My Coronavirus Camino–Week 15

I just finished Week 15 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 6/25/2020–2.03 miles
  • 6/26/2020–2.07 miles
  • 6/27/2020–2.92 miles
  • 6/28/2020–4.02 miles
  • 6/29/2020–2.79 miles
  • 6/30/2020–4 miles
  • 7/1/2020–2.09 miles
Total for the Week--19.92 miles
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--422.65 miles

6/27/2020–Have you ever walked through a cherry orchard? That’s what we did today. The shade from the trees partially protected us from the sun, giving us much needed relief from the hot rays beating down on our heads. As we walked up and down the rows, it was fun to watch the birds darting in and out among the trees.

We know what you’re doing, you little fruit stealers!

So tempting…

6/28/2020–Today we walked along the C.O. Canal in Williamsport, M.D…once again, I was so happy for the shade!

Sleeping through the hot part of the day…

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 14

I just finished Week 14 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 6/18/2020–3.18 miles
  • 6/19/2020–4.62 miles
  • 6/20/2020–5.75 miles
  • 6/21/2020–2.05 miles
  • 6/22/2020–2.17 miles
  • 6/23/2020–2.12 miles
  • 6/24/2020–2.9 miles
Total for the Week--22.79 miles 
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--402.73 miles

I didn’t take any pictures on my walks this week. I’ve been working a lot, so I feel like I work, walk, eat, sleep…repeat. I’ve now walked 98 days without skipping a single day! I’ve walked 402.73 miles, and I’ve lost 23 1/2 pounds! I’m looking forward to hitting ‘100 days of walking’ this upcoming week. I now have less than 100 miles of my challenge left. In case you’re wondering, I’m going set a new challenge when I reach my goal. You’ll have to keep reading to see what I decide to do!

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 13

I just finished Week 13 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 6/11/2020–2.5 miles
  • 6/12/2020–4.67 miles
  • 6/13/2020–6.07 miles
  • 6/14/2020–5.04 miles
  • 6/15/2020–4.3 miles
  • 6/16/2020–2.31 miles
  • 6/17/2020–2.02 miles
Total for the Week--26.91 miles  
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--379.94 miles

6/13/2020–Debbie and I headed to Williamsport, MD to walk on the the C&O Canal. We’ve walked there many times before, but this is the first time that I’ve seen the aqueduct project completed–pretty impressive!

6/14/2020–Tom and I headed back to the 3rd Winchester Battlefield to walk today. It seems that this has become one of my favorite “local” places to hike. We thought we had completed all of the trails, but we found a few paths that we had never been on before which was fun. Oh, and the wild flowers were a poppin’!

6/15/2020–

Best of both worlds–Debbie and took a walk, and afterwords we sat in her back yard enjoying the view & the weather while drinking ‘Happy Sloth’ wine. Does it get any better than this? Nope! It was perfect.

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 12

I just finished Week 12 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 6/4/2020-2.01miles
  • 6/5/2020-2.11 miles
  • 6/6/2020-2.01 miles
  • 6/7/2020-2.24 miles
  • 6/8/2020-3.17 miles
  • 6/9/2020-3.03 miles
  • 6/10/2020-2.02 miles
Total for the Week--16.59 miles  
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--353.03 miles 

Oh boy! You can really see how my busy work schedule has been impacting my walking. Although the week’s mileage total isn’t that impressive, I’m proud that I’ve stuck to my goal and have continued to walk every day. I have walked for 84 consecutive days so far.

6/6/2020–Debbie and I decided to go back to the James Charles Winery & Vineyard today. We really enjoyed one of their wines the last time we were there, so we wanted to go back and try it again. I planned to walk after returning home, but the day was perfect and the wine was great, so we ended up staying at the winery for hours. I realized that by the time we got home, it would be very late in the date, and I was worried that this would be the day that I broke my walking steak.

Debbie suggested that we walk before going home, so that’s what we did! We walked 2.01 miles, which cracks me up…nothing like just barely accomplishing my goal. Unfortunately, I’ve taken a lot of short walks this week. My work hours have been long, the weather has been getting hotter & hotter, and I have felt worn out at the end of each day. Oh, well…things will improve…I need more relaxing days like today!

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 11

I just finished Week 11 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 5/28/2020–2.0 miles
  • 5/29/2020–2.03 miles
  • 5/30/2020–2.04 miles
  • 5/31/2020–2.58 miles
  • 6/1/2020–5.04 miles
  • 6/2/2020–4.83 miles
  • 6/3/2020–4.07 miles
Total for the Week--22.59 miles   
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--336.44 miles 

6/29/2020–Pierre walked with me today at Poor House Farm. It was only a short outing, because he “HATES” to walk! LOL! We’ve seen this mama duck several times now, and we’ve enjoyed watching her ducklings getting bigger and bigger.

5/31/2020–Tom and I took a short walk around at the Antietam National Battlefield today–the weather was perfect!

6/1/2020– I cut through the Lowe’s parking lot when I was walking earlier today, and I crossed paths with a woman who was coming out of the store. I noticed a look of surprise cross her face as she peeled off her face mask and blurted, “Oh, it’s you! I’ve seen you walking ALL over town!”

“I smiled, and replied, “I’ve put in a lot of miles since the beginning of the Cornona Virus.

She asked for my mileage total, and when I told her she exclaimed, “You have GOT to be kidding me!”

I assured her that I wasn’t kidding! LOL!

Her reaction stayed with me for the rest of the day, and I’ve smiled whenever I remembered how she responded to me. It really made my day. I told her to beep at me the next time she’s sees me, and I can’t wait to see if it happens!

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 10

I just finished Week 10 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 5/21/2020–3.07 miles
  • 5/22/2020–2.77 miles
  • 5/23/2020–4.86 miles
  • 5/24/2020–10.12 miles
  • 5/25/2020–5.59 miles
  • 5/26/2020–2.15 miles
  • 5/27/2020–2.10 miles
Total for the Week--30.66 miles   
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--313.85 miles 
Wildflowers blooming close to home…
The sun was so harsh, that it was hard to get a good picture
May 24, 2020–Tom and I hiked Level 52 (C&O Canal) & the Maryland Rail Trail.
5/25/2020–Tom and I headed to the Tuscarora Trail on Memorial Day–we scored a NOHOT (No Humans on Trail)! This is our favorite way to hike!
Follow the blue blazes…
Celebrating the ‘Sounds of Silence’…

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 9

I just finished Week 9 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 5/14/2020–4.01 miles
  • 5/15/2020–3.45 miles
  • 5/16/2020–2.57 miles
  • 5/17/2020–7.49 miles
  • 5/18/2020–3.0 miles
  • 5/19/2020–2.22 miles
  • 5/20/2020–2.1 miles
Total for the Week--24.84 miles    
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--283.19 miles 

I guess the biggest news that I have this week is that after walking 283.19 miles over 63 days straight, I’ve lost 20 pounds! Yes, I’m quite pleased!

Spring has sprung, and I’ve enjoyed being a silent observer each day that I walk. This week I walked around town, at the 3rd Winchester Battlefield, and on the C&O Canal.

Enjoying Spring–
C&O Canal–Shepherdstown, WV

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 8

I just finished Week 8 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 5/7/2020–4.1 miles
  • 5/8/2020–5.05 miles
  • 5/9/2020–4.5 miles
  • 5/10/2020–5.13 miles
  • 5/11/2020–4.4 miles
  • 5/12/2020–4.1 miles
  • 5/13/2020–2.62 miles
Total for the Week--29.09 miles
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--258.35 miles 

I had another good week of walking, but my exciting news is that I passed the halfway point on my Camino! Another way to say it is that I’m 8.35 miles beyond the middle of my challenge! Yeah!

Every day hasn’t been easy, but once I set a goal for myself, I tend to stick to it. Several times when it’s been raining or cold, I’ve sang this song to get myself motivated, and guess what? It works! Do you remember this song from the 1970 Christmas special, ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town?”

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door
You never will get where you're going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there's a good tail wind blowing
A fast walking man is hard to beat
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door
If you want to change your direction
If your time of life is at hand
Well don't be the rule, be the exception
A good way to start is to stand
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door

5/8/2020– This was one of those days that I had to force myself out the door. I had finished working at 3:30 p.m. and I was tired, but the real kicker was that it was pouring. Not drizzling lightly–pouring! I sang my little song, and pulled on my rain gear–raincoat, rain pants, a rain hat, and waterproof boots. I was covered from head-to-toe, but I was still dreading my walk.

After walking about for about 10 minutes, I realized that the rain was a blessing in disguise. The streets were practically empty and other than the sound of the rain falling, everything was peaceful and quiet. I ended up walking slightly over 5 miles!

"I'm singing in the rain...."
Put one foot in front of the other…I took one picture so I could remember how hard it was raining, but more importantly, I wanted to remember that I didn’t allow the weather to get in the way of my goal!

5/9/2020–Today was the yin to yesterday’s yang. It was windy and on the cold side, but the sun was shining brightly, and no rain! It was a glorious day to be outdoors! My friend Debbie works part-time at a vineyard in Virginia. She hadn’t worked for awhile because of the Coronavirus, so she wanted to head down to buy some wine, since they were open for pick-up. She invited me to tag along and she enticed me with a promise of a walk around the property.

I wonder if that’s my problem…maybe I’m suffering from Novinophobia! LOL!

Enjoying the sun…
Debbie’s hands got a bit cold after I dropped her glove, I mean sock in the water! LOL! Debbie, the whole world now knows that you were wearing socks on your hands!
There she was just a walkin’ up the hill singing, “Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do!”
Are you talkin’ to me?

The sun really tricked us–we went from hot, to cold, to comfortable, and then back to cold. At one point, we found ourselves in a short snow squall! We had a great walk and the views at the vineyard were incredible. I went home with three bottles of wine, and Debbie bought six. I think we’re set for awhile!

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 7

I just finished Week 7 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 4/30/2020–5.19
  • 5/1/2020–7.12
  • 5/2/2020–4.52
  • 5/3/2020–4.01
  • 5/4/2020–2.01
  • 5/5/2020–2.57
  • 5/6/2020–3.59
Total for the Week--29.01 miles
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--228.45 miles 
Check out Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5,& Week 6

4/30/2020–

April 30th– If I drop my bottle cap while I’m walking, does bending down to pick it up count as a squat? Inquiring minds want to know! (Kym, if you’re reading this–as I reached down to pick up my bottle cap, your post came to mind! LOL!)
April 30th–Imagine my surprise when these two big dogs bounded toward me as I was walking by! They were sweethearts–all they wanted was a little bit of love and attention! The white one was named, Moose! LOL!
May 1st–Some broke the side mirror on my car, so I had to get it replaced. I put it off for weeks because of the Coronavirus, but I finally made myself take it to the shop. As they worked on the mirror, Pierre and I took a walk nearby. We ended up at a church that had a pavilion nearby. Check out the picture–we figured that the door leads to a storage area, but how do you get to the door? LOL!
May 1st–Full Bloom at Orr’s Farm
May 2nd– Debbie and I took a walk at 3rd Winchester Battlefield–we loved this long dirt road!
An unfortunate sign of the times…
May 3rd–James Hite Park
Another view of the park…

My Coronavirus Camino–Week 6

I just finished Week 6 of my walking challenge, which I’ve nicknamed, ‘My Coronavirus Camino.’ The rules are simple, I’m going to walk every day for a minimum of two miles until I reach 500 miles. There is no rush to finish–I’m just going to do it! This ‘magic number’ is the length of the Camino Frances in France/Spain.

  • 4/23/2020–3.59 miles
  • 4/24/2020–3.02 miles
  • 4/25/2020–3.65 miles
  • 4/26/2020–4.50 miles
  • 4/27/2020–4.55 miles
  • 4/28/2020–6.30 miles
  • 4/29/2020–5.25 miles
Total for the Week--30.86 miles
Total for 'My Coronavirus Camino'--199.44 miles 
Check out Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, & Week 5

I guess the big question for the week might be..why didn’t you walk just a tad bit more so you could hit the 200 mile mark this week? The answer is easy–this isn’t a race, and I’ll hit 200 miles tomorrow! I like keeping goal oriented, and it’s nice to know that I can control at least one thing during these crazy times! I’ve walked in the rain, wind, cold, heat…I just open the door and start walking! 500 miles–here I come!

“Debbie, is that you back there?”…”I’m just practicing social distancing!”