Save the Endorphins

I just returned from a vigorous walk around one of my favorite walking trails. There's something about being outside on a beautiful fall day, pumping arms and hauling hiney around a beautiful park path, that seems to make me feel like I could kick the world's tail, if indeed the world's tail needed to be kicked. I feel like I could do anything, take on any task and still have energy to share with everyone I meet. I guess I'd better be careful what decisions I make while in this state of euphoria. I do love those endorphins!

As a follow up to my last blog post, I have no juicy jury stories to impart. I got excused after two days! They had all the jurors they needed for the week and I had not been selected. For once, I had no insecurities about being rejected! Also, there is a light beginning to shine at the end of the tunnel at work and I believe I will be doing only one job soon. The stars must be aligning in my favor once again.

...or that may just be the endorphins talking.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Sometimes you just have to be confident and outrageous enough to be happy even when you're surrounded by stone-faced blockheads.

Another Walking Story

After work last night I went walking at my standard go-to trail at Haikey Creek Park. The temperature was around 95 with more than 50% humidity, making the heat index hotter-than-hell degrees Fahrenheit. There were several people on the trails, quite a few of them running. I am not a runner but I have to admit I was impressed with their dedication. I’ve said that I wouldn’t run unless a serial killer was chasing me. Even then I would have to stop and gauge what kind of day I was having and how badly I wanted to live. But, maybe someday--

Whenever crossing paths with other walkers or joggers I smile and say ‘hi’ if they make eye contact. Most respond in kind, or even initiate the greeting. I’ve noticed that other women walkers will sometimes start a brief conversation without breaking stride. Here’s one I had Sunday morning:
Me: “Hi.”
Lady carrying a stick: “Hi. I’ve got my stick in case a man pops out of all this underbrush.”
Me: “I have my keys ready to gouge an eye.” Chuckle
Lady carrying stick: “It can get scary back in this area.”
Me: “It sure can.” The last two sentences were hurled over our shoulders as we strode away from each other.

Conversation from yesterday’s walk:
Lady in her 30’s: “Hi.” Panting.
Me: “Hi.” Not panting!-and this was close to the end of my trip. Oh yeah, I rule.
Lady in 30’s: “Omigod, it’s so hot out here.”
Me: “What were we thinking, huh?” Chuckle
Lady: Smiled weakly

I used to think everyone who passed me on the trail was thinking, 'Please don't make me try to remember my CPR training.' When I passed Lady-in-30's, I thought the same thing. I don't think I have that effect on my fellow walkers anymore. Now that's progress!

Weekend Walking Trail Review - Jackson Park

Jackson Park is only a mile from my house and it's a nice place to walk, but when the sun is beating down, it doesn't supply much shade. So when it's a cloudy morning, like it was earlier today, I like to walk here.

The newer portion of the trail, at the back of the park, is not very scenic. Sometimes it's the details where you find beauty and sometimes you have to look at the big picture to find the best sights. Either way I can always find something interesting if I just remember to look.


The front part of the trail is where this park really shines.

I didn't see any snakes, but believe me I remembered to look for them. All in all a very nice place for a Sunday morning walk.

Weekend Walking Trail Review: Back to Haikey Creek

Yesterday I got a late start for my weekend walking trail walk, due to a hair appointment and a few other errands. Because of the extreme afternoon heat I really planned on using the elliptical, inside where air conditioning makes summertime bearable. But, to my surprise I wanted to go to one of the walking paths. I knew I needed to go to one that I was certain had plenty of opportunities for shade, so back to Haikey Creek I went.
When I got to the walking / jogging trail, there wasn't a single car in the lot. Hmm, second thoughts... well, I can always get back to the car fairly quickly if the heat and humidity seem too much. It was hot and the air was thick with humidity, but keeping a moderate pace and sticking to the shady areas as much as possible, I was actually fairly comfortable.

Summer has been tough on the creek, too. The water has become shallow and, as my cat friends would say, quite whiffable, in areas.

 Other than that, the walk ended up being very pleasant. In part this was due to the beauty of a bright blue and white summer sky. It is one of my most favorite sights, and never fails to move me! .

When I got back to the car, another lady had arrived. She walked for a bit and then started a cautious jog. Show-off. I hope she had plenty of water.

Weekend Walking Trail Review: Creek Turnpike Trail

Today I went back to Hunter Park for my walking trail review. If you remember from a previous post, I really like this park. At 8:30 this morning the park was already alive with activity. I'm sure, like me, some of them were trying to beat the heat; even at that time it was already 83 degrees F.

 This time I started further up the trail in order to get a look at a portion of the trail I didn't make it to the last time. The trail at Hunter Park is connected with the Creek Turnpike Trail and it was becoming a nice challenge for me, with some pretty good inclines.

 

 A few weeks ago I'm not sure I would have been able to make this walk. Ah, Progress--gotta' love it!

Weekend Walking Trail Review

This morning I tried out the walking path at River Parks between 41st and 51st Streets. If you wonder why I keep taking you to River Parks, it's because the entire trail covers more than 25 miles, so I'm taking it a stretch at a time. This portion was NICE.

For most of it, the biking path was separated from the walking/jogging side.

The river was flowing, the sky was a bit cloudy,

the trees were green,

 and at the 41st end there was a kiddy park where little toddlers were having a big time playing.

Tulsa streets may be crumbing under our tires, but we can be proud of our well maintained park trails. Hmmm, where to go next?

Hunter Park

 
Keeping in the spirit of checking out the walking trails in the vicinity, today I went to Hunter Park, around 91st and Sheridan. We have some great parks here in Tulsa! The trail wound around the entire park and offered a variety of sights, including a pond with ducks, fishing platforms and a fountain.

 The pond is close to Biscuit Acres, the dog park where big dogs and little dogs have their own designated fenced areas to play in.

Little humans have a playground where they can enjoy some fun, colorful toys and water features of their own.

 Once I passed the playground, the trail continued into a more wooded area, and took me under the Creek Turnpike. After making it to the top of a nice incline, I turned around and headed back. I’ll have to work up to completing the entire trail.

 This park goes on my list of favorite places to walk, and I will be taking my grandsons to the playground next time they come to visit.

Saturday Morning Walk

This morning I went for a walk down by the River Walk in Jenks.

The pedestrian bridge is one of my favorite spots to walk in that area, especially when the Arkansas River actually has water flowing in it.

There was a competitve 5K run and 1K fun run going on, with proceeds benefiting the Community Food Bank. Some of the hardcore athletes were approaching the finish line under one end of the pedestrian bridge.

Haikey Creek Park

We have many walking/jogging trails in Tulsa County. To keep my new walking obsession interesting, I’m trying out several of them. This morning I went to Haikey Creek Park. It’s only a couple miles from my house and this is the first time for me to take advantage of it. It was a pleasant surprise.

The woods surrounding the paths are home to squirrels, beautiful songbirds—like this little guy—and heaps of poison ivy.

Some of the paths are pretty isolated and lined with trees and heavy undergrowth, so I wouldn’t walk it when there’s not plenty of light nor when it is deserted.

Despite the poison ivy, the walking experience at Haikey Creek Park was exceptionally enjoyable. I will definitely return to this one.

Walking along the Arkansas River

Because of yesterday's tummy situation I fell way short of my goal of 10,000 steps. So today I was happy to feel much better and to strap on my Sketchers for a little stroll at River Parks. Because I like to stop, gawk and sometimes snap a few pictures, I went on one of the less traveled trails. The bikers, skaters and joggers don't like it when you get in their way, and I don't blame them, so I stay on the extreme edge of the path, keep alert and simply stay the heck out of their way.

A Stroll through Jenks, America

It was a cool, cloudy morning--a perfect day to take a walk in Jenks, a small town a few miles from my home. Jenks has a quaint business district with antique, and one-of-a-kind, shops.