Week 17, John E. Hand Park, Teatown

We were planning on going back to visit Hardscrabble Wilderness Area, but somehow unwittingly ended up at John E. Hand Park. Crazy Good Divine Intervention. In Alphabetical Order, Adam, Antonia,  Cameron, Cooper, and Me. It was a gentle but consistent ascent to Bald Mountain (not such mountainous views), verdant and decidedly a wonderful way to spend Earth Day Eve.  The Green, and only marked trail is approximately 1.1 mile up, and then 1.1 miles back.

It was a pleasure to have a guest and a first time trekker with us, YAY Cameron!!

Week 16, Hardscrabble Wilderness Area, Pleasantville

A return trip, this time to Hardscrabble Road Access Point, and only the Hardscrabble and White Trails, total of 2.0 miles of trails. Full of Trees and Empty of other hikers, just how I like it. Me, Adam, and Cooper enjoyed ourselves. My first hike at home since before my travels both West and East. Some more green is appearing, a turtle was my witness (photo).

Bermuda

If you haven't been to Bermuda, you should go. I did not see any photos of the Island(s) before going, but you will have a sneak peak at the bountiful beaches, beauty, and botanical delights!!!

We hiked the beaches around Horse Shoe Bay on day one, and then hiked former pathway of the old railway system, now a national Park. It was high 70s and breezy and stunning in all ways!

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.