Sun was hot, air was cool and breezy this morning — classic Arizona “looks warm but feels nice” walking weather. Most of the walk to Starbucks was straight into a headwind, which counts as bonus resistance training.
Soundtrack on the way out included a little bit of everything: Steve Miller Band, Karen Carpenter, Dorothy, Phil Collins, and friends keeping the feet moving.
Halfway to Starbucks we had a minor equipment failure — one pawprint earring attempted an unscheduled disassembly. Both pieces were recovered and safely stored in my purse for later repair. No permanent casualties.
While securing the earring I discovered three pinball tokens still riding around in the purse. Sometimes it’s a full $10 roll, which turns the walk home into strength training when paired with a trenta coffee. Today’s loadout was lighter.
Neighborhood field research highlights:
• Spotted another character from the People of the Starbucks Walk — the postal carrier counterpart to Wild West Mustache Guy.
• Confirmed once again that the patio at Tacos & Tequila remains the cleanest patio on the route. It’s scrubbed down every morning and always spotless.
• Bathroom logistics recon continues since the Starbucks on this route is to-go only.
Return trip soundtrack featured rap sass, jazz hands, and blue-grassy strutting:
Sir Mix-A-Lot, Disturbed, Ella Fitzgerald, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and a dramatic vocal finish to carry the coffee home.
Walk Receipts
Total distance: about 2.65 miles.
Coffee secured.
Earring rescued.
Neighborhood characters logged.
Still counts.
The Starbucks Carrot Method
North Phoenix Walking Series