Today’s walk started with the sky putting on a full production.
We had:
jellyfish clouds
fish clouds
a flouncy rooster cloud
dinosaur clouds
squirrel clouds
and at least one cloud that looked suspiciously like coffee, because apparently my brain has priorities.
Meanwhile, the dragonflies were out in full force again. I saw at least ten of them throughout the morning, zig-zagging through the breeze like tiny helicopter supervisors monitoring the route.
The weather was unreal for late spring in Arizona. Honestly, it felt more like spring in Chicago than Phoenix. Cool breeze, dramatic palm trees, bright blue sky, and just enough clouds hanging around to keep the atmosphere interesting before most of them eventually burned off.
This turned into one of those wandering walks where you accidentally keep going because everything outside keeps saying: “Hey wait, look at THIS.”
Highlights from today’s roaming expedition:
Aquanet Tree serving full 1987 hairspray volume
“Beetlejuice Trees” looking spooky and dramatic
hopeful baby trees nearby trying their best
flowering desert plants and cactus photo stops
pomegranate trees
Shaw Butte adopting its own tiny emotional-support cloud
spotting a new GameStop near MetroCenter for Andrew
avoiding PetSmart because I absolutely cannot be trusted around adoption events
At one point I wandered into Panera looking for protein, realized all I really wanted in life was Starbucks egg bites, considered getting a haircut, decided I was probably too sweaty to traumatize a hairdresser, and continued the adventure instead.
By the end of the walk, my back had started filing formal complaints with management, but the weather was still so nice that part of me wanted to hop in the car and head straight for Sedona or Oak Creek Canyon and just keep trottin’ around somewhere scenic.
Final stats:
3.36 miles
8,019 steps
2 hours 33 minutes
640 calories burned
Walk Receipts
Not a power walk. Not hardcore cardio. Just a full-on exploratory roaming creature morning.
And honestly?
Still counts.
Did you enjoy this walk? Read more.
Starbucks Carrot Method – North Phoenix Walking Series
Steps for Sips at Weekly Reads