[Sparkle]

I was planning to go to the gym for a run on the treadmill today but when I took the dog out for his walk I realized it was actually quite mild, despite being grey and windy.

I decided to hop on the bike path and walk 2-miles down the hill to the market for a few groceries I needed and back again, as my exercise for today.

Seen: 1 black bear, 1 ginormous skunk.

I see black bears every spring and every autumn, just a block from my house in a densely wooded section of land that the bike path cuts through. For a couple of weeks, twice a year, it's like a bear super highway out there. I've become quite accustomed to them. And so long as they're a fair distance away, I think it's pretty amazing to share the space with them.

The skunk, however, gave me pause... I considered re-routing and going a mile or so out of my way (skunks can move really quickly and you don't need to be terribly close to get sprayed) but it had scurried up the embankment about 15-ft away, I stuck to the far outer edge of the path and picked up my pace to pass it.

I guess everyone is up from their long winters' nap.

(Me included.)