The other day, as I was watching my new derby friends skate around in circles at the rink for practice, I realized that I should really be using them as a more motivational tool in my life and really start being good about my diet and exercise. One of my new friends Daya, lives near by and we occasionally carpool. I suggested that we start getting together once or so each week and do something active.
Yesterday she texted me and asked if Diesel and I would like to go for a walk with her and her pup, Dazzy. We said of course! She and Dazzy met us over here and we walked Diesel and I's favorite loop. Down the street, to the CRT, into downtown, down Grey and back again. It was kinda late, but I knew we'd get through it pretty quick. I think it took us just about an hour to do the full 3 miles! That's some end of the summer speed right there.
The boys got along great, and I think Daya and I had some great conversation along the way too. I look forward to more outtings with Daya and Dazzy this summer. :)
Showing posts with label routes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label routes. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Weird Winter
This has been the strangest winter I can remember. The weather has been relatively warm, and we haven't gotten much snow. There have only been a few days that I have needed to get up early (ok, who am I kidding I never get up early) to clear the snow/ice from my car. Most of the time I am lucky enough to check my phone for the temp, and run out in my jammies and get it started up so it has time to defrost before I get in. I think the worst of the weather was a few weeks ago, it was a bit slick on a Friday night when Mikey and I were driving home, and then that following Saturday morning I needed to fight some snow and ice on my car and on the streets.
And today was no exception. When I got out of work today, the sun was out, it as about 39°, and the dog was extra wound up! Mikey has been taking him for walks during the day since he's been off work these past few weeks. Unfortunately though, Mikey took a little spill down the stairs the other day and rolled his ankle. Seems someone was expecting an afternoon walk. And who could say no to that smiling puppy face?
It was a nice enough day but it was still a little cool, and getting cooler as the afternoon progressed. I wanted to make it a quick walk, but still get enough distance in to make Dieseldog happy. Leash strapped on, DieselCam rolling, GPS in pocket tracking our distance and time, we were off.
Headed down our street towards the trail, down the trail and past the Mastodon Site. There weren't a lot of people on the trail today, and it was a bit muddy in some places, but peaceful still. It was the first time I had been on that section of the trail since they built the new stand-alone restroom at Leach & Adams. It was a nice improvement over the Porta-John that had been their previously.
We headed down Leach and it was just a little ways up the street that we came across my friend Andrea as she was driving home. We stopped to chat for a moment, but didn't want to hold up traffic.
We kept on going, without much else exciting happening. Just as we got close to home we came across a lady with her rottweiler. She introduced herself and her dog, I believe his name was Zeus. We made small talk about the boys and agreed that we will probably see more of each other as the weather warmed.
It wasn't a very eventful walk, but it was just the right thing for a sunny February day. We don't always get a chance to take the time out for ourselves or to appreciate the weather when its not quite perfect, but definitely better than the alternative. I'm hoping Diesel and I can start getting a few more of these walks in.
Oh, and yes, we did try the DieselCam again but I still need to work on stabilizing it. I get more shots of his neck fur then I do anything else. That and it clips to his collar fine, but his leash pulls his collar around and then you end up with the camera on its side, and that really makes for a dizzy replay. I'll keep working on it and hopefully I will have a neat video for you this summer.
And today was no exception. When I got out of work today, the sun was out, it as about 39°, and the dog was extra wound up! Mikey has been taking him for walks during the day since he's been off work these past few weeks. Unfortunately though, Mikey took a little spill down the stairs the other day and rolled his ankle. Seems someone was expecting an afternoon walk. And who could say no to that smiling puppy face?
It was a nice enough day but it was still a little cool, and getting cooler as the afternoon progressed. I wanted to make it a quick walk, but still get enough distance in to make Dieseldog happy. Leash strapped on, DieselCam rolling, GPS in pocket tracking our distance and time, we were off.
 |
| Yea, I took a picture of the rest stop. |
We headed down Leach and it was just a little ways up the street that we came across my friend Andrea as she was driving home. We stopped to chat for a moment, but didn't want to hold up traffic.
We kept on going, without much else exciting happening. Just as we got close to home we came across a lady with her rottweiler. She introduced herself and her dog, I believe his name was Zeus. We made small talk about the boys and agreed that we will probably see more of each other as the weather warmed.
It wasn't a very eventful walk, but it was just the right thing for a sunny February day. We don't always get a chance to take the time out for ourselves or to appreciate the weather when its not quite perfect, but definitely better than the alternative. I'm hoping Diesel and I can start getting a few more of these walks in.
Oh, and yes, we did try the DieselCam again but I still need to work on stabilizing it. I get more shots of his neck fur then I do anything else. That and it clips to his collar fine, but his leash pulls his collar around and then you end up with the camera on its side, and that really makes for a dizzy replay. I'll keep working on it and hopefully I will have a neat video for you this summer.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Warm October
It seems that for the past few years, it has been staying warmer come October. At least it has here in Michigan. For instance, this week we could see a high of 80° on Saturday. It has been sunny and nice out all week so far, which has been an amazing change from the cold and wet of the previous weeks.
Just yesterday, when I got home from work, it was 70°, not a cloud in the sky and I just couldn't resist taking Diesel out for a walk. And being that it was so nice, I decided to wing it and just walk for the pleasure of it with no real route in mind.
We had to start out on the Clinton River Trail like always, because I couldn't pass up the opportunity to escape from the asphalt and surround myself with the peacefulness of the trail. As I was enjoying the many new fall colors to be seen, Diesel was busy searching the trees for squirrels. The squirrels have been super busy lately, running in and out of the walnut trees, and barking at one another. It didn't take long for him to spot a few black squirrels and we saw quite a few fox squirrels as well.
Once downtown, I was happy to see that new flowers had been planted along the road way, really capturing the essence of autumn. Downtown Auburn Hills sure has come a long way since I was a kid, but one thing I can count on is a quick soft serve cone at the Twist & Dip. It may not be run by the same owners, or carry any fancy ice cream flavors, the Twist & Dip has always been a nice place to get a cold treat on a hot day. Today wasn't exactly hot, but it sure was nice, and there aren't going to be many more days like this! Diesel got his usual of a doggy dish; small bowl of vanilla with a doggy biscuit, and I just got a baby vanilla cone to satisfy the craving. After all, we are out walking for our health.
And since our health is important, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to add a little to our route and see how a detour would be. We first swung through Riverside Park, walking along the river bank. One of my favorite places in Auburn Hills. The park may be small, but it has a nice trail along the riverbank, a play area, a nice gazebo, a pavilion, and restrooms. A great place to enjoy lunch, or an evening downtown. They have hosted a few different events at the park, most recently the Clinton River Trail Fall Classic that I participated in, as well as an Annual Exchange in the spring, and concerts on Fridays during the summer.
Not ready to head home yet, I thought it would be nice for Diesel and I to head down Squirrel Rd, and make our way back to South Blvd, and then Adams going that route, I figured it would add at least a mile to our walk. It's funny how the simplest things can have you reflecting back on fond memories. And its not like I haven't been down these roads before, I have many times in fact, but there is just something about walking the sidewalks where I used to ride my bike as a kid, really can bring a smile to my face. Even after a not-so-good day of work.
It started to cool down and Diesel and I made our way down South Blvd. and I was glad I had worn my hoodie. Even though the temps have been nice during the day, as soon as the sun sets, you are reminded that it is October in Michigan. One last picture I took along our walk really sums up what I love about this time of year. And maybe it can be the motivation I need to hang the Halloween decorations. (Trust me, 80° this Saturday is not going to make it very easy.) So I leave you with this, a beautiful shot from the corner of Adams & South Blvd.
Just yesterday, when I got home from work, it was 70°, not a cloud in the sky and I just couldn't resist taking Diesel out for a walk. And being that it was so nice, I decided to wing it and just walk for the pleasure of it with no real route in mind.
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| Along the CRT - East of Adams Rd. |
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| Downtown Auburn Hills |
Once downtown, I was happy to see that new flowers had been planted along the road way, really capturing the essence of autumn. Downtown Auburn Hills sure has come a long way since I was a kid, but one thing I can count on is a quick soft serve cone at the Twist & Dip. It may not be run by the same owners, or carry any fancy ice cream flavors, the Twist & Dip has always been a nice place to get a cold treat on a hot day. Today wasn't exactly hot, but it sure was nice, and there aren't going to be many more days like this! Diesel got his usual of a doggy dish; small bowl of vanilla with a doggy biscuit, and I just got a baby vanilla cone to satisfy the craving. After all, we are out walking for our health.
And since our health is important, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to add a little to our route and see how a detour would be. We first swung through Riverside Park, walking along the river bank. One of my favorite places in Auburn Hills. The park may be small, but it has a nice trail along the riverbank, a play area, a nice gazebo, a pavilion, and restrooms. A great place to enjoy lunch, or an evening downtown. They have hosted a few different events at the park, most recently the Clinton River Trail Fall Classic that I participated in, as well as an Annual Exchange in the spring, and concerts on Fridays during the summer.
 |
| The Clinton River |
It started to cool down and Diesel and I made our way down South Blvd. and I was glad I had worn my hoodie. Even though the temps have been nice during the day, as soon as the sun sets, you are reminded that it is October in Michigan. One last picture I took along our walk really sums up what I love about this time of year. And maybe it can be the motivation I need to hang the Halloween decorations. (Trust me, 80° this Saturday is not going to make it very easy.) So I leave you with this, a beautiful shot from the corner of Adams & South Blvd.
 |
| I just love the colors of the trees right now. :) |
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Clinton River Trail Fall Classic 2011
written 9-17-11
Burr! It was a chilly day out there this morning, but Diesel and I got up early and headed down to Riverside Park in Auburn Hills to volunteer in this years Clinton River Trail Fall Classic.
The CRT Fall Classic is an annual bicycle tour and 5K walk that takes place each year along the Clinton River Trail. For a small registration fee, participants can choose either a 5K walk, or 5, 16, 24, or 40 mile bike routes. Each participant gets a t-shirt (if preregistered), maps for the various routes and lunch upon returning. Vendors are also set up in the park offering various goodies.
Walkers start out at Riverside Park and head west on the CRT to Opdyke Rd and back. Cyclists start at the park, but head east on the trail. The 5 mile trail takes you to Crooks Rd and back, the 16 mile trial is to Dequindre and back. For the more ambitious riders, you can pick up the Macomb Orchard Trail on the other side of Dequindre and either turn around at West Rd for 24 miles, or continue all the way to the Clinton River Bridge just past mile marker 12, and head back.
Originally, Diesel and I were just going to participate in the event as walkers, but I came across a posting on the Friends of the CRT Facebook page asking for volunteers. Since we live so close by anyhow, I figured why not. I got to wear a spiffy neon yellow vest and direct the walkers and cyclist from the park to the trail. It was a great opportunity for us to meet so many people who enjoy the trail just as much as Diesel and I do. We even had a chance to pass out a few of our cards and hopefully gain a few more readers to the blog.
Once I knew most of the crowds had made their way to the trail, we stopped back in at the registration table and got my t-shirt. We browsed around a bit talking with the vendors and then headed out to complete our walk.
Diesel and I have walked this side of the trail a few times, however we've never gone as far as Opdyke, we usually turn around at the I-75 bridge, and walk back. I never knew just how nice the rest of that walk could be. The section of the trail between I-75 and Opdyke is mostly wooded, and you can spot the backyards of a few houses but otherwise the trail is pretty secluded. We saw quite a few squirrels and even a bunny while walking, and even had the chance to chat with a few more walkers along the way.
It took us about a half hour to get to Opdyke and then another half hour to get back, so not a bad walk at all. I took quite a few pictures that you can see by scrolling to the bottom of this page, though I wish I would have remembered to turn on my Noom so I could track my stats.
Once back at the park, Diesel and I shared a few snacks and talked with more volunteers and participants about different routes and about the trail. It was a nice morning despite the overcast and the lower than welcomed temperatures. All and all it was a great morning.
If you walked/cycled the Fall Classic, please feel free to share your stories in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
If you would like more information on the Clinton River Trail, check out the Friends of the CRT Facebook group or visit www.clintonrivertrail.org
Burr! It was a chilly day out there this morning, but Diesel and I got up early and headed down to Riverside Park in Auburn Hills to volunteer in this years Clinton River Trail Fall Classic.
Walkers start out at Riverside Park and head west on the CRT to Opdyke Rd and back. Cyclists start at the park, but head east on the trail. The 5 mile trail takes you to Crooks Rd and back, the 16 mile trial is to Dequindre and back. For the more ambitious riders, you can pick up the Macomb Orchard Trail on the other side of Dequindre and either turn around at West Rd for 24 miles, or continue all the way to the Clinton River Bridge just past mile marker 12, and head back.
Originally, Diesel and I were just going to participate in the event as walkers, but I came across a posting on the Friends of the CRT Facebook page asking for volunteers. Since we live so close by anyhow, I figured why not. I got to wear a spiffy neon yellow vest and direct the walkers and cyclist from the park to the trail. It was a great opportunity for us to meet so many people who enjoy the trail just as much as Diesel and I do. We even had a chance to pass out a few of our cards and hopefully gain a few more readers to the blog.
Once I knew most of the crowds had made their way to the trail, we stopped back in at the registration table and got my t-shirt. We browsed around a bit talking with the vendors and then headed out to complete our walk. Diesel and I have walked this side of the trail a few times, however we've never gone as far as Opdyke, we usually turn around at the I-75 bridge, and walk back. I never knew just how nice the rest of that walk could be. The section of the trail between I-75 and Opdyke is mostly wooded, and you can spot the backyards of a few houses but otherwise the trail is pretty secluded. We saw quite a few squirrels and even a bunny while walking, and even had the chance to chat with a few more walkers along the way.
It took us about a half hour to get to Opdyke and then another half hour to get back, so not a bad walk at all. I took quite a few pictures that you can see by scrolling to the bottom of this page, though I wish I would have remembered to turn on my Noom so I could track my stats.
If you walked/cycled the Fall Classic, please feel free to share your stories in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
If you would like more information on the Clinton River Trail, check out the Friends of the CRT Facebook group or visit www.clintonrivertrail.org
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Welcome!
I am not a very good blogger. I always seem to drift away from the subject at hand and don't post often enough. My other attempts are hit and miss (Life As It Happens & Back to Little), but I am hoping that this will be one I can really get into. What I am hoping to do with this blog is share with you the many walks my dog, Diesel, and I take together.
We are always walking about uptown or down the Clinton River Trail, even occasionally through the woods on our property up state. Together, Diesel and I have seen dozens of sunsets, quite a bit of wildlife, and met many new friends. We walk on dirt roads, paved streets, gravel paths, wood chip walkways, plank bridges and have covered quite a few miles. We may walk only a few hundred yards, a couple of miles, or if the weather is right and we have the time, we may even walk for hours. We tend to keep to the neighborhoods of Auburn Hills, but you can catch us trying to walk as far as we can into Rochester before having to head home for the night.
I am not much of a photographer, but I like to think I have a decent eye, and a camera phone. I like to take pictures of the scenery Diesel and I come across, or of any wildlife I can catch before it scurries off. Hopefully my words will help fill in the blanks between photos. I will also be occasionally including little maps of our routes in case you would like to explore them yourself.
Hope you enjoy my new blog!
Jennifer
We are always walking about uptown or down the Clinton River Trail, even occasionally through the woods on our property up state. Together, Diesel and I have seen dozens of sunsets, quite a bit of wildlife, and met many new friends. We walk on dirt roads, paved streets, gravel paths, wood chip walkways, plank bridges and have covered quite a few miles. We may walk only a few hundred yards, a couple of miles, or if the weather is right and we have the time, we may even walk for hours. We tend to keep to the neighborhoods of Auburn Hills, but you can catch us trying to walk as far as we can into Rochester before having to head home for the night.
I am not much of a photographer, but I like to think I have a decent eye, and a camera phone. I like to take pictures of the scenery Diesel and I come across, or of any wildlife I can catch before it scurries off. Hopefully my words will help fill in the blanks between photos. I will also be occasionally including little maps of our routes in case you would like to explore them yourself.
Hope you enjoy my new blog!
Jennifer
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