What a turnout for a midwinter run! And what (a) run! The date 01-11-10 is the same backwards and forwards. And so was the run, more or less. But I am premature. (Doesn’t matter, as long as I’m happy.) The large crowd gathered with keen anticipation, only to be crushed when Bondo and Basket arrived. What could they do, except just start and get it over with.

Trail led down past the tennis courts and was soon lost. Finally, marks were found, proceeding south, behind the high school, and into Meshanticut Park. It almost looked like there was going to be some virgin territory. But they were soon back on the road, heading south on Phenix Ave. The leaders Flexi, CEP and the Just boys continued south, crossing 295, followed by WHO. The rest somehow (could it have been the hare? The wank!) found the arrow in the slush leading onto the 295 median island. Trail led north, through the light snow.

WHO and the others finally began to figure it out, and turned back to find the well-hidden arrow. There was a long straight slog on the path between 295 North and 295 south. But there was only one way off, as most knew. At the old dirt road that crosses under 295, about 2/3 of a mile up. There was, of course a check under 295. Not a beer check. That would have been fine. But a lousy check that led them southwest on the dirt road, only to find the hare.

A check sent the pack through a short bushwhack. WHO found it first, only to realize that the pack had chosen the much easier path paralleling him, making the choice unnecessary. Trail led south towards the quarry, and came out of the woods above the quarry to the beer check. Finding the beer was challenging, and the hare was not much help at first. Does he have something against beer? Note to hares: You’re only hurting yourselves if you don’t produce the beer. This is not a game, you know. This is serious business.

To no one’s surprise, Bondo and Basket were lost. To everyone’s dismay, they both eventually showed up. Basket, always trying to make an entrance, appeared at the bottom of the quarry. Bondo, always an idiot, called him up. Great! The singing was prolonged, and the beer soon was gone. And so were they.

Trail back led back north to the crossing under 295. Instead of the median, they paralleled 295 southeast, and came to a check that again had the lead pack fooled. Flexi and CEP continued, Hairy Krishna went his own way. The rest somehow correctly decided (Hare, again?) to turn northeast on a gas pipeline, and then east on a broad field that came down to Phenix and the cars. The circle was held in an area away from the conspicuous street lights of the parking lot.

The run was rated. No virgin territory, not enough beer, AND Basket and Bondo. Even the virgins and bimbos could not overcome this. Total: -6.9. The virgin was queried and told a joke. No effort was made to rename Just Pat. Hashit went to Hairy Krishna. Don’t ask me. And finally, circle complete, they went on to Sharxx, on Rt 5. And that’s all I have to say.