Still walking and keeping busy...

Time seems to be slipping by this summer.  Here we are just 10 days from the end of June.  Amazing!  I'm hoping that monsoon season will prove to be a refreshing time where we get lots of rain!  One can hope, right?

I have parts of my garden that are super happy *the ones that happen to be under cover from the evil flying/hopping menaces* or that they don't particularly care for *like my tomatoes*.  I'm making every effort to have *something* to eat come this fall.  I have some nice looking spinach, romaine, and tomatoes.  The basil is struggling.  So far, my pepper plants are doing okay too.  We'll see.

As for walking, I'm sitting at 52 miles completed so far.  That just means I have 448 more miles to go.  I can do it!  I've been having some fun while walking *and still keeping my pace up*.  My last two 7 mile walks, I've taken my camera.  We live in an interesting area, but there seems to be a little something to see while I'm out and about.

This is the first thing I see when I come off my street.  We're pretty crispy around here right now since it was such a mild winter *read--not much snow*.

After a couple of turns *and a couple of miles*, I come to this lovely thing.  It's a cattle guard.  There isn't just one on this particular route, there's two!  It doesn't look difficult, but for me, it is awkward to walk across.  Whatever you do, don't come up behind me while I'm trying to walk over it or you'll have yourself a good laugh!

Just past the first cattle guard.  Wide open spaces!

Yes, the sign says, "Caution: Watch for Cattle".  They're free range in these parts.

If you look way off in the distance, you'll see where I'm walking to.  It's 3.25 miles one way.

No you're not missing the fence, the cows really are just wandering around out there.

I have to say, the views are pretty spectacular.

No, I didn't yell, "Hey cow!" or "Moo!" this time.

Do you see what I mean about the view?

I made it!  This is our little municipal airport.

Proof that they really are just hanging out.  Look at those mountains in the background!

These next few pictures are from today's walk.  This is Cataract Lake.  To me, it's like a large pond.

This is so you don't think I'm slacking.  This lovely hill is after I've turned around.  Also, I'm pushing my kiddo in the jogger stroller.

We got to see this train.  Had I been thinking when it initially went by us, I would have gotten a shot of it coming towards us.  Eh, oh well.

Lastly, prairie dogs.  Ha!

I also saw a ton of lizards, but man they're fast.  I still haven't snagged a picture of one yet.  I did see a squashed one in the road, but thankfully no more dead snakes *or live ones for that matter*.  Ick!  After my book study with the girls on Monday, I'm being extra cautious about possibly seeing a poisonous snake while out walking. 

It's good to have friends that live around town too.  Friends of mine saw me out walking...I waved as they went by.  When they came back through, they offered to snag me some water.  For whatever reason, I brought water for my little passenger, but none for me.  I gladly accepted the offer.  He came back with a zero calorie powerade and two bottles of water.  What a difference that powerade made! 

It has been fun seeing how far I can push myself.  I never thought in a million years that I would be walking 7.5 miles all at once.  I wasn't even walking that far this past fall.  Not only that, but I'm able to take my littlest one with me and not feel any different than if I'd gone alone.

If you're doing the challenge with me, keep plugging!  We still have lots of time and I'm aiming to get there.