Van Cortlandt Park Hike-a-Thon

Yesterday I took a break from plowing towards the deadline of my book to walk in the Van Cortlandt Park Hike-a-Thon. It was probably actually quite productive to get away from the project for a while, but I wouldn't have taken the time for a five-mile hike if I hadn't been already committed to it. Hiking with 50 people is more like parading, but it was a beautiful day out. I saw the old weir and the park's waterfall for the first time. Wildflowers were out, and I saw a baby turtle (and moved it off the path). My biggest regret is that I took no pictures. My camera died on my last hike - the lens will neither close nor fully open - and I accidentally left my phone at home.

Huzzah and hoorah

Friday was an exciting day for me, as my physical therapist told me I could start again with capoeira intro classes. She had to tell me, though, that I couldn't go that night, as I would be too tired from PT. Of course she was right, but I probably wouldn't have exercised that good judgment on my own. Thus, today I went to my first capoeira class in seven months. My should held up fine in roles and cartwheels, although my cartwheel to the left was notably weaker than to the right. My legs did the real suffering, as they're out of shape. My arms have the benefit of PT and my core has gotten stronger from Pilates, but my legs haven't done much except walk me around. Yesterday was four years to the day of my first capoeira class, so I can't help but feel the timing is fortuitous. Our annual batizado and graduation is in two months, and of course I won't be moving up a level, but I'm happy that I'll be able to participate. We shall see how my body feels tomorrow.

Ramble through New Jersey

Today's hike with the Ramblers was in New Jersey, starting in Montclair and ending in Summit. About half of the 16 miles were roadwalking and half were hiking.

Much of the scenery was more gently pretty than whomp-you-over-the-head (although Hemlock Falls is nice), but it was exciting to see that spring is finally here. The day was warm - in the 70s - and we saw the first wildflowers.

Trail crew is back

Spring is finally arriving, and this weekend the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park trail crew started up again. I spent several hours Saturday uprooting invasive wineberry. This is a good time of year to do it, since the plants don't have any leaves yet. It's easy to spot the wineberry, which is a relative of the raspberry from Asia. Like kudzu, it was brought over to be ornamental, but it grew out of control.