82 flights of Stairs

We made it!

Thanks to everyone who supported me and the other 12 members of Team Ultimate Bootcamp in the Climb of Your Life stair race to benefit the American Lung Association of New England. It was a ROUGH race, but well worth the effort. But the best part? You can come along for the ride! I took my video camera along with me!

There is still time left to donate! Any tax-deductable gift that you can give, whether it be $5 or $50, would be very much appreciated and go towards the great educational programs the ALA of NE puts on to help fight lung disease.

Support Jill
Support Team Ultimate Bootcamp
After March 6, 2009, Donate directly to the American Lung Association of New England

Newbies Surf Guide to New England

Secretly I’ve always wanted to be a surfer girl…catching waves until I’m tired,  playing frisbee on the beach with my dog, sleeping under the sun, making a bonfire with friends at the end of the day, and let us not forget the 100s of pairs of cute flip flops and tank tops I would own.

Cape Cod National Seashore this weekend

I got the surfing bug when I visited Hawaii in January of last year.  The warm water off Waikiki Beach had waves you could ride forever. It was the perfect place to strap a big piece of plastic to your ankle and try to outsmart mother nature.

High off my Hawaiian adventure, I came back to New England in search of the surf.  What I found in the Northern Atlantic Ocean was quite different:  59 degree water, frozen hands, and waves that broke too close to shore and my spirit.  This was definitely not a Beach Blanket Bingofantasy come to life. If it was, I’d be sandwiched in between Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to keep me warm.

Since my first Cape Cod surf experience, I’ve learned that you CAN have a blast surfing in New England, you just have to be prepared.  Here is my Newbie Surf Guide to New England:

1. Watch the waves. The waves aren’t as bountiful in New England as they are in other places, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  For beginners, small waves (1-2 feet) are perfect. Be sure to check the weather and get a surf forecast online from sites like Magic Seaweed before heading to the beach.
2. Get lessons.  The instructors will show you exactly what to do on shore before you head onto the ocean.  They’ll also tell you specifics about the beach that you’re surfing on, such as where the big rocks are and currents to watch out for.  I took my first New England lessons from the folks at the Pump House Surf Shop in Orleans, MA. You can find a list of surf shops throughout New England at www.nesurf.com
3. Use a soft top surf board, sometimes called “foamies”.  Yes, you CAN use your friends sweet fiberglass board if you enjoy being frustrated, but soft tops make for a much more enjoyable ride for beginners.  They are more bouyant and stable, making the chances of you catching a wave on your first time out much greater.  Adults typically use 8 foot boards and kids typically use 6 foot boards.
4. Wet suits are a must! Spending the extra $10 a day to rent a full wet suit will help keep you warm.  There isn’t anything worse than shivering in the water while looking out for the next wave.  Wet suits come in different thicknesses and sizes.  Having the proper fit is crucial.  The suit should be snug so you aren’t storing gallons of water, but loose enough to not cut off your circulation.

From Old Orchard Beach in Maine to Second Beach in Newport, RI, there are a suprising number of places where you can experience the thrill of riding a wave.  While some of the best surf spots are kept secret by their keepers, it doesn’t mean you can’t be a surfer girl or guy in New England. So get out there, head to the beach, and have fun!

~JT

City Slicker Retreats: Boston

I admit it: I’m caught in a vicious cycle. 

For 6 months out of the year I constantly complain about the cold New England weather infiltrating my Texas grown bones.  Every spring, giddiness rises as I look forward to Boston thawing. I contemplate exploring all the glorious life New England has to offer: surfing on the Cape, mountain biking in New Hampshire, hiking in the Adirondacks.  “What a kick-ass summer this will be!”, my adventurous voice sings.  But what my adventurous voice knows is that it will soon be squashed by my distaste for traffic and long drives.

But this summer, I’ve broken the cycle.  I found not one, but two activities within 30 minutes of Boston to help me live my dream summer: Frolicking in the forest by day with plenty of time to enjoy my beloved Boston restaurants by night.

North Bridge

Biking the Minute Man Trail
Just west of Boston, the Minute Man Bikeway lies on an inactive railroad path leading from Cambridge to Bedford where the American Revolution began in 1775.  The beginning of the trail is accessible by public transportation at the Alewife T stop. Being City Slickers, my fiance and I drove to the Minute Man Visitor’s Center with our bikes in tow.

The peaceful, 5 mile Battle Road Trail led us by the historic homes of Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne.  After a quick break and photo session at the North Bridge, we head back to Concord’s town center for a bite to eat at Helen’s Restaurant.  Bellies happy, we kept on keepin’ on and made our way to Lexington.  Our leisurely ride totaled 3 hours, including grub time and a bonus brush-up on our American history.  Don’t have a bike? No problem, the trails are perfect for walkers, or you can take a bike tour which includes rental from $25-$55 from Concord Bike Tours.

Dog Tired

Blue Hills Reservation
After hearing at least 10 of my friends and clients say that I have to go to the Blue Hills Reservation for a quick retreat from the city, I finally listened.  Driving less than 25 minutes from Boston, I find myself turning off route I-93 at an exit I’ve passed by many, many times before. And wow, wouldn’t you know it, there is a range of large hills towering the land just off the highway. 

Why haven’t I ever noticed?, I ask myself. Oh yeah, because this is the stretch of highway where I typically sing aloud in my car to tune out the surrounding traffic jam.

As it turns out, the Reservation is huge!  The 7,000 acres of land was one of the first areas set aside by the Metropolitan Parks Commission for public recreation in 1893.  The gorgeous 125 miles of trails can be enjoyed by all fitness levels. Walks around Houghton Pond are perfect for the casual walker and moderate trails to the top of the hills get you panting like a tired dog.

Starting at the Trailside Museum, my lab/hound dog leads the way up the Great Blue Hill trail. After a short 20 minutes, we reach the summit.  I take pride in our quick ascent to the top.  But pride quickly fades after I see a family with a 4 and 6 year old join us at the top shortly after we arrive.  Guess I’m not as bad-ass as I thought. No matter. The beautiful views offered from the observatory atop Great Blue Hill paint a smile across my faces.

To plan your Blue Hill hike, download a trail map from the Department of Conservation’s website, or buy a map for $2 at the Reservation Headquarters or Trailside Museum.

Do you have a favorite retreat from your Boston city life? Let me know. Leave a comment.