manayunk pre-walk

 

Today was a different type of volkssport walk. It was a pre-walk. Someone lays out the route and then someone unfamiliar with it, follows the directions and leads the group. One of the writers is along just in case. This one was in Manayunk and is art of the Atlantic Regional Conference walks.

There will be three lengths. A 4.7K, at 6.7K and a 11K. We did the first two and another group did the 11. We began at West Laurel Cemetary and followed the Cynwyd Heritage Trail to the Manayunk pedestrian bridge. At this point the 4.7K'ers turn around here. We continued into Manayunk's business district, and then returned via the Schylkill River Trail.

Manayunk is a funky, hip, artsy fartsy town so it's fun to walk there. I found a giant flamingo to take my picture with.

I was pleasantly surprised that I did all almost 5 miles without dragging my ass. Maybe all that chair yoga and working out with Milly has kept me in shape.

Miles/Steps:  6.7K, not quite 5 miles
Weather:       37, overcast, breezy.
PPE Found:    I lost count. A lot.
$ Found:        I thought I hit the motherload. Here it was just copper shinny disks.

a new trail!

Today while driving to Manayunk I discovered a new trail. Now when I head south I generally go 378, and then thru Coopersburg and turn at the old Pinebrook Junior College. It's now houses. Right after the former college property, and before the old golf course, I saw a sign —Liberty Bell Trolley Trail with an arrow pointing right. I put it on my to do list coming home.

On the way home I turned at the sign and arrived in a 6 car parking lot, with handicapped spaces. The stats of the trail are above. If you do an out and back, you're only going to do about a mile. Great place I'm sure to walk the dog. Not a destination hike. But it had a logo and fancy trail markers.

That begs the question why.

I looked it up online. And like the Saucon Rail Trail (SRT) that came together in pieces, this one is also part of a larger project. There's other little pieces in Hatfield, Landsdale, Perkasie and East Norriton Township. From TrailLink.com "Plans call for the trail to follow the route of the former Liberty Bell Trolley Line from Quakertown south to Allentown, {Wait. Isn't Allentown North of Quakertown?} a total of 25 miles. In addition to providing a multi-use trail through the northern Philadelphia suburbs, extensions north to the Saucon Rail Trail and south to the Schuylkill River Trail, along with connections to numerous other local trails, the Liberty Bell Trail will eventually form part of a long-distance Greenway that will connect the Philadelphia and Allentown-Bethlehem metropolitan areas.  

It will be hard to connect this with the SRT.  For one, it's on the other side of 309. Nobody in their right mind is going to cross 309 to hike/bike.

One day when I'm in the hood, I will walk this trail.

another storm fizzles

 

Today I teach on Zoom so I'm not really concerned about going out. I have class no matter what the weather. I was looking forward to a storm. I'd shovel and get some exercise before being stuck in a chair for four hours.

It snowed for a while last night. Maybe we had some freezing rain, but most of the night I heard rain. So I'd anticipated an inch of slush to be shoveled. Slush is heavy. It was slushy at 7 am, but then the temp must have dropped for awhile and it's more like packed crystals. When you pick it up it looks like shaved ice at a carnival. I don't want it to freeze into ice, so I went out to shovel. There have been people out shoveling for an hour. It sounds like they are working hard. And they were. I ultimately gave up and went inside for salt. I put it down pretty heavy. At 4 when class is over, if there's any remaining crystals on the sidewalk, I'll go scrape them off. Or put down more salt.

Right now it's probably safer to walk in the street than on the sidewalks. The plow came, and people are having no trouble driving. Once they get out of their parking space.

Wednesday, on the other hand, it was in the high 60s. I went to yoga wearing a sweatshirt and was hot. I had the car windows open. Global warming is a roller coaster ride!

Monday Pat and I exercised with Milly. Weather dependent, I'm hoping to walk in Manauynk tomorrow. I also signed up for three hikes with the Wildlands in the Pocono's/Coal Region.

Progress. But not quick enough.

windy day on the d&l

I was in this picture, but can't find me!

We were to meet at the Virginia Forrest trailhead near New Hope. That's a hour drive. All week I prayed for snow. I didn't want to go but I was the host. I also wanted snow for today's snowshoe event. Of course there was no snow. It takes about a hour to get there, and I couldn't use Rt. 32, it still has wash outs from Ida. In fact, there are areas on the D&L from Easton to Virginia Forrest that are washed out. That's why we went so far south.

Volkssport walks start at 10, with sign-in at 9:45. I decided to leave at 8:30to beat the early birds. I discovered there is no such thing as beating the early birds. I went Rt. 412 to Rt.611 to Rt. 413 and then some country roads and finally took Point Pleasant Road to Rt. 32. I'm cruising down Rt. 32 looking at the waterfalls of ice on the cliffs and realized that there was ice all over the road and it was too late to slow down. Now I wasn't going fast, but stepping on the brakes was out of the question. Fearing that I'd land in the canal, I took my foot off the gas, and death gripped the steering wheel and glided over it. (Coming home it was still icy, but salted.)  Keeping my eyes on the road and not nature I arrived at the trailhead at 9:25. There was two cars in the lot.

 

By 9:45 everyone who was coming, came. And we waited in the cold and wind till 10 and then set off. We went 45 minutes in one direction, turned around and came back for a total of 5.5K.

I had a great time. I could have walked more. I can always walk more. It's getting my butt out to do it that is the problem. And walking alone. If I have someone to talk to I can walk for hours ... and have.

Case in point, today. I went back and forth whether I'd go to the snow shoe even at the Game Preserve. I mostly decided to go. Then I sat down at my computer to do work. It began at 1. At 12:45 my calendar reminder went off. No way to get to Schnecksville in 15 minutes. If I was expecting someone I would have been pacing at noon. It's now nearly three and I still haven't gotten up from this computer. Not good.

Now that we're back in school at least I'm running around like a crazy lady for 6 hours a week. I used to average 2500-3000 steps a class.

Wednesday we went to chair yoga at the same place with a different instructor. I liked her. Pam no longer has the big boot, but something much smaller. She could even wear a shoe. Tomorrow is exercise with Milly and the Roomie day. I'd like to say I'm going to take a spin in the hood this afternoon, but I doubt it. Too much work to do.

Miles/Steps:  5.5k
Weather:       high 20s, sunny to cloudy, windy. Very windy.
Wildlife:        hawk

i got my fat ass out for a walk

I did it. I put on a coat, hat, mask, and scarf and took my fat ass out for a walk on a random Tuesday in February. I remember when I used to do that regularly. Now it's an event. Maybe I'm changing my attitute and it will happen more often. After all, I'm seeing my new family doctor in mid-April and I want to make a good impression.

 

I headed up Bishopthorpe and was shocked by how many people didn't clear their sidewalks. We had six inches a fluffy snow Saturday and it was a breeze to clear. Now it's an inch of icy mess.  I was hoping Delaware would be better, and it was ... mostly. All those old mansions are medical buildings now so they have to have clear sidewalks. I stopped at the eye doctor and paid my invoice and then headed toward Cherokee.

There's a beautiful old mansion at the corner, and maybe one more house. The rest used to be green space or the parking lot for the Masonic Temple.  Soon it will be the Wilbur Apartments.  I turned onto Brighton Street to see the rest of the construction.

The mansion looks almost done, at least from the exterior. I think that will be hotel rooms, or a B&B. The event center (plastic covered area) looks well on it's way, and the old Masonic Temple chimney remains for the chimney swifts migration twice a year. Chimney swifts are unique birds that spend the majority of their life in flight. Their anatomy, including curved claws do not permit them to sit on flat surfaces, which is why they rest on the interior walls of chimneys and hollowed out trees. I really couldn't get a pic of the chimney with the fencing up. I'm hoping when the construction is finished they'll tidy it up a bit. Maybe coat it with some stucco or bricks. Because right now it looks like a ruin. I vote for turning it into a living sculpture.

But I mostly walked up this way to get a shot of the smiley face (top). It's held some intrigue for me now for a few weeks. The "Smile Sculpture" is 12 feet tall and in it's permanent position, greeting visitors to Bethlehem. I have a feeling that many a photograph will be taken here once all the construction fencing comes down.

Then I headed down Wyandotte street  and out Broadway and started zig-zagging my way home.

Miles/Steps:  my phone said 2.3. I don't think that's possible.
Weather:       34, feels like 18. Sunny. So sunny it hurt my eyes.
PPE Found:    At least 10 masks, two that were washable.

another workout with milly

 

Yesterday Pat said to me "is tomorrow exercise day?" I guess she liked the class.  I knew it was almost time because I was working in my class and Pat was hovering. She was moving stuff, picking out bands, the whole nine-yards. She had a five step commute!

I logged on a little later this week but there was still a lot of banter. At exactly 11 Pat said 'Okay, let's start. I'm getting tired of waiting." Two minutes later Milly started. It was the same format  as last week beginning with an AARP video, and telling us this week's word was "love". Then we started with a warm up and worked our way thru each piece of equipment.

The equipment was the same as last week—weights (cans), bands, and yard stick. I brought in an arm chair for Pat and in a regular chair for me. It turned out that I needed the arms this week. There was one move where you grabbed on to the chair and pulled your self up and back, sort of.

There was a fair amount of standing this week. I adapted most to the chair for Pat. No way she could stand. Another move she refused to do was when you crossed your arms over your chest and stood up 10 times. I had no problems doing it but let's just say my knees were making the most horrendous noises.

During the cool-down we were doing a breathing exercise and she said one of her loyal viewers said the inhale was "smelling the roses" and the exhale was "blowing out candles". It turns out that "loyal viewer" was my brother Dave.

This week is shaping up to be a real exercise week. Maybe Gayle is getting her groove back.

 

Tuesday, I must pay my eye doctor bill. Medicare didn't cover it because I haven't met my deductible yet. I picked up my glasses at Costco on Friday, and recycled my old ones to the Lions club "mailbox" on Saturday. Glasses at Costco are cheap. I got three pairs plus the membership for what I paid for one pair before. BTW -- Why do I look so much like Sharon in these photos?

The doctor's office is five blocks away. I'm walking up there and then to the bridge to take a picture of the happy face. It won't be a long walk, but it will be a walk. Who knows, it might get extended.

Wednesday I'm going to chair yoga with Pam.

Saturday I'm walking with the Volkssport group and Sunday I'm snowshoeing hiking at Trexler Game Preserve with Wildlands.

Now if I could get my ass out there Thursday and Friday, I'll have done most of the week. We'll see.

roomie and i worked out with milly

 

That's Pat and I in the first square. I took it while she demoed this move.

A few weeks ago my brother read my post about Pam having a broken leg and us going to chair yoga. He sent a link to an AARP virtual class called "Moving with Milly". He thought it would be good for my sister's rehab as well as for me. Millie happens to live a mile away from me on Gauff's hill. Over 300 people attended.

I brought some kitchen chairs into the office and turned on Zoom a little after 10:50. Pat came in shortly after. You could tell she's not used to Zoom and the social activity that happens before a meeting. I think if it would have lasted another minute she would be gone. Next week I'll log in later.

She told us about a promo they are having in February where you might get a shirt like she's wearing or other swag. Today's word was kindness. I guess they'll send out a survey later to enter the answers. Then they played a AARP video on seniors and exercise. That was about 5 minutes. I didn't learn much new and Pat was getting antsy. I did learn that every pound you are overweight puts 4 pounds of stress on your knees. Holy shit. My knees are taking a beating.

Then she told us we needed weights, resistance bands and a stick like a cane or yard stick. I ran to gather soup cans and yard sticks. We have the stretchy bands. I also have the "rope"kind. I might try that next week. The workout was divided into doable chunks, and she demoed twice each thing she did. Reps were 5, 7, or 10. Clearly not in excess. When I put the soup cans down I realized one expired in 2012 and the other 2014. They are headed for the recycle bin. The other two expired in 2021, so they should still be good, but I need to use them soon.

At one point the video went out of focus and then in an effort to fix it, went out totally. But it came back.

Mostly we sat. One section was standing "if you were able". Pat did everything sitting. I feel like I did a workout. Things ouch. I was sweaty, so it was all good. Pat didn't say anything, but after she went back to the yellow chair she was digging thru the assorted resistance bands she's collected in therapy. Apparently orange is too easy. I just signed us up for the rest of February. She's digging for bands, maybe she'll even go.

The class is Monday's from 11-11:45. You must pre-register, but don't have to be a member.

it wasn't snowshoing

 

Today I was signed up for a snowshoe walk at Louise moore Park in Bethlehem Township. Yesterday, and a bit of Thurrsday is rained and rained and rained. There was barely any snow left. What snow was there was icy.

LMP is the former estate of Louise Moore, wife of Hugh Moore, father of the Dixie Cup. It is wide expanses of rolling lawn, and a few trees on this side. The rain and snow runoff from the rain yesterday make large ponds that were freezing.

Instead of snow shoeing,  we walked on the fitness course path. There was less than eight people in the group. The registration sheet looked like it had at least 20 names. The park is actually cut in half by the road. We were on the side with the "fitness course". The sign says it is 1.49 miles. Is that for both loops?

It was bitter cold and the wind whipped around. I could tell that I have not been out walking much. I was not dressed warm enough. I did have enough forethought to put thermal bottoms on. And my mask kept my face warm. But it was really wet by the time we were done. Most of the ground rubber tire trail was clear. There were sections of ice where we had to walk on the crunchy grass.

One thing about walking in winter is you see things you normally don't see. Like this post for an orienteering course.

It felt good to be out with people. It felt good to walk again.

Miles/Steps:  The sign said 1.49 miles. Without a fitbit, who knows for sure.
Weather:      low 20s, feels like 11, sunny and gusty winds
Bathrooms:   The comfort station was closed for the season but there was an open port-o-potty

chair yoga day

 

Today was chair yoga day. We cut it pretty close today because Pam was in a Zoom meeting and it ran over. Thankfully the instructor is chatty and didn't seem to mind. Pam's leg is healing and is now allowed to walk a bit on it. I took her one of Sharon's canes.

Again it was a week of a lot of stretching. My neck hurts every morning—I think I need a different pillow and a masseuse. After class I'm always sore. My lazy-ass body yells at me each time. Today I am sorer than normal.

Next week we won't be going. Pam is off on a ski adventure. She gets to sit in the cabin and knit and read while everyone else goes outside and has fun. I will not be going to the class. Good thing. I'm running our of yoga images to post. The studio is small.

It's February so the Tail on the Trail Mini Challenge has begun. I also signed up for the AARP February walking challenge. It's supposed to get warmer so all the ice should melt. I was hoping to go to AARP Exercise with Milly, but Pat had a doctor's appointment and I didn't make it. I think on these icy days I'm going to need to do inside exercise. I'm such a klutz and live in fear of black ice. I think I'm up to two, and an almost. Tuesday night after class I nearly did a prat fall in front of my garage. I haven't had a dizzy spell in awhile and am doing okay on stairs. I've finally stopped the death grip on the stairs. Maybe when my new glasses come I can risk getting on a ladder and pressing the button to reset the garage door.