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.

forks trail

Usually I walk on Fridays with my friend Betsy, but she had other commitments today. So I arranged with my friend Angel to walk in Forks township. She works at Target and had a rare day off in November.

I gave her a list of places and she picked the Forks trail. She had never been there. Instead of parking at the Country Club, we parked nearer to the river and had to climb some stairs to get to the trail. It snowed last night so the wooden stairs were filled with wet leaves and ice. Fun!

After carefully climbing the stairs we arrived on the trail and followed it south along the river. When we reached the country club we turned left and followed another path until it ended, then turned around and came back.

The trail was covered with leaves and it was fairly natural. Lots of tree roots to trip over. All in all it was about 3.5 miles. The ice on the stairs melted considerably by our return trip.

Then we headed to the Forks deli for middle eastern food for lunch, and then Calandra's for cheese. On the way home I made a few stops so I figured I walked about 5 miles. I checked my Fitbit and it say "Fitbit 6.0" and made all kinds of rebooting activities. When it was done it told me I walked 16 steps all day. All before 6 am. I could have cried.

Tomorrow is the NCC 5k. I drew the t-shirts. Hopefully they look nice. They did not pick my favorite design.

veg fest —not quite a washout

I woke up at 4:30 and it was raining. It stopped at maybe 7:30. Hurray we can still walk. So I talk to everyone and by the time 9 am rolls around it's drizzling.

Bonnie and Megan arrived with the baby at 9:15 and come in so Pat can see the baby. It starts to pour. No VegFest walk for us. It poured for an hour and a half. The baby played with the dog and on the floor. He was happy. Pat seemed happy.

The rain slowed and they went home. Lydia and I took Adonis for a longer walk in the drizzle. And then we waited. In the mean time I started a batch of moms barbeque. It's more like "manwhich" than BBQ, but that's what she called it. It is yummy. And without additives. We haven't made it since before Henry died and it was delicious. I even got the white spongy hamburger rolls instead of real bread. When in Rome.

VegFest started out as a way to celebrate being vegetarian right at the end of the harvest. Now it's moved into August and has a decidedly "vegan" theme. Though it's a great place for people with allergies to eat. Everyone has signs up that says gluten, nut, whatever free. There is a marketplace for craft vendors, an animal spot for "save the {fill in the blank}" — all creatures great and small are represented. My favorite are the pigs. Hense the picture. They all have donation cans out. I gave a dollar to the pigs. I didn't want to ask, but why is there a need for a "basset hound rescue".

Another aisle is activism. That the green energy, no GMOs, laundry soap, whatever. Also three performance stages, and a place for lectures and demos. Oh, and a cooking stage too.

Then there is the aforementioned food court. The Cinnamon Snail came down from NYC and they started lining up before the festival opened, in the rain. When we walked past the line was a block long. I can think of nothing that would be worth a block long line. And it's all veggies!

 I don't even want to think about what the hot dog cart was selling.

We did get a "gluten-nut-dairy-soy-free only 45-83 calorie—with no added sugar" ice pop. Mompops had a cart. OMG delicious. Lydia had chocolate with sea salt. It tasted like a fudgesicle. It was made with coconut milk. I had the strawberry lemonade. It was pureed strawberries thinned with lemon juice. It was tart. Both were delicious. They are out of West Chester so if you are in the Philly area, look for them at coffee shops, healthy stores, and farm markets.

Lydia kept a look out for fried veggies but none were to be found.

Sadly, I guess because of the rain, there were a lot of no shows.

The clouds were getting blacker so we high-tailed it home. Then, because it was still clear, we took the dog for another walk. He was a happy boy today.

an expensive day

Last night I did a last chance workout on the hills of Fountain Hill to burn off some weight. I walked up Bishopthorpe, Findlay, Benner, Bergen and Fredrick. The shocking part was that each hill registered the same on the Fitbit 8 or 9. Those hills are not created equal! Especially Frederick which registered 8. All in all I got 56
for the whole day. My goal is 25.

In anticipation of the weigh in, I weighed myself at home this morning: 224. Yikes! I broke the rule about not going back to another set of 10 after I was out. Not good.

At the weigh in I was 222. AND I gained inches. Except in my waist.

I broke my sunglasses when I fell at the recycle center. All the kings horses and all the kings men could not put those glasses back together again. And it was time to make an appointment. Today was the day. Bonnie joined me. Apparently I have had the same basic style of frame since the bronze age. It was time for a change. (What I really want is to be rich so I could have several pairs!)

The exam went well—none of the evil eye diseases are present. Thank goodness. Do not want to do that needle in the eye or drop thing forever like my sister. And my vision really didn't change so I could have saved the $100 on the exam. Oh well. Two new pairs of glasses set me back a little more than a grand. Ouch. Of course we picked the second most expensive frames in the store. I always do.

Afterwards Bonnie and I went to Full Of Crepe for breakfast. Bonnie's was gluten free (vegan also available). They didn't come on a plate. They are street style and come in a paper and cardboard cone that you peel. Yummy but very messy.  Since we were there at 10:30 it wasn't busy. The chef said when the students get back lunch rush starts about 11.

The crepes were huge. It had three different berries, mascarpone cheese and lemon curd.  You can choose sweet or savory and even make your own.

After lunch I walked with Betsy. Since Barb arrives today Bonnie's family stayed home. We did the typical 3 miles in her surburban 'hood.

Then I went to Patient First for BP meds. My doctor is MIA and I have no refills left. When I first started this adventure I went to a Dr. Jones at the doc-in-the-box.  4-5 years later she has landed at Patient First. Their website said she'd be on duty at 3. It's right by Betsy's.

I weighed 224 there. And my BMI is 33. My blood pressure was 126/65. Whooo Hoo. She also gave me the mamogram / dolonoscopy / ect lecture. Patient First is like a little hospital. They do blood, RX, xrays, the whole 9 yards. They are also sick expensive—$148. And that's without my RX. Yowza.  Need to find a regular doctor....again.

Tomorrow is the Moon Walk. Still on the fence about going. I posted the problem on FB. Clearly nobody cares. Only 2 people gave me feedback.

Regardless, Lydia and I will be doing one of the Bethlehem Volkssport walks tomorrow.

dinosaurs and hotdogs

A week or so ago a friend mentioned there were dinosaurs in Alpha. I was intrigued. I love the weird and wacky. If I'm on a road trip and I see a sign or a rack card for "the world's largest ..." I am off the highway in a New York minute.

These dinos are in an industrial park. The former owner had them made for his grandchildren. Here we have two dinos and between them, that little brown spec, is the caveman. Sorry the pix is so far away. Big fences with barbed wire keep people out.

They are made of some type of metal, and are life-sized. Hense the reason the caveman is so tiny. I loved it. Took too many pixs.

She had also mentioned going to Charlies Pool Room. It was what my mama would call a dive. It was a restaurant filled with hand lettered religious signs and nice people. CPR uses a secret sauce developed by their mom in the 20's.

Angel had a bit of trouble finding it, but find it, we did. The building had tin ceilings, wooden floors, and wooden walls. Real wooden paneling, not faux 70s crap. This place has not been updated since Roosevelt was president. It had one communal table. And a pool table, covered with more religious information and articles about them. Think dive meet eclectic meets an episode of Hoarders (light). Bug found a copy of mom's article for The Easton Phillipsburg Chronicle on the table. Bug is 8. She wrote it when Bug was a toddler.

The owner was friendly. Really friendly. I can see how that could put people off.He remembered Angel.

Bug was also introduced to Ms. Pac Man and pinball. She picked up on Pac Man quicker and used all our quarters. Once she got the hang of it, she played with Angel. Her mama was dang good at it. Angel promised to bring Bug back, with gamer daddy, and a roll of quarters.

My hot dog was good. I don't know if it was the sauce or the brand of hot dog. But the meat was tasty. Kunzlers, I think.

The owner told us they would have closed if it wasn't for the internet and foodies discovering it. When I looked it up on Yelp, there was about 25 comments. All but two were very positive.  He told us that they are on at least 30 websites, and a couple books.

It's creepy. It's a dive. It's from another dimension. But that's okay. I'd go back.

east allentown

Today we did the East Allentown triangle. It's a hair over 3 miles. Closer to the marathon we'll do it twice, once in each direction. That will add hills and other challenges.

We started at Planet Fitness and headed east on Hanover, with a quick photo stop in front of Scoobie's Gentleman's Club. 

Then we headed west on Union, and came down Irving and back Hanover. The new pedestrian safety island is nice, adds a little something to the 'hood. Will it help save lives? Not sure.

I must say that the sidewalks in Allentown—at least where we were walking—are much better than some of the ones we walk on regularly.

This route can be made four miles quite easily, and even six when it is closer to the half marathon. Which for Bonnie is in May. I'll have to plan loops, so those who do want to go the distance, don't have to.

I also took a pixs of a new restaurant. I thought it was a funny combo. But my friend assures me that in North Africa kabobs and pizza share space. I'd like to try the kabobs. No website. Foolish. One day I'll go anyway.

over the river and back

Today was a simple walk. I was short on time. Had a lunch date with my Asian students.

We (Bonnie, Ly & I) left my place, headed up to the hospital, ad out to the Hill-To-Hill bridge. Then headed over the bridge, thru the Christmas village, and back over the Fahy Bridge and home. About 3.85 miles. Then of course we took Big A for his 1/2 mile walk.

At noon I headed to Easton to pick up my Chinese students. Then back to Bethlehem to eat at the Malaysian restaurant. Lots of driving. Belinda having a car spoiled me. Since I don't instagram your stuck looking at food here.

I just finished the sugar-fast and it was not the time to order bubble tea. Mine's the pink one. Holey Moley was it sweet. I don't remember that from the last time I had it. This time the balls were black-ish color. I chewed one, but couldn't pick a flavor. The white is coconut, and peach is iced Thai chai, and the orange is juice.

The portion sizes were not over the top like American Chinese places. Probably still bigger than they should be and I ate everything. I ordered Malaysian veggies with curry. It also had squares of tofu. The veggies were potatoes, eggplant, peas, broccoli, peppers and cabbage in a red-brown curry sauce. My tastebuds are still wide awake. A little spicy for me.  It came with rice in a separate small bowl. It was delicious and I don't think horrible with calories.

I'd go again. The girls said it was good.

Tomorrow we are walking in Catty. Bonnie and I have a wreath workshop at 10:30, and then the indie craft fair at the fearless afterwards. Lyd will meet us in Catty at 9:15 to walk.

Off to make a route now. Know nothing about Catty. This will be an adventure.

funny odor

Do you smell the funny odor? I've been thinking. Always dangerous. Rarely productive.

But the only way to get it unstuck from my brain is to put it out in the universe. I'll do it via this blog. Then when someone else comes up with the idea I can say I had it first.

Tuesday and Thursday I leave for work at 11 am. Generally I walk first thing in the morning, eat a huge breakfast that will take me thru lunch, do my online class, and leave. It works well. However, today is fat, or Shrove Tuesday. So for breakfast I had Fastnachts. A doughnut in the Pennsylvania German tradition.


I'm driving to work and I'm hungry. I decided to stop at Wendy's for an Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. (Full Size in the pix I borrowed from someone else's blog.) They are yummy—cranberries, pecans, chicken, gorgonzola cheese, no dressing.  I got the half size and pared it with a baked potato. 600 calories, 170 from fat and 80 mg of protein. Not a horrible lunch from fast food. And well within an 1800 calorie day.


Any way, sitting at Wendy's looking a the menu I thought about the movie Super Size Me. The one where the foolish man ate at McD's every day. Yuck. I could never eat at the same place three times a day.  He had the super-sized menu options and gained lots of weight and was unhealthy at the end. Looking at the menu at Wendy's I thought there was some decent choices.


Then driving away somehow I started thinking about obesity in America. Logical leap, right? People like Mr. Super Size Me that eat out every meal and get fat and wonder why. Then sue the restaurants. (Don't even get me started on that one.)


That's when the idea hit. I should eat out three meals a day for thirty days at a variety of places—local and chains, fast food and family—and see if I gain weight. Heck, I think might even lose weight. I make much better choices when I'm out. For example if I eat a greasy Five Guys burger for one meal, I have something light for the next meal. It's all about balance.

I'd have to be weighed and tests done first, and then after it's over.


Now of course I couldn't afford to do that. My food budget would soar. I'd need sponsorship. I'd also need money for more trash hauling. The environmental impact of eating out everyday will be huge. Some could be recycled. But not much.

Sodium would also be a big concern because "eating-out" food is loaded with it.


It would be extremely difficult to physically eat out 3 meals a day for a whole month. By the end of a weeks vacation I want home-cooked food. But I'm willing to make the sacrifice.


I'd also have to blog and photograph the process and a nutritionist would need to number crunch. I don't do numbers.


So that's the big idea. When some fancy researcher publishes their results, remember you saw it here first.