Day 13: Home (Kirkland) to Seward Park and loop back to Leschi

 

Highlights:

Yikes!  I did it.  I targeted 19.5 today and ended up doing 21.1 miles.  On the real Camino, I would have spent my first day travelling the Meseta region in Central Spain, from Burgos to Hontanas, trading the urban landscape of Burgos for the peaceful Meseta, walking through field after field of wheat, past the healing San Bol stream.

In real life, on my Faux-mino, I walked from home (Kirkland), across the 520 Bridge (again), through the University of Washington’s Arboretum Park and then along Lake Washington through Leschi (pronounce Leh-shy) and all the way to Seward Park. That accounted for only 15 miles so I needed to back track to Leschi, where there was conveniently a Starbucks, to complete my miles for the day.  Thanks again to magnificent Don for picking me up. He got a chocolate croissant from Starbucks for his efforts.

So much beauty – trees, water, mountains, clouds, blue sky and houses nestled across from so many spectacular water views.  Thanks to the city for so many well-groomed walking paths hugging the lake and keeping pedestrians safe. A plethora of  swimmable beaches to choose from.  Some were closed but most had lifeguards.  Seward Park even had short orange cones marking where groups could safely socially distance on the lawn.

Mount Rainier followed me on my trip. I kept thinking I had taken the best shot to share with you until I turned the next corner.  I even spotted our “other mountain”, Mount Baker, but it was too hazy to show up well in a picture.

Once again I found that travelling in mostly one direction goes faster and while I did the most miles per day yet, it didn’t feel as long as some others where I had to backtrack. I gave in and listened to two podcasts as I traveled the Kirkland cross corridor trail (my well visited friend near home), and the 520 bridge, which I have crossed three times since I began this adventure.  It helped pass the time and kept me from worrying about how many miles I had to go before I sleep 😊.

Today was simply stunning – from 7 am through to 2 pm. I am so lucky to live in this place that never stops presenting inspiring vistas with a run of perfect weather for days.

Tomorrow is Day 14 and asks me to do 17.1 miles.  I plan to start in Discovery Park, - a 534-acre park on the shores of Puget Sound in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle (where my son and his wife live).  It is Seattle's largest public park and contains 11.81 miles of walking trails.  I plan to try something different – hike within the park and see if I can earn most of my miles there.  All parking is closed due to Covid, so I’m prepared for an adventure starting the day. 

Thanks again for your support and of course ¡Buen Camino!









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