Because the Sunset Classic took place on the day after the Phish shows at the Mann, I did no running in the Philadelphia area. It was nice to not worry about packing running clothes and getting my training done on hot post-show mornings. On the other hand, it was a bummer because running while on vacation is a treat - enjoying new scenery makes training runs more enjoyable and exciting than usual.
After the race, though, I was back on the road with Phish, with my weekend in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. As in previous years, I stayed in Colonie, a suburb of Albany about 30 minutes away from Saratoga. In addition to its giant mall, it boasts a lovely park called the Crossings of Colonie. Snaking around the ponds, playgrounds, lawns, fields, and rambles, are 6.5 miles of pedestrian paths. With a three-mile run on Saturday and a 35-minute tempo run (keeping a sub-6 pace in the middle third!) on Monday, I used all of it.
The following weekend, Gloria and I stayed in Milldale, Conn., outside of Hartford. I recalled from fall tour 2013 that there was a canal towpath and rail trail that had started in nearby Cheshire (about four miles south) and spanned all the way south to Yale University in New Haven. To my absolute delight, we discovered that the trail, called the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, continues to be improved and extended (currently finished up to Southington, but planned to go all the way into Massachusetts!) and passed within walking distance of our Econo Lodge.
On Saturday afternoon (on only a little bit of sleep after that long night in Massachusetts), we ran six miles together along the trail (three south and back). Gloria runs at a slower pace than I do, so it was nice to take it easy for a change, especially to take in the surroundings. On Sunday, I did a three-mile run (heading north for 1.5 miles and back) at my own pace while Gloria did a two-mile run at hers.
I hope our travels bring us back to that area of Connecticut again as they complete more and more of this wonderful project!
The Crossings at Colonie
With Gloria, post-run
After the debacle of Great Woods (Xfinity Center, whatever), I had hoped that Gloria and I could have a much better overall experience the following night in Hartford at the Meadows Music Theatre (Xfinity Theatre, seriously…ugh). This was to be my 127th Phish show, but my last of the tour, so it had to hold me over for several months. It was also Gloria's second show and I really, really wanted her to come away on a positive note.
What we got exceeded both of our expectations...and my favorite show of the tour.
Me and Gloria, pre-show
Right from the rare "Pigtail" opener (only the third time played and I saw the first one on 12/28/2010), I suspected we would be in for a treat. I was hoping for some danceable tunes so Gloria could enjoy getting down and letting loose, and "The Moma Dance" and "Halley's Comet" fit the bill nicely. Even the faster rock of "Birds of a Feather", the slower funk of "Meat", and the classic-rock stomp of "Free" kept our bodies moving.
"Pigtail"
None of the jams veered to far away and were generally short and tight, but with great effect. There is nothing quite like a well-played, song-driven first set. It reminded me of 12/30/1994 - a first set that looks unremarkable on paper but is of the utmost quality. The staccato rhythms of "Vultures" and the infrequently played ballad "Let Me Lie" (which, along with "Pigtail" sees much more action with the Trey Anastasio Band) had the group playing with ease, so when the best "Julius" I have heard in a long time ended, the set could have ended and I would have been happy.
But Phish being Phish, they surprised everyone and blasted into a killer "You Enjoy Myself" - the first Set One appearance of the song in two years. Everything was right in the world for 18 glorious minutes as all composed parts were played with precision, Mike Gordon and Trey did their trampoline choreography, Trey played the synthetic Marimba Lumina percussion, and Page McConnell and Mike swapped places (I have never seen Page play electric bass!). The set ended beautifully.
Picking up where they left off, the second set started with a fantastic "Down With Disease" that was as long at the "YEM", and the band simply refused to let up as a super-funky "Sand" had Page doing what he does best as he stood up to play his clavinet (as they say, when Page gets up, you gets down).
There was more rocking to be had with "Carini" after a lovely "Tela". The only low point was the coda to "Twenty Years Later" which often has trouble lifting off in its odd-time-signature coda which simply meandered around for way too long.
The "Run Like an Antelope" recovery had Gloria commenting about the great buildup. Once again, the set could have ended there and no one would have gone home unhappy. But unlike the first set, the final number, "Backwards Down the Number Line", had a shaky start and was extremely subdued, almost perfunctory.
"Run Like an Antelope"
The last time "The Lizards" was played, it was the encore of (1/2/2016), so I am sure everyone was as surprised as I was that its return was in the same slot. No complaints here - especially because that ending section gets me every time. To follow that up with a high-flying, big-climaxing, show-closing "Loving Cup", was the best way to rest any doubt that this show could redeem the badness that surrounded the previous night's show.
With all of my expectations met - amazing playing, easier parking situation, and Gloria's satisfaction with the night - I was content to go home after my seven show run. It was yet another summer tour to remember.
