Pt. Defiance Park

 

Pt. Defiance Park

                                                                Owen's Beach

                                                                The Aquarium

                                                       Polar Bear  in the Zoo

 The largest park in our area of Western Washington is Pt. Defiance on the west end of Tacoma. I can view the park looking east from my apartment.

When visiting our area next to seeing Mt. Rainier this is the place to see especially if you have children because Pt. Defiance Park has a Zoo and Aquarium. You will be able view Polar Bears, sea creatures, monkeys, and foxes among the animals staying there all year around. When arriving in the parking lot you may see a peacock walking around.

Pt. Defiance Park has a five mile trail where you can bike or ride as well. There are places you can stop off at to eat or relax or see the wonderful view looking over toward the area I live. The Park has a Rose Garden where often you will see weddings and when they are not going on walking through the garden is a nice place to visit.

The park also has a beach called Owens where many people can enjoy a good time strolling along with viewing over toward Gig Harbor and Vashon Island. You can take a ferry ride from Pt. Defiance Park over to Vashon Island as well. The ferries ride over to the Island and return all day long. The beach is used often for reunions and other parties that small and large groups use. If you are lucky a salmon bake could be going on that you can join in.

The park was opened in 1888 after being a military reservation when Captain Wilkes expedition arrived in the 1840s. Captain Wilkes named several places in the area including Gig Harbor. Later President Theodore Roosevelt signed the park over the city of Tacoma. They estimate that over three million people visit the park every year so you can it is a very popular place to visit.

I have visited the park numerous times over the years including Owen’s beach and the Zoo/Aquarium.  Some of the fondest memories I have had especially as a child. When not visiting by car often our family would go by the park in our sailboat. I would say I probably saw the park more often by boat then by car. My visits by car were like many kids were to visit the Zoo and Aquarium. So I do recommend anyone visiting the area to make sure taking the time to visit Pt. Defiance Park like so many people do. Going throughout the day the traffic generally not too crowded. Since there is so much to do spending several hours in the park is recommended. Whatever your age you can find something to do in the park.

Recognizing Love

Over the recent months or years we have heard about shootings whether in Paris, Orlando and Dallas to name a few unfortunately. The Dallas shooting showed more than any other what happens when you have gone so disillusioned and hates other people especially of another color. The Dallas shooter who had been in the military became so overly hateful against white men especially police officers that he was willing to go out and kill as many as he could. I am sure he knew that his own life would end in the process but hate drove him so much that he did not care as long as white men died. He killed five policemen and injured another twelve along with having bombs to kill even more. His hate was so much that if some of his black brothers died in the process as well so be it. He did not mind to take out innocent blood besides the police officers that he considered guilty. The really sad part he is not alone and we will probably hear about more shootings in the future. We have to pray for our nation and the world that disillusioned men and women will be stopped. Whether these people will be considered just disillusioned, terrorists or radicals it is truly all the same with hate and evil in the world. I really wonder the change of laws or gun control would really change it all. Evil people will find a way to get it done whether by guns or bombs.

 On the other end can we recognize what love is? There are different kinds of love and sometimes what people may call love is not love at all. I am not really going to get into that however early Sunday morning I got a revelation you may call it or possibly impression Jesus Christ in the gospel John chapter 15 verse 13 Greater love has no one than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. We know that we love someone truly because we are willing to give our life if necessary for them. I am sure we know the people we would do that for and I add to it that the list grows in our lives every day.

We have heard in the shootings where policemen, teachers and others that we would call heroes gave their lives not only for one person but for many. We could say for the policeman or teacher they did it because of their duty however what about others who saved multiple lives by their actions. I say though the person saved they may not have known before that day they gave up their life for a friend. We can go back to nine-eleven where the heroes on the plane in Pennsylvania took down those who had made them hostages were able to disarm them but the crash cost the lives of everyone on that plane. We do not know how many lives they saved in the process however I do know they loved their fellow man though they knew that their lives were over anyway still did it anyway.

So whatever form love comes in the greatest love is what I want at all times to be willing to give up my life for my friends or those who I do not know at all but I consider them friends. I hope that does not come to happen where I am in such a situation but I am willing and I hope we all do with the love in our hearts.  

 

Overcoming Loneliness

One area I have had to deal with puts me into depression once in a while is loneliness. It is something that I fight a lot against though not as much as I used to. I recognize the problem to so I know this is what I must do.

In our country where shootings are occurring loneliness seems to be part of the problem with the shooter. The loneliness drives them into more depression and into hatred as well. What I try so that I don’t get in a place where I become disillusioned is to spend time around other people. This is the reason that I go out and spend time at a coffee shop. What I especially like now is that in Gig Harbor they have live music playing on Friday and Saturday nights. The coffee shops are becoming the in places go to in Gig Harbor where people can meet others regardless if they are single or married.

The coffee shop I primarily attend has been remodeled and enlarged. I have seen people there that I never saw in the place before the remodeling. The place is twice as big as before and a lot of the time it is full. During the summer when it is not so cold people are able to be outside too. The need is so much that more restaurants and coffee shops are in planning stages. I am not sure how many we need in a small town like Gig Harbor however the need is being met.

The coffee shop not only allows you to get hot or cold drinks during the day but in the afternoon and evenings you can get a class of wine or beer along with sandwiches that you may have gotten in a restaurant before.

The coffee shops allow mothers to bring their children with them as well. Many of the grocery stores have coffee shops within them so that you can sit down for several minutes. Also husband and wives can go grocery shopping together with their children. When one parent is grocery shopping the other can relax with the kids.

So if you are one that has trouble with loneliness like I have experienced get out of your place that you spend a lot of time and meet others. I am not say it will be easy because I know that it is not easy for me either but an answer for us. The more we are around others the less chance that we become disillusioned like many. Remember you have something to offer other people even if you do not realize it.  

The Tide

                                 Commencement Bay the home of Tacoma Washington

On Friday morning while I was walking around the Gig Harbor waterfront I started thinking about the tide. This day the tide was high while earlier in the week it was low.

I think about the tide on some occasions and I like it when it is high because I can see the ducks on the harbor along with seagulls. Hard for the ducks to do anything when the tide is low while the seagulls can fly around; another problem when the tide is low is at the two creeks at the head of the harbor. Since the water is low the salmon do not try going up the creek so neither the ducks or seagulls can try to catch one of them. I have seen the ducks and seagulls hanging out patiently when the tide is at medium level as well as high. I find it quite the scene to see.

On Friday I only saw a few seagulls while on other occasions I have seen many of them. The times I get interested is when they decide being on the roofs of the marinas. They can make a nasty sound especially when taking off into the sky.

Another group I see often but did not on Friday is the Canadian geese. They can make quite the noise as well and can leave a good mess too. I remember that a lot when I was a kid and they would spend time on our dock. I did not like that when I came down to take a boat out or going fishing on the dock. These days there is a couple parks on the waterfront so this is where they spend their time as a group just hanging out.

This time walking around the harbor on Friday with the high tide I started thinking about my dad and how he spent a lot of time looking at the tide charts seeing  where the tide would be during the day and the week. His main purpose looking at the tide charts had to do with his love of sailing and the races that were coming up that he would be in. He looked at the charts so the tides would give him the best advantage in the race. Since I am no expert especially like him I am not sure why but the tides would give him strategy to win the coming race. I am sure where the tide was at had a lot to do with how much wind would happen at the same time.  This strategy must have worked because he won a lot of races. He did the same thing though when we would go out in the sailboat just to have a fun time. I believe the level of the tide would tell him which direction to go before we would head the direction he wanted us to go. I know there were times when he got outside the harbor we would start heading south for a little while before going east and then north. He did not want us to head straight east before going north if the tide and the winds were making the winds light. I liked it a lot when the winds were heavy instead of light. I did not mind it being light after a little while as long as we had heavy winds at the beginning. In my mind it had a lot to do with the weather. If the sun was out and bright sailing slow was OK. Also depended a lot where we were going on that day; when we just out for the day going around Commencement Bay or heading east then north toward Vashon Island the wind did not matter so much to me though heavier was more fun for sure. The trips where we were sailing for the weekend going to Seattle or Bremerton the light winds were torture for me. We could not eat until we arrived either place. Oh was I hungry on so many occasions.

The tide charting that dad did sure brings back some really good memories even the times where we sat and the boat was drifting for several hours or in my mind for days.

What Makes You Happy?

 I have been told that for someone to really get something through their mind to actually sink in they have to hear or read it at least seven times. I am sure I have written about being happy before and likely this is the second or third time but it is a good idea to do once again.

I believe being happy is a choice that we make instead of circumstances that may happen to make us happy. It is sort of the same idea as love. We choose to love and we choose to be happy. Circumstances do help make us happy however we do not have to rely on them to be happy.

The question now is what makes you happy. I know in my case it is family and friends make me happy. No matter what is going on in my life they will always give me happiness. In fact I have to say they make me happier despite what could be that may make me depressed or feeling sad. It doesn’t mean that I will be happy all the time but sure makes it a lot easier. I have had to deal with depression over the years but family has made it a lot easier to deal with. I know that a lot of people take medicine to control depression but I have never had to do so. Other words my depression has been more dealing with circumstances then having medical condition which I have to say is real good. My depression still has put me in situations where I have felt being in dark places. I have had to battle through it but I am glad that I make it back to the right side eventually. I am not sure whether a lot of people gone through this in the same way I have but it is still a battle for me sometimes.

Over the years I have had trouble when spending times in large groups of people. I am not sure whether I feel depressed or unusual in large groups. I have been aware that there is a medical condition regarding being in rooms with a lot of people but I do not know the name of it. I haven’t thought about it much either regarding whether I have a medical condition I just know that I will get through it after a little while. I am sure there are those who believe that I probably should get some help but I think it is more of a spiritual attack on me. This too I am sure some people don’t believe in either but I do. All this has made me a stronger person and helps me to be happier.

Another area for me besides family and friends that I choose to be happy is my purpose and destiny. I feel that I have found it though sometimes doubt comes in but again I will fight over it. Again I feel that my purpose and destiny is to give hope and encouragement to others. The more that I can overcome my depression the more I give others hope. I believe that not everyone has to take medicine to get over depression but a strong will and fighting over this will get me out of the dark places. I hope to that writing will help others as well. If you are a Christian like me I recommend going to your pastor or someone else that you feel comfortable to get counseling if you feel necessary to get over it. I have been fortunate that I haven’t had to though I know I could if the circumstances happened where I need assistance. So I end here saying choose being happy in whatever manner and importance to you. God bless you all!

Being a Boy Scout

I know being a boy scout is not for every boy however I had a good time when I was in scouts. I know every boy has a reason to join or not to. I believe the major reason I joined boy scouts was my older brother was in scouts and some of my friends were in it however I did not join right away after being in cub scouts. It took me a year between cub and boy scouts to join.

I know to that every scout troop has to be different especially where you live. Living in a small town like I did scouts means more about going out in the country and go hiking. I remember once that when our troop went to this camp that was actually only three or four miles from my house we spent the weekend there. It was actually my first experience with scouting. A troop from Tacoma came out and we ended calling them city slickers because it was so obvious they were from the city. They brought things that really did not look like being used on a campout. I am sure they learned a little about being out in the country.

I know that some of the guys were really into getting merit badges and finding the way to becoming eagle scouts. I wasn’t that kind of kid. I really did not care how many merit badges I would get or how high a ranking I would go. I just wanted to have a good time. I was a kid who really enjoyed being a kid and not growing up to fast. Also there were areas that I struggled in so why make things more difficult on myself.

The main reason I was in scouts was to go hiking. Our troop would go on several hikes a year however primarily the major event was going on a fifty mile hike in August. The other hikes were more than just having fun but getting ready and be in shape for the fifty mile hike. We usually took a week or ten days to do the fifty mile hike. We gave a couple extra days just in case of rain and having some time to relax. Sometimes the hills were such that we needed to take a day off from hiking to recover.

One of the short hikes I enjoyed was the one the Enchanted Valley that you see on the right side of the page. It was about a eight mile hike and the area was very beautiful. Also we did not have to sleep in tents there either with a good size cabin however we could not always count on it because of other hikers. The one time I really remember was our scout master being chased by a bear. The assistant scout master went after the bear with an axe to have him get away from the scout master. We thought it was funny though the scout master was in danger. The bear was around to get some food for himself and his family. He was checking out the garbage cans that were lying around.  

All the fifty mile hikes we took in the Olympic Mountains. I will mention those places in some other writings. What beautiful places to see. Made the hiking fine even though my equipment in those days was not like it is today; I still remember the one person tent I slept in the first time. Very uncomfortable and my sleeping bag got wet when it rained. I have to say the food was not the greatest by a large margin as well. Today the tents that are for camping are so much better. The most important thing though is having the right hiking boots. I remember the first boots I had were so bad I could hardly walk after the first day. When you are in a group another important thing is to divide the equipment even between the hikers depending on the age. The younger ones should carry less while the older ones along with the adults can carry more.

So find out from boys what they may feel like about joining the boy scouts. You have to remember that not everyone will enjoy the scouts. Also it is OK to enjoy some parts of scouts while not liking some other parts. The most important thing is to have fun.

What Must We Do

 I try not to talk about politics or big news stories unless it happens in my area once in a while however these terrorist attacks need to be stopped.

Really shows to me why we have a purpose and destiny in this life at this time of the world. People need mighty champions that will make a difference around the world. First it begins with love and not being afraid to speak the truth. So often people are afraid to say something because of the whole political correct way of speaking; what makes it tough people can think that they will lose their jobs over what they say which in this day is unfortunately true.  Now I see that we are losing our freedom of speech slowly every day without even realizing it.

So much in this world whenever you speak truth people are thinking that you are hateful and instead of loving. This is really far from the truth. When not speaking truth means that you actually hate them. I know some people will say that I am wrong however speaking truth means that you are caring for the person. It is like your children not telling them that something they are doing is wrong and they could hurt themselves in the long run. Another example is not helping a friend who is going through drug problems and you don’t lift a finger to help them. If the person won’t accept what you are telling them at some point you may have to leave the relationship because of tough love. This is really what I am say is that there are times where we have to make a decision to leave the situation. We can hope at some point they will have their lives turn around. We can still love a person without agreeing with what they had done with their lives. This can be the hardest thing but must be done too.

So back to the subject I began with we must find a way as not only a country but the world to stop these radical terrorists are doing. I find it so unbelievable that they are having no problem killing those who are part of their own religion. It is sort of like over a hundred and fifty years ago and farther back then that where Native Americans were killing each other as much or more than the white man did.

I hope right now the military of not just the United States but other countries are in plans to kill all these radicals in the ISIS group. There are other terrorists besides them I am sure. I know that some leaders are just ignoring the situation but truly time to get rid of them. There is no way to change their way of thinking no matter how well intended we are. These people do not think in the same way that we do and we must recognize that fact. More we wait and not do anything the worse it will become. We must pray that wisdom will come to the leaders of our countries as well as to us. More we sit back and not do anything the worse things will become.

Whether we like it or not important for us to fight if it necessary to do so whether in the natural or supernatural realm; let your family and friends know where you are coming from regardless of the situation. Be sure doing everything in love. God bless you!

Hello July

 Here in Western Washington July you start out as a bang. I figured I had to start out as a pun.

Most years we figure that summer begins on July 5 however this year could be delayed a few days. On July 4 the weather was gloomy looking in the morning and sun did show its head in the afternoon. This is expected for the rest of the week with the temperatures in the mid-70s. I don’t mind so if there are no clouds and the sun is out but not the way it is right now. Over the last weekend we did have a little drizzle but just a lot of dark looking clouds.

Here in the northwest often we have clouds that are dark that threatened to rain and it doesn’t. So can feel depressed to us in some ways too; I believe by next week the normal summer with temperatures in the 80s will arrive. Usually will stay around into mid-September and lovely place to be; very hard to go traveling out of state because of this nice weather. Really good to have visitors during the summer; the temperatures are so good and you don’t have to worry about humidity very much either like in so much rest of the United States. We have a little bit of wind as well which helps out to especially if you want to spend time on the water.

 I have spent many years on the water here on sailboats primarily. The Puget Sound and San Juan Islands are great places to visit. If you visit Seattle and get the chance to go up in the Space Needle you can see so much of the area. Mt. Rainier to the south and east and the San Juan Islands to the north; close by you can see Lake Washington and some other small lakes. Lake Washington is an easy drive from the Space Needle as well.

So as I relax today and go for my early walk around the gorgeous and peaceful walk I imagine what July will look like this month. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful area.  

Happy 4th of July

Today is one of the most important holiday traditions and importance here in the United States. Though we call it 4^th of July because of the day it happened the other name is Independence Day.

I know that other countries that have their independence it is a big deal as well. Not a better deal than getting out of the country that has ruled over you. When the United States got its independence from England it was not yet a country and there was thirteen colonies at the time on July 4, 1776 where now there is fifty states. Doing the math it means that the United States has had its independence for 240 years and is now the most or one of the most powerful countries in the world for a long time. Where I live here in Gig Harbor, Washington was not discovered for another 65 years and white man did not start living here for about another 35 years or more after that.

The tradition here to celebrate the 4^th of July for many is having a barbeque with family and friends during the day and early evening. Some people buy and shoot off their own fireworks in mid evening while the cities put on fireworks around 10 pm when it is darker. Many places fireworks are illegal for people to do their own however often they do it anyway. I can hear fireworks going off as early 7pm and go as late as 2 am. I am a pretty good sleeper so after midnight I am OK when going to sleep.

Last year my mother and I went up to the Nightingale family reunion in Bellingham, Washington which is about a half an hour from the Canadian Border. So we had a very nice luncheon and seeing my relatives. Most of them are my second cousins who live in the Bellingham area though a few did travel from Arizona, California and Colorado. Many of them stuck around for the fireworks however mother and I returned home because it is about a two and half drive from Bellingham. We usually have the reunion every two years so I expect to go again next year. Everyone brings something to eat and share. Always nice to catch up with everyone since usually the only time I get a chance to see them.

The whole deal about Independence Day makes me think about taking classes in United States history as a kid. I really enjoyed learning history though I wish that I knew more about World War 1 and 2 along with the Korean War.  My classes they generally told us about Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, George Washington, the two Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and slavery. I have always liked my visits going to Boston, Massachusetts and the surround areas because it really brings history of the United States to me.

As a kid hearing all about US history gave a romantic way of thing though now I know that the history was not as kind as I heard it back in those days. The fighting against England, the Civil War and especially slavery was not a good mark on the United States.  I do know some things about World War 2 more than the First World War because I have heard so much about Germany especially. My mother spent her young adult life during World War 2 in Ottawa, Ontario Canada since she was a Canadian at the time. I have heard a different perspective on the war from her. She worked as a censor for the Canadian government during the war. She read the mail that came in to the German prisoners of War. She translated the German into English and to find out any information that could benefit the War.

I always find it good to think about US history once in a while especially on July 4^th. Have a great day and enjoy everything especially freedom.

More to Remember

Friday afternoon I had a date over tea at the coffee shop I regular spend time at. I met up with Polli who I was in school however she was in the class after mine. We had not seen each other since my senior year in high school so been quite some time.

I arrived a few minutes before she did however when she came through the doors of the coffee shop she was easy to point out. You see Polli had not changed much at all. Of course we are both older but the years have been kind to us both.

She now lives in England which she pointed out has been as long as she lived in Gig Harbor however this town is still home to her. The children she has are all grown up and were raised in England. She told me the original plan when she and her husband moved to England was only to be there for a couple years or three but the ideas sometimes change. They moved to England for his job.

Both of her parents are gone so she owns the house she grew up in. The coffee shop is about half way between where I and she lived. I grew up on the east side of Gig Harbor on the waterfront while she lived west of the harbor on Wollochet Bay. Both of our cases we had docks. She asked me if I ever went fishing. I told her that I fished of our dock. She had done the same thing. She caught bullheads and flounders. We both laughed a little because that is all I was ever able to catch even though salmon did come into the harbor to go through the two creeks at the head of the harbor. The cats had the benefit of eating the bullheads we each caught. I believe my mother cooked the flounders I caught but Polli said that they never ate the flounder she caught.

Since we were not in the same class in school the only class we took together was choir when I was a sophomore and she was a freshman. I kept on with choir through school but for her she only was in choir the one year. She did play the drums in band. I played the trumpet in 5^th and 6^th but I was not very good at all. The band director gave me some lessons however it did not help. Playing the trumpet was not my talent and I felt sad because I wanted to so much. My favorite trumpet players were Louie Armstrong and the guy with the same first name as mine Herb Alpert. I had records from both of them and so wanted to be like them but was not meant to be. The band director suggested that I change to the drums but my parents said they would not by me a set of drums and I had already chosen the instrument to play. I was disappointed but I did understand. Both my brothers tried playing my trumpet to but they were not any better than me. I wonder if there was a curse on the trumpet it couldn’t be just us could it. If I had been able to play the drums Polli and I may have been able to play together a year or two. Oh well what could have been.

The time having tea together brought back the memories on how special Polli had been to me back then. It did not take much time for me to realize it so. Growing up in Gig Harbor was a special place and beautiful place to be however the other kids like Polli made it more special. I am sure most people feel the same where they grew up.

Polli is going to be around for a couple months including being in Arts Festival coming up in Gig Harbor in a couple weeks. We are planning to see each other again next Friday along with another classmate of hers who I have seen for tea a couple times. I look forward to know more about her life in England and going back to our time in Gig Harbor. We have the memories in the past but making new ones to even though short and on occasions. I look forward to see Polli whenever she comes back home for a visit. I am a very blessed man.  

Holiday Weekend

We all seem to like these holiday weekends especially the three this time of the year in Memorial Day, 4^th of July and Labor Day. These days all feel like a mini-vacation. Of course some people extend these off to take a true vacation.

Here in Western Washington they expect ninety thousand people to ride the ferries each of the three days. So the traffic will be busy besides wherever else people like to travel this weekend.  

I like the traditions that some families go through every year during the holidays. In our family we have a family reunion every other year. We had one last year so next year should be another one. Friends of my mother have people over to celebrate the 4^th every year. She could not go last year because of our reunion but they had no trouble asking her to come this year. I am sure they enjoy watching fireworks together.

Unless something else comes up I plan to go under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to watch the fireworks. From my apartment I can hear and see a little of three different fireworks demonstrations going off at the same time. One takes place in Commencement Bay where the city of Tacoma is at and then there is Day Island not far from Chambers Bay where the U.S. Open Golf tournament was played last year and further south is Steilacoom the oldest town in the area. Though I can’t see it I can hear fireworks from Seattle.  On July 3 Cheney Stadium the home of the Tacoma Rainiers I will be able to see fireworks after the completion of their baseball game that night.

When I was a little kid we had fireworks displayed in Gig Harbor itself but lasted only a few years. I believe they couldn’t afford to put them on any longer. Our dad would take us out in sailboat into Commencement Bay to view fireworks. So we enjoyed being out late as well seeing the fireworks. Some years we would shoot off some fireworks as well if strong parent supervision.

I like to when people enjoy having parties that include barbequing. I enjoy smelling whatever they are cooking even if I am not involved in the party.

The animals especially dogs have a hard time with fireworks and go a bit crazy. I am sure the dog owners make sure they are somewhere that they do not affected by them. My apartment complex fireworks are not allowed to set off however I usually hear them before and after the fireworks in the skies are shown off.

I hope that you all enjoy your weekend but if you have fireworks yourself that you will let off be careful because we do not want any hurting themselves. So happy 4^th of July to you all.  

 

Praying

 

 

 

For many of us it is hard to take the time to pray.

I know Father God praying is to talk to you. Telling you how we feel.

I know to that praying we are supposed to do all the time but somehow I don’t take the time necessary to do so.

Jesus said that if we did not know what to say we should say “Our Father who art in heaven hallow be thy name your Kingdom Come thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”

We plead that we follow this prayer and ask that your Kingdom will come on earth as in heaven.

I find it interesting on how small children will pray with so much faith and talk to you as their Father. Let it be for us too.

I start today Father that I pray not only for my needs but for everyone that I know and do not know.

We pray for our nation that your will be done here as in heaven. For our current President and the one who will take office next year.

We pray that you forgive us and our nation for not remembering you.

Most of all I pray for great health of our families, friends and those who are reading this blog; also that your Kingdom comes into each of our lives.

Thank you so much for listening right now and I will keep on praying even when I am not sure what to pray for. AMEN!

Walking Early

Last weekend I decided I would start walking early in the morning at 6 am instead of 9 am like I had been doing. I have found that it is better though early because I have committed myself to the time than when I was going at 9. At the later time things come up where I can’t always walk while at 6 I am able to walk regardless of what is happening that day.

I am encouraging that people go walking for good exercise and 6 am is a great time to do so. Not a lot is going on at 6 am and another thing I see a lot of people in their seventies do not walk very well and I want to be a person that is able to walk fine when I become that age. Of course there is no guarantee that my legs and feet will be fine then but I want to increase the odds in my favor. I believe walking is better than either running or jogging. I believe running is OK if you can keep up the speed however over the long run you likely will not and you may have to start jogging or walking. I am no medicine expert but I have heard that jogging is hard on our knees so why not walk instead since I will have to do so at some point in life anyway.

I like walking to because I am able to see what is going around me especially in Gig Harbor where I can hear the birds chirp and see ducks in the harbor. I can view the homes and the flowers that are planted around. In the next few days I should have at least one walking partner and it is a lot easier to talk when you are walking. The down fall of walking is that I am not able to go as far the distance that I may or take longer to do so but the plan is to walk about an hour every morning.

I have found that at 6 am there are other people who are out at that time either walking or running. Actually more than I really expected to be at 6 a.m.  Wednesday morning I was able to talk to a mother with a young boy who was getting ready to run with her friend. I asked the little guy why mother would get you up so early. Her responses are you sure that he did not get me up early. We both laughed over her answer since she was probably right.

Most of all at 6 a.m. I find a lot of peace and quiet. Monday and Tuesday there was no wind like on Wednesday but still a good way to walk. The view of the harbor every morning is really nice as well. Looking over to the east side of the harbor I am able to see my old house and neighborhood. So this brings me joy and memories to. In my case I am used to getting up early in the morning. I do know that is not the case for everyone.  If you are one that has a hard time to get up at that time of day I recommend going for a walk around 5:30 or 6 pm after getting off work. If you are not working or go to work later maybe anytime between 7 and 9 would be better for you. In any case go out and walk as part of your everyday life. I am sure you will have a better day especially when you are in your seventies! God bless!