Poof!

The weekend’s theme ended up being “Go Hard or Go Home!!!” 

Yeah….literally, figuratively and throw in a “wow, how did that happen?” for good measure…

There really, really should be more exclamation points after that statement…really…

Holey moley....

Was that vague enough for everyone?

Into The Woods - Literally...

From one version of Into The Woods to the other! 

A local hike due to an event that is coming to the area next summer. 
This is the first of many upcoming hikes to help the organizer get familiar with these woods. 

Twinkie in the woods! 

Glacial erratic in the woods!! 

And where would we be without a car in the woods? 
 This was a new one for me since we came back down from the cliffs via a different route. 

The littlest hiker made it almost to the end - I had to carry her the last 1/2 mile.  A solid 21 pounds of training weight! (along with balance challenge)

It was interesting to watch her - regardless of who had the leash, I am her alpha.  She went with the pack but would not move until I did.  Since I was in the lead, the crew got to take turns having a rental dog! 

Truth be told - she is not my dog either but since she has bonded with me
 so tightly (as in "ain't no sunshine when she's gone"), it's my dog.

Into The Woods - Figuratively...

 

I wish….

I had a chance to see one of my favorite  Broadway musicals, “Into the Woods” presented by a community theatre this past weekend.  My friend’s sister was in the pit so there was a perfect excuse to go.

Did you dance?  Is he charming?  They say that he's charming.

I know that I have written about this before – toss all the fairy tale characters and their wishes together and see what happens.  What could go wrong?  

Every knot was once straight rope…

The best twist is still Act 2 – the first time I saw it, I asked why there is even a second act.  The reply was “What happens when you get everything you wish for?”

Wishes may bring problems,

Such that you regret them.

Better that, though,

Than to never get them.

But my absolute favorite quote is “Best to take a moment present, as a present, for the moment.”

It was a great evening of fabulous voice, great acting and laughs!

Ever After!

Dis-Car-Ded...

Unfortunately, there is always garbage to be found in the woods.

I prefer the very old variety because it means that the younger generations

 have not continued dumping in the woods.

You have the usual tires and cars.... 

But this time there was a boat and some big tanks of who knows what...

A "Life After People" moment that gave me the creeps.

This little guy was found with a cell phone in the middle of tire tracks 

so he was given a new spot with a better view.

The "Where are we?" Moment.... 

Long Pond - Scenic Route...

Trail choice was decided by distance - Long Pond Iron Works State Park.

Outfitted in the "I'm not a deer, don't shoot me" colored gear, 

it made for great pictures along the trail.

Lunch was eaten overlooking the Monksville Reservoir. 

At the end we decided to enter the Labyrinth.

Very neat for about two steps.... 

Marveling about how a road can be made straight through rock, 

the third step was met with leaves and muck. 

Oh, Boston...

The sound of sirens kept coming and going at work on Monday afternoon – my co-worker popped her head in my office and said ”Explosion at the Boston Marathon”.

I switched to the news online and that same sick and numb feeling crept in that I had when I watched NYC from the roof of my mall on 9/11.  I could not shy away from the pictures though – this awful act needed to be fully recognized.  Plus, I was making sure that I did not recognize anyone that was there (I found out much later in the day thru FB and texts that everyone that I knew to be there was safe).

It was uplifting to see that there are still people besides the ones that do it for a living that run towards danger instead of away from it because they know that other people need help.

And it was heartbreaking to see a place that holds so many great memories look like a war zone.

'Cause I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston you're my home

A hit to the birthplace of revolution - another reminder that even though we think we are safe with all our security checks, we are not immune.  There are people out there that think it is ok to cause chaos and pain at events that bring joy. 

That is not the United States of America. I know that we are not a nation that is going to let terrorists (domestic or international) win.

The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America,
The spirit of what's old and what's new,
The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America,
The spirit of the red white and blue

Oh What A Night....

Fantastic evening....it will be repeated in the near future!

Strong Start!

The chant of the day "Strong start, this is a strong start!" 

Southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountains and 1,526 feet tall.

Forms the east side of the Delaware Water Gap. 

Mount Tammany - a strong start indeed! 

Sign interpretation "You may get shot or bitten by a snake"...awesome...

In the beginning when the trail was still "cute".....

Then you round the corner and see the first of many rock scrambles.

Lunchtime view - Looking at Mount Minsi across the Delaware Water Gap.

Ooooo - dragon!

Easter Snapshots...

We have a bow that we did not try to eat!

Crab salad in cucumber boats...

Annual ham-a-lamb-a-ding-dong....with beet soaked eggs.

A new tradition this year - the winning egg is actually crowned!

Training Has Begun...

There is an official “Starting Point”. 

 

Training has begun….we are going to climb Mount Katahdin….

Yup, the Katahdin…

Say it with me….. Ka-Tah-Din.

Yikes.

After the initial “what have I agreed to” feeling dissipated, I thought about the goal – it is realistic, attainable and I have good resources on how to prepare for the whole thing.  Plus one of the team has climbed it before so we are not going in totally blind.

It needs to be done.  

I have no desire to do any of the Tough Mudder or Spartan type races – especially after seeing Bam run the Tough Guy Challenge in England years ago.  

Seriously, who has to prove themselves by running thru an assault course crawling through flooded tunnels, being electrocuted, balancing over fire pits as well as having blanks shot at you while you crawl under an expanse of barbed wire?  Didn’t our ancestors suffer thru that during the world wars so that we could have a better life?  But hey, if that is what makes you happy, go for it!

As for me, I'm going to climb Mount Katahdin!

Happy Rex Manning Day!

Pitch Perfect...

Pitch Perfect continues to run thru my brain...

The Riff Off was a great mashup but this one keeps sticking in my head.
 
So I travel back, down that road... 




 
Yup, it's one of the girls from Twilight - who knew she could sing?


Side Rant:

Why do people feel compelled to trash what other people like?  People find something that they enjoy - that gives them happiness - why on earth would you want to mess with that? How would you like it if somebody went around bashing what you enjoy?  We may not agree with it or find the same attraction, but there is no need to bash it.

LOL Goat...

Oh internet....first it was the cats which led to the dogs, T-Rex and other cute things....

And now the goats...thank you for the entertainment!

Suspicious goat is very suspicious....