sixth day in a row

Okay, now I'm sounding like a braggart. Sorry. I gotta restart my mojo and get my butt moving so countdowns work. I'll get over it. Maybe.

Yesterday was my birthday and I laid on the couch and watched Law and Order Criminal Intent reruns for 3 hours—a total vegetable. I am going to pay for it today. 364 more days till I turn 60. 2015 is going to be a horrible year.

I needed to walk today.

Today was our annual wreath making workshop. Megan, Sharon, Lil Bug and I all went. It was Megan and Lil Bugs first time doing wreaths. As a bonus there was a dog. As soon as Megs post pictures I'll post one.

I dropped off Megan and then brought Sharon and Lil Bug home with me. Lil Bug helped make dinner, schlep stuff too and from the attic, decorate minimally for Christmas, and helped me change the hall light bulb. I even got to take her to Cantelmi's so she could see an old-fashion hardware store.

Before I took Lil Bug home we went for a walk in Fountain Hill. The typical route up Bishopthorpe, up Findlay, and out Moravia.

 On Moravia, we ran into this fellow. He has apples for eyes, and apple slices for a mouth.

Then we went past the firefighters Christmas tree lot at the pool.  I loved this skinny tree. I'm a fat tree kind of girl, but skinny would be nice. No furniture to move. But alas, there is probably no tree this year. No international student with a desire to decorate a tree. Ebinezer roommate will probably make my life miserable if I got one. So it's better to forgo it. Silly tradition anyway. Who cuts a tree and brings it into the house?

 

The swings were dry so we also took a swing break. Snow doesn't stop us from swinging. We took the usual route home from the playground. Maybe 2.5 miles total.

two walks

Last night Lydia and Adonis came over for dinner an a walk. We took Big A out first for his typical 1/2 mile. I was already hot and sweaty and we hadn't even started the main event!

Lyd doesn't like doing hills after work. She's on her feet seeing clients a good portion of the all day. We drove the few blocks to the hospital and parked. The we walked out Jeter avenue towards Salisbury. When we reached Public Road, we played in the park. The swings were nice, and high. The spinning thing was old and made horrible noises.

Then we headed up Public to Graham, and down the long Graham street hill and back to the car. Turns out that loop is 2.5 miles. Not bad for after work.

This morning I headed to Bonnie's to walk in Salisbury. The baby fell asleep so Megan stayed home. We did what she calls the west loop, with all the hills. It's just under 3 miles but I was flop sweating when I returned to her house.

Even with the walk I'm at less than 6K for the day. If it doesn't start to pour, I'm going to need to go out for another walk. I have not chance of catching my friend in the FitBit race, but I at least need to make my goal for the week.

Tomorrow we are doing the two-bridge walk and Veg-Fest. Sunday we'll be doing the Volkssport walk in Valley Forge.

sunday afternoon

  His first selfie.

Sunday afternoon I had to babysit for the "blonde tornado". Don't let this cute face fool you. This kid can be a terror. But he wasn't.

He arrived with a bag of games and immediately asked me to play. I had other plans. I told him he need to play by himself so I could finish my work. Then we'd —the dinosaur, him, Aunt Sharon, and I—go someplace special.

He did. We did. He's about 5.10 years old. Too young to walk to and from the Fountain Hill playground and play. We packed water and cups. We looked for appropriate hats —he wore my Volkssport one—and headed for the park. But I forgot to get the car seat when he was dropped off. He told me about it. I strapped him in the center back and off we went.

He was excited to see the playground. He was excited to see the that there were baby swings. Not for him of course —he doesn't like swinging—but for Dinosaur. (Yes, that's his name.) The "three" of us played about 45 minutes. Aunt Sharon took pictures. I did not get to swing!

I did get to ride the bee alone, and with the Tornado.

Everyone went down the slides multiple times.  Dinosaur usually went down head first. Some of us fit better than others.

 We went on rope bridges and moving plank bridges. Frequently.

 Tornado didn't have enough body strength to do the zip bar, but Dinosaur put his full body into it. I was too tall. Even bending my knees.

 I asked him if he wanted to go on an adventure. He was all for it. So we took the trail thru the park into the woods where he picked weeds for aunt Sharon. We did the whole trail, then came back and went down the big hill—it's steep. No bikes, boards or blades are allowed. Then back to Aunt Sharon. Dinosaur was a hot sweaty mess when we got back.

Then it was time to make dinner. I was told he was a fussy eater. Not when you make him help make it. I even almost got him to try peppers. But he really "thought and thought and thought about it and decided I really don't like them". He ate everything else. I ain't fighting for peppers. (Though his measuring skill are poor. I had to dump water off the rice then jack up the heat. Oops!)

After nearly 1.25 hours at the park we ate dinner and watched Frozen. The trolls were so much fun. The ice castle was beautiful. Still trying to figure out what all the fuss is about.

fountain hill

Today we did the loop of Fountain Hill. One of our regular walks. Even though we didn't talk to each other, we were all wearing our Tail on the Trail swag! How funny is that. It lasted about halfway thru the walk.

We went out Itaska, then out the alley to Sioux, then off toLackawanna Avenue and down to Broadway. Yep, we had the native American tribes covered. They don't call this neighborhood Indian Hills for nothing.

We crossed Broadway and went out Smile and then Stanley. The FOuntain Hill walk would not be complete without a stop at the Stanley Avenue Recreation Area (aka Ft. hill playground) for SWINGS! How we love swings. Though there were children there today so we didn't stay very long.

 

Ultimately we ended up on Ostrum, past the hospital, then on to Brighton were we encountered spring. These irises are really early.

From Brighton we crossed the bridge, went down the ramp and headed home out Broadway.

Then it was time for Adonis' walk. All in all it was about 4 miles.

ft. hill playground. a mostly photo essay.

Today was sauerkraut making day at casa Stephens, so Bonnie didn't walk. Lydia did a 5K yesterday and received a killer blister for her trouble. So we decided to take an easier walk. It turned into Walking: Extreme (Overgrown) Children's Play Edition.

 We headed down the hill, out Itaska and Broadway to Bottom Dollar. We headed up Dodson to the ball field. Around the ball field, back down the hill to the recreation trail. What a view.

We took the recreation trail down thru the park and landed at the bugs. I chose the snail. I really didn't fit on the seat so I sat on his back. Then I started bouncing. It's a great core workout. Try-it. Lydia tried the two seater bee and fit in the seat! I'm not that flexible.

Then it was off to this arched ladder thing. Is this what they call Jacobs Ladder? Not sure. But I climbed up one side and back down the other. I didn't fall off!

 Hey, we had these at the Dirty Girl. I can do this. And look ma. No mud.

Then we arrived at the actual play set. The only way to get to the rope walk was thru the tunnel. I fit! Thanks for the butt shot Lydia.

 Over the rope walk to the slide.

I had to go down the slide on one cheek because it is designed for children's butts. Not fat old women. I wanted to go down the curvy one, but there was a puddle at the bottom. It would have been no fun walking in wet pants!

Finally, we arrived at our initial designation: the swings.

When we finished playing at the playground (officially the Stanley Avenue Recreation Area) we headed out Stanley Avenue, Down Hoffert, then east on Delaware Avenue.

That's where we found two great Halloween houses. (Not a single person had their Christmas decos up yet. I guess that's next week.) When we arrived at Bishopthorpe we came home. It wasn't quite three miles. But the dog still need his walk.

allentown-parks volkssport walk

Today Bonnie and I tested out the new Allentown-Parks volkssport walk. They are going to retire the "town" one because people don't like walking in creepy neighborhoods to get to cool places. Sadly that's the reality. Maybe when the waterfront reopens I can design a walk that takes you to the art museum, America on Wheels, Trout Hall, ect. without creepiness.

I picked Bonnie up at 7 and we headed to check in at the Comfort Suites. Often check-ins are at hotels/motels. They are open 24/7. After checking in we went back to the car and read the directions. One by one. It was hard and funny because I know where Cedar Creek (aka Beach) Park is.

We parked and started to follow the directions. First stop, Allentown's first "destination" playground.  It's amazing. And totally accessible to everyone. We walked thru the maze of activities on the wheelchair ramp. We would have gone down the extra long slides, had it not rained last night. If I was 2 feet shorter I would have climbed in this spider web. It looks so fun. Maybe I'll need to borrow a child.

Speaking of rain,  it rained hard last night in Allentown, a couple inches an hour. The creek was full and raging. Quickly we discovered that much of the trail was flooded. Entire sections of the lawn were flooded. It was a mess. Our feet were soaked. Several times we went off trail to avoid water. The ducks were swimming on the lawn. And Allen's band was practicing and trying hard to avoid it.

New since the last time I was here (two million years ago) were the "do not feed the geese" signs. $600 is a serious fine.

 We saw no geese. Only geese poop.

We left the park, went to Cedar Crest, back to the park, and headed into west Allentown. When we arrived at Cedar Crest Blvd., we crossed and went into Trexler Park. Made the loop around Trexler, taking the higher road to say hi to the good general. Then out and back up Chew street to Muhlenberg College. Finally we returned to the park via Ott Street.

Today was Bonnie's 10th Volkssport walk. Finally she can send in her Starter book. Next week will be her 11th. We'll be headed to Tamaqua for that one.

Tomorrow, I'm not sure where or how we will walk. The D&L? Intervals? Steps at Lehigh? Guess I need to decide soon.

five miles, adventures, stairs, swings, and bouncing bees

Clearly I should have taken my camera today. This picture is from last year, or at least winter/fall. It was cool today but not that cool! Do I look different? I doubt it.

Bonnie came about  7 and we headed up to Moravia. Now we are in Lehigh County and Fountain Hill. At Frederick St. we entered  Lower Saucon Township, then back to Fountain Hill.

When we arrived at Lechauweki Spring Park I asked Bonnie if she wanted to explore. Neither of us had our Deep Woods Off, but off we went. According to the Borough website, the property was originally the home of the Lechauweki Springs Summer Resort, built by John Smylie, Jr. (Smiley Avenue. The pieces come together!) This famous mountain resort had three hotel buildings that were situated on a 63-acre tract.Now it's only 5-acres and a passive activity park.

The spring was dry except for a trickle of water. There's a gazebo, and we followed what might have been a deer run, or bike run. Coming out we found a gravel path  with signs telling us about the property. All in all we did about a 1/2 mile in this little park. (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7537290)

We headed toward KidsPeace and back down to Broadway. Crossed at the Bottom Dollar and went out Spiegel Street to Stanley avenue and the playground recreation area.

Of course we played on the swings for a bit. As we were heading to the walking path, Bonnie saw these bouncing bug things and got on one. I think hers was a snail. I got on the bee. It was like doing supported squats. Finally we got back on the road and went out Russel and Jeter avenues. Then down the stairs thru the hospital parking lots, and down the steep hill and out Ostrum. Now we are in both Northampton County and Bethlehem again.

At the bridge we head south to the Five Points and up Wyandotte to Sioux. Out Souix and down Bishopthorpe.

For breakfast I made us omelets with leftovers—roasted potatoes, peppers, beans, spinach, feta, and broccoli. I'm sure I forgot something. Bonnie cut up all the veggies and also washed my dishes. Embarrassing. Clearly they hadn't been done since Friday. Why? The designated dishwasher will only wash them every three days, otherwise there isn't "enough". Today was her day. Well at least I know they are clean. Thanks Bonnie.

walking in the heat wave.

It's summer. There's another heat wave. What a surprise.

This time of year I like to walk early in the morning. The earlier the better. I'm up at 5ish. However, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I have a 7-3 job. Not conducive for walking. Especially when I have to drive a half hour. So I walk at lunch time or after work.

Monday night Lydia called. Her power was out, and would be out till the next day. "Can we sleep there?" she said. She and Adonis arrived an hour later. I have an ancient energy sucking air conditioner in the living room. I rarely use it. I really want air when I sleep. But the dog had on a fur coat, he needed air, I cranked that baby up.

When I got home from work yesterday he was ready for a walk. It was 3:45 the hottest part of the day. We only went to the cemetery and back.  Maybe a 1/4 mile. I felt like I walked three.

After dinner, Lydia and I went down to the Greenway to walk. There is precious little shade on the Greenway at 6 PM. Since I was last there they did add a little playground for children. Lydia tested the equipment. (See above.)

When we arrived back home, Adonis was ready for another walk. We had planned for the cemetery again, but it was doggie rush hour. A doesn't do well with other dogs. It was pretty shady by this time, and a little cooler, lucky dog got an almost full walk.

Total mileage, 3 miles.

Tonight I'm going to a walking clinic sponsored by the Recreation Department.  I think Lydia is coming. She was on the fence about it last night. Bonnie will decide if she's coming along after she sees how hot it is. It's gonna be hot.

canal street park heritage trail

Lydia, Sharon and I went walking today in Northampton. (Bonnie was on her way back from the wedding.)

I thought we should check out the Canal path and head toward Catty. But the web said that trail was unfinished. So then I thought we'd head to Walnutport.

We picked up Lyd at her place and she mentioned on her way into town she wanted to stop at the Siegfried train station to take pixs. It is her name after all. So we did. But instead of going to the trail head many blocks away, we just went across the street, and picked up the Canal Street Heritage Park Trail. It's exactly 1 mile long. It says start and end. And is marked every quarter mile. Sadly, it does not have any signs talking about the heritage.

It does, however, have one of the exercise courses on it. I tried a few things but the metal was really cold! Near the end of the trail was a playground. We hit that on the way back.

After the "end" post, we saw the D&L marker.  One side shows the mileage to Allentown, the other to Walnutport. Walnutport might be a good training route for later in the summer before the next half marathon.

We left Sharon there and she headed to the playground to wait for us.

The path continued to a footbridge over the Hokey Creek, and then the trail was totally ungroomed. It was pretty clear, I think because it is used heavily. But it's clearly unfinished.

We walked a little longer then turned around and headed for the park. These "little" girls like swings! And it's a full body workout. If you haven't tried since you were 10, give it a try. It burns about 200 calories an hour. I don't think I can last 15 minutes!

 We played 10-15 minutes, and then headed back towards the car. Total mileage about 3 miles. Mybe a little more.

When we were leaving the Tri-Boro Rod and Gun Club was advertising an ugly sweater 5K on Dec. 8. Sounds like fun. But I think you need to be a member. Couldn't find much online. Though there is one in Louisville.

3 trails, a balance beam and a couple of boy scouts

This morning the scoobies arrived for breakfast at the crack of 9, and we ate a hardy breakfast of waffles from my new waffle iron. The old one met an accidental death a few months ago.

Then I gave them three ideas for walks—the 'hood, the Palmer bike trail, or Jacobsburg. Sharon picked Palmer so off we went.

I've walked the beginning part a lot, but the end only a few times. I decided we would start at the end and work our way to the falls. (It's a U shaped trail about 6.5 miles long.) We were heading down 25th street, and suddenly there was traffic. Lot's of parked cars. We couldn't get near the park. A marathon was running thru!

Fine. We'll go to Hugh Moore. Nope, that's where the marathon was headed. Off to Plan C, the other end of the trail, the part I always walk. It had probably been 40 minutes since we left the house before we started walking.

When we arrived at Fairview park, Lydia said "swings" and pointed. I said on our way back. Sharon chose to stop and wait there. We walked to Bethlehem Township, spun around and came back to the park. Sharon was sitting under a tree waiting. (Total walk about 4 miles.)

The first apparatus we encountered in the playground was a long bar, with a handle. It kind of acted like a zip line. I think I was too tall and too heavy. I couldn't put my feet out, so I tried to put them back, and as you can see I landed on my knees. Clearly I need to work on upper body strength.

 Then we hit the swings. After swinging we went on the balance beam. It moves. I had Birks on so I took them off and held on to Lyd frequently. I had a lot of trouble getting up and down. I am not flexible anymore. As a kid I always walked on retaining walls and hopped off the edge.

Lyd did much better when it was her turn. I think it's because she's 2 decades younger! Sharon didn't try.

When we arrived back at the car, the scoobies needed the bathroom and I needed gas. We headed to the Wawa next door, and encountered some fine young men in uniform, selling overpriced popcorn. I'm a sucker for Boy Scout caramel corn.I think the same thing happened the last time I walked this trail at the beginning of the school year.

I pulled up to the pumps, and left out the scoobies. Before they left, I went to give them money to get me caramel corn, and I had no money, no credit cards, no drivers license. It was all in my backpack from yesterday. Oops. Lyd loaned me money for gas and popcorn!

Sharon finally decided on the giant box of kettle corn.

Next week Sharon and Lyd are purging another room of her house. Sunday they'll walk. Lyd picked Jacobsburg. Hopefully Bonnie will come along, or walk with me on Saturday.

pink fire trucks and bicycle trails

take the pix before I fall!

Yesterday the Pink Heals tour landed in Bethlehem again. This year they were at NCC. The event was a fundraiser for the Nancy Run Fire Company. Sharon, Pat, and I went. Yes, Pat left the house. We met my niece and her dad there. And Wendy from the three-day Philly. This year she's doing San Diego. We trained together for my first three day and we're going to try and train together again.

So as part of the event they had a 5K run and a 1-mile fun walk. I don't generally do fun walks, but Lyd is new to exercising. She had gastric bypasses 60 pounds ago. Now she is really close to the 200s.

After we got there I found out that you could walk the 5K. Oh well, it was more important for my niece to make her mile. And she did.

We finished near the end of the pack but there were at least 20 people behind me. Sharon zoomed ahead so that she "won". I was teasing her she couldn't walk slower than Lyd.

About 3/4 of the way around Lyd started complaining. The eternal Are we there yet? I pointed out the college dead ahead, and she says, it seems far. I assured her it was only 3 or 4 blocks. She kept plugging away and walked slower, but crossed the finish line at 24:08. Adjust that by three minutes for the later walk start, and she was almost going 3MPH. She did excellent. Her mom would have been cheering her on at the finish line.

Then after the walk she was warmed up enough that she could climb the fire engine! She was disappointed earlier when she couldn't get up on it.

After the walk, we went to Perkins for breakfast, where Lyd shared 1/4 of my omelet. Then a quick stop at Wally's World for Pat's RX, and I drove them home. Then off to work, again.

me and the used bike

I told my family that I was working till 6. I even told that to my sister Barb when she called. But it wasn't true. I was going biking with Angel and Bug at 3:30. Yeah, I know, liar, liar, pants on fire. But a girl needs to do what a girl needs to do. Pat doesn't even know about the bike yet. And I'm planning on keeping it that way.

splat!

We rode from Angels to the Palmer Pike trail and then rode out to about Stones Crossing. There's a huge park there and the wee one played. So did I. Swings! Then we rode back and I fell while dismounting to cross the street. Bug took the pix.

I hid my bike in her garage and drove home.

a quick walk

Only did about 2.5 miles today but it included three steep hills and the playground. My love of swings continues.

Good news, I got my new blood work back and everything is fine with my liver and blood. But I'm still going to go to the nutritionist. I want to get the sugar and cholesterol down to the center of normal and away from the high end.

swinging is aerobic?

Today we were to walk 10 miles. Instead we did 6 or 7 and played on the swings.

It was overcast and cool, but really humid. We planned on four loops of about 2.5-2.75 miles each. Bonnie's house was going to be walk central.

The first route crossed Susquehanna and headed up skyline drive. That hill was much steeper than I remember. We did a big square. The second route also crossed Susquehanna Street and went past her old house and around Roosevelt park/playground. The swings are right at the sidewalks. I just wanted to be silly dropped my stuff and headed to the swings. Bonnie picked up the camera and shot a couple of pixs of me. Then she got on and we both agreed were were working pretty hard.

We didn't remember it being that hard when we were kids. We'd walk to the park in the morning swing and slide the morning away, then walk home for lunch. Return to the park and swim all afternoon, then walk home.

Anyway, I suggested she should check with her personal trainer to see what we were exercising. I felt it in my legs, back, arms, abs, and shoulders.

That gave her another idea. Lets do it for a half hour! (Weightlossforall.com lists it as one of 20 "enjoyable ways to exercise". Of course you have to do it a whole hour to burn 200 calories.) We settled on 15 minutes. I barely made it. My inner thighs were cramping. We both had to stretch when we got off!

Bonnie was lagging behind me by the time we got close to her house. First time that's every happened. So I made her an offer, twwo more loops, one more loop, or no loops.

She picked no loops. It was a good thing. Shortly after we got back to her place it started to rain. We we're not only dry but eating omelets for brunch.

Later in the afternoon I walked to MF and got caught in the rain. It was fun.