INSPIRATION

After last night’s blowout; I needed to burn off some energy and settle my thoughts.

First thing I did this morning was delete both Tamika’s phone number – and the Zoom Meet Contact.

Then, I started exercising – I pushed the envelope, but my body can handle it, so I didn’t really exert myself: I just did more than I normally do.

10-Minute Ageless Woman Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Yd46xm_tk

Can You Get Rid Of Bat Wings And Go Sleeveless At Sixty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOlcqXdmk9U

Use common sense - and know what your body can do, before exercising. I do about 15 to 20 reps an exercise.

That wrapping up, I decided to go for a walk 😉

I still have big expenses happening this month, so I decided to stay close to home: Lake Sacajawea is less than 5 minutes from my front door; that would do nicely 😉

Next time I will go the Old Pacific Highway, because there are tire-eater steel plates across Ocean Beach Highway again ☹

The tire-eater steel plates are back; strung across OBH at Baker's Corner. These things are thick - and sharp edged. They can do serious damage to tires.

Mt. Solo Road will be closed until September (upgrading the sewer lines I’ve been told); already the water bill has escalated to recoup the City’s monetary deficit.

And things weren’t much better at the gas pump when I pulled in there to top the gas tank.

Gas prices will be out of sight by the time Summer Holidays arrive.

Not quite half a tank ... the Highlander gest 21 miles to a gallon. Even so, it's been parked quite a bit this year.

When I got to the Lake, I determined to walk the entire Lake Loop Hike.

Lake Sacajawea: https://www.mylongview.com/facilities/facility/details/Lake-Sacajawea-12

There was a parking spot available at the Rhododendron Garden area … so, I started from there.

I took a lot of pictures of the blossoms because I want to work designs around the color schemes.

These dainty bells caught my eye, right off. They are quite little.

Purple with black accent 'eye'; large, flared blossom.

Pink with orange accent 'eye'; large flared blossom.

Lilac with white star center, & fuchsia accent 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Pale lilac with dark purple 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Pink with maroon accent 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Light Purple with white petal stripes & pistachio accent 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Pink-edge cream with gold accent 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Red with deep fuchsia accent 'eye'; medium flared blossom.

Eye-catching with the sunlight illuminating the blossoms from behind; a deep pink with a yellow throat & orange accent 'eye'; medium flared blossoms.

A white rhodie that has managed not to 'melt' into a slimy mess after the rainfall; a pristine white with a touch of purple, deep in the trumpet neck; medium blossoms.

Pale pink with candy pink striping on the outside of flared blossoms.

Fuchsia with pale yellow star; medium flared blossom.

Tempting fate; heavily pollen-laden evergreen tips right at nose level ...

Pretty, dangling trumpet-shaped blossoms. Medium blossom spread; salmon with yellow inside-n-out of trumpet blossoms; gold accent 'eye'.

Rhodie’s are pretty - but they kinda 'melt' and get slimy when it rains heavily.

Reaching the Main Playground, I saw that construction was still happening in that area.

Renovations still going on ... all the way over the footbridge to Nichols Blvd. Plaza.

New sidewalks will be laid, next week.

And an archway will be constructed - I asked what was going on ;-)

Poignant memory right here ... the last time Bob visited this Park.

Hearing Bob's voice is a mixed blessing. Bob loved this Park; and he loved our grandson. October 19th, 2018.

October 19th, 2018. This is the last time Bob and Aza saw each other. After this day in the Park, Bob went into the hospital, and never came out again, alive.

I kept walking.

I did not want to start crying.

Pretty Dogwood tree near the playground.

Lion's Island in bloom – rhodie’s, yellow flag lilies, and white waterlilies.

The Longview Community Church; Bob's sister, Merry, married her second husband, here.

I'll be walking under this Washington Way Bridge - on the opposite side - on my way back to the Highlander.

Our daughter married Alyna's Father, Greg, here; the day after Christmas 1995.

This Park is ‘tradition’: lots of memories here. This was Bob’s favorite place to be, in Longview. We came here dating. We came here as a married couple. And now, I come here as a Solo Lobo.

Pirate Ship in Lion's Pirate Park section of Lake Sacajawea; Alyna, and Azariah played here. Azariah loved this thing.

These wild roses were very pungent ... and LARGE petaled; what a surprise. Lion's Pirate's Playground. I never knew wild roses could get SO large!

This tree looked like it was covered with white butterflies ... another Dogwood tree - pungently pleasing.

A Golden Chain tree.

The markings on this pole, is very striking - I was impressed to be inspired.

Pretty white waterlilies along the trail behind the Pirate Park; small blossoms.

Another Gothic-style church building; Bob's sister, Bonnie married her first husband, here.

I like the door ... and the staggered brick work, too.

Turning, I saw little goslings 😊

So, I watched them for a while.

Goose families taking advantage of this warm, sunny day.

I was feeling pretty good. My feet were felling pretty good. I was making good time.

Trail I just walked behind the Pirate Park ... opposite side of the Lake.

White Hydrangea blossoms.

Pretty, vibrant red hedge.

Yellow Flag Lilies (aka Swamp lilies).

White water lilies.

Bicolor shrub.

Peony bush.

Hybrid Lavender plant.

Caught sight of a fisherman. Not sure if fish are biting ... but this fisherman sure is biting. LOL

Another one; this one is a fisherwoman.

I teased her a little.

A five- foot-long sturgeon was recently seen cruising through the murky depths of Lake Sacajawea; this is the actual picture.

That is where I started from; the Rhododendron Garden's backside.

Geese & Mallards.

Yellow waterlilies blooming.

The Japanese Garden Entrance.

Japanese Garden Bridge.

Brilliant red leaves as soon as you cross the bridge.

Water feature in the Japanese Garden; very soothing, and relaxing.

Dark salmon Azalea with a striking orange accent 'eye'; medium blossom.

It was a good day in the Park, today 😊

And I can’t wait to start using some of those inspirational color combinations in new designs 😉