Lessons From and For 4 Legs

A challenge is, “A test of one’s abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking.”

So far the 2011 walking challenge is living up to its name for me. Testing my abilitity to not be a wimp about weather, my resources of winter walking gear, demanding I get out there and walk with the pups and certainly stimulating me to do so.

I’m so glad I made this a year long challenge. It seems much less about the miles and much more about just getting the dogs some exercise. That’s not to say I’m not technically behind in the one mile per day quota. With 48 days of the year gone I should have 48 miles. The 9 miles completed is not too close to 48.

The great thing is I don’t feel behind and thus overwhelmed. I hope the challenge is having the same effect on all who are participating. We have all year to get those goals accomplished.

My Favorite Walk So Far
Did you know elephants lived in the desert? Well, one does anyways. His name is George. In my life all my favorite elephants are named George.

My family has a long history with George. My grandparents used to live close to where George has lived for what I suspect has been thousands of years. When we would visit my grandparents they would take us on a walk to see him.

It became somewhat of a tradition to gather up the family and hike up to see George. As we got close my grandma would excitedly say, “Can you see it? Can you see the elephant?” Everyone could see him, he stands tall into the desert air. A red sandstone giant against a deep blue sky.

Everyone but me that is. In the fashion of children who don’t want to let their elders down and don’t want to be left out of the fun I started saying I could see our friend George. What I could see was a tall stack of red rocks sticking up from a relatively flat desert area, it did not look like anything resembling an elephant.

So this trip I decided to come clean. I admitted my childhood inability to see our friend George decided to walk up and visit him again.

We started out in warm sunny weather through deep red sand. Passed dormant winter rabbit brush and sleeping sage brush.

The dogs loved the freedom of loose long lines and no side walks to dictate their route. I loved the quiet desert air with only the sound of our footsteps and the chattering of my aunt and mom to listen to.

As we approached George towering into the sky, waiting for us like an old loyal friend the only thing missing was my grandma’s excited voice asking me, “Can you see the elephant?”

It’s hard enough when we see our 4legged family limited by age, but far worse when our 2legged family can no longer clamber around with us as they did in their younger days.

Thankfully my mom took up the torch and piped in right in time, “Can you see it? Can you see the elephant?”

And I could! I could see George stoically observing us from on high. What a relief!

Now I can check a couple more miles off my Walking Challenge goal, have another nice memory of another nice walk, and know I kept a family tradition alive.

"We're waiting, please tell us your stories!"

How ’bout all of you? How is the walking challenge going? Do you have any fun, motivating stories or tips to share? Is there any suggestions or requests you have to make this challenge easier for you?

If you have a walking story post of your own share it with your progress in your comment and I will post the links so we can all hop through and see how we are all doing. Most importantly now is the time to update us on your progress, so leave any miles with your comment too.

If you’d like to join the Walking Challenge we welcome you. Just set whatever goal seems realistic for you and your 4legged friends and I will add you and a link to your site to the sidebar.