ToddlingAroundTheWorld

In missionary lingo, there are a number of milestones that a missionary has during his two years of service timeline: 6 months out = Bump, 12 months out = Hump, 18 months out = Slump and 24 months = Dump. These correlate to how you might be feeling around those periods of time served. The 3 month mark doesnt have a moniker, so Im just gonna call it the 'Gump'. 'Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.' Austin has had some highs and lows, and the highs are outweighing the lows. So that is fantastic. He is making great progress with the language, loves the people and is enjoying the food and culture. Win, Win, Win! In the WalkToBahiaBlanca, I have been blessed to stay healthy and meet the goals I have set for total distance of 10 miles per day. On this day 92, I pushed through to the end to get up to the 920 miles that I was shooting for. Here is a snapshot of my tracking spreadsheet that shows the miles each day, average distance per week a...

This is why I walk. I walk to let my son know I will always be with him and always be thinking of him while he is serving as a missionary in Argentina. I walk to show him that we can accomplish great things when we set incredible goals and are determined to meet them. This is something that I need to dedicate myself to do every. single. day. If I miss a day, that is a huge amount of miles that will need to be made up to get back on track. I told my daughter Autumn this when she was in the Czech Republic and I was walking there, and I have told Austin the same thing: I see this virtual mission as having many similarities to the missions they have and are serving on - you have to strive each day to do your best and never give up. You have to work hard even when you might not want to. You will have many obstacles to overcome and need to persevere and endure to the end. When you do this, how great will be your joy. Austin, I will meet you there in person, after walking there virtually, wh...

Walked the 6 mile loop down the Jovita Trail, over to the BBC (Bjorn, Blackner, Conger neighborhood), pastTrout Lake and finishing up in our neighborhood, Enchanted Meadows. Later in the day, LeAnn and I went over to Triangle Park in Milton, where they have just erected a monument to 9-11, which is two huge beams from the wreckage of the Twin Towers. It was solemn to see and it will be impressive once they finish landscaping around it. They will do a full dedication next year on 9-11. Then we walked the perimeter of the park and drove around some of the neighborhoods nearby. Finished my ten mile goal for the day with a few more in-the-dark laps around the neighborhood before going to bed.  Current virtual location: somewhere south of Eli, Nevada Seattle to Bahia total miles: 7020 Completed Miles: 872.2 Remaining Miles: 6147.8

The Sunday before Austin left on his mission, we walked as a family down the Jovita trail. We were looking for geocaches that had been hidden along the trail. I had looked for these a few times before, but had neverfound any. We were able to actually find two as a family, it was the magic of family! I have walked past those spots the past couple of months and check to see if one of the caches is in its spot, and there it was still today!

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. 

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!

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.

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. 

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

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

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.