The Zenzoid Files

Once again, the intrepid band of Hillstompers set off for the high ground in search of aliens. And we weren’t disappointed, either! I’ll tell the story with thumbnail pics– click the pics for a closer look.

We checked in at the Alien Hunting Lodge and refilled our Nalgene bottles with a special solution that causes the aliens to bloat, swell, and explode. It was also good for drinking.

After stocking up at the hunting lodge and reading the latest alien sighting reports, we headed up Mt. Methodius, which a few uninformed folks still refer to as “Mt. Madison.” That is sooo last month, yo!

From the summit, we saw unmistakeable signs of alien activity, such as these discharges from the ventilation shafts of their underground bases. It masquerades as the exhaust from the Cog Railroad. Alien breath consists of thick, black smoke with a distinct smell of burning coal– it is toxic to humans and all other life forms on this planet.

At the summit, Dan spotted an alien and went in for a closer look. The rest of us stayed at the summit, keeping watch for an alien ambush.

John thought he saw an alien coming toward him and quickly wielded his image transmutator, but it turned out to be just me with a camera stuck to my face.

An alien drone landed on my finger, no doubt collecting intel on us to transmit back to the underground base. I told the drone to inform its masters that we know where they live and that we’re coming for them. Someone was listening because the drone flew off in a panic! Humans: 1; Aliens: 0.

Dan, AKA “The Blueberry Slayer,” triumphantly holds up the secret weapon: squirt cheese! And he demonstrated the proper use of this weapon. Aliens are deathly afraid of cheese because they’re lactose intolerant and the resulting flatulence causes them to puff up and explode.

We did a final gear check at the summit before descending the other side of the mountain in search of signs of alien activity. Little did we know that we were about to find more than we bargained for… much more!

Soon, we came upon dried-up alien blood splattered on the rocks…

… and an alien time stamp (the aliens are time travellers and use time stamps to mark which timeline they’re in).

Even the local geology was showing signs of alien activity. The aliens formed these layers in which to lay their eggs. I can’t imagine the stench that emanated from this place when the aliens had their nest here!

Then the skies darkened and three large alien drones began circling menacingly overhead. We squealed like little piglets and I nearly avoided wetting myself.

Then we found it: actual alien eggs! And it turns out that they’re really good to eat!

As the sun began setting, the aliens opened the giant hatch to their base. The light was so bright that you could see it reflected off the Carter Range!

After watching an awesome sunset…

… we hiked back down in the dark. See if you can tell who’s who in this picture. Give up? OK, click here for the answer.

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Hiked up Mt. Sunapee via the Newbury Trail with Dan, Stephen, and Sam. We survived attacks by killer bees, spike-bearing flies and being turned into a newt but we emerged victorious!

“She turned me into a newt!”

Lake Sunapee from South Peak

With My Little Dudes

Champion Hillstompers

Ready for Takeoff!

Lord of the Flies

Lake Solitude from the White Ledges

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Hiked up Smarts Mountain with Hillstompers Dan and Sam. Overcast day but still some fine views from the fire tower and lots of goofy stories along the trail.

Vato!

Enchanted Forest

All Good Up Here!

High Steppin’

Looking North from the Fire Tower

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Several of us from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church hiked up what is formerly known as Mt. Kearsarge to rename it after St. Anna, the mother of the Theotokos, on the day that we, in the Orthodox Church, commemorate her dormition.

We scaled nearly-vertical walls to stand on that summit and commemorate St. Anna. But neither rock, nor elevation, nor mud, nor branches in the face could keep us from our date with destiny.

“See, I’m back here because I *want* to be, not because I have to be.”

“This is kinda cool!”

“I bet that phone takes really bad pictures.”

But once on top, and after meeting up with our brethren Hillstompers, everything was just peachy:

Baby Steps

Across the Abyss

Hillstompers

From the OCA website:

Saint Anna was the daughter of the priest Matthan and his wife Mary. She was of the tribe of Levi and the lineage of Aaron. According to Tradition, she died peacefully in Jerusalem at age 79, before the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos.

During the reign of St Justinian the Emperor (527-565), a church was built in her honor at Deutera. Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) restored her church, since St Anna had appeared to his pregnant wife. It was at this time that her body and maphorion (veil) were transferred to Constantinople.

Troparion - Tone 4

Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure Mother of God, who gave life to our Life.
Therefore, you are now carried joyfully to the inheritance of heaven,
to the abode of those who rejoice in glory,
where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully honor you, ever blessed one.

Kontakion - Tone 2

We celebrate the memory of the progenitors of Christ,
and with faith we ask their help,
that deliverance from every affliction be granted to those who cry out:
“Be with us, O God, who in Your good pleasure glorified them.”

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