… just like this hawk.

I’m giving myself an “Atta Girl” because, just like this hawk that was soaring high above the trees at Council Point Park, my walking stats are soaring as well.  I’ve now reached 970 miles walked in 2017.

I’ve piled on the steps and maximized my miles recently, especially these past two warmish days.  Yesterday I walked seven miles altogether!  I strapped on my pedometer before I left the house, and had a few errands which began when I arrived at Meijer at 8:00 a.m.  I had hoped to beat the crowds, but people started coming in droves by 9:00 a.m.  A few errands and outside chores, then I stole a glance at the pedometer – just a smidge under two miles.  The temps were in the 50s and just gorgeous outside, so I set out on foot for Council Point Park at 2:30 p.m.  Now, that was a first for me, trekking to the Park that late in the day.  But, who could pass up being outside on such a gorgeous day, especially when bitter cold weather is imminent?  So, that afternoon trip to the Park yielded another five miles.

It was a whole different scenario at the Park than when I usually do my morning jaunt.  Sunday is family day, and, the warmer temps had people strolling around in just a sweatshirt or light jacket, and I saw one guy jogging in a tee-shirt and shorts.  This is not your usual December 3^rd weather, that’s for sure.  Kids were giggling, climbing onto the playground equipment and sprawling out on the grass, just like it was a mid-Summer day.  Sometimes on December 3^rd, they might have been on the snow-covered ground making snow angels.

The sun’s angle in the Park made it better for picture-taking, because sometimes there are shadows which get in the way when I’m doing the morning stroll with my camera in tow, so I got a few good shots while there.

There were none of the regular walkers, whom I suspect were long gone from this site by the time I arrived.  Also missing was the ritual with the squirrels and my trek seemed somehow incomplete.  Apparently the squirrels don’t hang out at ground level all day,  as I saw just one raggedy-looking squirrel who was as skinny as a rake, unlike those pudgy squirrels who come running over when I show up.  He was also skittish and ran away when he saw me.  He fled into a bushy area and was more content to sit there gnawing on a dirty old pinecone, rather than to come over to beg for peanuts.  Perhaps he’s new to the ‘hood?

Many people were stringing up Christmas lights and otherwise adding holiday décor to their front yards in the neighborhoods I passed through.  I was weary by the time I got home but stopped to visit with my neighbors on each side, staying outside until dusk.  That’s probably the last time for an extended visit with the neighbors until Spring yardwork.

This morning I hightailed it out as well, getting another six miles in, despite the cloudy start.   And, it was back to the same old trip to the Park, just like any of the dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other mornings I’ve gone there.  It was the same folks to exchange pleasantries with and those rambunctious squirrels who came bounding over to see me like I was a long-lost friend … yup, a long-lost friend with peanuts.

The weather has been a treat these past two days, and I hear it is back to reality tomorrow (unfortunately), but, as long as the snow and ice stay at bay, I’ll be able to keep on walking.  Thirty more miles and I’ll reach my latest goal – 1,000 miles walked in 2017, and I’m feeling confident I’ll get ‘er done by year-end, if Mother Nature continues to cooperate.