Goal achieved! On July 1st I set a goal of
running 50 hashruns for 2017; and, on December 18th I realized my
goal. I actually finished 52 by year’s end. Here’s how December went:
On Thursday, December 1st I travelled down to
Washington D.C. to attend the Albanian Independence celebration. As soon as I
found out I was going I started my internet search for a Hashrun I might
attend. I found out that Everyday is Wednesday Hash House Harriers (EWH3) run
on Thursdays and they were hashing in nearby Bethesda. I quickly left my
travelling partners at the hotel and found my way to the Red Line train. As
soon as I got off the train and ran up to the street level I found an arrow
pointing to the gathering place where some 60-80 hashers were milling around.
The theme for their 977th Hashrun was “Farewell to Fidel” since he
had recently died. Setting a diabolical mix of true and false trails were: Pinocchi-Ho; Goldman Ballsacks; Atari 6900; Don’t Ask,
Don’t Smell; Just Hanna; Just Franny. They took us down busy streets, walkways,
alleys and numerous parking decks. Thankfully they also included 2 beer stops
and 2 shot checks. The On-after was at the Barking Dog Pub where I hung out
with fellow visiting hasher, Dazed and Confused from the Beijing Hash House
Harriers. A couple of local hashers were kind enough to ensure I made it back
to the Red Line for the last train back to D.C.
(Here I am with my new friend "Dazed and Confused" from the Beijing Hashers).
On Wednesday December 7th I made my way up to
Woodland Park, NJ for the North of Seventy Eight (NOSE) hash #143. I arrived early
enough to get in an extra run on nearby Garret Mountain Reservation and checked
out the views from Lambert Tower. Just Guido laid a fantastic trail in the
historic Rifle Camp Park where Washington’s
troops used the elevation vantage to observe British movements during the
Revolutionary War in 1780. Trail included great views off northern NJ and New
York City’s night skyline. We went to Joey McBride’s Pub Bar & Grill for
the on-after where 2 of our hashers participated in the Open Mike night, after
much bantering. Nocturnal Emissions delighted the crowd with his vocals as he
sang the Sound of Silence. Just Guido on the other hand put the likes of Stevie
Wonder and Elton John to shame as his fingers banged out the tunes on the
keyboard, song after song. This earned him his new hash name, Finger Bang Her.
(NOSE #143)
On Saturday December 10th
I travelled north to River Road Park in Bedminster, NJ for the Summit Hash
#1767. Fourteen hashers braved the frigid temperatures and cold winds.
Secaucless set a great trail which included thick forest, open pastures and
horse paths.
(Summit #1767)
On Tuesday December 13th
I again joined Summit H3, this time for their monthly Full Moon Hash. We gathered
at the Galloping Hill Hot Dog restaurant in Union, NJ. True trail ended up
being about 6.5 miles with some of us running closer to 8 while we searched for
trail marks. We passed through one neighborhood that stunk of so much weed that
I almost thought I was back home in Jamaica.
The next day, Wednesday
December 14th I drove north to Millburn, NJ for the NOSE Hash #145.
The hare, Deer Bitch, did not use traditional hash markings. Instead he wrote
clues around town telling us where to go next (i.e. “Fire” clued us to go to
the Fire Dept or “PO” for the Post Office). Since none of us were familiar with
the area we had to ask people for help as we passed them on the street. We
eventually climbed our way up to the top of South Mountain were we enjoyed a
beer stop with another fantastic view. All but three of us opted to run back to
town using the roads. Three of us followed true trail back by literally running
down the Rahway River, through the canal, and passing under 5 bridges and even
one building before climbing back up to street level. The on-after was held at
Liberty Tavern. This place was awesome! Not only did they have Guinness on tap;
but, the juke box had the long versions of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused”
(28 minutes) and Iron Butterfly’s “In a Gadda Da Vida” (17 minutes). Oh, and
the owner gave us all free shots of Jameson! How cool is that?
(Kings of the Mountain)
Saturday December 17th
I travelled to Metuchen, NJ for the Summit Hash #1769…who said 69? Trail weaved
its way through street and woods, through Centennial Park, and ended with a pot
luck dinner and Secret Santa gift exchange.
(Summit #1769)
The next day, Sunday
December 18th, I achieved my goal as I hit my 50th hash
for the year when I travelled to Roosevelt, NJ for a combination MDL/ Bimbos of
Jersey/ Princeton hashrun. Rear End Wrangler set a fantastic trail which
included stream crossings, lots of false trails, hills, fields, and lots of
home brew and a pot luck dinner.
(Pre-run photo)
(One of the many water crossings)
On Wednesday December 21st
I drove up to Morristown, NJ for the NOSE Hash #146 “Holiday Pajama Pub Crawl”.
Fifteen runners showed off their pajamas to the town as we stopped at the Hops
Craft Beer & Wine Bar, Revolution Bar, Sona Thirteen, and the Famished
Frog.
My last hash for 2017 was
our own MDL Hash #12. Bragadeer General set trail in the Brendan T. Byrne State
Forest. We had 2 beer stops along the 6 mile route which circled Lebanon Lakes,
crossed icy streams and passed through old cranberry bogs. The 8 hashers and 4
traildogs congregated at Bragadeer’s house for dinner and drinks. The deer meat
and chili was awesome!
(Beer stop)
(Blood on trail)
(Swans)
(Traildog Sparta wanted to play with the swans)
That’s it, 52 hashes, goal achieved! Hello 2017.
