SUMMER IS HERE
Part 1

Liz called on Friday evening to say her mom was sick and she wouldn't be meeting me to walk on Saturday. I figured I could get up earlier and get out to the trail before it got too hot.

I made it to the trail at about 6:40 - not as early as I had hoped, but at least it was before 7:00.

There were a lot of small rabbits along the trail. I think they don't move away from the traffic because they were just born in the spring and this is standard for them. People have always been around and they never bother the bunnies, so the bunnies aren't afraid of them. The look so soft, I want to pet them. They probably wouldn't let me and if they did, I would probably catch some strange bunny-carried disease.

They cut down the beautiful prairie grass. It was probably a fire hazard, but I liked the way it looked when the breeze was blowing. It looked very calm and soothing.

The very last of the honeysuckle is hanging in and putting out its strong scent. In the humidity, it was cloying and it is a good thing there were just a few blooms. The smell aggravates my allergies.

No rain for a couple of weeks means the water in bayou is back down again. There was quite a strong rapid under the Wilcrest bridge. That is the only place there was any agitation in the entire bayou. The rest was very smooth and quiet - very different from a few weeks ago.

I saw the woman from the Muslim couple again. She was walking by herself this week. She still had on sweat pants and a long skirt. Her head scarf was just around her head this time and her long sleeves were pushed up to her elbows. I still can't imagine how she did the walk. I would have passed out.

The best part of the day was when a young jogger passed by. He was tall and had close-cropped, tawny hair. He was over 6' tall and very lean. He was wearing long athletic shorts and no shirt. He had a strong, muscular back that was a pleasure to view and long, lean legs. I guessed he was either a former college athlete or military. When he passed me on his way back, I was able to enjoy a very pleasant view of an equally muscular chest. My guess was confirmed by the Marine emblem on the lower leg of his shorts. All-in-all very nice.

My pace was somewhat slower than I have been maintaining. It took me an extra 5 minutes on the first leg (usually 20 minutes). I tried to make it up, but wasn't able to. It was so hot by the time I was on the way back, I was about 15 minutes over my usual time. I didn't think it was too bad. I simply don't handle the heat very well. I can't imagine how hot it would have been on the sunny end of the trail.

I only walked 5 miles because I didn't want to hurt myself like I did a few weeks ago.

Part 2

I went to the theatre on Saturday night, so the alarm lost and I stayed in bed. My allergies were going crazy and I wouldn't have lasted 20 minutes on the trail.

Next week - maybe.