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.

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.

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.

fitness challenge 8 — stand up paddle boarding

I DID IT! I stood up. Okay, it was only 30 seconds and the instructor was holding one end of the board, but I got up. twice. Then I fell into the lake.

Walking coach Michelle has done it with her family and loves it. So I found a class about 3 weeks ago thru the LL Bean Discovery School while surfing the net. (Now I know full well that these classes are offered to get you into sports and ultimately buy the equipment from them. I'm cool with that. And hey, it worked with the snow shoes.) It was $20. Over my limit for this challenge, but all the equipment was included. Equipment rentals can get steep.

I sent out an email to the rest of the every two feet group. My friend Pam said yes. And she'd bring the family. Kathy was interested in a weekend, so I sent her my availability.

Wednesday was the night. It was held at Lake Nockamixon at 6 pm. I left work at 3 and headed over the bridge to Jersey for gas. It was $3.17 for cash. Credit is about a dime higher, but still cheaper than the it's $3.39+ in Pa. I always take cash to Jersey for gas. And got on I-78 to go home. At Rt. 33 where it merges from 4 lanes to 2, traffic stopped. On a night I had to be home on time.  Thankfully whatever happened was over and the road thinned out about 3 miles down. By the exit there was no backlog at all. Still it took an extra 20 minutes.

To go to Lake Nox I usually go thru Quakertown. But it was still rush hour. It would have taken an hour. So I googled directions and they sent me down 412. What a delight.. I will never use 309 again to go there.

I arrived at exactly six. I had water shoes so I didn't need to use theirs. I also was issued a life jacket and filled out the "if you die don't sue us" waiver. People were still arriving so I hit the comfort station (L-3) and realized I had no hand sanitizer in my bag. Oh well. I'll be in water soon.

Pam arrived with her husband, daughter and friend. The teens were excited about the new adventure. Pam and I were excited but questioning our abilities to do it.

We met the instructors — Phil and Heidi. Then the safety talk, the anatomy of the gear, and a demo on how to get on the board, balance and stand. They asked if we had questions or needed to give them any info. Yes, I can't swim.  "That's what we're here for." They had a tow rope and have towed people bigger than anyone in the group.

 (The boards, water side up, so the fins don't get damaged.)

Now I can't stand gracefully on the ground. How was I going to pull this off in water.  I had practiced a few times but my leg muscles and knees don't cooperate. I have to concentrate. After learning how to pick up the board we were off.

We waded into the lake and went in about knee deep before we got on the board. I was wobbly but managed to stay afloat. I was behind everyone. Lack of confidence really puts you in the back of the pack. Phil hung back with me and I got the rhythm of the paddle down.

It didn't take long to stop wobbling. Phil said it's like riding a bike. Once you find your balance, your body learns where it is. I noticed everyone was getting up. And soon everyone was up. Phil asked if I wanted to try. I was paralyzed with fear but said yes. Ultimately he held the front of my board (training wheels) and I got the first knee up. Balancing all my weight on my wrists and my hands I got the other leg up. But now I am stuck. My back leg wouldn't come front. I willed that sucker to move and it finally did. I WAS STANDING. And Phil left go slowly, and I put my paddle in the war and tried to stroke. And wobbled. And wobbled more, and then leaned back (bad move) and did a back flip into the water. All I could think about was losing my new glasses. And my board. And for a brief moment the flashback of the last water adventure in Willy Wonkas chocolate river. But nothing happened. I didn't even lose my board or paddle. And Phil was right there.

I decided to stay on my knees and we joined the others. They were doing yoga. (The yoga class uses the waist straps like water aerobics). When I met up with Pam, her daughter was doing a back bend.  The fell in. To be 17 again. Everyone fell in at least once.

Then they taught us to sit on the board, move further back so the nose was in the air, and spin. Then it was time to go back. But I had difficulty getting back to the kneeling position. But I did it. I was getting great at paddling and steering. But I headed to the wrong shore and got hung up in shallow water. I got off the board, pushed it out and got back on.

I headed to the correct shore. Phil asked if I needed help and I said yes. I'd like to stand one more time. He said yes. We went a bit further out and I tried again. It was better. Not great and the result was the same. Splash. I was the last one out of the lake.

I had jelly legs when I hit shore. My wrists, knees, ankles and shoulders all hurt. But not in the true ouch sense. I did lust for Aleve, but didn't take it.

Kayak class. That's next. All the Discovery Courses are just $20.

Yesterday I still sore. The I have used muscles that have never been used before kind of sore. By the end of the day it was just my calves and the back of my thighs. Pam and her daughter had black and blue marks where they hit the board falling in. Pam was also sore. She didn't mention if her husband or the friend had difficulties.

I'm ready to go back. Anybody want to come? Once September comes it's only weekends.

Tomorrow is Moseywoods 75th anniversary. Rock climbing? Kayak? Row Boat? What will I chose?

This challenge got off of a slow start, but now I'm cooking. Next year, I'll be spending a lot of time in the Discovery School.

fitness challenge 4 & 5 -- boxing and a bike built for two

My friend Angel has built a fitness space in her garage.  Her garage is huge. the people that own the house before her made it two stories and had a print shop over the car space.  Some is used for the bike and mower storage like any other garage. But does yours have a sink? Her 10-year-old has claimed most of that space for her play house (and storage for outgrown toys).

A portion of the playhouse is made into a fitness center. There are hand weights (Angel used to lift 20 pounds. Say what?) from 20 down to three. The child uses fives. Mom 10s. There is a punching bag, sparing gloves, mats and all kinds of fun stuff.

Yesterday I tried boxing. I played about 15 minutes and was wiped out. I spent about 5 minutes punching Angel. I had to be sure to hit the yellow dot otherwise I'd hurt her hands. "Harder." "Faster." she would say.  The sweat was pouring off me. (My fitbit didn't budge. Maybe I should have placed it on my wrists?)

Then it was time for the bag. A little low for me but it was still quite a workout. Angel is petite and the child is 10. It works at that height for them. That bag is a lot harder to move and control than I thought. It looks so easy in the movies.

Then we attempted the bicycle built for two. Someone gave it to Angel and she took it to the bike shop to have it checked out. A few weeks ago her and her daughter tried it, but Angel isn't tall enough to stand while on the bike. Gayle to the rescue.

First I tried it myself. Cumbersome, but doable. Then We tried together. There is a slight hill at her house, and we couldn't get started. We walked it to the top of the hill and tried again. We got it going and moved forward. We looked like a drunken sailor, but we did it. Eventually it smoothed out, we figured out breaking, balance and starting and stopping. Angel also had to figure out body language.  Then I got overconfident and we tried to turn into the alley and almost hit someones bushes. Oops. We only went 2K and I felt like I rode 5 miles.  Next time we are going to walk it to the bike path and try there. And take someone along to take pictures!

Afterwards we drove up to Mosey Wood to pick up the child at camp. "Worse time ever*" she declared as we met. And then spent the next half hours talking non-stop about how much fun it was and what she wants to do next year. 10-year-old drama.

Now I am headed off to pick up my niece. She's helping with a gold award project today—a walking tour of the murals in Allentown. Apparently there is more than the one in post office and in the art park.  The whole gang, plus, is going. She needs 10 for it to count. I think I'm delivering eight.

 This is Blue Franklin "Houdini" Ackerman-Parry. His name is really just blue, but when he escapes and gos to the neighbors the children call him Franklin. I call him Houdini because of his love of the escape.


 (*Roommate issues and a counselor who frowns on middle of the night latrine runs.)

trykes for tots 10K

The Trykes for Tots 10K is one of the few races in the valley that offer a 10K option for walkers. We've done it several years.

It takes place on the Iron Rail Trail and the Whitehall Parkway and raises money for tricycles for differently-abled children. The cool part is they give out and fit the bikes after the adult race. Then the children have a 1 mile fun run / walk / ride. This year Pretzel City Sports left the clock on for the children. When they called for the children's race to begin, they were still fitting bikes. So they had two! The children could run both if they wanted too. While they were racing we waited for a free massage. Wonderbar.

No escort this year until about mile 6. He brought us water because the mile 4 water station closed early. We left him in our dust. However, w did not beat last year's times. Oh well. We still came in in 1:44

My camera was "exhausted" again, so Bonnie took pictures on her phone.It was my turn to have closed eyes.

I came home to a dead mouse in the downstairs bathroom. Anyone who knows me know that I have a low tolerance for dead animals. My brother Henry used to come by and clean them up. Sadly, I had to call Bonnie to come rescue me.

Friday I walked with Betsy in Bethlehem. She was setting up a Girl Scout event at the Luckenbach Mill. So we started at the mill, crossed Sand Island and walked the D&L to the Minsi Trail Bridge. Then we climbed the stairs and came back Market and Church street, with a detour into Nisky Hill Cemetary.

Thursday, I walked back and forth to the dentist. When did dentist start doing full oral exams? In addition to my teeth she checked my tongue, my pallet, my jaw, the whole works.

Wednesday was National Walking Day. I walked across campus and back. It's my 15 hour day and squeezing in a 15 minute walk is the best I could do.

Tuesday, Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. Just under three miles.

All in all, a good week. I think I was over 10K steps all but one day.

now that's a view worth walking to

Sunday we took the scenic route home. The plan was to go to Kinzua State park to walk the skyway and then go to Williamsport to do a Volkssport walk. As always, plans change. I really like flying by the seat of my pants, don't you?

We left Erie and headed east. That put us in New York. We crossed the state, thru the Seneca Nation, and crossed back into Pennsylvania on 219 at Bedford. While still in New York we saw the billboard for the Zippo Museum. When we reached Bedford, the sign said this exit. Of course we went. What was odd, at least to me, was that there was a troop of Boy Scouts there. Now sure, Case knives are also made there, but 50% of the museum was lighters. Girl Scouts would have NEVER approved of that field trip. What was even odder, at least to me, was some of the boys were buying lighters. Clearly things are done differently in North Central Pennsylvania!

It took another 20 minutes or so to reach Kinzua. The DEP's website says "The 329-acre Kinzua Bridge State Park offers visitors a chance to walk the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk. Located in McKean County, this park is the home of the newly reinvented Kinzua Viaduct. The Viaduct, once known as the longest and tallest railroad structure at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high, was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003. In 2011, the engineering masterpiece was reinvented as a new pedestrian walkway where visitors can stroll 600 feet out on the remaining support towers, peer miles out into the Kinzua Gorge as well as peer down into the partial glass platform at the end of the walkway."

Clearly it was the shortest walk of the weekend, and the most spectacular.

It was also clear that no food could be found in the Allegheny State Forest. We must have driven 2 hours before finding an ice cream stand that served food too.  It was a popular spot. I thought as soon as we ate, places would pop up. Nope. Even when we reached Route 80!

On the drive from Kinzu we decided not to go to Williamsport. It was getting late. It's a good thing. It was Little League weekend. The one weekend a year NOT to go to Williamsport.

 

poole wildlife santuary

Today Lyd and I headed out to the Poole Wildlife Sanctuary to meetup with the Center Valley Outing Group. It's part of L. L. Bean's  Outdoor Discovery Series. They do every activity that L.L. Bean sells gear for.

Today was to be a snowshoe hike, but alas there was no snow. So it was just a hike. I'd say two miles. It took about an hour. Lots of hills and even some stone stairs. Plus a large wood path that went over the flood plane. Surprisingly I was in the front of the pack for the whole thing. Of course, because there was no snow, that pack was about seven.

We met in the lot. Before beginning, we had to sign a wavier, which surprised me. (I think it's one a year.) Then we introduced ourselves. There was another Lydia and she was about the same age. It's such an old fashioned name it's always a surprise to meet someone with it.

In the parking lot they were talking about the trails at South Mountain Park. I've never hiked there, but since the park is at the top of the mountain, my guess is it is hilly.

On the way home Lydia needed groceries so we stopped at Giant. While waiting to check out I looked at the February Prevention magazine The same thin, blond girl from the website was on the cover, and featured in the story on Walk Your Butt Off. Only two women from the group were featured in the "I lost..." section. When I was emailing back and forth there was four people. Things are much clearer. So I didn't buy the magazine.

When we arrived home Adonis was itching for his walk. So we headed outside and hit the pavements again. Furry friend in tow.

When I returned home, a Brownie was calling about buying cookies. Thank goodness they don't arrive till late February.

I'm thinking Jacobsburg tomorrow. But I'm not sure if Bonnie can go in the woods yet.

splat! and it wasn't me.

Today was the Green Pond Volkssport walk. The trail was marked by, and the whole event run by, a Girl Scout for her silver award.

For this walk, I borrowed a Brownie. My friend Angels daughter.  She arrived at my house wearing her Brownie vest and beanie. She took this seriously. I wore my GS 100 tee shirt.

It took about an hour to get there. The park was easy to find. We signed in, and hit the trail. The first 5K was in a wooded area. The leaves fell, and covered up all the roots and rocks. It was challenging walking. Bug led the group, with Bonnie close behind. I was in the middle and Lyd brought up the rear.

We were barely 10 minutes into the walk and we heard a thunk. And a "Oh shit".  I turned around and there was Lyd falling to the ground. Before I could take out the camera, she was up on her feet again. Her knee is bruised and her thigh sore.

We were following the orange trial markers and at one point lost them and followed black ones. It turns out the lack was covering the orange. The trail was marked before Sandy, and had to be altered.

One uprooted tree was so large, Bonnie stood under it. It was bigger than her, by a good three feet.

I took a good hour and a half to finish the first 5K. We took a bit of a break, and then did the second 5K. This was thru the park on a gravel road. I hung back with Bug and Lydia who were starting to get tired. And Lyds injuries were starting to hurt.

However, when we checked back in Bug was willing and able to play in the playground! Quick recovery.

I forgotten how tiring an 8 year old is.

my inner girl scout yelled do it.

There is a lot of things that I don't miss about having a girl scout troop. Adult meetings. Paperwork. Permission forms. Endless red tape. But there are other things I do miss. Like the kids. And being outdoors on a regular basis.

A couple weeks ago I saw an ad in the paper for A Women in the Outdoors event. My inner girl scout was intrigued. By the third sighting I was on the net looking and found the brochure. It's at the Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club. The site of one of my biggest failures as a girl scout leader. Fate is thumbing her nose at me.

I sent out an email to some of my friends hoping someone else was nuts enough to do this with me. My friend Betsy, also a girl scout, might join me. If not, I'll go alone.

There's a dozen or so thing to pick from. You get four. You have to give them a choice of 8 in order of preference. (Mine are starred.) The choices are basket weaving*, dutch oven cooking, gardening for wildlife* (but not skunks I hope!), intro to crossbows*, self defense, archery*, fly fishing (not patient enough to try that!), getting your bearings, handguns (no way!), wild edibles*, reading the weather, knot tying, outdoor cooking, survival skills, rifle marksmanship (no way), trapshooting (ditto), and making campers soap (citronella/Lemongrass) and calamine soap*. I really want the soap one. Weird, huh. Actually my first thought was this would be so cool to teach the girls. I guess I have girl scouts in my DNA.

Now you'll notice I only starred six. I can't remember what the other two were!  I know that. Probably had something to do with food.

It's a tad expensive. But you get 4 workshops breakfast and lunch and a membership to the National Wild Turkey Federation! Just what I always wanted. I'm guessing that's an insurance thing. Can't wait for my first copy of the Penna. Turkey Talk. My mail carrier will be so confused.

Speaking of confused. The YWCA might have a women's golf class this summer. Thinking of giving it a try. Walking golf course and lugging heavy bags should burn a couple calories!