Long Walks On Leafy Streets

1/17/2016 Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
Winter has finally arrived here in Washington. Today afternoon we had the first significant flurries. It was the first time Prashant saw snowflakes floating down in the air and he was mesmerized. He kept looking at it for a long time with what I can only guess was a combination of puzzlement and amazement.

As I have written, winter has been very late in arriving this year. All of November and December have been very warm, sometimes historically warm. With every passing day the effects of climate change are being felt more intensely. I am glad that the leaders of the world came together to commit everyone to fighting this problem. I plan to do my part by volunteering for different events and teaching my students about it whenever the opportunity arises. Next Saturday I plan to participate in the annual polar plunge to raise funds for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. I will be plunging in the icy waters of the Potomac and I hope to raise some funds.
Yet in whatever state the seasons will march on and nature will continue to delight us. I enjoy watching the flocks of Canada geese at the reservoir on my walk to work after dropping off Prashant at the daycare center. I admire the stark beauty of bare trees and gray skies. The heaviness of the cold air as I breathe in while running, the squirrels running about even on the coldest of days, all are part of the winter experience.

Last week I went running with my colleague Lou. He is retired now and has been given emeritus status but still very active. I wish I were doing as much as he is! He also happens to be a long time runner. He drove to our home and we drove with Prashant to his daycare, and then drove to the Pierce mill parking area in Rock Creek Park. From there we ran along the creek to the zoo and then through the zoo. There were a lot of people in the zoo, even though it was a cold day. Lou kept running to the various animal enclosures and peeking in. I admired his enthusiasm and relaxed style of running. Most of the time when I go running I am on a schedule and know exactly where and for how long I am going to run. I also try to keep a certain pace. It was nice to run with someone who seemed to treat it as an excursion, an adventure, a way to explore what is. I hope to make time to run in such a way in the future.

Directory Previous