April 14

Two weeks ago we had a gorgeous 18 mile walk which took us by most of the Washington DC memorials and a wonderful walk around the tidal basin.  The cherry trees were in full bloom.  Friday’s rain did knock a lot of blossoms to the ground, but it was still magnificent.  It was the first time that I’d seen the Roosevelt memorial.  The Tidal basin was gorgeous with all the cherry blossoms.  We had a pink ribbon with us and took pictures of that with most of the memorials.  Then last weekend we did a 20 mi walk through a large part of downtown DC.  It was another magnificent day for walking and we stopped for lunch in the Eastern market region which is really bustling on Saturdays.  We started and ended in Tenleytown but we didn’t go to Guapo’s – that will be another day.  We do shorter walks through the week but the long ones in DC are really spectacular.  We still want to get to the C&O canal this year and see alll the turtles sunbathing on the logs as well as other wildlife and flowers.    

March 26

Yesterday was very different from the past 2 weekends.  It was warmer - 76 degrees out by the end of the walk.  Last week we did the Cherry Blossom walk along Haines Point but there were no cherry blossoms out.  Yesterday, first of all we walked with the Avon training walk up to Meadowbrook Park (8 mi) starting in Friendship Heights.  Then the Lombardi team did another 8 mi - we walked along Little River Road and there were all kinds of cherry blossoms out - traffic was crazy too.  Then we walked along Little River Trail (I've never been there before) and came out on McArthur Rd by the reservoir.  Then it was up Sibley Hill past the hospital.  That is known as the killer hill, especially when you're hot and tired.  But iot was good training since the last two weeks were so cold.  

March 5

This weekend it turned colder - unlike last weekend when it was 70 degrees out by the time we finished our walk, this week it barely got above 40.  It was OK when the wind wasn't blowing.  We did the zoo walk where we went through the zoo.  Most of the animals weren't out though but we did see zebras and bison.   Then we walked through Rock Creek Park down to the waterfront and up through Georgetown.  It was a invigorating 13 mi walk.  I am gradually getting more and more familiar with DC.  We walked in the neighbourhood on Friday, only 7 mi.  I know have 6 additional names to add to my shirt - Patty Bean, Jennifer Cooper, Kelly McNeal, Carolyn Plaisance, Janice Sommerfield, and Pat Staggs.  I hope we are making progress with this dreadful disease.  As noted in my last letter, the diagnoses are coming every 2 minutes but the cures have been increasing.  

February 19

This weekend we went and walked 10 miles with the team on the Bethesday Trolley Trail.  It was a beautiful day and the cherry blossoms were starting to come out (which I didn't want to see because it is only February and I don't think winter is completely over).  

Feb 5

We walked a total of 14 mi this weekend.  It was extremely cold yesterday but we went down with the team and walked through Bethesda along the Bethesda Trolley Trail and Capital Crescent Trail.  It was a beautiful day - just cold.  I added three more names that I am walking for - Jennifer Cooper, Pat Staggs, and Carolyn Plaisance - all of them recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  Please keep them in your prayers.   

Feb. 3

 Well we are starting week 3 of our training.  We had a great time meeting new people last weekend at the Avon Kick Off party.  In the meantime, I have added in a yoga and zumba class to my crosstraining during the week in addition to the training walks.  More to come next week as we continue our walks.  

I am required to raise at least $1,800 to EARN MY 39, but I plan to raise much, much more! I hope that I can count on your support!

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