ToddlingAroundTheWorld

Shark Sushi Chef day today. I usually get to the zoo about 7:30 on Saturday morning so that I can walk a couple of miles around Point Defiance before my volunteer shift at the aquarium. I decided these past couple of weeks just to walk the zoo grounds before I start.It’s pretty cool having the whole place to myself while checking out the animals in the morning. It’s quite peaceful- besides the howler monkeys. ;) After getting the shark food prepped and finishing for the morning, I was able to hit the beach and get a couple more miles in. Then tonight, had a nice walk on the Jovita trail with LeAnn and Autumn, then finished my last couple of miles for the week walking around our neighborhood, Enchanted Meadows.  Hit my weekly goal of miles - 70 !

Took Flash in for a haircut up to Petco in Fed Weezie. Since I was close to the old stomping grounds, headed up to Redondo beach. This was my old walking grounds while we lived in Kent. I sure miss this beautiful boardwalk and the amazing views. I wasn’t feeling real hot, and sat in the car for a bit before I talked myselfinto the walk. Ended up doing two laps, which is about 4 miles. As I neared the end of the boardwalk, I ran into Ally’s. Mom (Austin’s High School girlfriend) we chatted for a bit and then continued on. I am always amazed at how many people I randomly run into while out on these walks. 

Mixed it up a bit today and drove down into Auburn and the Game Farm Park.  From there, walked down the White River Trail toward Auburn riverside High School. Fun to go through there as Austin had run there a couple of times for Cross Country when he was in High School. 

This guy apparently doesn’t realize that the bench is for sitting on. He should go find a picnic table nearby to finish his dinner.   708 of 7020 miles complete

Came with Autumn up to the U- District. Had her drop me off at the Montlake cut and took the trail around the ship canal and around to the UW Boat House. Uppast the stadium, where the # 13 football team was practicing, and then up through the campus. Such a beautiful campus it is! Proud Alumni here!

Stopped by the water prior to picking up the girls from the Airport. They had been in Utah for my Nephews wedding. Didn’t realize there was a trail down in here, so it was cool to find something new. Rustling through the back woods, ran into a waterway called ‘Miller Creek’ so that was cool and fitting. Yes another hidden gem on the #walktobahoablanca

Staying on track for 10 miles a day. Walked 11 today. Almost to Elko, Nevada. 6332 to go until Bahia Blanca!

Walked down through Milton neighborhoods Sunday afternoon and then back up on the Milton Interurban. Saw this gagglenof geese just hanging out randomly on someone’s front lawn.  Across the Enchanted parkway where I cross over back to our neighborhood, there is a senior housing complex that has all these bird houses on the fence adjacent to their condos. The Argry Birds one was amusing.  Austin has been out now for 68 days

I told Austin last week that I would dedicate this weeks miles to his new friend, Osmar. They met him a couple of weeks ago and he was the first person that had  let the missionaries right in the door since Austin had arrived in Argentina. He was excited to hear the message of joy that the missionaries wanted to share with him. I dedicated this weeks walking of 100 kilometers (62 miles) to Osmar and his quest for learning more aboutthe Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was constantly in my thoughts and prayers as I traveled across the miles this week.  I took this picture this morning in the place where I completed the 100 kilometers. This was at the zoo before it opened as I was walking the grounds before starting my volunteer work.  The beautiful sunshine was a nice representation of the light and happiness that I hope Osmar finds throughhis own personal journey. 

I had some friends walk right into me this morning when I was walking along Ruston way in Tacoma. I was sitting on a rock taking a quick break after walking about three miles after finishing my shift at the zoo.  I looked up to see two familiar people pass by me. I stood up behind them and said, ‘This crazy to see Coach Ruston walking on Ruston!’ He was walking with coach Matthews and they turned around in surprise. They were Austin’s great Coss Country coaches as Thomas Jefferson High and they taught him much aboutrunning and life. It was nice to be able to walk a couple of miles with them and fill them in on Austin’s mission in Argentina. 

Dropped Autumn at the train station and then went down to this trail where I had probably walked a hundred miles during the #walktoprague. As we lived closerto it, and I was working at Boeing at the time, it was on my route to and from work, so I walked here often. It was nice to be back.

Walked this old trail after lunch and before meeting with a career coach in Redmond. Lots of memories on this trail from the 90s when we lived in Woodinville. LeAnn worked at Intermation at that time, which was onthe other side of the river. Realized the Vans I was wearing are not the best walking shoes.  Intermation building

Hit this trail after dropping Autumn off to work at Kelly’s salon. Actually outlasted the rain on this one. Then headed over to Redmond to meet with Mark Daniels for lunch. Mark is an old friend from when I worked at Microsoft about 10 years ago. 

A sprinkle turned into a drenching halfway out on my 5 mile morning walk. Once my shoes started soaking through I turned around and actually started jogging back home. Remembering why I don’t jog, after a fewminutes, my knees started aching. The high impact does them no good. Made it home after finishing about3 miles and then wrung myself out.

Walked Flash at 7:00 and headed over to Surprise Lake for a 6 Mile morning loop. Weather was perfect, though it started cool at 53 degrees and I considered grabbing ajacket, glad I didn’t as it warmed up nicely. Along the way, I passed by multiple sections of blackberry bushes. Most are perfectly ripe, so I grabbed about 15-20 along the way. Nice snack for a quick pick me up. Amazing that these nasty, thorny bushes can giveoff such amazing fruit.

Have walked the distance into three states from Seattle. Now virtually walking through Nevada!

Rode the bus into Seattle today and walked down to take a look at the waterfront with the Viaduct now torn down. It was so nice to see the behemoth gone and be able to appreciate the cool new view of the Skyline. Also have a shot here of the remaining chunk of Viaduct which still needs to be torn down. Quite the contrast. 

After Austin left for Argentina, I started wearing these shoes. We have the same size feet, so it was nice to be able to slip right into another pair of walking shoes. They are very comfortable, and I don’t get many pebbles stuck in the treads - which was a big problem with the last pair of shoes I was wearing. A couple of weeks ago, I actually saw a picture of Austin wearing these shoes when he was about 14! So they are over 5 years old, but going strong! I wonder who will have put more miles on them between the two of us by the time Iam done with them! :) #WalkToBahia Completed 574.5 Remaining 6445.5

Cool carvings from tree trunks. This house was over by the BBC area of Jovita (Bjorn, Blackner and Congerneighborhood, who are in our ward). Took me on a six mile loop this morning. Goldilocks must have run off at this point. 

Spent some time in the University District and walkedRavenna Park and the Burke Gilman Trail. The trail was a bit crazy with bikers and I felt I was going to get run down a few times. The tables have turned as I have ridden this trail multiple times on my bike, but have not walked it often. Ravenna was nice as it was a bit hot out and the trails there are lush with shade. 

One of my favorite places to walk in South Seattle. The beautiful gardens and Japanese architecture bring peace to the soul. Brings back strong memories of the time I spent in Japan.  Seattle to Bahia Total miles: 7020 Completed 552.8 Remaining 6467.2

One of my favorite places to walk in South Seattle. The beautiful gardens and Japanese architecture bring peace to the soul. Brings back strong memories of the time I spent in Japan.  Seattle to Bahia Total miles: 7020 Completed 552.8 Remaining 6467.2

I felt super sick during church today. I still have some serious issues with my intestines and nothing really will help the pain go away. I made it OK through sacrament meeting, but then asked LeAnn if she could take me home. I took some Tylenol and went back to bed. I think I slept for 3 hours. When I woke up, I was feeling fine. This evening, my nephew, Andrew and his wife Rebi came over to visit. We had a nice dinner together with them and then I went out on a 6 mile walk. Weather was perfect. Was feeling good. It is nice to know that even on those days that start out rough, the pain will subside eventually and the sun will come out. Saw this stunning sunflower and beautiful sunset tonight.

Corridor of Doggy Death

1.1 mile hike from the rim to the lake 

Enjoying the trails around Eagle Crest Resort, in Redmond, Oregon. They surround 54 holes of golf courses and some lovely neighborhoods. 

We are currently at a Family Reunion in Bend, Oregon.Today we went on a hike around Smith Rock. Beautiful scenery and stunning rock formations. Had a great time hiking around with nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. It sure got hot towards the end, but we all survived. 

Went with LeAnn and the girls to hike Swan Creek for LeAnns 45th birthday. Love all my girls. They sure are fun to hang with!