Apr 30, 2010

If you're gonna take a walk every single day, THESE are the walks you love to have every once in a while! Tonight is walk 120 and I'm a volunteer for Fan Appreciation Day at Bright House field in Clearwater. Not a bad view huh? And tonight, I spent 3 hours on my feet walking the perimiter of Bright House field, handing out little goodies to fans who attend the game.

Virginia Johnson takes some time out to have a photo-op with me. She's terrific!

This is the entrance to Bright House field. I'll begin my walking here. That's Debby Clues on the right, leading the way.

Practice for the Daytona Cubs. I won't be able to make the game, but these are KIDS playing the game. Literally most likely right out of High School.

A panoramic of Bright House field. Hot, steamy night. Perfect for baseball. Or a walk around the game!

Apr 29, 2010

This was a really good walk tonight. #119 and although it was a little warm, there was a nice breeze kickin and everything is in full bloom. Take a look at what my path looks like...

Even as high as fences are, these roses outgrow them. I loved these, they smell great and they look so good.

These purple trees are Jacaranda's I believe. It's funny that these bloom the flowers first, and then get the leaves later.

Leaves or no leaves, this squirrel is perching to take a dinner break. Yes, it was a good walk to day... the sights, the sounds, and the smells. I'm having a good time.

Apr 28, 2010

Walk 118-in the hood listening to the radio on the iPod.

Apr 27, 2010

This is walk 117 today and another walk around Carillon Park. The girls let me steer them around the BIG course and it's getting to the point when this walk might get a little too hot soon.

Always on the lookout, but today they were no gators to be found. They must be hiding from the sun.

This is what I call the "almost" picture. This guy let us get so close, and then pffft! Just took off without warning. He was moving, but I just couldn't get him in the shot.

Flowers in bloom around the base of the bell tower.

Everything in bloom now... decorating the path as the journey continues.

Apr 26, 2010

Today it's walk 116 and I'm back on track with normal walks. Tonight's walk is the long neighborhood route, about 2.6 miles. My feet are sore! LOL

The heavy rains last night turned this little dripping stream into a gushing little mini river.

No bus for me, but it's right on time. Just wanted to share a picture of how the routes look. The buses come pretty close.

Made it to 10k steps today. This is 9300 at 6:12pm.

Apr 25, 2007

Walk 115 today, (My parents 57th wedding anniversary) and after a birthday dinner with the family to celebrate Melissa's 20th, we came home as the skies opened up and it started to pour. I grabbed my umbrella to go out for a quick walk, and the dog wanted to go for a walk with me. Turns out, she only put in about 20 paces before she needed a bathroom break.

So I walked on... neither wind, nor rain nor... well, there was no sleet, but it was pouring tonight.

The guy down the streets builds these for the yearly visit from the swallows that fly up from capistrano, yes... this is true.

Once a kid, always a kid... can't resist making puddles in the rain ditches. And why should I?

Apr 24, 2010

Walk 114 on Madeira Beach, to the Treasure Island Causeway and the drawbridge. I've always wanted to come down here, and it's worth the trip.

A nice sea breeze kicked up the waves and had them crashing into the rocks on the shoreline.

This is the drawbridge from Madeira Beach to Treasure Island, and this is John's Pass, formed by a hurricane many many years ago.

A pelican fighting the wind on a clear sky sunny day.

Beautiful beaches, sandy shores. What's not to love about a walk on the beach? And the journey continues...

Apr 23, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA! 20 Years Old Today!

Today is my daughter Melissa's 20th birthday. Happy Birthday Bubber. To celebrate today, I walked 2.0 miles. OK, so it's not twenty, but the numbers match, and as you can see, it was pretty warm out today.

This is me in front of a papaya tree. Soon, this will bring fruit. These are the oddest trees I've ever seen. They are SO full of water, that often they will rot from the inside out. They grow like crazy, and you can push your finger all the way into the bark. They're amazing little trees.

Indian Rocks Road welcomes residents to the town, and I get pretty close to the road at times, but here the sidewalk lays in front and still over a mile to go. And so the journey continues.

Apr 22, 2010

Walk #112 and I'm trying to squeeze it in during a very hectic day. We had to shop for our daughter's 20th birthday present tonight, and that left little time for getting a regular walk in. I had to see my father in the hospital prior to this, and then a quick dinner out @ Los Mariachi's and off we went. We parked at the farthest spot in the lot, and that gave us some space to roam.

Then, we went inside Target, and walked up and down every aisle. This gave us some good distance.

Taking some time out for a little fun, with the Iron Man movie head. Or is it a mask?

The aisles are wide, the air conditioner is on... and the journey continues.

Apr 21, 2010

Hey, it's walk 111 today and we're walking the Carillon circuit again. Today we tried a new route for shorter walks that will allow us to put in a few more steps, and take in some new sites around the complex.

This is the Raymond James building in Carillon. It's pretty impressive. Lots of glass and balcony rest areas for the employees. We wanted to see the inside, but maybe that will happen on another day.

Some welcome shade along our new route.

That's Kelly on the left, and Kristin on the right. Walking is more fun with partners, and these are the best!

Apr 20, 2010

Tonight it's just a simple walk for #110. You try to put in more time, more distance, more effort. And then life calls, and asks you to take a pause. Tonight my walk is a simple one, around the hospital. I've been coming here for over a month to see my Dad.

Inside these walls, up on the sixth floor, in a room fighting for his life back, my father waits daily for my visit. This is a walk I've made every day for over a month. It's an easy walk as far as distance goes. The terrain is a respectable incline that tests the most seasoned calf muscles. But the walk for me is a tough one to make because I know my dad is hurting, and struggling every day. I'll remember his fight up there, his struggle to continue, to go on. I'll remember that every time I want to complain about having to go out and take a walk, or put in an effort to continue. And thank God that I have the power to do so.

The journey continues. Love you Dad. See you tomorrow!

Apr 19, 2010

Today is Monday and it's walk 109. Yes, it's going well for now. The day is warm and today Kelly, Kristin and I set out for another walk around Carillon. It was very warm, and I was glad for the shorter walk.

The gators are back out in full force.

Talk about confidence! This box turtle is making some dangerous friends in that alligator right by his side.

Looking down, putting one foot in front of the other. The journey continues.

Apr 18, 2010

Walk 108 found me out in the rain on a Sunday morning. After a quick stop to a CVS to pick up an umbrella, I set out to walk the paths of Millennium Park. It was quiet, and peaceful and the rain just continued to fall straight down.

The egrets enjoy a shoreline rest and food finding mission. You can see the rain sparkling in little droplets on the water. It's peaceful.

A couple of birds, more rain, and walking. Always walking.

This is a millennium time capsule. Put in place here in the year 2000, the plaque describes that every 100 years, the capsule should be opened, and new items put in place. A wonderful idea for generations to enjoy as the journey continues.