Today began a new era for this wanderer – I have a walking partner besides just my shadow.

My friend and neighbor Marge’s daughter has just returned to Michigan after spending a year and a half in Phoenix where the warm and sunny days make it easy to enjoy a year-round walking regimen.

Kim was born and raised in Michigan, so she is familiar with the Winters here in “The Mitten”. After she settled in, she was eager to resume her walking regimen before having to start from square one again in the Spring to avoid shin splints from overdoing it.

So, off we went … two souls, traversing the snowy streets and braving the cold to get a little exercise, when we both could have been fast asleep in our cozy beds in our respective homes.

Yesterday’s post reflected how the signs of Spring, and even Summer, were lurking in the aisles at Meijer. Just the sight of the bright-yellow and green Miracle-Gro canisters and the Burpee burpless cuke seed packages had me hankering for the long, sun-filled days of Summer. In reality, these Summery items taunt us since unfortunately here we are simply existing day-to-day, immersed in a snowy and frigid February.

I was eager to show Kim my favorite walking place, so as we headed out with no particular destination in mind, we decided Council Point Park was a good choice. Sadly, our trip there, however, was a reminder of how the Winter languishes on and the Park was looking a little unloved and not so accommodating for its visitors.

For all our efforts, after picking our way around the neighborhood’s slick ice, pitted sidewalks and slushy streets, we were greeted by huge masses of snow, but, undaunted by all those frozen crystals, we looked at one another and said “let’s do it” – so, in tandem we marched on, high-steppin’ over nearly two-foot high snow piles where the wind had swirled and whirled the white stuff into snow dunes.

I figured at least the parking lot would be plowed and we could walk some loops there, unencumbered by snowdrifts, ice or cars … but the parking lot had a plethora of snow too.

It was very pretty, but not so practical for walking. Well, silly us, because we thought it would be very easy to follow the footsteps of those who tread there before us. Well, we were sadly mistaken. The longer we walked in the deep snow, where the trail would usually be, the harder the journey became, and we were getting winded (especially yours truly … ahem … the more senior of the duo).

We ended up surrendering and turning around, to double-back over our same tracks made just a few minutes earlier, muttering from frozen lips that we wouldn’t make that mistake again any time soon. “See ya in March or April” I called out as we huffed and puffed, clambering over the remaining high snow banks, before we eventually headed home. While we await better weather, pictured above is my collage of the gateway to Council Point Park during each of the four seasons. I’m even ready for the onslaught of dandelions. Well, a few more calendar pages to turn, and days to “X” out and suddenly we’re there.

We managed to rack up three miles and came home needing to have a second breakfast, and maybe even a nap, before accomplishing anything meaningful on our respective Saturday agendas.