Hello, old friend

Lake Padden, overcast skies

It's been awhile since I've been back to Lake Padden, although Melanie and I managed to hike here a few times every month. I've been unable to hike much, but I noticed that one of the Tuesday hikes today would be back in my old environs, so I decided to join the group. Most of the hikers went off to catch a ferry to Guemes Island, but three of us joined our leader Joe to take about a four- to five-mile hike at the lake. We started at the dog park and walked around 500 feet of elevation before finishing up with a moderately challenging up and down on the hills behind the lake.

Me, Bill, Joe and Mike

The cute dog belongs to the photographer; I asked if she would take a picture of us, and she was very willing, as was her poodle, looking very spiffy amongst those old hikers. It was quite pleasant, the temperatures in the high fifties and low sixties (F), and although we had high clouds, they did disappear before we finished our leisurely hike. It was, however, the farthest I've gone since my ice-capade in February. I was happy to find that I never had any pain in my hip or right leg. We did have some exciting downhill sections where I noticed that my left knee has not been used much lately. But nothing kept us from enjoying ourselves or our lively discussions.

Now that I've broken the ice, so to speak, I think I will feel okay about joining some longer hikes in the near future. I was afraid that I might be done with hiking, but today gave me the impetus to do some easier hikes with the Trailblazers this summer and see how capable I am. Or not. 

I wasn't sure at all whether it was a good idea to try this but it turned out just fine. Tomorrow I'll have another yoga class, and then Thursday will be my favorite day of the week: volunteering in the lunchroom. And just like that, another week and month will be behind us. I see that some areas will be very hot, and others very wet, but we are having our Goldilocks period, it seems. Just right!

:-)