Biking to Work

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Riding my bike to work

Still walking to work....

These are some of the animals, most really, that I've seen while walking to and from work. (I didn't take these pictures since I don't take our camera to work, but you get the idea.)




Anyone else see these killdeer? "These birds will frequently use the "broken-wing act" to distract predators from their nests. This involves the bird walking away from its nesting area holding its wing in a position that simulates an injury and then flapping around on the ground emitting a distress call. The predators then think they have easy prey and are attracted to this seemingly injured bird and away from the nest. If the parent sees that a potential predator is not following them, they will move closer and get louder until they get the attention of the predator." (From Wikipedia) I have seen the birds behave in this manner.



There are about six to a dozen whitetailed deer that over-winter in our subdivision.
They seem fairly used to people and allow me to come rather close.

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Bird songs I like.

I enjoy seeing Idaho wildlife. Not exactly elephants and tigers, but good enough for me. Helps me feel connected to nature. One more benefit of walking to work.

Walking to Work: One Month

Feb 9
38 degrees in the AM. Raining on the way home. Tried disposable poncho for the first time. Not bad. Little hard keeping the hood up, but kept me mostly dry. Was offered a ride home.
Feb 14
28 degrees in the AM. Son’s car is running; first day I don’t really need to walk. Saw three deer. Clear and cold. On way home daughter’s boyfriend gave me a lift partway as he lives in our subdivision.
Feb 17
Deer again. I can believe the image of them pulling Santa’s sleigh through the air, they practically do fly when they get going. 36 degrees. Heard some geese squawking. Goose fight? Or a lucky coyote with an early morning breakfast? No, don’t think so, it didn’t sound that upset.
Feb 23
Snowing. 32 degrees. Very windy. Wore my poncho as the snow was very wet. Saw six deer about 10 yards away. Almost walked into them before I looked up. I was trying to keep my poncho hood up in the driving snow and wind. Nice to see quail and bunny tracks in the snow.
March 2
29 degrees. Nearly full moon, nice and bright. Little skiff of snow. Footprints on the road to work. Why do bunny tracks make me smile? Snow is very revealing. Cement “everything” deadens our senses.
March 3
33 degrees. Not bad. Actually saw the owl today I’d been hearing. I was scanning the trees looking for it, but there it was sitting on a post as I walked by. Cool.

Obviously the most important factor of my walks is the weather. Anything around 30 degrees is tolerable. 14 and 18 degrees were actually painful for walking, but I managed. Shouldn’t see that kind of weather again for quite some time. I have noticed that I’m using my walking time now for thinking. So much so that when I’m almost home after work I’m often surprised at how quickly I arrived. So, for now, the walking will continue.

Walking to Work - February 2, 2007

Last week I decided to try walking to work. This decision stemmed partially from my son needing to borrow my car while his is not running at the moment. But it soon seemed like a good idea; help the environment by not polluting, save on gas money, and I must admit, I can use the exercise. I started out by walking home a few times (Son took me to work); not bad. It's downhill; 45 minutes to reach our house. So, OK, I'll give it a try. First walk to work took place on Saturday, January 28, 2007. I prepared the night before, found a daypack in which to haul my lunch and a comfortable pair of work shoes. Took a small flashlight as the morning walk will take place in the dark and some of the walk is alongside a country road. I dressed warmly, including my overlong knitted scarf which now finds a purpose in covering my ears, neck, chin and mouth during the very cold mornings. I even included a poncho in case of rain. I felt very invigorated by all this. It felt like an adventure. And it was an adventure the first day. I arrived at work in time for a quick trip to the restroom to revamp my hair (I brought a comb), and had time to change my shoes and grab a cup of tea. I had even remembered to bring 1/2 of a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast. Success!

I have divided the walk into three 15 minute sections. It makes it much easier to gauge where I'm at and what I have left. The second morning as I left for work I walked across the street from the small herd of deer which winters in our subdivision. None of them ran at the sight of me. Some of them stood and stared. I guess they're only accustomed to seeing the newspaper delivery person at that hour. Anyway, it made the walk worth it. I hope to see them again. A full moon has been lighting my way this week. Gorgeous.

I have noticed that if I have to work late it is a completely different feeling when I know I have to walk home after. Not nearly as inconsequencial. Feeling like crying is what comes to mind.

Last night as I was crossing a field I felt tiny pieces of something hitting my face. Like miniature crystals. The sky was clear, it wasn't snowing. The trees had no mantle of falling snow upon them. It was the strangest sensation. But pleasant. Mysterious and wonderful. And, I'm sure, easily explained.

Now I am into Day Four. This morning the temperature was 14 degrees as I left the house at 4:30AM. That's a bit cold. After 30 minutes my legs felt numb, like they were asleep. As in pins and needles asleep. Not pleasant. The walk home was in 32 degree weather. Felt absolutely balmy.

I'm not sure how long I will continue with my walks. I am enjoying them. Tonight as I left work a fellow employee who I didn't know asked if I needed a ride. That was very sweet. But it reminded me that this is a choice. A choice I made. My goal is to continue walking to work for a full year. I'm not sure I have the required stamina or commitment. Time will tell. I do hope I see those deer again.