Saturday, March 22, 2014

A nice sunless Saturday

North Shore trail
When the walkers met at the North Shore trail of Lake Whatcom this morning, it was only 30 degrees F (-1C). Brrr! And the sun wasn't shining, either, like it did all day long yesterday. However, this trail is a little more than three miles long and almost flat, so we briskly trucked along, and I was warm in no time at all.

I kept up with the faster walkers for the first part and then let myself fall behind and walk a little slower for the return trip. We still averaged 14-minute miles, so it was indeed a brisk pace. It was the first time for a new knee brace, which I need to break in before taking it down to southern California, to keep myself from injuring my bad knee any further while skydiving. I was very pleased at the way it performed today and will give it another workout next Thursday, where we will hike up and down Mt. Erie.

Once I arrived home this morning, Smart Guy and I drove 75 miles south to Snohomish to pick up my parachute, which has been inspected and had the reserve repacked. I will take out the main parachute and repack it myself. It's less than two weeks before I leave, and everything is beginning to revolve around that event. I'll be traveling on Thursday April 3rd, so I'm not sure what I'll be posting instead of the usual Thursday hike.

I was hoping to make a skydive at Snohomish before showing up for the Masters Skills Camp, but the weather here is still very cold and uninviting. There was a day when I wouldn't have missed any chance for a jump, but that was a few decades ago. I'm no longer jonesing for a jump. (If you've never heard the term before, click here for an explanation.)
:-)

20 comments:

  1. I am always so impressed by your ability to walk four miles an hour. I'm not sure I ever could, but I know i can't any more.
    Despite the clouds and the chill it was a good day to be out walking!

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  2. i knew what jonesing was and have used that expression myself, but i had to laugh at the examples they gave. jeez! :)

    hope the new brace will be comfy and ready for your jumps! eek!

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  3. Another gorgeous walk. You really do deserve wine o'clock. Each and every day.

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  4. I would never be good in a group I am always stopping to take photos. You had a nice walk today! I can tell you are getting excited to go to CA:)

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  5. not sure i would want to fall out of the sky in cold weather...ha....sounds like you are in for some fun jumps soon enough

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  6. That's a great path to walk on. Gravel makes it easier on the feet and knees.

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  7. You go girl. Walk as fast as you can. Just keep on walking, and taking pictures, and posting. You inspire.

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  8. Sensible, you are! Looks like a good hike. I think I could go that distance, but at a slower pace.

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  9. Where did that term originate, anyway?

    Can't wait to hear about the next jump!

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  10. Hearing you talk like this, especially about the need for a brace at all, really makes me think you should make this your last year for sky diving. As you said, why risk ruining your knee? You wouldn't want knee replacement surgery -- with every surgery there is always risk. Better to be safe than sorry, DJan.

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  11. I'm not jumping and I'm excited with your first jump - can't wait to see and hear about it. New Brace - Break er in kiddo and best of luck climbing Mt. Erie and also on your first jump of new season kiddo. lol

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  12. More power to you. You set quite the standard which is hard for other seniors to match. It's always great to see how far we can push ourselves. You're made of tough stuff. I admire your grit and tenacity to take on one mountain after another.

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  13. I hope the weather warms up for you soon. That sounds a bit too cold to be enjoyable.

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  14. It sounds like you have some fun times ahead of you. I'm glad the brace is holding up.

    I've only heard one other person use the term "jonesing".. and rather regularly at that. I got curious about its origin after reading Trish/Rob's comment. It seems it started on Great Jones Street in New York City - a known hangout for junkies. That, from a different Urban Dictionary page (when you drop the G and search for "jonesin'".
    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jonesin

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  15. Ah, a walk like that sounds so nice, DJan!
    We've still got a couple of feet of snow & it's so crunchy & awkward this time of year. Can't wait for clear ground & freedom.
    (It's coming very slowly.. we are still at negative temps each night, even negative teens.)

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  16. I bet the walk was very pretty, rain or shine!!

    Looking forward to reading about your CA adventure!!

    Now, must 'fess up here, I've not heard the terminology, so will have to backtrack and get the link to read about jonesing.

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  17. ps...jonesing...guess it's kinda like keeping up with the jones's? Wanting something badly enough you crave it?!!! rofl

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  18. Being an experienced bad knee guy (till my replacement). Skydiving with one? It's time to hang up that parachute.... which I recall your planning...:)

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  19. DEar DJan, thank you for the new word! I wonder what the history behind it is. I'm so looking forward to the postings you will do about your skydiving adventure coming up. Peace.

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  20. Haha, I am familiar with the term but haven't heard it in years. Maybe this weekend will give you a chance to get your "knees in the breeze".

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