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Saturday I was on the Birke trail nordic walking in the north woods with a very active and fit group of walkers.  Wednesday morning I was in a climate controlled world at the Mall of America presenting Nordic Walking to the Mall Star Walking program, an indoor walking club. Two extremes of age, activity and fitness levels. 

The important thing about it was that the interest and enthusiasm for learning about nordic walking was very similar between the two groups.  They are both passionate about staying active and listening to what their bodies and spirits are capable of  doing.  There was a different energy level, but walkers, whether inside or outside, all want to get the most out of their walk.

 So even tho it felt a bit schizoid to be moving so quickly between these two worlds, I feel that I found the common link between them and I’m glad to have been able to bring nordic walking to their worlds.

Julie and I headed north at 4am on Friday to do some nordic walking clinics on the Birke Trail.  We were meeting up with the Ski and Tea women, our north woods counterpart to HOW, led by Juli Lynch and Linda Cook. Yes, it was the Juli, Julie, Linda, Linda show for the weekend.  We weren’t sure how many folks would come out to walk with us in the woods but I was excited to have my first experience on the Birke. I was not to be disappointed

At 8am we had 27 women waiting to walk with us.  A few more than the 12 we had expected.  It was a beautiful morning, they were pumped to try the poles and we headed up the hills and into the woods.  Most of them are cross country skiers so it was a relatively easy transfer of movement to nordic walking. After 3 miles in the woods we finished with tea and fresh blueberry scones at the Moose Lips Cafe.  yummy!

The afternoon was spent kayaking on the White River, a trout stream north of Cable.  After a delicious dinner at the Angry Minnow we fell into bed so exhausted that we never heard the “big” storm that came through during the night.  Guess we were a bit tired.  Good thing we slept well because the Saturday morning clinic also exceeded our expectations. 

Total walkers: 66!!!!  Men, women and children, ages 7 to 70’s. I was blown away!  Somehow we actually had enough poles to go around, I think it was the stone soup scenario,  and after introducing everyone to walking the nordic walking way we took off into the woods.  It was amazing to walk with so many people with poles in their hands and they were all very good students. Wow!  What an experience.

We sold lots of poles and one pair is even going home to Hawaii. I’m looking forward to going there to do the next expansion of the kingdom!

Dan and I escaped for a midweek getway to Grand Marias before the holiday weekend.  Since I was going to work all weekend it seemed fitting to get some play time in before everyone else.  We headed north to do some hiking and kayaking on the north shore.  It was beautiful!  We stayed at the East Bay Suites, the reincarnation of the old East Bay Hotel.  We were right on the water, Lake Superior for those not from this area, with the north woods wrapping all around us.  We took our nordic walking poles for some light hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail, doing about 6 miles.  Jan Lemke from East Bay Suites recommended the hike and the spectacular wild flowers seconded her choice.  The upper meadow filled with flowers and the view of the lake was breathtaking. 

We enjoyed fresh Superior White Fish with organic veges and salads at the Crooked Spoon and The Angry Trout and a big breakfast at the Blue Moon Cafe.  John took us kayaking Thursday morning and we got up close with the big water.  Water temp was only 38 degrees, way different from most of our kayaking ventures.  But it was calm and the rhythm of the paddling relaxed my spirit.  I can’t say I was ready to return to work but I was in a better place, connected to my husband of 33 years and this wonderful creation we call earth, as I headed back to the cities.

The heat and mosquitos weren’t enough to keep 25 women from walking last nite.  It was good to see some familiar faces and there were also many new friends from recent demo’s and classes ready to do some more miles.  It was our night to get off the paved path and unto grass and dirt, my favorite way to walk when the tips of the poles really connect with the earth and move you along.  I do think it’s easier to feel the upper body engagement when off the beaten path.

Conversations on the trail covered work and family and summer plans. The one common thread was how good it was to be out with HOW, this group of women that simply welcomes you into the evening’s activity and encourages you to be true to yourself.  There was lots of energy about the Baker Weekend and the Birke Trek, yea!  And when the walk was over a small group came back to my house to enjoy a cold drink and sitting by the pool and gardens.  The wonder of HOW!

 By the way, our Monday eletter went out to 608 women. We continue to grow and touch more and more women every day.  thank you!

We celebrated the first day of summer with a wedding in my gardens!  A dear friend from work married her sole mate here on the family property this evening.  It was quite the event complete with a beautiful bride, perfect weather, manicured gardens and yards, delicious food, sweet wine, and lots of wonderful friends to here to celebrate their union and new life together.  Michael Monroe played for the wedding and reception, amazing, he was here on my deck playing all my favorite songs. Wow.  We had a few moments of rain that graced us with a double rainbow to bless the wedding. It was truly magical!

And I now know that having 200 people to party here is not such a scary thing…

April 20

I spent the weekend with 40 women at Camp St Croix in Hudson, Wisconson.  It was our 2nd annual Women’s Weekend with an emphasis on taking good care of oneself in all aspects of our lives.  For most of us it’s a chance to dump our everyday responsibilities and go play for a couple of days.  It’s fun to watch the women as they slowly let go of kids, jobs, homes and life stresses and start to relax.  Friday night we sat by an outdoor fire til almost midnight just talking and enjoying each other’s company.  Strangers when we arrived and friends immediately.  It’s that special magic of women just accepting you for who you are and inviting you to openly share yourself and learn from each other. 

There was a multitude of choices during the weekend and of course Nordic Walking was at the top of the list.  We did 3 different walks, introducing lots of women to my favorite outdoor activity. The fun thing about camp is that we get to walk on grassy trails, a joy after all the miles on paved paths.  The camp is on the St Croix River with lots of trees and open fields.  The brisk air, yes it’s still cold here in Minnesota, combined with the rhythm of the walk, kept us at a good pace.  As always everyone really enjoyed the opportunity to try the poles.

The highlight of Saturday was when Julie and I took a break and went for our own walk down the hill towards the river.  There is an eagle’s nest on the trail.  When we stopped to look at it the eagle came flying out of the tree behind us, swooping down over our heads on it’s way to the nest.  Took our breath away!

I’m please to say that Brynda from Hudson is going to try and start a Nordic Walking group on the east side.

We’ve done lots of classes in Stillwater and so she has a base of walkers.  Good luck to her!

It all seems so unreal.  I’m in New York City, guest of CBS and LEKI.  I left Minnesota in the middle of a spring snow storm, go figure, and now have been prepped, coached, dined and dressed for the spot tomorrow morning on the CBS Early Morning Show.  My LEKI hosts have taken good care of me and I have been assured that it will be fun, easy and over before I know it.  Now I’m suppose to sleep well so I’m ready for my big one minute of fame and fortune on national TV. Somehow I’m not sure that sleep is going to be easy.  I imagine wild dreams until the wake up call rings me into the big day. 

I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love from family and friends.   I know that I am only here because you all believe in me and who I am.   Thank you all!

Be sure to tune into CBS Early Show tomorrow morning. The Nordic Walking Queen will be there!