Category Archives: Friendship

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Overcoming Adversity

Jeff Chetlin and Pete Hilton -North Park trails.

You know, the great writer and pastor Chuck Swindoll always said,” life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you react to it.” A lot of truth to that statement and when you think about it for a minute, it hits the nail right on the head. At least, that is how it should be for all of us. A lot of us react with a positive attitude when something happens, others do not. But if you can handle adversity and make something good come out of it, you are better off personally, and also you can make life better for those who interact with you. Personally, I also believe that it is a good chance to share your faith and be a good witness to the Good News even when bad things happen to you. Handling adversity is not for the faint of heart.

Take my friend Jeff Chetlin, for instance. Now I have posted about Jeff and his lovely wife Julie before but as a refresher, Jeff had a stroke a couple of years ago that could have been devastating in consequence. Jeff was having a routine heart valve replacement and produced a clot on the operating table and had a stroke. His recovery was slow and steady, but Jeff always had a positive and a “can-do” attitude which helped his recovery over the last couple of years. I remember his first mountain bike ride after the stroke down at the Bowling Green area of Frick Park. He was a bit apprehensive but wanted to do it and I remember telling him- ” you know how to ride a bike, just get on and peddle.” Which is what he did with a big smile on his face. Fast forward a couple of years and here he is this weekend riding all the trails at our North Park with very little trouble at all. Jeff has always been a “go getter” guy and his attitude towards his recovery has been exemplary. Although he admits that he is not back to where he once was before he had the stroke, he is grateful that he can ski at his home area of Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. He makes beautiful turns- I was witness to that last winter. He also has been riding the trail systems in Bend with no issue.

Julie Chetlin- leading the way in more ways than one for her hubby Jeff.

Along with his uber- supportive wife Julie, the active couple shares their time between Bend, Oregon and Pittsburgh. Julie has family here and she spends time with them, and also with all of us who are their Pittsburgh team of friends and support. But the cool thing is how much Julie and Jeff are involved in their active communities both here and in Bend. Mountain bike riding, skiing, hiking, in two different parts of the country- all while Jeff has continually worked to improve his situation since the stroke. He has done remarkably well, and you would never know unless you spoke to him about it, that he had this setback. Not many people in his situation could come back and ride the muddy, rocky, root infested trails of North Park and do it with expertise and a smile on their face like Jeff.

Pete Hilton- Jeff’s North Park shadow.
Jodi Griswold- slaying the trails at North Park.

But perhaps the most salient comment on the ride this weekend was from our friend Jodi Griswold. As we took a break on the North Ridge, Jodi remarked how inspiring it is to see Jeff willing to speak to people about having a stroke and the consequences and recovery challenges in his life. He has done well, no doubt, but Jodi is right. Jeff spends a lot of time on calls with stroke recovery victims and also speaking to them in person both here and in Bend. He encourages them and tells them that if they work hard like him, they can return to some semblance of a normal life complete with all the activities they used to enjoy. He also is candid if he thinks that there will be limitations and doesn’t want to give false hope to some who may have had more difficulty with the stroke situation. But even in those instances, he is positive and encourages people that life is not over, and that positivity and the right mental attitude can do wonders for recovery.

Our riding buddy and doctor- Syed Hyder- instrumental in Jeff’s recovery.

Jeff is in the midst of writing a book on his challenges and recovery. It will be interesting to see what he has valued, and his lessons learned along his path. I am sure he will credit his wife Julie as she has been steadfast in her commitment to him and her willingness to be there every step of the way- encouraging him with his riding, skiing, and his willingness to share his story. The great thing about Jeff is he has always been the pied piper of his ski and riding groups. He now is the pied piper of all those who are trying to make a comeback from a catastrophic event in their lives. Like Jodi said, he is positive, encouraging, and candid, and would not be there if those same people who he is used to gathering about him, would not also be there supporting and praying for him. He is grateful for friends and continues to gather them on rides and on the slopes both in Bend and here in Pittsburgh.

Jeff and his posse here in Pa.
Jeff and his posse at Mt. Bachelor in Bend. ( Tim Girone’s birthday party)

The take- away here is that yes- things happen in life and especially as we all get older. How you handle the difficulties is dependent upon a lot of factors, but Jeff and Julie have handled it well. The important thing is to share your experiences with those who may be going through the same thing. Your experiences, your highs and lows, and your positivity are critical to a lot of people, and it is so inspirational to see a guy like Jeff willing to go out there for people in need. We all are called to do the same thing. Whether you have a critical event, or recognize someone in your community having a difficult time, be there for them. Think of what Jeff would do. Thanks for reading.

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The Century

One of the first rites of passage for a road bicycle rider is the day the decision is made to ride 100 miles or do ……….the Century. In the early days of riding a road bicycle, one has to get used to bike position, saddle comfort, the rules of the road, riding in traffic, riding in a group, wind, rain, and a host of new challenges. Once these are addressed and the mileage improves from day to day, the decision is often made to do a Century ride as a test of one’s fitness and prowess on the road bike.

I remember first learning to ride back in the day when I bought my first Trek road bike. My mentors, Larry Cohen and Chuck Martin got me started and soon enough I was riding, 30, 40 miles and then a longer ride of 50 miles. After a season of good riding, I was encouraged to ride a Century. I forget actually which one it was, but I can tell you I am a veteran of many Centuries . Hilly ones, flat ones in Ohio, windy ones near the Atlantic Ocean, and many more. I learned a lot over the years. Important things like proper clothing, comfortable shorts with chamois, chamois butter or Vaseline to protect the guys, and prevent chafing. Repeated pedaling and perspiring can make a ride pretty uncomfortable if you are not prepared with good lubrication down below. Rain exacerbates the situation and a good lightweight rain jacket stuffed into the back of your jersey is key. Like we always say, no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing.

Nutrition is key as well and back in the day, we could not get enough bananas or Fig Newtons. These were also stuffed into the back of our jerseys and I can remember many times on a hot day, 60 miles out, stuffing the Newtons and bananas in my mouth and wondering how in the heck I was going to get back. Stops at convenience stores along the way were a good option and many times I waddled into the stores with my bike shoes and cleaned out the racks of snacks. I used to use a product called Cytomax, which was an electrolyte powder added to my water bottle. I carried extra in a little bag so I could re-load on the way when I ran out of liquid. You can’t drink enough on a Century.

My friends George Sagan and Art Bonavoglia and I rode a Century one time with a local touring club. These club guys were stuffed into their lycra bike kits and stopped every ten miles for a hoagie, pizza, or other method of what they called refueling. George looked at me and said, ” lets keep riding.” I thought to myself- we could actually gain weight on this ride. LOL!!

Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe

One of the prettiest Centuries I rode was in Lake Tahoe for the Team in Training event which was a fundraiser for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lots of Centuries are benefits and folks donate money for your cause by matching your miles with dollars. When you are out there suffering at about 90 miles, you think of the good cause for which you are riding and smile. It brings you to the finish line.

One of the fun things about a Century is riding with a group, in a good paceline at a good effort. It makes the miles go quickly and if you are unable to keep up, just keep peddling and another group will come up behind you and you can jump on their train. Nothing like racking up the miles with a good group of riders. And if you are fortunate enough to latch on to a tandem, you can really fly. On the Tahoe ride, our group was behind a couple on a tandem who stopped for lunch and got married on the ride. Pretty cool to be part of their wedding party on the road.

Don’t miss jumping on the tandem bus.

Did a couple of 100 mile races back in the day too. Higher paced rides, which had me laying in the grass at the end, stuffing the Newtons in my mouth and swilling Cytomax out of my bottle while prone on my back. Danny Chew, the many time Race Across America champion, and national class road racer, caught our group one time after getting lost up near Meadville, Pa. He laughed at us and abused us a bit saying he caught us after going about 20 miles out of route. Whatever Danny. We were used to his abuse. Mr. Bike was pretty strong back in the day. As weekender Joe Blows, we were no match for riders like him. But we all had fun at the end remembering the good times on the ride and the usually spectacular scenery.

Lake Tahoe vistas

Another cool thing about riding Centuries is the sense of accomplishment after you finish. Although 100 miles is nothing to a Tour de France rider or a national class road racer, for the local Joe Blow, it is truly an accomplishment accompanied by the confidence that you can do it. The rite of passage is met, and you are on your way to being an experienced cyclist. This leads to more Centuries, races, events, and rides that make you stronger and move you to the next level of fitness.

Riding Centuries is a great way to make friends, spend time with new friends, and have a lifetime of great memories like I do. Thanks to my friend Scott Weiner, I had the opportunity to ride a Century in Maryland a couple of times with 3- time Tour de France Champion, and World Champion, Greg LeMond. Greg had great stories all along the route and signed autographs late into the night. A truly gracious champion who was happy to ride with 6 of us on a couple of sunny weekends in Maryland benefitting One in Six Organization.

Joe Blow and Champion- Greg Lemond. Such a gracious guy!
Poor Greg- had to listen to my stories along the route too.

So, in summary, if you are new to road riding, don’t think that riding a Century is out of sight. Keep riding and getting your miles in. Take advice from experienced riders who are happy to share their knowledge with you. ( Thanks- Mac Martin, Matt Eaton, Danny and Tom Chew, Bob Gottlieb and Jay Wolkoff- for always taking the time to ride with us back in the day preparing us for events). You can ride a Century too as a new rider. Just do your homework, hydrate, eat properly,and take the right clothes. Your preparation will certainly be beneficial and you will have accomplished 100 miles on a road bike. Thanks for reading and keep peddling.

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A Great Start

The start of the season for Trail Adventures

You know, kids these days take kind of a bad rap. We hear stories about drugs, theft, under achievement in school, and other nefarious issues that plague young people today. But it is nice to see a positive program where kids are valued, their experiences in the outdoors are enhanced, and they learn skills on the trails and off the trails that they can use for a lifetime.

Cody Pletz- head honcho for Trail Adventures.

Enter Cody Pletz, who is on a 9 year mission to improve kid’s lives and skills on a mountain bike. His program, Trail Adventures, is part of the recreation programs of the Allegheny County Parks and Recreation Department here in Pittsburgh. The program takes place at Hartwood Acres and at North Park from April until October- Monday through Thursday. Currently the North Park group has 54 riders who all have smiles on their faces whenever we see them in the woods and the skills on the trails are augmented with drills that Cody and his coaches use before the rides .

Angelica Pietranton – local downhill MTB racer and coach for Trail Adventures.

One of the interesting things about Cody’s programs are that several of the kids that have graduated have gone on to race in college and some are even returning as coaches in the program. Riding skills as well as trail etiquette are emphasized as we see groups of the riders stop when we approach if we have the right of way on an uphill section. Several of the parents are coaches and monitors, and it is heartwarming to see the parking lot filled with parents and kids all eager to begin their session with Trail Adventures.

One thing I learned as a father was not to try to force your child into a sport. It is important to try to share your enthusiasm by getting them started but if it is not for them, so be it. They will find their own interests with their friends. That is one of the cool things about Trail Adventures is that even though the parents signed their children up for the program, it is apparent that the kids make friends. The season long weekly outings bond them together in ways that may never have taken place had the program not existed. When you see 54 kids all lined up, doing drills, laughing and having fun with each other, it is heartwarming. If you log on to the Allegheny County Parks and Recreation website, (www.alleghenycounty.us), you will see the sign -ups for the programs. A lot of them are already sold out but take a look. The costs are very modest for the amount of time spent with coaches and on the trails.

One thing about riding a mountain bike is that you can do it for a long time. I know the coaches and they often tell their kids that our crowd is made up of older adults with the point being that we all can share the experiences of this sport together. Old dudes on the trails riding with young rippers. We learn from each other and have a few laughs together too. And mountain biking can be seen as a lifetime sport. Good exercise, in the woods, on the trails, with your friends. What better way to exercise? Cody and his team have done a great job over the years introducing kids to this lifetime activity. With a lot of the negative things happening to our youth today, it is nice to see a program developing young people and giving them way more than skills on a bike. Comradery, appreciation for the great outdoors, and life lessons are all taught by Trail Adventures. Love to see it. Thanks for reading.

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Have a Bernie Bar and Relax

So, I opened up a box that came in the mail the other day and to my surprise, it was a box of Bernie Bars from my skiing friend Mark Hutchinson up in Vermont. Hutch is a retired postal service employee and ex-ski coach at Stowe, and knows Bernie from his routes around Randolph Center. I joked with Hutch about where my Bernie Bars were, and lo and behold- they showed up. LOL!! Hutch and his lovely wife Nancy are fun people to ski with, they are avid hikers, and enjoy everything about the Green Mountains of Vermont. In typical Vermont fashion, their political persuasions are more towards the left of center, and I have always admired their zeal to persuade folks towards their way of thinking.(Ethan Allen would be proud ) I personally am becoming more and more a-political, but Hutch keeps me informed on the happenings in the government world and relays his experiences to me. Rich Roll said the other day on his podcast that the most effective way of communication is to not give advice, but rather relay experiences. The Hutchinsons have lots of experience with Nancy and her avid hiking and writing, and Hutch with his ski racing and coaching background. And they are well read on the political scene in Vermont.

Mark and Nancy skiing with us in Bend last winter.

The cool thing about skiing and hiking is that both sports attract those of us who love the outdoors, no matter what we do for a living, what our political persuasions are, whether we have faith or no faith, and have different educational backgrounds. Rarely will you hear a heated political debate on the slopes or the trails. Rather the conversation tends to be about ski technique, ski areas, the conditions of the day, and in hiking, remarking on the beauty of the trails and the great day together. You make really good friends on the ski slopes and hiking trails, many of those friendships last a lifetime – like mine with Hutch and Nancy.

Hutch and I in Mammoth several years ago.

Nancy is a school teacher and a gifted writer and we have shared experiences with our passion for writing. Hutch is a real student of ski technique, and we have many conversations about that topic. He sends me videos all summer which I love to get, seeing that I can talk about skiing all summer too. But rarely do we get into a political discussion. My view is what do we really know? What is spin and what is not? On either side of the spectrum. I don’t get too excited because there is not much I can do about the world today other than perhaps cast my vote to get someone in or out of office. Also being kind to people helps, because you never know what they are going through. Kindness is definitely a way to make a difference- one person at a time, one neighborhood at a time. Politics is not really that important to me (maybe it should be?) – but Hutch keeps me in the game. I have learned things that I did not know before. And he sent me Bernie Bars!

Lifetime friends Eric and Hutch at June Mountain, California.

I have spent a lot of time skiing with Hutch, especially when our friend Eric was laid up and could not ski at times. Hutch and I would go out and ski and never look at a map. We just went wherever we felt like going. LOL! Hutch has a wonderful sense of humor and he makes me laugh when we ski and maneuver our way around a ski area. He finds the funny things about skiing and has me in stiches, as many times he was my room- mate on our guys ski trips – organized by Eric Durfee. I tend to think that Hutch missed his calling. I have videos of him commenting on camera up at Whiteface and at June Mountain out in California. He is so articulate on those videos and also humorous. I have posted them to the amusement of my ski friends.

So, the upcoming election cycle has a lot of people with their shorts in a wad. There is going to be a lot of political division even more so than what is taking place right now. It is good to educate yourself, but like Rich Roll says, just relay your experiences in conversation and don’t ruin a good friendship with a political discussion that will really not make much of a difference anyhow. Enjoy your friends. Eat a Bernie Bar and enjoy it as people all around you lose their heads. Ski with a friend, hike with a friend, and enjoy the outdoors because the older you get, those quality days left are really what is important anyhow. Thanks for reading.

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Neighbor Joe

My neighbor Joe

This past fall, my new neighbor Joe and I talked about skiing. Imagine that! Anyhow- he told me he used to ski and wanted to take it up again. Well, when someone says that to me, I light up like a 100 watt bulb and shine brightly. I told him about my friend Jim Jacobs who would take care of him from Peak Ski and Board and that his old equipment would no longer fit the bill. He had purchased some new boots but was in sore need of some new skis seeing that his were around 20 years old. He and his wife Chico went to see Jim and he bought a new pair of Volkls. He was happy and wanted to show me his purchase. I gave him a pair of straps to that he could avoid edge damage when traveling and he was excited to start after so many years away from the sport.

So, I took him during the week to Laurel Mountain which is a great place to ski here in the Laurel Highlands about an hour and a half from where we live. I ski there a lot and consider it my home area. I beat poor Joe’s ear all the way up because when the subject of skiing comes up, again, I go into high gear. I told him things he should know, and a lot of trivia that perhaps he did not need to hear. I also told him a lot of my stories from my skiing past and present and when we pulled into the lot at Laurel, he was ready to ski and not just listen to me anymore. LOL!!

Bluebird Day looking into the Ligonier Valley

It was a great day to ski, very scenic with fresh snow and a beautiful view into the Ligonier Valley. Joe loved it and after he got his feet under him again, he started to ski like he used to ski back in the day. He loved his new skis and all in all, it was a great first outing for a guy who hadn’t been on the slopes in quite some time.

Joe is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force( as is his wife Chico), and also a retired Delta Airlines pilot. Needless to say, Joe and his wife travel a lot and it was a little bit of time before I got him out again, back to Laurel, this weekend. Again, another bluebird day, and Joe loved it. I introduced him to a lot of people that are my friends and he asked me later if I knew everyone at Laurel. I said,” when you ski there a lot, you get to know people as the atmosphere at Laurel is conducive to that”. It is like a private ski club, in a way, and has a totally different feel from the other two resorts that Vail now manages and owns.

Sunset at Laurel Mountain- photo by Rob Slater

He skied mostly by himself as he wanted me to enjoy Wildcat like I usually do. (the steepest slope in Pa.) We connected from time to time but for the most part, Joe was enjoying all that Laurel had to offer, on his own terms without any interference from me. After a slice of home- made pizza at the Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown, ( he treated), we drove back through the scenic Ligonier Valley, talking about skiing and the possibility of him skiing with his buddy in Park City now that he has all his stuff, a military season pass from EPIC, and two days under his belt getting back into the swing of things.

I guess the thing I like the most about my time with Neighbor Joe, besides him being a good guy and enjoying his company, is that I could help him get re-acquainted with skiing. One of the things that I like to do most is just that……….get people into skiing,or back into skiing. When I used to teach, the greatest joy I had was to see someone “get it”, or improve, with a big smile on their face. I try to go out of my way to see that people get a good start, get the right equipment, and realize what great things the winter can provide. I also like to introduce them to my friends and people that I know in the sport that can become their friend too. Skiing is not only great sport in which to partake, but the people, the atmosphere of a great little ski area, and the whole feeling is something that one just has to experience. It is wonderful to see fresh snow on the ground and on the trees as you drive into Laurel. You park, walk across the street to the lodge and people are smiling. They greet you and everyone is excited for another great day. Everyone’s troubles, worries and concerns, melt like snow on a hot sunny day when you show up at a ski area ready to hit the slopes. It is an escape from politics, pressures of the job, and personal troubles. No matter what ski area you visit, there is a positive feeling that abounds. Laurel Mountain has a special feel and even though it doesn’t have the vertical of out west areas, or New England areas, for an hour or so from your house, it is a good place to go while you get ready to take your western or New England trips.

Joe not only got a chance to get another day in, but he also saw why I like Laurel Mountain so much. Not just the skiing close to home, but it is the people that make the place tick. The employees are really friendly, happy to see you, and work tirelessly to make the experience great. The regulars all greet you and you feel in a way that you are in your own private place of enjoyment. Joe found out what a wonderful place Laurel is, and he will be back as soon as possible. Think snow, go to Laurel Mountain, and thanks for reading.

Laurel Mountain buddies.

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The Older We Get- The Better We Were.

Howard Johnson’s at Tuckerman Ravine- 1984

So, I was surprised this week when my friend Eric, from Tahoe( formerly of Vermont), mailed me some pictures from way back when we skied Tuckerman Ravine together. Looking at these 40 year old photos, I thought back to a time when we laid down the only tracks one day in Dodge’s Drop ( and Eric had a cast on his wrist). We had some good times up there as we skied it many times together. But the thing that is amazing about this picture is the equipment we used. I mean, look at the skis. Probably 203 or 205 cm GS skis. Look how narrow compared to today’s equipment. 

External frame pack made for interesting attachments. 

The other interesting thing about these pictures was the external frame packs we used. We added cross bars with latches and wingnuts to secure the skis to the frame. He was from Vermont and naturally used wood. I was from the steel city and with the help of my dad, we used aluminum cross bars. All in all, with the boots secured in the bindings, our clothing and food for the week, sleeping bag and mat, the pack weighed in at around 85 pounds which was a pretty good load to haul to the shelters where we stayed. One year, I thought I would save some time and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ahead of time. By the time the week ended, that package of sandwiches had been slept on, eaten from, and generally the once nice, neat stack of sandwiches had turned into a peanut butter dough ball. Lots of memories came flooding back to me as I opened the envelope this week from my friend. 

In today’s world, people who climb and ski as we did, use internal frame packs. There are slots in the side of the packs that allow easy placement of the skis and the internal frames are much better suited to securing a lot of cargo. Lots of guys today use skins on their skis for climbing, and AT equipment to hike and ski to their destinations. Eric and I basically hauled our alpine equipment up to the shelter, and from there basically climbed up in our ski boots with our skis over our shoulders. Equipment surely changes and evolves over the years and skiing is no exception. 

Pro Skier Cody Townsend climbing with his internal pack and AT gear. 

The other things that evolve over time are the stories that we tell about the old days. Sure, there are embellishments, the runs are bigger and badder than perhaps they were, and the stories that we tell each other evolve with the passage of time. But like my friend Paul Vey still says many years later, our trip down Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole, was the highlight of his athletic career. He played Div 1 basketball at UVM and that is still saying something. Somehow the beers taste better when the stories start cranking up. Eric’s wife Helen usually disappears when she starts hearing the old stories. She has heard them way too many times. But when pictures like these start showing up again, they remind me of a time gone by and the good times that we had. I mean, we are still at it – 40 years later. Maybe not camping and hiking Tuckerman Ravine anymore, but still skiing in some pretty good places and having a pretty good time. And still skiing relatively well. 

Eric and our other skiing pal Hutch at June Mt., California. Yes, the beer tastes better when the stories start flowing. 

So, if you get a chance, go look in your old photo boxes and take some time to review your old times with great friends. They will remind you that friendships are important and like equipment and stories, they evolve over time. Having friends that you can still do things with after many years is a true blessing. Encourage each other to stay in shape, stay at it, and make the effort to get together whenever you can. And always remember- the older we get……………the better we were. Thanks for reading. 

40 years later at Mammoth Mountain, California. 

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The Headwall at Tuckerman Ravine

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Age Fluid

I was headed to the mountains this weekend and was listening to the Rich Roll Podcast as per my usual custom. It keeps me entertained on my way up and I heard an interesting comment from Rich’s guest- Chip Conley. Chip is a noted author, speaker, hotelier, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy. His purpose is to create awareness of the benefits of aging and how to best utilize the tools that we have acquired as we age. He spoke about being age fluid which basically means that if you have a meaningful purpose in life- career, hobbies, faith, outdoor activities, you can have a lot of friends that are from all different ages. He says most people really don’t care how old you are chronologically if you are able to be a vibrant member of that particular community. Rich Roll even stated that most of his friends are 10 years younger than him because he is involved in fitness, and he is age fluid. His chronological age of 57 doesn’t matter. He just does his thing ,and he is involved in a younger community of fitness enthusiasts. 

My MTB group in West Virginia 

Chip also said another interesting thing when he referred to the three stages of life being like the life of a butterfly. In the caterpillar stage, which typically is in our 20s and 30s, we are consuming. Attaining knowledge and skills, like a caterpillar is consuming to grow. In our 40s and 50s, we are in the chrysallis stage where we are transforming to what will become the final outcome- a butterfly. Finally, when we are in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond, we are in our butterfly stage, having transformed from the caterpillar and flying freely and pollinating as we spread our experience and knowledge and enthusiasm to others in an age fluid atmosphere. 

I reflected on my drive as I heard this and thought about my life stages and where I am, and where I want to be. Interesting that on my Garmin Fenix fitness watch, which takes in lots of data from my exercising, it says that my biological age is 57. When I look at that I think that yes, I am aging chronologically, but as far as how I feel, I am not anywhere near my chronological age. My neighbor, who recently retired said to me not to attach a number to my stage in life. He says that it is all in how you feel. I am in agreement with that because as I assess my fitness and overall well- being at the beginning of a new year, I think- “can I still do the things I like to do?” Then of course I get out there and just have at it and don’t think much more about it as I ride my mountain bike and ski. I don’t feel any different and am thankful to the good Lord that I am still able to participate in these things and not show off……… but show up. And like the butterfly, I can share some knowledge and experience when asked. 

Keep it going!!! 

So being age fluid, is a positive way to live life. It not only exists for outdoor activities, but also for other walks of life that include career, and worthy causes, sharing some of the knowledge and experience like the pollinating butterfly. I do realize that chronologically I am moving down the road, but I do think that as we all age, we can continue to be a vibrant contributor to the world around us by volunteering, and helping people in many ways through our experience and our enthusiasm. Some of my best conversations are on mountain bike rides, on chairlifts, and sharing a meal with friends who generally are younger than me. I learn from them for sure, and they, in turn, enjoy some of the stories and experiences I have had. I rarely am asked how old I am. That is because maybe I am…………age fluid. Thanks for reading and keep on keeping on. 

Jan and I enjoying a laugh and being ………….fluid. 

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Accountability

Even when it is nasty

This is the time of year when people make resolutions for a healthier life. Among other things, the beginning of a new year is filled with promise, hope, and thoughts of making one’s life more productive and more enjoyable. One way to start that process is perhaps a new diet or way of eating, and sometimes a new exercise program. For those who have not done one for a while, it is a good idea to check with your doctor before embarking on a new program, especially if you have been a little sedentary. But nonetheless, a new exercise program or a return to former exercise program is great for anyone at any age. 

The woods are my gym. 

For me, I always like to have a goal to work towards. It doesn’t have to be anything big at my age, but a goal is always a good program for a new year. I am not a gym guy, so I am always doing outside things like mountain bike riding and hiking all year, and skiing when the season is upon us. I like fresh air and being outdoors and never really took to the gym. However, for a lot of people, the gym is a good place to start especially in the winter when the weather gets inclement. I see a lot of people walking and jogging in our local parks this time of year. I call them the New Years resolution crowd because many of them will begin, but then the numbers dwindle off as the year goes on. But for many of them, if they ease into it, start slowly, and be consistent, it can be part of their lifestyle that can make the resolution a reality. I can’t emphasize enough to start out easy and build up slowly. 

The Endura MT500 Riding Outfits. 

One thing that helps if you want to begin an outdoor exercise program is to get the right clothes. My friend the Shark always says,” no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing.” If you have the right clothing that keeps you dry and keeps the wind at bay, you can go out in the lousiest of weather and have a good workout and enjoy the ride. My Endura MT 500 jacket and pants are the ticket (us.endurasport.com) and when it gets real wet and nasty, I turn to a similar outfit made by Frogg Toggs (available at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the hunting department) that basically sheds water. But for the most part, the Endura outfit is the way to go. Ski socks, a wool skull cap under the helmet, and warm gloves are also key. 

But perhaps the most important thing to make an exercise program stick are friends who want to do the same thing. My best friends are my mountain bike and skiing friends, and we all hold each other accountable. Some days we may not feel like going out into the cold, nasty weather, especially at night, but our friends hold us accountable, and we bring the lights, the outfits, and have at it. At the end of the session, we may have a beverage, talk about the ride or the ski day, and then figure out when the next outing is. The best motivators are your pals who love to do the same thing as you do. So if you do not have a posse to hang out with and hold you accountable to show up……… find one. It is pretty easy if you join a group either found on -line, or recommended by shops, or simply showing up where people start their rides or programs in your local park. If you make the effort, you can really have some fun with a lot of people who eventually become your best friends in the world. No one beats my mountain bike clan or my ski pals. But the big thing about a group or a couple of friends, is that they hold you accountable. I will tell you that I have been doing this stuff for a long, long time and I really don’t need much encouragement or motivation. I have no issue skiing or riding in the rain. But I like to get people into these sports, and I welcome them and hold them accountable to show up. Most of the time it is successful, and our groups have welcomed a lot of newcomers over the years who now are motivating others. 

The Night Riders
Ski pals forever- we lost Proctor a couple of years ago on the right. Cherish your friends.  
The Mountain Bike Clan at Penn State
The local ski guys at Holimont. Been skiing with them for a lot of years. Andy, Hiller, Porter and Jamie.

So, if you are new to a sport and you want to have a resolution this year to get involved, find your group. The right ones will drag you out in the worst weather, drag you to the most challenging events, in rain, snow, sleet, hail, and make you smile the whole time. Ease into it, make your resolution stick, and get ready to be with a group who will be your best friends forever. Thanks for reading. 

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Support Your Local……..

Frick Park winter ride with Jeff Chetlin. 

Tired of the limited ski terrain due to terrible weather, and the huge “EPIC” crowds at our local ski resorts for the Holidays, our posse called an audible and met our pal Jeff and his wife Julie for a winter ride in Frick Park in the city of Pittsburgh. We included what I call the Tour de Death through Homewood Cemetery and it was a truly pleasant outing in the city with very little mud. We like to support our friend Jeff who has made nothing short of a miraculous recovery from a stroke. In fact, he bought a new E-Bike and re-assumed his role at the front of the pack, smiling like a butcher’s dog.( Thanks Mike Lange) He has appreciated the support while he has been recovering and is now fully on his way to living his life the way he wants to live it with his ever- energetic wife Julie. The key is support of friends. He would do the same for all of us and it was truly our pleasure to see him relish in the support of all his “outdoor type” friends. 

Bob K up and over the roller in Frick Park. Yes- literally an old cement roller that the local “Slagforce” installed for all of our enjoyment. 

Jeff always says that the mountain bike crowd is the most friendly and supportive group of people whom he knows. That is saying something seeing that he is a skier, mountain biker, snowmobiler, and avid, all -around outdoor sportsman. I would tend to agree. 

Thinking about support, especially locally, our favorite ski area of Laurel Mountain has had a rough start with the weather as well as some mechanical issues due to a power surge which damaged the chair lift motor and the snowmaking pump motors. Not to mention that during a recent storm, RT 30 was closed due to an accident and nobody could get to the resort. Our crowd has made it a mission to support Laurel during this time and show up even if all the terrain is not open. The folks on the staff there work extra hard to make Laurel a viable option during the winter, and it is a shame that they have been dealt a tough hand of cards in this early season. But again, our ski crowd,( many of whom are also in the mountain bike crowd), actively support what is going on in our local little ski area. We want to see it thrive and therefore show up even when conditions are not optimal. Happy to report that Laurel got a nice snowfall New Years Eve. Things are looking up. 

Hoping Laurel Mountain looks like this again soon. 

I think a lot about the slogan- ” Support Your Local…….” Every time I see a police officer, I thank them for their service. They have a tough job “protecting and serving” all of us in these tumultuous times. I thank anyone who has or is currently serving all of us in the military. Lots of local people who selflessly serve all of us. I support our local church as being part of a community of believers is important to me. John Guest, the famous evangelist, always says that you need not go far to support someone in need. The elderly in your neighborhood, local charities, a friend who is down. John says you don’t have to be a missionary overseas. Just look around your local neighborhood, workplace, school, and you will see opportunities to ” support your local…….” Give the local store support instead of spending your money in some big box store. Support the local businesses as they are trying hard to make it in this world today. There are so many opportunities to ” support your local……” I listened to the latest Rich Roll Podcast and his guest, Simon Hill, ( noted Australian health and fitness expert), said a very interesting thing. He was talking about service and serving others and said that one of the number one ways to lower stress and reduce blood pressure markers is to be of service to others. It has been clinically proven in testing individuals for health markers ,( cholesterol, blood pressure, VO2 max, etc.) that lifestyle changes like service can actually improve a number of markers in individuals who are looking to improve their health.

Darrell Porter and Ozanam helping us support Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

As we move towards 2024, Janet and I are trying to make more of an effort to support worthy local causes. Not that the big ones are not important, but keeping it local among business support, church support, charity support, is critical to keeping in touch with the local community. We are all in this together. 

Gretl Dupre restored Camp Soles. An outdoor camp for kids. Locally in our Laurel Highlands. 
The always smiling Gretl at her beloved Camp Soles. A wonderful opportunity for local kids to experience the great outdoors. 

Think about supporting your local friend, neighbor, family member, business, ski area, camp, and so many other opportunities in 2024. My mother always said…..” Happiness is like a perfume that you can’t sprinkle on others without getting a little on yourself.” So true mom. Happy New Years to all and enjoy the outdoors. Thanks for reading. 

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Shine Your Light

You know this time of year, you notice a lot of pine trees which turn into Christmas trees. Take the beautiful one that made its way from the Monongahela National Forest to the White House. An amazing journey and a fitting tribute to the season once it was erected in Washington, D.C. I think a lot about our Christmas tree. We have it adorned with ornaments that my mother and dad collected over all the years. They had the foresight to collect two each year from the Danbury Mint and Lennox China. One each for me and my sister Molly. We have them still today and the gold and the china ornaments look absolutely radiant on our tree each year- again, thanks to the thoughtful actions of my parents over all the years. 

I think a lot about those gold and china ornaments and how they shine when we turn on the lights for the tree. I think about how we are like those trees that we erect in our homes. The ornaments that signify memories from the past, the good years, the not so good years, the tough years, the absolutely joyful years, and times that have molded our personalities and character. We are building a display of that each year we get older. Life as a kid, school, sports, marriage, family, all contribute to the fabric of our lives and in many ways- those experiences are like the ornaments on our tree. 

But what highlights those ornaments? Light!! When we turn on the lights to the trees, the gold ornaments shine and reflect the light from all of the little white bulbs. Kind of like the Christmas story and how it lights up our lives. Imagine the darkness of the night in Bethlehem for the shepherds and all of a sudden- brilliant light when the angel Gabriel brought the good news. The bible refers to the heavenly light as Shekinah glory. A light that we cannot imagine here on earth. Part of that light was shown that night in Bethlehem and we are called to shine a light of our own when we interact with friends, strangers, and family this Christmas season. Jesus came to show us all how to shine our light and be the best version of ourselves – not only at Christmas but at all times of the year. We stop and pause to think about the significance of the Christmas story. The love and light that was shown to us so that we in kind might show that love and light to others. When we turn on our light, we illuminate our lives, experiences, and our hopes, dreams and faith for others to enjoy.

So this Christmas season, when we remember the birth of Christ and the significance of his life, death and resurrection for us ,we can be grateful. We can think about how we can make a difference for others throughout the New Year coming our way. Whatever you celebrate this season, the message is still the same. Be the light for others. Thanks for reading. 

” Therefore the Lord Himself will show you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and he shall be called Emmanuel- God with us.”  Isaiah 7-14.