Day 24.5 (Faux Day 25): Kirkland near home

Highlights:

Ok, I’ve not gone outside for 3 (3!) days except for quick trips to garbage/recycle with N95 mask due to the poor air quality coming from the devastating west coast fires that are still not under control.  The AQI (Air Quality Index) has been in the high 200’s here (very unhealthy for everyone) but not as high as poor Oregon that has many areas with hazardous 400 and even 500 scores.  Today, forecasts say that tomorrow will go from today’s 154 (still very unhealthy) to 109 (unhealthy for sensitive groups) with Thursday seeing us back in the good range (44).

In preparation for returning to my pilgrimage, I did a short test walk of 5 miles down to the Lake and into downtown Kirkland to earn some miles but also test what it would feel like to wear an N95 mask (the type that will capture small particles in smoky air) while walking briskly.  N95 masks fit snugly and are hot and restrict air getting in (that’s kind of the point) but I was able to breathe fairly well, my lungs didn’t hurt, and the only casualty was a very sweaty face with a circular indent where the mask sealed.

Mask aside, it was glorious to be outside again. I appreciated everything I saw even though, being my neighborhood, none of this was new.  I got to see the sun trying valiantly to come out,visibility improve just a little as the breeze picked up and some blue sky even appeared.  But still can’t see past shore of Lake Washington even as I stood right at the shore. It rained last night, and the news said it didn’t make a difference but I wanted to believe that it did.

I was the only one I saw wearing an N95 mask. Most were wearing the usual covid masks. I was discouraged to see several groups of young folks with no masks and not social distancing.  The young girls playing enthusiastic, crashing into each other, sans mask beach volleyball on the Google campus reminded me of when I once thought I was invincible too.  I almost wanted to put masks on the statues of the active children playing in Kirkland marina park.

There were more people out than I had anticipated and the construction and landscaping workers that I have seen throughout my fauxmino continue to prove that the show will go on.

As I returned home through the cozy little trail right behind our condo, I felt hopeful for a return to better air quality, if not normalcy.   

Before I forget, the first picture below is of Don (husband) trying out his new kayak which matches mine.  We will go out this Friday, air permitting.

I plan to begin the Cedar River Trail tomorrow with N95 and Covid masks in hand, ready for whatever comes next. Take care out there and ¡Buen Camino!