My new thing

I never have a shortage of new enthusiasms, I'm fortunate that way.

For three years Steve and I have maintained one city block of our community's bike path. It entailed a lot of work -- mowing, litter abatement (including poop patrol for other people's dogs), reporting gang graffiti, pulling weeds and protecting the wildflowers. We finally decided to give the task back to the city so someone else can have the pleasure.

And it was pleasurable, we got to greet lots of joggers, moms with strollers, dog walkers and others. But I just don't have that level of stamina right now so have traded that job for something else.

My new something is to be a park monitor a few blocks from home. It will require many more hours, but will be much gentler. I am expected to walk my dog (or Steve!) on any of the trails, notice and report what I see, take photos, pick up litter if I want to. It's primarily a notice & report sort of volunteering.

I took Brix for an hour walk today on one of the trails. He, of course, loved it and so did I. Because my job was to be alert to my surroundings, I found I was, more so than if I had just taken a walk on my own. I scribbled a few notes and later wrote up the report. I took photos and began my own field journal.



The park is 44 acres - not huge, but large enough that it will take me many trail walking sessions before I know if as well as, say that one block of bike path.