Leg 027 -- Jul 10, 2022

Langdon to Charlestown

    Distance: 6.67    Time: 1:12:58

Early Sunday morning start under yet again perfect weather - 60s with sunshine and no humidity.  Started at Town Offices along 12A - more of an old office complex.  I took a photo op as part of the prior leg as I passed the old Town Meeting House in more the traditional center of town.

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Leg 27 proved to be a very quiet leg as very few cars were seen along the route, most of which was on dirt road.  Even had a white tail deer prance across just ahead of me.

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As for the terrain - the first 1/2 mile was gradual downhill on route 12A with a right on Village and a quick left on Hemlock to go over a stream.  Just past the stream on the left was a dog guarding Alpaca / Llamas (I can never tell the difference) and I stopped for a pic.

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At that point the category 4 hill begins.  At about the 1 1/2 mile mark pavement turns to dirt - rocky at that.  Hemlock continues the climb and then at 2 1/2 stayed straight on Meany.  There's lots of tree cover for this section, which was nice to keep the sun off my back.  With low humidity and cool temp I wasn't sweating as much and the bugs stayed away.

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Meany continues to climb until just past 4 miles, there are some rolling stretches where it then meets up with Breakneck Hill road at 5 1/2 mile mark.  Take a left there with level road that soon turns back to pavement.  Not too long after that the road descends and to the left at times you can see off to Connecticut River and Vermont.

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The last mile is down breakneck hill which then connects into main strip of Charlestown with the Town Office there on the left.  Charlestown has wide main street with route 12 running through it.  Looks like one of those towns where there wasn't a bypass built around it.

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The water pack sure comes in handy, mostly for the hilly sections and when I have photo ops.  I enjoyed the run, but felt like I worked harder than my time indicates.  Oh well - I'm getting used to this.  I stopped stopping my watch when I take photos to help me disconnect from worrying about how long it takes - and just enjoy the run.

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Next up - the biggest challenge to date - Charlestown to Unity.  Couple of route options - haven't decided yet which way to go.  Either way it's about 15 miles with tough hill climbing at end.  I'm considering adjusting my rule for starting AND finishing at a town hall.  Like golf with par 4s - maybe I'll make the rule that each run must start OR finish at town hall.  Something to think about.  I expect I'll start the leg with plan to finish the full run, but have the option to bail out depending how it goes.   Till then....