place, and I was glade that I came here. Really This trek is worth doing. I was stayed there for around 15-20 minuts.
Now the next target was greenleaf hut, around 1.2mile from there. But it took so much time to reach there. When I reached there the other group which was trekking with me was there. A girl asked that 'r u follwing us; just kidding', I told 'earlier u were follwing me ;)'. It was very nice hut. Had the facility to stay also. the hut was totally green in terms of energy. There is no energy supply from down. it generates the energy from solar panels and wind fan. If it's cludy and no wind then they burn some propene to get the work done. I like the concept very much. There on a table there were tea, coffee, donuts and cold drink. and a plate contained some dollars and coins. Price list was pasted on the wall. U r supposed to put the money and take what u want by yourself. Good. There were few books also. I stayed there for around 10 minuts.
Now I had to reach down. It was 3:30 or 4, so I was allready legging on time. I thought I'll go down quickly, but no it was a teepy climb down, and I was very tired so it was taking much longer than my expectation. This part of the trek was most tiring.
When I was totally tired, I heard flowing water sound, so I knew I am near the end. At last, I reached at the same wood bridge. I thought let's take a snap by self timer on the bridge. I sted the camera I never used the self timer earlier successfully. I was standing on a pose, but nothing happend I reached to camera to set it again, but it started raining, so I sterted going towards the trail's end. the rain was heavy so I took my IISc jacket out. And in 100 meters I my jackat was totally wet. I thank god that the rain didn't start earlier. If the rain would have started on the way down. I was totally screwed.
So here my trek was completed. Wow very nice but tiring trek. I enjoyed it toooooooooo much. My 9.5 pts to Franconia Ridge.
On the way back to home, it was a worst thunder storm I have ever seen in my life. On the hight way where min speed is 45, cars were going at the speed of 30. after some time I took exit to fill the car. and then it was not that much rain. It's good that it was not dark other wise driving would have become more difficult. When it was dark, rain was no longer there. Good. I think GOD is with me today. Thnks my friend.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Funny Linux command-lines with real output…

% cat “food in cans”

cat: can’t open food in cans

% nice man woman
No manual entry for woman.

% “How would you rate Quayle’s incompetence?
Unmatched “.

% Unmatched “.
Unmatched “.

% [Where is Jimmy Hoffa?
Missing ].

% ^How did the sex change operation go?^
Modifier failed.

% If I had a ( for every $ the Congress spent, what would I have?
Too many (’s.

% make love
Make: Don’t know how to make love. Stop.

% sleep with me
bad character

% got a light?
No match.

% man: why did you get a divorce?
man:: Too many arguments.

% !:say, what is saccharine?
Bad substitute.

% %blow
%blow: No such job.

% \(-
(-: Command not found.

$ PATH=pretending! /usr/ucb/which sense
no sense in pretending!

$ drink matter
matter: cannot create

Thursday, July 31, 2008

close to nature: Franconia

So last weekend, as I planned I went to franconia notch park in new hampshire. I was with my senior Sashi, his wife gayatri and their son Sanandan. We started at around 8:30am, reached there at 10. it was around 110miles. we took 20 bucks combo tickets. first we visited franconia flume gorge It is the traile which goes beside water. Very nice place. The sound of water flowing at hight speed, refreshed my mind. Then we reached a nice water fall. We went up by stairs, so we were at top of the fall. From there we went more ahead, it was very beautiful place. I wished my fiance were there with me. I would look more beautiful in falls I think. But even at this time it was very noce. There were nice small wood bridges over the stream. Even the bus also went over the bridge, it was 50 feets bridge, one of the smallest. Those guys have maintained the place very properly.
From there we went to tramway; it's a cable car, using which we went to mount cannon. From there a trail led us to an observatory point. I have not seen any such nice place, where you see any where on 360 degrees, you will see only mountains. And try how far you can see, you will see only mountains. The I93 highway looks very tiny going between the mountains. On all the directions it was white mountain series.
We went down then went to a lake for kanoeing, but it was over at 4 and we reached at 4:15 :(.
The from the highway Sashi saw one more place called the basin. There was a small waterfall there. Before that we went inside water, but the water was almost freezing. it should be not more than at 4degree celcius. It was really amazing. we spent some time there and moved back to home.
The day went full of excitement. I enjoyed alot. I thanks Sashi at the end for suggesting such a nice place. Ireally liked the place.
Next Plan:
Just after finishing the trip, I have decided that I am gonna go for a trek at white mountains. I asked at visiter center also for a ful day trek. He suggested me one near basin only. I checked on net about places to trek. The most popular is white mountain which I have all ready covered last year. SO the second one is the franconia ridge I have decided to go there for next weekend. Now Sashi is also in full mood of traveling this whole summer. He told me that he wants to go for a acardia for around 3 days. He asked me if I am interested, and I am everready for going to such nice places. I have already been on acardia last year, but it's so big and so nice place I am dying to go there again. Last time even the weather was not good, we enjoyed alot there. So I said yes. He has booked the hotel also there, for 9th aug weekend. I told my plan of trekking also to him. He also got enthu. So I told we will go for a small trek later in aug or sept, together. I will ask abhi also to join me. The franconia ridge trek I am planning to do alone. I have never climbed a mountain alone. I think it would be different kind of fun and peace, when going a natural place alone.

I am looking forward to both the next plans. Hope these will go adventurous ;)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Heading west again

So here I go. Living happily in bangalore. talking daily to my sweetheart on phone (many thanks to ambani for such a nice offer of unlimited calls on riliance 2 reliance).
One day I am going to my cubicle and I get to know that I have 2 go 2 U.S. in few days. Damn I got a little shock. I didn't expect it. OK, so here I go to Andover, via Boston via Frankfurt.
It has been around 8 days here and I am allready bored. This time specially because I didn;t have much enthu to come here, second I have came alone. But on flight I gore less bored that last time. May be I am now little used to of those push back seats, where I was not able to sleep at all earlier. Now I can take some little naps atleast I think.
So the journey till here was pretty ok. Only when before landing my ears were on blast. this time even my right eye also geve me an extreme pain, I don't know why. I was like, I don't know what to do. I pressed my eye. My eyebrow part was like blowing away. I pressed that. For ears I used chewing gum, which worked pretty well. I still remember last time I was on allmost tears when the plane was landing on Boston. This time, on appt my seniour is also there with me, he is with his family. So food is not a problem atleast for few days :)
The office is boring as I expected, this time more than last time. but 2 days agao my seniour found out that there's a fuseball table there. SO for 2 days we are playing fuse ball at afternoon which is pretty enjoyable. So for last 8 days only thing I enjoyed here is the fuseball. Actually the whether is also good, it;s raining and thunder storms here. I like this season. We got a veri nice car hundai azera, which is very smooth in driving. I like driving in U.S. as it's quite easy to drive, and you can safely drive at over 100kmph.
Other than that I am planning to gofor joggin but not getting time or due to my laziness not able to get wake in the morning. I hope I would be able to start in couple of days. Otherwise I'll do that at eve time.
Today I decided this weekend I will go somewhere. I can't waste my weekend in office or appt. 2morrow I am going for a trip to some water falls trails thing. don't remember the name, actually my senior is going so I told I will join him. Any way if he wouldn;t be going I was gonna go with my own. I hope it would be a nice spot.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Run Maadi Run

Today was a big day for me. I participated in bangalore 10K race. It's world's richest 10K race.
TIll friday I was not participating it, then some of my colleagues were participating, so I also decided to go for it.
It was scheduled little late that's 9am, as it's may so it's little hot (not much as compred to other cities though). I reached at kanteeriva stadium at around 8:15. There was a huge crowd. At least 5000 people were ready to run. It was a huge success of organizers. And they organized it pretty well. There were 2 helicopters looking at the race, ambulance was there, medikal tent was there. They knocked off the full trafice from the running area, that's not easy to organize. So we started, it was 9:10 at my watch, my target was to finish the 10km in 1 hour. SO I decided to run faster in the first half and little slower in second. I thought I'll complete 5 km in 25 minutes. But starting itself was not very good. I was taking little more time than my expectation. I completed 2 km in around 12-13 munites. But I got the pace again. I waas running for around 6-700 meters and walking for 60-70 meters. SOme how I completed 5km in exactely 30 minutes. But I was tired, but I kept going. THe speed decresed. Now I was thinkg I can't finish in 1hour. There was a slope upwards for half km, I just kept walking, but I got energy there. SO I started running again. Now at around 56-7 minutes I was just 2km far from the finishing line. So I started running with full josh. Last 500 meters I ran very fast. There were chear girls also to increase my enthu.
And at last I completed in 1 hour 5 minutes
Thanks THanks ;)
I know it's more than my target, but even then I am very happy with my result. I did only one day practice. For more than a month I am not jogging in the morning. just 2 days back I was thing I even can't run, and here I finished in pretty decent time.
Now I am thinking of running daily, and having a little long (4-5km) run on road at every weekend. Let's see how it goes.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Taare Zameen Par

Yesterday I watched the movie Taare Zameen Par, which I was tring to watch for more than a week. Even last weekend I planned to watch it on comp, but I am happy I couldn't. Some movies have much greater effect on theaters than when watched on small screen.
It's really a very nice concept saying "Every Child is Special", and showing what it means to take care of a child.