Monday's Musings

The best remedy for a short temper is a long walk. ~Jacqueline Schiff

More Shoes

Earlier I asked about movies/ books that featured long walks/ journeys. One movie that I “kind of” found was More Shoes. I have never seen this movie but it intrigued me. Here is this struggling film-maker who takes to heart advice from a successful filmmaker, Werner Herzog, and makes a solo journey of over 3,000 miles across Europe. OK sure, let’s do that. And let’s film it!
I have tried to find more details on this film but haven’t been able to find much. I hope the filmmaker is doing ok. I think the movie would be interesting to see. Here’s an interview from the Independent. Apparently the movie did win independent movie awards in Atlanta in 2008.

From film.com: “Struggling filmmaker Lee Kazimir reads the words of Werner Herzog, who said that filmmakers should skip film school and instead "make a journey alone, on foot, for a distance of 5,000 kilometers, let's say from Madrid to Kiev." Kazimir decides to take this advice literally, walking for six months and through seven countries while documenting the journey with a videocamera. Along the way, he confronts physical struggles and meets a varied cast of characters. He also learns some essential lessons, realizing that life comes before art.”

City of Flagstaff Official Website

City of Flagstaff Official Website

whoops, I was testing something and it didn't work the way I wanted...

2nd Annual Flagstaff 15 Minute Makeover

Here's a challenge for you all from the city's website, but you don't need to live in Flagstaff you can do this anywhere!

Participate in the 2nd Annual Flagstaff 15 Minute Makeover!
Therefore, at 10:15 a.m., everyone will step outside and clean up where you live, work, learn and play. That can be a school playground, ball field, front yard, sidewalk, parking lot, etc. The goal of a 15 Minute Makeover is to encourage community pride. People who have the strongest community bonds feel the highest obligation not to litter. The Flagstaff 15 Minute Makeover for Flagstaff will be very positive, proactive, event for the community. Keeping Flagstaff clean and beautiful is up to all of us. A clean city is a safe city.

Participants will be encouraged to dispose of the litter and debris in their own garbage containers. Please remember to recycle! All participants are asked to register online at www.flagstaff.az.gov/15 or by (928) 213-3607. Prizes will be awarded at random or those who register. For more information, please call Tom Boughner at (928) 213-3607 or e-mail at tboughner at flagstaffaz dot gov .

Walks for the week

I am putting in just about all of Jack Welch's email- some good info on pedestrian safety issues. Also, the NPS/USFS walks are taking a break until next spring/summer.

Walk the Walk, Walk into Fall, NAMI Walk, Safety Meeting

If you read the Daily Sun on Sunday 4 October you saw a front page article about the most dangerous intersections in Flagstaff - for drivers. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know if an intersection is dangerous for vehicles then its much more dangerous for pedestrians. The Route 66/4th Street (just north of the Aquaplex Overpass) was listed as the most dangerous in regard to the number of vehicle crashes. Before the overpass and the intersection were being constructed the Pedestrian Advisory Committee showed up at Traffic Commission meetings to ask about the lack of pedestrian refuges in any of the four parts of that intersection. We were not heard in a responsive way and it
appears we were right. The intersection is dangerous!
If you are interested - as I am - as to what can be done to improve this nasty intersection for both vehicles and pedestrians (and bicycle riders!) please attend the Traffic Safety Meeting in Flagstaff Tomorrow evening, Thursday 8 October at 6:00 PM at Flagstaff High School which is located at 400 West Elm Ave
(Off Humphreys) I KNOW I'LL BE THERE!

TRAFFIC SAFETY IN FLAGSTAFF MEETING WITH POLICE
Location: Flagstaff High School
400 West Elm Ave
Time: 6:00 PM
The focus of this meeting will be on traffic enforcement procedures, accident reconstruction
and child safety seat information
Call to register:
Sgt Michael Terrin
556 2300


The following is our schedule from Friday 9 October through Friday 16 October


FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Peaks Ranger Station across from the Flagstaff Mall
Time: 9:00 AM 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking. This time we'll use the new paved FUTS north on Highway 89 to the Elden
Pueblo. About 3 total miles on this out and back route.
Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend!

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk
Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 11:00 AM 11:00 AM
I hope a lot of you will show up to join me on this 2 1/2 mile walk in support of this
excellent organization
I'll be there by 10:30 AM

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER
Scalawag Climb of Mt Humphreys
Start Location: Trailhead in the Snowbowl Parking Lot
Time: 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
What a glorious time to be doing this hike. For those of you not interested in getting to the top the yellow aspen will be just as bright. The Aspen Loop Trail (About 3 total miles) is also available - trailhead next to the Humphreys trailhead.
Don't miss this great time of the year to get outside and do a hike!

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER
Walk Into Fall
Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking. Fast and Slow pace.
Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER
Flagstaff 15 Minute Makeover
Location: Where ever you happen to be at 10:15 AM in the morning
Time: 10:15 AM
Register and then get outside with a litter bag at 10:15 AM and pick up all the trash you can find!
Register at: www.Flagstaff.az.gov/15 or call 213 3607
If you register you can win prizes!

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Peaks Ranger Station
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking.

Tree Parable

When we were walking to school yesterday, my son and I came across a fairly big tree that had fallen across the trail. We had a very windy weekend so it’s not surprising that a weak dead tree had fallen. We climbed over the tree while trying to avoid the numerous limbs sticking up here and there. The tree was too big and long too move from the trail. Someone was going to need to cut it.
In this forest there are a lot of dead standing trees, snags. I think a lot of these trees were killed during a recent beetle infestation. But I tend to not worry about these trees falling down. Maybe I should be a little more vigilant?
In another part of the woods there is this dead tree that has been leaning against these other trees since last winter. I give this tree a wide berth because certainly it is going to fall at any moment. The two live trees are the only support for this already collapsed tree. But this tree is facing away from the trail. I always assume that when it falls there will be a lot of debris shooting everywhere. I don’t want to be around. That is a known danger.
As usual, my mind wanders during walks and I thought, maybe I could make a parable out of this situation, or maybe there is one?
How about this: Don’t overlook hidden dangers while avoiding known dangers.

Monday's Musings (a day late)

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.” ~G.M. Trevelyan

For Pedestrian Awareness Week I put together all sorts of facts and quotes, it was fun. I will share those with you on Monday (it's a day late today) and call them Monday's Musings. :)