poop. I forgot to post yesterday

So much for an entry a day for February! I thought about it yesterday -- as in what the heck am I agoing to write about -- but when I got home I spaced it. It is very difficult to post everyday. Ordinary daily exercise doesn't make good copy. How many times can the Readers see the same thing over and over? Without races and events to make good copy it is get to be even more difficult.

This is Wednesday's entry:

My colleague knows that I like to do stairs. Her husband (a GI Joe) found this stair workout online and they did it over the weekend. He thought it might be fun. She said it was difficult and felt good after it was over. She was still sore yesterday. He'd like to do it again. She is not so sure.

I'd like you to note that this lady's stairs are carpeted. Mine aren't. And mine squeak. I don't know if they would survive this pounding.

However, I'm going to try a couple of the things. Like go up side to side. I'm not running anywhere unless someone is chasing me. I do the walk up and down one. At one point I was up to about 20 minutes. She of course runs.

I wonder how many takes this took. She is soaked with sweat at the beginning.

should have saved those late night posts

My day involved exercise. But not the walking kind. I kind-of forgot to walk.

The day started with taking my niece to Girl Scouts and lugging cookies to the car, out of the car, sorting them, and putting them back in the car. And taking them out again at her house. And we all know that GS cookies have no calories.

When I fished cookies it was time to use brute strength to take apart the Christmas greens. Lug the can to the porch. Cut, pull and unwrap all kinds of wire. Sort wire/cord and greens and put greens in recycle can. The compost center isn't open, so the can waits in the garage till march, I think.

I spent the bulk of the remaining day grading. At 3:15, it was back to pick up the child. Then make and clean up dinner before grading some more.

It was then I realized I forgot to walk. So instead, I ran up and down the stairs 10 times.

Six thousand steps is pretty lame for a Saturday. But at least I don't feel like I sat on my butt all day.

yikes! i opened an instagram account

I opened an Instagram account last night. Yeah, it scares me too.

It all ties into doing social media/web for the walking group. If I'm taking pixs with my iPod, then they can be uploaded to Instagram and right to their FB page, I think. Maybe. I'll have Lydia help me.

Anyway, if you want to search for me my name is thisismygymtoday. Yeah, it does look more like a hash tag. Right now everything is generic. But I added 2 test photos yesterday. And they showed up.

It looks like you really need to be sure you want to post it. I do not see an edit or delete button, at least on my desktop. Maybe there is one on the iPod. The mobile interface is much more robust.

The only part of this that truly excites me is writing hash tags. I find myself glancing at the pixs and then just reading the hashtags. My favorite from yesterday is"wishicouldblastmymusicbutsomeoneisnapping"‬. I just need to figure out how to do it. I think you just write using the pound sign.

We'll see how it goes.

Today I substituted, so no time for a long walk. I was going to take the walking path around campus, but there is no winter maintenance. Maybe I should take my snowshoes with me to school. So I walked around and thru buildings and up the stairs. Somehow I managed to get 9K steps in. So last night, after dinner with a former Girl Scout, and putting in my final grades, I walked back and forth thru my house for the remaining 1K steps.


Mission accomplished.

Now I just need to do that everyday.

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!

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.

parkway

Most every week I send out an email with my walking plans to about 6-8 people. Usually it's just family that comes. Occasionally I'll get a reply from someone else.

This week it was Lydia's friend Dawn. Since we've spent enough time together that I kind-of know her, I'm going to now refer to her as a fitness friend.

Dawn arrived early. We called at about 8:15 and said we were running late, but she was already there. We were just leaving. Bonnie called a few minutes later that they were leaving.

Ultimately we didn't start walking until about 8:45. We started at the Robin Hood parking lot and then headed toward the Iron Bridge. Under the Iron Bridge and thru the solar system walk. Eventually arriving at the covered bridge. That's where I discovered that my camera was dead. Dawn took the group shot with Lydia's phone.

Then we headed back on the north side of the creek to the parking lot. Dawn left for home, and Lydia played in the lot with the baby. Bonnie, Megs and I did that last mile loop. Near the end of that loop is a set of stairs which I did. It put me a little behind the others, but that's okay. Then we headed home.

Funny thing was we had two cars, went two different directions and both ended up at the Wawa. then we both ended up at Valley Farm Market—2 cars away. We didn't see each other at either place.

After we arrived home we took the dog out for a walk. He really doesn't care how far you walked without him.

Bathrooms, according to Bonnie, were an I-3.5 (composting toilets!)

a walk on the D&L

Thursday Bonnie, Megan, the Wee One, and I walked again to the south side farmers market. We took the scenic route through Fountain Hill to get there.  Again I bought heavy food. Will I ever learn. This time it was a giant head of cauliflower. I almost wished I would have had a knife with me. I could have cored it and left all the leaves there. It probably would have weighed half as much.

I had mail to take to the post office. I put it in my grocery sack to carry it for the first part of the walk. At the farm stand, I took it out, but needed to set it down to get money out. I was nearly to Broughal when I realized I left my mail (and Bonnie's mail) at the farm stand. I ran walked back and it was still there.

Next stop, the post office. I needed to mail the letters, and buy 100 stamps. They have no machine at that branch. There were two people in line and the person in front of me looked aggravated. I can see why. The person in front of him had 50 letters and each one needed to be weighed individually. Because it was lunch time there was only one clerk on. Bonnie and Megan though I got lost.

We finally reconnected and walked home. We were about 2 blocks away when the Wee One decided he no longer wanted to be in his stroller.

Friday I walked with Betsy early in the morning. then Pat and I headed up to the Monroe campus to see the faculty art show.

Yesterday, we all did the D&L tow path from Bethlehem to Freemansburg.  It was advertised as 6 miles. It was a little longer. An no, I didn't get the uniform memo.

We started at the ice house and headed east thru Sand Island to the D&L. The weeds on the side of the trail are giant. You can see that in the group picture. The narrow portion of the trail is very narrow. We arrived at the first Freemansburg bridge in about an hour. We only had one stop with the baby. He was not a happy hiker and cried a lot. By Freemansburg he was asleep.

Megs, Bonnie and I wanted to climb the stairs to the bridge. Lydia didn't. So she took the baby and walked ahead. We'd catch up.

Back when mama was alive if we gave her a grocery cart, she forgot all about her arthristis and flew thru the store like she had wings. Apparently Lydia is the same with a stroller. I had to run to pass her to take the picture. She stopped so Bonnie and Megs were able to catch up.

Megan took over the stroller until we reached the Minsi Trail bridge and the same thing happened. We climbed, she took the baby and flew away.

By the time Lydia gave him back at Sand Island he was awake and unhappy.  Megan took the stroller and kept moving. But he was over the stroller.

When we returned to the road I took him out and I gave him my piggies hat. And we walked back to meet Lydia. She had climbed down some stairs to get a picture of the Steel.  We took selfies. He didn't understand. But he was quiet. In the distance I could see Megs and Bonnie coming down the Fahy bridge stairs. I gave them back the baby and I climbed them. All in all it was about 7 miles.

Bathrooms, according to Lyd were an I-3.5.

When we arrived home, we took Adonis out for another 1/2 mile.

Later in the afternoon, I went out for another mile or so. My total for the day was 20K steps, and 25 stairs.

fitness challenge—making believe you are still 10.

Yesterday was the 75th Anniversary celebration at Camp Mosey Wood. The oldest Girl Scout there was 92. Yep, it's true. Our blood is green.

I picked up my friend Mary Liz first. Her mom was instrumental in the creation of Mosey Wood. Her father designed some of the buildings. They courted there. It's so romantic. Have her tell you the story of the trees.

Then I picked up Angel and Little Miss at the Rt. 33 Park and Ride and we were off. You should have heard us driving down 80 singing girl scout songs. You just knew it was going to be a good day. And it was.

We arrived in an hour—there is no traffic at that hour in the morning. Mary Liz immediately started her reunion. Because of her walker she spent the bulk of the time visiting and talking with old and new staff members and scouts. I missed a great picture. The vintage girl scouts sitting on the dining hall porch talking. I ran in for my camera, but the moment was gone.

There was a lot to pack into a small amount of time.

First stop—archery. On my second round I hit the target four times. One is even in blue.

Second stop—hiking. We started on the lake trail and then branched off to Harvey's Hike. HH was part of one of the Ranger's Gold Award projects. It's in fairly good shape. The back end of the lake trail, not so much. Bug is looking for a Silver project. This just might be it.

The back side of the Lake Trail, and Harvey's Hike are great places to pick blueberries. It's no coincidence that they call it blueberry hill. In addition to having a nice snack, we carried some back for Mary Liz.

 After lunch we went to the waterfront. We had about 20 minutes to kill before it opened so we ran up and down the steps. The real 10-year-old is still a bundle of energy.

The waterfront opened and Angel and I chose the row boat. It was cool, we had no interest in getting wet. The child chose stand up board paddling (SUP). She actually dove in a couple times. I had a mommy moment and yelled that she was too far away from the other people, and the lifeguard boat. She had to come back. The real mommy didn't whack me for overstepping my bounds.

We were trying to get back to shore and the child is giving lessons on the waterfront. She has an incredible memory (except when mom requests something) and was doing pretty well. The waterfront staff didn't stop her. Somehow she convinced mom to SUP. Mom did stand up, but fell off the board. The child didn't have her adjust her paddle or use it as a third leg. They probably don't teach children that. Balance comes naturally to them.

Next stop—climbing wall. The child was a monkey and did all the walls at least twice. Angel did two. I could not get past the first row. She wanted to go again, but then there would be no high ropes course (HRC).

We hiked back up the hill to the HRC. When we arrived there was a backload of people. Someone was stuck on the swing. She couldn't jump. It took at least 15 minutes. Waiting is not good. I was no longer feeling confident after the rock wall, and now I get to watch someone sweat it out. The child, on the other hand, took to it like a fish in water. She kept saying she was terrified. That she couldn't do it. Does she look terrified? No. Did she come down and say can I do it again? Yes. I gave her my spot if she gave up a swim. Angel also completed the course successfully.

That was the end of the adventure portion of the day. We headed back to DJs Place for dinner. On the way back we stopped for our t-shirts and or "cookies" for the wishing ceremony.

First in the water was 1939-1959. Little Miss took Mary Liz's and placed it in the water. (She also created it.) I get a little bored at a Scouts Own so mine is sitting on top of the sandbiodome I made. As you can see I picked some gnarly wood and doodled on it.

 It floated well.

The night is nearly over. It was 9 when the ceremony was over and the campfire was yet to begin. We all agreed we could skip the fire. The child—and the adults—were fading fast and the child slept all the way home.

I arrived home at 10:30 and went straight to bed with a realization. I am no longer 10.

walking vacation, day 6

Not much walking done on day 6. It was the long drive to Shephardstown, West Virginia. I think Kentucky is nearly as long as Pennsylvania. We tried stopping at the Kentucky Folk Art Museum, but their A/C was broken and they were closed. This train platform is on their property.

We walked a bit a rest stops. At the Maryland Welcome Center we parked at the top of the hill and walked the 60 stairs down to the bottom parking lot. Then walked back up. (Nice butt shot Bonnie!) It was wonderful. I should have done it twice.

one thousand three steps

Yesterday we planned to do the Wegman's walk. Lydia overslept and didn't come, Bonnie was a little late, and the walk evolved into the Lehigh stair climb.

We are nothing, if not flexible.

I left my camera at school, so the photos are from my phone. Actually, they are not half-bad.  We headed up the hill to Sioux and out Sioux to Wyandotte. Since this walk is traditionally short, we walked down the Wyandotte street hill to Broadway.

The sidewalks on Wyandotte are a mess. Almost as bad as Fiot.

We headed out Broadway to Fourth, and then to New.  We headed up New to Campus Square. And started our stair climb. Problem is we didn't start counting until we almost arrived at Packer Avenue. Oops. bonnie guess-timated 35. I think it was closer to 75. But oh, well. I was not walking down and redoing them! We took the selfie in front of the Love sculpture.

 Then we started climbing stairs. I have no idea where we were on campus. The picture below is Bonnie going up a long flight next to Grace Hall. We came back down on the other side of the Neuman House and went back up next to Zoellner.

Ultimately we ended up at the top of the hill where the frats and sororities are. Then we had to come back down, trying not to go down stairs.

On our way up we were at about 700+. I said we need to get to 800. But then we were at about 850. So of course we had to get to 900. Which turned into about 925, then we had to get to 1000. It's a horrible mind game.

We were at about 975 so we went down the hill and came back up to 8th Street via  the stairs betweent eh parking deck and Chi Psi. We were three short. So we went down a flight and back up.

Total stairs: 1003.
Total Distance: 4.1 miles.

Then we headed home.

Afterwards I went to New Balance and bought new sneakers. Made in the USA of course.

Tomorrow, I'm off to the St. Patrick's Day 5K in Allentown.

fat girl plunging

 Before the Plunge—with coat and without.

Today was the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge into the Delaware. The last time I did it was in 2010, down near Philly. The water was cold. thank goodness it was not during the Arctic week. Today was about 34.

Firs thting I needed to do this morning was sweep the snow. It was only maybe a half-inch, so no shoveling was necessary.

Bonnie came about 10. We planned on arriving in Easton about 1.5 hours early for the noon start. Why? We had a walk to get in! After parking we went to Scott Park to sign in. I was in the third wave. Thankfully I didn't have to wait the hour till the 13th wave. I might have chickened out. I only had to wait 10 minutes.

We walked around and stopped at all the vendors. Should have taken a bag. I brought chips, Mike and Ikes, soft Pretzels and Wawa juice for Pat. We visited the photo booth, got some hot choloate from DDs booth, and Bonnie took her picture with the Wawa goose.

We had so much stuff we had to go back to the car, before heading over the free bridge. We headed up the Main street hill and walked about a mile to Shappell Park, walked around the park and back toward the bridge.

 Before crossing we headed up the Boylan Street stairs. All 146 of them. Then back over the bridge to the lot. After grabbing my bag, we headed toward the event. We arrived 10 minutes before the start. Perfect timing. I didn't take off my warm clothes until they started calling wave two.

Finally it was our turn. We went down to the start. And into the water we went. I went in to about my waist. Some crazy people put their heads under. Even though in the safety speech they told you not to. You can see one of the rescue boats in at the far right of the pix. Not a boat nor an ambulance was needed. Thank goodness.

I came out and immediately put on my pants and fleece jacket. I also took off my water shoes. (Note to self. Buy new water shoes.)

We hiked up the stairs to the park and headed back to the car.

All in all we walked four miles.

polar vortex

 It's about 3°F. -17 just looks colder this way.

Polar Vortex. A fancy schmancy way of saying it's really cold out. I think it's really funny how suddenly weather people get their panties in a gather about this stuff. Every storm now has a name. Every weather event suddenly has a title.

Apparently the last one was in 94. I remember it well. I was camping with the Girl Scouts at Mosey Wood. Real temperature -8F.  We had the Blueberry Hill cabin but most of the girls chose to sleep outside, in the cold. We used latrines too. No indoor potties. And we had to walk to get to them.

Bonnie and I planned to walk this morning. With the snow on the ground, we planned on taking our Iditawalk picture. But she called this morning and bagged out. So I'm left to my own devices.

I'm at school right now, so I've decided instead of risking frost bite, I'd walk the college center. It's four floors. I'll take a spin around each floor, then walk up the steps and do the next floor. Repeat until I get to the library and then come back down. I think it might be a 30 minute workout.

Gotta burn off those holiday calories.

the week so far

Monday kicked off with a walk with Bonnie. Since the heat wave broke, we did about 3.5 miles around her neighborhood. Lots of hills to burn and extra calorie or two. When we got back to her place she made smoothies for breakfast—sweeten coconut milk, strawberries, bananas, protein power and something else. They were thick like milkshakes and delicious. Alas, I can't have another until September. Today I started the diet for Preventions sugar cravings diet test panel.I also bought dumbbells for the program.

Tuesday, was doctor day. It was totally uneventful. She didn't complain about my weight, blood pressure, numbers, nothing. It was oddly refreshing. My weight was 228.5. Last Wednesday it was 225.5. Three pounds in one week? I doubt it.

Lydia came after work for supper, then we walked Big A. After giving him to Pat, we hopped in her car and went to Emmaus. We did her Passport To Fitness rubbings at South Mountain Park and the Wildlands Conservancy. The path on South Mountain was about 1.5 miles round trip. I'm thinking the Flood Plain Trail at the Wildlands was just over a mile. Half mile with the dog. We probably got in 3 miles. We probably would have walked longer at the Wildlands, but it was getting dark.

I decided to try the exercises for the program at 10 pm at night. Not a wise idea.  I woke up Wednesday with aching shoulders, neck and knee. My knee still hurts, but it is better.

Wednesday, my colleague and I walked downtown for lunch. It's restaurant week. My last supper, so to speak before this wacky diet. I had a 1/2 fried artichoke sandwich and a salad. Have you ever had fried artichokes? OMG. Good thing I had to walk back up that hill.

After dinner I headed down to ArtsQuest for the Musikfest 30th Anniversary volunteer photo. There are 24 original volunteers left. They gave us the blue shirts there for the photo. Then we had to give them back. They forgot to embroider 30th anniversary on them. Oops. Sitting on the right is Mary Pongraz. She was my teacher at Broughal back in the 60s. I was the only one there that called her Miss Pongraz. Mary just doesn't sound right.

 

I remember when this skirt had one tshirt on it. What is amazing is thirty years later it still fits. As a graphic designer I see the evolution of the logo.

I left The Steel and headed over to the D&L for the Wednesday Walking Workshop. 

Over the weekend they were trimming the trees on the canal path. To me, it looked like a tornado blew thru and destroyed everything. Glad to see the PPL tree trimmers prune just as badly in the forest. One of the workers was killed when he cut the line and they closed the path for a couple days. My hope is that is why nothing is cleaned up. The canal is dammed with fallen branches. I could have cried. There is no shade on the path, but the power lines are free. I don't like the trade off.

We walked from The Wooden Match to the Minsi Trail Bridge and back. When we got to the Minsi we climbed the stairs and came back down. On the way back, we used resistant bands. I was drenched by the time I got back.

Michele, the walking coach, is the workout coach  for the Sugar Cravings Program. After the workout, she went over the exercises with me, and showed me adaptions. Hope I remember them all. Maybe I'll try them tonight. Should have had someone videotape it.

The rain is back, so I'll be doing a Leslie walk tonight.

Tomorrow Bonnie, Pat from the Liberty Bell Wanderers, and I are going to test the new South Bethlehem 10k walk. It will be my first official trail design. If it goes well, and the board approves, paperwork will be submitted to have it sanctioned by the AVA.

Remember the weights from above? Wednesday 225.5, Tuesday 228.5, tonight 224.5. WTF?

Oh, if that isn't enough, sometimes this week I earned my 1000 mile badge on FitBit! 

walking classes in bethlehem!

Wow, the internet is filled with possibilities in our fair city this week.

First the new high line trail announcement and now Fitness in the Park! It's walking, boot camp and toning. I found out about it from my coach in the Walk Your Butt Off Program.

Michelle, the fitness director of WYBO has launched a website MyWalkingCoach.com. She'll be facilitating the walking portion. "This isn’t your ordinary stroll around the block. You’ll learn walking techniques that will help tone up your entire body—not just your legs. You’ll practice drills that will help you increase your speed and boost your metabolism so you can get a great workout in less time. You’ll also play walking games and explore new neighborhoods to keep walking fun and exciting." She has a link to the flier posted on the site. If you're interested you can download the flier here.

Clearly I can't sign up till the June sessions, since classes still run thru May. But I might even try one week of the boot camp. That will be hysterical. If nothing else the instructor is easy on the eyes.

Michele is also looking for testers for another walking program. If you want to apply, click here.

The other thing I stumbled into today, and I'm not really sure how, was Chi Walking. Everyone knows how much I had loved doing Tai Chi. I finally gave up since my schedule did not allow classes. "The Chi Walking technique emphasizes the proper biomechanics of walking including: good  posture, loose joints, engaging one's core muscles, and relaxing the peripheral muscles of the arms and legs." The closest instructor in around Philly. I might just buy the DVD. I'm intrigued.

Anything to keep me walking.

Finally, my niece Bonnie—the one that beats me in all the 5Ks and races—fell down her basement stairs and broke her wrist in seven places. Ouch. It will not keep her from walking. Or kicking my butt.

lehigh walk

The heat wave continues. The weather people say it's heat wave #6. I say it's still heat wave #1. It's just lasted 6 weeks. Apparently, you need three 90+ days in a row to be a heat wave. If it dips down to a balmy 89, heat wave is over. Bull.

Right now it's 85 with 69% humidity. It needs to be 70% to be oppressive. Again, I disagree. Clearly weather people never leave the air conditioning.

Today's walk needed to be planned with shade. Walking in the sun is not pleasant. I downloaded a map of Lehigh University, and planned a route which zig zagged back and forth across campus. Didn't realize running parallel it would be so hilly. I was wrong. But it was shady!

We left at 8, and did about 3.5 miles, and even some stairs.

It's August at Lehigh, so not many students but lots of Eagles—it's training camp!

Then we found this dorm called Richard's house. Clearly Lyd's dad wasa holding out on us.

Apparently the hobbits and gnomes at Lehigh have been very bad. The entrance to their house has a big, locked gate in front of it. (Actually I think it might have something to do with the catacombs rumored to be under Lehigh.)

They've added sculture since we were last there. This is sheet''s of plastic-like bricks and woven into a basket. Hopefully it has an open bottom, or it will be the place to breed if you're a mosquito! Note to students. Don't open those windows.

half marathon training has begun

It's a really nice day today if you like humidity. Right now it's 83 with 71% humidity. Goody.

Lydia is doing home-stuff this weekend so she didn't come. I didn't even invite her. She loves mowing the lawn so much that I feared she would choose walking over mowing!

Bonnie arrived at 7 and I was still doing the wash. Need to work on my timing. The last load was on the line and we hit the asphalt by 7:10.

First stop Bob & MLs house to deliver the paper. Then we headed up to the hospital, out Ostrum across and under the Hill to Hill Bridge. We encountered the food graffiti on the 2nd Ave. ramp.  We continued up Center, then out Church and up to Broad where we stopped at the post office. It's not busy at 8:10 on a Saturday!

Then it was off to the Mini Trail bridge. I took a glance over the side and noticed the old graffiti on the stairway was painted over, and replaced by some new, mostly not vulgar (so far) stuff. 

The old stuff was pretty awful, but the new stuff was a little interesting. We headed down the stairs, and back up again. I took pictures.

Now this creature I liked. They even painted the banister.

 Clearly this person is not electronically connected with his friends! His message will last for decades

 He's fun. Looks a little like my doodles.

After crossing the bridge, we headed toward the casino, walked thru the Steel, and encounter much needed sprinklers at ArtsQuest. We headed up Polk, and walked the Greenway. This beautiful set of stairs leads to Touchstone theatre. Yes, we climbed them.

Then we stopped at a diner on 4th street for breakfast, headed up and thru the university, up Wyandotte and back to my house.

Tomorrow is another 6 miles on the Ironton Rail-Trail.