Active Recovery Adventure Walk!

Mid-summer wear and tear adds negative space to my roses.

It's been so busy the last few weeks that Molly and I have not taken our regular morning walks.  

Last week especially I needed every hour to complete an art project before the submission deadline July 25.  I am delighted to report that I finished all three of my submissions--including a whimsical oil painting on a really large canvas.  (For more on this story see my other blog, http://WhimsyCalls.blogspot.com.)

So, this morning, full of relief for having made my deadline, Molly and I set off for our own Adventure Walk as a reward for all our hard focused work.

As we left the house I thought about an article on active recovery I had read in this month's "Oprah Magazine" on relaxing.  I always thought about "active recovery" as something one did as a serious athlete taking a break from strenuous exercise.  In this article a professional coach, Charlie Brown, PhD, explained it as doing something fun but not regimented to help get back into the flow of things.

Well, I decided, Molly and I EARNED this Active Recovery Adventure Walk!

Tall grass intimidates me at the trail entrance.

We always begin our walks with a few moments at the pond a short distance from our house.  

But, I must admit that it's easier for me to take this trail in the months when the grass is not as tall as I am!  

This is when I recite one of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt:

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Today I recited it several times as I headed toward the pond, which cannot be seen from the sidewalk in tall grass season. (I have a healthy respect for snakes native to this part of the country and tall grass obscures my ability to see what lies ahead.)

Molly is barely visible as we head toward the pond.

But, I put one foot in front of the other and reminded myself that the pond is the destination --and always well worth the courage it takes me to get there.

Quiet serenity awaits at pond's edge.

It was a beautiful morning and the pond was still and quiet--perfect for a few moments of reflection and meditation.

As we turned around to return up the trail to what I consider the safety of the sidewalk, I was awestruck to see the morning light dance on the tiny filaments of this dandelion.

Dandelion seeds await the afternoon wind.

Back on the sidewalk we headed down our street and as we did I heard gleeful shrieking of children coming from the backyard of the house just ahead.  As we passed it I happened to glimpse two little kids, naked, happily playing in the water of the sprinkler system that had not yet finished its cycle. Probably the best spontaneous choice on a morning already nearing 90 degrees. 

A few steps beyond I was amused to see a robin enjoy its own version of running through the sprinkler as it doused itself in a small puddle of water, looking  soggy, bedraggled and very satisfied.

As we neared a large house on a corner I chuckled to see that the many children who live here had been busy.  From the looks of things they had recently been heavily armed with sidewalk chalk and had created a massive village in the expansive driveway.  As a corner lot, the kids had obviously decided to expand their chalk community outward.  As Molly and I walked I saw that they had used this sidewalk as well, creating a chalk road to a "scenic overlook" at the cul-de-sac that overlooks Jodie Reservoir.  

Good plan, I thought and then had to stop and  laugh aloud as I saw they had also drawn in the ubiquitous and mandatory gift shop complete with photo booth!!  I continued to laugh for most of the next block imagining the young chalk artists at work on their scenic destination site!

It's about this point in our walk that Molly gets to decide the route we take home. Invariably it includes a trip to the Poudre River.  (It's no wonder I love this sweet dog!)

Molly embraces the Cache la Poudre River.

When we reached the river I un-clipped her and without hesitation she ran into the water and enjoyed her own version of running through the sprinkler!

The water was low, which is almost surprising considering how flooded it was for so much of the spring and early summer.

With each year's flooding the river changes and this year there are new and abundant sand and rock dunes, now visible with the water so low.

Rock and sand bars emerge from the river.

As I watched Molly frolic in the cold water I reminded myself that this is an Active Recovery Adventure Walk for BOTH of us. 

Again, I thought of another favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quote:

Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure.  You can have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.

I find the rocky dunes wider and longer than I expected.

So, it will not surprise you to know that like the neighborhood children and the robin at its own small puddle, without hesitation I waded in behind Molly with the adventurous intent to explore as far as the rock dunes would allow me to go!






  

Molly swims joyfully as we hike from dune to dune.

A new portion of the Cache la Poudre River presents itself to me.

At the farthest edge of the last rock dune I captured this image of unexpected tranquil water before turning around to head back to shore and begin our trek home--but, not without a stop at my own personal Poudre River Gift Shop.

My souvenirs from the Poudre River Gift Shop to remind me of a most
spectacular Active Recovery Adventure Walk.