If I wake up, and there is no rain falling – and no rain forecasted
in the immediate hour, I tie my hiking boots on and go for a hike 😊
This morning the weather was favorable. I chose Lake Sacajawea because I hadn’t been there in a while; and it would be
colorful with the azaleas bursting out in bloom.
There weren’t many people in the Park, this morning. There is
extensive renovation going on around restrooms near the foot-traffic bridge
that leads to the Sacajawea & Pomp statue and Namesake Brick plaza area (https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Lake_Sacajawea_Loop_Hike); plus there is another
covid mask restriction happening: people are just tired of dealing with
national, and local, restrictions on their daily lives. They are either staying
home in a depressed state of mind … or they are packing a lunch and going where
foot traffic is pretty much nonexistent.
However, being the rebel that I am, I tend to make my own rules when it comes to personal
choice: I walk where I please (on public land my tax $$$$ pay for), when
I please (regardless of aimless, politically motivated mandates), and
however I please (maskless) 😉
I think I shared the Park with perhaps a dozen people,
walking dogs or riding bikes.
I saw two men fishing off Lion’s Island, as I walked past.
Vehicle traffic was back-to-back at the crossroad crossings. If
it hadn’t been for a compassionate truck driver … in a Ford, no less 😊 … I would probably still be standing on the curb waiting
for a break.
All week, kindness in regards to traffic, has come from guys
in pickups: waiting for a break, so I can make a lane
change – a pickup man holds traffic up 2-car-lengths, so I can scoot into the
gracious opening; backing out of a parking spot – a pickup guy gives me the
distance I’m going to need … while he patiently waits; this morning, standing
at the 4-way-stop curb waiting for a lull in traffic so I can cross to the
other side of the street to continue my Lake walk – a pickup fella stops, and smilingly
waves me across. I smiled and waved back as I quickly walked past his truck
and continued my walk.
Women driving pickups, do not stop: they pretend not to see …
and step on the gas, avoiding any eye contact whatsoever. MPO is that eye avoidance
is their guilt kicking in.
Men in cars, appear to be self-absorbed. They are usually in
a hurry, and have no time for anyone but themselves – especially little fellas
in low-rider cars they think make them look bigger than they are.
I am thankful for the pickup men that show some courtesy, and
give this petite/fluffy old hen a break 😉
And I miss my pickup man like crazy …
Bob; Summer 2004
Joe Diffie – ‘Pickup Man’ song:
Continuing around the lower end of the Lake Hike Trail, and
along the Nichol’s Boulevard side of the Park, I dilly-dallied 😉
White fluffy-flowered hybrid Hydrangea Bush.
The yellow waterlilies are starting to bloom ...
Newly planted additions to the Park.
Flowering bush filling out, willy-nilly; the yellow flowers resemble buttercup blossoms.
Deep purple Lenten Roses.
Hybrid purple Columbine with variegated leaves.
A very nice walk around the Lake, today.
As I neared the Louisiana Street Bridge, the underside of my
left foot was starting to hurt … so I cut the hike short, and backtracked to
the parked Highlander. I have learned the hard way that when my soles start
hurting, it’s best to stop what I am doing and give my feet a rest.
My feet are not used to the lengthy walking: we’ve had so
much stinkin’ rain that has kept my feet indoors, that it will take time to build
up to 4-mile hikes again, without my feet whining, “what the hell mama?
Just walked a smidgen over 2.5 miles this morning; I pointedly ignored the upper half of the Hike.
So, I gave them a break and drove them home to rest 😉
Back at home, I talked to a friend who got her new car today,
and she’s happy as a clam at high tide 😉
I’m glad for her.
I finished the Angel Baby Blanket I started last night … and I’ll
work up another one before bedtime. They are little, and they hardly use up
time at all.
MOD Forget-Me-Not Blanket finished; 15-inch Girl. Crochet.
1 more Boy Blanket, and this box can be sent off.
