One marvelous thing about our English language is that it keeps changing to describe new experiences - like my summer Triathacation traversing restored canal, rail and carriage trails!
This year, school, elder-care, and virulent poison ivy disrupted vacation, at least as defined as "an extended period of recreation spent away from home." Without plans, even a staycation, "a vacation spent in one's home country rather than abroad," was not happening. Yet, we managed to squeeze in one mighty fine, if not planned, triathacation!
The name derives from the Greek words tri (three) and athlete (physical strength, speed, or endurance) packed into a short amount of time. Here's how we did it - you can pick your own activities!
Part 1, a 2.5 hour drive, bikes on car, hummus and nuts (not just us), in car. Thank goodness I did not drink much water as the trail was 28 miles and the one latrine was just that! Fortunately, it was mostly downhill, but still my longest ride! The old canal, rail line, abandoned tunnels and restored trestle bridge were beautiful beyond words and I am pretty sure the cloud formations that afternoon were just for us. We did not participate in the white water rafting (but we thought of someone who would love it), and we walked around Jim Thorpe before the shuttle ride back! We ended our day tired, sweaty, and hungry as headed through the Promised Land (State Park) thanks to my smart-phone "short cut." We crawled through the clouds where diners were very, very, few and very, very, far between. It was late thanks to night-paving and we were exhausted when we finally got home!
Part 2 started with adressing elder-care problems. We headed to the city and parked at 60th (to save money, thanks Fordham) and walked to 30th Street where the lovely High Line, an elevated restored walking rail trail, begins. We were joined by about 100,000 others dropping kids at college, visiting the city or just enjoying the day, so when we reached 12th St., the end, we headed back, over cobble stone streets and through the wonder of NYC neighborhoods. My feet were, by this time, burning! We took full note of the Citibikes all over the place and wondered how they worked. We talked about our next trip as we gobbled some overpriced, but delicious, mussels and calamari (not found in Stormville) and then caught a glimpse of opera-in-the open at the Met! 
Part 3 started with picking fresh fruits (nectarines) and veggies (wax beans) at a farm (for energy and dinner) and then took us into another magical land, where we biked through mountains on restored carriage trails. I must admit my legs were burning even as we began but I somehow was filled with hope and promise at the top. We remembered traveling those same hills many years ago as a back to school ritual and thanked God for safe travels through the rough spots of our journey as we prayed for strength in the journey ahead.
We ended our triathacation with hearts full of hope and minds full questions, so I posted some of the Googled answers!
Who was Jim Thorpe?
How do you rent a Citibike?
What happened to the grand hotels in Minnewaska?
4 comments:
Love the idea of a Triathacation...especially one that encompasses such varied terrain as yours. Didn't you just love the Highline?! We used to cap at Minnewaska, so it was cool to learn of its more gloried past.
Sounds like a successful and fun triathacation, Anita. Despite burning feet, I think you must be in good shape to do so much riding. The pics show such beauty that I can see why you loved the day. We have the 'rent-a-bike' here in Denver too. You just do it right at the bikes, I believe, but each city may be different. Glad you had a final 'fling'!
What a busy way to end summer break! Sounds like you had fun.
What a fun post! An added bonus, I learned a new word: triathacation!
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