Tue, Feb 28 2017 - Leita Thompson Morning Hike (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Trish Participants: Trish, Leigh B, Dan R, Laura, Shirley N, Linda H, Larry S, Jeff Gimpel, Jenny S., Ewa, Suzanne, Davida, Memphis Russ, Jeff, LindseyW, Homa H, Jack M

It was very nice to see new and returning faces on our Tuesday hike at Leita Thompson Memorial Park. We welcomed Jenny and Jack and it was nice to see Homa and Ewa on the hike too. Dave drove 43 miles on his green-machine motorcycle to join us after a significant Leita hiatus. The weather was perfect for hiking. Not too hot, not too cold and overcast to keep the sun off us as the trees have not yet begun sprouting leaves. There were some beautiful flowering shrubs and trees along the way if you kept your eyes peeled (and were not panting to keep up). We saw camellias, a redbud, some quince and lots of forsythia. We ventured on a different route on the access road past the apartments and the porch roofs were a blaze of beautiful yellow color with forsythia hanging like a waterfall over the edge. We crossed the meadow today and there are lots of new trees that have recently been planted which will be beautiful as they become established.
We set off with a very brisk pace, clocking the first mile in only 14 minutes. Things stayed pretty brisk with Laura and “Baby Jeff’ at the helm. Half way in to the hike, Trish took the lead and we slowed up a tad. We had a fast push at the end for an overall herky jerky pace (according to Dan). If you listened carefully and stopped the chatter for a minute which is hard for this particular group, the birdsong was glorious and let us know that it definitely feels like Spring is here. The landscape is peppered with those beautiful golden trees that do not lose their leaves until the new ones sprout, but we did see some familiar sights also. Bike short man passed us twice and Leigh said hi, but he was too focused on running and completely ignored her. Some of the boys were sad that for two weeks now Poodle Lady is missing from the line-up. Wonder where she has got to? However, we did have to ‘stay right’ for lots of other Leita lovers.
GPS devices registered between 6 and 7 miles which of course leads to a well-deserved lunch at Panera. The conversation was vibrant as usual and also as usual began quite high-brow but eventually deteriorated, which is perfect because we all get to laugh. Hiking, nature, friends, food and laughter. Thats why we love our Tuesdays in Leita.  ~Leigh