River walk #1

Date: Tuesday, April 26

Weather: Cloudy with spitting snow, then sunny

Wearing: Red wool coat, Dansko knock-off shoes

Music: Britney Spears, Femme Fatale 

My first walk! I decided on Britney to help pace myself since I listen to this album when walking to keep pace on the treadmill. I discovered that there are actually mile markers close to where I start my walk; how handy! : ) I timed myself on my watch and it turns out I had a 25 min/mile. It works perfectly because I make it to the mile marker in 25 minutes, take a five minute break on the benches/sitting area at the mile marker, then make it back in time for my hour lunch break to be over. It's nice that I have an hour time restraint; it helps me keep my pace on the way back when I'm a little tired and want to slow down a bit. 

I started out my walk with a solid grey sky above me. I'm not exaggerating when I say solid; the sky was covered in a sheet of cloud  so smooth it seemed as though it was a carpet or lid rolled across the valley from the top of one mountain to the other. I wouldn't say it was threatening grey, but more of a consistent, never ending shade that dampens the shade of even the brightest flower or stoplight.

About a fourth of the way into my first mile, it began snowing every so lightly; a flake here, a flake there. I just barely noticed the tiny white specks as they were dashed to the ground from above me.

I saw two people I knew within the first mile, as well. My friend John, whom I used to work with at the smoothie shop, was jogging in the opposite direction. We waved and said hello as he plodded along red-faced and smiling. He passed me going the same direction a bit later. I also saw Shane riding his bike to campus. He threw his arms up in the air like a doofus as he rode by with his white earbuds in, his long, greasy hair flopping in the wind behind him.

I noticed that, close to the Higgins Street bridge, a beaver has been busy chopping wood! I'm hoping I will be able to get a picture of the beaver him/herself on a future walk.