11/27 C&O Canal tow path trail on a bittersweet Sunday

I walked 7 miles, on this crisp Sunday morning, along the East River Trail in Green Bay. It's 34 degrees here in Green Bay, but 67 degrees in Georgetown, where my imaginary walk is right now.

I am on book 4 of the Ice and Fire series. I love this series because it has 7 books and each book has at least 30 CDs and between 30 and 40 hours of listening entertainment. That means I can immerse myself for weeks in this story and don't have to worry about finding another good book for a while. However, my name did make it to the top of the list for the newest Lee Child cd, so I had to take a break and wrap myself around my man Jack Reacher this week. Awesome as always! I don't know if I mentioned it before or not, but on one of my business trips the man next to me was reading a Lee Child novel and I told him that was my favorite series. We spent the next half hour trying to decide who could protray Jack Reacher in film versions of the books (which we both agreed we would love to see). We never did figure out who could play him... he's handsome, rugged, tough and over 6'5". Not many actors fit that mold. I saw a rumour on-line that they were going to cast Tom Cruise as the main character. My office buddies and I had a good discussion over that piece of crap. We all agreed that if Cruise was cast we must boycott the films.

Anyway, back to my morning walk. I was striding along with rosy cheeks and my good book when that little nagging bittersweet Sunday spoiler snuck into my head. Work tomorrow (boo)   I love Sundays for their leisure and downtime, but I hate Sundays because that means my weekend is coming to an end and I must go back to work again. It seems to be even worse after a 4 day weekend, I'm afraid. Which brought me full circle to why I am doing this imaginary walk. I am fulfilling one of my  'after I retire' dreams early, so that I don't wish away my last 5 years of employment. Today it just isn't working. I wish I had a job where I just couldn't wait to get back to the office, but I seem to have succeeded so well at my IT job's throughout my career, that I have risen to one that pays well, but isn't much fun. On paper, the role of the project manager is to make sure the project stays on schedule, within budget and delivers all the requirements. Which is true, but in reality, it's just the person that gets to deal with all the problems that come with a project. Chief problem dumpee! Oh well, it provides a good living and I am thankful for having a good job when others have none, but geez, what ever happened to the white knight who was supposed to carry me off and allow me to live happily ever after?????

Entering the C&O towpath trail

In my imaginary world, I linked up with the C&O towpath trail. This trail runs about 180 miles along the Maryland/Virginia border and the Potomac river. I think this should be a nice educational adventure along this section. For example,  I ended my walk today at the Abner Cloud House. Never heard of the guy, but, I did my homework when I got back to the camper and educated myself, just in case I'm ever on Jeopardy and I need this info.

Abner Cloud House

Here's the scoop on this landmark:
At canal mile 3.1, stands the Abner Cloud House, one of the larger structures on the canal. It is the oldest existing building on the canal, built as a home for a miller in 1802. Abner Cloud built the house and nearby mill on the bank of the Little Falls Skirting Canal. The mill provided grain and flour to the city of Washington before and during the operation of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Cloud was related to the Pierces of Rock Creek, who owned the Pierce Mill. Abner Cloud died in 1812, but the mill continued to provide an excellent quality flour called “Evermay” to Washington until it closed in 1870. The Cloud House was restored in the 1970s and is maintained by the Colonial Dames of America. The house is located on the Canal at Canal Road and Reservoir Road N.W., Washington DC, adjacent to Fletcher’s Boat House.

11/25 Pierce Mill in Washington DC

Black Friday!. You wouldn't catch me anywhere near a store today! But, the weather is in the 50's and I managed a nice 4 1/2 mile walk. The whole family is in a 'lounge around the house' mood today in a post Thanksgiving daze. We managed to put up the outdoors Christmas decorations, but that was the extent of our productive accomplishments.

In Washington DC, I continued my walk through the suburbs. I walked by the remains of Fort Stevens, where a civil war battle occurred on July 11&12 1864. It was the only battle to actually threaten Washington and the only time a U.S. president ever came under fire. I finished my walk at the Pierce Mill, which is a restored operating grist mill. It is between the current Czech Embassy and Hungarian Embassy.

11/22 Fort Totten Metro Station, Washington DC

Nice day in Green Bay today, mid 40's and sunny. Got in a 4.85 mile walk on my lunch break.

In Washington DC it is 57 degrees with a light rain and almost no wind. Feels almost like spring. I am walking in the suburbs today and ended up at the Fort Totten Metro Station.

Fort Totten Metro Station neighborhood

11-20 Movin slow on the Anacostia Trail in Maryland...but I'm movin

These last two weeks have been rough for me. Caught a cold and a bronchial infection and I can still barely breathe. But, I got back on my feet and hit the road again.  I have been working in Iowa all week and was lucky to be able to make a stop at the University of Iowa to bring my niece Lindsey home for Thanksgiving. I went for a 2 1/2 mile walk on campus while Lindsey finished her last exam. What a beautiful campus and it is so invigorating to feel the energy of all those 20 year olds with the future wide open in front of them. I wish I would have known what I know now, back when I was doing the college thing. I would have made sure to savor it more instead of drive so hard.

Today I went geo-caching with my sister-in-law Michelle. We walked almost 4 miles and we were on a roll, finding 10 for 10 of the caches we hunted for. Wooo Hooo!

Meanwhile, down in Maryland, we packed up the 5th-wheel to depart the lovely Greenbelt park. We have appreciated the break and the beautiful weather. While I was hunkered down in my blankets coughing my head off, Andrew and Tony viewed the sites of Washington DC.,leaving me with Buddy as my nursemaid. Unfortunately, this stupid park is full of squirrels and I would just doze off when  there would be a full squirrel attack on the camper and Buddy felt obligated to bark them away. I never saw the assault, but according to the shrillness of the bark, we must have been in grave danger.

I walked my 5.88 miles on the Anacostia  trail. I was walking slow and sucking wind, but the scenery was worth it and I'm ready go. Total mileage this trip so far is 140.90 miles.

Anacostia Trail near Hyattsville MD



Anacostia Trail near Hyattsville MD

11/14 Stuck in Washington DC - caught a bug (sick of politics?)

How ironic that my walk on Tuesday ended up just outside of Washington DC, because when I woke up on Wednesday, I had the dreaded sore throat, followed shortly by sniffles and sneezes, and then wrapped up with a nice nausous fever. I'm finally through the worst of it, still working through some chest congestion and shortness of breath.
Tommorow I start a 4 day, 5 city roadtrip through the wonderful state of Iowa for one of my project rollouts.I will try to get in a  bit of walking, but it will be hit and miss. I can't wait to get out of this polluted city air in D.C. I don't care what party you vote with, or whether you are a liberal or conservative, considering the state of the country in the last few years, I think spending much time in our the halls of our politcal leaders would make even the strongest among us a little sick.

Oops, just fell off my soapbox and skinned my knee....

11/8/11 Camping in the Greenbelt National Park

Woke up to rain here in Green Bay, which lasted until late afternoon (no lunchtime walk again). I walked 5.71 miles tonight, for a trip total of 132.81.

I ended my walk today at the gate to the Greenbelt National Park, located 12 miles from Washington DC.

Camping in Greenbelt Park. Our sightseeing base for Washington DC.

 This is the sign that is posted at the gate:

Deer Warning

The rut has started in Greenbelt Park. The bucks are chasing the does so please slow down and stay alert for deer running across the road.

I'm guessing this is an old sign, but I could not convince Tony of that. He insisted that we had to follow the customs of the local natives. Good grief!

My traveling companions today

11-7-11 Deep in the Patuxent Research Refuge

Tonight daylight savings time almost did me in. It was my first day back from vacation, so of course, I was buried at work and didn't get a chance to squeeze in a noontime walk. When I got home it was already dark out and I almost talked myself into an evening at the sewing machine. But, Tony had made a trip to the library today to pick up 'Clash of Kings', which is the next book after the 'Game of Thrones' in the Fire and Ice series. Andrew had it loaded up on my Ipod by the time I got home and I was eager to get back into the story. So, I donned my reflective vest, my Garmin and my new book and headed out. I managed 6.82 miles....all in the dark. Lots of leaves piled along the curb waiting for the 'sucking' truck to come along and pick them up. I was kind of wishing for a book of matches so that I could light them on fire. I miss those fall days where you could smell the burning leaves. I guess now it's bad for the environment and probably a fire hazard, but it would have been a lot more fun to have my dark path lighted by glowing leaves.

Come on baby light my fire!

In Maryland, I am walking alone again...so sad after spending 4 days with my girlfriends at my side. But, I today I walked through the Patuxent Research Refuge, surrounded by brief glimpses of scurrying wildlife and beautiful birds..flying, floating and wading.


Patuxent Research Refuge


At the visitor center, I read that the refuge encompasses 12,841 acres and portions of the land used to belong to the military where they did munitions testing. Apparently, they swept the land for unexploded ammunition before it was opened to the public, but it is recommended that visitors stay on the trails 'just in case'. You don't have to tell me twice, it would be just my luck to sit on a stump to empty out my shoe and blow a hole in the seat of my pants!

Do I see a land mine in there?

I had never heard of this refuge before my hike, but it's so serene to wander for miles and see no other humans, but still not be alone.



Walk with me dear...er deer.




Come out of there you beavers...we're walking today!



11/6/12 Bowie Md by way of the Houston International Quilt Show

Early Wednesday morning, my friend Janna and I left Green Bay to meet our Arizona friend Mary at the Houston International Quilt Show. We spent 3 days viewing quilts, shopping the vendors, watching demos, shopping the vendors, eating and oh did I mention shopping the vendors. By the feel of my feet we must have walked 20 miles a day, but I'm gonna give myself credit for 3 miles per day. We traveled back to GB on Saturday in time for the boys and I to attend a UWGB basketball slaughter (we won 100, to 33). On Sunday, I resumed my neighborhood walking, putting in 3.4 miles before the Packer game. That gives me a total of 12.4 miles since my last post, and a trip total of 120.29 miles.

Party in Houston!

In Maryland, Janna, Mary and I walked to the outskirts of Bowie Maryland, where we set up our sewing machines in the clubhouse at the campground. We decided to make a simple friendship quilt out of squares and circles. We set up a design wall next to our machines and by the end of the day almost every woman in the campground had brought their lawnchairs to the clubhouse. The helped us cut, turn, iron and rearrange squares on the wall. Just like a good old fashioned quilting bee, we joined together to share our stories and create our legacies.

Our friendship quilt in progress....

11-1-11 Davidsonville, MD

After my long walk on Saturday, I took Sunday off to rest my legs. Monday was Halloween, so only took a short 2 miler at lunch time. I went to the running store to have my feet custom fitted to try and help alleviate some of the blisters and bruises. They watched my walking from all directions, and measured my feet all over the place. They looked at the wear pattern on my old shoes and came up shoes with one side built up and lots of cushion. I even got running socks that are supposed to reduce the friction and help with the blisters. Tonight, I put on my new shoes, stretched a little and took off on a 5 miler. Apparently, though, my body is accustomed to walking crooked. By the time I was a couple of miles away from the house my hips hurt, my knees hurt and my feet were cramping. So much for paying the extra money for a good pair of shoes. I won't give up on them yet, but I'm definitely going to alternate shoes until I get used to these.  My total mileage since crossing the Chesapeake Bay is 16.72 miles, for a trip total of 107.89 miles (in a little less than 30 days).

In Delaware, I started back up again where I left off at the Annapolis Mall. I bought new shoes there too, but these babies feel like I'm walking on a cloud. Since it was Halloween, I decided to do a little trick or treating during my walk. Look at the treat that got dropped in my bag! But, I gave him back. These young boys just don't have the goods for the long haul, I was glad to get back to my 5th wheel, where I snuggled up with Tony and enjoyed the good stuff.... get out of the gutter, I'm talking about Seroogy chocolates!

Look at the treats they hand out in Maryland! Very Sweet!

After my 7 mile walk, I'm now in  Davidsonville MD. It's nice to be back out in the woods and fields again.

Back in the fields outside Davidsonville, Md