Hiking in NJ - who knew?

Well, I'm sure a lot of people knew, but I just discovered some fun hiking in northern New Jersey - it's not ALL a parking lot!! My discovery was prompted by the fact that I'm required to take a certain amount of credits for NJ CLE in very specific subjects as a newly admitted lawyer. Because I was free this Saturday I signed up for one...in Fairfield NJ. Determined not to let NJ win this confrontation, I planned something I enjoy afterwards to quell my inevitable annoyance. And boy was that a good choice!

I went to Pyramid Mountain specifically to do the Tripod Rock hike. I guess this huge rock is a glacial pre-Cambrian gneiss boulder perched on three smaller rocks. It's pretty interesting. The hike itself was beautiful. There are several trails to choose from, some run right along the reservoir, others up over the mountain. There are a few lookouts at the top and you can see the skyline of New York City from one of them!! I had a beautiful day and a fun hike!

The Center for Art in Wood

This place is fantastic! It's a gallery showcasing wood art, mostly wood turning pieces but some other art in wood as well, including unique paintings done on the lathe and hand carvings. The pieces are unique, the space is amazing, and the stories behind the history of wood turning and the art work are so interesting.

I highly recommend stopping into the gallery - 141 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia. And check out their website!

Watch out New Jersey!!

I've been saying this for a few years now, about how global warming can't be ALL bad, because the rise of sea level will result in the beach coming to Philadelphia's doorstep! (Albeit, at the expense of New Jersey...)

Anyway, it's finally out in the public now - scientists (well, one former professor) are saying that by 2050 the water level will be so high that New Jersey will be swallowed and Philadelphia will need extra high walls to protect it from the Delaware. So much for the beach...

Apparently we Philadelphians will also be free of traffic jams on the Schuylkill because robots will be driving our cars. Looks exciting.

These commercials are really weird...

Not sure if you've seen the new commercials for Uni-Ball pens yet, but they are WEIRD. Here's a few below:

This is precious!

What a great inspirational speech!

Bike theft

I'm still a little sensitive about the theft of my bike, 6.5 years ago. My favorite bike, a green/blue Trek 820. Stolen from Rittenhouse Square area.

So when I see this (pictured below), my heart goes out to this bike owner. I am also incensed at the audacity of the thief, cutting the gears out of the back wheel!

I guess that's Philadelphia for you...

SNOW! In OCTOBER!?!?!

Boy oh boy has Mother Nature gone crazy! Saturday, October 29, we had a snow storm. Not too bad in Philly - just a lot of wet snow/sleet and no real accumulation. But in parts of Pennsylvania 40 miles west, there were 5-10 inches of accumulation and in parts of northern PA and NY State there was up to 2 feet of snow!!!!

Unfortunately, I only got one picture. I took the storm as an opportunity to stay in my pajamas and do nothing, really (except worry about finding a different field to play our rugby game at the next day...).

I'm hoping this will be our only "snow storm" this winter. Although with this kind of start, who knows!