Horses and Chickens and Burros (I think)

New hiker Dave had the honor of carrying Perki. 

And deer and chipmunks and woodpeckers. These are the animals we saw on our hike today. The title of this post is not to suggest I doubt we saw these. It's that I'm not sure if the 'burros' were burros or mules or donkeys. But at least you get the idea.

Today, Dave, Maggi and Julius and I hiked 7 miles on the Horse Shoe Trail from Chantilly Lane to Charlestown Elementary School. This section of the HST is a mixture of urban, trail and pasture hiking. It was a beautiful sunny day. So beautiful that it's hard to believe that tomorrow will be more or less a wash out.

We gave Dave's new hiking shoes and trekking poles a good workout. I'm really proud of my husband for taking on this hike. It was a little ambitious for a newbie hiker on a second outing and he managed it just fine. AND he said that he'd had a good enough time that he would like to go out again.

Keep Smiling Keep Moving
-Paula

The One Where Balloons Can't Fly but The Parade Must go On.

Actually it's not the first time we were in the parade where balloons did not fly. In 2013 we were grounded but not before we were driven to Eakins Oval in an attempt to bring the balloons in just for the TV. Unfortunately, after arriving at the Oval the decision was made to keep the balloons down. We got to watch the parade until it was time for our balloon to enter the parade and then walk around the oval to the Art Museum and onto a bus. The 2013 parade was it's own kind of fun (they all are) but not the kind I wanted to repeat. Last night as I listened to the winds howl realizing before any official announcement that we would not see the Grinch today, I had thoughts that this would be my last parade.

This year, the decision to ground the balloons was made early on. Balloon handlers were given the option of walking the entire route 😀 without a balloon or going home. We stayed. As did almost all of Team GRINCH.

It was wonderful to see our friends, Teresa and Mary who have been with us for quite of few of our 13 years in the parade. Julius came back for a second time (having first walked in the 2010 parade) and Mike and Fitz  were here for their first time as balloon handlers. They will have to come back to experience walking with a balloon. I was thrilled to see all of them.

The entire GRINCH team was enthusiastic and energetic. We made the most of a balloon-less parade.

We entered the parade behind the Portage High School Marching Band from Portage Indiana. Near Gary, Indiana they told us. We learned later that this was their first parade and I have to say they are naturals.

Our view of the Portage High School Marching Band

These kids (I'm old I can call them kids and I also do so with the utmost respect) really got into the spirit of the day. They smiled when some of us pretended to be band members and marched along side them. The tuba players spun around a few times while we were spinning our imaginary balloon. And most fun of all (for them and the crowd) from time to time the ENTIRE band broke formation to spread out and high five the crowd.

If I had to pick one highlight of the parade, it was the Pride of Portage Marching Band. 

So will this be our last? Who stops at number 13 anything? Right? 

We'll see. Registration for 2020 won't open until March. 😎

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

Keep Moving Keep Smiling

-Paula 

National Take A Hike Day 2019

November 17 is designated as National Take a Hike day. Dave and I spent the morning at Glen Providence Park in Media. I love sharing my hikes with others. I especially loved sharing the time with my husband. 😀

His new (almost a year old) knee made this possible. He even commented that before the knee replacement the switch back downhill from Kirk Lane would have hurt way too much. (Yay for knee replacements)

I walked without my trekking poles today. However, the leaf cover on the trail had me second guessing that decision. It did however prompt a discussion between us about the value of poles when you can't see the rocks underneath the leaves.

And in case that wasn't enough, I demonstrated what happens when one catches a toe on a rock and has no choice but to do down hard, palms first to avoid hitting one's head or worse. I wish I could say I did it on purpose but we all know better. I have a small lump on my knee now and will feel the effects of the fall across my shoulders tomorrow I'm sure.

Keep Smiling Keep Moving (even when the ground comes up to meet you)
-Paula

HAMILTON

Last night (Friday 11/15) my sister Katie, brother in law Jean, sister Christine and I went to see HAMILTON. Never in a million years did I think I would get to see it. The ticket price is beyond my budget AND Dave does not do musicals. However, a few weeks ago when Katie and Jean when with our step mom Diana, Diana entered Katie in a raffle for free ticket and

SHE WON! 

The view from our seats

I wondered if HAMILTON would live up to the hype. No worries there it totally did. We saw the Angelical Company production. They were amazing. The non stop energy in the how is electrifying. The show has a 2 hour and 45 minute run time (including a 15 minute intermission) and it flew by.

I read the book by Ron Chernow that served as the inspiration for Lin Manuel Miranda to create the play. I enjoyed it. The play ..... that is something else. Mr. Miranda is one talented dude. To take a book (albeit a good one) on a historical figure and turn it into a song, rap, and hip hop musical? I didn't think I liked rap or hip hop so I was a worried that would affect my enjoyment of the play.
Obviously not so. In fact, I think I have a new appreciation for these musical styles now.

The raffle that Katie won included a back stage tour. So after the show we joined stage manager Eric Tysinger for our tour. First up was a photo op and chat with some cast members.

Left to right Zoe Jensen (Eliza Schuyler Hamilton), Katie Gentile, Paul Oakley Stovall (George Washington), Christine Elizabeth, Paula Tansey, Edred Utomi (Alexander Hamilton), Jean-Laurent Gentile, Stephanie Umoh (Angelica Schuyler)

These folks went above and beyond to meet and greet us. They were gracious and kind and answered all of our questions. Despite being only 20 minute or so from the conclusion of a high energy performance they were so patient and kind.

The tour was fascinating. We learned about lighting cues and how props are stored and moved in and out of scenes; something that happened seamlessly from the audience point of view. The space is not big. This just added to my awe of the production.

Us and Eric our tour guide

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Katie and Jean for taking me. I am not a theater geek. So perhaps my awe and appreciation of this production is out of proportion to reality. I really don't care though. All that matters is I had a really good time!!

Keep Smiling Keep Moving
-Paula

An Over Due Visit with the Tin Man

Today was the kind of day that perfectly explains why hiking and walking are my preferred modes of outdoor mobility. If today had been a running day I would have been super tempted to skip. Or (like this time last year) I would have gone out for the fear of falling behind in my training but I would not have enjoyed it even half as much.

I've been on the leading edge of a wave that is bringing a big fat head cold my way. Last night I went to bed feeling that the odds of making it out today was 60-40 against. I left the alarm off and decided to see what happened. I woke up early enough and decided to give it a shot in baby steps. Get dressed. Have some coffee. Fill my water pack. By then the sun was up; the sky was mostly clear; and the remains of Fall were clear and crisp and gorgeous. Despite it being only 26 degrees out I was all in. I'll need a nap later but it is totally worth it. And quite frankly I would likely have needed the nap anyway but now I'll nap with attitude and a smile! :)

I climbed Mount Misery in Valley Forge to where it joins the HorseShoe Trail. I followed the HST to Forge Road before turning around. I stopped to visit Tin Man. I haven't seen Tin Man in over year since I spent so much of last year preparing for OCNJ half. I was pleased to see that someone and brought him support for his injured left leg.

Just before Tin Man's spot on the trail I found this

Travelling west on the Horse Shoe Trail (toward Forge Road) the harp is on the right. Tin Man is on the left about 50 yards or so ahead. I asked Tin Man what this was all about. He's too good a secret keeper though. Instead, we had a pleasant chat about life and why I've been away so long. OK. I talked, he listened, and I knew he approved of my OCNJ Half finish. If you have to ask me how I know this ... well you wouldn't understand even if I told you.

Keep Smiling Keep Moving
-Paula