Lifestyle – Page 18 – Walk Into the Future

Walking and enjoying the Square Grouper (Ft. Pierce)

Square Grouper1

“It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things”.

(Nicholas Sparks)

My Walk into the Future continues to look more like My Walk with COVID-19.

That would not be as catchy of a blog title so will stick with Walk into the Future! 😊 Again, the pandemic has slowed down the adventures but has not completely shut them off. I remain careful when I venture out and take precautions to ensure I am not exposing myself to undue risks.

Most of my adventures center around the beach and shopping excursions. These have proved to be safe and gets me out of the house for fresh air. Will continue to find new beaches to sit on and enjoy the views on the Treasure Coast. Still do not know why it is called the Treasure Coast, guess that will have to be a future blog article when I find out.

A favorite spot for the locals is Square Grouper. Thought it was a clever name when I first heard it but Googled the definition to make sure I understood how the place got the name. Turns out it is a clever hook and attracts a lot of people based on the name and meaning. Yes, you should Google it to understand what it means. LOL.

My attraction to Square Grouper is it is close to Jetty Park and sits right on the Fort Pierce Inlet. The location is at the mouth of the inlet before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great location to catch sunsets that seem to plunge directly into the inlet. The Square Grouper is 95% an outdoor venue with two bars, a tiki hut stage, and a large outdoor seating area. The plastic chairs are not comfortable but serve a purpose as you can move them around as needed.

Square Grouper2

The outdoor venue has been great to practice physical distancing while also enjoying some live music. Most of the bands are local and only play for two hours—cannot say the bands have been memorable but they have been good enough to make a few people get up and dance. There has never been a large crowd when I visited but everyone seems to enjoy the atmosphere. I spoke with one of the bartenders and he let me know they typically got around 600 people nightly before COVID-19 impacted the world. The crowds are a lot less than that now—the most I have seen there is around 50 people spread out around the outdoor seating areas. A few brave folks will sit at the bar but not very many. Face masks are still required to enter but do not know how long that will last since the governor has relaxed statewide restrictions.

A surprising aspect of visiting the Square Grouper is the food. Typical bar staples but they use fresh ingredients and fantastic seasonings. I have tried multiple items on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. I have been a bit adventurous and explored menu items I would not normally get. Both bars are fully stocked but the signature drink is the Rum Runner. Never had one prior to my visit to Square Grouper but now it is my go-to drink when I am there—try it frozen if you make it there.

Hoping the band lineup starts to improve since I enjoy live music. Will continue to leverage the Square Grouper as part of my Walk into the Future.

https://squaregrouper.net/

What locations are on your adventure list? What makes it a place you want to visit? Thanks!

“On the beach, you can live in bliss”.

(Dennis Wilson)

December 3, 2020

Poetic Friday

(Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay)

Knowledge (11/13/20)

The series of daily challenges presented

Provides a template to view

How to conquer the challenges?

It is all up to you

Life provides many opportunities to grow

The direction you chose, only you will know

Continue to strive through the growing process

Knowing that you hold the key to it all

The knowledge you gain

Helps to move your journey forward

And makes the challenges easier to maintain

November 13, 2020

Walking with no new races in sight

(Image by David Mark from Pixabay)

“I am trying my hardest not to act how I feel”.

(Anonymous)

The COVID-19 pandemic hits just keep on stacking up! I have been bombarded with emails from the Rock N Roll marathon race organization identifying the cancellation for future races. Please note, I fully expected the remaining 2020 races to be cancelled but the Rock N Roll folks have begun cancelling races in 2021!

Oh, how we have failed society with our lame government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I moved from Tallahassee to Fort Pierce in April with the full understanding this country would be in better shape in October. We are in worse shape today (8/20/2020) than we were in April. Shocked I had to write that last sentence, but it is unfortunately true.

Races lost so far

The first 2020 race I lost to COVID-19 was the 2020 Nashville Rock N Roll half marathon in April. This is my favorite race of the season and one of my favorite cities to visit. Love the Nashville course, culture, food, and country music on every corner. Always look forward to my country line dancing lessons at the Wild Horse Saloon, eating barbeque, and listening to new country artists playing. Wanted to visit the Ryman Auditorium for the first time and explore the historic venue.

- https://ryman.com/

Got the news the 2020 and 2021 Philly Rock N Roll half marathon races were cancelled two days ago. Fully expected the 2020 race to get axed but never thought the 2021 race would be on the chopping block due to COVID-19. Not sure the race organizers are predicting COVID-19 issues for 2021 but this may signal running tourists will have limited options in the future. I was looking forward to getting back to Philly and hang out with my friend, Lauren Apgar so we could explore the city and get some more of those cheesesteaks. We planned to explore the Reading Terminal Market in-depth this year to sample food from the different vendors there. We will have to put off our Philly cheesesteak adventures now.

- https://readingterminalmarket.org/

I signed up for the inaugural 2020 Clearwater Rock N Roll half marathon scheduled for October. This was going to be the first Rock n Roll race scheduled in my home state in years. The excitement for me was most of the race is run near the beach and I would not have to travel so far. I would get the opportunity to enjoy more sights and sounds and not have to rush back. The course is flat and would have produced a fast time and October in Florida would be cooler with less humidity. The race organizers cancelled the 2020 and 2021 Clearwater races. They project to run the race in October 2022, but we will see what happens that far out. I do not have a good feeling all the cancelled races will come back—some may but believe COVID-19 will eliminate how we travel, race, and interact for a long time.

The Orlando Utility Commission (OUC) 2020 half marathon scheduled for December is still on the books, but most races hosted by Track Shack have been converted to virtual races. Believe the OUC race will be virtual as well so I have not signed up.

The 2021 New Orleans Rock N Roll half marathon was cancelled today and now the race organizers project to run this event in February 2022. Turns out New Orleans was the only Rock N Roll race I was able to run in 2020. The race was completed in February right before the country realized how bad COVID-19 was and we started shutting down. Had a great time in New Orleans so guess it was only fitting this would be my only half marathon race of the year. We will see if this race ever comes back because of the close interactions of Bourbon and Canal Streets. Love the food and atmosphere but it may be hard to host large-scale events there and keep people safe.

Virtual options

Most running organizations are bridging the race gaps with virtual options. Runners can still race, compete, and receive race swag (t-shirt, medal, etc.) while running in their hometowns—just sign up and sync your running application to the race. I am sure this is a great option for some runners, but I enjoy the in-person interaction associated with the event. I joined the Rock N Roll Virtual Running club and signed up for my first virtual race—a 10k which I completed on 8/22/2020. My time was not great—I signed up on a Friday and ran the 10k the next day without additional mental or physical preparation. I may explore this option more especially when the weather gets a bit cooler. I need a competitive outlet for my running program so may reach out to my tree branches to join me on some of these virtual adventures (Apgar, Forges, Kume). 😊

Note: My first Virtual 5k was completed on 8/29/20.

https://www.runrocknrollvr.com/

Training

I still get out and train but not logging the same number of miles I put in last summer. I get my runs in on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but not committing to extreme long runs with no races on the horizon. I run as a form of therapy and to keep my weight in the range I want. I have not done any speed work since early March, so my training goal is to keep my heart rate up and enjoy the views I get in Fort Pierce.

COVID-19 Training miles (run, bike, elliptical):

April 2020: 79.45 miles	May 2020: 90.57 miles	June 2020: 130.72 miles
July 2020: 78.15 miles	August 2020: 74.57	September 2020: 46.16

Realize there are more important things happening in the world than me not being able to be a running tourist. Hoping we can get the COVID-19 pandemic under control so we can all get back to the things we enjoy without worrying about the air we breathe. Look forward to bringing you reports from new travel locations when it is safe to do so again.

Until then, here is what happen in Nashville in 2019! 😊

https://walkintothefuture.blog/2019/05/23/nashville-and-the-wild-horse-saloon/

“Life equals running and when we stop running maybe that is how we know life is finally finished”.

(Patrick Ness)

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/17/some-marathon-races-may-not-survive-coronavirus-pandemic.html

November 5, 2020

The return to LA Fitness

(Image by Pexels from Pixabay)

“You are only one workout away from a good mood”.

(Unknown)

Decided to test the waters and get back into LA Fitness to jump start my weight training program again. I started putting extra emphasis on my running program in 2019 but I was still getting in four days of weight training while increasing my mileage. I still made it to Momentum Fitness in Tallahassee in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stopped going completely as the pandemic started to get worse in mid-March and switched to home body workouts until it was time to move to Fort Pierce, Florida in April.

I maintained my distance from the gym during my first two and a half months in Fort Pierce because I did not feel comfortable being around people in a confined space. Note, I am still not completely comfortable but have allowed for limited time around people with proper physical distancing.

My new workplace has a small workout room, but I do not consider it a gym. The weights and cardio equipment are in great condition but there are limited weightlifting options. I ventured to this location a few times on the weekends just for limited workouts (cardio, legs). Had this location to myself each time I went in so think I got a bit of confidence to explore a larger facility.

My new habit is to carry Clorox wipes with me everywhere I go so I can wipe down everything myself prior to touching it. Never thought I would be that guy, but yes, I have a pack of Clorox wipes in my gym bag and do not see this changing anytime soon. A new normal for the gym has been born. 😊

LA Fitness

My history with LA Fitness began during my time living in Oviedo, Florida. Really enjoyed the multiple cardio, weightlifting, basketball, spinning and yoga class options available at LA Fitness. All these things were part of the regular membership and made the facility popular with my folks in East Orlando. My experience prior to joining LA Fitness centered on fitness centers on military installations. Always had what I needed in these facilities and never had to pay to get in a workout.

I decided to test out LA Fitness because I felt limited with the other workout options in Orlando. Was able to get a great rate with a military discount and spent as much time in the facility as possible. Made some great friends in LA Fitness and got myself in fantastic shape with all the options there. So, as you can see, I have a fondness for the LA Fitness brand.

There are two LA Fitness locations in Port St. Lucie, Florida and I finally got comfortable enough to want to venture in to enhance my weight training. Went on-line and signed up for a free guest membership which gave me access to the facility without having to commit or join. Leveraged the pass to see how the facility was maintained and what protocols they had to combat COVID-19. Was a bit surprised how clean they kept the facility and was happy there were not large crowds working out. Made sure to only use equipment where physical distancing was possible and moved if anyone got too close to where I was working out. Felt funny doing that but decided to air on the side of caution.

Waited a couple weeks and signed up for another free guest pass for the second LA Fitness location. Wanted to see if there was a different vibe there and I was not eligible to get another guest past at the first location. You are supposed to wait 6 months between passes at the same location, so I just moved down the road a bit for my workouts. I liked the second location best because the shopping complex it is in has more options for me when I am done with my workout. The equipment was the same, but the setup was a bit different–both locations were maintained with an eye towards maintaining physical distancing and cleanliness.

Quickly found out my home pushup routine was not the same to lifting weights. Got a new level of soreness from lifting but it felt good to be back in a weightlifting routine. Do not think I will ever lift heavy weights again but want to keep lifting for definition and to feel good. Got several good workouts in utilizing the free passes and I am seriously thinking about joining the LA Fitness family again. Will evaluate each location again to see which one makes the most sense for me to join. I could sign up for a membership which gives me multiple location privileges but that may be a waste of money—we will see.

Look forward to sharing more of my workout journey in the future—back to LA Fitness and enjoying it! 😊

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going”.

(Jim Ryin)

October 15, 2020

Poetic Fridays

Control

Life’s limitations can only limit what you allow

You have control over all circumstances

This I will avow

The simplicity of life will make you see

The things most important can be

Right in front of you

But you must stay true

The vision you have requires additional work, time, and effort

Put the past behind

Start to remove the limitations from the process and let the simplicity of life

Guide your path

“A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language”.

(W.H. Auden)

October 9, 2020

Poetic Fridays

Peace

Found peace today

Realized it was with me all along

Had to look deep inside to realize I control my peace

When things look bleak…seek peace

When times get hard…find peace

Look deep inside your soul and peace you will find

September 18, 2020

Walking with a face mask

“Wear a mask, it saves lives”!

(Calvin Williams)

Decided to tackle the concept of people not wearing face masks or coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoped the concept of Americans doing the right thing to help minimize the pandemic would eventually kick in but it appears to be hopeless.

I searched for a clever quote I could use to start this post but did not find what I was looking for. Thought about it for a bit and then just created my own quote to signify my thoughts on this subject. Wear a mask, it saves lives!!!

It is beyond weird to hear and see Americans on TV exclaim how it is their right to not comply with a health initiative during a PANDEMIC. They seem to think wearing a mask to protect themselves and others is an infringement on their freedom. I do not get this mindset and honestly think the world is doomed with adults saying these things out loud. Even worse, these folks are not joking when they state it is their right to not wear a face mask. Not wearing a mask to protect themselves and people around them is the right they are demanding! What a great country!

Fairly sure most of the people saying these things have NEVER served in the armed forces to fight for the rights they want to hide behind—just venting, thanks!

We are seeing a trend where younger people are diagnosed with COVID-19 at a faster pace than some experts expected. This appears to be because people in the 20 – 35-year-old range do not have a fear of the virus. They are more likely to continue to hang out in large groups without physical distancing and of course, no masks. I will not disparage everyone in this group because I know my tree branches are following proper protocols. My point for this group is they are getting each other sick and then bringing the virus home to parents, grandparents, and roommates.

This cycle ensures the virus continues to spread and endangers more lives. Wearing a mask may not save everyone from contracting the virus but it can help slow the spread. I watch Dr. Fauci on TV almost beg people to follow the CDC guidelines because he knows this thing is getting out of control fast. Hopefully, we will come to our senses as a nation and get back to basics to eliminate the spread of COVID-19. Oh yeah, masks can help with this! A simple two-week period of masks and physical distancing may save thousands of lives. Never imagined this pandemic would be worse in September than it was in April when I was terrified to move to Fort Pierce. It is almost like the virus is just a normal part of life now—sad!

I am doing my part to keep the face mask industry growing. I visit ETSY.com on a regular basis looking for new face mask styles to add to my growing collection. Never thought of face masks as an accessory but I keep finding new and fun ways to express myself with face coverings. This process feels like dressing up to me and I have joked about having a bandito look when I have my face masks on. Maybe we should tell the people who get upset when asked to wear a face mask to visit ETSY.com and find a mask to express their frustration WHILE wearing a mask. I am sure they can find a way to express themselves and still comply by wearing a mask. Guess I do not understand why wearing a mask is such a hassle for these people. Masks are light weight, easy to wear and can be worn to accessorize your daily outfits. 😊

Help me spread the word—masks can save lives and get us back closer to normal!

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=face%20mask&ref=auto-1

“If you do not like wearing a face mask, you are really not going to like a ventilator”.

(Anonymous work colleague)

Track Florida’s daily numbers here: https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86

September 17, 2020

Rock the 2020 vote

(Image by amberzen from Pixabay)

“Bad officials are elected by citizens who do not vote”

(George Jean Nathan)

November 3, 2020 is coming!

There is no stopping the calendar from flipping to this monumental date in our nation’s history. 11/3/2020 will be here sooner than you imagine. Not trying to scare you but this is a date you must be ready for. I will not tell you who and how to vote but vote you must.

With as much turmoil we have lived through in 2020, voting should seem like a regular activity. Not downplaying the risks involved with going to a polling location during a pandemic but voting must become a priority for all Americans. There is still time to request a mail in ballot if needed but make sure you plan to get out and vote.

58.1% of the voting-eligible population voted in 2016. You can see some citizens took the night off in November 2016 and simply did not vote.

Not here to condemn anyone but I never imagined the results from the 2016 presidential election would go the way they did. Shocked would be an understatement of how I felt the next morning when I woke up and discovered a reality PERSON (not star) was the new president. The disappointment I felt was numbing on that fateful day.

Now the pain I feel is a nation crumbling without credible leadership to help us get out of the pandemic, improve race relations, or become a world leader again. Maybe the new slogan should be: Make America a World Leader Again! That would be a fantastic start to getting this country back on a path where we are not being laughed at by other countries.

I digress a bit—forgive me!

There are 54 days left before the national election. There is still time for you to register to vote and while you are at it, please get your family and friends to register too. This would be an outstanding time to start a voting drive in your city or town. This can be done while maintaining physical distancing. We need people to get out and vote during this election cycle. Will not say who you should vote for but vote you must. Too many people have been beaten, threaten, bullied, and killed for the right to vote. This is our time to exercise our rights and vote for candidates to represent us all.

No more wishing for change in America, we must demand it. Voting provides an opportunity for your voice to be heard—do not be silenced this November. I do not want to be surprised again this cycle—thanks! 😊

Have you registered to vote yet? Who can you help with the registration process? What are you waiting on? Let’s rock the 2020 vote!

https://registertovoteflorida.gov/eligibilityreactive

https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote