Pulpit-Pinnacle Hike - Berks County, PA

With a little help from friends anything is possible.

A little over a year ago I tried to do this hike and ended up turning around before the first view. I reached a rock scramble that was over my head and not being able to see over it scared me. I had visions of having to balance on a narrow ridge once I got up there and I freaked out.

Today, in the company of friends I made it over the scramble and on to some awesome views.

Here is me being determined not to fail this time. 

And victorious

This hike is loop out of Hamburg Reservoir. Julius, Tootsie and I had plans to meet at 8:00 a.m. I made two wrong turns on the way there and then got stuck behind the clean up of an accident at the last stop sign before the parking area. So we didn't set off until about 8:15.

The hike begins with a long slow and steady climb along the Appalachian Trail. As you near the first view point called Pulpit Rock the terrain gets rockier and rockier. Climbing and boulder hopping are way to the top. But it's so worth it. I think it'd be worth it in any weather but today was PERFECT!

More rocks and a meandering walk along the ridge brought us to the Pinnacle.

Just beyond this rock pile is the view from Pinnacle
(We added our own rocks to the pile before leaving.) 

Out of the woods and rocks to this. WOW! 

The hike down is wider and less rocky.
Less being a relative term. 

Here is a video of the hike we did. It's someone else's video but if you want to see moving pictures of the hike. You can start about 1:40 into the video to start the hike. About 11:10 is the start of the scramble that I bailed on last time. :)

I had such a great time today. Can't wait to do another one soon.

The time we learned that there is a Septa Rail Yard in Frazer.

Dave and I had tickets for One Day University today. It's something we've thought about doing and just never got around to. So when Dave saw it advertised about 2 months ago we checked our calendars and booked it.

The day was almost de-railed (pun intended but you have to wait for it) by the NCAA. When we were checking calendars, Dave commented that this weekend would be for college softball super regionals (aka regionals round 2) but "The chances I will get a regional let alone a super regional are pretty slim this year". Guess who got assigned both a regional AND a super regional playoff. I'll pause now while you virtually high five my husband who underestimates his awesomeness. And despite the gloomy rain we've had so much here lately, the weekend tournament ended on Saturday so our plans were still on for today.

The train is our go to choice for travel into the city. Since tonight I am leaving on the Amtrak out of Paoli to Harrisburg, it made sense to take the train from Paoli to Jefferson Station and back. We'd have an hour and a half to find something to eat before my train to Harrisburg. Perfect! :) Obviously not, or there is no story here.

At 7:51 a.m. we boarded the east bound Septa train at Paoli Station. At approximately 8:00 a.m. train stopped halfway between Devon and Strafford. This can't be good. Then the engine stopped and the lights went out as the emergency lights came on. This really can't be good. Then the engineer comes out of his cage. Three strikes and you're out? It could have been worse. We could have been in a tunnel, right? Fortunately, the first thing the crew chief did was open a door. Now I could breathe. Those of you with claustrophobia know what I'm talking about.

We ended up sitting in place for over 2 and a half hours. Infrastructure problems caused delays on Amtrak, SEPTA trains

After opening a door, stepping outside and talking on the radio the crew chief re-boarded the train and announced "We are going to have to be rescued folks and it's gonna take awhile" As nervous laughter followed him and his announcement down the aisle, I thought to myself that this guy obviously missed the class on emergency crowd control.

Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock.
Who's in charge. Amtrak or Septa?  

Then they counted us (37) and the first suggested option was a bus. That really wasn't a viable option though. Unless they planned a helicopter "rescue" there were only two ways to get us to a bus. One was to climb down a short but steep embankment to the parking lot behind the Devon Whole Foods. One man even asked to be let out to do that because his house was three blocks "that" way. The crew said, No. If he got hurt they were responsible.

The other way to get to a bus was to walk along the tracks back to Devon or forward to Strafford. It's doubtful they liked the idea of 37 of us traipsing down the tracks especially with the Amtrak still running on the inside rail.

Option #2 was to get an Amtrak train to stop and pick us up. Most of us did not like that idea. Not that we really had much say but it was nice of the train crew to keep us informed of their thought process. By now many of us were plotting to bail on our plans and find a way back to our cars in Paoli if we could just get off the train nearby. The Amtrak option - we were told- meant non stop to 30th Street from here. Actually I think it stops in Ardmore too but I wasn't going to weigh in on that at the time.

Option #3 was the winner. Wait for the westbound Amtrak to pass and then have a Septa train come out of the Frazer Rail Yard on rail #2 so we could switch trains. I had Dave google the Septa Rail yard so I could see where it was. The things you drive be everyday and never knew.

By 10:30 ish the Septa train arrived and one by one we stepped off our train, two steps to the left and on to the "rescue" train. This is not an easy thing for short people. Heck it wasn't even easy for tall people. It's a long way down from the last step to the track. Getting back up on the new train required significant upper arm strength and serious grunting for most folks.

At the next stop, Strafford, we got off. It was too late to make our classes now. Plus we were worried about getting back out of the city after. First order of business was to find a bathroom. Thank you Rite-Aid. Then we called my Dad who lives in Devon. He wasn't home. Later we calculated he was likely on his way to the Phillies game. It's 4.5 miles back to Paoli so we had breakfast at Nudy's, waved to our stranded train, and walked back to the car. Along the way we saw more than one Amtrak train but no Septa trains. We also saw the "tow train" heading to the rescue.

As of right now, Amtrak expects my train to Harrisburg be on time. Let's hope there are no more delays. :)

Keep Smiling and Keep Moving
-Paula

And when you can't move
just SMILE !! 

Taking Advantage of a Dry Day....

Having been washed out last weekend, Sara and I decided to try getting out the bikes today.

We agreed on 10 miles. I haven't been on the bike at all this year and not a lot last year. Sara wanted to practice clipping and un-clipping her shoes. (it's likely I've got the terminology wrong there). Plus it was chilly and damp. While today is dry, it's been raining a lot all week and the forecast calls from more tomorrow. The air is full of moisture and the temperature when we started was mid-high 40s.

We completed a slow almost 10 miles on the Chester Valley Trail between East Whiteland Twp building and the end of the trail heading west. That's why it was almost 10. We resisted the urge to ride around the parking lot to make it an even 10. :) It was a successful 'get out the kinks ride. Nobody fell down! :)

I brought my running shoes with the intention of keeping Sara company if she wanted to run after. She is in training for the Atlantic City Ironman in September! (Go SARA!) However, she did not want to run today because she is running Broad Street tomorrow. I was not unhappy about this. :)

When I got home I decided to tackle the side hard where the weeds were taking over the Hostas. This is a perfect example of 'careful what you wish for'. Since the neighbors took down their tree we have lots of sunshine on the side and things grow. Yay! Some it's grass but most of it's weeds. Not so yay! I didn't take a before photo. So look at the after photo and imagine grass and dandelion puffs weaving in and around the Hostas.

Trust me it was a mess! The job's not finished but my hands and neck were. The azeleas popped this week. Unfortunately, by the time  I could take the photos the sun left again. Hopefully it comes back before the color leaves.

Keep smiling and keep moving.
-Paula

When it Rains on Plan A

You go to plan B, right?

Well here's the thing. Plan A was a bike ride. When we set it up the forecast was good and even though it waffled during the week it still looked good for today. Rain showers to end by 8 am. Perfect. Well the clouds either really liked our hospitality or they were too drunk too float. By this morning it looked like we would have rain during out ride.

Plan B then was to run. I knew Sara and Maggi were planning to run after the ride so I wore my running shoes (bike still in the back of the car just in case). When I arrived at the meeting spot it was raining pretty steady and got more so as time wore on. By 8 am it was coming down enough that we didn't even want to run in it. *sigh* So we left. As I drove home it lightened up. But I was heading more or less East and so was the storm so I knew it would catch up with me if I tried to run at home.

Since my watch was already set for 1 and 2 intervals I decided to use it. First, 1 minute up and down our stairs. During the 2 minute interval I did 30 cross body punches (15 each side), 30 jumping jacks, 30 cross body marches (15 each side). Any remainder in the 2 minute interval was spent doing runner stretches, hip hinges or warrior 2. I had less time for stretches in the last few intervals as my body wanted to cheat on form and I had to work harder to avoid slouching while moving through the jumping jacks and cross body work.

My goal was to keep moving for the 12 intervals I had set up for running and I did. I worked up a very satisfying sweat too. Although, that may be just as much due to the humidity as anything else.

Sometimes you have to go to Plan C.

Keep smiling and keep moving
- Paula

A Banner Week

Blogger does not think Villanova is a word. One would think that wining the NCAA Basketball Championship (Div I) we could get official 'word' status without having to add it to a personal dictionary. Hmphh!

So anyway, because of that life in this area has been a bit wild and crazy this week. Police escorts back to campus, a parade and yesterday it snowed. April 9, 2016 it snowed. I don't think the events are related but it has been a crazy week.

A friend bought me a Villanova championship t-shirt. It says "Built on Banners" with dates and such. I'm really not sure what "Built on Banners" means. I know the team gets a banner to hang in their gym but it's not like we have tons of them having only won once before. And even if we had tons of them that's a weird thing to say on a t-shirt or anywhere. BUT we did win, it's a championship shirt and I will wear it proudly whenever I can even if I have to shrug when folks ask what does that mean?

I enjoyed a wonderful hike at Ridley Creek State Park today (as most of them are). The sun came out and the snow sparkled. I was  glad to have my hiking poles. I don't need them for inclines or declines in this park but I find that having my hands above my elbows keeps them from swelling. Today the polls also helped in some spots that were covered in ice as the snowfall last night turned to rain before stopping and then froze overnight. I enjoyed hearing my feet crunch through the snow and only almost wiped out on some black ice when making a road crossing. Almost but not quite thankfully.

Here are some more photos of the morning.