virtual hike starts 6/3

[Bobbinyc]

I'm starting a virtual hike of the Florida Keys tomorrow, June 3.  That way, instead of just saying I took 10,000 steps, I can say "I made it to Key West!)  I thought I'd start with the shortest trail.

Join me and let's post our progress and encourage each other!

http://www.walking4fun.com/trails/florida-keys-overseas-heritage-trail/

[Bobbinyc]

Word and paper, you guys are terrific. Before i hurt my foot last year, i was looking up charity walks. I think i can start training for one now. Well, when the heat breaks.

[auroram]

LOL I broke past 200 miles at the garlic fetsival this past weekend! I am about to finish stage 7 and start 8 this evening but we are having a heat wave here in Antioch. It will hit about 106-7 today and 108 tomorrow! 😮 Iam going to have to be careful not to get myself some heat stroke!

[auroram]

Made it to stage 8! only made it to 6.7 miles today in the heat...but I think thats pretty good. Sounds like everyone is doing well on the trail!

[WordWhimsy]

@auroram way to go on hitting stage 8! You are really racking up the miles.

I survived Cardio Tennis last night, I was a little confused, because I thought it was on the indoor courts, but NO ONE was there! So I asked and it was outdoors, YIKES it was around 90 yesterday!  Thankfully there was a bit of shade and our instructor made sure we took LOTS fo water breaks.  I forgot how much I love that class! I got a ton of steps in, and it felt great. I think I'm going to do that class regularly. 

[auroram]

Thanks word whimsy! I cant imagine tennis in the heat...but then Im not very coordinated anyway 😉 keep up the good work!

[paperclip]

@Bobbinyc

I hear you about the heat...it's been nothing but hot and humid here too.  I'm lucky enough to have an exercise room in the condo I live in so, while this heat wave has been here, I've been spending a lot of my time on a treadmill in a cool room.  I can't wait for the cool weather to return!!!

[Joy_]

Hi Everyone, I've been away from my computer for awhile and only using me phone and Ipad. I've kept up with our trail and to be very honest, I'm not enjoying it as much as our last one. The pictures are too far away and I feel like I just don't feel the thrill that I felt on our last walk. How does everyone else find it?

[paperclip]

hey, nice to see you again @Joy_!!

I don't mind the pictures so much from the PCT walk.  I look at the pictures and try to imagine what it would feel like if I were actually walking it. Sometimes it feels so desolate and, I know this is going to sound really strange, but that desolation sometimes feels comforting.

I also wonder though, if the thrill of "virtual walking" is gone now that we've completed one entire walk?  Perhaps the novelty have worn off?  I think maybe we'll find out that answer once we are on the next trail.  But hang in there...regardless if we're pleased or not, my sense of needing completion makes me carry on until it's finished LOL

[Joy_]

Hi Paperclip, I just find that the pictures are too far away and I want to see up close like you did on the Keys trail. I'm not giving up though. I don't think it's because we are jaded. More I think perhaps the hikers were more into their hike than taking pics and I get that. Not everyone is going to want to stop to compose pics. Anyway, hope you are doing well!

[Joy_]

I've gotta add, I don't want to see people popping blisters with a pin or blistery sore red feet. I dunno. There is some real beauty on that trail. I wish I could see it.

[paperclip]

@Joy_

I'm doing well, thanks!

Totally agree with you about the blister-breaking...I want scenery; not pics that make my stomach lurch.

I also agree that more close-ups would be nice.  I appreciate the distance shots as they give me a better sense of the distance they/we are traveling but some more closer shots would be nice to give a better understanding of the immediate terrain and fauna.

Happy to see you back!  At the pace you're going you'll be finished this trail before you realize! 

[Bobbinyc]

Hi Joy. Glad you are back, Thanks for the warning about the gross pictures. I've found the photography on both walks disappointing. I had imagined something very different. I am now having fantasies of doing my own pictures in different walking trails. Part of it for me is that i do a lot of photography and i hate looking At such careless photos. I would do this very differently. I looked at a few other sites, and was disappointed in the photos on all of them. I think i mostly need to focus on the group comradery. And hoping at some point it gets pretty.

[Joy_]

Hi Bobbi,
Sorry to hear that so many of the trails lack good photos. My husband and I always marvel now about how everyone has a camera. No composition, no zooming in, no aperture and shutter speed. It's all just point and shoot of the worst kind. Yes, I too am thankful for the camaraderie. You are in Manhattan, yes? How about doing a hike there with photos? If you ever want to get together for a cup of coffee, let me know. I am on LI.

[WordWhimsy]

Still in Stage 3, but should finish today! Ready to get a move on!

[Bobbinyc]

Joy, I agree. Everyone has a camera and shoots everything fast. No thinking, no feeling, no ideas to communicate. I work very hard on my photography and am barely mediocre. I wish i could do a virtual trail or a city. I'd love it. I have no idea how to create the technology to get it out there.
How is your calf? And what's up with walking so much in a heat wave? And to think we started together and you are way way out there. Way to go Joy, great job.

[Joy_]

My calf is great Bobbi. Thanks for asking. The heatwave has not been too bad for me. I walk at the beach, either by the water or towards the woods. Usually there is a breeze in one of those places, thank goodness. The breeze feels so good!

[WordWhimsy]

Finally in Stage 4! This is going to be a loooooonnnnng walk!

[Bobbinyc]

I wish I could say stage 4 is more scenic than 3, but it isn't.  

But look who is nipping at my heels now!

Joy, we started at the same time.  So...it's some kind of computer glitch that you are 100 miles ahead, right?

[Joy_]

Hi,
Yep, unfortunately, the photos don't get any better. All remind me of the photos I took as a kid, you can't see anything in detail and it's all very boring, sadly. Does anyone want to scope out a trail with nice pictures? There's nothing that keeps us here really. It reminds me of a book that I'm hating as I read it. It took me many years to tell myself, "This is supposed to be enjoyable. Find another book!"

[Karzig]

My niece is currently hiking the PCT,is in southern Oregon right now.  She has taken some amazing pictures that she has posted on Facebook.  I wish I could share them with you all.