Is Blood Thicker Than Water?

So tonight starts the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The search for my biological parents has ended, after 41 years. Tonight, I am boarding a plane, bound for another state, to meet my biological mother and brother for the first time. I consider myself very lucky. As an adoptee, I have heard many the horror stories of biological parents rejecting their own flesh and blood...."I gave you up for a reason, so leave me alone..."

I have mixed feelings about the whole adoption situation. I understand adoption. I understand why individuals relinquish their parental rights. But, I do respect the right to privacy of biological parents. I would have never, and I mean, never, intruded upon either of my biological parents. And honestly, if they rejected me, I would have understood and left them alone. If anyone bothers to read this blog, you may be wondering what I am feeling at this moment. I am extremely calm, but I'm sure when the plane touches down, I'll be feeling all sorts of feelings I have never felt before. I'll keep you posted....

Orangetown Recreational Softball-Zugibe All Stars v. the Lazy Spartans-Game 3

It was a pleasant night for softball as the Zugibe All-Stars sought their first win of the season. Sadly, the Lazy Spartans won the game 14-11. Highlights of the game: Waters Mind Boggling Home Run....stellar defense at third base by Kristen.....and all around superb offense from the All Stars...

Lost and Found.....Treason Rock, Haverstraw, New York

When I used to have a hiking partner, we would often set out on the trail to find a particular thing or place, and nine out of ten times we would not be able to find what we were hiking too. So, after hiking a small part of the Long Path, I decided to find one of those "lost" places.....Treason Rock, Haverstraw, New York.

I parked on the side of Route 9w North, Haverstraw, New York, directly across from the entrance to the Tilcon Quarry. I jumped on the Long Path for approximately 1/4 mile and then joined an unnamed white blazed trail.
I followed the white blazed trail downward for about 1/4 mile and joined a paved road. The paved road is the Haverstraw-Nyack Bike Trail. It begins in Haverstraw and ends at Nyack Beach State Park in Nyack. The Bike Trail parallels the Hudson River and is quite nice. I headed North to find Treason Rock. Treason Rock is quite a famous site. During the American Revolution, Rockland County, NY, played a major role in not only some decisive battles, but intrigue as well. In 1780, Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold, yes, the most famous traitor since Judas, met in the woods of Haverstraw to plot the surrender of West Point. Luckily, their plot failed, Benedict Arnold joined the British and Major Andre was captured, tried and hung in Tappan, New York for being a traitor. A commemorative plaque marks the spot where this occurred. So, luckily, I found Treason Rock......enjoy this hike and make sure to take one of the side trails to the Hudson River...

The Bear Mountain State Park Trailside Museum and Zoo

My companion and I spent a pleasant day at Bear Mountain State Park, located off of Route 9W or the Palisades Parkway in New York. Bear Mountain hosts a bunch of activities for both the young and old. You can rent a paddle boat and paddle around Hessian Lake. You could take the kids on a vintage Merry Go Round ride, go swimming in the pool, or just sunbathe on the immense lawn. The best part of Bear Mountain is the Trailside Museum and Zoo. All of this for a parking fee of $7.00. The second best part is that the Appalachian Trail leads you into and around the Zoo. At the beginning of the zoo, you are met by a statute of Walt Whitman, famous poet and writer, best known for "Leaves of Green." The zoo hosts a bunch of animals that have been either injured by motor vehicle accidents or shooting accidents. There is a American Bald Eagle, Owls, Otters, Beavers, a bobcat, snakes, turtles, white tailed deer, and a red fox. But don't forget to spend awhile at the bear den. The day we went there were three bears. The bears were basking in the sun, playing under the sprinklers and taking baths in a wading pool. The American Black Bear is indigenous to the Northeast. Trust me, the kiddies will love this small zoo. There are many interactive kiddie friendly displays. Also don't forget to take advantage of the many lookout areas: the views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge are amazing. The Appalachian trail follows the paths for approximately one mile. There are many other trails leading from Bear Mountain, including the Major Welch Trail. So, my advice is: pack a picnic basket and enjoy your day at Bear Mountain.

The Caylee Marie Anthony Disappearance and Homicide

This is a tragedy that I have been following for months now.....

Caylee Marie Anthony (born August 9, 2005, in Orlando, Florida, died 2008) was a toddler who attracted international attention regarding the circumstances of her disappearance in June 2008 and subsequently discovered death. Her mother, Casey Anthony (born March 19, 1986), was indicted on October 14, 2008, for her first-degree murder. Police found Casey Anthony's account of Caylee's disappearance suspicious after learning that Casey had not reported her daughter missing for more than a month; the last time Casey Anthony claimed to have seen Caylee was on June 15, 2008, but the child's disappearance was not reported to police until July 15, 2008. On December 11, 2008, skeletal remains of what appeared to be a young child were found by a meter reader. The Orange County Medical Examiner confirmed on December 19, 2008, that the human remains found near the Anthony home were those of Caylee Anthony.
Caylee Anthony was first reported missing to authorities on July 15, 2008. Caylee's grandmother, Cindy Anthony, reportedly called 9-1-1 when her daughter Casey Anthony, Caylee's mother, would not tell her where Caylee had been. Cindy had not seen her granddaughter for weeks and became very alarmed when she admitted that she smelled the odor of a "dead body" in the trunk of Casey's car. Cindy later denied what she said and revised her account, stating that the smell was from old, stale pizza. When Detective Yuri Melich questioned Casey Anthony about the whereabouts of her daughter, she stated the child was with a babysitter. The purported babysitter, Zenaida "Zani" Fernandez-Gonzalez, according to Casey, supposedly had been a caregiver for the child for over two years. When a local woman named Zenaida Gonzalez (not Fernandez-Gonzalez) was questioned by police on July 17, 2008, Gonzalez denied knowing either Casey or Caylee Anthony. When police asked the grandmother Cindy about the babysitter, Cindy said that she had no reason to doubt Casey's account of Fernandez-Gonzalez's caring for Caylee. However, in the nearly three years that Caylee was alive and living at Cindy Anthony's house, neither of Casey's parents nor any of her friends, boyfriends, family, or acquaintances had ever once met the alleged babysitter.
From the start of the investigation, Melich had trouble determining the majority of facts of the case. For instance, initially Caylee's grandparents, Cindy and George Anthony, told police that the last time they saw their granddaughter was on June 9, 2008, but authorities found a video tape, taken June 15, 2008, that shows Caylee reading a book. When the grandparents were questioned about the time discrepancy, Cindy Anthony said that she had been confused about the dates and recalled taking Caylee to see Caylee's great-grandfather on Fathers Day, June 15, 2008. Cindy Anthony told police that her husband probably went along with the dates because he generally took his wife's word on mistaken details.
When Melich began to investigate Casey Anthony, he found discrepancies in what she had told law enforcement in her signed statement. The preponderance of the information Casey gave, starting with the babysitter account, appeared to be false. For example, Casey told police that she currently worked at Universal Studios; when police escorted her to the studio facility, she led them to an office but then admitted that she no longer worked there. Casey also claimed she had been investigating Caylee's disappearance on her own which is why she did not contact police earlier. However, friends and family denied ever having been asked by Casey about Caylee. Photos of Casey attending parties and bars while Caylee was missing were published by media outlets. On the December 10, 2008 episode of Larry King Live, Cindy Anthony said she believed the photos in question were "staged" photos for which Casey was remunerated, apparently for the promotion of a nightclub. In July, KioMarie Cruz, Casey Anthony's childhood friend, told local police to investigate the wooded area near Hidden Oaks Elementary School. On August 11, 12, and 13 of 2008, tips were called in to police by a utility worker, subsequently identified as Orange County utility worker, Roy Kronk, about a suspicious bag near the same wooded area on Suburban Drive, less than a half-mile from the Anthony residence on Hopespring Drive. Casey Anthony was arrested for the third time on September 15, 2008, on new charges of theft, and was released shortly afterward.
On October 14, 2008 Casey Anthony was indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder and was arrested for the fourth time.[13] She entered a plea of not-guilty to the charges that she killed Caylee.[12]
On October 21, 2008 the charges of child neglect were dropped against Casey. In a statement that morning, the State Attorney's Office explained: "The neglect charges were premised on the theory that her child, Caylee Marie, was still alive. As the investigation progressed and it became clear that the evidence proved that the child was deceased, the State sought an indictment on the legally appropriate charges."[14] On April 14, 2009, prosecutors announced that they plan to seek the death penalty in this case.[15] On December 11, 2008, skeletal remains of what appeared to be a young child were found by Roy Kronk. It was reported that the skull had duct tape wrapped around it. Documents released to the public on January 21, 2009 determined that a heart sticker was intentionally placed on the duct tape that was wrapped around the child's skull and stuck onto the hair.[16] [17] On December 12, the remains were tentatively identified as Caylee based on strands of hair found with the remains as well as the age and measurements being a match for Caylee.[18] On December 15, WFTV reported that more bones were found in the wooded area near where the skull was discovered.[19] On December 19, 2008, medical examiner Dr. "G" Jan Garavaglia confirmed that the remains found were that of Caylee Anthony, the death being ruled a homicide and that she was killed by undetermined means. No details of the DNA identification testing were given, such as the number of loci matched or the sources used in the match. The mysterious and still unexplained death of Caylee has been distinguished by an unexplained lack of critical information from Casey Anthony, who was initially charged with child neglect and making false statements to investigators before later being charged with murder. However, while the Anthony grandparents repeatedly called upon the public to search for Caylee in places as far as Texas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, they also insisted that Casey had been maintaining her silence in order to protect Caylee, and that searches for a dead body were inappropriate. Casey Anthony's parents, Cindy and George, appeared on the Today show on October 22, 2008. They maintained their belief that Caylee was alive and would be found. Larry Garrison, president of SilverCreek Entertainment, was their spokesman until he resigned in November 2008, citing that he was leaving due to "the Anthony family's erratic behavior."
More than 600 pages of evidence released by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, including hundreds of instant messages between Casey and then-boyfriend Tony Rusciano, have been the subject of increased scrutiny by the media for clues and possible motives in the homicide.
George Anthony was reported missing on January 22, 2009, after he failed to show up for a meeting with his lawyer, Brad Conway. George was found in a Daytona Beach hotel the next day after sending messages to family members threatening suicide. He was taken to Halifax Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and later released. On Friday, October 24, 2008, a forensic report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee confirmed results from a DNA test showing "evidence consistent with decomposition" based on five "key" compounds out of over 400 possible found in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car. DNA samples cannot confirm whether the source is alive or dead. The only DNA testing by the FBI was limited to 752 base pairs out of 16,569 base pairs (less than 5% of the mitochondrial genome sequence). Whether or not the decomposition is human is still unknown but indicated as a possibility. The process has not been affirmed by a Daubert Test in the courts.[26] Traces of chloroform were also found in Casey Anthony's car trunk and evidence was found that someone had searched the Internet on her computer for the use of the chemical and how to make it. No dates of the search were given and they did not establish if the searches were done by Casey.[27] On November 26, 2008, officials released 700 pages of documents related to the Anthony investigation, which included evidence of Google searches of the terms "neck breaking," "how to make chloroform," and "death" on Casey Anthony's home computer. No dates were given as to when the searches were done or by whom.[28] On February 18, 2009, documents released by the State Attorney's Office in Florida indicated that the same type of laundry bag, duct tape, and plastic bags discovered at the crime scene were found in the house where Casey and Caylee resided. Heart-shaped stickers were also recovered by investigators. A heart-shaped sticker was found on the duct tape that covered the mouth area of Caylee's skull. The documents also indicate that Cindy Anthony stated to them that a Winnie the Pooh blanket was missing from Caylee's bed. This type of blanket was found at the crime scene. An entry from Casey Anthony's diary was also released. The entry is dated "June 21," and reads: I have no regrets, just a bit worried. I just want for everything to work out okay. I completely trust my own judgement & know that I made the right decision. I just hope that the end justifies the means. I just want to know what the future will hold for me. I guess I will soon see -- This is the happiest that I have been in a very long time. I hope that my happiness will continue to grow -- I've made new friends that I really like. I've surrounded myself with good people -- I am finally happy. Let's just hope that it doesn't change. Casey Anthony is being sued for defamation by Zenaida Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Kissimmee mother of six. Casey Anthony told investigators that a baby sitter named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez — also known as "Zanny" — abducted 2-year-old Caylee Marie in June. It was reported that Anthony would be exercising her rights under the Fifth Amendment in response to written questions in the civil case. I believeCasey Anthony is guilty as sin and deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison.

The Long Path-Cheesecote Mountain-Letchworth Village Cemetery

For this trek, consult the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Map #118 Southern.

So, my section hiking of the Long Path continues. I wasn't feeling well today, but with the weather reports telling me the temperature was going to climb to the seventies, I couldn't resist heading out into the woods. I parked my car in the commuter parking lot on Route 45/Route 202 in Mt. Ivy and hiked along Route 202 until I reached the Mt. Ivy Diner. Head north, crossing Route 202 and hike along the Palisades Parkway entrance ramp. Look to your left and you will notice the Aqua blazes leading down into a grassy knoll. The Long Path runs parallel along the Palisades Parkway for about one mile. Unfortunately, the hike becomes very noisy from the cars zooming along the parkway next to you. After about a mile, you begin to walk along the pleasant Minisceongo Creek and the trail veers away from the Parkway and ascends slowly up Cheesecote Mountain. Along the way, I noticed two abandoned cars. I believe one was a 1957 Chevy. I also saw four white-tailed deer along the way. At approximately 2:25 miles reach the top of Cheesecote Mountain and begin to descend on a pleasant woods road. At the bottom, you will see Cheesecote Pond, this is a good place to take a break. Continue on and soon you will descend into Letchworth Village Cemetery. Letchworth Village was an institution for mentally disabled individuals. The conditions were outright terrible in the early years; patients being severely mistreated, shock therapy, and patients being chained to beds. The Cemetery is a chilling site: most of the many graves are only marked by numbers. The patients of Letchworth Village did not find dignity in death. I didn't' linger too much in the Cemetery and headed past it and onto Call Hollow Road. I decided to turn around here and double back to my vehicle. This is a pretty boring stretch of the Long Path, but all in all, it wasn't so bad.

Lake Minnewaska State Park/Gertrudes Nose-New Paltz, New York

Another beautiful day, another beautiful hike....

Approximately 8 miles, 6 hours. This hike includes walking on both
carriageways and hiking trails with some steep ascents. It contains some ledge walking, crosses one stream, includes many panoramic vistas, and passes two remarkable natural objects. On the way out to the spur of Gertrude's Nose, the trail passes by a deep hole contained in a rock formation. Usually the temperature in that location is noticeably lower than in the surrounding area. Patterson's Pellet is passed on the Millbrook Carriageway. This enormous pointed rock, perched over the edge of the ledge, is a landmark seen from many places on the opposite side of the Palmaghatt wilderness. From the Wildmere parking area, walk towards the park office and follow the carriageway (red blazes) on the eastern side of Lake Minnewaska to the lake's southern end where the under and over trail begins (Millbrook Mt. Trail). Marked with red rectangles, this trail follows a wooded cliffside through a gorge, emerges onto open slabs and descends to the Coxing Kill. From this stream crossing, the trail is routed on Mohonk Preserve property (a fee may be charged). Follow the red markers uphill from the Coxing Kill on a rocky, sometimes wet trail to the junction of the Coxing Trail, bearing right (remain on the red trail) to reach the high point of Millbrook Mountain, an excellent picnic lunch spot. From the Millbrook Mountain overlook, turn right onto the Millbrook Ridge Trail (light blue). Follow this for a few hundred feet to the end of the trail. Here the Gertrude's Nose trail starts (white rectangle with red spots). Take great care when walking the somewhat slippery open ledges of this trail. From Millbrook Mountain follow the markers continuously around the promontory of Gertrude's Nose. The view opposite includes Castle Point, Hamilton Point, the Palmaghatt wilderness and other landmarks on the Shawangunk Mountain plateau. Cross a stream where the power lines are located and continue up one steep ascent to the junction with the Millbrook Carriageway (yellow blazes). Turn left and walk back along the Millbrook Carriageway. Make a right turn at the next junction. This is where the Hamilton Point Carriageway (yellow blazes) and the Millbrook Mountain Carriageways (yellow blazes) meet. A left turn at the southern end of Lake Minnewaska (red blazes) returns you to the parking lot and it's rude employees.

Orangetown Recreational Softball Game 1-Zugibe All Stars v. Greenworld Irrigation

Yes, it is that time of year again, when a bunch of rag tag lawyers form a team, named after our beloved boss: The Zugibe All Stars. Last year was the first year we played together as a team, and we took home the Second Place Trophy. Tonight's conditions were anything but nice: misty rain, 50 degrees and a slight wind. As par for the course, we couldn't get it together to have a formal practice, so we laced up the cleats, and trotted onto the field exchanging pleasantries and catching up. Eaton pitched, Fortes/Fein caught, Kovacs on 1st, yours truly on second, Dave playing short stop, K. Zugibe on Third, Drew, Dom, Dunlop, and Lincey in the outfield. Our bats warmed up pretty quickly and we quickly loaded the bases up, but to no avail. Not a run came in. But as the innings passed, our bats heated up, our fielding got tight and we were able to not only score a bunch of runs, taking the lead, we also managed to make some nice plays. Now, last year, we were incredibly awful. Frustration, inexperience and a terrible losing streak put a damper on our spirits. It's never fun to have the "Mercy" rule applied. And Applied. And Applied. Forward to the last inning, we were winning! But then a few bobbles of the ball, and few overthrows to first and everything went to hell as they say.....We lost 14 to 15, but last year this team whipped the hell out of us, so guys, if you are reading this, I'm proud of each and every one of ya! Honorable mention to Dom, who hit the one and only home run.....and Waters, Cyn, and Michelle, you were sorely missed!

Ricketts Glen State Park-Pennsylvania

Hidden away in the dense forest of North Central Pennsylvania is one of Pennyslvania's best kept secrets - Ricketts Glen State Park. Where else can you take an afternoon excursion and on a little more than a four mile hike, come across, to your delight, twenty one waterfalls? Add to this a sprawling mountain lake with the attendant activities, and you will want to stay awhile. My hiking partner, Nick and I headed out on the appropriately named Waterfall Trail. The trail is approximately eight miles long and I would rate it as moderate. Once again, my partner and I were both fascinated and appalled by the inexperienced hikers with flip flops on. You need to be very careful on the Waterfall Trail as it is very slippery from the combination of moss and water. The Waterfall Trail leads you to twenty two waterfalls. Yes, twenty two! The largest waterfall is called

Gangoga Falls and is 92 feet high. Each waterfall is named and all are absolutely gorgeous to look at. I waded into a few and enjoyed the cool fresh clean water. I could go on forever about how beautiful Ricketts Glen State Park is, but why don't you take it from me

and visit it? www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/rickettsglen

Stockbridge Shelter, Cave Shelter, Hippo Rock-Harriman State Park, NY

For this trek, consult NY-NJ Trail Conference Map #119

I have been section hiking the Long Path which is blazed in aqua. For this section, I parked in the Long Path parking lot located on Route 6 in Harriman State Park. I followed the aqua blazes across Route 6 (be very careful crossing the highway) and headed into the woods of Harriman State Park. The trail is pretty rugged and dotted with rocks as it ascends. I spotted three White Tailed Deer as I headed up to the Cave Shelter. The Cave Shelter is an awesome sight, but I would not recommend bedding down in it. It is damp, dark and exposed. The Cave was discovered in the summer of 1922. There is a fireplace next to it and plenty of places to pitch a tent around it. I did a couple of hand pulls and climb over the Cave Shelter. The trail begins to ascend more steadily at this junction. After approximately one mile I reached the Stockbridge Shelter. It is one of the most inviting shelters in all of Harriman State Park. It has two fireplaces, plenty of room and a nice view from it. The Shelter was built in 1928. After about 1/2 mile from the Stockbridge Shelter, you encounter a great Boulder named Hippo Rock. Pause here and see if you can see the Hippo. Again, there are plenty of places to pitch a tent and many fireplaces in the immediate area. This is a very nice part of the Long Path, but just be prepared for some rugged terrain.

The WNBA...What is it?

Again, my travels don't always include the great outdoors. Sometimes they include the indoors and the stage is the greatest arena in the world...Madison Square Garden, located in the heart of New York City. Now, most of you will probably ask, just exactly what is the WNBA? And I'm actually sorry to hear that. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is an organization governing a professional basketball league for women in the United States. It currently is comprised of thirteen teams from around the United States. The league was founded in 1996 as the women's counterpart to the NBA. League play started in 1997; the regular season is played from June to September with the playoffs starting in mid-September and running into October.
Many WNBA teams have NBA counterparts and play in the same arena. The Connecticut Sun was the only team to play without sharing the city with an NBA team. However, on July 2, 2008, they were joined by the Seattle Storm, when the Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City. Currently, the Chicago Sky is the only other team that does not share an arena with an NBA counterpart. The Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics are independently owned. This independent ownership is important to the WNBA's growth; at one time, all teams in the league were owned by the NBA. There are two divisions, one in the east and one in the west. They also have an annual All Star Game.

Over the past twelve years, the WNBA has struggled. People just don't seem to think that woman can play an exciting game of professional basketball. But if people would just go to one game, just one, they would realize that the WNBA is the purest form of basketball. Sure, they aren't hanging from the rim or breaking the backboards, but it is exciting just the same.
The United States Women's Basketball team is comprised of WNBA players. The US team has brought home the Gold on many occasions. Last year teams won the gold and was comprised of some of the greatest WNBA players in history: Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, Diana Turasi, and Katie Smith to name a few.

My favorite team is the New York Liberty. The New York Liberty has some famous alumni including Theresa Weatherspoon, Rebeca Lobo, Kym Hampton and Sue Wicks. One of the most talented point guards in history, Becky Hammon, played for the Liberty but was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars. Becky Hammon may be a familiar name to some: she created some controversy by playing the 2008 Russian Olympic Team after she was ignored by the USA.

So, go out, buy tickets, and enjoy a WNBA game! I'll see you there!

http://www.wnba.com/

Orak Ruins-Harriman State Park, New York

For this hike, consult the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Map #118, Harriman Park-Southern

Nick and I parked the vehicle on a turnoff located on Route 106/Gate Hill Road. We hiked up the Yellow Blazed Trail. It ascends steadily uphill, but the day we hiked the trail was snow covered and our surroundings quite beautiful. After about 1/4 of a mile, we were quickly rewarded with the ruins of ORAK. Orak you say? Well, I hope most of you reading this blog remember KARO Corn Syrup. I remember my mother putting it on my pancakes as a child. Orak was a mansion built by the vice president of Karo Corn Syrup and a very wealthy man. He built ORAK as his summer home. The living room was modeled after a ships cabin. The floors moved as a boat would on the ocean. The windows were portholes. The ruins are pretty extensive as ORAK was a pretty huge mansion. We had funny playing around in the ruins, but be careful as there are many places to fall. If you are feeling adventurous, you can follow the Yellow path past ORAK and continue on to the Jackie Jones Mountain Fire Tower.

This Body Climbed Mount Washington, New Hampshire

My hiking partner, Nick, thought it might be a good idea to climb Mt. Washington, located in New Hampshire for her 40th birthday last year. She didn't have to twist my arm, the thought of hiking the Presidential Range excited me. The Presidential Range is located in New Hampshire, it consists of many different high peaks name after, you got it, United States Presidents. At approximately 6288 feet, Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the range and also the highest mountain in the northeast. With our backpacks filled to the brim, we embarked on our journey. Little did we know that climbing one mile in New Hampshire is akin to eight miles in New York. We parked our vehicle in the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and hit the trail. The trail to the famous Tuckerman Ravine was anything but pleasant. Our packs were way too heavy and we were not prepared for the elevation change. It literally took us all day to reach the Hermit Lake Shelter at the base of Mt. Washington. Much to our chagrin, we were told that there weren't any more tent sites available, so we collapsed into a lean to shelter. My partner, Nick, didn't look too happy but I remained optimistic. Nick decided to pitch her tent inside the shelter (which we later learned was a HUGE no-no) but I intended on roughing it and went to sleep in my sleeping bag, gazing at the stars. Luckily, the first night we had the shelter to ourselves. After a pretty crappy breakfast and instant coffee we headed up the Tuckerman Ravine trail on our way to Mt. Washington. Now, Tuckerman Ravine is an awesome sight. It is primarily used for skiing, but it was a pleasant hike, until I noticed my partner lagging behind and stopping frequently. The elevation just got to her. We made it up the "Tucks," but as soon as we hit the Lion Head Trail, my partner quit. I made sure she was okay, grabbed a power bar, some water, took a look at the map and continued up to the summit of Mt. Washington. Now, you have to understand, I did ask her if she wanted me to help her down, but she was so busy being angry at me, I just left. The weather began to dramatically change; I went from shorts and a tank to a winter jacket, gloves, and a hat. The hike to the summit is very challenging, mostly rock scrambling and too many people in the way. When I reached the summit, I could barely stand, the wind was blowing so strongly. I poked around in the gift shop and again noticed that there were too many people around, so I left. For the rest of you "sane" people, there are two options to get to the top: the Mt. Washington Auto Road and the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad. I briefly thought about taking the railroad back down or hitching a ride with many of the French Canadian tourists, but thought better of it and trudged down the Lion Head Trail, back to the shelter. I picked up pretty good speed on the way down and enjoyed many awesome views. Gingerly, I poked my head into the shelter and was relieved to see my partner, Nick, cooking some dinner. She wasn't mad at me anymore, but she was tired. We celebrated her 40th by eating some crummy dinner and going to sleep. We also had two visitors who bedded down with us in the shelter that night. Nick and I were amazed as they headed up the trail as soon as the sun set. I strongly advise anyone who attempts to climb Mt. Washington to do some serious training. You need stamina to make it to the summit. You also need to pack as light as possible; I learned a lot, the hard way, that you don't need to bring everything. Just the basics; which do not include a full roll of toilet paper, then different sets of clothing and flip flops, although, my tattered copy of Jack Kerouacs "On The Road" didn't take up too much space and came in handy. The hike down from Tuckerman Ravine was more enjoyable; in fact, I've never seen my hiking partner hike so quickly! But in all seriousness, this was the hike of a lifetime for me and I highly recommend checking out Mt. Washington.

Jackie Jones Mountain Fire Tower & Bill Hill Shelter, Harriman State Park, NY

For this hike consult the NYNJ Trail Conference Map 118-Harriman Park-Southern
I began my trek by parking on a turnoff near St. Johns in the Wilderness Church located on Johnsontown Road, Harriman State Park. I found my way to the aqua-blazed Long Path and trudged along through beautiful valleys and hemlock groves. I spotted a few white-tailed deer as I crossed Beaver Brook Pond and continued gradually upward along the Long Path. As the path ascends, don't forget to look behind you, for you will be rewarded with intermittent views of the Hudson River. Cross over Old Turnpike Road (really a woods road) and continue along the Long Path. Shortly, you will arrive at Big Hill Shelter and its amazing views. The Big Hill Shelter, built in 1927, has three stone fireplaces. Raymond Torrey scouted the Big Hill Shelter site in March of 1927. The shelter was empty when I arrived, so I sat inside and enjoyed the views from it. I headed north and began following the yellow-blazed Suffern-Bear Mountain trail. The trail steadily ascends as the Long Path veers off to the right. Continue on the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail until it reaches the Jackie Jones Mountain Fire Tower. Now, this was a treat! You are able to climb to the top of the tower; however, the top floor is inaccessible. Use extreme caution when climbing the tower stairs, as some are a bit loose and beginning to rot. The view from the top was incredible, even on an overcast day. If you look to the north, you will see Lake Welch and an enormous AT&T microwave tower, built in 1947; to the west is the Hudson River. The fire tower is a steel tower erected in 1928, but it is no longer in operation. I chose to begin a little bushwhacking after the fire tower to get back to Route 106 and my vehicle, however, if you follow the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail from the fire tower you will reach the ruins of ORAK, which are a must see!

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The penitentiary was built between 1822-1836 on a radical plan by John Haviland. Haviland's design intended to link solitude with moral and vocation instruction. The prison closed in 1970, but is still occupied by ghosts and filled with history. In 1971, the City of Philadelphia used Eastern State to house prisoners from the county prison at Holmesburg, following a riot there. This is where Eastern State gets a little personal for me. My father spent some time in Eastern State in 1971, and I'll leave it at that! Eastern State is now a museum, opened to the public. They also host a magnificent Halloween Haunted Prison spectacular every year. My visit to Eastern State was quite an adventure! The tour costs approximately $15.00 and allows you access to the prison all day. I would highly recommend taking the audio tour. You can explore at your own pace and linger at exhibits that you find interesting. Al Capone stayed at Eastern State for about one year. Things were getting rough for Al in Chicago, so he decided to skip town and intentionally caught a weapon charge in Philadelphia. You can view his cell at Eastern State and notice how different it was from other cells. Al Capone had Persian rugs, a desk, a chaise lounge and Tiffany lamps in his cell. Directly next to Al Capone's cell is a example of a typical Eastern State Cell; dark, dank, small and crumbling. Prisoners at Eastern State had a toilet, table, bunk and Bible in their cells, in which they were locked all but one hour a day. When the prisoners did leave their cells, a black hood would be placed over their head so they could not see any other prisoners as they were guided through the halls of the prison. Interaction and any form of communication between inmates was forbidden. Inmates lived a life in mundane solitude and would only get a glimpse of sunlight, known as "The Eye of God" which came through a slit in the prison ceiling. In desperate need of human interaction, prisoners would tap on pipes or whisper through vents to each other. If caught, the penalty was brutal. As the tour continues, you learn that Hollywood has visited Eastern State for a few movies: Brokedown Palace featuring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche and Twelve Monkeys with Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis. Transformers Part II was also filmed at Eastern State. Eastern State was also made famous by the television show "Ghosthunters." Ghosthunters featured Eastern State on two different episodes and caught some ghosts roaming one of the cell blocks. One major paranormal episode reported occurred to a locksmith doing restoration work in Cell Block #4. According to the tale, he was working to remove a 140-year-old lock from the cell door when a massive force overcame him so powerfully he was unable to move. Some believe when he removed the key it opened a gateway to the horrific past and offered the spirits caught behind its bars a pathway out. The man spoke of experiencing an out-of-body state as he was drawn toward the negative energy which burst through the cell. Anguished faces appeared on the cell wall, hundreds of distorted forms swirled around the cell block and one dominating form seemed to beckon the locksmith to him. The man's experience was so vivid, years after he would shudder in fear when he talked about it. During my visit, I experienced nausea and an all around uncomfortable feeling. The strange feelings my companion and I had did not deter us from exploring the entire prison, pausing to stop and read the informative plaques and displays along the way. I would highly recommend taking the trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to visit Eastern State. You won't be disappointed and may even encounter a ghost! http://www.easternstate.org/

The Lankenau Hospital a/k/a My Birthplace

Sometimes my travels don't involve putting on the hiking boots and packing up the backpack. Last year I embarked on a journey of a different color....the search for my biological family. I was born in 1968 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania at Lankenau Hospital. Lankenau was founded in 1860 as the German Hospital of Philadelphia, and located in North Philadelphia on Morris Street. In 1917 the German Hospital renamed itself Lankenau Hospital after John D. Lankenau, a successful German-born Philadelphia business man who was one of the first supporters and leaders of the Hospital. Ironically, one of my "idols" growing up, Joan Jett, was also born in Lankenau Hospital. But back then she was Joan Larkin, and I'm not sure if she loved rock and roll yet. She has been honored by Philadelphia's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; not bad for only staying in Philly for about six months! After a few days stay in the hospital, I was adopted and taken to New York. I grew up happily and was provided with a good life but I never felt complete. I need to know where I came from, my roots, who I got my eye color from, the color of my hair, what my heritage was. Now, I know for non-adoptees this may sound strange, but try to place yourself in my shoes, at least for this blog. I did a little research and found out that I was born at Lankenau Hospital. My birth records had been destroyed, I mean, after all it was about 40 odd years ago....so my search came to a standstill. Low and behold, I found myself bored on my 40th birthday and decided to take a ride to Lankenau Hospital. I still do not know, to this day, what I was looking for, or hoping to find, but the urge overcame me and I just got in my car and drove. When I entered the "grounds" of the hospital, I was overtaken with such a strange feeling. I mean, this is the closest I had ever come to knowing anything about my roots. The hospital grounds are breathtaking, the hospital is built on what used to be a golf course. I parked the car and made my way to a security desk, heart pounding all the way.....the guard glanced up at me, and gave me the look. I happily told him that I was born in this very hospital forty years to the day. He smiled and told me that this was the "new wing" and directed me to the older part of the hospital. I parked the car in front of the "older" section of the hospital and hastily got out. Immediately a guard inquired as to why I would be so brazen and park in valet parking, but then he noticed the New York plates and sighed. I explained to him that I was born, forty years to the day, in this very hospital. Immediately he smiled and proceeded to tell everyone, and I mean everyone that "this young lady here was born in this very hospital forty years ago!" I asked him if I could snap a few pictures of myself in front and he proceeded to tell everyone, and I mean everyone, to make way for me....A poor older women, with a cane was trying to get down the stairs and he put his hand up and told her to wait. After my girlfriend quickly snapped some photographs I thanked the guard profusely and we made our way back to New York. And this trip, this very trip, began an incredible journey that continues to this day....

Oak Hill Cemetery

I happen to live near Oak Hill Cemetery which is located in the quaint Village of Nyack, New York. Oak Hill Cemetery has a reputation for being haunted, although, the other thing I have ever run into is a friendly herd of white tailed deer. The cemetery is quite beautiful, as far as cemeteries go. When to get to the top you will find a fantastic view of the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. You will also find the Long Path, of all places! Oak Hill Cemetery has quite a few famous individuals layed to rest in it. Foremost, is local legend, Helen Hayes, (the "First Lady" of theater) the renowned actress of both stage and screen. I remember Helen Hayes as the stowaway in the movie Airport 1976. Edward Hopper, the artist famous for many paintings, but especially the "Nighthawks" painting, is also buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Hopper's " Nighthawks" painting is probably familiar to most people as it has been changed to have such patrons as James Dean, Elvis Presley, Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe as it's patrons. Some of you may recall reading the novel, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" in high school composition class. Well, the author, Carson McCullers is also interned at Oak Hill. Lastly, but not least, a local Hero is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Waverly "Chipper" Brown. Waverly Brown was murdered by members of the radical 1960's group "The Weather Underground" when they attempted to rob a Brinks truck in Rockland County, New York. Waverly Brown was a Village of Nyack Police Officer who was brutally shot to death, in the line of duty, when he intercepted a van full of assassins and criminals on Route 59, Nyack, New York. Thank you Waverly, Rest in Peace. I suggest you take a walk around this cemetery, it is full of history, and rumor has it that there is a ghost of a young woman who wanders down the paths, seeking to find peace.