It was time. Time to get back into shape. Time to lose the 15 pounds I gained back after loosing 28. Time to get outside into the sunshine! Time to take a walk. A walk that would be the first of many walks and eventually, jogs. There used to be two options when walking or jogging: right on Hickory Point Road or stay on Oak Point Road. Now there are three.
Staying on Oak Point means doing five laps to make 2 miles, no change in scenery, dogs chasing me and Reba (usually they are nice ones!), neighbors to wave at, and the security of my house being close by.
Turning right on Hickory Point led to a flat, curvy walk filled with barking dogs, lawns being mowed, houses, traffic, and Camp Tapawingo. I usually turn right. Mostly because it's never boring, but really because turning the other way used to be a Dead End. The road wasn't finished so I couldn't walk very far. But now it's open. Turning left is an option. So on Sunday, May 19 at around 9:45 am, I turned left.
I've driven this road quite a few times.(It's the road to Henry! Flyball!) I've even ridden a bike for part of it. Don has taken Wrigley for a jog/walk on it one or two times, but I've never walked it before. So I put a collar on Reba and we set out.
The sun was shining. It was warmer than I thought it would be. I shoved my sleeves up onto my shoulders and walked up the street at a quick pace. Reba always ensures that I keep a decent pace. Join me as I relive my first walk with pictures...
After about three quarters of a mile, I arrive at the first hill. I love this picture! See Reba's ears at the bottom? At this point I feel blessed to have this place to walk. Isn't it beautiful?
This is at the bottom of the first hill. Everything is so green! There is a small creek at the bottom that I can hear as I walk by.
Still in between the hills. Sometimes there are cows in this field, but not today.
There are lots of good smells for Reba. Sometimes she gets distracted. :)
This is still in between the two hills. I'm never sure which side to walk on. I try to walk against traffic, but if they can't see me because of a bend in the road, I will go on the other side. If there is a bend for that side too, I walk in the middle. I feel like such a rebel when I walk in the middle of the road!
Mid second hill. It has a more gradual incline than the first one. I remember feeling so energized at this point! It was a lovely day; the weather was perfect. My body was so excited to be out and moving.
The top of the second hill flattens out. I can see fields as far as the eye can see. On this day, there was a farmer plowing the field. How awesome to see this in action. If you look closely, just above the white tip of the middle stake, you can see the tiny red tractor. Things like this provide awesome distractions to keep my mind off of things like burning hamstrings and a pounding chest.
The other side of the flat road. A beautiful green meadow.
At the "end" of the flat road is Lourdes Road. (One could go straight, but it's gravel.) If I take a left here, I end up in Germantown Hills. If I take a right I end up at Route 26, which leads to Lacon, which leads to Henry!! Which means flyball. The completion of this road cut almost 15 minutes off of my drive there!
This the flat road on the way back towards the hills.
Here's the entrance to someone's homestead. I love the horses hanging from the top. Makes me smile.
Now dooowwwnnn the hill we go!
Reba thinks down is better too!! She is the best walking partner!
So pretty! I heard all sorts of sounds in the woods on either side of the road: birds, frogs, water...
At the bottom. Now to gear up for the walk UP the other hill. At this point I had never walked up it before - only driven. I had no idea what it would be like. I was a little scared!
Going up...
Still going up...
Watch out for cows!!!!!!!
Still going up.
We made it!! Cue Rocky music...
This is the cool down mile towards home. Still beautiful, even when I'm panting and my heart is racing and my legs burn. I was so excited about what I'd done! It felt grade to push myself and work up a sweat. It had been too long.
Reba is a trooper. She didn't complain - not even once! Well, at least not out loud.
This is looking back from where we came from. It is also the view as I set out each time I do this walk.
Towards home.
Almost to my street...just around the bend!
My neighbors keep their cows and horses here. I love watching them do what they do. On this day they were in the back.
Look under the shorter tree and you can see the horse.
And in about a half mile I was home! I was so excited that I'd done that walk. Who knew turning a different way would start me on the the path to getting active and in shape again? Thank you for sharing this first walk with me!!!
