Walk with/for Megan in Ocean City, MD

Peggy and I decided to take a short break for R & R in Ocean City, MD.  O. C is totally different in December compared to the high season in the summer.  In the summer the city hosts up to 333,000 vacationers on weekends, while in the quiet winter months it houses only about 7000 people.  So the decibel level was much lower, the traffic much more manageable and the boardwalk almost deserted.

We checked into the Marriott Residence Inn located on the bay side right where the Rte. 90 bridge stands.  We had a nice suite and a good view of the bay.  On one of the days we decided to take a Volksmarch hike.  We checked in at the Convention Center to get our instructions which directed us to the boardwalk.  Our instructions took us from 27th street to the end and then back, about a 6K distance.  So we had a good look at the whole boardwalk in December.  We counted how many people we saw on the boardwalk, as we walked to the end at the inlet, and the number came to 65.  By using the population figures for the summer compared to the winter count, those 65 people would be upgraded to about 3000 boardwalkers we would have encountered in the high season.

Only a handful of stores or shops was open.  We saw the closed doors of Fishers Popcorn, a favorite for popcorn lovers, Thrashers French Fries, for those who want a greasy, tasty fry, and Candy Kitchen, for those with a sweet tooth.  We enjoyed a leisurely walk and did find a small cafe open and had a coffee there.

Our memories wandered back to the numerous times we vacationed in O.C.  I think Megan liked the beach, at least from my recall of the times we spent time with her there.  She enjoyed swimming out beyond the breakers with Grandma to enjoy the swells of the tide.  She was quite a sand castle builder and loved to dig in the sand.  Our sunshine walk on the boardwalk reminded us of how Megan enjoyed the sun and sand right here in O.C.!

Previous total  88K
Current              6K
Total                94K  (goal 100K)

the boardwalk deserted

No greasy, tasty fries this day

Closed....too bad for the sweet toothers

Not many bags of popcorn sold this day

Megan at O.C.....

Walk with/for Megan in Brookside Gardens

One of my favorite areas to take a walk is Brookside Gardens, in Wheaton, MD, about 6 mi from our apartment. It is a beautifully kept nature center in the midst of residences and commercial sections.  I followed a paved pathway circling around twice on a loop to get a 2 mile distance or about 3K.

There is a conservatory there that houses many colorful plants.  Red stood out with the poinsettias displayed for the holiday season.  Also, a train garden was set up for the season.  I've always been fascinated with the train gardens at Christmas time.  This garden  featured, with the help of a volunteer group, some of the local attractions, such as a model of the visitor center at the garden,  and buildings in the DC area.  In talking with a senior attendant there, he commented that the structures were all handmade by their club members.  The model trains were of the large size, rather than the  mini HO size usually displayed in many train gardens.

The day was sunny, with a brisk breeze.  This particular walk with/for Megan was significant in that it was taken in her memory instead of in her honor.  This was the first walk I had taken since her passing on Nov. 14, 2018.  I had hoped to complete my goal of 100K before she left this earth.  But my last words to her were, "I love you and I am going to continue to walk with you." 

Previous total     85K
Current distance  3K
Totals                 88K (goal 100K)

Standing near the train garden in the Conservatory

A bright  red plant encountered in the Conservatory

Right in season...the poinsettia plant

A nice discovery....bird of paradise

A model train passing a model of the visitor's center at Brookside Gardens

Trees,Trees, Trees...A Walk for/with Megan at the U. S. National Arboretum

Today we took a 5K walk sponsored by the Volksmarch Assn. at the U. S. Arboretum in Washington, DC.  After several days of rain we were ready to get out into the sunlight.  It was a nice day for our hike, except the wind was strong (30 mph) which made it more challenging.

After checking into the visitor's center, we headed out on paved trails through this park.  We had checked in for our trip sheets to guide us through the 5K hike, but ran into trouble.  We missed a turn somewhere and got totally lost.  Instead of a "zig" we must have "zagged."  This forced us into another option.  To measure our distance we used an app on Dave's phone called "Pacer" that measures distance through counting paces, 7311,  which translated to 3.0 mi or close enough to a 5K length.

The autumn colors were on the downward trend for the season, but the trees were still magnificent.  Along the way we ran into a grouping of tall, sandstone columns.  These columns were removed from the U. S. Capitol Building in 1958, during a remodeling period.  Now they stand tall here in the Arboretum.  This facility serves as a research project for the government.  For example, one area was devoted to native trees and plants to study the environmental advantages they provide to us.  On the last leg of our hike we stepped into the National Bonzai Museum to view these unusual, tiny trees. So we concluded our hike from the straight and tall to end with the small, ornamental Bonsais.

 As we walked in the park, we were reminded of a large Maple tree that stands in front of Megan's family home in Binghamton, NY.  This beautiful tree has become the standard background for many family photos recording proms, graduations, confirmations, and numerous other celebrations.  The tree seems to be a part of the family....saying in its own way..."well done..I'm with you."

Previous total  77K
Today's total      5K
Current Total   82K (goal 100K)

A beautiful tree at the Arboretum

The Sandstone columns that originally stood at the Capitol Bldg.

Another stately tree in the park..looks good for kids to climb

At the Bonzai Museum

There's that Maple tree at 48 Dickinson Ave

A short walk with/for Megan, but this time with a cause.......

I responded to a notice in our church bulletin about a "walk and pray" event to highlight the street violence in Baltimore city.  I was directed to go to St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church on Edmondson Ave. to join the event.  About 20-25 participants gathered at this church near the front steps.  The leader, a member of the church and a volunteer for the CeaseFire movement of Baltimore city, greeted us.

We started with prayer and then a reading of a large list of those who had been killed through street violence during the 2018 year.  Last year, 2017, some 342 people were killed on the streets of Baltimore.  Through Oct. 2018,  259 victims had fallen.

We moved on our walk down Edmondson Ave. in Edmonson Village and stopped at a Presbyterian church, meeting some new participants on the walk.  Here we sang and prayed, reciting another long list of names of fallen victims, ages ranging from 13 to 82.  We progressed further on to several other churches on our route, following the same routine.  We were not able to recite the full list of names, as was intended, because of limited time.  We passed through Edmondson Village where, just in this year, 24 persons had been killed, one recently gunned down within 24 hrs. of our arrival.

I'm glad I took some time to walk and pray on this day.  Usually I pick a natural trail and enjoy the peace and beauty of the day outdoors when on my walk with/for Megan.  But I thought I wanted to support this attempt to draw attention to the rampant violence in our city.  I'm pretty sure Megan would have joined in, but I'll let that be up to her review.

Previous  74K
Current      3K 
Total        77K (Goal 100K)

Our first stop at the Presbyterian Church with some young people holding up their banners.

A look down Edmondson Ave where we stopped and prayed

The banner supplied to us to display as we walked in the community

Walk with Megan in Albuquerque, NM

Another 5K walk, but this time in a distant state, New Mexico.  Peggy and I attended a Road Scholar program featuring the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM, October 4-8, 2018.  During our stay there, we had some free time to take a year round event sponsored by the local Volksmarch chapter in Albuquerque. (I love the spelling and the sound of this city!)

The walk took us to Old Town and some of the residential surroundings.  Old Town is the site where early Albuquerque began.  It features a plaza where the early residents gathered.  Of course, the church was a central part of the life.  The San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church here has been in use for some 200 years. We took some time to look into the church on our walk.

Now this area is a tourist center, where you have many vendors selling their wares.  The Southwest influence appears here, where American Indians can sell jewelry, woven goods, artwork, etc.  I settled for a colorful tee shirt that depicted the balloon fiesta.

While in Albuquerque we took in the Balloon Fiesta.  It is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, having some 500 balloonists participating.  It was quite a spectacle.  I didn't realize how huge these balloons are.  As well as witnessing the ascent of these  of these colorful balloons, we were able to walk down onto the lift off site and see them up close.

I understand Megan and her family took a ride in a hot air balloon and they all survived!  I don't think it is in the "works" for me.  She has more courage than I have.

Previous total  69K
Current walk     5K
Current Total   74K

San Felipe de Neri Church, Old Town, Albuquerque, NM

Some prickly pear cacti encountered on our walk near Old Town.

Mass balloon ascension at the Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM

On ground view of these huge balloons

Adding air to pump up the balloon

Instead of a sponsored Volksmarch to add to my total kms for/with Megan, I had a bona fide walk WITH Megan.

She arrived in Binghamton, NY for a short recovery period from major surgery at Sloan Kettering Hospital.  Peggy and I were helping out during her stay in the hospital.  She arrived in a limo in style and was greeted by family with hugs and kisses.

One of her doctor's prescriptions was to walk 2 mi. per day.  Our walk totaled 1.2 mi. which computes to about 2 km.  So Megan and I headed out into her neighborhood area.  We enjoyed chatting about her apartment in Buffalo, NY...some experiences with children she has taught....noticed some pretty flower gardens along the way.....how she has to deal with her recovery....etc.  Her "gait" was a little slower than before, so soon after her surgery.

During her stay we enjoyed playing a card game called"skip-bo."   On Friday evening (9/7/18) the whole family attended a special digital light display in downtown Binghamton.  Here my face was projected on the side of a building.  At various points special digital art, video projections were displayed.

On Saturday morning (9/9/18), Megan headed out to Buffalo, NY with her friend Adam.  .....more hugs and kisses......As I stated when I started this little project, the walk with/for Megan can be a statement or prayer for her health and well being.  Of course, walking WITH Megan made this a special experience.  I am looking forward to walking WITH Megan again.  And I maybe I can beat her at "skip-bo" next time!

Previous total  67 km
Current              2 km
Total                69 km (Goal is 100 km)

2011 picture of Megan and her Mother in front of the Maple Tree

 2012 Picture of Megan reading to her sister Olivia

Projected face..like mine was done during the Binghamton light festival

Walking with Megan

Today (8-19-2018) Peggy and I took a 5K hike at the Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD.  The year round event (YRE) was sponsored by the Freestate Happy Wanderers.  This is a premiere, recreational, garden center located in Montgomery County, Maryland.  It features beautiful garden areas, paths, and wooded trails. On this site are a visitor's center, nature center and a botanical center featuring butterflies to observe.

Our time was spent on the trails and some time in the garden areas.  This is a place where you can return to and still get new views and experiences.  We signed in at the Visitor's Center and got our map to follow on the hike.  We made our way on the dirt paths and some rocky sections.  One trail was called "horse trail," easily surmised from the horse droppings we had to maneuver around.  We came across an historic log cabin that was restored, its origins dating back to the 1850's. (I managed to crack my head on the low slung door frame!  ouch!)  At the end of the hike we were directed into some of the garden areas.

This hike came on the heels of a rough previous day.  Peggy had her wallet stolen at a restaurant in Silver Spring, MD.  We felt we needed a break from the tension that this caused in our lives...calling the police, credit companies, banks and all of the necessary things you have to do to protect yourself.  I think this hike provided a good break from all of this turmoil.  Perhaps this is a telling moment for us all, when turmoil invades our lives , break it with an inhalation of nature's potions.

Walk with Megan goals
Previous total  62K
Today's total      5K
Overall total    67K (Goal 100K)

Outside the Visitor' Center, enjoying some unusual plants

Taking a break in one of the beautiful garden areas

Peggy peeking  in the smoke house with 1850
 restored log cabin in the background