Snowmen and Flowers
Walking Mileage: 5.21January Miles Walked: 86
Temperature upon departure: 30*
Windchill: 20*
Humidity: 100%
So often this place makes no sense to me, in Alaska when it is 30* and snowing it is rather warm. Here with the humidity at 100* it is freezing to the bone cold at 30* with no snow falling. It's a strange feeling to walk in Atlanta and see snow everywhere, as we walk block to block the temp changes slightly- some areas are warm spots, some are cold and it doesn't seem to matter if there is sun or shade. Each block offers something different with this situation- one block is covered in a sheet of white, another has pansy bathing in the light, some are half and half with tiny snowmen.
Blue is used to the snow being from Alaska, Petey doesn't quite know what to think of it. His first time out in it, he steps uneasily in the white patches and seems surprised to walk on ice- actually turning around and smelling the foreign substance. The wind is from the north and brings a chill to the air and the urge to bundle up. 
As I was leaving the house yesterday I was telling Matt I felt like that scene from Sixteen Candles where they are calling into the police because Long Duck Dong is missing and they tell them- "he's wearing three pairs of trousers, four shirts...no he's not retarded!" I would be a similar description- two shirts, two jackets, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks and gloves, and possibly two to four hats on. In my own defense to all Alaskans I don't own anything heavier than a sweatshirt living down here! On chilly days I have to layer up no matter how ridiculous. 
We are almost to our 100 mile goal, it's been a lot of walking considering how much I've been working too. Walking and working, that is my New Year! The longer miles are coming easier, but I feel like I could be doing more, but I've struggled with recovery from the long walks mentally more than I planned for. My body seems to be recovering fine, but it's almost mundane to go out for back to back long ones. Even the boys seem to be a little out of it when we walk. Dreaming of the trail keeps me going though. This is my first day without work since the 1st of the year, I'm tempted to stay home and pitter patter around the house, but the sidewalks are calling, and the sun is shining!
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