Easter Sunday Walk

The temperature is in the high 40's and the sun is shining brightly. After Easter dinner (and pineapple cake!) I decided to take a leisurely walk along the roads in a four mile circuit near our neighborhood.

I took a "detour" on the rec path to see what Allen Brook looked like today.

I walked toward the school and then the Old Brick Church. One of the windows of the church:

I continued walking on the road across from the local golf course. (No one playing today.)

Anyone need a free chair? This one is for taking and seems to be in good shape:

Getting closer to home. I always enjoy this view of Camel's Hump.

My fitbit tells me I walked 3.80 miles. That little detour to see the brook shortened my walk. It's been a long time since I've gone on an extended walk. I am glad to be home again, and am so very glad I went.

HAPPY EASTER!

Just Tulips

I was looking at old photos and I saw a few of my favorite tulips. So I thought I'd gather them into one post: Just Tulips.

These were from a bouquet given to me by our daughter and her husband.

Here are tulips that were growing in our yard.

I planted a few of these. They are called Shirley Tulips!

And this one was a double - two blossoms on one stem! 

Today is March 16. It will be about two months before tulips in the yard will be blooming again.

Anticipation!

 

Maliwan Restaurant

Geo said there was a restaurant in a neighboring town he wanted to try - Maliwan Thai Restaurant. So that's where we went for lunch, and we enjoyed it so very much.

I started with the Yom Tum Soup, a broth with lime juice, lemon grass, tomatoes, tofu, and mushrooms.

We ordered the Shumai Dumplings to share. So good!

For an entree, I had one of the specials, a curry with red peppers, onions, cashews, and mangoes. Delicious!

We asked our waiter about the name of the restaurant. She said it is the first name of the woman who owned the restaurant in Thailand.

We like Thai food, and this restaurant is now a favorite. We'll definitely return.

Walk 10!

I drove to a local hair salon for a haircut appointment. When I left, it was early enough in the afternoon that I'd have time for a walk.The snow was melting and the sidewalks were wet. 

I turned right and continued walking along the curved road that led to a neighborhood.

I was surprised to see that if I would continue on, this walk would lead to the trail behind the school. That trail was the second walk I took in August. Because it was beginning to get dark, I turned around and went back to my car.

When I looked at my fitbit, I saw that today I walked almost one mile.

If I had not set a goal of walking in 10 places I had never been before, I would have missed out on the enjoyment of discovering these places, many which are very near to where we live.

I did it! Now it's time to set another goal...

Living the Dream

When I was in my 30's, I hoped to learn how to ski. The first time out on the slopes, however, I fractured my ankle. That was the beginning and the end of any attempts to ski.

It may be that because of that experience, I never really encouraged our daughters to ski. That is one regret I have, that I did not encourage them to learn to enjoy a sport that is so popular where we live.

Today our daughter sent me a video of our grandson on skis. Yes! Especially since I never learned, it is a sweet joy to see him go with skill and confidence.

                              He had one lesson, and there he goes!

No Excuses, Walk 9

After several gray days, today the sun is shining brightly. The temperature is in the 30's. No excuses. Today I'm taking walk number 9 in an area where I've never walked before.

I had no real plan, except I considered driving to a street behind our post office. I drove along the street until I saw this...

and in a nearby lot is where I decided to park.

I've driven along these winding streets, but never walked here. I often say, "You never really know an area until you've walked it." That is true for me today. I'm noticing businesses, buildings, and details I hadn't seen before.

If I worked in this office building, this is where I'd be taking my breaks, sitting in one of these Adirondack chairs and soaking up the sunshine.

I paused to enjoy a beautiful willow tree by the water. 

Today I wasn't as motivated, but I'm very glad I ventured out.

Walk 8

tt was a warm day on October 1 when I took walk number 8 to "places I had never walked before." 

My destination was Oak Ledge Park in Burlington, Vermont. Actually, I've been here many times, but never to take an extended walk. Along the shores of Lake Champlain, this is one of the most scenic of all the recent places I've been.

 

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I never noticed these rocks before.
 

Lovely flowers along the fence.

 Thanks for the warning!

Sit on the rocks and view the lake! One of my favorite places to be.

Walk 7

Before we moved to Vermont, Geo came here to check it out. He said, "Shirley, you will like it here." He had his photo taken at this park. A few months later, we moved to this beautiful state. Now many years later, September 22, 2023, is the very first time I'm at this park!

The park is downhill between two roads. It is much larger area than I had expected.

There are two tennis courts here, a baseball field, a basketball court, picnic tables, and grills, a playground, and even hopscotch. None of this is visible from either road.

There is even a "little library" here.

 

This would be a great park to take the family. I only wish we had been here when our daughters were young. So close, but undiscovered by us all these years. I would not have been here if it were not for my decision to walk in "new places where I've never been before." 

I'll be back.

   

Walk 6

I am waaay behind in being current with my posts about the walks I've been taking. I completed Walk 6 on September 17. It was along a busy road where our town meets an adjoining town. I've driven on this road what seems like a zillion times, but I've never walked here. I parked in a small lot near the river.

To get down to the river, it was steep and rocky, so I did not want to venture too far on my own.

I didn't make it all the way down to the river, but I did get a better view.

Here's a view of part of the trail from the top of the bridge.

This has been one of my favorite walks because it was a challenging one and it has given me a better sense of the beauty here that I never would experience by just driving by. 

Walk, Day 5

I am continuing my walks, places where I've never walked before.

There's a street that loops off one that I travel often by car. There was never a reason to take that loop, and it does not appear to be particularly scenic. There are some corporate offices located here, and lots of undeveloped land. I parked the car and began my walk.

I passed by the Ben and Jerry's. I hadn't realized that this was one of their locations.

Even though there is a lot of open space, the land is really well maintained.

 There are a few picnic tables here, no doubt for the workers. (What look like balls in the background are rock sculptures.)

I discovered that this street is quite scenic after all. And another one to return to for more walks.

Walk, Day 4

There's a street I drive on frequently in the next town. There are trees and bushes along the sidewalk. I noticed what looked to be a path off from the sidewalk. 

A few weeks ago I parked on that street to walk on the path. To my surprise, there was a scupture garden! Who knew?

The path was actually a loop around the garden. The sculptures could be viewd from different perspectives.

(Notice one of several benches.)
 

I was happy to discover this garden while summer flowers are still in bloom. 

I will keep this place in mind as a somewhere nearby to come, just to take time to relax and enjoy nature.