WEEK 14 - CRUISE -Explorer of the SEAs

On week 14, I was either working or packing, until I reached Bayonne NJ, and the Explorer of the Seas. We departed on the 7th, and spent a couple of days at Sea...I ascended many, many stairs (by choice). Trekking my way along the Atlantic....until we reached (you will have to read the next entry to find out).

THANK YOU TO MOM AND DAD FOR A GREAT WEEK!!!!!

Week 13- Colorado Rockies, CO

Thursday April 29th...A break from the Hudson, and hello higher altitudes, like try 6000 feet above sea level. I love the mountains, maybe because my dad grew up on one in Italy, and my mom spent her summers on one of the NY Catskills. I feel more alive, more crisp and in tune with Nature when breathing in the air way up there.
I had a lovely, long, and slowly paced trek with my very dear friend Nicole who along with her husband, master chef and Parkour extraordinaire John, hosted me for 4 nights. I LOVE the terrain, the dry air, the colors, the SPACE, the LACK of crowds Colorado has to offer, and don't even get me started it can go on and on.
Not only did I get to hike through snow in near 80 degree weather, see beautiful Aspen trees, and terrace upon terrace of Evergreens, I didn't leave before shaking hands with a herd of Elk. Really a whole herd. See photos. I will be back, you hear me???

So none of my gorgeous photos from my hike, are available because their beauty cannot be contained on this MAC..literally it won't download them to here. SO here is the image of RedRock that we saw on Sat. of my trip.

Week 12- Glazier Arboretum, Chappaqua

Monday March 19th Adam, myself, and Cooper headed over to Chappaqua to what we anticipated would  be a casual walk around a pretty park of trees. Pretty, trees, and a suprisingly challenging walk for his hamstring pull and the exceeding warm temperatures for Mid March. As depicted in the photos, the first signs of Spring were blooming.  It was a beautiful place that was tucked into an affluent residential neighborhood, and abutting a golf course.  We were the only people in the place, and the trails were moderately challenging somewhat due to the lack of traffic, and hence lack of upkeep of the trails.  At times we weren't sure if we were following the right path because of the branches and growth under our feet.  Cooper had no complaints, and really we didn't either. Well except for when I ended up in a bog, picture not forthcoming.

Week 11, Kingsland Park, Sleepy Hollow

I am a few weeks behind on reporting, but pretty good on the physical end of my bargain. Week 11, which actually took place on March 17th was fairly uneventful, and a narrow escape from no excursion at all. Bingo and I were together, and Bingo seems to not want to walk much at all these days. I decided to take him to this park because it has, if all else failed....a dog run for the socially dominant, leash resistant canines. We didn't do much else while there. As I tried to explore the riverside public space, Bingo pulled me in the the opposite, familiar direction.  I wanted to make my way closer to the beach and light house but never did either. There were plenty of families set up for a day of barbecuing and dancing and/or soccer playing.  Maybe another time.

Week 10- Kitchawan Preserve, Kitchawan

Friday morning Adam and I finally made it out to hike before the day got away from us. We went with Cooper (sad Bingo) to Kitchawan Preserve, Rt. 134 very nearby on the Taconic.  The Preserve was touted as being the supreme dog off leash location to the chagrin of some and to our distinct liking! We had a nice time, mainly because it was a bright blue sky and a crisp day.  The paths weren't challenging except for portions of the Ledge Trail, mildly ledgy with beautiful moss covered stones (see photos). We searched in vain for the Quarry Ridge Trail, but we completed the Hemlock Ravine Trail, which had some towering beautiful Hemlocks for sure! The only downer was when we came upon the largest peaks around...they were power towers and lines that we found on the other side of the preserve. A necessary evil to the landscape I suppose, sure wish we could paint them green at least. We supposedly hiked 2.4 miles but it didn't feel like that much.  Maybe we are just getting in super trek shape! Check out the dog in photo number 3!

Week 9 - Hardscrabble Wilderness Area, Pleasantville

It was a saturday, and my dad joined me.  The stress of Cooper's anxiety in the car, was matched and surpassed by the pleasurable time he experienced on the trails. It was doggy heaven on earth. From the moment we arrived, canines with family in tow were abound and bounding around. We had a great time too, my dad was either carving wood, knocking down trees (diseased ones of course), building or adding to  rock cairns (see photos). I loved this hike! We were so close to my sister's house that I will be revisiting this place with family for sure! In fact, tomorrow (second hike this week) I am going to take Cooper back, cairn to join? We trekked the white trail - 1.5 miles, with Cedars and Oaks, and the yellow trail, covering a total of about 2 miles. We crossed streams, skipping along rocks while Cooper hurdled back and forth over the long stretches of rock walls.  Coming up...Kitchawan Preserve.  It was a true gift to have my dad with me!

Week 8 - Rockefeller State Park Preserve - Peggy's Way

I am much better at completing my hikes than completing the journaling of them...I was always envious of my friends who had volumes of diaries. I have this and it beats anything I  wrote about at as a heartbroken teen in my estimation! So on Saturday February 25th I walked this path with Bingo, who alone accompanied me.  We had fun exploring, really with no map just careful attention to detail in case we needed to backpedal. I remembered being told that I could enter the Preserve through Weber Park, a residential community off route 9, right past the intersection of 443. If you stay straight the road ends at a pretty park which if you stay straight, ends at a gate of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  We passed partially through the cemetery and found a gate up above that led us to a portion of the aqueduct and beyond, the Preserve. It was a different area of the preserve, which I had wanted to reach including Peggy's Way. See Photo below.  It was a mild, but super windy morning so not many people were out around large over hanging trees...don't know why ;).
We enjoyed the curves and rushing water under beautiful archways and stone bridges.  We also came across a branch that on the ground, looked identical to camouflage print, that is supposed to be identical to the trees.  It was beautiful, but too heavy to lug around, so see the photo below. Bingo and I passed through portions of the Pocantico River trail (which I want to navigate in full), Peggy's Way and Big Tree Trail. We were out for about an hour and a half, due partially to the trek into the park. We had a grand old time.  Please be patient I will catch up with my March posting soon!!!!!

LOVE