One of my goals for this week was to walk all the way to Indian Grinding Rocks State Park. Its not anything I haven’t done before, but it is something I haven’t done for quite a while. I think the last time I did that walk was in early spring, when Lori did her challenge. Its a 5 mile loop. Lots of hills. So this morning, first I tried on my Tommy Kono Knee Bands. Wowza, those things are tight. My knees did feel nice and secure in them, but I didn’t think a five mile hike was the way to break them in. Took them off. Great, now my knees felt all loosy goosey. But we set off anyway. This time I took my little notebook of Bible verses I have memorized. If you don’t review them, you tend to forget. And in fact, there were a few passages in there that I had forgotten that I had even memorized! I’ll tell you, that is one way to make the time and distance pass quickly! I really loved reviewing those wonderful verses. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk TO the park. Now, the walk home was a bit more painful. But we made it!
Here’s an interesting sight at the park. The Indians still use this park for annual get togethers. I think this must be a traditional way of providing shade–just some young cedar trees and/or limbs laid across a structural support:
My good walking bud:
Some nature findings from our walks:
I found this beautiful birds nest on the ground the other day and carried it all the way home. The structure of a bird’s nest is absolutely amazing to me. So sturdy and strong. Add to that that it was created instinctively by a very small creature, it is truly a miracle of engineering. I guess that’s why a lot of artists seem to be fascinated by bird’s nests.
And today we found these really pretty acorns. They are larger than the acorns from the trees around my house.
Lunchtime at the spa:
"California Chef's Salad"--chicken, orange segments, blue cheese, carrots, and slivered almonds on baby greens.
Sophie kept an eagle eye on my lunch.
Mr. Monk sat patiently on his bed under the desk.
Going backwards in time, yesterday I actually did 30 minutes on the exercise bike at the gym! It helps that the Dr. Oz show came on and Paula Deen was the guest. She tried to make some of her recipes with half the fat and half the calories. She seemed truly amazed when Dr. Oz told her that her original recipe had something like 1200 calories in it. Interesting… Anyway, it kept me cycling for 30 minutes. And then I knocked out 40 minutes in the pool!
Me and the doggies were pretty tired last night.
Today’s menu:
- Breakfast: 2 Lobars from Vicky
- Mid-morning (pre-walk) snack: Cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, and walnuts
- Lunch: California Chef’s Salad, and sweet potato fries
- Afternoon snack: Blueberry scone
- Dinner: Taco soup and honeydew melon
- Dessert: Cookie dough hummus (check it out on Roni’s blog)
Okay, I’m off to the gym for a weights workout and a swim. I can hardly wait to get it done so I can come home for my scone and afternoon coffee!
debby weighs in 
I’m curious – do you drink full caff coffee in the afternoon? Whenever I have caffeine late in the day, I end up not be able to sleep that night.
I would make the cookie dough hummus but then I think I would eat the whole entire bowl and that just wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Yes,I do, but you’re right, that might be a problem… I’ll have to test that out.
That cookie dough hummus is too filling to eat the whole bowl!
Another awesome day in spa-land!
Another great day at Spa Debby! That park looks so lovely.
I was wondering if using chick pea flour would work with that cookie dough? Might have to do some playing.
Well, the chickpea flour is what makes stuff taste metallic before you bake it, right? You don’t taste that with straight chickpeas.
I love your nature tableau, with the bird’s nest and the candles and the acorns – so peaceful and pretty!
Ahhh Sophie. She’s coming to Texas in December, right?
Why not make Spa Land permanent? At the very least, incorporate some of the things you’ve learned into your everyday routine. It looks so relaxing and YOU seem so content. You go, girl!!
Oh my goodness, I’d never get anything ‘real life’ done. But I will definitely be using some of what I learned in ‘real life.’
Good job on walking those 5 miles!!