Wednesday, February 23, 2011

M-e-l-a-n-o-m-a

My walking passion
I am taking a little break this week from regular work and blogging. I wasn’t going to mention what I was up to and then I realized that it was directly related to what this blog was about.

On Monday I had a small melanoma removed from my face. When I had gone into the dermatologist to have it checked he took a biopsy. This was done on a “beauty spot” mole that I had had for many years. This past year it started to look a little bigger and a little funny. My husband told me many times to have it checked and then my dentist said, “have that checked!” So I finally did. Between the biopsy and the results I did some web surfing and read about basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and, the scariest of them all, melanoma.

When the doctor called me in for the results and said, “melanoma,” I just kept thinking, “wrong word, wrong word.” But he also said, “It’s a 1a tumor, in the upper layers of the epidermis. We need to cut it out. Your five year survival rate is 95%” All good news.

So it’s been removed. As the plastic surgeon (because it was removed from my face) said, “this [surgery] will be a blip in your life, if we don’t get it, it would be lethal.”

Why share on a walking blog? Because being outdoors is my passion and always has been! I now live in Flagstaff, Arizona at an altitude of 7000 feet. I won’t stop loving the outdoors. I will continue to be diligent with the sunscreen. But now I won’t be embarrassed to check on funny looking moles and I hope you won’t be either. Have someone check your whole body too. The doctors said it was rare for women to have melanomas on the face, usually it’s on the back or back of legs.

Anyway, that's it, I will have an update on what's going on in Flagstaff later this week. We have had some snow and expect more later- at least the flowers like the moisture.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Flagstaff Fridays

garden corn
This is something new to me, from the Arizona Daily Sun: "Slow Food NAU will host the second annual Flagstaff Food Film Festival on Friday and Saturday at NAU. The festival will be held at Cline Library Auditorium on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m." Check out their Facebook page or web page.

So, we are suppose to have a big storm coming our way this weekend. That's how February goes in Flagstaff, and March too. March definitely will come in like a lion.

The following events are from Jack:

SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY
Game and Fish Bald Eagle Work Shop
Location: The Game and Fish Office
3500 East Lake Mary Road
Time: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Two workshops with field trips if the weather is good Birds from Liberty Wildlife will be on the scene!
Must make reservations at 774 5045 or look to the Arizona Game and Fish web site for more details.

SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Bow and Arrow Wash
Start Location: John Wesley Powell Dead-end just east of where Lone Tree Road intersections JWP.
Time: Noon
We'll venture into the Bow & Arrow Wash and walk down to the pond near the Arizona Trail.
About 4 total miles. Expect one good hill at the end of the walk and there will be muddy places!

MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Adult Ice Skate at the Jay Lively Activity Center
Location: Jay Lively Ice Skating Rink
1650 North Turquoise
Time: 10:00 AM
Come join us for a great skate at the newly released ice skating rink
Call for details about cost at 774 1051

TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY
Table Tennis/Ping Pong Play
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
We'll have three tables going. Both competitive and recreational players welcome. Adults Only Please.

THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY
Table Tennis/Ping Pong Play
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
We'll have three tables going. Both competitive and recreational players welcomed. Adults Only Please

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wednesday's Walker- Denise

Denise is my very active sister. Retirement hasn't slowed her down, just changed what she does. She is another one in the family responsible for bringing out the games after the meals are over. Can we say "Bananas?"

What do you do? What keeps you busy? What is your passion?
I'm a retired Kindergarten teacher. Life and family keeps me busy. Nature is my passion, so working in the garden and going for walks does it for me.

I walk because ...
If I don't walk, I lose the ability to walk. I have had MS for 35 years and I have to keep my muscles working.

What do you do when you walk?
I have to watch where I put my feet, so that I don't trip. But it helps me see the little things in nature: leaf patterns and colors, animal and bird tracks in the soil, (Oregon always has some wet soil along the trail or road). I enjoy the scents and the breezes. I try to go up hills, since I can't do long distances. My mind wanders as well.

What do you like about walking?
Walking gets me outside in nature. If walking in the neighborhood, I usually come upon someone I know, working in their yard or walking their dog. It's nice to see others. I don't like to see the coyotes walking the same route!

Describe a walk where you found something special or something that made you happy or something surprising .
I was walking along the Metolious River (near Sister's Oregon) with my husband, when we came upon a mother Merganser and her 11 babies. They were perched on a log in the water. But every now and then, a duckling would slip into the water, paddle around and climb back up. It was a fine day for sunning.

What is your favorite walk?
One of our favorite walks is a bike path along the Willamette River from Willamette Park to Downtown Portland. But our neighborhood walk along the Willamette River to George Roger's Park is wonderful. We can see the river, fishermen in their boats, lots of trees, hawks and sometimes seals, heading for the Oregon City Falls.

Any tips to get people walking?
use guilt; a reward halfway, like a view of something wonderful or Starbucks coffee

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Walking Distractions

Not-very-prickly plant
I often use tricks to get my mind off difficult or long parts of walks. For instance, when I am walking up the steep section of hospital hill I often find myself counting steps between the sidewalk breaks, one-two…break… one-two-th…break…one-two…break…one-two-three…break…one-two-thr…break. Sometimes I think I sense a pattern in my steps and how often the sections end and just about when I think I have it figured out, I am at the top of the hill. What? Oh, that wasn’t so hard.

Distracting yourself during a walk is definitely not a new thing. I bet that’s why soldiers came up with those marching songs. “Left, left, left, right, left,… I left my…” I can’t remember any now, but I remember singing some as a kid, and making plenty up. And I do remember plenty of times singing, “the ants came marching one-by-one, hurrah, hurrah…” during a long walk. Or “Knick, knack paddy whack give a dog a bone, this old man came marching home…”- how does the rest go? Or just giggling with friends made those long walks go by fast.

In the wilds searching for different things- dinosaurs, heart-shapes, butterflies, shiny rocks- has helped us on our hikes. My son use to pretend he was in Jurassic Park and would hide from the pretend dinosaurs. Other times he would get tired, or I would, and would need a distraction. “Let’s find a shiny rock,” I might say. And in the land of red sandstone that’s a challenge, so it would keep us occupied for awhile. Now he walks so fast I have a hard time keeping up with him. I am the one left needing distractions. “Let’s find a non-prickly plant,” and in the desert, that might take awhile.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Flagstaff Fridays

Tons to do from Jack Welch. We haven't had much snow this year here in Flagstaff, Arizona but we have had the cold, brrr bitter cold. So it just feels nice to read, "walk into spring." Ahhhh. Even if it is still cold.

from Jack Welch

FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY
Game and Fish Presentation
All things Fishy: Fish management in Northern Arizona
Location: Game & Fish Office
3500 South Lake Mary Road
Time: Noon
Bring your lunch and listen a very interesting presentation about fish in our neighborhood. Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend!

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Skunk Canyon
Start Location: Trailhead Off Lake Mary Road just past the Water Treatment Plant South of John Wesley Powell
Time: Noon
A walk on a beautiful Forest Trail/Canyon inside the Flagstaff City Limits. Could be a bit muddy

SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Elden Homestead and Spring
Start Location: Trinity Church parking lot (rear) which is located at the end of Fourth Street
Time: Noon
We'll use both the Forces of Nature and Walk Into Time trails to see the homestead and where the famous Mt Elden Fire raged

MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY
ReStart of the Taoist Tai Chi Class
Location: Adult Center
E-mail Alice Hagerman for more complete details: AHager5435@aol.com

MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY
Adult Skate at the Jay Lively
Location: Jay Lively Activity Center
1650 North Turquoise
Time: 10:00 AM
Call the Jay Lively Ice Rink for cost and rental details at 774 1051

TUESDAY 15 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 16 FEBRUARY
Outdoor Presentation: Subject to be announced
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Subject of presentation to be announced

WEDNESDAY 16 FEBRUARY
Table Tennis/Ping Pong Play
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
We'll have three tables going. Both Competitive and recreational players welcome. Adults only please

THURSDAY 17 FEBRUARY
Outdoor Presentation - Subject to be announced
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Subject of presentation to be announced

THURSDAY 17 FEBRUARY - NO TABLE TENNIS TONIGHT

FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Office Max Parking Lot behind Sears
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking. Outside if the weather is good. Inside the Mall if the weather is bad

SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY
Game and Fish Bald Eagle Work Shop
Location: The Game and Fish Office
3500 East Lake Mary Road
Time: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Two workshops with field trips if the weather is good
Birds from Liberty Wildlife will be on the scene!
Must make reservations at 774 5045 or look to the Arizona Game and Fish web site for more details.

SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Bow and Arrow Wash
Start Location: John Wesley Powell Dead-end just east of where Lone Tree Road intersections JWP.
Time: Noon
We'll venture into the Bow & Arrow Wash and walk down to the pond near the Arizona Trail.
About 4 total miles. Expect one good hill at the end of the walk and there will be muddy places!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday's Walker-Kira

a Sedona hike
I got to know my friend Kira as our boys became friends in grade school. Now that they are in middle school, I miss the times Kira, another friend and I would walk around the playground, after school, while our kids played. We would talk about... just about everything.

What do you do? I'm a mother, teacher, student and an artist.
What keeps you busy? All of the above.
What is your passion? All of the above.

I walk because …. It relaxes me and takes me into a spiritual space.

What do you do when you walk? I just walk. I have no pace. :) I also incorporate walking into my day. I try to walk to work and to any other functions I can.

What do you like about walking? That it helps me release pent up energy and allows me to focus on issues that I want to deal with.

Describe a walk where you found something special or something that made you happy or something surprising .
They all make me happy--in different ways.

What is your favorite walk?
I love to walk in Sedona and on the Peaks. Grand Canyon.

Any tips to get people walking?
Find what works best for you. Walk with friends or alone. Be sure to do it even on the days you don't initially want to. These are the times you need a walk most. :) Also, find a way to keep yourself warm and dry and enjoy walks in the rain and snow. No one else is out, and you get the whole world to yourself.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Dear Feet

Dear Feet,
Thank you for being there for me all of these years. I understand that now you are having a little bit of difficulty.

I know that sitting on the couch in warm socks and comfy slippers is just about paradise for you. But how about walking on silky, warm sand or flipping about in cool, refreshing water? Don’t those things feel good too? The thing is I need you to help me get to those places and right now I am not sure you are up for it.

So to help us, I talked with a physical therapist. She recommended the following:
• Daily massages.
• Regular exercises.
• Light walks, working up to longer walks.

I know you are especially into the massages, especially with the nice lotion. Okay, we will keep those going. And I will also try not to take you for granted so much anymore. You carry a heavy load and deserve a lot of care. You never know how much you depend on something until you can't use it.



So thanks for sticking with me feet. We will work through this. I think you are feeling better already.

Take care,

The rest of me

P.S. Right, the PT also recommended an occasional warm foot bath- got it.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Sixth Great Extinction

"On our present course, by E.O. Wilson’s estimate, half of all plant and animal species could be extinct by 2100..." Richard Coniff. Be sure to read his article, Lost and Gone Forever, in the New York Times and look at the slide show, A Gallery of Species Lost and on the Brink.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Flagstaff Fridays

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk. Head on over to downtown Flagstaff and check out the shops and galleries for some local art and goodies. The temperatures have warmed up a bit, no more below zero wind chills. Brrrrr.

From Jack Welch:


SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Campbell Mesa
Start Location - Park in the cemetery lot across from the trail head which is located off County Club Drive on Old Walnut Canyon Road. The trailhead is about a mile from County Club Drive. 1/2 mile of paved road followed by 1/2 mile of Forest Road
Time: Noon
We'll explore some of the 5 loops located on that mesa

SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Downtown Wall Murals
Start Location: Flagstaff City Hall - west parking lot
Time: Noon
About 3 total miles of walking as we take a closer look at the downtown murals

MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY
Adult Ice Skating at the Jay Lively
Location:; Jay Lively Activity Center on 1650 N Turquoise
Time: 10:00 AM
Come skate with us at the "New" Jay Lively Ice Skating Rink
Cost: Under $10.00 Call the rink for more details at 774 1051

TUESDAY 8 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 PM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY
Location: Adult Center
Table Tennis/Ping Pong Play
Time: 6:00 PM until 7:45 PM
We'll have three tables going. Both Competitive and Recreational players welcome.
Adults only please

THURSDAY 10 FEBRUARY
Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
Location: City Hall in the room directly behind the City Council Chambers
Time: 4:30 PM
Discussion of local pedestrian issues

THURSDAY 10 FEBRUARY
Table Tennis/Ping Pong Play
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM until 7:45 PM
We'll have 3 tables going. Both Recreational and competitive players welcome.
Adults only please

FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Park at Office Max behind the Sears Store
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking. We'll be outside if the weather is good and inside the Mall if the weather is nasty.

FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY
Game and Fish Presentation
All things Fishy: Fish management in Northern Arizona
Location: Game & Fish Office
3500 South Lake Mary Road
Time: Noon
Bring your lunch and listen a very interesting presentation about fish in our neighborhood. Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend!

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Skunk Canyon
Start Location: Trailhead Off Lake Mary Road just past the Water Treatment Plant South of John Wesley Powell
Time: Noon
A walk on a beautiful Forest Trail/Canyon inside the Flagstaff City Limits. Could be a bit muddy

SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY
Walk The Walk
Elden Homestead and Spring
Start Location: Trinity Church parking lot (rear) which is located at the end of Fourth Street
Time: Noon
We'll use both the Forces of Nature and Walk Into Time trails to see the homestead and where the famous Mt Elden Fire raged

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Wednesday's Walker- Drucie

View from Dog Mtn.
Drucie is my energetic and funny sister-in-law. While my family doesn't always make it to big family get-togethers, when we do we often play a game that Drucie or my sister brought along. It makes for a lot of fun.

What do you do?
-Living the retired life
What keeps you busy?
-Trying to keep up with what life sends me.
What is your passion?
- At the moment, figuring a way to live closer to my sons, so I can spend more time w/them.

Fill in the blank. I walk because ….
-It's good excerise

Hike on Dog Mtn.
What do you do when you walk?
-Pete and I walk our dogs on a little more than a 3 mile long loop in our neighborhood in the A.M. Over the years I've gotten to know and become friends with a lot of our neighbors and dogs. Sometimes on Sundays, we will take a long hike w/ some of these friends up in the hills "Eufaula Heights," close to where we used to live. We refer to this hike as "our church".

What do you like about walking?
-I like how it has made me stronger, in body and mind.

Describe a walk where you found something special or something that made you happy or something surprising ?
-Once on Eufaula Hgts our dogs became tangled up with a porcupine, surprising, but didn't make us happy with that Vet bill!

What is your favorite walk?
-Walking up on Eufaula Hgts. is always fun because we get to watch the dogs having fun running free.

Dog Mtn. sign- 9 miles

Any tips to get people walking?
Get a dog. They are the best motivaters to getting out.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Be Aware, Be Educated, Proceed with Care

Recently legislation has been introduced in a couple of states to make it illegal for pedestrians and bicyclists to wear headphones, talk on cell phones and otherwise be distracted. The supporters of this legislation cite numbers that pedestrian fatalities have increased for the first time in four years. Arizona and Florida are topping the list of an increase in pedestrian fatalities (California tops the list overall). The Governors Highway Safety Association 2010 Preliminary Data Pedestrian Fatalities by State reads, “Both drivers and pedestrians are increasingly distracted by cell phones and other portable electronic devices. Several states noted crash reports or anecdotal evidence of crashes in which distraction was a factor, …but accurate data on the role of distraction are not available.”

Unfortunately, with cars, a mistake on either the pedestrian’s or driver’s part will always hurt the pedestrian most. And I try to remember that when I am walking. I try to be positive in this blog and was even going to make light of this legislation. Someone in the New York Times article

even said that at some point we have to let people be responsible for their own actions. I am easily distracted, I wanted to discuss here, and I don’t need a cell phone or music to distract me. I was walking in New York City once and was amazed by all of the buildings. I kept looking up and despite the best efforts of my friends; I walked straight into a woman who was desperately trying to avoid me. Thankfully she was relatively kind. But that was on a sidewalk, away from cars.

Here in Flagstaff I have almost been hit by cars twice. Both times the drivers were trying to beat the traffic. I had followed all of the traffic and pedestrian rules, look all ways, cross in a cross walk with the “walking” signal on. The rule that should have followed was “be aware of traffic breaks.” Neither driver saw me until they slammed on their brakes: one was crossing a busy road from a stop sign and took advantage of a short break in the traffic, the other was turning left on a busy road also taking advantage of a short break in traffic- I don’t think she even paused as she swerved left. Regardless of how “correct” my actions were, both instances could have resulted in me having broken legs or worse.

“A focus on liveable communities, or “get moving” health and fitness programs may increase walking and pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, as noted by Florida, Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Texas. If pedestrians or motorists are distracted, the potential for crashes increases.” This is a call for greater education. We, in the pedestrian/bicycling community always hope that the more us that are out there the more careful and aware drivers will become. And maybe that is happening. The report does not have any definite conclusions or research to back up any of its statements- all of it is anecdotal. (One sad anecdote reports a driver speeding past stopped cars only to hit a child crossing the road.)

I don’t know that fining pedestrians and bicyclists for listening to music or talking on a cell phone is quite the answer. What do you think?

I think pedestrians need to remember that we always need to be on the defense, going above and beyond the lessons taught by our parents. (This has been a lifelong lesson for me and more than once I have been saved by an awesome driver. Thank you!) And for drivers and pedestrians, we all need to be aware, be educated and proceed with care.

Oh, and by the way, the City of Flagstaff is working hard to make this city safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Yeah!

Sharing the Road with Pedestrians, ADOT 2008 helpful tips for pedestrians and drivers