What a workout!

A beautiful Sunday called for a hike in the nearby NJ county park. My walking partner, Eunice, walked at a good clip and we moved quickly and steadily past the lush trees, bushes, flowers, fishers and dogs, up the path to a beautiful lake.

After resting for a few minutes at the edge of the lake, watching the dogs swim after balls and children totter near the edge of the water, we pressed on up the trail. This is the same trail where I saw a rather large and unusual snake last year with my friend Charlotte... and we were not disappointed! Eunice grabbed my arm to prevent me from stepping on this adorable little garter snake. It slithered away and we continued - enjoying the cover of the branches and enduring the hills. I thought about the hills to be conquered - well, maybe suffered - in San Francisco in October, and made a mental note to do this trail again soon.

It was a wonderful way to start the day - spending time with a friend and preparing myself for the hills in my future/ training for a great cause.

Know of a great trail in the metropolitan area? Let me know!