Sunday was a terrific day all around. In the morning, walked the three doors down to the R.'s and we left for A.C. about 7:30 am. Leslie had made small signs for each of us--she and Dennis, their son, Joe, his wife, Pia, and me--to wear around our necks. Being a scrapbooker, she had a supply of attractive patterned paper and had glued pictures on them of little Leo (the reason we were walking for the March of Dimes) in various stages of his development.
The walkers--between one and two hundred, I'd say--assembled at the Pirate's Cove restaurant at Gardner's Basin, the very end of Absecon Island, on a veranda overlooking the water. Just as they do for Alison's races, organizers had set up tables with bagels, fruit, and juice. I had already had breakfast, so just took a bottle of water. All the walkers got tee shirts with "Walk America" on them, and I got a sweat shirt, too, for having over $175 worth of sponsors (thanks to all).
Boy, how the Inlet has changed! The angled boardwalk, new townhouses, and general sense of peace and prosperity made it a lovely place to start the walk. The weather was just perfect: It was cool, but not cold, and the sky was a canopy of blue with brilliant sunshine glittering on the ocean.
The five miles didn't seem terribly hard to complete. Of course, we weren't trudging along alone, so we talked and laughed all the way. When we got back to the inlet (it was 2 1/2 miles out, 2 1/2 back) a lunch of hot dogs and fruit was set out. Although it was only shortly after 11:00, we all had them and sat at tables outside. What a wonderful view--of the waterfront condos across the bay, the big, graceful bridge that goes to Brigantine, and the expanse of sparkling water--it was lovely to be there.
Pia wanted to go to the new outlet shops on Michigan Avenue, so we spent an hour there, and got home about 1:45. Called Betty, now home and sounding great, then made the zucchini casserole, happily using my mandolin to slice up the veggies. We left for Cream Ridge about 3:00.
There were just the four of us, as J., J., and J. had gone to the Shad Festivel in Lamberville. Alison made hamburgers for herself and the guys and I brought Boca Burgers and WW English muffins for myself. We ate early, about 5:00, on the deck over their big backyard.
After, there was a brief spring shower. Alison was sure there'd be a rainbow because the sun was still out and, sure enough, we were treated to a spectacular double rainbow right across from their house, over the sorghum field. It was so beautiful, we just gaped at it. It started to fade after about 10 minutes, but Mike ran in and got his camera and took a wonderful picture. I'll send it to those of you I think read my blog--it was such a treat for all of us.
We stayed talking on the front porch for another hour or so, then went home. Talked to Ellen, had my wine and popcorn, and went happily to bed--it was a great day.
Note: The only negative is that where my my feet meet my ankles in the front is very stiff and sore. Alison told me what muscle this is (can't remember) and said I should flex my feet, which I've been doing, but it woke me a few times. Took some Tylenol and will pick up Susan for our walk as usual--hope it improves.