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!