Jan 31, 2010 - One month of walks.

Today is the last day of January, and the first complete month of walks in my Year of Walks quest. Haven't faltered at all so far, and I'm enjoying my time out in the open air. Today my walking took me down to Redington Beach, FL just a stone's throw down the road. A walk down to this pier from my starting point is about .7 miles, making today's total trip about a mile and a half.

All I could think of when I saw THESE guys was "A flock of seagulls" look at the hair (feathers) on these guys. If that doesn't say punk rockers, nothing does. I've never seen this type of seagull, or maybe I wasn't paying attention.

Birds in flight over some choppy seas today.

I love this picture because it captures pretty much all the types of birds you hope to see when you hit the beach. It's rare for me to see all types in one photo. You have a crane, various types of seagulls, and pelicans. Can't we all just get along? Yes, apparently we can. Fun walk today. And that's January. Looking forward to the upcoming walks, wherever they may be.

Jan 30, 2010

Today's walk was in Walsingham Park. This is the lake off of the Walsingham Rd. entrance. I walked almost entirely around this lake today in the misty rain, and that's about 2.1 miles. Not bad.

I love these types of trees. This is a southern pine tree that has died for one reason or another. These are the trees that you usually see the big Osprey nests in near the top. This tree appears to be the victim of a lightning strike. See the charred bark near the bottom on the right hand side? Nature leave clues if you know where to look.

One of my "road" photos. I always try to get my feet down in a picture every day if possible so nobody doubts my authenticity, and not photoshop skills. Yep, I'm really out there folks.

Jan 29, 2010

Nothing special about this walk tonight, but I did get the walk in. I took a walk up the the CVS here and bought some cards for future birthdays, and holidays. I think I'll try to send out more cards this year. I know how special I thought it was when people remembered me on my birthday with a card. It made me want to be a better friend. So I picked up some cards tonight.

Took some time out to have fun and show off my jazz hands, because I really can't dance.

See what I mean? Ha, have a good night.

Jan 28, 2010

This is where I walk when I walk at work. It's so beautiful out there on the boardwalk around the lakes in the Carillon center. Today we saw a 2nd gator that lives out there. Funny, we had trouble confirming one gator, now today we saw two. I'll bet there's even more.

It was just the perfect day for walking. I took the extended walk with Kristin today. Just about doubled the distance, but it was so beautiful I didn't even feel the extra distance, just sun on my face and cool breezes.

This is the Bell Tower at Carillon. Highly visible from the road or anywhere in this park, but this is a truly unique and one of a kind view of this thing. I'm standing at the base in foilage specifically planted to enhance this area.

It was such a nice day that dozens of turtles came out to sun themselves. These are just a few of them and one of them on the right just enjoys a nice stretch to get maximum sun on his face.

Momma duck brought her baby out to the lake to teach the fine art of swimming. She always took the outside so that baby wouldn't get too far. The little thing kept close by and was just so cute and fuzzy! What a great day when the animals came out to play!

Jan 27, 2010

I really wasn't feeling like walking today. I mean, I WANTED to walk, knew I had to walk, but wasn't feeling like walking today. I thought about it.. not getting out there, but I was just feeling a little stressed. And I knew by now how to identify stress in my life. And I knew that the cure for this stress is a good walk on a cool day. So with that in mind, I headed out and took one of the longer walks I had taken since this journey began. Odd, isn't it? I just walked until the stress went away. It was a LONG walk... but it ended very well.

The best water EVER!

Jan 26, 2010

I took in some new roads today. Tried to establish a new route in the neighborhood, and kept running into dead ends (sound familiar?). But, through perseverance or persistence, I just kept walking and discovered some newly paved roads in the neighborhood that were much better for walking. There ARE metaphors for life out here, you just have to know what you're looking for. Or make it up as you go!

The scariest part of my walk in the neighborhood is through this small little patch just up the street. There's an old oak tree that juts out into the sidewalk, and overhangs the route, casting weird and strange shadows. This is the quickest part of my walk. Don't know what's lurking back there... don't wanna know.

There's beauty almost everywhere, this could very well be the banks of a river in Appalaicha, but it's just a small retension pond behind a shopping plaza up the street. The twilight illuminates the water perfectly, and the stillness of the water casts mirror-like shadows as nature paints its beauty. I know it's sappy, but this is how my mind works.

Jan 25, 2010

I found that today I need a walk to settle my stomach and clear my head. How unusual using exercise to solve my physical problems, but it worked like a charm. I couldn't wait to get out into the cool breeze and breathe some fresh air.

This sign kind of reminded me that sometimes we come to a crossroads in our life and the decision really is simple. Go this way, or go that way... but get going! Approach your next problem with this attitude and although you may not be going down the right path, at least your problem will be behind you. Enjoy the journey, and be flexible in your plans.

Jan 24, 2010

I never thought that Morton Plant Hospital would be my destination walk today, but here I am, and this is where the walking will be. I'm here because mom was diagnosed as having food poisoning today. I guess she went out to dinner and had some bad bacon, and it wreaked havoc on her system, giving her food poisoning.

So here I am on Day 24, and today I'll walk with my dad. The pace will be slower, the distance not as far, but this walk means much more than the fitness benefits. This is family coming together. A chance to walk with my dad, he's now part of the journey. And I'll always have that. Thanks Dad.

Jan 23, 2010

I felt a calling of sorts this morning. The soccer fields were speaking to me. These fields. These wonderful grassy fields were the training grounds for my son's youth career in soccer. The place where my son learned the game, and I learned about my son. I watched him grow up here. I watched him learn the game of soccer, and to love it. These fields hold so many happy memories. So I returned to walk these happy grounds.

Under these lights I watched soccer practices, and soccer games. But more importantly, I watched my son grow up out here. I thought about all those times, and how much I miss them now.

As I walked around the perimeter of each field, I listened to the sounds of children playing on distant fields and imagined I was back in the time when those sounds were familiar to me. I noticed these trophies lying in the grass, somewhere out in an outfield, lying in overgrown winter grass. I thought of all the practices held here and the excitement the kids must have felt whenever one of these babies was cranked out by some kid who never thought he had the power to even get it out of the infield. These baseballs were just too precious to lie out here and get covered up over time. No memories should ever be allowed to get covered up.

My walk, now complete... I stayed to enjoy a soccer game and remembered when it was MY time back then, and those were OUR kids. The faces now different, but the happiness the same. Always the same. And as I prepared to head home and take my memories with me...

I even made a new friend. Yes, it was a very good day.

Jan 22, 2010

It was a foggy night in Largo town...

This is one of my favorite places to walk by when I take my walk in the neighborhood. It reminds me of Riverwalk in Savannah, GA. Or if you really put your imagination to work, when it's foggy... on a night like tonight... you can feel your heart race as you imagine a cloaked figure lurking in the shadows. Yes, Jack the Ripper stalks Largo town tonight!

Preparing for the walk into the fog. It's actually a little darker, a little more menacing than this picture would make it seem, but I will walk into that fog with imagination in high gear, and get the heart rate up. If not with exercise, with thoughts of my ghostly London visitor.
It's Friday. Let the weekend begin!

Jan 21, 2010

I knew I was going to be busy tonight, so today I opted for a walk in the corporate park across the street. The signs give you the warning... "Beware of Alligators" but surely there can't be alligators in here? Yes there can, and don't call me Shirley.

If you want the proof, here it is! This guy, or girl was sunning herself on the side of the lake and didnt have a care in the world. I, on the other hand had a few concerns.

More wildlife in the park. This is either a momma and baby, or two types of turtles. but the one on the left is about a foot long or better, the baby could be a different type of turtle.

Jan 20, 2010 50th Birthday

Nothing fancy today for a 50th Birthday walk. But I did get out there, and that's the point. I knew I had cake waiting for me tonight, so I wanted to get out there, get the walk done, get home and get that cake! LOL... sometimes the journey ends with cake. And sometimes that is the destination.

Just a side note. This is my office, strategically trashed for my 50th birthday party. Nice inflatable potty there. Love my co-workers.

Jan 19, 2010

I set out to take a walk today and Lindee came with me, and we met her neighbor JoAnne and her dog Amber. We all started the walk together, and set a brisk pace. Actually, it was Amber that set the pace, we just sort of followed her lead.

I was trying to make some sort of a statement on this walk. It's the day before my 50th birthday, so this is me saying "Hey, I'm not dead yet!" Ahhh... gallows humor! Nothing like throwing yourself in front of your fears.

Having a little fun! One of these days I might be able to hide BEHIND Lindee. Yeah right! Time to finish my walk and turn 50. That ought to make the walk seem easier.

Jan 18, 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

So where ELSE would someone take a walk on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day? This seemed like a great idea to get out there and do something unique for Dr. MLK Jr. day. I took a walk on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. boulevard which is 9th street in St. Petersburg.

Funny thing, the signs on the other side of the street say "9th Street". I like this one.

At 9th Street and 54th Avenue in St. Petersburg, you'll see this Walgreens in one of the most amazing art deco buildings. This is the real deal though. I don't know when it was built, but the architecture is reminiscent of the late 50s or early 60s. It's such an interesting building, and usually it's seen from the window of my car, passing by at a brisk 35 miles per hour. But a walk on 9th street really gave me some time to appreciate it's artistic value. What if everything and everybody inside was old? Or they froze in time from the late 50s? Oooh, Twilight Zone time!

Jan 17, 2010

I think this picture says something about walking. It tells me that walking can be a beautiful thing. You just have to see it from a different perspective. I met this guy one my walk today, we shared a moment, and then he went away.

Walking out on the farm, you sometimes try to avoid things on the ground. Wouldn't it be great if every time we stumbled in life, there was a nice bale of hay to soften the fall?

Okay... I'm just being goofy! It's not that deep folks.

The rains washed out my path back to the McDowell ranch home, but the water wasn't that deep, so you just walk on through it! Somehow nature throws you a curveball, but it's just a way to discover a new path, and take a different road.

There are roads out there. Roads everywhere. Places to walk, and things to see. What a great day to take a walk and see all the blessings of nature.

Jan 16, 2010

My walks this weekend took place down in Parrish, FL. I was the guest of Les McDowell and his wife and I got to walk freely around a real 40-acre ranch. Complete with horses, stagecoaches, campfires & cowboys. We even made a movie out there! I'm dresses in authentic period clothing. I played the Stagecoach Proprietor and 2nd banana to Hub Hubble, a living cowboy legend.

Here's the main house at McDowell ranch. Beautiful and aeromatic! You can smell the horses, dogs and chickens out here, some of that real cowboy "dairy air". Walking around here for 2 days makes you feel kind of glad to be alive, and definitely connecting with nature.

One of my walking partners. I felt like the horse whisperer out here! When you walk near these guys they just walk right up to you and extend their faces to get a little love. Who can resist a face like that?

Jan 15, 2010

What a difference one day makes. This is the first walk of the year without my hoodie, or my jacket and it felt great. I went out for a lunchtime walk abound the Carillon complex boardwalk and even the animals were coming out to see what a beautiful day we're having.

This lazy gator is sunning himself on the shore. Looks like he's got himself a nice soft bed of some seagrass or cattails. He didn't move a muscle and provided a nice photo op. He was about 4 feet in length, but looked strong!

This little guy came out for a stretch in the sun. All this wildlife, right outside my work. Doesn't seem right that their playground is so close to where I have my job!

Life outdoors again! Perfect day to get out there. Daytime DOES indeed make difference. The walk was fun, the scenery spectacular!

See what I mean?