Walking, and walking, and walking.....

Determination, coupled with plenty of time and pleasant places to traverse, will add up to many miles walked, if that is your goal.

Thursday was sunny with high clouds, and warmish, in the 70's. As I was meeting friends for lunch down on Second Street in Belmont Shore, I took advantage of the location and arrived 90 minutes early so I could spend time walking around the neighborhood and the adjacent beach before lunch. This is a great place to walk if you like to look at little gardens and interesting cottages of every conceivable style crowded together shoulder to shoulder all within one, two and three blocks of the beach.




Looking down while crossing an alleyway, I see a little love note heart just for me, tucked into a crack in the sidewalk!



Thursday was a 10,000-step day - yippee! And, as you can see here, a lot of other people were enjoying the day and walking on the beach too.




On Friday I headed out early for Signal Hill for about 90 minutes, then decided I would go over to the canal area called Naples to finish off with some easier stepping. Friday was completely sunny and hotter than Thursday. The circular walk around the canal was quiet and peaceful. Bees were buzzing in the gardens, now and then I'd see a gardener working or someone walking the dog.



These homes along the canal all seem to have gorgeous gardens. It is amazing what can be done with tiny plots of land. There were oodles of roses and of course I stopped to smell them now and then. Simply delicious!



This alligator (crocodile?) is a new addition since I was last here several months ago.




This happily splashing fountain graces a tiny circular park inside a quiet traffic circle on Ravenna Street. A mallard duck was enjoying the water and providing entertainment for a small child.



Speaking of circles, I noticed this mirror mounted high on a telephone pole, providing views to drivers around a curvy and blind corner. It seemed like a good opportunity for a self portrait...just look for the white walking shoes! They got lots of exercise this day....Friday was a 12,000-step day!



And today....today I'm taking a break. We walked around the grocery store this morning, and I walked around the garden planting a very small plumeria tree and watering the 27 red geraniums that I recently put in the planter under the living room window. But now...now I'm going to sit back and read A Walk with Jane Austen. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and later today I plan to watch "Big Night" all about food, food, luxurious food. Thank you, Lala at My Castle in Spain, for the recommendation!

I hope, wherever you are, that you are enjoying a relaxing weekend.