It's April 3rd and I am 3/0 in the 20 day challenge to exercise everyday. Maybe I'm finding my mojo again.
Today I was signed up for a Get Out For Wellness walk. My first since the pandemic started. It was in Jim Thorpe and was advertised as "a steadily increasing grade, and is narrow and rocky in most places. You'll walk through a tunnel of rhododendron and catch glimpses of the river and town below. Total distance is about two miles out and back" Now this is Rocksylvania. I had no idea what to expect. The hills in Jim Thorpe are legendary. I was terrified but signed up anyway.
I woke up and it was pouring. I was afraid of slippery rocks. I wasn't going to go. Then the rain stopped and the sun came out. I bit the bullet and went. As the walk started the rain began. It rained for the entire walk.
The walk began at a ball park. We used one of the bridal paths left by the millionaires who used to live in the town. I realized driving up the hill past the mansions that I've never gone in them. I should.
The first half of the walk was uphill. Quickly we could see the town. As we went up higher, the town was under a cloud. We quickly came to the tunnel of rhododendron. They went on for more than a half mile. It must be spectacular in early summer. (Unlike domestic ones which bloom in May, these bloom in July and August.)
At times it poured hard. The rhodies protected us a bit. At open areas the trail was filling with water. On the town side it was a cliff. I can't imagine riding a horse here.
It was not as rocky as I thought it might be. Some places on the trail had the rocks painted. I think that's for those on horseback. It was never as rocky as I had anticipated it would be. I was relieved. Nor as steep. But it was uphill in both directions. We kind-of walked the top of the ridge.
There was much discussion about the Pennsylvania Sasquatch. I had no idea Big Foot lived in Pennsylvania. Dang it.
After several areas of standing water on the trail, we were approaching the spring crossing. The path was totally flooded and at the spring itself it was six inches deep and moving like a little river. I have no pictures of it because I'm no fool. When it became clear it was going to continue for a while, and it was going to be deep, I stayed back. The others continued on, quickly returning because it was impassible.
Our walk was led by naturalist Austin, and the man in the red plastic raincoat—Vince Hydro. Vince is is a local historian who has written many books on the Jim Thorpe area and shared some interesting stories about this trail and the town itself. His latest book is being printed at Christmas City Printing, where I used to work. I also talked to him about our company—Parisian Phoenix Publishing—and our distributor Ingram Spark. I need to print myself some business cards.
The most amazing part about this walk was that I was in the lead, or second position, for the entire walk. How the hell did that happen?
Miles/Steps: 2+ miles if you include hiking up and down the hill to where I was parked
Weather: 39 overcast to start, rain during the walk, and at the end, bright and sunny
Extra: On the way home I stopped at Weiss for light cream. I decided to get frozen veg while I was there. I was walking down the frozen food aisle, paying attention to the veg and walked right into a support beam. Dang that hurt.
Upcoming Get Out For Wellness walks:
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