Life in the Slow Lane

May 6, 2014 Kingman, AZ Best Western, Wayfarers' Inn and Suites, Room 122.


Walking on a sidewalk in a gusting wind is much more of a challenge, to use the language of stroke recovery therapy, than a treadmill at full elevation or the physical therapist shoving you on all sides without warning as you try not to fall over.
On the street, in the wind, each blast is a surprise. The gusts come from all directions. There is nothing to hold on to and no one is going to catch me if I lose my balance. I carry my cane as a security blanket. I don't put the tip  on the ground, but John, my PT guy says if you carry it at least it encourages people to avoid plowing into you—even kids. And, I have considered that a cane would be good for self defense.

John also might say about the gusty wind, “Look at it as an opportunity.” And so it is. A real challenging opportunity, but I feel good when I get back to my room without needing to put the cane down. Especially without falling over.
In addition I get my daily ration of vitamin D producing sunshine. No sunblock. (I got other things besides skin cancer to worry about.)

This strip of Route 66 is great for my purposes, There are wide cement sidewalks along both sides of the road. Even under the bridge where I-40 crosses over. Usually paths under the interstate are no-man's-land and everyone is on his own. There are several green parks too, but I always prefer walking the roadway.
There is a great seafood place across the street. I never make it all the way across during the green, but so far no one has hit me. So there's that too.

Apparently the sky here is where the sun lives.  

Also, on this strip there are things to see, granted, mostly restaurants and motels and gas stations—but still. 
This motel has a weight room, which I have used. And I bought a bathing suit for the time I get up courage to exercise in the water alone. The textbook recommends a watcher for water exercises, so I hesitate, for now. And the wind makes it kind of chilly
There is a coin operated laundry.
I do my daily exercises, walk in the sun--and wind—paint a little, read a lot and browse the net.
I consider this the equivalent of a physical rehab/recovery spa, without the PT people.
Crap! I just dumped all my saved coins onto the floor from where I had put them in my camera case. Another "opportunity."