I have no trouble admitting that I am 100% geek, I love technology! My life is filled with it, both personally and professionally. However, this past weekend I was reminded that in order to truly enjoy it, I needed some time without it! Specifically a trip to the Catskill Mountains, and a two night stay right next to the Esopus Creek. Talk about checking out! I did for sure, and checked right into nature. A walk down by the creek was relaxing enough, but the climax of my journey was an 8 mile walk along the Rail Trail, from Hurley to High Falls NY.
On this trip, I was with a friend and the original plan was to walk the full trail and back (16 miles). Considering we parked at the beginning, that made the most logical sense! We started around 10:30am and the journey was indeed magical, but pleasantly distracting. We passed by many people along the way, and said hello (it is a rule of the trail).
It took us about 4.5 hours to reach the end of the trail, and we were glad to have made it, because we were both VERY hungry! The day before we had just driven the same distance in about 8 min., but the longer walk seemed much more rewarding. Our only concern was that by the time we finished eating, and were back on the trial, that we would not make it home before dark. Nonetheless, I called the place where we were staying and they offered to pick us up, and bring us back to our car. 
So that was my break, and balance from technology! I will say that during the walk, I used my iPhone to map to the destination where we ate, The Egg's Nest Saloon (awesome). Otherwise, I was relatively disconnected...
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