After Work Hikes

I've been trying to fit in two hikes a week as part of my fitness regimen, and as an excuse to get out in the woods and make the most of the crisp Autumn air. We've reached peak and the leaves are gorgeous, despite the dry Summer. My usual haunt for solo hikes is Francis Slocum State Park, mainly because it is only about 10 minutes from home and the terrain is on the tamer side (no hiking partner needed for safety). With the rain showers I haven't gone hiking at all this past week, but I usually head for Francis Slocum one day a week after work and again on a weekend day, however my schedule permits.

Running is another new addition to the weekly fitness schedule, something I never thought I would actually enjoy! I was always the girl that fell back on the asthma excuse to get out of the mile in gym and would get instantaneous side stitches when I was forced to jog. Keeping a steady pace and not starting out too fast have been my downfalls, but I've rectified a lot of this jogging around the house at home and now have no problems running rocky trails and down steep declines. I passed a couple on my last hike who looked at me as though I were crazy as I ran past them. They must have been a little surprised to see I beat them around the lake and was heading back uphill without any strain LOL

Here are some highlights from two recent hikes that I snapped during quick breaks...

September 9th Hike:

Lots of kayakers and fishermen on the lake as I jogged along.

During Winter, people even ice fish on the lake.

While I was jogging along this trail, I noticed a man and his child had stopped and were staring at something. Straight ahead, a bushy-tailed deer was standing in the trail and curiously watching the humans. I stopped and watched him for at least a minute before he scampered back up the hill.

Doll's Eyes

Common native plant that grows as a tall shrub in NEPA

September 26th Hike:

Shades of Autumn across the lake

Love that emerald green hue the lake takes on around the banks

Wild vine leaves climbing over fallen tree trunks

Time to start trekking uphill!

Old stone wall

The park is actually comprised of farmland. Their walls remain standing in the woods that have grown up around them.

Ducking back into the forest canopy

I saw another deer shortly after taking this photo. He stood still in the woods watching me as I carefully broke off a thorny winterberry branch to take home.

I'll be posting an outline soon of my hike/run plan and tips that I follow at Francis Slocum to keep my heart rate up (in Zones 2 and 3) without overexerting and with minimal time in Zone 1.