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 coach?

One of my oldest friends, Debbie, has a daughter Tiffany, who lives a few blocks away. She's about 33 now, and has always been overweight. Now she's a lot over weight.

I have her as a Facebook friend and yesterday she posted "Day 1 of my "weight loss" program that I am working with the PA from work, Calories=about 1800, workout, walked about 1.3 miles. Burned about 230 calories. Not bad for a first day!" 

Even if I have to walk slow, I like to have people to walk with. If nothing else another walker in the group would keep Sharon company for a while. So I wrote "if you need someone to walk with, I'm in the 'hood. Mom has my # or I could message it. I know all kinds of routes." and gave her resources. Later I wrote "I'm serious. Call me if you want a walker buddy. I'm good at motivating people. We could probably even get you up to 3 miles before the FH 5K. We'll have mom cheering us on from the side line and beaming with pride as you cross the finish line (even if they took it down when we got there!)."


The thread exploded with posts and she wrote back "That would be great! I need someone to walk with me. I used music tonight to get me through. I always have to watch how much I do because of my back. But tonight wasn't too bad. I just need to keep going. This is my last hope!" (I wonder if she's considering weight loss surgery.)

The back. She had scoliosis surgery in late middle school and it's been a pain in the back since.  I don't think it should impact walking much. I just won't take her up Frederick street. I might take her on the stairs at Lehigh.


I messaged her my phone number and the link to the online pedometer. The ball is now in her court.


Do I have a summer job as a walking coach?  We'll see.