Well, I thought things were good

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Riding into work today, I thought that rear tire seemed a little low. Uh, oh — I realized when I went out to work, I am low on air. 🚴 I am going to bring my bike in the office, and take the wheel home tonight and see if I can patch it. That way at least I can ride home tomorrow if it holds, or I’ll get another tube on Friday when I get supplies prior to heading out camping. Not been a good week for Blackie for sure.

That loud bang was a surprise 💥

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Propane hose had a leak this morning, a bubble started to form in it and before I could get the tank off it went bang. After a WTF moment, I shut off the tank and the let the burner burn off the remaining gas and breakfast continued to cook on the hot frying pan.

Not the only thing that caught fire 🔥 and leaked so far up at camp ⛺ either. Last night when I lit the lantern 🏮 apparently I didn’t have the top fitting screwed in tight and it leaked and caught fire. Used up a bunch of water trying putting it out, ultimately it went out when I grabbed my insulated gloves 🧤 and tightened the connection but not before melting part of the lower plastic surround. Just the decorative part doesn’t impact the ignition or the knob in it. I’ll trim the melted plastic with a knife 🗡.

Went for a ride along Old Route 8B last night. 🚲 Quiet evening, it was close to 9:30 when I got back to camp ⛺ and only barely needed the headlight on my bike. Saw a family of wild turkeys 🦃 driving up and while riding this evening spotted a nice looking buck. Sat down at the infamous Robbs Creek campsite for a while then road down to the lower bridge.

Disappointed that I have no cell service here 📱 as my phone seems to not have as good reception in many places as it once had. 🤫 While I like the quiet I was hoping to work remote from camp and make calls about that house I was looking at. I’m going to have to head to Spectulator sooner than I expected and maybe spend all day there, though some in the kayak 🛶 and beach 🏖 and not all that library working. 🖥 P

Holyoke Canal System

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The historic canals, an extraordinary engineering feat, built in the late 1800's, converted the force of the Connecticut River into enormous industrial power, allowing Holyoke to become the first planned industrial city in the country. The main industry of Holyoke was the production of paper, and at it's height, Holyoke was the largest paper producing city in the world. Holyoke was soon coined "Paper City," a name that carries on to this day.

According to Holyoke's industrial plan, the canals, constructed like arteries bisecting the center of the city, were designed to divert and carry water from the Connecticut River down through the center of the city, passing through turbines or waterwheels located beneath the large mills lining the canals. The energy produced by the waterwheels powered the operations of the mills.
Today several water wheels are still functioning along the canals, and although much of the early industry is gone, they continue to be an abundant source of green energy, generating power for areas far beyond the mills in which they sit. 

https://friendsofthecanalwalk.weebly.com/canal-history.html