Travel Tuesday

This is a different kind of travel post. You don't even have to leave home to do a little wandering. It's a state of mind!

One of my favorite things that I do every year is my hike with Nancy to West Nashville. 

We start at her house and get on the green way. The trail is so quiet and peaceful. We talk--a lot--about everything under the sun: news, books, tv & movies, scrapbooking, family and friends. We never run out of topics. 

Here are a few things we saw along the way this time.

I am still enthralled by book boxes. I didn't know you could actually buy them now.

I also didn't know there was an organization dedicated to these little libraries. I just thought someone started it and others followed suit. This reminds me of a documentary I just watched a week ago on PBS: The Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia. Plus, within the last couple of years, I read 2 different books about these women. It was a complete surprise to me to learn about such a thing. Delivering books by horseback through the backwoods and mountains of Kentucky. Reading, I'm telling you, it's just everything to me!!

There were plenty of houses decorated for Halloween.

This one really went all out. That's a lot of stuff to store!

And then there was this:

As we were crossing a bridge on Charlotte Ave. I looked down and saw this heron. The blue was much brighter and bolder than you can see here. We saw another blue bird along the trail. I got all excited and exclaimed, "OMGosh Nancy! Look at that bird! What is it? She said it was a blue jay. I said "No, it's much too large and the blue is so vibrant!" Then it (and another flew off) and, indeed, they were blue jays! Amazing how the world looks when you have your cataracts removed! I can see!!

Within a half hour of getting home:

I had showered and was relaxing with my book! Ahhh, like dessert after a hearty meal! 

We only logged 6 miles on this trip. It's usually 7, but we took several different trails. It's always so much fun. This time we stopped at Cinco de Mayo for lunch. 

We do this twice a year--spring and fall--when the weather is milder. Last year, we went in the fall, but it was September and was so hot (90's) that after lunch, we Ubered it home. I felt bad that we whimped out, but at our age, the sun really takes it out of us!! 

The reason this hike/walk is one of my favorite things of the year is the sense of accomplishment. It's a fun challenge and we love it. Doing it with Nancy is extra special.

PS I forgot to ask Nancy if her calves cramped up. Mine did as I was sitting there with my book in the picture above. I probably should have done a little stretching when we finished. But, I never do that so it didn't cross my mind. Maybe next time.