Turning Point Park

Yeah - I am setting a trend. Today I have the morning off because I work until 9 pm at the reference desk, so I contacted my friend (another friend - I am so blessed) to see if she might be able to join me. Yes, she can! We had walked last year at a delightful place filled with swans and turtles and wooden walkways over the water. Enchanting! I would like a return engagement.

We agree to meet there at Turning Point Park, and I take Sugar with me. She is a bit of a nuisance, but the more I take her, the better she will adjust to being around others. It must be 78 degrees out with blue skies and warm sunshine and a bit of a breeze. I know I am just getting used to walking, but I feel ready to take it on today. Everyday I walk, the better I will get at endurance and stamina.

We decide to head in the opposite direction that we walked last year, and it is still along the river. While the swans and turtles are no where to be seen, the forsythia is beginning to bloom yellow and bright and there are little yellow daisies along the pathway. We walk and chat. She is kind to let me carry on and on about all my health issues and she listens with comments that are helpful.

I am aware that I am huffing when she isn't, and that she is walking slower than she normally would. I am grateful for her kindness and consideration. She steers me in the gentler directions and is happy to turn around before she would have had to, just to make sure I don't overdo.

We pass a couple fishing from a decrepit dock, numerous bikers, several couples walking, and not a few men out with their dogs. Sugar is doing a bit better, but still wanders from side to side. She does sit when I tell her, and her staying power is improving - unless someone speaks to her. Then she is all over them with eagerness. Pet me, pet me, pet me! Silly dog. But people are pleased to pet her and make a fuss.

We walk for about an hour. I am doing OK. No aches in my hips or feet, no overwhelming tiredness, no completely out of breath huffing. We stand in the parking lot finishing our catching up (we haven't seen each other for awhile). And we make plans to do more walking. Our next big idea is to take the Mount Hope Cemetery tour. About 1 1/2 hours and interesting history.

Can't wait. Meanwhile, I expect that even though Saturday is supposed to be a chilly 50, I will do my best to walk again. Maybe I can convince Drew to go to Highland Park with me. Sugar likes Highland Park, and at the rate we are going, the lilacs are likely to be all in bloom!