fall walking festival

Today Bonnie and I headed to Penn State for the bi-annual fall walking festival. We arrived at about 9:30 and were walking by 10.

The first walk was a 10K. It started at the host hotel—a Super 8—and wove thru town to the University. The hills were plentiful and the street signs lacking. At one point we became off course but quickly corrected ourselves.

The campus is huge. It makes Lafayette and Lehigh look like a grade school. Probably three miles was on campus. I have never been on a closed campus with that many buses.

On the way back to the hotel we walked past a farmer's market. I had wondered why so many students had flowers. What astounded me is that 75% of the farmers were Mennonite/Amish. In North Central Pennsylvania. South Central would be a totally different story.

Then it was off to Boalsburg for a 5K. Boalsburg is the birthplace of Memorial Day.

The walk began at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Then we headed across the street to visited the "ladies" in the cemetery. Crossing the street was a half mile away! Then we were off to see Chris Columbus and a mansion, but alas, they were closed for the season. Next we walked the original highway, then back the new one. The final section of the trail took us into town. We bagged it and looked at the military museum property. Lots of tanks. Lots of cannons. Lots of memorials like Gettysburg. We couldn't go in the museum because we didn't bring money.

After checking in at the Super 8, and turning on the computer, I discovered I earned a new fit bit badge. I'm now flying high in a hot air balloon after climbing the equivalent of two thousand stairs.

Tomorrow, two more walks. Then the long drive home. We are not staying for day three.