Week 1 - Walk 1: Observation

Walk Details

Date: September 22, 2020 (First Day of Fall)

Time: 7:12 am

Weather: Sunny

Temperature: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Air Quality Index: 32

Observations

Noticing

I’m fortunate to live in an area surrounded by many paved bike paths and other trails. There are several routes I can take that result in somewhat of a loop before I backtrack my way home. During this morning’s walk I contemplated why I always choose one particular loop over several others. While it is true that the route I chose this morning is one of the closest and most defined loops, that’s now why I gravitate towards it. I gravitate towards this loop for the variety. This route has three wooden planked bridges, one set of eagle scout built stairs, a couple marsh areas, a nice hill to get the heart rate pumping, and it’s usually not too busy which is especially helpful in this new COVID-19 era. This morning just five people crossed my path, one of which was on a bicycle. 

Hearing

Because it was quiet and peaceful, I heard at least five different species of birds. I was reminded that I need to spend more time learning about the birds. I heard the creek water running and wondered why it was running. There had to have been several sprinkler systems providing runoff in the area to create the sound. I was startled out of the peaceful background sounds by a squirrel foraging in the trees. And finally as I crested the hill, I heard the cars driving along the major thoroughfare that runs parallel to my trail before it curves back into the green and crosses the final bridge in my looping path.

Seeing

All along my path I saw evidence of the changing season. The elderberry shrubs are drooping. The redbud trees look like their name with small red seed pods. The skeletonweed that was blooming so fervently a few weeks ago is drying up. The poison oak is turning from shiny green to dull russet. The wild grape and blackberry are beginning to go dormant. The chill in the morning air against my skin and the branches that have already shed their leaves are a stark reminder of the cold and dark that is to come. But until then, I’ll enjoy the golden light shortly before sunrise that continues to light mornings. For now.