North of 17th, west of Francis, south of 21st, east of Spencer.

Total for today:   16,620 steps and  3:00 time.

DONOVAN (LEITCH)

First, a little musical digression.  For all you out there of a certain age (but not TOO MUCH of a certain age), there is probably a familiarity with the music of Donovan (Leitch), perhaps the ultimate ‘flower child’ folk singer.   I like his music, and I think it holds up fairly well today.    I sometimes refer to my wife, Mrs. (Jennifer) Longmont Streetwalker, as Jennifer Juniper.  So the following two youtube clips are dedicated to her!

Here are two versions of Donovan singing this song… one from the sixties, where it appears he must be lip-syncing to the ‘official’ album-released version, and then another one live from 2011(?).

I know that Donovan, Scotland-born, hung out with the Beatles at some point in their careers.  In the latter below video, I was struck by how much Paul McCartney and him look alike these days.

Donovan’s son by the same name (Donovan Leitch) has achieved some celebrity as a musician and actor.  His daughter Ione Skye has also done so, appearing in a number of films, perhaps most notably ‘Say Anything’ and ‘Wayne’s World’.

Jennifer Juniper 1968 (lip sync?) youtube

Jennifer Juniper 2011? youtube

Donovan Leitch wiki

GARDEN ACRES PARK

Earlier in the year I said Centennial Park was one of the largest parks in Longmont.  I think Garden Acres may actually hold the title of the largest (Sandstone may be right up there too).

Anyway, here’s a bunch of photos from Garden Acres Park, which along with Centennial make up the baseball/softball crowns of Longmont.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10-5-13 addition to blog.   I took this picture of some people playing cricket (I think), on the way home from my October 5th walk.   We saw people playing cricket on this same field (on the north side of Garden Acres) a few years ago, so I think it must be a semi-regular event.

 

OLIGARCHY DITCH

This passes through Garden Acres Park.  Here’s a few photos of the ‘steps’ on the western edge.  I thought they were kind of photogenic…

 

 

 

 

MARATHON race

The following 26.2 bumper sticker refers to a marathon race.  The ‘official’ distance is 26 miles, 385 yards, which rounds to 26.2 miles.  You also sometimes see 13.1 bumper stickers, which refer to the half-marathon.

I’m not meaning to brag… (well, maybe I am)… but I ran a 2:57:54 marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1978.  This time would have won an Olympic gold medal in the first three ‘modern’ Olympiads in 1896, 1900, and 1904.    And they were even run at a slightly shorter distance.   The ‘official’ modern 42.195 km standard distance for the marathon was set in the 1908 London Olympics, altered so the finish line could be in front of the royal viewing box!

And, to tone down my bragging a little bit… back in those days, the marathon was not a ‘standard’ event, and I believe the people participating were kind of ‘spur-of-the moment’ contestants!  Not people training all year to participate…

Marathon race wiki

 

AND THE BEST OF THE REST of the photos…