Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City."

It can safely be argued that I am blogging either later or earlier than usual, depending on your perspective. I prefer to think of it as my prerogative.

The temperature/weather conditions show that the current temperature is 39° under cloudy skies. Once the sun rises @ 7:33 a.m. and long before it sets @ 8:06 p.m., the NWS is forecasting today's high to reach a blistering 53° under partly cloudy skies. The long-range forecast from the NWS indicates that we have at least two more weeks before the highs get regularly into the 60s.

At any rate, yesterday we got up in time to take the fur-children for a walk to the Bookman where STWD got her expected morning treat. As previously noted, she isn't much into long walks any longer. I miss the walks that she and I used to take as we explored the various streets and avenues in GH. Oh well, we're all getting older.

That being said, Mary suggested that since it was a nice day, we should get started on our build-up for the Step-it-Up Walking Challenge once again sponsored by the Ottawa, County Health Department and carried out under the auspices of the Ottawa, County Parks Department. So Mary and I took Ginger along and traveled to Hemlock Crossing County Park to explore the trails. Ginger was in doggy heaven as she experienced new sights, smells, and sounds.

We covered about one and one-half miles in our quest to be able to walk five or more miles each day for the next several weeks. Five miles equals 10,000 steps on a pedometer. One good thing, a participant can use other activities. such as housework, gardening, or bike riding converted to steps to reach their goal.

But I digress, we walked the trails and I took several pictures of both us and of Ginger as she explored her newfound surroundings.

Like all terriers, Ginger explores with her nose.

The forest and the trails were mostly quiet as we walked.

The forest and the trails were also mostly devoid of other people on a Monday afternoon.

As a retired teacher, I appreciate that there are two outdoor classrooms@ Hemlock Crossing. This is # 1.

And this is # 2.

A great group picture of our hiking party on a bench overlooking the Grand River.

Today, Mary has to chat and get a hair cut while I have to read after our morning safari with the fur-children. Sugar will likely want to travel no farther than the Bookman to get her treat and allow me to get the Grand Haven Tribune. If all goes well, we'll take some later walks with just Ginger. Ciao.