Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

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My Plantar Fasciitis has improved dramatically. My foot still feels a little bruised but I can walk without limping so it was time to see if it would hold up for a hike. I only have a couple of weeks before my Big Maine Adventure which will involve .5 – 1 mile hikes. It doesn’t sound like much but if you have ever experienced the pain of Plantar Fasciitis, you know it’s like walking on a golf ball! 10 feet is too far!

To improve my motivation I decided to head for Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA. This is an Audubon property and I hadn’t been there before. It had the added benefit of being in Natick so I could include lunch at Kelly’s Roast beef.

Kelly's Roast Beef

Before I left the house I dug around to find my Audubon membership card. I’ve never been asked for it but I’d never been to Broadmoor before either. Turns out it was a good thing I made the effort. They have a Welcome Center that is staffed and they do check memberships.

Broadmoor

When I pulled in I was surprised to see a full parking lot. I figured that I wouldn’t see much with that many people tramping around but it turns out there are more than 9 miles of trails.

No way was I going to try any of the longer trails today. So I settled on the Mill Pond/Marsh Trail.  It’s a mile long but I only covered the Marsh section. I wandered a boardwalk, watched a swan groom itself and admired the sunning turtles.

Broadmoor Swan

I met some nice people along the way but it wasn’t really as crowded as I expected.

Turtles

I will have to go back again as my foot gets stronger. I want to see the little waterfall at the ruins of the mill and there is supposed to be an active beaver pond with a dam and lodge.

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Now to head home and see how the foot feels. Fingers crossed!

My Favorite Poem

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The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST

 2 Paths Diverge
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Plantar Fasciitis

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Anyone out there watch the Big Bang Theory?

If you do you know Leonard has a catch phrase “I just can’t catch a break” because every time he starts to make headway with Penny he is interrupted.

Well lately I think that should be my phrase.

I was really optimistic about this summer. It’s the first time in 2-3 years that I was really feeling good. I have some fun mini trips planned and I was just really upbeat.

So what happened you ask? Last weekend I was out doing a doggy photo shoot. I felt great. No joint pain, no muscle pain. I finished the shoot, came back home and had lunch. Then after lunch I went to take a step and I swear it felt like I’d stepped on a golf ball!

The doctor diagnosed plantar Fasciitis and did not give me a prognosis. It’s a week today and I’ve felt the pain spread and grow and now begin to subside. It’s more like a tender bruise now instead of throbbing constantly.

So here I sit on a beautiful Saturday doing laundry because it was the first day all week I could walk well enough to carry the laundry down the stairs to the laundry room.

Here’ a little of what I learned:

 

Plantar fasciitis is a cause of pain under the heel. It usually goes in time. Treatment may speed up recovery. Treatment includes rest, good footwear, heel pads, painkillers and exercises. A steroid injection or other treatments may be used in more severe cases.

Heel - plantar fascia

Plantar fasciitis means inflammation of your plantar fascia. Your plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue (like a ligament) that stretches from your heel (calcaneum) to your middle foot bones. It supports the arch of your foot and also acts as a shock-absorber in your foot.

Vacation Planning

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Anyone who has followed this space for long knows that my goal is to take a vacation in all 50 states.  Obviously that means two or more new states a year or I’ll be 90 or older before I manage to complete that goal.

I’ve gotten a bit side tracked lately because with each upgrade to my time share they’ve given me a vacation that includes airfare. Bottom line is I keep taking the bonus vacations and have gotten off track from my goal.

So I decided to organize my thoughts and future plans.

July is a brief visit to Maine to try to capture an Iconic Puffin Photo. Its only an extended weekend. (and I’ve vacationed in Maine-Loved it)

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I have a vacation to Maui all scheduled, if not completely planned, coming up in November.

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I’ve been to Hawaii twice before. Once to the Big Island and once to Oahu so this will be my 3rd visit to Paradise.

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In January my company will hold their annual convention in Las Vegas. I am seriously considering added a few days vacation on and staying at the Polo Towers. After all, my company is paying for my airfare. I’ve been to Las Vegas for vacation twice before but there are still things I’d like to see.

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February looks like another trip to Hawaii compliments of my time share. I have a choice of the Big Island (Kona side) or Maui.

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Right now I am leaning toward Maui again for the whale watching and snorkeling. February should be peak season for the whales.

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That will wrap up the commitments so far.

So where is my focus after those are done?

Jackson Hole Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park is still top of the list.

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Key Largo (John Pennekamp Park) (Even though I’ve been to Florida more times than I can count)

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Pacific Northwest (Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area)

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Central Idaho ( The Sawtooth Range)

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Channel Islands CA

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Katmai National Park, AK (Brook Falls) (Alaska is another repeat)

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I guess that will keep me busy for a while.

My Typical Morning

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I share  my home with cats. I’m not a crazy cat lady. I only have 2 cats but they are the ones in charge.

On a typical morning I am greeted by Buddy as I step out of the shower. Forget closing the door. Both Buddy and Rocky are excellent lock pickers. Maybe that’s where cat burglar came from???

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Water just tastes better when it comes from the tap.

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