This past weekend had found me bug-eyed in front of the television, soaking up the March Madness Basketball competition. I would not be as interested if I had not filled out a bracket, a chart of each pairing where the participant (me) guesses which team will win each game.

I have missed so many guesses that my bracket page is a mess. Red marks all over the page, and it looks like it won’t be a winner! (As if I thought I might win.)

Most of you know all about this March Madness phenomena, but some may not, or simply may not give a twig.

My head feels like a bouncing basketball at this point. When I close my eyes, I visualize nets, basketballs, and men in striped shirts in my thoughts.  

So, what does one do while watching these games?

Since I am a Kansas University basketball aficionada, I cannot sit still while watching this team play. If KU gets behind or the score is tied, I leave the room and go to my office to do something else. After a while, I return and check the score. Fred is sitting there watching, telling the players what to do. “Guard them, you guys! Give him some help! Don’t hurry. Don’t shoot yet. Slow down!” No longer frustrated, then I might sit down and watch. 

When I watch, I snack. Typical. And if I don’t plan ahead, I will eat whatever is handy; usually popcorn, nuts, hard candy, cheese, crackers, often fruit. This past weekend, I meant to prepare a big bowl of carrot sticks and celery, broccoli, and cauliflower with a side of ranch dressing, but I forgot! This mixture is a perfect weapon of warfare against the more fattening nibbles.

During these marathons of bouncing balls, I need to get some physical activity to counteract the urge to just sit. Fred fits in a workout at the gym and watches TV there. Piper, our dog, and I took a walk before the action began. For some reason, if I can get the dog into the car, and drive to the destination, I have won half the battle. It’s easy then to do the rest; take the walk. Isn’t that half the battle? 

I have found a super walking place in Larned! For a time, Piper and I would go to the cemetery, and walk up and down the rows, but now we have rediscovered Camp Pawnee on West 8th Street. Some still call it the “Scout Camp.” If you recall, that entire area was converted into a beautiful, usable, maintained park. This feat was accomplished with grant funds, and hardworking citizens donating their time and labor to make that area into a location with RV hookups, restrooms, children’s slides, a building for meetings, and the walking path. Thank you, by the way, to you all who were responsible for this accomplishment. 

The paved walking path is a visual pleasure. The walking path is one mile, and it leads the hiker through a scenic route including a woodsy curving walk along the edge of the woods, past native grasses growing on the open range.

There are others walking with their dogs, and if the dogs are friendly and mannerly, then they are welcome there. Piper gets very excited when we drive up to the location.

For those of you in Great Bend, I would enjoy the beautiful Veterans Park, if I were to choose my favorite place to walk ... oh, and I would also go to the zoo. It’s so much easier to walk if there is scenery to enjoy, and the zoo is perfect for that venue, isn’t it? 

We are fortunate to enjoy so many areas to walk and get some fresh air in our towns. A salute is in order when we consider all the options that can provide us places to exercise. We are without excuse. 

One more thing. If you walk on the streets, please wear light clothing, and walk on the left side, facing the oncoming traffic. Don’t walk in dark clothing on the side of the street with the traffic. You don’t see what is coming behind you and they don’t see you well, either. Be aware that some experienced walkers and event organizers have not learned this rule, or firmly believe it is the opposite.        

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com.