Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Walk with Me

One of my vacation goals was to walk every day -- two miles, at least.

And I did! Except one day -- but I did four the next (or close to it; need to check it out on the odometer sometime!)

So I thought I'd take you on the walk with me -- or parts of it.

I start out by leaving the cottage, and generally walk a circle that measures a mile. (OK, this is Rick, but you get the idea.)

I take a turn on the road and keep going!

Here we are by Oak Grove, a lodge for rental. When my mother was a little girl, the train used to drop my grandfather off there, and they would walk down to meet him. I like to think of those little girls in their summer 1920s play clothes, running down to meet their dad.

Then another right and we're on a wooded stretch.

Going down the road, the other direction, past my cousin's house, I pass by some cottages who have done pretty things with their flowers.

This was holiday festive!

I was very fond of these hollyhocks and bird houses...

And found these daisies so fresh!

And you must always look up -- one feels so very small that way, but oh! On a glorious day, when it's not too hot yet, definitely not cool, it seems as though you could very nearly reach the sky.

This little garden looks ready for a person to stop for a rest. I haven't yet, but it's so pretty, someday I just might!

All roads lead to home -- and home means revisiting my duck pals on the beach...

And chilling out!

I've never been an iPod walker before, but this past year, my friend Kate gave me her old one and it was filled with her playlists which are just fabulous! I found I was moving faster (and more body parts) when I walked to "workout 1" or "uppity downy."

I hesitated at first, not liking those folk all hooked up to their electronics and who seldom smiled or said hello when paths crossed. But I was determined to be different, so I'd listen, but when I saw another walker, rider or biker, pull the plug and be social! Don't know if it made a dif, but I felt better for it.

And I have to say, more than once, just listened. Birdsong. Oncoming people. Lake in the distance. Skittery squirrels.

And smelled it. Birch bark and pines and soft needles, sometimes damp in morning dew. Yes, no matter how one does it, it is good. Very good.

Next time -- Art Every Day, Part One!

19 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Oh Jeanie, I would give ANYTHING in the world to live in such a magic place. The walks, the lake, the bigs of frontyard charm, and that LODGE. How wonderful that you have such a personal memory of the place from your childhood.

Joanne Huffman said...

I really need to get on the [walking] stick and get moving. This is very healthful of you. Plus, this looks like a wonderful place to take walks.

JessInFocus said...

Yay Jeanie! Michigan is so beautiful during the summer. The road reminds me of my husband's grandmother's old road. As for the iPod music always helps motivate me. I have to put music on just to clean the house most of the time. :)

Mae Travels said...

my granddaughter ALWAYS takes photos of her feet, so she would love the start of this post. I've been taking just a few foot shots to please her, especially my favorite of my feet with those of a real sea lion baby on the pier in the Galapagos. I tried to get my foot with the feet of a blue-footed booby but he pecked me before I could shoot.

best
maetravels.blogspot.com

anno said...

Your ducks look just like ours! Beautiful flowers, beautiful skies ... beautiful walk. So glad you got to enjoy it all.

Tammie Lee said...

thank you for a lovely walk.

Privet and Holly said...

Felt like I was
along for the walk!
I'll have to record
my favorite walking/
riding excursions,
someday. You are
right, it's fun to
walk to music, but
sometimes Nature's
music is the BEST!
xx Suzanne
PS: Great pics!

Sugar Bear said...

Hmm, I got an error so not sure my comment posted - here goes again.

Thanks for taking us on your walk Jeanie. It looks like you are in a very calm and relaxing place. I agree on the ipod - sometimes it gives that needed extra boost!
Karla

GwendolynKay said...

I feel so guilty now for not walking at all. I started off ok this spring and summer until it got so humid and hot.. that was weeks and weeks ago. oy! But you go girl.. and walk a mile for me too?:)
Blessings~
Gwen

beth said...

a perfect walk and YES, an ipod makes all the difference in the world....walking and flying are the times it's a requirement for me :)

ForgedinPaper said...

What a great post it just transports me there. No mean feat as it's dark here and 11.30pm. Fab stuff and you need to stop at that garden it looks lovely. Hope your having fun!

Becca said...

Loved these photos- they reminded me so much of the times "up north." We sold my in laws place at Higgins Lake and haven't been back up there since. All our trips seem to be "down south" these days. But northern Michigan has a unique charm.

Good for you for walking everyday!!

Janet said...

Thanks for taking us along on your walk. What a beautiful area. If I had a place like that to walk maybe I'd be more likely to get out and do it!

Karen Owen said...

I'm very proud of you! I know that having such a beautiful place to walk made the commitment a little easier. I listen to audiobooks on my iPod as I walk - a nice way to pass the time.

jet1960 said...

Wow, you are doing great with your walking! I am catching up backwards on your posts as you can tell. What a pretty place!

I just recently inherited Emily's Ipod, being technologically years behind my children. She has an Iphone now so no use for the Ipod. I, too, have disdained those who ignored others while wearing them, but I can definitely see where I can enjoy having one. Maybe I'll get motivated like you to wear one while exercising.

~*~Patty S said...

Lovely going on your beautiful walk with you Jeanie....I really DO Love walking!
oxo

Anonymous said...

Love this post - especially the duckies. The photos are great, and I especially like the simple one of the white daisies.

I'd love to go to Michigan some day. I've been to Minnesota and Wisconsin, but never made it to Michigan. Mom has been there on some trips with her friends and I've enjoyed her photos. I wish we could go together again, but that just isn't going to happen. Hard enough for her to go to the dr these days!

BONNIE K said...

I am very proud of you for your successful walking! I chose to be a slug during my time up there. I didn't know there were so many beautiful things to see on a walk up there.

Quiltmoose - Dagmar said...

Thanks for taking me along on your walk! :)) I felt like on vacation - remembering the trips to the States when the kids where small. I loved those vacation weeks so much...

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