This morning I set up the computer spread sheet I use to keep track of my exercise. In doing so I looked over the 2005 sheet. It turned out not too badly. 232 days I did exercise (either 4 miles walking or 20 miles riding my bike or some combination of the two) and 133 days I didn’t formally exercise.
It took me the first 62 days of 2005 to do 20 days of exercise. Then it picked up. Last year I had been sick with flu 5 of the first 10 days of the year. Thus I am resolved to get to it this year and see if I can’t do better for 2006.
On my porch it was not very cold, but it was quite windy and a chilly wind at that. The flag at St. James School across the street from my house was blowing briskly in the breeze. I came back in and got on heavy clothes. My new down jacket, my warmest stocking cap (Christmas gift), gloves and even dug out a wool scarf to wrap round my neck and chin. I was set.
I walked up Tamm to Clayton and on down to Oakland, then crossed the Tamm Ave. bridge into the park. Just at the end of the bridge the trail turns sharply left heading west toward Hi-Pointe. I had read this year that this part of the trail was the old bridle path from the late 19th century. Now it is two trails, the gravel one follows the old bridle path and a new paved trail is alongside Hwy. 40.
When I got to Kennedy Forest I ducked into the deep forest where the trees have never been cut. I walked in there a while, coming across quite a few people. Many others were on the main trails, biking, blading, jogging and walking. Lots of New Year’s resolutions seemed to be in action.
I was surprised when I got up by the back of the Art Museum to see several golfers. By this time I was hot. I had taken off the gloves, hat and scarf. Happily my jacket has zip up pockets so I didn’t have to worry about losing these things. I opened the coat, but didn’t carry it – yet. I walked around the golf course a bit and headed out toward Skinker Blvd. coming our just opposite the Missouri Historical Society Library building. Then I did take off my coat and walked up Skinker to Hi-Point and down Clayton Ave. to Childress, Childress to Wade and was almost home when my brother John came along in a fancy old 1950s car. A huge Dodge. He took me for a bit of a ride.
It was a delightful first day of the year and I thrilled to have started with my exercise, and to be back in Forest Park. It is so peaceful and quiet there. The trails are pleasant with no cars and, relatively little human traffic at this time of year.
It’s been just 13 months since I got rid of my car. That was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I lived most of my adult life without a car, but took over my father’s car after his death in 1994. In early December 2004 I finally got rid of the car and went back to my bike, the bus system and walking. That was the best thing I’ve done in ages.
I urge all of you who are here in St. Louis to use the park this year. It’s just lots of fun, and especially fun to use it year round, watching the changing seasons, vegetation and creatures.
Now I have a real treat. My other brother, Tom, lives next door and he made some ham and beans today, so he brought over a few choices slices of ham and a pot of the ham and beans. I about to have my first feast of 2006.
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