Maybe I've Grown Up?

  It has been one of our long-standing jokes. Over the years, as Marie and I have hiked together, she would always tease me. Before I switched to trail runners, the boots I bought had one hook on each side above the eyelets. She said, "Some day you'll grow up and you'll be big enough that your boots will have two hooks."

Well, lookie what happened today! My big Christmas gift arrived- a joint gift because these were not cheap. These are waterproof, winter hiking boots made by Oboz. The color name is even cute. It's called "Chipmunk." No, my pants aren't that short. I pulled them up so you can see the boots. And there are two hooks on each side! I'm finally grown up!

Buying shoes is always a trial for me. Narrow, small feet. Fussy feet. But I put these on, and my initial reaction was that they felt good. If my initial reaction is bad, there is no hope. So far, so good.

But, they had to be put to the test. Immediately! The boots meet their first snow.

I figured I'd go for 3 miles, but if I felt good at the turn where I can choose to make the walk longer, I'd do that. I had hoped to do long miles today, but I really wanted to work on breaking these in.

Got to the turn, and decided to add to the 3 miles. Hey, there was sunshine! Vitamin D and shadows.

How could anyone be less than cheerful with a sky like this in a Michigan winter?

So, I did 5 miles, and the boots are great. One instep was a tiny bit sore, but no hot spots at all. No damp socks when I took them off. I am very happy. Time was 17.0 minutes/mile, and I wasn't even trying to walk fast!

And the sunset was pretty cool, too. The coloring around the clouds seems a little unusual.

In other news: I worked on editing and did a bunch of small chores.

See I Couldn't Resist (first hiking boots ever)