Saturday Snapshot: Walk to Fight Arthritis

Saturday Snapshot is a weekly meme hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. The guidelines are to post a photo that you or a friend or family member have taken and then link it back to Alyce's original post for the week. Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see.
 
This past Sunday I participated in the third annual Walk to Fight Arthritis, sponsored by The Arthritis Society. Over $2 million has been raised the past two years with around $1.6 million raised this year. Of that, $80,000 was raised in Edmonton by 300 participants. Yeah us!!

What I like about this particular walk is the "virtual walk" option. This is for people who do not live in a location where a sponsored walk is taking place or who are unable to physically take part. Because I was not sure where work would be taking me this year (for awhile looked like I was heading across the border) I signed up for the virtual option. I ended up staying put in one of the sponsored locations but decided to map out my own 5km walk route in the river valley. Least anyone think I flaked out on the obligation, fear not! I took some photographic proof for your enjoyment.
(Pictures from the 'official' walk location)

I started out around 7am and headed to Enzio Faraone park, which is the starting location of most of my walks. Sky was overcast but no rain thankfully. Decision: go left and cross the river or go right and stroll around Victoria park.

And the right side wins (Royal Glenora the white building on the left)!

Coming up on one of my favorite parts of this trail; the trees form a canopy over the trail and feels like walking through a 'nature' bridge. 

A view out across the river valley and Victoria Park golf course.

Now, what would a walk in the river valley be without tackling some stairs? Probably a lot more pleasant but I did this set five times. Luckily it was not raining or it could have been a bit treacherous.

And after wandering through the trails around the park and up the hill, I came upon a favorite exit point:

One last burn to finish the walk!

And one last shot heading home. For those of you here, I'm beginning to think the crane by the science buildings at the UofA is a permanent fixture. It's been there like 10 years or so now, right??

A huge, gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored my walk. I am happy to say my arthritis did not make itself known throughout the walk or the day. This is always a bonus when the weather is overcast and chilly. Until next year.....