Sunday was Part Two of our first long back-to-back experience. We met at Bayfront Park to walk 11 miles going north out onto Longboat Key. We started at 6:15 and it was wonderful to walk in the relative coolness of pre-dawn.

We were actually smiling as we crossed the Ringling Bridge. This landmark is beautiful, but when the sun is overhead its 2 miles of hot pavement with no shade anywhere. We gladly welcome a cloud or even a slight breeze when we cross the bridge.

When we reach St. Armand’s circle we turn north and headed to Ken Thompson Park. Mike and Janice were our Pit Stop personnel for this walk. They were stationed at Mile 4 and 7 (same spot we pass going out and coming back). We feasted on snacks and cold drinks and then continued across the bridge to Longboat. Our turn around spot was Schooner Drive today. And most of us managed to find that spot. But our last group missed the sign and they did the additional mileage today. Not only were they far behind the rest of us, but they also had a small run-in with “the law”. They were “stopped” by a Longboat Police officer. She informed them they were breaking the law when walking across a bike lane. For the life of me, I can’t imagine how we could have crossed the bridge without crossing that bike lane, but I wasn’t there so I don’t know what happened.

When Darlene finally arrived back at Bayfront Park we joked that we would have to start a “bail” fund for walkers arrested for J-Walking!

As I said in another entry, as we walk longer mileage, the short walks seem easier, so today, 11 miles was a “piece of cake”.