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rebeccmeisterAs of yesterday, I actually managed to complete the 2022 Coffeeneuring challenge! I might even get in a couple bonus Coffeeneuring rides. Rather than just list everything out, here are the photos I took to document the endeavor:
#1. The lowest of the low-hanging fruit, Stacks Espresso. We go here regularly after rowing practices, and since I always bike to rowing practices, then to work after, this is a natural pause to enjoy coffee.
#2. More ambitious: Little Pecks, in Troy. If I'd known sooner that the Troy Daily Grind was going to up and close, I would've gone over there instead. But Little Pecks is all right, particularly for their back enclosed patio (though this is out in front).
Expeditions 3, 4, and 5 were all in Boston, stretching but not breaking the "No more than 2 rides per week, however you define a week" rule. The one thing I didn't like about #3 and #5 was disposable cups, bleah!
#3. Flour Bakery and Cafe. Yummy pumpkin muffin.
#4, A Coffeeshop Without Walls entry (aka Coffee Outside), at the Charles River Reservation the morning of our 4+ race. This one came with absolutely splendid morning views of the race course finish line.
#5, Pavement Coffee in Hahvahd Square. This coffeeshop is in a location that I believe used to be an Au Bon Pain, with tables containing permanent chess boards out front. I believe it was a different restaurant altogether the last time I was out, pre-2020. Revisiting Harvard Square, I felt small and out of place. I noticed the Dickson Brothers hardware sign is still up, but I believe the store has been closed for a while now. That used to be a happy place for me. Bob Slate's is still there, although I didn't go in this time because I was distracted by 500 other things.
This was the least enjoyable of all the destinations I visited. The coffeeshop was incredibly busy, and the employees were all hardworking and diligent, but there was enough of a press of people that I felt claustrophobic. I guess that's what it takes to stay in business there nowadays.
#6, Honest Weight Co-op Cafe. I felt better after this expedition. A palate cleanse after Boston. First, it was chilly enough to merit wearing my baclava balaclava, second, a former rower I know was the barista and it was great to see her and chat a bit, and third, I brought my own mug.
#7, I-90 Bridge, Hudson River. Another Coffeeshop Without Walls / Coffee Outside moment. I've never stopped at this particular bench before, and the view was nice now that the leaves are off most of the trees. I had to go in to work yesterday, after going to the boathouse to work on getting things set up for winter training, so I added an extra bicycling loop along the bike path, and was at least able to enjoy some quiet moments by the river before buckling down to work. Looking at the river, I am very tempted to skip all my other obligations and go wild with kayaking up until it gets too cold for even that.
I might manage a bonus ride or two yet. The deadline for this year is November 20. But I'm glad I did the challenge this year, and managed to complete it. It made me more conscientious about taking moments of time for myself in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. The only thing I didn't like is the fact that I had to abort a couple more ambitious expeditions on account of just not having enough time. Otherwise a couple more Troy coffeeshops would have appeared on this list.
But so it goes. Maybe next year. Or maybe not. There is a lot of overlap with the peak of the fall regatta season.
#1. The lowest of the low-hanging fruit, Stacks Espresso. We go here regularly after rowing practices, and since I always bike to rowing practices, then to work after, this is a natural pause to enjoy coffee.
#2. More ambitious: Little Pecks, in Troy. If I'd known sooner that the Troy Daily Grind was going to up and close, I would've gone over there instead. But Little Pecks is all right, particularly for their back enclosed patio (though this is out in front).
Expeditions 3, 4, and 5 were all in Boston, stretching but not breaking the "No more than 2 rides per week, however you define a week" rule. The one thing I didn't like about #3 and #5 was disposable cups, bleah!
#3. Flour Bakery and Cafe. Yummy pumpkin muffin.
#4, A Coffeeshop Without Walls entry (aka Coffee Outside), at the Charles River Reservation the morning of our 4+ race. This one came with absolutely splendid morning views of the race course finish line.
#5, Pavement Coffee in Hahvahd Square. This coffeeshop is in a location that I believe used to be an Au Bon Pain, with tables containing permanent chess boards out front. I believe it was a different restaurant altogether the last time I was out, pre-2020. Revisiting Harvard Square, I felt small and out of place. I noticed the Dickson Brothers hardware sign is still up, but I believe the store has been closed for a while now. That used to be a happy place for me. Bob Slate's is still there, although I didn't go in this time because I was distracted by 500 other things.
This was the least enjoyable of all the destinations I visited. The coffeeshop was incredibly busy, and the employees were all hardworking and diligent, but there was enough of a press of people that I felt claustrophobic. I guess that's what it takes to stay in business there nowadays.
#6, Honest Weight Co-op Cafe. I felt better after this expedition. A palate cleanse after Boston. First, it was chilly enough to merit wearing my baclava balaclava, second, a former rower I know was the barista and it was great to see her and chat a bit, and third, I brought my own mug.
#7, I-90 Bridge, Hudson River. Another Coffeeshop Without Walls / Coffee Outside moment. I've never stopped at this particular bench before, and the view was nice now that the leaves are off most of the trees. I had to go in to work yesterday, after going to the boathouse to work on getting things set up for winter training, so I added an extra bicycling loop along the bike path, and was at least able to enjoy some quiet moments by the river before buckling down to work. Looking at the river, I am very tempted to skip all my other obligations and go wild with kayaking up until it gets too cold for even that.
I might manage a bonus ride or two yet. The deadline for this year is November 20. But I'm glad I did the challenge this year, and managed to complete it. It made me more conscientious about taking moments of time for myself in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. The only thing I didn't like is the fact that I had to abort a couple more ambitious expeditions on account of just not having enough time. Otherwise a couple more Troy coffeeshops would have appeared on this list.
But so it goes. Maybe next year. Or maybe not. There is a lot of overlap with the peak of the fall regatta season.
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Date: 2022-11-13 09:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 04:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 02:59 pm (UTC)There is a huge amount of potential in Albany, and a decent amount of positive change here. Unfortunately, also a hefty dose of political corruption. But I remain hopeful. The potential quality of life in this region is very high!