Fun and Games Dept

Chimney Bluffs State Park., originally uploaded by iMachias.

Yesterday we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go for a drive. One of the guys I work with, who appreciates being out in nature as much as I do, told me about a state park that we had never been to before and how different it was from other parks along Lake Ontario and how it was just a beautiful place. So amongst our travels I decided to scout out and introduce Earl and Jamie to Chimney Bluffs State Park.

My friend was right, it is gorgeous.

Chimney Bluffs State Park doesn’t offer any camping facilities nor does it offer swimming (though it seems like it would be a great place to swim). There is a very small picnic area and one building with bathroom facilities. Other than that there’s a bunch of hiking trails and a beautiful shoreline along Lake Ontario.

It seemed to get warmer the closer we got to the lake, so we walked up and down the rocky and pebble covered shore. Due to my timing we got there a little later than planned, so we didn’t venture to the end of the park boundary. We are planning that for a future trip.

If you click on the photo above you’ll probably find more shots from the visit on my Flickr page.

273.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

There’s no turning back now. I’m a country boy and I’m damn proud of it.

269.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

No matter what the economic climate is, we should always strive to make the world a better place. The pay cuts at work earlier this year sort of pissed me off. I have to admit that I was a little surprised to find out that the company was still having a United Way campaign.

Today I decided that I have it really good in life and to give back to the community, so I am continuing my United Way contributions next year. During the meeting kicking off the event, I answered a question correctly and won this t-shirt. It fits beautifully.

And it’s a reminder on how good my life really is.

268.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

I have grown tired of trying eat healthy. Strike that. I have grown tired of eating food that is marked “healthy”. Protein shakes, snack bars, fiber nuggets, low carb this, no fat that, here a calorie, there a calorie, calorie digits four. I don’t know what that last one was but it seemed like it fit the rhythm.

Why do we obsess about what we eat these days? Am I alone in obsessing about this sort of thing? About a week ago I issued a household decree that I was going to eat normally. Another adjective that was fired off was ‘reasonably.’ I am going to eat a reasonable amount of normal food and be done with it.

Am I drinking sugar-laden soda pop? No. Am I eating a ton of junk food. Well, I’m trying not to but when McD’s is calling at 11 p.m. and you have two other willing people to ride through the drive thru with you sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I compromised though, I didn’t get fries nor did I get a sugary soda pop.

A month ago my Twitter feed would read: “Eating lunch – a salad with a suggestion of dressing. Or maybe it’s just a hint of dressing. Either way the leaves are wet.” Now doesn’t that sound appetizing. For the past week I have eaten a homemade sandwich (usually turkey and mustard) on wheat, a small amount of chips and a couple of glasses of iced tea for lunch. Did I lose weight? No. Did I gain weight? No. Apparently I have been installed at 189.2 and the gods and scale have decided that my bulge ain’t budging up or down. I went on vacation for week. 189.2. I starved myself for two days. 189.2. I rode 10 miles on a bike. I rode 50 miles on a bike. I walked, I ran. I pooped.

189.2

I guess this is where I was meant to be. I might as well eat normally whilst I’m here.

Some pictures from tonight’s pumpkin carving. I decided to try to make a little movie.

Download Pumpkin Carving

258b.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

They say we are under a Winter Storm Watch tonight with up to seven inches of snow expected. Earl and I readied the back patio and made sure we were ready by gassing up the snowblower.

Ironically, it is gorgeous today. I decided to take some photos in the back yard celebrating how I feel today. The big guy expressed his pleasure with my decision to go back to the big ‘stache.

This afternoon I am in Lynchburg, Virginia. I am currently sitting in a Panera enjoying a (relatively) healthy lunch and using the wi-fi for a bit. The drive has been spectacular today. I’m taking mostly back roads; the leaves are just starting to change in these parts and the sun is shining brightly. It’s around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

I spent last night in Winchester with our friend Thom (see ‘Thoughts Made Bald’ in the blogroll). Thom and I have chatted for a number of years online and Earl and I  have met him in person before. We both enjoy cycling and more importantly, Thom holds the distinction of being the first reader of my blog to ever reveal himself to me, way back in 2001.

Thom has been feeling a little bit under the weather for the past couple of days so we didn’t go for as long of a bike ride as originally planned, but yesterday afternoon we took a respectable jaunt around the area. He has warned me over the years that he’s not a fast rider and was worried that I would be bored. The bike ride worked me out a little more than anticipated because if anything, he is not a slow rider by any means. Our ride went at a pretty good pace. It was good to ride with someone else.

After the ride we relaxed a bit and grabbed some dinner. It was a good night and he was an excellent host. Earl and I look forward to returning the favour the next time he’s passing through our area (he makes a yearly jaunt to Quebec every summer).

This morning I was up and about and on the road, opting to head through Central Virginia. Right now I’m on the route I believe we took back in 1976 when my family was down here bringing my aunt back home to Blackstone, Va.  ‘Tis true; I have roots in these parts (I told my friend Shirley that some of my kin lived here) and I’m enjoying the exploration off the beaten path.

It’s a well-established fact that I am a road geek. Driving the roads is what I do for enjoyment and this is what fuels much of my adventure time.  Today I walked on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It wasn’t the first time that I have done this.

Here, I made a little movie for you.

After walking on that abandoned section of the Turnpike, I stopped at a lookout over where I was standing.   The view was beautiful.

By the way, I mention in the video that I would give the directions on how to get where I hiked up onto the road.  It’s pretty easy.  From Breezewood, Pa. (Turnpike Exit 161), take US Route 30 East to PA Route 915 NORTH. Take 915 NORTH a few miles to your first turn on the left, which will be Oregon Rd. This is a barely maintained road so you might want to have a sturdy vehicle. Go in a couple of miles to the Oregon Camp buildings and park along the left side of the road. There is a barrier to prevent motorised vehicles from entering the public trail, just follow the trail about 3/4 mile to the roadway. You’ll literally merge on as if you were merging into traffic.

Here’s the view from the hill atop the tunnel. I remembered to smile for the camera this time.

After heading back to Breezewood I jumped onto Interstate 70 south and then took US Route 522 South through that sliver of Maryland, a suggestion of West Virginia and now I’m in Virginia. I’m going to meet up with Thom in a little while for our ride; I’m hoping the weather clears up because right now it doesn’t look like ideal riding weather.

Ironically, one of my most favourite “Pet Shop Boys sounding” tracks is not by the Pet Shop Boys at all.

Here’s Electronic with “Disappointed”.