Linda jogging back down the Mount Evans Road

My friend Linda, a very young 55, is seen here jogging back down the Mount Evans road at just above the 11000 foot level. We did a total of 14 miles that day in preparation for her next marathon – go Linda!
 

 

Fall Road Trip Along the Appalachian Trail – Part I

Not many people can hike all 2,167 miles of the Appalachian Trail, but plenty use a ROAD TRIP PLANNER to create a car or RV version of it. While some expert hikers can manage the footpath in one season, most of us don't even have that kind of free time available. So exploring the Appalachian Trail via car or RV is the alternative of choice alternative you could can cover the same distance in about two weeks at the leisurely pace

This scenic road trip closely follows the Appalachian Trail, with many spots where trail and road cross paths. This allows you to immerse yourself in the deep woods with a daily hike but also enjoy nature's colors unfurling before you as you cruise along the two-lane highway. Choose a Fall start date in your road trip planner because then you'll reap the benefits: Experience the Appalachian Mountains AND see New England's legendary Fall Colors.

That's not to say your trip itinerary will include nothing but trees and trails. You're passing through 14 historically significant states so you'll come upon many cultural places like quaint villages, country stores, historical museums and memorials to add to your road trip planner.

Even though the Appalachian Trail runs through 14 states, this blog will include details on the first 6 of them (not including Maine): New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. This leaves New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia for another blog. Remember, in order to follow the Appalachian Trail, you'll be meandering through the states, so even though your initial road trip planning might indicate a 1200-mile route, you'll actually be driving an additional 200 miles on this road trip.

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO ADD TO YOUR ROAD TRIP PLANNER:

IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: You'll be traveling west from Gorham to Orford before turning south.
* Pinkham Notch Camp
* Mt. Washington in New Hampshire's Presidential Range
* Mount Washington Cog Railway
* The five granite ledges of Old Man of the Mountain at the Franconia Notch Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich

IN VERMONT: Your entry point is White River Junction; exit through Bennington.
* The historic town of Woodstock
* Gifford Woods State Park in the heart of the Green Mountains
* A panoramic view of Mt. Snow as you descend into Wilmington

IN MASSACHUSETTS: You'll be skirting the west on Highway 7 all the way from Williamstown to Ashley Falls.
* Mount Greylock State Reservation
* Hancock Shaker Village
* Mount Washington State Forest in South Egremont (stay at the Weathervane, a great B & B).

IN CONNECTICUT: Enter in Canaan on Highway 7 and exit through Danbury.
* Norfolk, for its sheer beauty, including its private forest
* The Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 7 and the Housatonic River at Cornwall Bridge.
* Allow one luxury stay at the Berkshires. The Berkshires is to western Connecticut what the Catskills is to New York and the Poconos to Pennsylvania.

IN NEW YORK: We're only going to include the Appalachian Trail segment in this road trip planner and keep the "other" New York for another trip (unless you really can't help yourself & decide to spend a few days in New York City…it's your vacation after all :>). Drive along US 6 to Highway 7, touching the southeastern part of New York and exiting through Port Jervis.
* West Point, the Army's famous military academy
* Bear Mountain State Park
* Harriman State Park

IN PENNSYLVANIA: Come in at Dingman's Ferry and exit through Gettysburg (you'll actually dip a bit in the Garden State of New Jersey).
* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
* The Poconos
* Roadside America in the village of Shartlesville to see a scale model of bygone Americana.
* The Pennsylvania Dutch Country
* Gettysburg

That's it…so far. Check back again soon because we've got another 7 states to add to your Road Trip Planner to make this a truly magnificent Fall exploration of the Appalachian Trail.

Ballys Fitness Offers a Road to a Healthier Lifestyle

Ballys fitness has a mission to improve the health and quality of life of people through professional help and wellness programs. This goal is achievable through a three part area to wellness called the Bally's Total Fitness plan.  The program uses exercising, nutrition, and help to build a fitness program to help you get more healthy and stay that way.  Bally fitness centers can help you find the right exercise programs that fit your personal needs and requirements.

A Great Place to Exercise

Exercising is the first step in your fitness program and Bally's fitness will help provide you with plenty of workout plans to get you in the shape you want to be in and keep you there. Bally's offers top of line equipment from machines to cardio equipment and strength training options. These centers also offers a variety of classes to teach multiple ways to exercise so it will fit a customers personal needs. You will have the opportunity to create realistic fitness and weight loss goals, and also how to view your progress to meet your goals.  Ballys fitness centers provide a great place to exercise.

Support and Help

Support is a crucial step to Bally’s total fitness plan, and is accomplished in multiple different ways.  You will be able to find a staff of highly trained and qualified personnel to give you information on how to use the equipment, offer workout advice and fitness programs to meet your personal goals.  You will have the opportunity to join some group classes filled with other customers who are seeking very similar goals and a chance to meet new people and making your workout program a fun experience so it is enjoyable to you. Support is crucial to a successful Ballys fitness plan, whether you are a beginner or an advanced fitness fanatic.

Nutrition

Nutrition is another crucial aspect of fitness and it can determine what kind of shape you end up in if you are not careful about what you choose to eat.  Bally's fitness centers have highly qualified nutrition experts who are there at your convenience to seek advice about how your body works and what you can do to better your physical look and stay there.  Through qualified advice from personnel on what to eat, you can really get some great information on what nutrition plans will work best for you and how it will get you closer to your fitness goals.

Having a healthy lifestyle is a very common and good goal for most of us for multiple different reasons.  A membership at Ballys Fitness will help guide you toward your goals and make your life more healthy and enjoyable.

Triathlon Song

Nike Women’s Marathon 2009 San Francisco (Part 1 of 4)

2009 Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. Part 2: www.youtube.com Part 3: www.youtube.com Part 4: www.youtube.com

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