I went on a 17 mile walk on Thursday, which was a very unique and enjoyable experience. I'd like to share some more details and highlights from the day.

When I set out, it was a cool morning, but I knew it would feel good once I started walking. I brought my camera with me, along with some water and snacks. I set off with a basic idea of where I wanted to go, but I wasn't in a big rush and I just wanted to see how things turned out. Here's how things went:

1. After walking Lesley to work at 7 am, I walked toward the water. It's common to see people in the city selling a newspaper called Real Change News, which offers local news with a different perspective. For each $1 newspaper the vendor sells, he or she keeps some of the money and the rest goes to the Real Change non-profit, which is working to end poverty. I only buy one if I expect to have time later to read it and this day I figured I'd need some reading material for relaxing at the park later. I saw a guy lightheartedly listening to his headphones and selling the newspaper, so I decided to buy from him. After buying the paper, he offered to tell me a joke and let me choose the type of joke. He was very thankful that I bought the paper and told me that he was the Vendor of the Week featured in the newspaper and that because of people like me, he was able to get a job.


2. After walking along the waterfront a little bit, I got some bagels downtown for breakfast. I sat by the window and was able to watch the people go by as I ate my bagels and read the newspaper.


3. Pioneer Square is one of my favorite parts of the city, and that's where I was headed next. I enjoyed walking around there and looking at the old buildings. Unfortunately, I was there too early in the day to go into any of the many art galleries, so I'll have to go back there some other time for that.


4. Seattle has made the news recently for its automated public toilets and attempts to sell them on eBay. But, walking around all day without them would have been a problem. Fortunately, the one in Pioneer Square was still working, but the toilet was locked for good the next day.


5. I walked through the International District next, then crossed over the freeway and caught a few glimpses of the Blue Angels practicing. After that, I made my way over to and through the Seattle University campus.


6. As I was walking along 12th Ave, I was stopped by some people handing out some information and I stayed to listen to what they had to say since I wasn't in a hurry. According to them, the banking system is collapsing and our whole economic system is doomed. They were "very serious" about it. They handed me some reading material, including the magazine "Your Enemy George Soros" and the article "British Agent Al Gore is Taking People's Food Away!" So, uh...moving right along...


7. A big highlight of my walk was stopping by the Photographic Center Northwest. I like photography more than any other type of art, and this place had some pretty neat photos. It was well worth my time to visit.


8. I decided to take a break once I got to Cal Anderson Park, which is a nice park with plenty of benches. So, I stopped and read the Real Change News that I had picked up earlier. As I read, someone was playing acoustic guitar a few benches away, which, along with the beautiful weather, made for a very enjoyable atmosphere. I could have relaxed there for quite a bit longer, but had to keep going.


9. I walked north through a quiet, upscale neighborhood before getting stuck on a busy street as Lesley and I chatted on the phone. Once I got to the University District, I walked up The Ave. It's a active, exciting place to walk, with plenty of places to eat, but strangely, I just wasn't hungry. Next, I headed west toward Wallingford.


10. After walking through Wallingford, another walkable neighborhood, and picking up a smoothie, I gave my friend, Andy, a call, and we chatted for almost an hour and a half as I made my way through Fremont and along the west side of Lake Union. Aside from the Fremont neighborhood, this part of the walk was the least interesting, so it was a good time to be on the phone.


11. By the time I got off the phone, the day was almost over and my feet were sore. I walked through the walkable Lower Queen Anne neighborhood and decided to take the Monorail back downtown, since I'd been wanting to take it and I was running out of time to walk. Once I got downtown, I picked up some movie tickets and met Lesley outside of her building at 4:00.


12. We walked home together, and once we got there, I barely got up for the rest of the day.

Click below for some pictures that I took during the day: