The Last Shot at Summer?

So one of my favorite forms of exercise in recent years was to walk the boardwalk. Of course many years ago I liked to run on the boards but those days are clearly over.

In truth even walking is not something I have been able to do for the last year or two as I need to have spinal fusion surgery to alleviate lower back pain that has pretty much sidelined me. I will likely have the procedure in the spring.

I mention this because Sunday’s unseasonably warm weather inspired me to get out and take a walk on the boards.  My wife is a regular and to be honest I can’t keep up with her so I went on my own and to say it was glorious would be an understatement.

The mile or so I walked north from Seaside Park to Heights was good and while the trip back was a bit uncomfortable at times the fresh air, blue skies and images of the beach and boardwalk carried me through.

I was not alone as many likely figured it was their last chance maybe for months to enjoy such a beautiful weekend day and if you saw the parking lot just south of the Sawmill you could have mistaken it for a late spring or early summer afternoon.  It was a reminder that even in these awful times there is a respite not far for most as the ocean has an almost magical way to heal a lot of what ails us physically and mentally.

With that said let me add a few Monday musings:

• I need someone to explain to me why drivers who are alone in a vehicle wear a mask. That’s a head scratcher.
• I promised my wife I would not bring up the complete overhype of Sarah Fuller being the first woman to play in a Power Five conference football game and then the first woman to score when she kicked an extra point in Vanderbilt’s 42-17 loss to Tennessee on Saturday. So I won’t bring it up.
• My friend Jim, who is a devoted runner, agrees with me that men who run bare-chested on the boardwalk on a 50 degree day are likely doing it for attention. In other words, "I’m in shape and let me show you."
• Saving the best for last. Some people will start getting the COVID-19 vaccine today.  There is hope at last.