baby it's cold outside

It snowed maybe an inch last night. Okay. Maybe two inches. Clearly wasn't worth the end of civilization weather reports from last night.

At about 7:30 I went out to clear the snow. Shovel, might be too strong a word. It was single digits. And very windy.

This is what I wore. I probably looked silly.

TWO pairs of gloves. When I came back in I couldn't feel my fingers
Long undies, top and bottom
Long sleeve shirt
Pullover fleece
LL Bean coat with hood up
Sweatshirt with hood up
Fuzzy hat under all those hoods
And a scarf

Except for my fingers I was not cold.

I did the front, walked up the hill, around to the alley and did the garage and the back sidewalk, then went up the hill and came back down to the house.

After getting half that clothes off, I went out to make breakfast. Bonnie called. "Let's drive to the Poconos and go for a three mile hike." "Okay." Alas, she was teasing. But I really did want to go to the Poconos. Angel was picking the girl-child up from Moseywood. I toyed with the idea of hiding in her car and walking around lake Moseywood. (Supremely jealous of girl-child—snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, painting snow—why don't they have adult weekend in winter?)

I did some work, then put all that clothes back on, and headed out at lunchtime for my walk. Alone. Lydia had been a maybe for today, but she called and said it was F@*&‡!G cold out. She was going to the movies instead.

I went down to Itaska, and wove my way to Broadway. Out Broadway and back up thru Lehigh.  One reason I chose the university is I knew the sidewalks would be clear. They were so clear they were dry.

Even the stairs were clear. So I took them.

At the top of the hill I headed out 8th Street toward home.

Sadly, it was barely two miles. I only have 7500 steps for the day, but I do have 38 floors. So I'll need to do at least 2500 steps in the house later. Unless I decide to bundle back up and head back out.

 The view from 8th Street

Oh, I weighed myself this morning. Up another two pounds. I think I'm going to stop watching what I eat. More exercise. Less and better food. I do not understand.

road trip—philadelphia

It was 9 degree when I entered the car yesterday. What the heck had I gotten myself into?

For a Christmas gift I bought Bonnie a road trip to Philly. We were combining three things into one spectacular day. It was supposed to be Tuesday, but with the snow we pushed it to Thursday. Not because we were afraid of driving or walking in a little snow. Rather we were afraid of spending the day on the turnpike or worse, the Schuykill, behind the 15-car accident that was sure to happen.

I picked Bonnie up at 8 and we ultimately left about 8:15. We arrived at the Schuykill at 9:24. It was nearly 10:30 when we arrived at 4th and Arch. Part of that was my fault. The turn fro the Ben Franklin and the turn for Arch street were next to each other. I picked Jersey. It cost $5 to come back!

Firs stop, the Wyndown Hotel at 4th and Arch to sign in for the Philadelphia West walk. (There are  four Philly walks.) By then it was a balmy 18 degrees. In hindsight it was probably dumb to do a Volkssport walk in 18 degree weather. We read nothing. We looked at little. We just kept moving. I picked this walk because it went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We were going down the street to the Museum of Natural Sciences to see the "Chocolate" exhibit.

It was nice. But much smaller than I anticipated. The dinos were cool — Bubba would love them, and the butterflies were beautiful. The best part was when we were on the 3rd floor. There was a school group being read the riot act by the teacher. (He must have been a former Marine. If I was in that group I would have wet myself.) Let's just say he was not a happy camper. "In 15 years of chaperoning students I haven't never had a group as bad as this one." Thank goodness we were not around to see what they did. They were so bad he was placing many of them on a "no field trips" list. Including an upcoming one ice skating. They were 6th, 7th grade.  Glad there are still teachers who discipline students.

Because chocolate was the theme, and it was freaking cold, we skipped the part of the walk that went to the art museum — it looped back — and headed down 19th to Walnut. There we went to 15th to look for the restaurant — Max Benner's Chocolate Bar. Yes. A chocolate restaurant. We only had the best hot chocolate. Ever. I bet the deserts are to die for. If you go, it's really on 15th, not Walnut, and it is not a cheap place to eat.

At some point we discovered we lost our Volkssport directions. But I remembered it having us go out Walnut, up 6th, around Independence Hall and back to the hotel.  Since the north-south streets were really windy and cold, we did a two east, one north, pattern to break it up. And ended up going to far north.

Can we talk parking in Philadelphia? It's crazy expensive. The hotel lot was $12 for the first hour and $10 thereafter to a $32 max. We saw some higher. One or two lower during our walk. But that seemed to be the average price. Add to that a twenty percent—20%—parking tax. I spent almost as much for parking as I did for a fancy lunch. My parking lot total was $42. American. To make matters worse, we paid for parking and when I inserted my paid card in the machine, it wanted to recharge me. That would have been crazy.

It was 21 degrees when we got in the car to go home.

All in all it was a great day. My camera is broken, so no pixs from me. Bonnie took a few with her iPhone. When I get them, I'll post them. It was just too cold to take gloves off to take pictures.

day 18—happy new year!

Personally, I don't get the "new year" holiday. Why should January first be any different than July first? To me, it is just another random Thursday, but I get off from work. Celebrating a new year goes all the way back to Mesopotamia in 2000 BC. And is apparently the most celebrated public holiday in the world. I think it's stupid.

To celebrate the new year I walked with Bonnie. We started at the Comfort Suites and grabbed the Bethlehem South volkssport walk paperwork. Then we headed over the Hill to Hill and did the same at the Hotel Bethlehem for Bethlehem North. We went up to Broad, down First and down Spring. then around the fairgrounds, and up Lehigh to the Fahy bridge. Across the bridge and back to the hotel.

I have no idea how far it was. Maybe 2 miles, perhaps a bit more.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind. We picked up Sharon at David's, came home and defrosted the freezer. Did two loads of towels (as a result of the defrosting). And did the Volkssport paperwork. Then it was time to make the pork and sauerkraut, which required a trip to the store. Finally run Sharon and Lydia home. Pshew.

Tomorrow will be worse. Take Lyd to and from Lehighton, hairdresser, and a trip to the garage. And I have to have my syllabus and the ADDY award entries done by the 5th.

So when does that vacation start? I have yet to open a book.

day 13 of 18, downingtown and a movie

Bonnie and I chose to do the Downingtown Volkkssport walk today because it is ending and we needed Chester county. Except we didn't. Valley Forge is in two counties. Oops. I only need Philadelphia county and the southeast is done. Now comes the hard part. That's about 10 of the 67 needed to finish the program. Most counties don't have sanctioned walks. Many will require an overnight stay.

Today's walk was pretty much a big figure eight. We signed in at a restaurant at a lifestyle mall. Then headed into town.

After going thru the business district, we reached the first house in the town, this little log cabin. If you look closely at the picture of us above, we would have to duck to go into it!

We turned at the cabin and entered a park, then followed the trail thru the park to the comfort station which was locked. Thankfully there was a job johnny (generous P3). We were headed back to the trail when we saw where it connected to the road, so we just went out to the road. We came out close to the lifestyle mall.  We passed the mall, turned right and picked up another trail, then turned around an came back to the restaurant.

As my readers know last April I had my first accident in nearly 30 years. Today I almost had two.  After the second one I literally had to pull my fingers off the steering wheel. I had a death grip. I'm all shaky again. The first one was right outside Downingtown. The bozo decided to turn onto the highway. To do this s/he had to cross over my lane. Bonnie screamed first. I braked and swerved. I nearly hit the cement.

Then on the way home we missed the turn for 100 and ended up in Phoenixville. We stayed on 113 to 29 and took 29 home. Our hour drive took two. On 29 things were looking fine until some young people decided that a stop sign was optional. Slow and roll I think it's called. Again screaming, braking,  and swerveing.

I was just getting my confidence back behind the wheel and it's gone again.

Then when I got home I sat in my desk chair and it broke. Clearly the gods are telling me something.

The broke chair and a lost disk resulted in a massive cleaning of my desk counter. I nearly forgot about scoobie movie night!

We went to the Banko at ArtsQuest and it was nice. $10, only one theatre, people were polite and over 16, and the popcorn was good.  (Over 60? only $8!) I made Bonnie take the picture.

Was the movie as good as the book? No. Was the movie good? Yes. Personally  don't think I would have finished the PCT.

And because I promised pictures everyday, below are the lights on First Avenue.

day 7 of 18, cookie baking, not walking

Yesterday was an epic fail walking wise. As the first day of winter, there were just not enough hours of light. As much as I love my ’hood, I'm not walking alone in it at night.

I was up by 6:30 and had the wash started by 7. Then I headed out to pick up Lydia and spent the day at Bonnie's making Christmas cookies. Sadly, I took no photos. I had to steal a collagé off of Lydia's FB page.

We baked a double batch of kifles, ginger, kiss, toll house, oatmeal raisin and flourless peanut butter. All but the kifles are gluten free. Bonnie found some great AP gluten free flour that works in most situations.

When we arrived back at my place at 3:30, I walked Adonis, served dinner and took Lydia, Adonis, and Sharon home--with a stop at Eryn's house. When I pulled into the garage it was pitch black out.

I was tired and didn't even make 5K steps. And still had a full night of grading to do. Break can't come fast enough.

 

This is the Christmas cactus on my desk at work. And there is still some blooms on it.  Temperature and light must be perfect in the 19th century mansion. 

 And these are the office deco's. Usually there are artsy postcards on that wash line. Wanted to get a poinsettia to cover the stove pipe cover, but kept forgetting. Too late now.

Why am I showing you? Because I want to share how pretty it is. I live with the mean version of Scrooge. There is no Christmas joy at my house. Gotta take it where I can get it.

Today's plan. Walk downtown and take a pix of the peace candle. Yeah, it's more impressive at night, but, again, not walking in downtown Easton at night alone. I might be crazy but I am not a fool.

no I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

Honest. I just have not been doing much walking. While I am looking for my mojo, I am gaining all the weight back it took me years to get rid of. I am eating like it is the end of the world. I've totally lost control.

The excuse of the moment is the end of the term. I am up to my eyeballs in grading. Chained to a computer like it's a prison sentence. Free time is spent chauffeuring people to and fro.

But it's bigger than that. I think I finally pinpointed it.  I've all my walking buddies are unavailable. I need to re-learn to walk alone. And that's hard. I hate solitude. Blame it on mom for having me last. I thrive in choas. Megan is now working. Bonnie is baby sitting. Lydia has no access to a vehicle. Betsy is injured. Angel is almost living at Target till the holidays are over. Even my colleague moved to Virgina. Everybody is unavailable.

In addition, I am sidetracked by Christmas.  

So far I worked on Christmas gifts. (I'm way behind.) We gone to the lights at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, and made candy house with my niece, her cousin and my friend. Next weekend we are all baking cookies and then sharing so we have more flavors and less quantities.

And Bonnie and I drove the baby to Christkindlmarkt. A mile and a half and we took the car. Sinful. But we wanted a happy baby with St. Nick. Ultimately, he did not care for the experience. (Over the weekend the wee one learned to stand up.)

Saturday Bonnie, Lydia, Megan, baby and I did go to Litiz for the Volkssport "Walk Through Time". It was held at 10:11 on 12/13/14. Cool, huh?

Litiz reminds me a lot of Bethlehem. I guess it's the German and Moravian influences. And it's packed at Christmastime. It was crazy finding a parking spot. We had to walk about a mile to the event, and it was so well attended that they ran out of maps. So we had to wait. Babies don't like waiting.

The route was pretty much a square. It went past Wilbur Chocolate, Linden Hall, and the Julius Sturgis Pretzel factory. Oh, and Hendricks' Flower Shop. I'm sure they thought we were nuts taking a selfie in front of their place.

The baby was pretty good. Talking a lot. We were pretty close to the finish when he became really unhappy. Mommy took him with her to get the car and his food. He was screaming by that point.

After getting our books stamped, I headed for my car and Bonnie and Lydia looked for a restaurant. We ended up going to Pork and Wally's. A lot of Liberty Bell Wanderer's showed up there also.

They we nice. The even nuked the babies food so it wasn't icy cold from the car. He had taken a power nap on the way back with the car, and was perfectly happy again.

Bonnie had "ham wings". They looked delicious. It was the shank portion and made to look kind-of like a lollipop.   Smoked ham on a stick. How could you go wrong?

After lunch we headed to Wilbur, and then back to the Pretzel Factory for the tour. I know I went to a pretzel factory when I was about 12 on a school trip or girl scout trip. But I think it was in Reading. I don't ever remember being in Litiz before.

Nice day. And it's a nice day today. Must get my lazy fat butt outside for a walk.

what happened to my mojo?

Yesterday  Bonnie, Megan, the Wee One and I did the Bethlehem Volkssport walk. We had a great time doing the the second-loop 5K.  That loop goes west to the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the armory, then back to the Fahy Bridge. Up the hill and circles thru the cemetery. Basically a odd shaped figure eight. It was chilly but nice. The baby even fell asleep for awhile. We parked in front of the Moravian Bookstore -- why didn't I go in? -- and went shopping in the Christmas Village. It was my best walking total in a long time.

But I'm still looking for my mojo. Can't find it anywhere. I have had about six weeks, maybe even eight weeks of sucky totals for walking. I made my goals maybe twice, but only because of half marathons. My clothes are telling me I am gaining weight. Yet I exercise less and less and stuff more and more into my pie hole. Pie-hole stuffing is out of control. Today was the first day in forever I ate vegetables. And I love vegetables. It stinks.

Even if my Fitbit wasn't acting wonky this week, I would have still had lackluster totals. Again.

I did no exercise walking today. First I was going to call Lydia. Then not. Then I planned a route in the neighborhood. But something always got in the way. Obligations from 20 directions. Can't anyone do anything themselves. No. because I'm a push over.

Do you want to know how bad my laziness has gotten? Thursday I walked down to the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk at the Comfort Suites and collected the paperwork and then didn't do the actual walk! Who am I and what have I done with Gayle? I had sixteen people to walk with and I went home. I just had so much grading to do.

I even missed my regular Friday walk with Betsy. She cancelled, so instead of walking I shopped for Toys for Tots while I was driving Lydia.

Sadly, the more I don't walk the more it becomes easier to sit on my fat ass and let it get fatter. Any ideas how to get me out of this rut, let me know. I'm begging.

Meanwhile I have two 5Ks this week. I'd better get my fanny moving.

This week the swag came from Tail on the Trail. (Thanks for the pix Lydia!) We had gotten a long sleeve grey tee a couple weeks ago. now we've gotten a flannel blanket with a plastic back. I'm guessing it's for picnics after your walks. I'm kind of perplexed over the super-duper stadium cushion. Isn't sitting something they are not promoting? It's nice. If anyone needs a stadium cushion I have one. Otherwise it's going in the hand-me-down bag. The blanket is in the emergency kit in the car.

Not quite dead last, but finished.

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Yesterday was the D&L Heritage Half Marathon Run/Walk. You read that right. A Half-Marathon with walk right there in the title where everyone can see it. About 20% of the athletes were walkers. How cool is that.

Walking coach Michele Stanten, who I worked with on several Rodale projects, organized the walking portion. Maybe next year she’ll get the 300 walkers she hoped for.

In addition Saturday night she organized a dinner for out of town walkers. I attended. Race-walkers attended from Wisconsin and Georgia. If she ever offers a race-walking seminar I’m going to take it. Don’t think my knees could handle more than one day.

This was different from other walks I’ve done. There were “pacers” 3, 3:15, 3:30 to 4:30. 4:30 was the time limit. My fitness friend Nora was the “sweep” bringing in the last walker at about 4:17. As a pacer, she left the walker cross the finish first.

It was cold. And windy—really windy. Which made it even colder. I had on long underwear, a shirt, a fleece and a jacket. I looked like the Michelin Man.

We arrived at 7 am, as required, then sat in the car. I was bored to tears so I left after 17 minutes. As long as I kept moving I was okay. Then Megan came, and Bonnie came last.

It seemed forever until they said start and we were off. Bonnie and Megan moved out ahead. I didn’t even try to keep up. I was sick all week. I also promised my sister Barb that I would not be a hero. Besides, they both had music on their phones. Talking wouldn’t happen.

I planned to try and stay with the 3:45 group. I walked with a couple for a half-mile, and then walked with a woman from Bethlehem for about 4 miles. I never got her name. She told me about a trial in Stockertown. Gonna check it out. It was her first half. For the first two miles I could see Bonnie and Megan ahead.

Once she moved ahead I walked the rest of the race mostly alone. All these people kept passing me. Then I saw a pacer and checked out her time. It said 3:45. Here I was killing myself and I was in the 3:30-group. Too late, I had already depleted my energy and I hoped not to fall behind the 4-hour group. I was not breathing deep. I didn’t realize how much energy it took to breath shallow.

Twice I was going to quit. If one more bike riding trail safety person asked if I was okay I think I would have said no.

I checked off landmarks that I knew—birdhouse fence, the skeleton on the bike in the tree (btw he has a friend now), farm animals in the yard, ect.

Mile 8 or 9 was really windy. I started to think of that old Paula Abdul song that has the refrain "two steps forward, one step back". 

At mile 11, the Slatington trailhead, the water guy offered me a Munchkin. A little bit of sugar was all I needed—and a restroom. I have never stopped for a bathroom before in a race. When I came out I saw the 4-hour pacer in front of me.

I knew there was only a little more than two miles left. I could do this.

Waiting for all the walkers at the finish line was Michele. She also came to visit on her bike. Also at the finish was Mulegellan, the D&L mascot. I bet s/he was warm! I crossed at about 4:03.xx. Slightly better than my Atlantic City half time of 4:06.xx. Then sent me an email with the total. I don’t remember it. Megan looked it up. I don’t remember that either. It was more than 4, past my goal, that’s the only thing I remember.

Bonnie finished slightly ahead of Megan at 3:47.xx. Bonnie swears this will be her last half. Also no more 10Ks. I’ll believe it when I see it.

The course appears flat, but anyone who has driven from Northampton  to Slatington knows that one is at the bottom of the mountain. The other at the top.  Imagine when we looked at our fit bits and saw we climbed 149 flights of stairs. Megan was way ahead at 190. How that is possible I don't know. Though by the time I synced mine it was 189. Maybe it was tired on the bus. I didn't have the energy to walk up to Wyandotte street to get 200.

Speaking of the shuttle bus. Every time we bounced it gave us a step! It thought we were moving.

Next weekend I have a half and a 10K. Heaven help me.

my house smelled like autumn

Lydia is still having car issues so I planned a walk near her house on the Nor Bath trail today. That way I could pick her up and we'd be almost there.

The plan was to meet Bonnie, Megan and the baby, and Angel and her family at trail head. But Angel wasn't feeling well and Bonnie and Megan went to the wrong trail head. So Bonnie and I headed into Northampton to meet them at the Siegfried* train station. Then we moved across the street to the Northampton Heritage trail, which is part of the D&L. That section is paved, but once out of town it is totally natural. This is one section of the D&L that is not developed.

Then I took Lyd home and we picked up Adonis to go to my house.  It was the first time an animal had been in my car since I brought Snowball home for Megan when she was a child.

We opened the door and the house spelled wonderful. I had a beef roast ready for the oven when I left. The roomie put it in at 10:30. When we were kids mom put a roast in before church and it was ready when we came home. It smelled like that. And it tasted even better. Can't beat the meat from the farm.

The dog managed to get two walks before we had to leave for Basket Bingo. This bingo is held by the Boy Scout Troop Camp Association. Jarrod loved the camp that they manage in Allentown. Or is it Salisbury? Anyway, we go every year. And usually leave empty handed. I call it a charitable donation. But this year we won. A lot.

All in all, it was a good day.

* The Siegfried Station name came from the original settlement's founder, Lehigh River banks store/tavern/ferry/bridge owner John Siegfried. In 1902 the nearby communities of Siegfried, Stemton, and Newport had merged to form the Borough of Alliance, a name which lasted until 1909 when it was renamed Northampton.

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.

lehigh stair climb

We look so happy before we began!

It wasn't a full stair climb, only about 450 stairs, because we only had about 55 minutes. But it was aerobic. We left my place and took the most direct route to New Street—Out Broadway. Not scenic, but efficient. Then we headed up New To Campus Square. Then the stairs began.

Since I knew we only had an hour to get there, climb and get home, we restricted ourselves to the far west side of the campus. By doing this we missed my favorite climb. Maybe I'll do that one day alone.

There is quite a few stairs at Campus Square. Then we headed up toward the student center. On the right is more stairs which took us to the road. To do this walk you basically look right or left, and find the next set of steps. Hoping that they are not dead ends.

We made it almost to the top of the campus. We had one more set of frats/dorms before the top. But there was no time.

This is the view you get near the top. It is so worth the climb. Too bad the leaves haven't finished turning.

Now it's off to Monocacy Park for the Super Secret Christmas Present adventure with Eryn's children. I have a slim chance of making goal today!

will race for free beer

Or not. The line was way to long.

The Oktoberfest 5K was today. We had a huge group—Bonnie, Lydia, Megan, Dawn and Lyds friend Joleen. It was cold today waiting for the race. We all wore layers. Most of us wore the shirts we picked up yesterday. Nice, right? I had a pink shirt under mine. It is Pinktober after all.

We planned to meet at the entrance to ArtsQuest at 10 am. Megan and Joleen arrived first, then Dawn and her husband, and finally Megan and Bonnie. The race had at least 4K people. They capped it at 5K and were still selling entries.  It was wall to wall people. The broke us into four waves with beer themed names. We were in the last wave. The first was at the start line near the Welcome Center. The last was in the "Keg" section. The line up for that began at PBS. Yep, we pretty much had to walk two blocks to the start line. It took almost 8 minutes for us to cross. Thank goodness for chip timing.

We quickly splintered by pace. Near the beginning I actually passed Megan and Bonnie. How did that happen? But soon Bonnie passed me. Then Megan. Once we hit the hills, I was doomed. Those two, like my friend Angel fly up the hills. I passed them on the way down. But then they passed me again and it stayed that way.

The course went out first, up Webster, out Columbia and over the Fahy Bridge. Then up Center, out Church, and down around the city center and down Lehigh.  Over to Sand Island, turn around and come back.

I met Bonnie and Megan again on Columbia, near the back side of Looper's. Bonnie said "You caught up". And I said something about them seeing the finish line and they'd speed off without me. But they agreed on the bridge that we'd all cross together. And we did. My foot must have hit first because I finished in 50:48, and they finished in 50:50. Our unison was a little off. Dawn finished in 56:50, and Lydia and Joleen in 63:55.

They did not give us our traditional gingerbread cookie medals at the finish which I found odd. You had to wait in line. It wasn't a horrible line, like the one for beer.

Dawn was going to try and save hers. I don't know about the others. Me, I'm eating it. I assure you, it will be gone by morning. Hope it tastes as good as it smells. I heart gingerbread.

half the hills in easton.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/old-photos-pennsylvania/33064-hacketts-park-easton.html

Today we were supposed to walk at Columcille in Bangor, but just as the weather people predicted it was pouring this morning. There were quite a few people who wanted to do the walk.

We were supposed to start at 10. When I turned on the computer this morning there was a message from Angel. "Let me know when you leave for Columcille if you're online. I'm on the fence with the weather". I assured her the weather would clear up by nine. It didn't. In fact when I was prepping to leave it started to pour. After Angel's email, then Lyd called. Pretty much the same conversation. She opted for plan B. "Even if it stops raining it will be really muddy". Then I called Bonnie. They were out also. A text to Dawn confirmed she was bagging it.

Angels child is at camp for the weekend. There are not many opportunities for many childless activities with a 10-year-old in the house. Another email comes...

"Is there someplace Indoors we can go?" And another ...

"We could Mall walk. *cringe*". 

The rain had stopped and it looked like it might clear up. Since I had to go to the farm for eggs I suggested the Palmer rail trail. It's paved. Then Angel sweetened the pot with "You want to come over, get cauliflower and walk from here to Hackett park? Or I can make lunch..."

So that's what we did, Angel, her husband and I walked from her house to Hackett Park on the Wilson section of the rail trail. Like the old cliché it was up hill in "both directions". When we entered the park I had 30 stairs on my FitBit. And it was park-like with swings and pavilions and things. Not a field like when I entered from the rail trail. And there's a cemetery in the middle of the park. With a cannon. And obsolete plaques. Who knew? Wish I would have had my camera.

When we came back we left the trail and hiked up the hill to Northampton Street. I have always wanted to walk up that damn hill. Why? It's steep. But only earned us another seven flights.Then we worked our way back to Angel's house including a set of stairs. Who knew there were stairs on Northampton street? Total stair count—46!

We made lunch—huge salads with peanut-sesame dressing — and then I ate and ran.

First stop, the farm. I had to get a pot roast, a steak and eggs. I eat a lot of eggs. I also got some cherry tomatoes and some peppers. This is pretty much the end of the veggies. They also had pumpkins and squashes of all varieties. While I was shopping others came, and then the hay truck. Nobody yelled HAAAAAAAY! Shocking. But we were stock for a few minutes. Let me assure you that they hay truck driver had some driving skills.

Second stop ArtsQuest. We have a race tomorrow and today was packet pick up. I should have told them "event" instead of "packet pickup". I had to park in the casino overflow employee shuttle lot and hoof it in.

I ended up with 6.5 miles and I still have a deficit in my goal for this week. I'm only at 75%. No way I'll get to 100% this week. Oh well. But damn certain I will make 50 stairs. I will walk up and down the hill until I do.

When I arrived home there was another email from Angel. "Are you blogging about today? Because if you do:
- we walked about 4.2 miles
- we had crazy fitbit issues (hers got stuck and somehow turned on iTunes which played do-wop)
- we ate good food
- we had a great time
- and my fit bit gave me 92 active minutes!!! (mine gave me 1.25 hours active, 31 very active. That's good. I rarely get double digits for very active minutes, yet alone out of the teens.)
- next time let's do six miles!"

You are on Angel. Now what to do about the child ....

morning star celtic classic 5k

Today was the Morning Star Rotary Celtic Classic 5k. Yeah, it's a mouth full.

We didn't do this race last year, but in 2012 it started at a different place and went to the south side. This year, it began at the Luckenbach Mill, and headed to Union Blvd, out Main, and down the HBI path back to the mill. We went past the mill and out Conastoga Street. We crossed Union Blvd, and headed out the Monocacy Trail to Burnside Plantation. Then we turned right on Paint Mill Road and made an immediate right on to Mauch Chunk Rd. Up Geopp, and down Monocacy and back to the mill.

I finished in a hair over 51. Bonnie in a hair under. Megan came in 15 seconds behind me. Our times were slightly higher than the last time, but trails were not involved. I'm happy with it.

When we first started the race I thought it was odd that a girl had a Camelback for a 5k. On Mauch Chunk Rd we ran into her again. It wasn't a Camelback. It was oxygen! We leap frogged a lot but ultimately she ran into the finish and beat me.

This race always has good cheese, lots of fruit and water, and the best part—men in skirts.

The "boys" were meeting Bonnie and Megan at the event to hang out for a while. I had a meeting with a client at noon, and I didn't bring a cent with me, so I opted to walk home.

exploring courtesy of the wpa

This morning we did an early walk in downtown Allentown. The last time we did it there was a huge hole in Hamilton street. Now there is a brand spanking new arena, square and almost a city block. But someone still tried to hit us up for money. I've never seen homeless people in suits before.

Today is was Megan, Lydia, Bonnie and I. The wee one stayed home with daddy. I could get used to this.

We parked near the Parkettes gym and headed towards south Fourth street passing a statue of MLK and his wife. How long has that been there? I go past there frequently and never noticed the zig- zagged sidewalk, stairs or statue.

We headed up Fourth past Trout Hall and the prison then went out Linden to Fifth. We stopped at the Art Park to look at Rise Up Allentown, and went thru the park to Sixth. Up Sixth past what's left of the Americus Hotel, and out Hamilton to the square. There is a Tom Horton's there that kind-of, sort-of looked open and a bagel shop that wasn't. It's Sunday morning and the bagel shop is closed? I guess they depend on the courthouse / office traffic to make their money. Neither are open Sunday's.

We went out Hamilton to Twelfth, and crossed at the Public Library and headed down the hill to Union. We went down the hill to where I had my accident. And there is a tunnel in the WPA wall. I noticed it when I was waiting for the cops that day.

 You can see the tunnel and some of the stairs in this Google Pedometer image.

This is not the stairs from MLK Blvd. The one's that are in need of  repair. These are above those, on Union. In the retaining wall (c. 1937) there is a tunnel. In the tunnel there are stairs. After one flight they Y. The right side is barricaded with railroad ties. They look like they might lead to yards.

The ones on the left go up and up and up.  Damn, I wish I had my camera. They end in an alley going up to Spring Garden Street, near Eleventh. Nobody wanted to explore but me. So I went alone. They waited for me which was nice. I guess I should have given them the car keys.

Boonie must have been getting worried when I didn't come out so she started yelling for me. I yelled back. I'm sure the people in the row houses appreciated it at 9 am on a Sunday.  I was almost at the top and had to find out where they lead to so I was not turning around. What the WPA givith, Gayle explores.

When I came down we headed back on the Fountain Park trail to the Parkettes lot.

Then came home and took the dog out. He was so good we took him almost a mile. He's sleeping. Wore him out.

fitness friday

When I get up I grab my Fitbit and my glasses—they have an illicit relationship and sleep together.  Usually I clip the fitbit to my jammies and run around doing morning things. Then switch it to my clothes for the day. I didn't do that yesterday. It was a bout 12:20 when I realized it. It registered less than 500 steps.

Thankfully I discovered it before my walk with Betsy. We did our normal 3 miles in her neighborhood. I did a few errands than headed home.

At 5 I met up with Bonnie and Megan and we headed to Coca Cola Park for the Bacon Challenge. It's a 5K where half way thru you consume a 1/2 pound of bacon. We all opted out. Nothing makes me want to vomit more than the thought of chugging a half pound of cold bacon and then racing.

When we arrived, Megan sent a text to Lyd.  Lyd and Dawn were already there, and Dawns friend Cindy met us a bit later, We had a big group. Dawn wanted to know where the baby was. "He's part of the team now." Luckily he was home with daddy.

Cindy was nervous. Her first 5k. We did our best to assure her everything was okay. She'd finish and she wouldn't die. I took a before shot, and promised a finish shot. But of course that stupid camera died. Again. So I had Megs take it with her phone. Dawn and Lydia stayed with her and they finished in 61 minutes. And they were not last!

The course never left the ballpark. We started in front of the main gate, and went down the hill to the American Parkway and back up again. The head east and circled those lots, and entered the ball park and looped around the concourse.  We left the stadium by the lower gate then headed toward the west parking lots behind the Western Electric building. (I have no idea what the current name is. It changes yearly.) This is where people stopped to eat bacon. We heard little good about it. I'm guessing about 10% of the people went in the pass-by lane.  You could not leave the bacon lane till you finished. I did not see a vomit bucket.

After circling the west parking lots we headed down that hill to American Parkway, back up and followed the road at the rear of the stadium. I thought we'd enter then by the pork racer door, but no, they had us pork racer the lot first. Then we entered the field and looped of the dirt path.

I had managed to catch up to Bonnie several times, but when we entered the door, she went into finish line mode and kicked it into high gear. Bonnie is now a half block ahead and I hear running behind me. It's Megan. I yelled "Megan is running." Bonnie looked back and started running too. NOBODY, not even her baby, will beat Bonnie. She crossed 1.9 seconds before Megan. I finished in my typical spot 20 seconds behind.

Bonnie 49:02
Megan 49:03.9
Gayle 49:22.8
Dawn 61:35.5
Cindy 61.36.6
Lydia 61.37.5

My fitbit was at about 18K when I returned home. I would have made 20, or maybe even 25 had I remembered to put it on in the morning.

lake galena

Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the Liberty Bell Wanderers. There was a 10K walk and picnic at Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park near Doylestown. It rained.

Thankfully when we arrived it stopped. And it stopped for the whole two hours we were walking. then it started again. Over 100 people were packed into the pavilion. Plus the food. Plus the pig. Let's just say space was limited. By the end of lunch it was pouring and everyone went home.

The lake loop is a 10K. More or less. Lydia's tracker had it at 7 miles. Bonnie's as 6.2 miles. Didn't ask Megan about hers. Lydia started whining about 4 miles in. I think it was because she ran out of things to take pictures of. We were in the woods.Think I'm kidding? Check her FB page. She post 85 of them!

The lake is man-made. But it's beautiful. A few hardy souls were out in boats and kayaks. But not many. The dam was covered with birds of all kinds. The fields fill of wildflowers. The trail is macadam so there is no gravel slippage under your feet.

Since we saw nobody after about the half way point, I think we were the only ones that did the 10K.

Some sights along the way—

 Orange fungus on a tree trunk. The tree still had leaves but was half-fallen and dying slowly.

 A telephone. You cannot see the cob webs on it. But it worked. Here I thought they were extinct.

 A woodpecker condo. And the tree is still trying to grow. I can't count how many holes are in it.

 Boats lined up waiting to be used.

The pig. Mostly consumed by the time we got back.

Comfort Station I-3.5, and they were plentiful.

Today I'm on my own. Bonnie and Megan are taking the baby for swim lessons, and Lydia (and maybe Dawn) are at Bushkill Falls. I think I'll be doing the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk.

farmers market thursday

Since I went back to school August 25, my hours shifted for my many jobs. I am now off on Thursdays till about 4ish. I'm headed to work when everyone is headed home.

The south Bethlehem Farmers market is conveniently held on Thursdays at Campus Square. Megan, the baby and Bonnie and I usually take a 3-4 mile walk to get there. I have to get very creative with the routes. There is only so many ways to get tot he university.

Today I was smart and took two bags and balanced my groceries in them. Bonnie pushed the stroller home and Megan ended up carrying about 25 pounds. Next week Bonnie is taking an extra bag too.

Today we headed up the hill, out Sioux, down Clewell and out the alley to Bergen. We crossed Broadway and came back Seneca. Up the hill that I thought was huge as a kid, and past the old 'hood. Then we headed down fourth, to New and to the market. We zig-zagged our way back up the hill and home.

Last night I went to Zumba. It's back on. I'm worse at it now than I ever was. Oh well. After fighting with my sister I could blow off steam.

Tuesday I walked at the crack of dawn with Bonnie in her neighborhood. There was a fresh dead skunk on Emmaus Avenue and I couldn't walk out in the street to avoid it. Too much traffic. So I returned to the neighborhood and met up with Bonnie at the Daisy Hill.  I'm pretty certain she thought I was nuts.

Monday and Wednesday I walked at lunchtime. But maybe only a mile and a half. Not much. One day I only had 5,000 steps.


Speaking of steps. I received a message from Fit Bit today that I have reached 4000 flights of stairs (inclines) and have been awarded my 747 badge. It will probably be a year or two before I see the next one. I have to double—8000—the amount of stairs.

Tomorrow it's walking in south Whitehall with Betsy. Then Saturday it's the 30th anniversary celebration of the Liberty Bell Wanderers at Lake Galenda in Doylestown. That's a 10K walk.