panoramic city

Our 12 mile walk on Saturday was on a HOT and SUNNY day - a rare combo for San Francisco. We did not even need our jackets as we departed, which does not happen very often. Normally we need jackets the whole walk - we take them off and on throughout the walks as we go through the many micro-climates in the city. This walk is one of everyone's favorites because we head over to one of those amazing secret wonders in our fine city.

Resting, rehydrating and refueling at Andronico's.

And then on toward to Moraga Mosaic Stairs! A hidden gem in the Sunset.

Continuing UP the stairs to Grand View Park.

We were rewarded at the top with the most spectacular views of the city - almost 360 degrees.

Trying the panoramic setting on my new camera on my new phone.

And, back down we go!

Oh, anyone for a snack?

And just like that, we quickly returned back to our home base, the Warming Hut. 

Check out those blue skies! What a treat.

THIS WEEK'S MAP QUOTES

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson


You can forget that other people carry pieces of your own story around in their heads. I’ve always thought - put together all those random pieces from everyone who’s ever known you, from your parents to the guy who once sat next to you on a bus, and you’d probably see a fuller version of your life than you even did while living it. Deb Caletti, Stay

UPCOMING TRAINING WALKS

Please RSVP here: http://groupspaces.com/InOurLifetime/calendar/

Saturday 7/13: 10 miles - 7:00 am

Sunday 7/14: 10 miles - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/20: 12 mile trail walk - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/27: 12 miles - 7:00am

Sunday 7/28: 12 miles - 7:00am

that's how the light gets in

Well, we had a really terrific 10 mile walk on Saturday and I would share photos of this spectacular walk.... except the camera in my new phone took out of focus photos!

It was the most beautiful day... sunny with a light cool breeze. The conversation was easy, and the miles just flew by! It is days like this this that I pinch myself that I get to live in San Francisco.

We departed walking along Mason St. taking in the new Mark di Suervo sculpture installation in the grass at Crissy Field (still not sure if I like them, although they are stunning in the early morning light.)

Then, we headed up on of my favorite trails, the Ecology Trail. It is somewhat hidden and is a great way to cut up through the Presidio now that some of the roads are closed due to the construction.

At the Presidio Golf Clubhouse we bumped into Kathy (pronounced Kay-ta), an 3 Day hottie from year's past! She walked with us for about half of the route - it was great to see an old friend!

Sandy, Judy, Dick & Trina headed home to the Warming Hut!

It is walks like this that I am so grateful for this city, the many hidden trails and amazing vistas. I just love living by the ocean.

I did, however, try my mapping app while we were waking to see if it drained the battery and it worked! Take a look at where we walked and those stats.... I think we earned a burger AND fries with this route.

THIS WEEK'S MAP QUOTES

So many people glorify and romanticize "busy." I do not. I value purpose. I believe in resting in reason and moving in passion. If you are always busy/moving, you will miss important details. I like the mountain. Still, but when it moves, lands shift and earth quakes. Joseph Cook

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. Jack Kornfield

WEEKLY INSPIRATION

Judy showed me this awesome photo she took in her neighborhood:

ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in

She later found out they are lyrics to the Leonard Cohen song, Anthem.

The idea that where we think we are broken is actually the place where the light, healing, understanding, compassion and love can flow IN. Wow - what a light bulb moment. I love the idea that we are all broken in places and are still 100% perfectly beautiful and great just the way we are. We are all broken in places, right? It is like the Japanese aesthetic wabi sabi: beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, incomplete, or perhaps, even "broken."  

UPCOMING TRAINING WALKS

Please RSVP here: http://groupspaces.com/InOurLifetime/calendar/

Saturday 6/29: 12 miles - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/13: 10 miles - 7:00 am

Sunday 7/14: 10 miles - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/20: 12 mile trail walk - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/27: 12 miles - 7:00am

Sunday 7/28: 12 miles - 7:00am

ordinary people doing the extraordinary

On Saturday a group of 21 bright, shining people met for the first training walk of 2013! It is always so happy to see friendly faces and reconnect after the winter non-walking months. Happy to be up, out and ready to hit the pavement. 2 new walkers and 2 husbands joined in the F.U.N!

We started our walk by heading up toward the Golden Gate Bridge and onto the Coastal Trail. One section of the trail has a "CLOSED" sign which we pretended not to see which resulted in a slight detour when we arrived at the parking lot and were fenced in!! 

Once we re-routed around the closed section of trail (which had a massive wash out over the winter) we found our way back to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, one of my favorite hidden gems in San Francisco.

Meandering through the Presidio is always so great! You never know what you will see through the eucalyptus trees. This is the Wood Line sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy which follows near by the Lover's Lane pathway. When it was installed a year or so ago the logs were dark. Now after a winter they are silver grey and fade into the forest. You can walk down along the line which we will have to do at some point this year because it is somewhat meditative to follow the wavy line.

We headed out of the Presidio and down to the Palace of Fine Arts which is looking really lovely! 

And, as we were heading back Crissy Field we found the resident swan family. (Trivia of the day: a baby swan is a Cygnet!) It was a really amazing first walk of the season! Brush the cobwebs out of the brain, take in the cool, fresh ocean air and make connections with our fellow walkers, new and returning.

THIS WEEK'S MAP QUOTES 

Just because the road ahead is long, is no reason to slow down. Just because there is much work to be done, is no reason to get discouraged. It is a reason to get started, to grow, to find new ways, to reach within yourself and discover strength, commitment, and determination. The road ahead is long and difficult, but it’s filled with opportunity. Start what needs starting. Finish what needs finishing. Get on the road. Stay on the road. Don’t give up. Ralph Marston

You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings. Elizabeth Gilbert

WEEKLY INSPIRATION: EVERYDAY HEROES

I like to use this definition of hero: an ordinary person doing something extraordinary. By actual definition, heroes are individuals who consistently and continually sacrifice their own needs in the interest of others. Yes, the people participating in the Immediate Impact Breast Cancer Walk are Everyday Heroes. 

Everyday Heroes features extraordinary portraits by award-winning photographer, Paul Mobley, which are accompanied by first-person narratives written by author, Katrina Fried. This collaboration provides readers with a unique view into the journeys of these heroes and their causes. These are the stories of regular people who've made an exceptional impact on those in need, often at great personal or financial sacrifice.

UPCOMING TRAINING WALKS

RSVP here: http://groupspaces.com/InOurLifetime/calendar/ 

Saturday 6/22: 10 Miles - 7:30 am

Saturday 6/29: 12 Miles - 7:00 am

Saturday 7/13: 10 Miles - 7:30 am

Sunday 7/14: 10 Miles - 7:30 am

spontaneous random act of generosity

Many people have asked and here it is! This is the video of my speech from last October's Fall Fashion Frenzy event benefiting Friend to Friend.

After the speeches there was a live auction for a 7 night stay at a luxury villa in Kona, HI.  The woman who won the 7 night Kona Luxury Villa for $4,500 asked to speak, and she said, "I want to donate this to the woman who just spoke." Well there were many AMAZING women a speakers in the room. It took a number of "Mississippi's" for all of us sitting at the table to realize that this amazing, generous woman was referring to me! I burst into tears. It was a totally surreal moment. (The trip was actually bought and then donated by two friends I learned later.)

To have a total stranger be so generous - a spontaneous random act of generosity - is ASTOUNDING. To have a stranger see the work we are doing and think it is worth acknowledging and rewarding is humbling. For reals. H.u.m.b.l.i.n.g. Major goosebumps moment.

The nine people at the luncheon representing the Immediate Impact Walk took the trip to Kona the first week of June. It was such an honor to be asked to speak, to share the story of our walk and to be the recipient of such generosity. A remarkable afternoon and a remarkable once in a lifetime trip! 

The luncheon and fashion shows raised $48,000 – 100% of which will be used to provide cancer products such as wigs, mastectomy prostheses and bras, to low-income women and adolescent girls.

Our table of walkers representing the Immediate Impact Walk.

Marcia getting dolled up for her walk in the fashion show!

During the speech trying not to bee too nervous! 

People were eating so making a connection was pretty tricky through the clink of silverware.

Massive hugs to the women who donated the trip!

Marcia, burning up the runway!