Scoutabout: christopher575

It's been such a weird day. I woke up to my alarm and got up about 20 minutes later to head out to Japanese Gulch for a walk, completely unaware of the mass shooting at Pulse in Orlando. I really don't like to speak out much about tragedies as they happen online and definitely don't like to describe personal connections, but it's hard not to think about the fact that the largest mass shooting in American history is now at a gay club in what's obviously part of a huge backlash against the advancements we've made in the past several years. Coincidentally, the club I went dancing every Friday and Saturday for three years shortly after I turned 21 was also called Pulse, and while I always had such a great time there, it's impossible to forget being relieved that the outdoor patio was surrounded by a very high wall, and always being scared while heading back to the car.

So I guess I'll always look back at today's walk and be grateful for my trek around my favorite place in the last moments before I heard.

It's already been a very busy week where I had to skip a couple of workouts, so I just wanted an easy walk in the Western portion of the Gulch. I decided to take the fast way to the parking area by the community garden, and was delighted by the early morning view of the main drag.

The human brain likes to simplify areas like this, creating a subway map, where even the most detailed map available doesn't show all the trails. I've always pictured--even though I know better--the Western trail system as a big loop with branches leading away from it to the trail entrances. Today was a day where I set out to refresh my mental map up there. I still managed to surprise myself by walking in a circle when I didn't mean to, twice.

Today's awesome walk, 3.09 miles in 1:26, 8,332 steps, 200ft gain

3.09 miles in 1:26, 8,332 steps, 200ft gain

I don't normally post a map that shows so much territory that I didn't actually walk on, but today I was trying to cover all the outer trails and somehow missed the Northernmost ones.

Wooden waves

Fifty Shades of Green

I noticed by where I parked that the area where Mukilteo Community Garden is was originally called Highland Memorial Park. I'm curious what it used to look like and how it went away.

I took one of my favorite view streets home, but I don't think the views translate on the dashcam.

Scoutabout

Week one done

News and knees

Let the sun shine in, greet it with a grin

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