The Adventures of Mom

I confess to being a fitness fanatic (well maybe not so much since the kids have arrived). I have frequented many gyms around the world. There was this hole in the wall in Seven Kings, (Essex). Small, but friendly. I only met one other girl there- Sue the bus driver. It was most unpretenious, with a cute owner and suited me to a T at the time. Another gym on Corfu (near the airport and Dimitri’s Supermarket), again run by a hottie. Too Your Health Spa in Ocala (apparently John Travolta used to work out there at nights- the one by CFCC). He has since moved on- had his own gym built perhaps? I almost joined a gym in Pittsburgh, where the other  girls who worked at Kaufman’s went, (I was walking around the park in East Liberty each night), but the cold and snow and arrival of two adventuresome Brits (La!) drove me to warmer climes. Needless to say, a certain level of fitness has always driven me- or was it vanity?

Most gyms have their own day care centers- the YMCA is one that comes highly recommended (esp in South Lakeland), but I like to involve the kids in the quest for staying fit- and it tires them out to boot. My daughter and I have found the ultimate outdoor fitness center- in our own backyard- Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon. The paths wind up and down steep slopes- good for stroller pushing moms- works your abs then, and for me racing after my 4 year old’s fast pace. There is a nature trail to the river - just past the butterfly garden, that my son and I attempted yesterday, but after 15 minutes heading deeper and deeper into the forest and sundown approaching, we gave in and headed back- have to find out just exactly how long that trail is!

For Cross trainers, the swimming area is deep and you can swim in the 72 degree water like an Olympian- people do! Then for more arm work- rent a canoe or kayak ($10.30 an hour)- but remember, it’s easier going down the river than back!

My legs are aching from yesterdays trek with my son- but the views sure beat a stairmaster or home treadmill! And at $1 a person (under 5 free)- it is cheaper than any gym I have ever joined! So before you throw your hard earned dosh at a shiny gym, consider hitting a local park for a true ultimate nature workout- and don’t forget to bring the kids! (and a water bottle or two!)

We had our first freeze of the season and in October at that! It was a mad dash to cover the water pipes and the entire vegetable garden- all new delicate seedlings, not hardy enough for an early frost. I am please to report that all the babes, two legged and sprigs, survived the morning ice, though we did lose the papaya plants, even though they were covered. I think they are just not meant to grow here. I must confess, I have been avoiding the page, as Julia Cameron puts in in her Artist’s Way book. The upcoming elections have me wired in a frenzy at the injustices that abound. I could go on and on about them, but I fear I would not only bore you, but myself as well- just a word - VOTE. My friend, Jessica, send me an email on how much women suffered trying to vote- they were imprisoned and worse- so we as women, owe it to them, who fought for the right to vote, our vote- no matter who it is for- McCain, Obama, Ralph Nader or whoever else, and besides, if you don’t vote, then you forfeit your right to complain about the current state of our economy and it’s leaders! I realise there are some who believe that they are no part of this society- but if you drive, shop in a store, send your kids to school- you ARE are part of this society- for better or worse. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! So on Tuesday, VOTE! Oh yes, and make sure you fill up your gas tank after that vote, cause when the polls close on Tuesday night, the prices of gas will shoot up. I spotted a station in Dunnellon at $2.06! Top it off on Tuesday, it won’t go down after that!

On a lighter note, I had a visit from my old traveling companion, Lisa. Thanks for the Tea Bags! We had managed to log in 3 continents, 10 countries and 8 of the US states, not to mention horrid mosquito bites, even more horrid diarrhoea, and getting lost in most places we landed- I met my 10 year old god daughter, Molly, who is well travelled herself and quite clever. We are still trying to sort out an answer for her question: Why do Americans drive on the parkway, but park on the driveway?  While they were here, we managed an airboat ride at Wild Bill’s in Inverness, for some real alligators and swamp and more noise than all the kids could make at once. They gave us noise cancelling headphones, which worked 10 times better than the ear plugs offered to us at our Big Cypress Swamp airboat ride three years prior- those kept falling out. we also managed a laid back lunch of gator nuggets and seafood, in the back garden of a little restaurant down the road from Wild Bill’s- green roof. It reminded me of the Moon Room in Pushkar- where the building was not much in the front, but they led you to a back garden oasis- nothing overtly fancy, very casual  and relaxed- wished I had a bottle of retsina for a long afternoon… ah well, happy thoughts and don’t forget to vote and top the tank!