As usual, I went to some incredible places this summer. However, not quite as many as normal. And the standout memory of this summer will be walking at the lakes with Fritzi, my German Shepherd.
She turned 5 years old in June, although I’ve been doing these hour-long walks long before she arrived in our lives. However, this summer, we both really, really needed them. She needs the exercise and I need to brain break from HeidiTown Consulting (and exercise).
Walking has so many benefits that aren’t related to my taco intake, although I won’t lie, that’s a big factor. I love seeing how our area changes through the year—the various birds that come and go, the flowers, and the eternally blue skies. Okay, they aren’t always blue, but almost always. That’s why I live in Colorado.
We headed out super early in August to avoid the heat later in the day. We witnessed many awe-inspiring sunrises. I guess that’s the benefit of being an early riser; I wouldn’t know other than for about one month a year.
I saw pelicans fishing in a flock (yes, they do this), and I saw a cormorant catch and swallow a huge fish. It was another banner year for sunflowers, which grew along my trail in a riot of yellow. Seriously, for the last two years, it’s been insane. They are taking over our little area of the world and I’m all for it. Sunflowers bring me happiness.
I walk on High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) land near my housing development in Loveland, Colorado. I’ve been walking the same route since we bought in the area in 2003.
There are more homes today—a lot more. The HPEC headquarters were moved from my neighborhood to their current locations sometime in the mid-2000s. We walk through their demonstration garden several times a summer.
We’d watch the community garden grow, and pass the yellow barn where a barn owl comes to raise her chicks each summer. You can see a live video stream of this in the HPEC building.
This summer, Ryan and I attended the Farm-to-Table Brunch held at HPEC. Part of the Wild Wonderful Weekend by Centerra, the brunch is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the landscape and atmosphere that I get to experience every day from the trails. Plus, we could walk to brunch from our house!
Also on Wild Wonderful Weekend, I participated in a Nature Walk at HPEC. They do birding walks too! These occur once a month so you can attend at your leisure. Walking over the same ground I walk every day, it was fascinating to take this route with a guide who knew a lot about plants, and other tour members who truly cared about nature.
I am going to start taking this tour at the turn of each season to gain some insight into what’s happening all around me. By the way, I learned there are 300 kinds of bees on this property and five kinds of sunflowers.
I must admit to being a little melancholy as I kick through the leaves on my walk this month. Today, it was downright cold! However, Fritzi’s happiness, a dog that incessantly wags her tail in a very non-German Shepherd-like manner, makes it all worth it.
Plus, I gotta walk for my sanity (and because of the taco intake).
So, there you have it. A little peek into the life of the Mayor!
