Gemini Rising

Walking and Trees

Yesterday, I had a rare opportunity to fit in some exercise so instead of going to gym, which I was very tempted to do, I decided to go take a walk around the lake. Mind you, I don't walk like I used to. Walking a mile would take me about 17 to 18 minutes. Now it takes me about 23 minutes and yesterday I was averaging about 25 minutes a mile, but I'm just thankful I could walk.



I walked 2.95 miles and I was only going to go 2 miles, so I was really proud of myself hitting 3 miles. I stopped about 3 times. Once to eat a snack and enjoy the view. Once to take pictures of the trees and then another snack time. I was good to be in nature and just hang out. Nature has a way of just calming the soul and letting you know it's going to be okay. The water levels in the lake were high, which was nice to see since this is California and water is highly regulated in this state.

There's a tree grove in the lake that I always pay attention when I walk past. Back in 2013, when boy #2, Joey, was a Tiger scout, him and his Tiger buddies, Ryan and Michael, helped to plant the trees in the grove. It was my first outing as an assistant den leader as well. We planted a lot of trees in that grove and honestly, the boys did the work. I have pictures of Joey watering the tree once planted and nailing a support as it was a baby tree. The boys were all smiley and happy to do the work. Innocent in a way. All the boys enjoyed the scouts and Joey eventually got his Eagle in 2023. Anyhoo... I walked past this grove and all the trees are now young "kids" and stand up on their own without supports. They look much bigger than the babies we planted. It was so heartwarming to see trees. Now mind you, some trees didn't make it, but these trees all looked healthy and happy.

Question: Do you like to take walks? Where? Around the neighborhood? With the dog?