As narrated by Alice the Hare

The first run of the season was marked not by bad weather although there had been premonitions of it, but by darkness (and chalk of course). I presume to start hares off writing writeups after having noticed this tendency being employed to advantage by the Long Island hares of the Amityville run. As it is only an experiment (in getting my fancy newsletter format to arrange text in colums) don't worry if you're due to set a run soon. Twice the work is half as good.

Yes, the first run was meant to be interesting. The pack made it even more so. Since we ALWAYS go up the steps when a run starts at the UN, I started the trail with a check. Might I add, a "half hour and time for Beth and Pierre to arrive and Beth to change" check. I don't get it. Well, thank God Beth did (she's not really a New Yorker so she knows where to go) (No, that's not right - she's been hashing longer than me so she can figure me out) Maybe she just has some common sense. From there I could no longer watch but Eva in a demonstration of great compassion (as is her wont) turned up to help me with the bags, this being so much more important (and satisfying) than going to the gym. We found the bar -a little very smoky thing with two floors- just south of St. Marks Church on 2nd Avenue (ever run through a churchyard before?) a bit earlier than they did, having made theonin mark so dubious as it was only 1/2 block from the last check. The Jolly Roger is however a good deal, pitchers of anything including Guinness for $8 after 7 (less before that)- all fresh. Crofty likened the coziness of it to talking to someone in their kitchen. River trail, due south. Note to X-mas hare: Pls make glug phosphorescent. Although it had been carefully positioned to gather rays (the sun is really hot there), all such activity stopped by the time the run flew past ferry pier (dark), heliport(darker), wooden runway marked GS for glugstop (darkest), and Water Club. And thanks Jerry for giving me my downdown, since "She cannot do herself."

As narrated by Elaine the Scribe

Meeting at the UN two Wednesdays ago were a dozen or so hashers, a few new, but mostly seasoned, for the first Winter Wednesday trail of the season. The run had a few fun twists to it (consider the hare), and it was not without trials and tribulations. Some of us LRBs (last!) were hoping that others would quickly scout out the first mark, and after waiting about five minutes for anyone from any direction to call back to us or return or place marks or show any sign of life, we realized we'd not receive any help this week from the FRBs. Alas, off we went and finally found the trail after about ten minutes, finding the first mark up the staircase and about 2 blocks west. We then turned south and sailed along until we got to the first check. For future reference, always place a check in the most confusing areas - under bridges and trestles, at 5 or 6 point corners, at extremely busy intersections, or best yet, combine them all in one check! We really like that. We really don't want to get to the beer - we just want to stand around and look busy like any vagrant would.

Anyway, we finally found the trail which ran along the FDR for a few blocks, then under a trestle and south along the East River to what was supposed to be our glogg stop. All I know is that there were probably some REALLY happy winos over at Waterside that night! [Confirmed next day by Ed.] After the check at the plaza, the long search for the trail finally ended after someone crossed bridge, a river, a tunnel, a few streets, and ...okay, slight exaggeration, but if I complain enough in the writeup, perhaps they'll stop asking me to do these![Wish granted, anymore wishes?] We then wound through Grammercy, and ended up in the east village somewhere on 2nd Ave.This scribe wasn't bright enough to think of writing down the name of the bar at the time, so suffice it to say it was another dive bar with cheap beer and even cheaper hashers! The beverage selection was great - Bass, Harp or Guinness, and someone even brought a crowbar, opened their wallet and bought a bottle of wine! What crass I mean class! And of course, what goes best with a bottle of Boon's Farm but Belgian fries! Long Live the Winter Wednesday Hash!