Luzene County residents take to the outdoors for exercise and recreation

Three year-old Shepard Smith rides his tricycle while his mom Shelby follows behind, the two live near the Levee system and come out to exercise often.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL070315walking3.jpg.optimal.jpgThree year-old Shepard Smith rides his tricycle while his mom Shelby follows behind, the two live near the Levee system and come out to exercise often.

A pair of cyclists make their way toward Wilkes-Barre in Wyoming on the dike.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL070315walking1.jpg.optimal.jpgA pair of cyclists make their way toward Wilkes-Barre in Wyoming on the dike.

Melissa Plummer walks along side of her 6 year-old daughter Ella as they finish up a walk and bike ride Wednesday afternoon on the levee system in Wyoming.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL070315walking2.jpg.optimal.jpgMelissa Plummer walks along side of her 6 year-old daughter Ella as they finish up a walk and bike ride Wednesday afternoon on the levee system in Wyoming.

WILKES-BARRE — To many area residents, the outdoors is their gym.

Eschewing the time and cost which joining a fitness center entail, they simply head to outdoor areas available in our community to burn calories, build muscle and spend time with their neighbors.

When Ron Silkosky moved back to Pennsylvania from Los Angeles twenty years ago, he brought his love for the outdoors back with him.

Since then, there is rarely a day that Silkosky doesn’t “hit the pavement,” briskly walking or atop a bicycle, sometimes as a preferred method of transportation, but mostly as an opportunity to enjoy his environment and maintain his health.

“When I lived in California, my house was a place where I went after I totally exhausted myself and absolutely needed to sleep,” he said smiling.

Seemingly, although he has moved cross country, he has retained that same love for the outdoors.

A recent afternoon found him walking at a medium pace on the dike near Kirby Park, but there are times he also pushes himself.

Silkosky, 73, said his lifestyle keeps him young physically, emotionally and cognitively.

“I read that 10,000 steps a day, keeps you healthy, that’s five miles,” he said, “I try to do at least that.”

He’s thought about going to the gym but says he prefers the outdoors.

“Even in the middle of the winter, I tell myself if I don’t go out, I’ll be miserable,” he said, “and I try to spend time outside throughout the year.”

On the same dike, but miles away, Ralph Romanowski, Sr., shares Silkosky’s value of both exercise and the outdoors.

At 69, he, too, views the world as his gym. On a recent afternoon Romanowski, Swoyersville, “took to the streets” riding his bicycle for about five miles in an effort to remain healthy and stay in touch with both his environments and his neighbors.

He does so three-to-four days a week. He said especially enjoys riding near the dike in Wyoming.

Having had both knee and hip replacement surgery, rolling near the river has become a lifestyle for Romanowski. He credits time spent on his bike with his continued range of motion and general good health.

Romanowski, 69, said his commitment to exercise began after his initial surgery in 2004 and anticipates the future will find him on his bike, at the river, “enjoying the river and meeting new people.”

Marty Mahon radiates enthusiasm for time spent at the dike near Wyoming as he completes a walk, part of a program he said has been life changing.

Mahon, a flight paramedic who walks about three-to-four miles about three times a week, credits the practice with loss of about 30 pounds.

“When my job transitioned to a desk job, I started to gain weight,” he said. “So, about three months ago, I started coming down to the dike and walking.”

Mahon, also a volunteer firefighter, said he didn’t want to go to a gym because he felt it was too enclosed and was costly.

So, he now finds himself near the river, in his sneakers, burning calories and having opportunity to enjoy the view.

Socializing, too

“There’s a lot of couples that come out with their kids, bikers and dog walkers,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to spend time around other people.”

College students Ben Yuscavage, 19, and Meg Markwitch, 20, taking a summer respite from their studies at University of Hartford, Connecticut, can often be found walking near the dike at Kirby Park as a chance for both conversation and exercise.

Yuscavage especially likes the scenery surrounding him as he walks.

“Equipment at the gym seems to put more stress on my body,” said Markwitch. “Besides, I like to feel the sun on my face.”

Both Yuscavage and Markwitch, music majors, said they are impressed with area residents who always usually stop to say “hello,” as they walk by often accompanied by their dog.

The area provides a variety of opportunity to “hit the road,” and get healthy whether it be on foot or by bicycle.

Wilkes-Barre’s bikeshare program, which operates out of the Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, provides opportunity for both visitors and residents to not only borrow a bike for a day, but also to access information on bike safety and suggested bike tours.

Staff at Gennetti’s said 12 bikes are available “dawn until dusk” to riders everyday with the only requirement being leaving a credit card and driver’s license, accompanied by a fair amount of both balance and enthusiasm.