testing the easton volkssport walk.

Today Bonnie, Angel,the tween and I walked the Easton Volkssport walk I planned earlier in the week. (See post below.) I think about 90% of it stayed the same. We changed a few things in the middle and at the end. No bathrooms on the route may be a serious problem.

For a successful Volkssport walk you need to have a wide variety of things to look at. Places to eat are a bonus!

Ours has:
Nature (woods and water)
Art (6 or, was it 8 murals, AND sculpture)
History
Interpretive signs
Architecture and bridges
Museums
... even a cannon. A whimpy one but its a cannon.

If we've done our jobs correctly, the Easton walk will start and end at the Easton trailhead of the Delaware Canal State Park. (aka Forks of the Delaware) There are port-o-potties (P-2.5), and picnic tables. No shelters, but Bonnie said she could bring a picnic tent if one was needed. I bet it gets really sunny there, even in April. There are no bathrooms on the route once you leave town.

It leaves the park, and runs along the canal, then turns the corner twice and runs along the Lehigh. Crosses the bridge into Phillipsburg, and runs along the Delaware, then comes back on the toll bridge. Goes thru a beautiful neighborhood on Spring Garden and Third streets, with some old mansions, and to the in-town section of Lafayette college. 

At the Lafayette Arch, the trail takes a sharp left and runs along the Bushkill creek where it connects with the Karl Sterner Arts trail. (This is where the 5K would head back rte. 248 to 9th and Northampton. They don't get the arts trail.) The art trail ends at 13th street. 

We head back to town zig-zagging thru a residential neighborhood, eventually meeting the 5K-ers. Then everyone heads down Northampton Street with a bump up to the library. It's a good stop. It is home of the original Easton flag, and the genealogy records for the county. Bathroom on a Saturday, not a Sunday.

Then back down around the circle with lots of food choices, museums, and the State theatre. We turn on Second at the Bachman tavern and head down Ferry thru the more historic district. Now we cut back a hair early. The child was tired and starting to whine. She could see the finish!

There were a few crappy sidewalks. That might be a negative. An a lot of slate sidewalks.

Hopefully the trailmaster, Pat, can come up from Philly on Friday Nov. 13 to walk the trail. Bonnie and Angel can also come on Fridays. 

Everyone who walked today contributed to the route. Teamwork!

What is really terrific is there could be an optional 5K that was part of the "state park" walk program. The entrance to the D&L trail is right there. No additional set up would be needed. And out an back. If they keep walking they will end up in Washington's Crossing. Not really in the cards for a Volkssport walk.

odds and ends

Angel, Bonnie and I are working on an Easton route for the Liberty Bell Wanderers.  Monday night all I could do was think of the route. Here's the initial plans. They will change. Right now they begin and end at the Forks of the Delaware. Can't beat the view. But I'm not sure it is walkable, safely. I'm interested also in Scott Park. I think there is a Gazebo to set up there. But I don't think there is potties.
Actually, I don't think there are potties on this route at all. Might be a huge problem.

Both the 5 and 10K go to Jersey, Millionaires Row, Center Square and historic districts. Also the new in-town portion of Lafayette's campus. Gotta get a college in there. Try as I might I could not get them to go to the library. That's where the Easton flag is. And the Bank Street Alley. Maybe both things can be a point of interest.

The 10K goes to the Art Trail.

This is generous 5K. Maybe closer to a 6K. Once we walk it we will know if the neighborhood I'm came back thru is okay. I'm pretty sure it's just like my 'hood. I wear rose colored glasses. Is my hood skanky?

This is the 10K route. The beginning and end are just like the 5. The addition of the art trail in the middle makes the difference is length.

I'm hopping to test these out in the next week or so, before sending them off to the Trailmaster. Then we'll need to get together again and formally walk them.

My fitness challenges are all wrapping up. This is the last week of the step challenge at NCC. Not sure when the 500-mile challenge ends. But it's sometime in November. Two less things to log. Also the Tail on the Trail summer challenge ends on Saturday. I think all of us have finished. February they'll have the winter one, and the Iditawalk starts.

Just stating facts here. Wednesday I received an email from Fitbit. I reached the 5000 mile level—Africa.

I know everyone else stopped the presidential challenge. it's a PIA logging everything. I am finally at 93% of my million points. My goal is to finish by the end of the year.  Or by the time Barak and Michelle leave office. She got me into this. She's going to see me finish it.

my fitbit can swim

Shockingly, no one did the laundry while I was gone. So today I had three loads. Vacation clothes, Sharon's clothes and Pat's clothes.

I was wearing my walking clothes. I was on the third load and it wasn't quite full.  So I decided why keep the clothes I had on for the next wash day. I stripped int he basement and streaked upstairs.

As I was getting ready for work I went to put on my Fitbit and realized it was ON MY CLOTHES.

Almost naked, I ran back into the basement and stopped the washer. I dig in the water for my shirt. There it was. Still attached. I pressed the button and it worked!

Last I checked it was still working. We'll see.

I don't suggest that anyone try it, but it looks like my fitbit can swim.

garbage picking

Today Bonnie and I walked around Fountain Hill. Our main stop was at the Wawa. Pat needed money, and I need to get money for José to pay for all the pens people are ordering.

We walked down Broadway to the Wawa, hit up the ATM--twice--and then headed past the Stanley Avenue playground. Then it was up the fitness trail to Russell Avenue. Bonnie saw this little end table out with the trash and picked it up and carried it back to her car.

The it was up to Jeter, and down Bishopthorpe and home. The walk was only about 2.5 miles, but she did carry a table for half of it.

horses, road apples, and a long 10k

Sunday was the last two walks. The event ended at 1.

The original plan was to go for the 10K walk, then come back, check out and go to the last park. But they were about 5 miles apart. Seemed silly to go back. Instead we checked out, stamped the books, and hit the turnpike never to return to the Willow Grove Hampton Inn.

Before leaving I read the whiteboard. Good thing I did,  it said yield to horses today at Evansburg. There was an equestrian event being held.

Evansburg State Park is heavily forested with the Skippack Creek running through it offering scenic views. Trail loops the creek and goes along ridges on narrow and sometimes rocky paths.

I don't know what time we arrived at the Evansburg State Park. There was a restroom at the start point (another I-4.5). A group of Volkssport walkers from West Virginia and Maryland were also there—Judy, Dave and Kitty.  We all walked together for the first mile. The tween talked out new friends ears off.

Then we parted ways. They were walking faster than we were. I think I was holding everyone back. But Angels ankle was also starting to protest a bit. So I think she was going a bit slower.

The trail was challenging. We average about 24 miles per hour. We saw out first horses on this side.

The trail went down one side of the creek. At the turn before the bridge it was confusing where to actually turn. We went the way we thought we should go—it got us to where we were going—and came upon a whole parade of horses. There must have been twenty.

Road apples were everywhere.

After crossing a stone bridge, we returned on the other side.  Angel fell--but didn't hurt herself--making a transition from a parking lot to a smooth section of trail.

On this trail, there were many places we had to walk single file. We explained the process to the tween several times. But to quote Angel "stop walking up daddy's butt!" was often yelled toward the tween.  Finally I stopped everyone and gave her a visual example. She was a bit better after that.

There was one place that Angel and I were lagging back, and Darrell and tween were almost out of site. Wish I would have had my whistle from Girl Scouts.

On our return trip we heard voices behind us. We had just transverse a particularly difficult spot. We decided to take a break and let them past. It was the group from earlier? How did we get ahead. Our thought was at the loop around the meadow before the bridge. Were we saw all the horses.

Again we walked together for a while. Angels phone said five miles. And we all discussed how we were almost done. The little green dot on her GPS was getting closer and closer and closer and further away. WTF?

(The maps are from Angel.)

We probably went a generous mile past it, then out a road where we met Diva and her owner, went another half mile or so, then back into the woods for another mile or so. In total it 7.5 miles. It felt like 10.

After burgers AND fries for lunch, we headed to the Norristown Farm Park. The restaurant was a block from the access road. I told you about this park on Friday when Bonnie and I went. But Friday and Saturday they cut all the corn down. It was a totally different view.

When Bonnie and I went we skipped the little part in the woods. It was a good thing. It was squirrely. And I left my sticks in the car. There we met sisters Carol and Joan. Carol is from Texas. Joan from Trenton. Again, we walked together for a while and then parted ways.

About halfway we ran into LBW treasurer Doris. Then we walked with her a bit.

By the time we past the state hospital Angel was done. She was in my place at the back of the pack. Her ankle was saying enough already.

The latrines here degraded a bit since we were there Friday. No longer an 4.5, but not yet a 3.5.

My totals for the weekend. 1-12K, 1-10K, 4-5Ks. It's the most walking I've done in months and I was joyfully exhausted.

Congratulations to our scoobie-tween. She reached the 165 on her Tail on the Trail Challenge this weekend.

tortured feet, day two

My poor feet are going to hate me by Monday. We spent the last several weeks being lazy AND throwing away every pair of comfy shoes. Two days in a row I've walked about 12 miles, and a full days wear. They are yelling STOP.

Bonnie and I got up at the crack of dawn to get ready for the day. Angel's family arrived about 8. We ate breakfast then hit the road. Eva rode in Bonnie's car and was introduced to Starr.

First stop was Ft. Washington State Park. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington troops were encamped there in November of 1777 before moving to Valley Forge. I didn't see a single marker noting this historic element.

We parked and headed off. The first kilometer or two was in the woods. Part was a rocky climb. Then it was down an access road to the hawk observation platform. There was a few people there including two with chairs doing a bird count. They found us five.

Then it was back into the woods until we reached the groomed trail. Two different races were happening in the park today. We saw one group coming toward us as we headed down to the observation platform. We saw the other on this trail. The turn around point was very near where we joined the trail.

 We also connected with a couple other Volkssport walkers.

We stayed on that trail about two miles, turned around and came back. Because of the race, we had friendly crossing guards. It was nice.

Then it was back up the hill, and back thru the woods on a cross country ski trail. Then we joined a grass trail which led us to a playground.

The child--and the big children--played. We gave her a 10-minute limit or we'd still be there. There was a four seat see-saw, so Bonnie and I faced each them, and Angel and her daughter faced each other. The balance was quite good. And it was a great exercise.

Finally we were back at the car. The bathrooms at the parking lot were an I-4.5 again. We must have picked a great weekend to go to state parks. Maybe they cleaned them because they knew we were coming?

Angel googled for restaurants and we found this Mexican place a mile and a half away. Again, dinner at lunch time. So much food. The guacamole we shared with blue cheese, candied pecans, figs and bacon, was divine. The entreés were enormous.

Then Bonnie left for home, and Angel's family and I headed back to the hotel. We checked in from the first walk, and headed out to do the second—the 5K at Tyler State Park. Yes, I did it again.

After checking in at the hotel again, Angel and I  decided to walk to the Wawa a mile away. We didn't have dinner and wanted snacks and water. We made it as far as the 7-11, and a pizza place was across the street. We ended up having pizza for dinner, carrying it back to the hotel.

After supper, we played a board game, and the child went to bed. She could barely stay awake for the game.

Angel had wanted to even off her Fitbit, but she's sleeping. Everyone but me is sleeping. I'm working. The child was in bed by 8 without an argument.

Tomorrow it's another 10K. This is supposed to be the hardest one. Then lunch, and then back to the farm park. Hopefully we can have our books pre-stamped, so we don't need to come back to Willow Grove.

Right now feet are delighted they are barefoot.

a couple of walks in the woods

This weekend is the state park walks for the Liberty Bell Wanderers. Bonnie and I left about 8:15 and headed to the Hampton Inn in Willow Grove. Walk-central.

On the way down, we discussed which walks to do. We decided to do two easy 5K's, saving the more difficult walks for when Angel's family arrives tomorrow.

After checking in we got back in the car and headed to the Montgomery County's Norristown Farm Park. THhe event brochure describes it as "Walk on trails through a working farm that’s been in continuous use since colonial times. Some buildings date back to the 1800’s. The trail is mostly paved with minor inclines through agricultural fields and wooded areas. Trail also goes by a trout nursery and two fishing creeks."

It was paved, and the route a little difficult to follow. There were several discussions about the directions and which way to go. It went right thru the Norristown State Hospital. That was the most confusing part. But we never got lost.

This walk had things to look at—barns, houses, woods, harvesting corn, ect.—and it kept us engaged.

The bathrooms were port-o-potties in the parking lot. The second cleanest I've ever seen.  P-4.5

The second walk was at Tyler State Park in Newtown, Pa.

Leaving the parking lot the first thing we saw was pedestrian causeway which was interesting. the trial was paved, but a little boring. It was heavily forested, but the October colors get a little boring after a while. It's not a trail I'd do again.

The most exciting part for me was on the far side of the park—a covered bridge. We decided to drive there. But it was a bit of a hike from the lot, down a steep hill.

 The payoff was not the bridge, but horses! two sets of riders and their beautiful horses.

The bathroom on the trail was a comfort station. Old but really clean. Impressed thus far with state park potties. I-4.5

Driving back to the hotel, I saw a giant pumpkin. Unlike my daddy, Bonnie stopped. It was made from blow-in insulation.  The also had scarecrows of Washington crossing the Delaware, Lincoln, Babe Ruth and a couple in 18th century clothes. He was on a horse. I think she had a flag.

Tomorrow I'm going to suggest Ft. Washington State Park.  Of the two more difficult, natural trails, this one is not as strenuous, or dangerous. We are planning a 10K.

Instead of eating dinner we had popcorn at the movies. We went to see Steve Jobs.

two for the seesaw

Yesterday Bonnie came over and we walked to the south Bethlehem Farmer's Market.

We headed out Sioux, then Summit and thru Lehigh's campus. At the quad there was a giant see saw. A fraternity and sorority were raising money for something called Wilson's disease. We told them we'd be back after the market. We continued thru campus, and then down to fourth street, and back toward campus square.

After shopping we headed up the stairs. We hatched a plan. They get a donation. they get a bigger one if they let us ride. And they did.

I felt 8 again. And it's actually quite a leg workout. Plus balance. the games we played as a chhild really were a workout. No wonder I was skinny then.

We rode awhile and then we headed home.

contradiction?

This term we arrived to this sign at the cafeteria. I never had my camera while I was there. Monday, I did.

Last year the kids at NCC started a ban-the-bottle campaign. (Wow, you should have seen the brochure. Clearly none of them were designers.) They were selling refillable bottles with the logo for a buck. Not bad. But they were plastic. (I think that's an oxymoron, right.) A lot of bottle refillstations have appeared all over campus.

Plastic bottles a huge problem. And students are horrible about recycling. You would never known that most of these kids grew up with recycling as the norm. But the reality is there are a lot of other beverages in the cafe that are in plastic bottles. Why not ban them all? If you're going to ban plastic bottles, then ban them. Period.

And more problematic is "NCC Bans Plastic Water  Bottles" statement. They are is still in EVERY coin operated machine. Seems like a contradiction to me.

my prize

I lucked out. My walking prize was the Fitbit style that I have. So I'm keeping it. When my current one dies—or I kill/lose it—another will be waiting in the wings. I did take out the case and put it on mine. Mine was falling apart. (BTY new cases at Fitbit are $14.95. Generic new cases on Ebay are $3.99. You do the math.)

I also stopped and picked up my Wellness Warriors t-shirt. It's safety orange with grey letters, and a grey Spartan on the back. It's Gildan, they choke me, so I gave it to Sharon.

Today is Wednesday, and it's beautiful out. And I am sitting by my computer. and not outside. That is going to change. My crazy workload is wrapping up. I'll have more time and less stress. I'll also have time to get some casual shoes.

It's well documented that I hate sneakers. I am barefoot all the time. Before the Birk toss, I'd slip on my Birks between projects and go for a walk around the block. I stopped doing that since I have to put on sneakers. If I can find some comfortable, supportive shoes that slide on, perhaps that habit will come back.

The problem is not walking. It's leaving the house. Once I start I can walk all day ... happily.

I have off tomorrow. After I return from work tonight about 7. I'm going to call Bonnie and see if she wants to walk tomorrow. It's farmer's market day!

things are declining

 My favorite color—October.

First I stopped walking—for the most part— on weekdays. Now it has spread to Sunday. If I don't do something soon to turn this around I will be back on the couch like the fat blob I am. This. Cannot. Happen.

I had every intention of walking this morning. But at 1:12 am the smoke alarm started binging. The battery was dead. The 15-year battery lasted maybe 10.  I was in a deep sleep. Probably the best in a long time.

I fixed all that and went back to bed. Wide awake. I should have worked a little while and then went up. But I laid there instead. I woke up at 7:45. Two hours behind schedule. Should have gone out right then and there. But instead I choose laundry and breakfast first.

About 10 I decided to walk. I was done with class. And about to start another project. I thought the Hellertown rail trail might be good, because there was a half-marathon in Bethlehem today and lots of streets were closed.   I said, I think I'll go walk Hellertown then go to the farm market.

The roomie says, can  "I come along?" There-in laid my big mistake. So instead of walking we went to the farmers market and the Dollar Store. I came home and worked until about four. Except for a phone call from my sister in Kentucky.

I didn't feel like walking at 4. But I did drag my fat butt out for about a mile. And I did get some good hills in. So I guess it wasn't a waste after all.

Things are slowing down with work. I think I'm headed for a drought. That's both good and bad. Finally no more 15-18 hours days. maybe I can get back on track. But it also means no income. However, I do have an interview on Wednesday. So we will see.

 

My neighbors pumpkins.

tail on the trail event -- walnutport

Saturday was the tail on the Trail event at the Walnutport canal towpath. The D&L runs on the railroad line. It's been a long time since we all walked together — Bonnie, Megan, Lydia and I— and it was pleasant.

Sorry for the picture of the boring sign, but Lydia didn't give me a copy of the selfie. I took some others of the leaves, but none of them came out. 

After picking up our half-way prize water bottles and some fantastic trail mix (Unlabled, but in small print, prepared by the Carmelcorn Shop. Note to self. Go to Center Square.), we hit the trail heading north. There was a 10K headed south.

We walked about a mile and a half north, then spun around at the lock, and came back. I went to take the picture of the sign and some others of the leaves and lost them. Then I got stuck trying to cross the street. Everyone was waiting on me! The power lies with the one with the car keys.

It was cool out. And a little windy.  It was pleasant not to be soaking wet and dehydrated when finished.

On another note, my sister-in-law Barb finished her first 5K yesterday. 55 minutes. Go Barb! May first was 62 or 63 minutes.

whoo hoo!

I've participated in the step challenge at NCC for two years now and have never won anything. This week I did! If it's anything but the kind I have now, I'll need to find it a home. I know my brother's wife has been wanting one. I'll start there.

If it is the kind I have now, then I'll put it away till mine breaks.

Now this is just a random drawing. When you key the numbers in, it's very vague.  Good thing because I've had really bad numbers lately. 15-hour days and walking don't mix.

from my email calendar

Seems appropriate for me.  I do get easily distracted. And it gives me a blog post for a week that I've worked, not walked.

a train, a river, two mueums, and a several parks.

Today Angel, Darrell and I went to Philly to do a Volkssport walk, and two museums. I don't know about them but my feet hurt. The tween decided to go to Grandmas. Clearly we aren't fun.

Angel picked me up about 8. Darrell double parked the car and Angel came to the door while he waited outside. I came out and they switched seats. I was about to get in the car and it started rolling down the hill. Thankfully, Angel was in full control. Darrell left it in drive, so when she took off the emergency brake, it rolled. Being fat, sometimes, pays off. I did not go crashing to the ground.

We arrived in Philly in one piece and started looking for parking lots. They are hidden. We found a space at a meter in front of Drexel. There was a sign saying no parking 10-9. It's the 11th so we parked. Then I put my card into the meter kisok, and it returned it. Free parking day. This trip was looking up.

We walked to check in at 30th street station. I opened the door to the restaurant and the clerk said, "I'm sorry we aren't open". Say what? Thinking on my feet my reply was, "we came for the Volkssport box". She left us in!

 (The story of Noah in cunniform. It was about 6 point type.)

And then we were off. The route headed down 30th street to the Penn Athletic fields, and around by Franklin Field. We arrived at our first stop: The Penn Museum. I wanted to see the Sacred Writing exhibit. (We planned on buying a combo ticket--saving $6 each--for Penn and the Mütter Museum. ) The clerk asks if any of us are teachers. I said yes. I got in FREE! After a rough start, this day was looking up. But I did have to pay full price at Mütter.

 Illustrate Bible

The exhibit was a lot smaller than I thought it would be. But the pieces were exquisite.

Qu'ran

Many faiths were covered including a Rabbinical Bible and a Qu'ran.  There was also one in 6 different languages. I should have had Angel take a pix of that one. (She took all the photos.) Afterwards, we went to ancient Egypt and saw hieroglyphics, mummies and the Book of the Dead on papyrus. Then it was off to Rome, Italy, and Iraq. Then we had enough of the past for one day. It was beginning to get repetitive—pots, jewelry, busts, coffins.

We left the museum and picked up the route. We crossed a bridge, and headed down the stairs to the boardwalk. I'm pretty sure we walked this route on the 3-Day. At the end of the boardwalk we crossed the pedestrian bridge and headed into another park. Then into a neighborhood of row houses that were quite nice and certainly yuppy-fied.

At 22nd street we broke off the volkssport route to go to the Mütter Museum. From the the website: "America’s finest museum of medical history, the Mütter Museum displays its beautifully preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a 19th-century “cabinet museum” setting. The museum helps the public understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body and to appreciate the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Bonnie would have loved this place. I knew it would be a place Angel and Darrel would enjoy, and they did. I get a little grossed out by things floating in formaldehyde. And dead things. The skulls were really cool. They were all written on in a beautiful script.

I enjoyed the surgical instruments, and the Civil War exhibit. And of course the Vesalius On The Verge: The Book and The Body exhibit. The soap lady was 1000% gross.

The main galleries were a very old fashioned museum with rows of cabinets. And maybe because I had walked there, it was very warm. Too see anything, it was a process of weaving in and out of people. Especially if you wanted to get up close. The man with the unicorn horn was worth the jostling.

I was kind-of shocked it was packed. Maybe weekends aren't the best time to go. We even ran into a class touring. The guard did make us take off our backpacks and put them in a locker. I put in the quarter and one fell out! Woo-hoo.

Somehow -- thank god --I missed the dissected and flayed rats. I might have had to run to the rest room.

We came out of the museum and would have had to backtrack to pick up the route. We were about 5 blocks from the car and had already walked more than 5 miles. Plus another mile and a half or so in museums. We chose the car and googled the check point answer. (Three)

We arrived back at the car, and headed out. On the Expressway Angel couldn't figure out why Map My Walk ate her map. She was pissed. Then she figured it out. She never turned off the walk. It was still mapping us. We covered 23 miles in 3.5 hours. Damn, we're good.

this was on my FB wall today

At the top of a news feed filled with negative and political memes, it made me smile. I'm sure 9 million other people got one too.

we forgot to count the stairs

Today Bonnie and I did the Lehigh stair climb. Basically you start at the bottom of the hill on fourth street and work your way up to the top.

Today we went from my house, out Itaska and down Broadway and Fourth. Then we walked up New street, through the stairs in Campus Square, and up to Packer chapel. Then it was left to Zoellner and up the old stadium stairs, then continued going up by Taylor Gym and down at Grace Hall and then back up. Not really sure where we went after that. The set that Bonnie is climbing in the picture is a total of about 300. It runs next to some residence halls and then up to a fraternity. The fraternity set alone is about 100. Can't imagine doing them drunk.

We got to the top of the hill and we had done about 64 flights. My goal was 75, so we came down and went back up a few more. We forgot to actually count the stair steps today because we were busy chatting. Usually it's about 1000.

No pictures today from the top. the trees still have too many leaves. Soon, though.

It was harder than normal. I am not in the best shape. I've been walking less and sitting on my butt all day. It takes a toll on the over all health. Gaining 20 pounds probably didn't help either.

In total we covered about 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours. Which is an awful amount of time. But it was uphill and aerobic all the way. I'm okay with a 30 minute mile on stairs. And it beats the hell out of a stair master.

 I love the little drawing that Bonnie's Map My Walk app made. I can't believe the climb was only 541 feet.

fitness + workplace = healthy employees?

Everyone I talk to lately seems to have some sort of wellness program at work to keep their employees healthy and happy and working there forever. No scratch that. Reality Check time. I think it is to keep healthcare costs down. Healthy employees cost less to insure. But if they keep the cost down do our costs go down too? At least in theory?

Since I'm pretty much self-employed now, I can't tell you our policies. My policy is try to stand to work, and walk everyday. Some days are better than others. Some days I meet none of my goals. Some days I just want to stay in bed with my blankie over my head.

The community college I teach at has the Wellness Warriors group. I have the t-shirt and water bottle to prove it.

Last spring I took the empowerment class, and this is the second step challenge I'm involved in. Two gift cards and one Fitbit are given away every week. I have yet to win. They also host a 5K that I did last year, and a Weight Watchers group. I think if you are full time staff their might be other options available. But I'm not sure.

But at every event I participate in there I see basically the same thirty people. Does the Wellness Program really benefit the whole staff?

The other day at my arts center job, my boss was taking a 10-minute (20, really) wellness survey to get enrolled in their program. If you meet certain goals each week, you can earn points and prizes. One is climbing stairs. (We're on the second floor. The powers-that-be are on the first. Check that easy option off.) The university is also built into the side of a mountain. You're either going up or down and it's all aerobic. All you really need to do is leave your desk for a half-hour. An easy option. I can get the equivalent of 25 flights of stairs just walking home.

But how many people will sit for 20 minutes to fill out the profile? My boss was down right mad at it. But she didn't quit because she had to finish it no matter what. Me I would have said F-that and bailed. I don't win the prizes anyway.

I surveyed a few friends and family members for their opinions.

My brother Dave was the first person that I knew to talk about a wellness program at work. So I asked him, my niece Lydia, and my friend Angel for a synopsis of the programs.

From my brother Dave: Yes, a pretty extensive one. Every year we must fill out a wellness profile online. (I wonder if it's the same one that my boss was filling out? He say no. "The wellness profile is pretty easy to fill out. There is much more you can do on the site and that can bog you down." ) We get points which can be translated into funds to use like flex spending for medical needs. 100 points for doing the profile the 100 each for getting regular checkups, participating in an exercise program (they go to the gym 3-5 times a week at about 5:30 am), not smoking and meeting body mass guidelines. Barb and I get all but body mass. There are ways to earn the points you miss, one of them being the 10,000 steps challenge. (He's done it two years.) Another thing which is going on is yoga classes held twice a week in one of the conference rooms at lunch. They run 12 weeks, and are very reasonably priced. This is the fourth set of classes and Barb has been in since the beginning.

From my niece Lydia: The Wellness Program holds events quarterly. The last one had a massage therapist, reiki, cooking with olive oil, healthy food choices, importance of water ,and blood pressure/cholesterol screenings. They offer maps to three different paths around the main building and the cottages for walking/exercise. They also offer a reduced price gym membership for Steel Fitness and they reimburse half the entry fees for 5K and other races.

But she's already a walker, like me. And she likes doing races and hates gyms, just like me. So the incentive might work to get her to do more. But do they work on the average couch potato?

From my friend Angel: Monday I celebrate the end of my fifth year working at Target. This holiday season, Target has decided to give out free a Fitbit Zip or discounted other model to every employee who signs up for one. In addition, employees will receive an additional 20% off fresh fruits and veggies, frozen fruits & veggies, any Simply Balanced item (Target's organic food line) AND Champion C9 products. That's on top of sales, our Cartwheel coupons, employee discount and RedCard discount. They say it's a move to promote healthy habits. I say it's a boost for morale and if effective keeps us from getting sickly during the time of year that Target needs us most.

     I've had a Fitbit for more than a year. Target will begin an activity challenge soon, pitting various regions across the nation against each other in a race to get steps. Winners receive money for their favorite charity. It's a good project and I'm anxious to see the results.

     Already I see my colleagues competing in step counts and private challenges. I kicked the butt of one of my supervisors in a "work week hustle" she initiated. And I'm still under orthopedic restrictions for my broken ankle. I've been inundated by Fitbit friend requests from people in my store... So we'll see who "walks the walk."

It's a company-wide program and I bet lots of people get the Fit-Bits, but how many will actually use them? Especially past the actual competition period. Is it like January where everyone wants to get fit, then peters out by the end?

I have no answers. I just think it's an interesting topic to talk about. If I was Lois Lane, I could interview HR departments and employees and get great quotes on success and failure. But I'm not, so I won't.

halloween house

Today's walk was in East Bethlehem. It was Angel, Darrell and I. It was cold and overcast, but now at noon, the sun looks like it is coming out. I hung the clothes in the basement to dry. Crap.

We started at the cup and headed up Linden street towards Rt. 22. Then we turned onto North Street at Spring Garden School. Darrell says "I think this is where mom brought us for a Halloween house". The further down the street we went, the more sure he was. He took Angels phone to call mom. By that time, we saw it.

I'm pretty sure the neighbors hate it.


I must go back at night. It is the front, back and side yard. I have no idea where he stores the stuff. If Bill White did Halloween light tours, this would be on it.

We continued down North to East, then head to Easton Avenue and back to the cup. It was just over 3.6 miles.

On the way home I stopped at Wawa to get Sharon coffee and to use the ATM. I had my jacket tied around the waist. I got in the car, closed the door and heard crunch. Usually that mean the seatbelt is caught. Opened the door, pulled the coat in and headed for Sharon.

On the way home we ran into a race, so I was detoured. Finally home, I pulled out my vintage iPod and realized that was the crunch sound I heard. That poor baby might not make it till December when I get my iPhone (with no data package. Too cheap. Wifi baby.) She's hanging on by a thread.