Show of hands: who’s ready to talk about another week of walks?
(Not Belle. She always asks if the most recent blog post is one she’ll enjoy reading and usually follows that up by saying: “I hope it’s not about walking or books.“)
Well today’s post is all about walking/running/general movement (and not about books). That said, we did have a woman in our small town who for YEARS would be seen regularly walking while reading a book. In fact, I don’t think I ever saw her walking without a book in front of her face. It always struck me as a habit that seemed destined to end very badly, but she appears to have emerged unscathed (though she has now moved away, so I very much hope she is not lying in traction in a hospital somewhere because she tripped over a curb while engrossed in the latest page-turner).
BACK TO WALKING.
:::Week 1 Recap:::
:::Week 2 Recap:::
BLOG FRIEND WALKS

Catrina is back in South Africa. She writes:
It gets me every time and I will never get used to it: going from Zurich’s dark, cosy autumn evenings to Cape Town’s bright, energetic spring vibes one flight later. It always feels a little surreal. But a few walks and runs help to adjust!
Just look at those warm, sunny views!

It’s decidedly chillier in Wisconsin, where Engie and Hannah continue with their daily walks.
I’ve attached a collage from my Week 2 efforts. As usual, Hannah and I were out and about. We experienced hot weather, chilly weather, rain, clouds, and sun this week. She’s a good sport and sometimes lets me take her photo. Here’s the link to my weekly roundup.

Friends, do yourself a GIANT favour and go read all about Kyria’s EPIC back-country hiking adventures on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Let’s just say she had no trouble squeezing in ten minutes of walking each day.

Jacquie continues to take in a wide range of nature and culture in her daily walks in British Columbia.
Can’t believe we’re already into week 3 of the walking club! We’ve had such gorgeous weather it’s been easy to get out…
Photos attached are from our visit to Fibre and Forge, a small wool-producing farm in Abbotsford, BC. There was a band, a vintage 1951 car, chickens, Harley the sheep, Brody the horse and Carmen the donkey, who liked to get up close and personal, pressed apples that made the best apple juice I’ve ever tasted, and a dog enjoying treats from my husband.
What a delightful fall day. Nothing screams autumn in Canada like beautiful foliage and All Things Apple.

Nicole doesn’t let switching continents get in the way of her daily walks. She’s continued on with the Cool Bloggers Walking Club from… SPAIN! These pictures are from adventures with her husband in Madrid and Toledo.

Sarah sent me this picture from Wisconsin with the caption: “Best friends selfie ❤️.” Minnie and Annabel are VERY precious walking companions indeed.

Elinoora is walking (and cycling!) in the Netherlands.
I’m glad to report that most days I managed a walk, yoga or cycling (life in NL makes it easy to cycle, it’s frequently faster for stuff in the near neighborhood, and it’s an easy way to get some fresh air and exercise on the way to work). So this time I’ve included a picture of my bike! And I’ve tried to capture the lovely autumn colours that are appearing in the neighbourhood as well 🙂
She followed up her first e-mail with this note:
1 additional collage, if I’m allowed: we went to the Efteling today, a fairytale theme park. So no specific walk, but walking all over and more than 18000 steps clocked. My daughter practiced her tree pose while we were waiting. And we finished the evening with a great water and light show! Would recommend if you like theme parks and/or fairytales 🙂

A tree pose!!! A fairytale theme park!!! You are most certainly allowed, and a giant barrel full of gold stars for creating two fabulous collages!

Katy has continued on with daily walks in Texas, and you can read all about them here!

mbmom11 writes: I haven’t walked at all this week until today. I saw some defiant snapdragons – a little summer left! – and Halloween decor that made me think of the Frugal Girl.
What a fun Halloween inflatable. “Defiant snapdragons!” Love it.



Julie sent some photos from walks from her home in Florida… and others from Connecticut, where she was visiting for a wedding.

Sophie saw lots of creatures on her walks in Australia this week!
This was a bit of a rainy one at times. But I still made it out. Definitely fitted in a couple of extra walks than I would have done otherwise. All local walks close to home and work this time. Came across an Orb Weaver spider, an Australian Bush Turkey, and lots of baby birds getting fed by their parents. No kangaroos this time- will keep an eye out for the final week!
ELISABETH’S WALKS
DAY 15: THURSDAY

A quick walk with Joy!
DAY 16: FRIDAY


A walk with John on a local trail system on an overcast, chilly day. I think this was my first time wearing finger gloves this fall.
DAY 17: SATURDAY
Another short adventure; John and I walked with Belle and a friend to fit in my mandatory 10 minutes! We saw a gorgeous sunset (by the time we walked to a good place to take a picture, it was gone, so I guess it was a beauty emergency which I saw with my own eyes but have no digital proof of).

I needed a photo, so Belle happily showed off a new-to-her phone case ($2 at a thrift store!)
This girl is all in on Christmas; in fact, she left for school today wearing wreath earrings.
DAY 18: SUNDAY

A late-afternoon walk with John after he dropped my father-in-law off at the airport.
I was inspired by Diane’s weekly walking theme of looking for Little Free Libraries, so snapped a picture of one we passed (John and I did some mental arithmetic and there are at least 7 little libraries in our town!).
DAY 19: MONDAY
I knew I’d be getting in some moderate-intensity exercise at pickleball, so it was a relatively short (~3.5 km) walk with John on a beautiful, sunny afternoon.


I continue to feel inspired by Diane’s theme of Little Libraries, so I picked a route that took us by two more.
I picked up a few books, and we got to say hello to a very friendly cat!

DAY 20: TUESDAY
Ugh. I woke up early (too early!) in the morning with a head cold.
I was achey and had a runny nose and was sneezing, but I also knew a short walk and some fresh air would feel good. John and I walked about 1.5 km, and I snapped a few pictures of funny Halloween signs out on someone’s lawn.




DAY 21: WEDNESDAY
My cold symptoms weren’t completely gone, but overall I was feeling decent, so we converted some necessary errands into intentional walking time.
First stop: the grocery store for a bag of buns for our dinner BBQ.
I repeat, we went in for a single item that costs about about $3.

And we walked out having spent just over $113.
To be fair, our larder was looking bare and we got some great deals AND I redeemed $100 worth of points so it only cost $13 out of pocket. Still.
Next up: the library. I thought this painted pumpkin outside the entrance was adorable.

And I have another book to read ahead of the winter season.

If you have walking recaps you’d like included next week, send me an e-mail: optimisticmusings {at} gmail {dot} com.
Your turn.
- Have you carved—or painted—a pumpkin this year?
- Anyone else pop into a store this week for one item and walk out having spent $100+?
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