Meetup Groups

Had a nice walk through the streets and neighborhoods of Hyde Park last night at 7 pm. I figure we went about 4 miles, as it took us an hour and a half and my regular pace is 3 mi/hr. It was warm out and I definitely noticed some of the hills but realized it was much easier for me to complete this walk than it was for some of the first-timers. So I guess I have come a ways since January.

Still can't keep up with the pacesetters but I did walk for an hour on Loveland Bike Trail last Friday and worked about 3 hours in the garden and swam Saturday. No exercise Sunday, so it's good I walked last night and will walk 9 holes for golf this evening.

For those not familiar with "meetup groups," check them out at www.meetup.com. That's how I found the Tri-State Hiking Club, OKI Trailblazers, and the group I walked with last night. There are meetup groups around all kinds of interests; someone last night told me she's in a Scrabble group. So if you have an interest and want to find people in your local area who share it, this site would be a good resource. I think it works all over the USA, if not the world.

Tues June 22 Golf (WGLF)

Man, it's hot in Ohio this week! Got all nine holes in at Blue Ash Golf Course last night and posted the best score I've had in 5 tries there. But we walkers just hit from one patch of shade to the next because it had to be 20 degrees cooler. I should have worn a hat and some sunscreen! Ate afterwards at InCahoots again; it's close and their food tastes wonderful. We talked about where to reserve a room for the Christmas party the first week of December and kicked around a few ideas.

Karyn apparently challenged me for the "woodpecker" award for the golfer who hit the most trees. She was in the other threesome, so they didn't see that shot I hit on 18 that bounced off a tree at a 90 degree angle back across the fairway and into the creek at the bottom of the hill on the other side; ugh. Golfers were Rhoda, Daisy, and Karyn in the first group and Chris, Dutchess, and me in the second. Margie met us afterwards for dinner and she and others raved about the Reuben sandwiches.

As for walking, I got plenty in last Wed and Thurs but overslept and missed walks on Friday and Saturday. I walked the dog on Sunday and got into my swimming pool for the first time all summer. Then was back in the saddle Monday morning, last night and this morning.

After all, it's going to be hotter than this in the Canyon and probably at Mount Rushmore too.

Tues June 15 Golf (WGLF)

It was great to have three foursomes for the first time all year; 10 people golfed at Blue Ash Tuesday night. It was hot and sunny when we got there - the kind of night I walk from one patch of shade to another. Rhoda, Jodi, and Dutchess were in the first group; Minky, Daisy, Chris and I in the second and Margie, Karyn, and the Drake in the last group. They did a good job getting us off the tee for open play but as the night went on, we began to hear thunder in the distance and the skies got dark and grey by 8:15 pm.
Having experienced the thunderstorms we had Monday night, Mary Anne and I hung it up on 7 tee and drove her cart back to the parking lot. I think others continued to golf but she went back in the cart and ferried folks in. I thought they would have sounded the siren if a storm were coming but Minky reminded me that when she went back to get her rain check last Tues, everyone was gone and the doors were locked by 7:30 pm, so maybe they weren't even there.
Kept the ball closer to the fairways and had a great long putt on the first hole. Others in my foursome had some nice long putts as well; we were Putting Princesses and "tiara worthy."
The best part was getting another 2 hours or so of walking in, dragging my pull cart. I was tired and missed my Wed am walk but Margie met me after work and we circled Sharon Woods lake for an hour last night. Beautiful weather!
This morning Rhoda and I walked her dog Wiley for 45 minutes and then I stood for 3 hours doing a plein air painting in downtown Mason.
Will post the good upcoming hikes tomorrow. If it doesn't rain, Loveland Bike Trail at 8 am Friday.

Today's walking

Made it to my regular 7:45 am walk this morning, tho a little late and glad to catch up with this group! I should have been in Sedona, AZ tonight were it not for the snafu with the Grand Canyon trip.

But it's a lovely day in Ohio. Got back last night from Charlotte NC. After missing my regular walk last Thursday, I did get an hour in Friday morning before leaving for Kara's graduation.

We walked a 9-hole golf course for the family game Saturday afternoon and hiked a bit to Shakespeare in the Park that evening. Sunday the walk was from a parking place to the arena and didn't get any exercise in Monday, the day we drove home.

I need to try on backpacks to see what I can carry in 20 pounds or less.

Hiking Schedule: June 1-14

Tues Jun1
6 pm Blue Ash Golf Course

Wed Jun 2
6 pm Newport/Cincinnati riverfront (meet at Theodore M. Berry Park)

Thurs Jun 3
7:45 am Blue Ash Rec Center and Park

4:00 pm Ault Park (plein air paintout)

Fri Jun 4
8 am Loveland Bike Trail

7:00 p.m.Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve Pin Oak Trail
All About Ladybugs Join this wildlife hike in search of Ohio’s native ladybird beetles. We will also discuss the ladybug invasion of the last decade.

Sat Jun 5
9 am Presidential Grove, Eden Park

Sun Jun 6
4:30 p.m Trillium Art Fair Glenwood Gardens
You will enjoy strolling through the lovely gardens while enjoying the artwork of talented regional artists at the second annual Trillium Art Fair. Mediums include watercolors, glass blowing, oils, acrylics, wood turners, jewelers and more.

Mon Jun 7
All day: Loveland Paint the Town

Tues Jun 8
All day: Loveland Paint the Town
6 pm Blue Ash Golf Course

Wed Jun 9
All day: Loveland Paint the Town

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve Ellenwood Nature Barn /
Snake Week See and learn about several of Ohio’s snakes on exhibit this week. On Wednesday and Thursday evening, the exhibit will include exotic snakes from other parts of the world.

Thurs Jun 10
7:45 am Blue Ash Rec Center and Park

All day: Loveland Paint the Town

Fri Jun 11
8 am Loveland Bike Trail

All day: Loveland Paint the Town

Sat Jun 12-Mon-Jun 14
Not available for walking
Not available for walking