indian trail park

Growing up in the 60s this park was an amusement park in Cherryville-ish, Pennsylvania. According to google, it closed in 1984. Now it is just ball fields and picnic pavilions. It's near Lydias trailor hood so she walked Adonis there tonight.

Now why am I mentioning this? Lydia called me to tell me about the bathroom. The "bathroom scale" might need it's own blog!

She gives it a I-3.5 maybe a little more. She sent along a picture. It had running water, soap, paper towels, grab bars and no skid treads. It was relatively clean and was a composting toilet so it is environmentally friendly. Is a composting toilet indoor or outdoor?  Hmmm.

monocacy trail

We were scheduled to walk the Parkway at 9 this morning. At 8:25 Lyd arrived with the dog. At the same time the phone rang. It was Bonnie. "I overslept. I'm not walking today." So instead of walking in Allentown we stayed in Bethlehem.

First stop, Hotel B. We had to refill the Volkssport box with start cards. That's usually a very popular walk, but with the south Bethlehem walk and the new Allentown walk, it's getting minimal traffic.

We headed down to the historic district and up Conastoga Street to the trail head. It's so humid, we were soaked. Then headed out the trail to the Burnside Plantation where we visited the gardens and the police horses. When we reached Paint Mill Road, we crossed the railroad track, and used the track at the old 24/7 fitness center, then turned around, retraced our steps, and headed back to the hotel. With a stop at the Millers garden.

When we returned home we took the dog for a long walk, bumping our total to almost 4 miles.

Tomorrow I have to head out early. My sister is coming at 10.

i think i've watch too much "law and order"

I didn't go to the Moon Walk. My heart is broken. I so wanted to do it. But I couldn't bring myself to walk next to Central Park, alone, wearing a bra. I've watch too much Law and Order. I know what happens in Central Park at night.

I asked friends / family /random people what to do and all but one said don't go. I posted the question on facebook and got two replies.I expected a large opinionated response.

The Moonwalk people said there would be tons of people and volunteers and police along the route. But the fact remains that doesn't happen when I'm in a half. That happens for the first 75, 80 percent of the people. Those of us bringing up the rear, get nothing. Sometimes not even a finish line. The food is gone, the tents are being taken down, everyone has gone home. It even happened at the Biggest Loser race.

So instead of having to look at pictures of me wearing my outfit, I submit this drawing:

1. The cap they gave me. The top is pink and white stripes with a blue brim. That means half-moon. (the full marathon is the full-moon.)

2. An old black bra (the one they gave me didn't fit. It's in the goodwill box) with a large Sex In The City style flower in the center. I used it for the 3-Day. Also recycled would be recycled magenta beads that I've picked up at cancer events.

Also, I'd be wearing my flesh colored generic Spanxs camisole to cover the belly fat. Really, nobody wants to see that.

3. My HipKlip flower purse. Big enough for ID, phone, a little money, tissues and of course the camera. No backpacks were allowed. When you check your bag they put your stuff in clear plastic bags.

4. Tutu. We were given a mylar blanket and instructed to tie it to our fanny pack or wear it around our waists as a reflector. I cut it up and made it into a tutu. Good thing I had others from the 3-Day.

5. My bib. I'm #2224. We were instructed to attach it to your pants. You have to use a marker and write the number across your chest and on your arms.

6. Black crop pants. Prevents chafing and covers a very ample butt.

7.  Birkenstocks. Don't I wish. No I would have worn my black and pink sneakers. I'm not crazy.

walking south bethlehem

Today Lydia and I did a variation of the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk. I say a variation, because we started at my house and trimmed other spots off.

We headed up to Sioux and out Summit to the Admin building at Lehigh and played in their sculpture fountain.

Then it as thru Lehigh and time to take selfies with the sculptures. This bronze lad looks like he's hitting on Lydia! After Zollner we headed down to the green way to the casino and outlet mall then back under the Hoover Mason Trestle.

We stared at it awhile trying to figure out if progress was being made. Couldn't. then continued on our way. They ripped down another building on this route, and the fencing said HMT gate 3? What is that?

It became abundantly clear when we hit the Steel Stacks. They've put up a sign—"HMT Hoover Mason Trestle take a walk through history. Under construction." They are also putting up Musikfest.

All in all it was about 5.5 miles. A good walk at about an 18 minute mile pace. Even better since this is about 5th day in a row I've worn my Birks to walk in.

Before Lydia we't home, we took the dog for a walk.

an expensive day

Last night I did a last chance workout on the hills of Fountain Hill to burn off some weight. I walked up Bishopthorpe, Findlay, Benner, Bergen and Fredrick. The shocking part was that each hill registered the same on the Fitbit 8 or 9. Those hills are not created equal! Especially Frederick which registered 8. All in all I got 56
for the whole day. My goal is 25.

In anticipation of the weigh in, I weighed myself at home this morning: 224. Yikes! I broke the rule about not going back to another set of 10 after I was out. Not good.

At the weigh in I was 222. AND I gained inches. Except in my waist.

I broke my sunglasses when I fell at the recycle center. All the kings horses and all the kings men could not put those glasses back together again. And it was time to make an appointment. Today was the day. Bonnie joined me. Apparently I have had the same basic style of frame since the bronze age. It was time for a change. (What I really want is to be rich so I could have several pairs!)

The exam went well—none of the evil eye diseases are present. Thank goodness. Do not want to do that needle in the eye or drop thing forever like my sister. And my vision really didn't change so I could have saved the $100 on the exam. Oh well. Two new pairs of glasses set me back a little more than a grand. Ouch. Of course we picked the second most expensive frames in the store. I always do.

Afterwards Bonnie and I went to Full Of Crepe for breakfast. Bonnie's was gluten free (vegan also available). They didn't come on a plate. They are street style and come in a paper and cardboard cone that you peel. Yummy but very messy.  Since we were there at 10:30 it wasn't busy. The chef said when the students get back lunch rush starts about 11.

The crepes were huge. It had three different berries, mascarpone cheese and lemon curd.  You can choose sweet or savory and even make your own.

After lunch I walked with Betsy. Since Barb arrives today Bonnie's family stayed home. We did the typical 3 miles in her surburban 'hood.

Then I went to Patient First for BP meds. My doctor is MIA and I have no refills left. When I first started this adventure I went to a Dr. Jones at the doc-in-the-box.  4-5 years later she has landed at Patient First. Their website said she'd be on duty at 3. It's right by Betsy's.

I weighed 224 there. And my BMI is 33. My blood pressure was 126/65. Whooo Hoo. She also gave me the mamogram / dolonoscopy / ect lecture. Patient First is like a little hospital. They do blood, RX, xrays, the whole 9 yards. They are also sick expensive—$148. And that's without my RX. Yowza.  Need to find a regular doctor....again.

Tomorrow is the Moon Walk. Still on the fence about going. I posted the problem on FB. Clearly nobody cares. Only 2 people gave me feedback.

Regardless, Lydia and I will be doing one of the Bethlehem Volkssport walks tomorrow.

after dinner walks

Yesterday it started getting hot, and I really didn't feel like walking. But I drug my butt out there and did it. Lydia came along.

It was so hot neither of us felt like putting on sneakers. Well, the sneakers wouldn't have been bad, but the socks would have been tormet. So we wore our Birks.

Lydia decided she doesn't like walking in Birks. I, on the other hand, would do it all the time.

First we took the dog out. After being a bad boy in the house, he walked the best he's ever walked. He didn't stop much, or run ahead. Then we dropped the dog off and headed to Fountain Hill. We only did the fairly flat route between Delaware and Broadway, but it was enough to get the blood moving and work up a sweat.

Today I walked on campus, then between storms, walked around the block. We'll it's actually a variation on Adonis' route. I wanted a lot of up hill since I only had a half hour before it started to pour again.  Got home in plenty of time.

Tomorrow is a fast day. I have a weigh in on Friday and I've gained weight back. I even crossed back into the 220s. That's unacceptable.

fitness challenge 3 — boot camp

Clearly I am doing poorly on the fitness challenges. My goal was one per week. I'm barely making one per month.

Tonight Megan and I tried Boot Camp at the Rose Garden. It's one of the Fitness in the Park series. I've never experienced fitness boot camp. Megan has in Kentucky.

I liked that we were outside. I liked little else—except pushing/pulling the sled. That was sort-of fun.

Our first indication that it was going to be crappy was upon our arrival. We parked where I always parked and waited. And waited. And waited. Nobody. They usually meet near the bandstand. We saw someone arrive and followed her. She went to the playground area and there was lots of people.

The instructor came over and greeted us. But he left the wavier at home. He also forgot to collect our money. Don't think his bosses would like that.

It bothered me a lot that he was on his phone constantly. I hope he was checking notes and not twitting or texting. Megan said he also used it for the stop watch.

It opened with a run. Megan and I power walked. That should have been his first indication that things would be different. While he was running backwards with us, Megan told him we both had bad knees, and that she is post pregnancy.  He clearly understood that adaptions would be needed. But he didn't show any, and that pissed her off. At one point he said something like, 'if you can't do this adapt it'. But never said how.

The bulk of the exercises were on the ground. A lot of body weight, and pretty much all legs. No upper body workout except holding yourself up. I discovered I can no longer do jumping jacks. I could doing them for hours at 10.

I'm guessing the ladders were the aerobic part. Here I discovered that I cannot do more than 3 hops in a row. Again, the 10-year-old in me was disgusted. At this point I could no longer see out of my glasses. The sweat was dripping uncontrollably. There was only 2 ladders and about a dozen people. Though it kept moving. So there was no break time

The sleds were last. Again, there was only two.  It was a long wait—Megan and I were last—and I was totally cooled off by the time it was my turn.  The sled weighed about 10 and it had a 10 pound weight on it. I probably should have had added 5 more pounds on it. Some people were using 45 and a 10 or a 25. We pulled it up hill and pushed it down.

Then the class was over. Everyone high fives and you go. I realize I cooled off while waiting but there was no real cool down. No stretching. We stretched a bit and then walked around the block to get to the car.

The a/c int the burple people eater felt good.

fell into a ground hogs hole

Today I had off from my day job. (I just finished the night one.) So it was my turn to drive Bug to swim lessons at Memorial  Pool. (Yeah, Eryn finally got a learners permit!)

So we pull into the pool parking lot. I tell her I'm going for a walk, and I should be back in time, but if not, I left the car open, or she could sit on the lawn or the stoop and wait. Off she goes.

The pool sits at the top of the hill. So I decided to check out the "stairs" function on my new Fitbit. Stairs is really not the right word. What it really measures is inclines up. I headed down the driveway, then down the hill to Monocacy Park, then up the hill to Center Street.  I received a 5.

I turned around came down the hill, headed thru the park, over the waterfall bridge and back, and headed up the hill and up the driveway. At this point I was at 12. Clearly, it's steeper going up.

It was only 11:40. Still about a half hour to go. So I decided to loop the pool and the dog park. There were people everywhere. Apparently the come for both age level swim lessons and just hang out till the pool opens. They even bring coolers with lunch!

I returned to the entrance of the pool and there was still time, so I looped the pool again. This time, I was at the front of the pool and zig zagging up and down the grassy bank. I stepped in a groundhog hole and tumbled. Thank goodness I didn't roll! I am becoming a professional faller. When I was done my stair count was up to 18.

A pretty decent workout. I finished at the same time as Bug.

But something was quite different at the pool. Little of the grass was mowed. 70%, maybe is allowed to go fallow for environmental reason. They even put up a sign. But we all know it's a lot cheaper to leave big lawns go fallow than to mow.

Paths were mowed around the pool, the dog park, and another down to the street near the edge of the property, and a fourth down to the Monocacy trail.

my old fitbit has a new home

Everyone knows how I love to recycle, repurpose, reuse. I call it being environmentally responsible. Others call it cheap. Still others say the acorn didn't fall far from the tree.

As you know from a previous post, I left my Fit Bit in Pennsylvania before my walking vacation. So as an impulse I went to radio Shack and bought a new one (see, I'm not cheap!). Because I had my laptop, I didn't sync it. It turned out to be a wasted purchase because none of the data saved. Oh well. I've always wanted this model.

Bonnie has one. Megan has one. So I decided to give this one to Lydia. I ordered her the green case. Nothing I can do about it being pink. She downloaded the program to her laptop, and her phone. We personalized it. We set her initial goal to 6000 steps a day. We'll slowly take that up to 10K. And maybe higher. I've just set mine at 12,500. Heaven help me.

She started using it about noon, so today will be a wash. Tomorrow, we'll see how it goes. Hope she remembers to put it on!

penn pump park!

We had a full house today and it was terrific.

I send out a email with my walking plans on a fairly regular basis to about six people. Usually only family comes. But not today. Lydia's friend Dawn aka "The Princess" could make it. She's not in the picture because she's taking it.

The plan was to walk to Tatamy and find the Tatamy trail. We went left instead of right and ended up climbing the hill to Hackett Park. Oops.

After coming down the hill we were crossing Crayola's parking lot and saw this deer. She posed for pictures then ran away.

On the home stretch I walked with Dawn and she brought up the Moon Walk. I told her the problem and she suggested posting the problem on the Moon walks facebook page. Maybe other walkers have a similar problem. So I did. We'll see. I really want to do it.

I did check out the map while I was on the site. The half goes thru Randall's Island (the start line) and then down the East River Greenway to 57th, then back adjacent to Central Park.

Tomorrow I'll be going to a deep water swim class with Bonnie, and Boot Camp in the evening with Megan.

Weigh in is Friday. I just turned down an ice cream sundae.

The bathroom rated an I-3.5 today.

tail on the trail, sand island event

Today was the Tail on the Trail, Sand Island event. Today you could choose between a bike and boat or a walk run. I didn't know about the bike/boat before yesterday. So we walked.

We arrived in plenty of time. Today's theme was healthy snacks so they had dried fruit and nuts. Though on the display board they had nutrition bars. There is nothing healthy about those. They are filled with sugars. Even my Kind Bars use honey.

I digress. I always do.

Since this was a program event we needed to sign in. Megan had to fill out the minors form for the baby. It was amazing how many people were wearing last years shirts. Including us.

At 9, there was speeches and nearly everyone headed towards Allentown, including the bikes. We headed towards Freemansburg, walked a mile and a half or so, then came back. The wee one mostly slept.

At the Minsi Trail Bridge Megan and I headed up the stairs (90). Bonnie stayed with the wee one. Then it was her turn. We of course, went on ahead so she could power walk to meet us.

Tomorrow we are meeting at Penn Pump Park and heading towards Tatemy.

The bathroom rated an I-3.5 today.

pedestrian signs

Do they really think college kids will cross at the crosswalks?

I haven't walked a lick since I returned home. If I cross the 5000 steps mark I do a happy dance.

Monday I got caught up with laundry, shopping, grading and all that other stuff that sucks time into a vortex.

Tues, Wed., and Thurs was my first 3-day week at Lafayette since last summer. It takes some adjusting. Plus a faculty meeting for AI last night. Yikes.

I decided last night I have to walk EVERY day. Period. No more excuses. (Technically I have a half marathon in about 10 days!)

Tonight I took Sharon to the Musikfest meeting at the Banana Factory. While she watched the boring film, I walked out 2nd/Columbia to the Museum of Industrial History and back Third Street. I managed to get that bugger over 10K. Finally. Plus I walked up the two flights of stairs at the Banana Factory.

The south side, at least near the Steel, is under construction. So I took pictures, with my phone, of walking signs.

The bathroom at the Banana Factory rated an I-4.5 today.

 I did not cross the street. That side was sunny. I'm not a fool.

At the parking garage.

a week without a fitbit

When we reached Western Pennsylvania the first day of our road trip, I decided to see how far we had gone. I left my FitBit at home. It was a walking vacation, and I forgot my pedometer. Poop.

Ultimately I bought one on Tuesday. And wore it all week. But I never synced it to my laptop. I wanted to wait till I got home. That was a mistake. None of the data, except for Sunday stuck. I have an entire week set at zero.

I used to have the cheap one, the zip. It didn't do as much but I didn't care. I really just wanted it to do stairs. But it didn't. So the cheapest girl in the world upgraded to the One, so I could track stairs. But here's where it gets interesting. The Zip did track stairs, it just didn't tell me it was doing it. Sneaky.

I went from 0-2000+ stairs overnight! So cool.

Also while I was gone I reached the 3000 mile mark.  These little badges are dumb, but they do keep you motivated. Unlike the endless Presidential challenge. I'm less than 50% to Platinum after 2 years!

It is well documented that I am cheap, so buying a new one was out of character. I'm am a environmentalist. I just don't throw stuff away because I'm tired of it. The problem becomes what to do with the old one. Since Bonnie and Megan already have one, they don't need it. And Lydia has been jones for one. The choice was simple. I'm going to format my old one her. I even ordered her a green case. Hopefully in the next couple days we can get it set up.

came home to swag

While I was gone a lot of stuff arrived in the mail. (pictures when I find my camera)

Before I left I sent in my Pennsylvania walk book. Twenty Pennsylvania walks in a year. The pin arrive.

Also before I left I sent in my distance and events books. I've done more than 500 Volkssport  kilometers. In that packed I received a 500k patch, a 500K pin, another IVV patch this time black with gold thread, and another IVV pin, this time all gold.

Finally the box came for the moon walk. It contained a hat, t-shirt, bra, personal race bib, string backpack, Mylar blanket, and instructions. This walk is next Saturday night. It begins at 10 pm and happens overnight. I'd probably finish around 2 am. I signed up in a NY minute. But then I couldn't get anyone to come along. I'm in a quandary. Do I go and hope I make a friend, or do I stay home? Don't really relish walking around NYC at night, wearing a decorated bra, "alone". I wasn't really successful making walking friends at the Saunter except for the old couple who I walked with for about an hour.

We'll see what develops. And what else comes in the mail.

the bathroom "scale"

 Remember when we encountered the dead fish in the sink at Monocacy Park?

While walking on Tuesday in Ohio, we encountered an awful restroom. During that walk we came up with a bathroom "scale". On each walk, instead of us telling you the dirty details of how disgusting the potties were, we'll just give them a number.

Kind:
L   Latrines/outhouse
P   Port-o-potties        
I    Indoor                   

Scale:
0    Locked. My least favorite kind of restroom.
1    Disgusting/gross/foul, no running water or hand sanitizer 
1.5 Disgusting/gross/foul, running water or hand sanitizer
2    Dirty, no running water or hand sanitizer
2.5 Dirty, running water or hand sanitizer
3    Clean, no running water or hand sanitizer
3.5 Clean, running water or hand sanitizer
4    Very clean, no running water or hand sanitizer
4.5 Very clean, running water or hand sanitizer
5    Impeccable.

So the bathroom Thursday at the recycle center would be a I-1. Pretty much useless. Unless you are having a gut bomb. Clearly useless when you fall.
The park in Xenia would be a I-1
Riverside park in Louisville would be  a I-3.5. They had fountains that worked and signs that said, break the bottle habit.
The Y in Frankford was probably a I-4.5. After all it was the locker room. It was also hot and steamy.
And Fairy Hill was a P-4.5 Actually I wanted to give this bathroom a 5, but no hand sanitizer. This was single handily the nicest port-o-potty I've ever used. (Our tax dollars at work.) It was huge and wheelchair accessible. So glad I didn't go in the woods.

I generally hope for a 3. And if they have TP it's even better. I generally always have tissues.

walking vacation, day 7

We arrived Saturday night and went to the hotel that hosts the walk box. They were booked. They sent us to a town a couple miles away to the Comfort Suites. They were booked to. Everyone was booked. There was a film festival in town, a motorcycle rally, and a huge accident on the Interstate. Who would have thought that a sleepy town in West Virginia would have no room at the inn?

The Comfort Suites clerk was wonderful. She called around. The Knights Inn 10 miles away had 2 rooms left, but wouldn't hold them. By the time we got there, they were gone. They sent us across the street to the Roadway Inn. Finally, a room for the night.

Since we did the Volkssport check-in at the host hotel Saturday night, we parked near the middle school. No use walking the long driveway for nothing. Getting the instructions early allowed us to read them, and become familiar with them. That saved us a lot of time.

I believe this was an 11K. We headed toward "downtown" and they were setting up the Farmer's Market. Bonnie decided to get peaches on the way back. there is a historical marker on every block in this town. We walked around town a bit more, then headed into the university, and across the bridge to Maryland. Once we crossed the bridge we headed down the path and snaked around to almost the canal path. Instead, we turned right into the woods. It was a rustic trail. I wished I would have brought my walking stick. It was a climb back up the hill.

When we reached the lawn of Fairy Hill we were soaked with sweat. So what do we do? Take a tour of the house. Lucky for us the air conditioning was broken. They had fans running. We did not get overly cooled down. While there we bought National Park Passports and started collecting stamps. Something else to carry and never fill.

Then it was back down the drive, and back over the bridge.  Back thru the university's athletic fields, and back thru town. Somehow we read the instructions wrong, and I missed the farmers market. So we drove down, Bonnie hopped out of the car, and I drove around the block. Those peaches smelled good.

On the way out we stopped at Antietam National Battle field. Why not? We were in the 'hood.

walking vacation, day 6

Not much walking done on day 6. It was the long drive to Shephardstown, West Virginia. I think Kentucky is nearly as long as Pennsylvania. We tried stopping at the Kentucky Folk Art Museum, but their A/C was broken and they were closed. This train platform is on their property.

We walked a bit a rest stops. At the Maryland Welcome Center we parked at the top of the hill and walked the 60 stairs down to the bottom parking lot. Then walked back up. (Nice butt shot Bonnie!) It was wonderful. I should have done it twice.

walking vacation, day 5

We got a late start on the day. The kids need to finish their barn chores before we can go. Then we had to stop for gas, and things snowball. Before you know it we are leaving at 10. In Kentucky. In July. Thankfully it wasn't humid.

We head out to the farm to collect the kids, and off we go. We get to Rt. 64 and head to the state capitol, Frankfort. Sixty-Four  is pretty much a parking lot. Swell. The backup turns out to be an accident involving two 18 wheelers and a large tree.

We arrive at the Frankford exit and the kids see a sign Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory Tour.  At this point I have no idea what this is, but I love a factory tour. Sure, we can go when we are done walking.

We find the Y, check in, and set off. First stop is across the street at the huge mural on the railroad tracks wall. It went a couple blocks.

Finally we are off on the Frankfort Volkssport walk. Kentucky history abounded at every corner.

There were a lot of streets to cross, and the girls took turns pushing the button to wait for walking man. We were at a corner near the train station, the walk-man comes on and we start to cross. The person making the left onto our street stops. The guy behind her hits her. Thank goodness no one was gong more than 2mph. Bonnie stayed to make sure everything was okay. The girls and I found shade to wait in.

There isn't much shade in Frankfort.

Our next discovery was a beautiful garden next to the original governors house (#1-33). Clearly it wasn't open because all the gates were lock. But looking for an opening we found another park with a fake liberty bell. They painted the crack on it. Foxy said "I wish I could see the real one with the crack."

[No more pixs. Bonnie's camera battery died.]

One thing on our route was a "singing bridge". An old metal open bridge that hums when you cross it. The girls thought I was crazy when I told them we had to sing on the singing bridge. But they did. And at the end of the bridge was a park to play in. Suddenly they were not tired or hot anymore.

Final stop before heading back to the Y was the capitol building of course.

Our final check point was "What is the name of the candy shop of the corner of 2nd and" whatever. "Oh look, they sell Rebecca Ruth candies. Can we go in." Us, being logical said, we're going on the factory tour. Let's get back to the car and we'll go. So we did.

We get back to the Y and head to the Steak and Shake (girls pick), then backtrack to that sign at the interstate exit. We make the turn, then another, and where the heck are they taking us? You guess back into town. To the candy shop on the corner of 2nd and whatever. We laughed so hard. The girls mentioned that if we had stopped earlier we could have gotten cool. When it comes to candy, listen to the children.

We were gone so long that Bonnie called Maria and told her we had not left the state with her children.

Back at the farm we loaded the car with baby stuff. It will be interesting going home. Hope there's enough room for our stuff.

No walking today. Just driving.

walking vacation, day 4

We took it easy today walking only two miles on the Anchorage (Kentucky) Trail.

This trail is located in a small town that was once filled with zillion dollar estates. I swear the trail is in one of them.

The begins as brick. Not plain brick, by brick in a herringbone pattern. there are columns and bridges. About a 1/4 mile in it changes to asphalt. There are side trails also made of asphalt, dirt, and bridal paths too. Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore.

I looked online for information but found nothing.  But if you are ever in Anchorage, check it out.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with my sister, shopping and seeing Jersey Boys.

Today we are taking our nieces to Frankford for a Volkssport walk.

walking vacation, day 3

This morning we headed to downtown Louisville to do the Border Crossing Volkssport walk. Had I realized it was 12K I probably would not have had Maria drop off Foxy and Kitty to come along. We shaved a bit off, but it was still about 6 miles.

In Louisville one bridge is under construction, so they are down to one bridge. To get to the YMCA logic would indicate using I65. But that's right in the heart of the chaos. We took I64 and the longer route. Avoided all of the traffic.

 After signing in at the YMCA we headed off with the children reading the instructions. When we arrived at Main Street, we cut off the loop that went down to the Slugger museum and back. 1K gone. We headed up the Belvider thru the fountain, and up to the river walk. Then down the stairs and thru River Park and the wharf. I was at least a mile thru the park to the pedestrian bridge. The children were tiring so we took a break in the park. Then before heading up the ramp to the bridge, we rain thru the water sprinklers. That, and the breeze, cooled us off.

 Then it was over the bridge to Indiana, and back. We stopped at the same park for ice cream from the truck. Then headed back to the car. It was a good mile and a half away.

In the car the children were talking about a troll restaurant.  But didn't know the name. We ended up at O'Charleys near Barb's house. I looked it up online when we got back—We walked past it within a half block. Crap. It sounded cool.

Next Volkssport walk is Friday, maybe. In Frankfort.

Tomorrow will be spent on a short walk, then doing some running around with Barb.

Oh, in case you are curious, Bonnie was attacked last night by her father's dresser. Aparrently it was hungry.

walking vacation, day 1 and 2

My nieces "Foxy" and "Kitty" were supposed to come up and stay with their Aunt Bonnie for two weeks. A set of circumstances prevented that. But I already had the vacation planned, and we still needed to pick up the crib, so off to Louisville we went.

I thought we'd get about 1000 steps day one. Mostly a driving day. We headed from Eastern Pennsylvania and went to The Wilds. I saw this animal conservation park on television maybe 15 years ago on Jack Hanna's show. Mom and I used to watch it Saturday afternoon.

 On the open air bus. It was hot and windy.

We planned this because we thought Foxy and Kitty would enjoy it. They would have. It was excellent. Two and a half hours of driving thru pastures looking at wild animals do what comes naturally. It was a safari, so to speak. There were two places where we did some walking. It really added up.

When we pulled off the interstate, we were at about 1/8 of a tank. We were going to get gas before heading into The Wilds.  All the gas stations at the exchange were boarded up. We wnt anyway. Bonnie said the car didn't ding yet.  It dinged as we were leaving. She get's 18 miles to a gallon. OnStar said the nearest gas station was 17 miles. We breezed into the BP on fumes.

Then it was off to Xenia, the sight of Tuesday's walk. We had horrible storms driving thru Columbus and missed the by-pass. The 2 hour drive to Xenia took over three hours. We were going 35 on the interstate!

After checking into the Ramada in Xenia, we walked across the shopping center lot to the Mexican restaurant. It was delicious. It was 8 pm. We last ate at breakfast at 8 am.

Total steps was about 13,000. Far cry from the 1000 I thought we would get. I also  discovered I left my FitBit at home.

The next morning we got up and did the Xenia walk. Why Xenia? There is a Volkssport program were you walk in all the cities from A-Z. There are four places in the entire US to do X. You guessed it, Xenia is one.  The instructions were one side long, with no map. My south Bethlehem instructions are three pages plus a map. No history, no information. Turn left, turn right. That's it.

After walking we went to Bob Evans on the outskirts of town, stopped at Radio Shack for a new FitBit, and headed to Louisville.