Month: September 2024

On Today’s Walk: 5K for Childhood Cancer

A friend I hadn’t seen in a while was looking for a buddy to do this 5K walk to raise money for childhood cancer research and treatment. It was a beautiful day and well worth it for this “not a morning person” to roll out of bed early. I got my exercise, raised money for a good cause, and reconnected with a friend. Plus new achievement unlocked. I’ve never before participated in an organized 5K walk/run.

Lizzy’s Walk of Faith Foundation was started by the family of Lizzy Wampler, who died of osteosarcoma in 2018. The organization does amazing work in the field of pediatric cancer. Graphic from their website shows where the money goes.

You can, of course, donate without walking or running five kilometers.

Hug your loved ones and then find a way to do some good in the world today.

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On Today’s Bike Ride: Hello Little Skink

Today I told my husband I was going on a short bike ride and then didn’t come back for three hours. I didn’t know how much activity I could manage because I woke up with allergy symptoms and a headache. But thanks to OTC medicines and suddenly mild weather, I felt pretty good after I’d been pedaling a short while.

I felt so good, I kept going and made a half day of it, stopping occasionally for water/snack/photo breaks. In fact, I set a new personal record for miles ridden in one day with a 24-mile round trip.

Freida and I made a friend along the way.

Five-lined skink curved in a u-shape on some cement.
Skink on rock stretching its head toward a bicycle water bottle on a bike frame.
Skink investigating.
skink climbing a rock

Curious five-lined skink gets to know Freida

In my quest to have new experiences, I explored a part of the Katy Trail I’d never been down before. It was a lovely, mostly level, mostly shady stretch.

Wooden shelter over benches with sign reading "McBaine, MO"
Trailhead / reststop on the Katy Trail
Signpost surrounded by brush with words "Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area"
Straight expanse of muddy creek with a bridge in the distance.
Expanse of a meandering creek seen through some trees. Rock jutting out of water. Blue sky.
Perche Creek

One highlight was when I saw a couple of eagles flying circles in the sky. But I only had my phone camera and couldn’t capture an image.

For many years, I never had the time for this kind of excursion, certainly not to be made on the spur of the moment. I try not to take it for granted.

Happy trails!