Saturday Morning

Oh, I just did not want to do it!

But as I sat at my computer getting ready to catch up on the overnight news feeds and any mail that might have come in (rare for me on Friday night/Saturday morning), I glanced out of my window and saw that the morning clouds were beginning to break.  Spots of blue sky and sun began showing up.  Instead of the rain I hoped would give me an excuse for staying in my comfy chair listening to music and reading the news, I had to get going.

So I put on my shoes, layered my shirt and hoodie and headed out into the 56-degree morning for my regular walk in Greenway Park.  For the first ten minutes or so my body protested.  Tendons tightened, muscles didn’t want to flex and my feet hurt!  What the heck am I doing out here?  Then, as magically as turning a corner, my body relaxed into the pace and a whole new world of sensation opened up for me.

The trails in Greenway Park that wander in part along Fanno Creek were rich this morning in brilliant greens.  The sun highlighted the dew on the grass.  The squirrels scurried around gathering their winter stores.  The big crows, ever present, were picking whatever they could from the grounds.  Then came the freshness of the morning air into my nostrils.  There is nothing like an Oregon morning after the rain.

We had an unusually dry summer so I have walked these trails every morning.  There are certain folks I see every morning and though we don’t break our walks to stop and speak, it feels like we have developed a camaraderie as we greet each other.

By the time I have reached my two to three miles, depending on the course I follow, I am ready to head home.  Coat comes off, hat in hand so the perspiration can evaporate helping to cool me down.  I have to admit it gets harder all the time to climb the stairs to my second floor apartment after the walk, but oh my, does it ever feel good once I have!

I plan to take my camera for my next walks.  The trees will be turning soon and a whole new beauty will grace my path.  Hope to share them with you later.