a little more from hudson, ny

(We spent the weekend in Sleepy Hollow - driving around looking at houses and drooling over the 60 miles of trails looping the Rockefeller Estate - surprisingly I took no photos.  So let's revisit Hudson shall we?)

Bangles for the ladies, handkerchiefs for the men.

Hilltop ceremony.  Traditional clothing for Rire and I.

(Speaking of, I made my dress.  Actually I refashioned one already in my closet from a previous trip to Nigeria.  Seamstress I am not, but if all errors and wayward threads are on the inside and no seams ripped I consider it a success.  I even managed a hand sewn hidden zipper which is pretty close to a miracle.  Also, tiny little photos hide a multitude of sewing sins.)

Shade was at a premium so creating your own was a smart move.  The bride and groom were gorgeous.  As was the entire farm and surrounding land we camped on.

On to the reception for live music, food, drinks & lawn games.

metal work with my dad

Thinking about home...

running zen

Much like when I forget my Garmin, if a run is not recorded or discussed, did it even happen?  A good friend of mine is out of town, which leaves me with no one to rehash my runs with.  Mentioning it here will have to do.

Sunday's run is notable not for my speed (I was slow) or the distance (7 miles - which is currently qualifying as a long run) but because I achieved the elusive zen state were it feels effortless.  This hasn't happened since the Brooklyn Half.  My runs have all been perfectly fine.  I've gone out, run the miles and it's all been very satisfying.  But the good run, when miles are melting away and you look around with awe because you don't even remember getting to that point - that is what Sunday's run was like.

I ran the outer perimeter of Prospect, along the sidewalk.  For all of the hundreds and hundreds of miles I've logged in that park, I have no idea why this didn't occur to my earlier.  It was downright peaceful.  No crowds or distractions.  Just enough people passing by to keep things interesting without anyone actually being in the way.  I need to remind myself to keep trying new routes, it can make a world of difference.

(The humidity finally easing up may also have played a small roll in this...)

arriving in hudson

Playing catch up...  John and Emily's wedding, two weeks ago.

First things first, I had to walk around the grounds.  No bag, no problem.  My shirt can hold the other lens.



We set up camp and I have to hand it to them - they did not disappoint on the amenities provided to their wedding guests.  Just because you're camping doesn't mean to you have rough it completely.

Showers, changing rooms.  Mirrors.  Soap, flowers.  They thought of everything.

Perfect for all of us city slickers in the woods-

the east end

(I think a marriage can be measured by your ability to successfully set up camp at 10PM, after a day of pouring rain, with nothing but a small lantern for light.)

We were feeling confident after camping last weekend in Hudson, so we upped the stakes and headed to Wildwood State Park in Wading River, NY.  I had spontaneously bought stand up paddle boarding lessons on Living Social a few months ago and I saw an opportunity!  We'd drive out Friday afternoon, camp that night, take the SUP lessons Saturday morning and head back to Brooklyn Saturday afternoon.  The perfect summer weekend!  Best laid plans and all that...  Rire had to work late so we didn't hit the road till 8:30, which has it's upside - less LIE traffic.  But still, the downside - setting up camp in the dark isn't any one's idea of a good time.  We took the divide and conquer approach.  He tackled the tent and I got the grill going (note to self, next time bring plates...).  In no time we were sitting back and eating while watching our neighboring campers struggle with their tents.  Ahhh, public campgrounds!  

(He may or may not have snored all night.  Good thing I love him...)

I grew up camping but it's been years (decades?) so my gear has dwindled to pretty much non existent.  I had to borrow my nephews sleeping bag...  Rire however loooves gear and has had the tent for years. Why we haven't been using it all along I don't know.  Better late than never I guess.

Our SUP lesson was in Southampton and we debated leaving the tent and coming back for it later, but our motivation was strong.  The tent came down, breakfast was eaten and we were on the road again to this beautiful spot.  Quick instruction from Hamptons Adventure Watersports and we were ready to go.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I loved it.  Training and running marathons for the past few years has it's own set of advantages - but I think we've been missing out on spontaneous adventures like this. Long runs dictated our weekends and kept us from exploring other things.  SUP was fantastic.  It was more relaxing than I had expected, I could have gone for hours.

We were on a roll - the dubious late and rainy start on Friday had turned into an actual vacation.  So why head home now?  Our fellow paddle boarders suggested a nearby beach in Sag Harbor.  Which we now think of as a little peace of heaven.  Uncrowded, easy parking, calm water.  Yes please.  We swam, we napped. Swam, nap, swam, nap...

and your little dog too

My morning run.

Oblivious dog walker + 300 foot long leash + exuberant dog = me getting jumped on.  I was...  Displeased.  I swore loudly and steamed about it for a mile or two.  I like dogs, this was not Kujo - it was friendly.  But I can't stand and will never understand why you would ever walk your dog in a way that would allow it to jump on a complete stranger.  Short of scaling the wall, I was as far away from it as the sidewalk would allow.  I'm happy to share the sidewalk, but reel in the leash OK?  It's not the dog park.


(It looks like the dog is doing something inappropriate, but that's just my poor drawing skills.)

cocktail hour

Feeding her limes for the entertainment value.

That never gets old.  Mojitos for the rest of us.

boilermaker recap

Apparently they've been color coordinating their outfits for the Expo from the get go.  Who knew?

2009 and 2012

In 2008 I was home visiting family and mentioned to my uncle I had started running again.  He suggested running the Boilermaker 15K in July.  And so I did.  I smiled the whole damn time too.  It's a race I've always known of but never, ever, thought I would run.  A year later Amy and Rire joined me (and I had started my qualifying runs for the 2010 NYC Marathon).  And now, Eli has two Boilermaker 5Ks under his belt and the 15K on the horizon. 

Rire and I dropped down to the 5K this year (injuries, life - so many excuses!), but we were able to run with two of our favorite people and it's become the best family tradition.  How often do you at 35, still have your parents watching, cheering and making you handmade signs?

the weekend

I thought I would zip through the photos from our weekend in CNY.  But someone, I'm not naming names, may have pushed a button or two on my camera. Which reset the white balance to "awful" and will require a bit more time in post than I had originally planned. Lesson learned, don't trust a two year old with a tiger.  Even if you think you're being extra cautious by turning your camera off and watching her like a hawk.  Without fail, she'll use her charms to distract you.

moving day

June has been the month of moves.  None if it has helped clarify where I want to be - in the city or out.  For now, I'll live vicariously through my friends.

Friday I helped (and by help I mean play with the kids, not lift any furniture) C & J while they made their move into a brownstone.

It was insanely hot (moving can never be easy can it?) so we only lasted about an hour at the park before giving up on the heat and heading back to the AC'd sanctuary that was my apartment. Where she steamrolls her brother...