Sunday Walkie

Yesterday morning I thought about getting up, decided I would walk later in the day, rolled over and went back to sleep. When I did get up, one thing and another…, I never got “round tuit”.
This morning I decided to not argue with myself, just got up and went out the door.

It was dark and 34 degrees but not raining. I walked west two blocks to Franklin and turned north. I walked to the end of Franklin, turned around at Manzanita Street and headed south. Passing through the downtown portion of Franklin Street I noticed the neon sign at the Old Coast Hotel was on. I also noticed it was running twenty minutes slow.

I moved along at a quick pace because of the cold. Since it was early Sunday morning, no one was out and my walk became very invigorating and pleasant. I got inspired to continue all the way south to Noyo Harbor, around under the Highway One bridge, back up past the “Too Tall Motel” and home. Returning through the downtown section of Franklin Street it was light enough to photograph the store fronts. During my walk I think I discovered a good trivia question:

“What is the name of the only north and south street, in Fort Bragg, named after a tree?

All in all, one of my better walks. 4.8 miles

34 degrees

I had a bit of a wrestle getting out of my warm bed this morning but stayed the course and “hit the bricks” at 6:00AM.

I got my stride going and headed up Harrison wearing the sweatshirt hood over my ears and cotton gloves on my hands; walking fast to generate some body heat. Just walking, zoned out, enjoying the crisp air. When I turned the corner at Fir and Harold, Bingo! Something’s changed!

During previous walks past this corner I have noticed how the lights kept burning out on the Cotton Auditorium Marquee. The far one would be out. A week later the two middle ones would be out. Next time they would all be working and a week later the first one would be out!

I kept wondering if it was possible they were on individual switches but that didn’t seem likely. I meant to start keeping track of which ones were out but this morning, Bingo! They have all been changed to energy efficient florescent bulbs! It is nice to see something positive happen without saying a word.

Another plus this morning was spotting two bumper stickers I had noticed during previous walks when I didn’t have my camera with me. I have gone looking for these stickers various times but couldn’t find them. This morning both were along my route and this time, I had my camera. Yes!

????

I don’t know what bothers me more, this church reader board or the fact the water department can’t put the lid back straight!! Both of these oddities were spotted during, what I have come to consider, my basic walk; out the door at 6:00AM, North to Winifred. South to Walnut, home by 7:00AM.

It rained during the night but was dry this morning with the sun almost clearing the coastal hills when I finished my walk.

Attention. Attention. Square telephone pole and Obelisk update:

Local friend Valery e-mailed me some information. She said an old-timer told her the Obelisk was a mailbox post and the square telephone poles were where death notices were posted.

The obelisk does have two rusted off mounting locations at about mail box height.

As for the square telephone poles…. the flat surfaces would be perfect for posting death notices, I guess.

Strange.

A test

Which one isn’t a bird house?

*********

I woke at 5:45AM when the watering system timer went off. I was out the door by 6:00AM. On a spur of moment decision I decided to walk the Hall Road again.

I walked north until my watch said 7:00AM then turned around and retraced my route. I was home by 8:00AM. It felt really good. This was my first long walk since I returned from the desert. I didn’t have my GPS with me but working my route out on GMap-Pedometer it looks like I walked a total of 5.7 miles.

It was a warm 60 degrees, the sea air thick with moisture. Heavy low clouds and impending rain. I met three people I know during my walk. The Hall Road is a popular walking, jogging and biking route.

As time goes by I plan to keep increasing my distance up the Haul Road.

Signage

Getting a late start on my walk today allowed me to see a store sign that is not out on the sidewalk at 6:00AM. It gave me something to ponder as I ambled along

“Huge Bra Sale” Does that mean small ladies need not apply?

“Buy 1 Get 1” Does that mean both?

Fortunately I’m old and no longer “titillated” by feminine finery but I got a kick out of the sign.

Spike’s recent blog also allowed me to feel comfortable with my late start. In fact, he didn’t even go! Just…“Laid out on the balcony in a wooly jumper with a beer and watched the wind”.

It is important to kick back, now and then.

Glass Beach Development

I had a rather interesting walk this morning.

I overslept and got out the door twenty minutes later than usual which cast a bit more light on the situation.

I decided to walk to the Glass Beach Development which I know nothing about.

On my way I passed this recently repainted Victorian and decided to take its picture in the early morning light. I rested my camera against Rossi’s Building Supply across the street because it was going to be a slow exposure. What I didn’t expect was my flash going off. Well, it did and that caused the interesting light in the lower left window.

Entering the Glass Beach Development I noticed Fort Bragg ran out of tree names and seem to like the name Stewart.

And there is Cimolino Way. John Cimolino was a County Supervisor. Cimolino Way turned out to be one block long. Sort of a strange reward for years of service!

Another thing I noticed. Elections are happening next Tuesday and there was not one political candidate poster in all of the development! Can it be against a zoning ordinance to endorse your favorite politician?

Strange.

Stop

After my excellent hike to Panamint City I am back in Fort Bragg doing my little walks in the dark that now seem like a waste of time.

After two weeks of glorious desert sunshine it is raining.

Reasons I should have stayed in bed loom large in my mind as I walk along. Even the glistening street says Stop!

But I see the haunted house has shifted motifs from Halloween Witch to Thanksgiving Turkey.

Going off daylight savings time has brought a wee bit of light to my walk, a last gasp before winter. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t move my walk to a later time so there is more to see. On the other hand I like the peace and quiet of six to seven when people are just getting up and the streets are empty.

I finish my walk and I feel much better and am glad I did it.

All part of the mental down and up of walking.