Walking on the wild side

    Kid #2 and I have been walking for the past year. Not a whole lot because of my health but way more then ever before. We love to walk at the local arboretum at the college. It is not far from our home. We drive there now. This week I am going to surprise her. We are going to get some new sneakers. Good ones too. And maybe one day we can then walk to the arboretum, walk around, and then walk home. But we have to build up to it. That would be the ultimate!

I thought I would share some pics from our last walk. It was a gorgeous day. 

This is the pond. Not the very beginning of the walk but about 5 minutes in. We stopped to look at the turtles sunning on the rocks.

This is why my phone sucks and I ordered the iPhone. I couldn't zoom on the puddle ducks in front of us so they blurred out. They waddled back into the pond when they saw us. 

I have never been able to do the forest loop without wanting to die afterward. That day I felt good and we decided to DO IT.

Omg! Made me gulp. I hate heights. Long drop down.

Here is another perspective. I was less scared of this area for some strange reason.

Down and up and off the right and we will be almost done. 

This shot is the beginning (we start at that gravel path) and the end (we enter from the right of the picture). There is a nice wide stone bench to sit on, drink our water, and catch a breeze.  We usually do a 20 minute easy walk but this day we were out there for an hour. And I didn't die! Score!

  I have to research what kind of sneaks I should get. I tend to get plantar fasciitis so I need strong/hard soled shoes. 

There is a peek into one of my daily adventures. With the new phone, I will be able to document more. I wish I could be out there today. I will rest up so I can have more walking adventures with the kid. 

Eugene O`neill`s New London

Eugene and his wife Carlotta

I was looking for a nice picture of the Monte Cristo Cottage for the top of the blog when I stumbled upon this list.

Touring Eugene O`Neill`s New London

It shows places and streets that he frequented with old pictures and tidbits about my city. If you did not figure out already, the title of my blog is a riff of one of his plays, A Long days journey into night. And the picture of the house is the Monte Cristo cottage which was his childhood home.

I used to live in a building next to and I was right above the Dutch`s Tavern (the Oak). My Mom lived in the Mohican hotel. We go to Ocean beach every summer on a weekly basis. Chelsea works at the Public Library. And I have seen or know of all the other places on the list.
Thought I would share a bit of my city with you. Now I am going to go back and read some more.

I promised pictures.

 

Top of first hill

I went walking this morning and it took a little bit over a half hour. Fred went with me and he decided to add something to the route, so it took a little longer and much more bitching on my part.
This first picture is the top of the hill I face every day since 1998. This is the hill that I spun completely around on in the car when it was covered in ice.

 

Beginning of the son of a bitch hill

This is the bottom of that hill I complain about. The thigh killer. Look as far as your eye can see all the way to the top near that tree cover...where you cannot see sidewalk anymore...See it? I have a continuation picture to that one.

That last telephone pole is Crescent Street

It is kind of a joke between Fred and I. The top of this hill is Crescent street. The Crest of the Fucker! This is about the area where I start really wheezing, bitching and moaning. And not in a good way. Oh Mama I hate this hill. I plan on being able to make it up there with no problems at all.

Motherfucker!

That first hill in the picture...remember that one? Well when my walk is ALMOST done, I have to face THAT hill but in reverse. This is NOT an optical illusion. I was standing at the bottom and staring up the hill and I took this picture. I took it in the beginning of our walk cause I was afraid I would be too asthmatic to do it later. That house at the top with the Christmas blow up lights their ENTIRE house at night..even the roof! It is pretty cool. I should take a picture to show you. I have to walk this hill to the point of that white house in the right corner..that is my street. The hill continues up up up and there are some college track kids that use it in their exercise.

There you have it. Now you know what the hell I am talking about and that I am not being over dramatic or a big ole baby. This hills are big, steep, and they kick my ass! LOL