If you missed the first time I showed a few pieces at Starbucks in New Paltz then you have a chance to stop back. I have 4 local landscapes hanging at the moment and depending on how long I can show there I may be changing them out for a new installment in the next few weeks. If you can’t get to New Paltz (though you really should, it’s a great town!), then here’s a peek at the four pictures I’m showing.
Although I wanted to blog while I was over in Europe, I also felt that I wanted to be thorough with documenting the trip. That takes time, something I ironically never seem to have while I’m on vacation. I did, however try to update Joe Turic Photography on Facebook with a picture every couple of days (LIKE me on Facebook to see updates!), as well as my Instagram feed (I’m joeturic on there, follow me!). I took over 5000 pictures on this trip and over the next couple of weeks I plan on trickling out some blog posts detailing my adventures.
The weather on the east coast is AMAZING right now and I can only imagine it’s because I brought it back with me from Paris. Here are a couple of shots from the last few bluebird days over there to whet your appetite for what’s to come.
Jardin du Luxembourg (The Luxembourg Gardens)
Walking along the Seine – homes on the right bank viewed from the left bank
I couldn’t do a pull up in high school. For the Presidential Physical Fitness test I had to do the flexed arm hang. It was embarrassing.
Sometime back in February a friend of mine told me about a Crossfit gym that was fairly new over in Highland, Crossfit Mid Hudson. He told me to try out a free class just to get a taste and see if I was interested. While sitting at a bar in Chicago and catching a bit of crossfit on TV accidentally, ND and I decided we’d try out an intro class (because, honestly, bars are where you sit and plan about how you SHOULD be exercising) :).
That first night consisted of some rowing to warm up, and then a 12 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of 5 pull ups, 5 push ups and 10 air squats. We were sore the next day. We asked Justin, the head trainer how often we should come and if we could commit time to this new gym in general, with everything else we have going on. He told us to keep coming and we’d figure out how it fits into our lives.
Fast forward two months and I’m stronger than I’ve been in years. I’ve lifted weights with varying degrees of consistency since my early twenties. I hike, bike, ski, run and in general am pretty active, but crossfit really kicked it up a notch. I no longer desire to go sit in a weight room and do 3 sets of 12 reps on the leg machine or to work my triceps with a pull down. I don’t want to wander in somewhat tired after work on a Monday and work on “chest and tris” and just get through the reps so I can go home. I’d rather jump rope, do pull ups, kettlebell swings, every different type of squat, climb ropes, throw medicine balls, learn proper olympic weightlifting techniques, do burpees, box jumps, lunges, dips, push presses, clean and jerks, push ups, tire flips, dead lifts and incorporate all of this into high intensity interval training. Every time I step into the box in Highland I know I’m going to get my butt kicked, in a good way.
On that first night Justin told us that “it’s like a family here”. It’s easy for someone to say that but another thing for you to experience it first hand. The people and community surrounding Crossfit Mid Hudson are some of the nicest and most supportive I’ve ever met. I don’t have enough fingers to count the new friends I’ve made since February. It’s nice that we joined when we did, since this weekend was the 1 year anniversary of the opening of CFMH. Here are a few shots from the 1 year anniversary WOD (workout of the day, sometimes referred to as the “Torture of the Day”) which we followed with a BBQ and nighttime fun in Poughkeepsie.
