Michigan

So, we now live in Michigan!

We came here for 2 reasons: family and much lower cost of living. We will be able to buy a house here. But I digress, I have been doing a lot of thinking about Michigan and Detroit. 

It started when Donna wanted to see the house she grow up in and visit her old neighborhood. I was shocked, I thought I was visiting a war torn 3rd world county. Most of the street was reclaimed by nature, what wasn't, was burned. But what disturbed me the most, I think, was the lifeless, listless eyes of the kids playing in the street. That night I had nightmares about those eyes.

I started thinking ( and as any of my friends can tell you, once I start thinking anything can happen) about why. How did this come to be? Why  was Detroit abandoned? Those questions and more started me on a mind Odyssey that I will document in this blog.

I think the simple answer to the above is FEAR. But as with any simplistic answer, it is far from the whole truth (and nothing but the truth). So here's some more answers; poor southern folk, the car industry, racism, and the real estate market. 

Thesis statement:
 
The above is what I think caused the fall of Detroit and in turn, the blubbing, churning  nearly below the surface racism that exists today in Detroit and many surrounding areas.

Next time, I will start to present supporting documentation.
 

2.55 Miles Today

So what I did today was to take a LONGGG rest before my muscles could fuss too much. Therefore, I was able to do 2.55 miles. Yahhhh for me!

Feb 05, '12, 01:01pm
Starts in:	Danville, California 94526, US. Osage Park
Distance:	2.5 mi
Elevation:	+ 405 / - 494 ft
Max Grade
Total Duration:	01:18:28
Moving Time:	00:26:45
Stopped Time:	00:51:43
Max Speed:	9.4 mph
Avg. Speed:	5.7 mph

New Discovery

While riding Heather Farms on Monday I discovered that my leg muscles hurt after a VERY short time (5 mins) of riding. I am pretty sure that it has to do with the water pill the doc prescribed and I started taking on the 27th. Resting helps somewhat, it does not kept the pain from getting worst. So if I continue with the water pill I won't be able to exercise ( bad for me). This is an extra water pill as my high blood pressure med also includes an diuretic. The doctor felt that it wasn't enough, so he prescribed an extra pill.

A little cramp history; I use to have sever cramps at least once a night for years, Gatorade cured it, then I got diabetes, so no more Gatorade, when the cramps returned, they were not nearly as bad, so I deal with it. I think what I'm going to do is drink Gatorade for a while and no other carbs, just to get rid of the pain, and stop the extra diuretic, then I'll have to figure out with the Doc how the achieve an balance on an day to day basic.

Departed:	Jan 30, '12, 02:12pm
Starts in:	Walnut Creek, California 94598, US
Distance:	1.1 mi
Elevation:	+ 100 / - 230 ft
Max Grade
Total Duration:	00:58:41
Moving Time:	00:16:40
Stopped Time:	00:42:01
Max Speed:	14.0 mph
Avg. Speed:	4.1 mph

Riding Heather Farms Park

I think one of the reasons I had some much trouble getting out for a ride was my heart. I was always tired and I had no stamina. I kept thinking "What's wrong with me? Why can't I get out the house?"

I went for a ride on the 25th and WOW what a revelation! easier to sit, easier to position my feet on the pedals, no discomfort while pedaling. I was even able to kind of get the cleats to work.I felt like I was able to pedal faster and I didn't get as tired as quickly. My ride was cut short because the chain kept coming off the gears. Today I'm fixing the chain and I'll go back to Heather farms and go for another ride. Also this is the fastest I have ridden. Yahhhh!

Departed:

Jan 25, '12, 02:30pm

Starts in:

Walnut Creek, California 94598, US

Distance:

0.6 mi

Elevation:

+ 140 / - 146 ft

Max Grade

Total Duration:

00:58:57

Moving Time:

00:06:47

Stopped Time:

00:52:10

Max Speed:

33.7 mph

Avg. Speed:

5.1 mph

I've lost 37.8 lbs!!

I have lost 37.8 lbs since I started by portion control diet. I noticed that knees don't hurt or get swollen. I'm walking and moving faster. I feel much better and I have more energy. I suspect two reasons, the first is that I'm carrying around less weight. The second is that last week I when to the emergency room with a heart problem, I have Congestive Heart Failure. My heart is enlarged and had fluid around it. The doctors fixed me up and I'm working on fixing that problem. I now trike for knees and heart.

Iron Horse Trail - 9/11/2011

On Donnas' 56th birthday, she rode nearly 21 miles on the Iron Horse Trail. Go You!

This multi-use, whole-access trail between the cities of Concord and Dublin follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1977. The completed Iron Horse Regional Trail will span the distance from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County, a distance of 33 miles, connecting two counties and 12 cities. Representing interagency cooperation and a community-wide effort by individuals and groups, this trail creates an important recreational and commute component for the communities it serves. The 20-foot-wide trail connects residential and commercial areas, business parks, schools, public transportation (BART, County Connection), open space and parks, regional trails, and community facilities.

The developed portion of the Iron Horse Trail begins in Concord near Highway 4. It runs south through Walnut Creek and crosses eastward under I-680 at Rudgear Road near a Park & Ride. From there the trail passes through a rural/residential area to connect with downtown Alamo and the Alamo Square shopping center. Continuing south, the trail follows a greenbelt through residential areas and into downtown Danville. It takes a jog across Danville Boulevard, passes back under I-680, and continues south past Pine Valley Road to the county line in San Ramon extending to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART. The completed Iron Horse Regional Trail will span the distance from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County a distance of over 55 miles connecting two counties and nine communities. The trail corridor connects residential and commercial areas, business parks, schools, public transportation, regional trails and community facilities. Throughout its entire length, opportunities to view the valley ridgeline and landscape features like Mt. Diablo create a pleasant trail experience.

 

Sawyer Camp Trail - 9/6/2011

Sawyer Camp Trail is one of the most popular recreation paths in the Bay Area. On any given day you are prone to encounter roller bladers, cyclists, moms with strollers, joggers, and folks looking for easy exercise. The 6 mile paved trail stretches from the shores of Crystal Springs Reservoir to San Andreas Lake, through protected San Francisco Watershed lands. Sawyer Camp is as close as most of us will ever get to the off-limits watershed property, which is a shame, since it looks pretty from this fenced-off trail.
    

    Markers every half mile make it easy to track your progress as you travel Sawyer Camp Trail. Seasoned hikers will probably prefer one of the other dirt trails in nearby county parks, as walking on this paved trail definitely is not a wilderness experience. But for wheelchairs users and parents with young kids, Sawyer Camp Trail is a good choice for a gentle outdoor outing. It's also a great location to learn (or relearn) to ride a bicycle -- the southern part of the trail is almost perfectly flat, while the northern section has a slight grade.

Benches sit along the sides of the trail in several spots, allowing for rest or lunch breaks. The trail winds through open areas, with toyon, coyote brush, and poison oak common, as well as more shaded stretches where coast live oak and California bay dominate the landscape. Shade is sporadic so bring a hat on a sunny day. You may see (or hear) ducks and other waterbirds, deer, rabbits, and raptors. Sawyer Camp occasionally drifts inland, away from the water for short stretches, but then returns to offer fabulous views across the reservoir to the off-limits western hills. In autumn if you stand quietly along wooded sections of the trail you may see small birds feeding on honeysuckle and poison oak berries, as well as acorns. 

Once past the northern edge of Crystal Springs Reservoir, Sawyer Camp Trail enters an area where coast live oak and California bay mix through Monterey pine, madrone, cypress, and a few buckeye. Willow and dogwood mark seasonal creeks on the left. At the 3 mile mark, a gated and locked service road crosses Sawyer Camp Trail. You may spot coyote scat here, as Canis latrans are fond of marking their territory at crossroads. Dogwood, ash, cottonwood, and poison oak make a dramatic and gorgeous fall statement as Sawyer Camp Trail continues north, putting forth bright leaves of gold and red in early November. At 3.50 miles you'll reach the Jepson Laurel area.
  
      Pass the portable toilets and veer left on a narrow path a few feet, where a plaque heralds the massive bay (there are better views from the edge of the picnic area, to the right). This is the largest California bay tree in the state, and is believed to be over 600 years old. Retrace your steps when you're ready to return to the trailhead.

        -Bay Area Hiker-