Fort Lauderdale, Florida #4

Fort Lauderdale, Florida #3

Fort Lauderdale, Florida #2

Fort Lauderdale, Florida #1

Everglades, Florida #8

Everglades, Florida #7

Everglades, Florida #6

Everglades, Florida #5

Everglades, Florida #4

Everglades, Florida #3

Everglades, Florida #2

Everglades, Florida #1

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #11

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #10

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #9

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #8

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #7

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #6

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #5

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #4

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #3

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #2

Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, Florida #1

Fort Myers, Florida #2

Fort Myers, Florida #1

River lock near Fort Myers, Florida #4

River lock near Fort Myers, Florida #3

River lock near Fort Myers, Florida #2

River lock near Fort Myers, Florida #1

Sarasota, Florida flower #4

Sarasota, Florida flower #3

Sarasota, Florida flower #2

Sarasota, Florida flower #1

Sarasota, Florida sunset

Sarasota, Florida squirrel

Sarasota, Florida racoons

Sarasota, Florida bird

Sarasota, Florida scene #2

Sarasota, Florida scene #1

Desoto encampment in Florida #3

Desoto encampment in Florida #2

Desoto encampment in Florida #1

Stewart Johnson Sculpture in Sarasota, Florida

Some Marathon Maniacs at the Sarasota Grouper Marathon

A1A Marathon
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sunday, February 22, 2009

I race walked the A1A Marathon on Sunday, February 22, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The temperature varied from 66 to near 80 degrees while I was on the course. Even though mostly cloudy skies with a wind of 10 to 20 mph were predicted, the skies were partly cloudy and there was only a gentile breeze which caused the race to be hot. The course started in downtown Fort Lauderdale and proceeded east to the beach. There was a wonderful view of the ocean as well as the high-rise condos and beautifully landscaped mansions with their expensive yachts. Despite the major amount of people living out on the beach area, the course was closed to traffic and controlled by plenty of friendly police. Surprisingly the traffic did not seem to be backed-up very much. I was very grateful that the water/Powerade stations were located every mile and manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. I began getting two glasses of liquid at every station beginning at mile 7. Thus, I only became a little dehydrated. There were spectators all along the course cheering for all the participants. There were nearly 3000 finishers, 447 in the marathon and 2515 in the half marathon. Most participants avoided the heat. The event was well organized and I enjoyed myself as usual.

Sarasota Grouper Marathon
Sarasota, Florida
Sunday, February 15, 2009

As I started to race walk the Sarasota Grouper Marathon on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, the temperature was 64 degrees with almost no wind and very cloudy skies. The humidity was more than 90 percent. The course was almost flat with two crossings of high level causeway bridge. Police and volunteers did an excellent job of keeping the course clear of traffic. Water/Gatorade stations were located every two miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Some spectators were to be found throughout the course which highlighted much of the sights of the Sarasota area. During the few times the sun broke through the clouds, the race became very hot; however, fortunately the heavy clouds remained most of the time and made the race more bearable. It was a well organized event during which I enjoyed myself.

Other scenes in New Orleans, Louisiana #2

Other scenes in New Orleans, Louisiana #1

St. Charles Street in New Orleans, Louisiana #4

St. Charles Street in New Orleans, Louisiana #3

St. Charles Street in New Orleans, Louisiana #2

St. Charles Street in New Orleans, Louisiana #1