A walk in the woods
Last week I had the opportunity to walk a new property that will likely be donated to Ridgefield as open space. What makes this parcel special is that it is smack in the middle of undeveloped State land, which together would add up to over 40 acres of pristine forest that is adjacent to another […]
Seasonal wreaths
I am often amazed at the inventiveness of my clients at @annsplaceinc The latest class we finished was packed with 21 people to create seasonal wreaths out of spruce cones, acorns and other things collected from the outdoors. The cones were easy to collect though I needed to purchase acorns for the first time ever. […]
Pumpkin muffins
With Jack-o-Lanterns lined and lit up and candy in a bucket, Juana and I wait in vain for Trick-or-Treaters. Like many years prior, no children make the trek up our stairs to our front door leaving us with a pot of candy to consume. That’s why we now buy candy the we like best. Prior […]
Peddling to paddling
“Paddle right,” I shout. “Now left! Watch out for the rock on the right! Pull hard to the left. Keep the raft straight. Everyone paddle hard! We are heading for a boulder!” Ted and I take the day off from pedaling and spend it paddling down the Lehigh RIver in a rubber raft with a […]
A splendid day
I should have been in the garden last Friday, but Ted and I conspired to take advantage of a day that is bright and 20 F above normal to hop on our bikes for a 46 mile ride in New York. We started as the fog parted in the morning opening up the path for […]
Final tally: 410 miles
After a short day of 30-plus miles we roll into the Amtrak train station around noon with a total of 410 miles under our shoes after 8 days. It is amazing! The day starts under a thick haze from fires on the West coast that persists the entire morning. We bicycle through the grounds of […]
Another act of kindness: Day 7
I have never thought of Ted and I looking particularity needy, but I am beginning to have second thoughts. Around noon yesterday, we wind up in Amsterdam looking for lunch. But as it turns out any restaurant near the trail is closed. “Do you know of any places we can get lunch?” I ask a […]
A sunny ride: Day 7
We leave our motel early to get a hardy breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Canajoharie. Neither of us are disappointed and we fuel up for a shorter 44 mile ride to Schenectady. Canajoharie is a lovely town with wonderful architecture and buildings. An abandoned Beech-Nut factory that used to make baby foods (and is […]
A muddy, rainy slog: Day 6
After a delightful breakfast discussion with some fellow travelers, Ted and I leave yet again on a rainy, cloudy morning. Today’s slog of 65 miles to Canajoharie is our longest trip yet and with rain expected for most of the day, we expect to get wet. Approaching the Mohawk River, the trail is nicely paved […]
A random act of kindness: Day 5
“Would you guys like to come in out of the rain?” she asks unlocking the front door of the Three Pines. “The stove isn’t on but we could rustle up some sandwiches for you.” Ted and I go from despair to elation. We’ve been on the Erie Canal trail all morning and are drenched from […]