Practice Walk #5 and some musings...

Walk #5 to Tiburon by way of Sausalito happened as planned, on the 5th of this month.  A hiking-friend and I parted company at the Sausalito ferry, and I made it to Tiburon in time to catch the 5:00 (PM) ferry to the SF Ferry Building.  Another (approximately) 17-mile day.

Regarding the physical challenges of distance walking, especially over the course of days, weeks, and months(!):  Though it feels as if I am no longer young, I remember that I wasn't young on my last pilgrimage either!  Suffice it to say I am not one of those lucky pain-free individuals, but so far am encouraged enough to think that a combination of conditioning and faith might carry me along for a while!

Supports, Therapies and Practice Walk #4

The walk last week was a variation on my usual theme of crossing the GG Bridge, only this time I did it twice!  And realized that, iconic though the site may be, the walk is actually not very pleasant, being quite noisy and crowded.  It's worse on the southbound leg, as one is walking against traffic, and getting an extra dose of wind and exhaust...  Nevertheless, the plan was to walk to the library in the town of Sausalito and then reverse the trip, making it just a little shy of 18 miles (edging a bit closer to 20.)  A friend wants to take part of a day's trek with me this week, so I/we will be back on the bridge, with my ultimate destination being the Tiburon ferry.

OK, so we don't need any more photos of the bridge, but here are a few of my other support activities, for the sake of diversity!  

Fuzz therapy! - working with 'under-socialized' kittens at the SPCA

Since I turned 65 my gym membership is FREE(!) with the insurance I have...)

Running/jogging in the woods near my house.

Practice Walk #3

This third hike, taken last Friday, was also just about a 17-mile day.  I haven't yet managed to plan a longer walk that works well with transport home at the end of the day.  But I think that 3-4 more miles would be do-able at this point.  Friday's route was to Green Gulch Farm on Highway 1 in Marin County, a Zen Buddhist community where I lived for some years.  The hike included some trails over the hills in Marin and the weather was great - not too hot.

I am using and appreciating the walking poles acquired on the previously mentioned Spanish pilgrimage.  For next year's 'long walk', the plan has been to utilize some sort of push/pull cart, since carrying all gear on my back, including water, will not be possible.  As I walk with the poles it seems clear that this cart will have to work either way (pushed or pulled).  I have been looking without much success for something workable so if anyone has an idea (or knows of a local machinist who could fabricate something) it would be great!

A pretty crowded day on the GG Bridge

Surfers off of Fort Point

Miwok Trail 

US Route 6 Walker

An east coast friend introduced me to this website:  http://route6walk.com.  It's about a retired newspaper man, Joe Hurley, who walked US Route 6, a highway that stretches all the way from Cape Cod in Massachusetts, to Long Beach, California.  (Who knew there was a single route across the entire U.S., and a walkable one at that.)  Mr. Hurley traveled from east to west, and had a photographer with him.  I am copying a couple of the photos below.  We have exchanged a few e-mails and Mr. Hurley has been generous with his offer of advice/contacts and so forth.

(Mr. Hurley has a book for sale through is website.  Photos are by Travis Lindhorst.)

Practice Walk #2

Although I cannot be as precise about the distance covered in yesterday's San Francisco loop walk,  I think it compares adequately with Practice Walk #1.  (It's on my agenda to acquire a pedometer that measures distance as well as steps...)

The route from my address described the 'northern SF perimeter', first over 17th Street to the Castro, and down to the Ferry Building via Market Street, and then along the waterfront from SF Bay around to Ocean Beach.  Most of this was along city streets, but there were trails in the Presidio and Land's End Parks.  Asphalt and packed earth are both so much more 'forgiving' than concrete, so I try (wherever it is safe to do so) to walk on the roads, in bike lanes, and on asphalt paths.  The return home was through Golden Gate Park.  I believe this amounted to 15 - 16 miles distance.  

It does not escape me that I have some gorgeous and panoramic scenery to enjoy while I'm working on strength and stamina.  Also, that I have a shower and a comfortable bed and the end of a day's work-out!  

Lotta's Fountain on Market Street

View from Ft. Mason

View from Land's End, with lots of pretty red poison oak in the foreground!

 Mile Rock and Pt. Bonita in the distance.

Ocean Beach from the Cliff House.

Practice Walk #1

Yesterday I took my first practice walk, from home in S.F. to the Larkspur Golden Gate ferry landing.  The route (according to Google maps) was 16.8 miles and took me about 6.25 hours, not including rest stops!  This was encouraging in view of my eventual 20+ mile per day goal while on the road.  Not surprisingly, I'm sore today, but feel good about the outing yesterday.  It's all about conditioning, right?

Andrew Goldsworthy sculpture in the Presidio.

Crissy Field overlook

Climate Flag created by a local 350.org group.  Mt. Tamalpais in the background.

Return trip on the ferry from Larkspur ferry dock.