July Is Moving By

 Sunday

A new section of the Mohawk - Hudson bike trail was explored and what a find. I rode 30 miles (out and back) from Schenectady to Amsterdam along the Mohawk River and passed many old abandoned locks from the early Erie Canal days. The weather has been picture perfect even if a little warm, but there is always a breeze if you are on a bike. I was happy to find another trail to ride that is only 30 minutes away.

An abandoned lock (#25).
We passed several more that have been replaced with the more modern Lock 8 right on the river. I guess the whole Erie canal has been abandoned since  trains and cars took over. History was never my subject.

The lock control shed perhaps? I wear a brimmed cap under my bike helmet to keep the
sun off my face - a major concern for me.

Another green heron.

The Amsterdam Castle was one of 100 armories built in NYS at the turn of the century, 1895. It is the only one that is now a personal residence and Bed and Breakfast.

The Mohawk River - a constant companion on the bike trail.

Monday

Well this day did not turn out as planned. I had a quick skin check at the dermatologist at 10 am and then coffee on my deck with a friend at 11 am. I had to text her at 10:40 as I was still waiting for my appt., to let her know I'd be late. I wasn't seen until 11:10 and the new PA decided the 2 spots of concern needed to be biopsied, and froze three other spots. All this on my face, so I'm sporting bandaids and looking like a trauma case. There will be no photos of that! 🤕 I will have to wait a week for the biopsy results but I am not optimistic. I've already had a malignant melanoma and a strong family history of it. I did not inherit my dad's olive toned Italian skin, but my Mom's fair Scottish complexion. My love of the outdoors means I am always wearing a hat and sunscreen with SPF of 55 -70. C'est la vie!

I got home at noon and we decided to forgo coffee and have smoothies as neither of us had eaten yet. The double smoothie I was making overwhelmed my blender and it is now deceased. I finished up the smoothies in a food processor and we had a nice visit and drink. We then dug up three large clumps of thyme from my yard as my friend is a bee keeper and was amazed at my lawn, which is 80% thyme, and just full of honeybees. I also gave her a basil plant and a jar of pesto. Then I fell asleep for 3 hours. I had planned on a shorter bike ride this afternoon, but that clearly did not happen. I am eager to hit the 500 mile mark in my biking challenge. Not the most productive day, but things are getting done. 

2023 Biking Challenge (1000 miles and 2+ rides per month)

Jan: 1/8 - 18 miles; 1/29 -12 mi

Feb: 2/14/- 14 mi, 2/15 - 16 mi, 2/20 - 21 mi

March: 3/21 - 14 mi, 3/31 - 11.5 mi

April: 4/4 - 20 mi, 4/27 - 15 mi

May: 5/9 - 20 mi, 5/11 - 15.1 mi, 5/14 - 19 mi, 5/21 - 30.1 mi, 5/26 - 7 mi, 5/27 - 8 mi, 5/28 - 20 mi

June: 6/3 - 20.3 mi, 6/6 - 15 mi, 6/8 - 15 mi, 6/9 - 23 mi, 6/14 - 15 mi, 6/15 - 21 mi, 6/16 - 10 mi, 

6/22 - 10 mi

July: 7/8 - 30.25 mi,  7/17 - 11 mi, 7/20 - 20.25 mi, 7/22 - 30 mi

Total Distance: 482.5 miles

Comments

  1. MargaretJuly 25, 2023 at 2:03 PM

    I have skin cancer in my family and have been careful about my face but not as vigilant of my arms and other body parts. When I was younger and stupid, I'm sure I did plenty of damage. :( Hope that the tests come back OK! Love the scenery there and your zeal for bike riding. I wish John shared it because we need to get out more while the weather is good!

    ReplyDelete

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