3/24/2010 Spring is here

What a beautiful day. By the time I went for my walk this late afternoon, it was 61 degrees outside, but quite overcast. Might be preparing for the rain we are supposed to get later this week. I headed for Padilla Bay since I haven't been there in nearly a month. I walked 3 miles of the trail, out and back. Planned originally to do the whole 4.35 miles, but then decided that an hour long walk was good. The tide was out farther than I have ever seen it; as far as you could see to the horizon was just mud flats. Ducks and herons still found plenty to eat though. The trail was fairly busy with bicyclists, dog walkers, runners, and walkers. It was a bit windy, as anticipated, but not too bad, and I was quite warm in sweats and a sweatshirt. It's nice to not have to bundle up every day now.  I have walked alone this entire week, and it has been nice in one way. Walking alone gives us time to reflect and plan and wonder. It also allows us the time to look at the small things along the walk that we might miss if we were talking to someone else. Twice now on this trail I have passed an elderly man who walks in his dress shoes, slacks, and suit jacket. Quite dressed up for a walk on the trail, but I imagine for him, those might be his every day clothes; another couple passed me today on their bicycles, and it reminded me of a scene one might see in Holland, bicyclists riding on the dikes.  All in all, another great day. I have been walking for nearly 3 months now, and it is certainly becoming a natural part of my day. My route is here: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/655426  

3/23/2010 Needing Energy

Wow! Tired! Exhausted! Today was a recovery day. Pretty much on the couch all day, napping off and on. I finally drug myself to the shower about 4:00 PM and headed out for a walk close to 6. It was a beautiful day, and in the mid 50s as I left the house. I really enjoy walking in the late afternoon and early evening, and now that it stays light until 7:30 PM, I can look forward to more of those twilight walks. The birds are often quite busy about then talking to one another, the ducks are flying back to their ponds, and a lot seems to be happening. Usually the wind has died down by then, too, if there is any at all. Today there was no wind. In fact, I walked in some lightweight exercise pants and a windbreaker that I bought two years ago and have never been able to wear, because it didn't fit well. Although I can't tell much of a difference on the scales, I can notice a difference in how my clothes are fitting. I guess that's a plus.
I got a bit spooked today on my walk. I was going to take a route that I take often at the port, but as I was walking on the trail, ahead of me was a man dressed in Carhart overalls, a wool cap, gloves, and heavy shoes. Seemed a bit weird to me on such a nice afternoon. He stopped at the end of the trail and sat down where the trail goes into the woods. At that point, I decided to turn around and head back the way I came, following the path along the road. I am pretty sure he was harmless; maybe he just got off work somewhere, but no way was I going into the woods. Better safe than sorry...as the saying goes. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s, so I am thinking I might find a new trail to walk tomorrow. I should be rested up by then.  My AllSport didn't pick up my whole route today on the tracking part, but it did measure the distance okay. I managed 2.36 miles in 49 minutes, a pretty good pace. My route today is here: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/655424

3/22/2010 Back Home--Again!

I arrived home today at 4:00 PM and by 5:00 I had on my sweats and walking shoes and was on the trail at the Port of Skagit. Although traveling is great fun most of the time, and I have the opportunity to see new things or have new experiences, like my walk yesterday, it always feels good to come home. When it is a sunny day in the 50s, it's even nicer. As soon as I got out of the car today, I swear I could smell the saltwater, even though I am a few miles away from the bay. Add to that, they had mowed the grass along the walking trail, so my entire walk today had that smell of new mowed grass.

I kept up a pretty fast pace and walked 2.8 miles in 50 minutes. All together today, I walked 4.37 miles. I opted to walk to the MasterPark car lot to get my car instead of riding their shuttle--adds a few extra steps, but felt good after being in a plane for 3 hours.
You can't see it well in this picture, but far off in the distance the daffodils are all in bloom. I suspect the tulips aren't far behind. As beautiful as it was the last couple of days in Colorado, nothing beats the green we have here in the Pacific Northwest. All along my walk today were sure signs of spring. Even the blackberry bushes looked nice today with their new green leaves, and many trees are now full of all new shoots. I should have counted all the shades of green I saw today.  Luckily, I have a few days at home to enjoy my local walks now until my next adventure.

3/21/2010 Garden of the Gods

Sometimes I think I am the luckiest person alive. Like today when my walk was through the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. It was pretty amazing. I was here once in the late 70's as part of a bus tour, but walking through the floor of this valley today, at the base of these enormous rock formations on a sunny afternoon, as the sun was beginning to set, was really something. I walked 1.57 miles, but it took me a while, because I took 84 pictures in the 43 minutes I was walking. Because it was Sunday, I was joined on my walk by a lot of other people, but I really didn't mind. It was still very peaceful; most people seemed as much in awe at the beauty as I was.  The park belongs to the people of Colorado Springs, and is free.  There are paved walkways through quite a bit of it, making it especially nice for the handicapped. I also noticed many, many trails off the main area. This would definitely be a place to return to for a few days of exploring.  I got here just as the visitor center closed, so I didn't get any information, but the trail was well marked and maps were posted in several places on the trails. I'm sure glad the snow was gone by today.
The most amazing thing about all this, I think, is that if I hadn't made this commitment to walk everyday, I might miss experiences like this. Because I AM walking, I make a conscious effort to select places to walk whenever I can. When I am travelling, it gives me the opportunity to visit natural areas or city parks in other communities. Thankfully the internet helps me find these walks. Days like today just reinforce the decision I made and provide me with experiences I might not otherwise have. Outstanding day today. You can see my route here:  http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/651996