February 2017

No Global Warming Here, Part II

Last week, I mentioned the unusually warm weather and in keeping up with Texas crazy weather, this morning we started our walk in the mid-30’s. Fortunately, it was clear and the wind was not too bad.

With another 9+ miles under our belts, I think each walk get’s easier than the last. White Rock Lake and the trails that link it were our walk today, with our early start, we missed all but the heartiest runners and cyclist on the first part of our walk but it became very busy on the way back.

Once again, it was Ann and Me, L&R did much the same walk but started at 11:00 just as we were finishing up. Our conversation today covered a wide spectrum and religion was one of our topics. As an atheist, I don’t share Ann’s beliefs but I do share her desire to lead a positive life. I’m always pleased when people with different beliefs, cultures, opinions, etc. can see that there are often more commonalities than there are differences.

We’re all ramping up for our longer and more realistic walks, we have our next walk back at Cedar Ridge which is less linear and has regular elevation changes. This was my favorite walk so far followed by LLELA and then Arbor Hills. All three share a diversity that the other walks do not have.

My travel plans are finalized, equipment is in order and now it’s just making sure that I’m in shape and prepared to go. I’m about 11 weeks out so I ordered my credential yesterday, that may take 4-6 weeks but I wanted to have it so I did not have to wait in line for one in SJPP.

No Global Warming Here

Today, February 18th started out in the lower 60’s an is now in the 80’s. It’s not uncommon for it to be warm in Dallas in February but it shouldn’t be day after day, month after month and year after year. Anyone that says that there is nothing going on with the climate is a jack-ass.

Changing the subject, while some of the Pilgrim’s were hanging out in Costa Rica and another was taking care of family business, Ann and I decided to take an urban walk. We got started at a little after 0800 and headed down the Katy Trail to Victory Park where we took to the streets working our way towards Trinity Groves.

As we approached I-35 it got a little dicey as we worked our way through the construction zone and into a suddenly decent area on the west side, when the construction is complete, this area will be much improved from what is has been all my life.

Across Riverfront Drive, formerly Industrial Blvd., we got on the old Continental Ave. Viaduct now repurposed and called the Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge. What a great use of a resource that would have otherwise turned into an eyesore. The bridge is clean, there are some great views with play areas and lots of families making use of it.

We walked on to Trinity Groves and back to the bridge where we took a break. As is our custom, we spent our time discussing deep thoughts and solving the problems of the world.

At just under 5 miles, we started our trek back north retracing our earlier steps. We did walk through Victory Park, a first for me other than the Stars game I attended. At the foot of the K-T, the crush began, like last weekend, the trail was mobbed.

Head down, one foot after the last we made it back to our trail-head and decided to go to the top just to finish off the day. The trip was 11.26 miles in 3 hours/25 minutes and roughly 26,000 steps.

I cannot lie, I’m a little stiff for the effort. The trick is, don’t sit down! It was a great day and we know that we can do the miles, not the question is how much pain will be involved as we do it day after day.

We shall soon find out.

The Invasion

While the Pilgrims are walking the Camino, many of our friends will be invading other parts of Europe during the same period.

Obviously, we will be in Spain most of the time, with 3 of 5 arriving in France/Spain in early to mid-May. Another group of friends leave for Italy on May 13th for several weeks and Susan and Leah arrive in Madrid on June 20th and meet us in Santiago on the 22nd. The next day, they jet off for Paris.

Out of a group of friends that have been travelling together for almost 40 years, this is the largest group of coincidental travelling we’ve done together…small world.

Stoked that Ann has her flights lined up and that Robin will be able to join her for the hump over the Pyrenees, as I mentioned before, it’s as shame that we won’t be able to see her or maybe, that she won’t be able to see us, I like it better that way.

It’s also the first trip where the second generation Hot Lips are travelling together sort of. Same trip, different segments. Welcome Robin and Leah. The only hope for the Boys is if Benjamin can make a trip someday. Otherwise, we’re waiting for Gen. 3…come on Chuck!

We’re grinding out the miles, Thursday we did most of the Katy Trail, over 6.5 miles before dark. Saturday, while L&R were complaining about having walked a mile in airports (on their way to Costa Rica), I hit the KT early and knocked of almost 10 miles for the day, glad I started early because it was a full on traffic jam as I finished up a little after 1100. For the most part, all the moving parts are holding up with no problem. I know at this point that if I can do 10-12 miles, I can do 15-20, there may be some expletives involved but I can do them.

I’ll be creating a You Tube account this week and begin the process of learning how to use it and working on efficient ways to get content created and uploaded for the kids as Ben Milam Elementary. Creating useful and interesting content is my biggest challenge.

Last but not least, I’m trying to shake the Spanish language cob webs out of my brain, I apologize to my former Tutor, Senora Monina Gilcrest, I didn’t keep up my speaking skills, you were right. Mi amigo mejor ahora es Rosetta Stone.

Who Doesn’t Need to be Flexible?

Well, there’s a saying, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” and in this case, our planned trip to Colorado Bend State Park have to be changed.

We’ve all been trying to visit Café Momentum, a restaurant designed to help post-release juveniles find a craft and a job in the restaurant and food services industry. Café Momentum is both classroom and restaurant. What a great idea.

So, instead of Colorado Bend the first weekend of March, we’re going to do Cedar Ridge again and then go to CB the first weekend in April.

No harm, no foul and we get good food and to support a great cause. There’s a link for more info on Café Momentum.

Pilgrim’s at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

This Pilgrim has no idea how it can be nice all week, right up to the day we’re scheduled to walk and then, it’s cool to cold, overcast and windy…one could call that January, I call it bad luck.

Arbor Hills was a surprise to me because the map shows paved trails that are not very long, what it does not show are all of the natural trails that meander all over the preserve.

We got in almost 7 miles on a lot of uneven terrain which was a nice change after the paved trails at the Trinity Forest. The preserve had a lot of water, fortunately not in the form of mud. A nice creek and several ponds, all of this in the middle of Plano. It was a huge treat.

I think that everyone will feel it tomorrow, not so much because of the walk but the uneven trails working different muscles.

It seems like everyone is close to having their gear stowed away, Renee I think has found the proper placement for her chest strap and Leighton may go with a bit larger pack, his is pretty full now. As for me, the new boots seem to be working out great, no problems at all which is a huge relief.

Ann told us today that Robyn may join her for the first 4 days of the Camino, don’t know if she’s doing her any favors by having her do the first 4 days over the mountains but I guess there’s method to her madness. It should be a real treat for them both. Unfortunately, we’ll miss her as we will be further down the Camino.

Afterwards, we all had lunch and our discussions covered the complete spectrum of topics. While we all share some general beliefs, we also individually have our differences which I always thought that’s the way it should be. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it’s difficult to have open and honest discussions about most topics and certainly about politics, religion, etc. I look forward to more of those types of discussions during our journey. For the record, in about 75 minutes, we solved most of the problems plaguing the world today. Just saying.

As we get closer, more walks with more intensity and I can’t wait.