Surprise Early Morning Walk with Neighbor Carissa!

This early morning, heading out on one of our usual 3- to 4-mile walks in any direction — north, east, west, or south, all with wonderful trees, some with trails — a car pulled over to the curb. It was neighbor Carissa, saying “I’m going to Griffy, want to come?” YES! We hop in her car and drive about five miles. Reach a trail head that I have actually never been on before. Wow! (That’s rare.) Part way through, we meet another neighbor, Marcella, and the three of us walk out together, with prancing Scampi in the lead.

What a morning! What a lucky one am I!

We walked on the south side of the lake. An extraordinary adventure. Not all trails are shown above. Usually Scampi and I walk the “Hiking Trail” on the north side of the lake.

Bloomington is full of wonderful places to walk or hike. Another example, Goat Park to Olcott Park, which we do, twice weekly. A seven-minute drive to get there.

This morning, Scampi, our scout, was always ahead, but stopped at each trail crossing, to wait and see which way to go next.

Walking and hiking for me, are akin to breathing. Been doin’ it since I was a teenager, many miles each day. At first Carissa wondered if I was aware of roots under fallen leaves, etc. etc., but soon realized that if anyone fell on our walk, it would probably be her.