Blog from Original Walk (May 2020)

Please note that DONATIONS ARE STILL WELCOME!! Even just a few bucks could feed, well, a few “bucks” = male animals of various species…

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5:55 a.m: . Los Angeles Zoo

https://videopress.com/v/B1XXeXfI?resizeToParent=true&preloadContent=metadata

6:55 am -Stopped for first break

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Wearing masks is great against breathing traffic pollution too!

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8:33 am At the 6 mile mark- Echo Lake. Feeling good! Just quick wee, refuel and I will be off again! The RV was a brilliant idea!!!!

https://videopress.com/v/V7CAUUQG?preloadContent=metadata

“Just a reminder, dear friends and followers, the walk is underway but the fundraising has not stopped- PLEASE- continue to donate! Again – even a $10 coffee- equivalent! Let’s ALL keep going!” – Dr. Monica

Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501c3 non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities. We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

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“Just turned onto 2nd Street, the haze is starting to burn off. It’s getting warmer so I put my hat on!”

At 10:00 am Dr. Monica is at Alameda Street… 8.3 miles into her walk. It’s going VERY WELL!

11:49 am Reached the 10 mile point.

“As recommended by my friends at Long Distance Walkers Association, I have elevated my legs for a bit, put on a pair of fresh socks and a change of shoes!”

Drank some Pedialyte to get some extra electrolytes to counter the loss through sweating. Feeling refreshed and ready to get “on the road again”!

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Stopped for quick lunch at a Taco Bell. Got a Gatorade at the gas station- really need to replace electrolytes! Working up a sweat!!! Nice breeze in Huntington Park!

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1:47 pm
Reached Long Beach Blvd which takes me all the way down into Long Beach. Still many hours to go but I’m feeling good and will get there this evening- delightful breeze here!

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Companionship on the Trek!

2:23pm
“I was just joined by Pam Simmons, a colleague from work, who is joining me for the walk through Lynwood. Thanks Pam! You are a star!”

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Update from Bill: “Moni just reached the 21 mile mark – less than 10 miles to go!!! She walked with Reggie through the commercial section of Compton. He was a great companion! Maintained a brisk pace. Now she’s in a residential area – much more shade.”

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4:26pm Arrival at Long Beach!

Update from Monica “Made it to Long Beach!! Maybe 8 more miles!!!” 🙂

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4:43pm

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5:52pm Made it to the 405 Freeway!

“Wow! According to Fitbit I’ve gone 25 miles in 12 hours!”

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6:08 pm Long Beach Memorial Hospital — Nope, I am not checking in!

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7:23pm Convention Center

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ALMOST THERE!!

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Getting VERY VERY CLOSE NOW !!!

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7:38 pm “Monica raced right past me to get to the aquarium fountain!” – Bill

“I made it!!!! 28 miles –67,408 steps in 13 hours and 38 minutes!!”

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YESsssss! My amazing feet deserve a luxuriating foot soak in Epsom Salts!

Dr. Monica has completed approximately 1/5th of the way from the L.A. Zoo to the San Diego Safari Park (via the Aquarium of the Pacific) in a fundraising urban walking mega-maration to help feed the animals at those 3 centers.
Please share this story with your friends and encourage them to make just a small (cost of a cup of coffee) donation — every cent can help feed an Octopus or an Okapi and lots of other animals in need during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

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Hi Everyone! I don’t know if our girl has even woken up yet on the other side of the planet in Long Beach, but over here in Basel, Switzerland I am trying to get a head-start on the blogging for today.

The Itinerary will be to walk along the coast from Long Beach to Huntington beach… only about half the distance from yesterdays walk, but more hilly I have been told!

Yesterday Dr. Monica earned her Ruby Slippers Badge from FitBit :

All along the walk yesterday, I kept “earning FITBIT badges”. Here’s the last one as I was wrapping up yesterday! (I actually walked a bit further on after this getting a total of 67,408! Thank you all again for the tremendous encouragement and support! Today will be only 16 miles, but I imagine my pace may be just a tad slower getting started!

In light of that new information, I have altered her map today to reflect the new path — Just follow the yellow brick road!!

Check out the itinerary for the entire journey from the LA Zoo to the San Diego Safari Park here.

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It’s incredible!! You have fed our Tracking Giraffe all the way to Dr. Monica’s originally strived for goal of $7’500 AND MORE –So far an ADDITIONAL $225 has been collected and is being tracked by our Tracking Seahorse — see below!!

LET’S KEEP GOING!! Every small amount adds up to big wins for the Zoo and Aquarium animals! Please share with your friends and encourage them to donate!

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Slept ok but I got hungry at 1 am so sat up and ate trail mix in the dark. As far as physically- started to get a hot spot on ball of right foot in the last 5 miles yesterday. I stopped, changed socks and put on a blister band-aid before going on. Still not a full blister but I covered it today with thick moleskin and so far it seems ok, but I haven’t moved much yet. Likely will start around 8 am today.
Breakfast- cup of coffee, smoothie (home-made with spinach, kale, chard, berries and pea protein), hummus, rice crackers, sweet peppers

Dr. Monica

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7:45 am Long Beach — It’s a perfect morning in Long Beach. — Just getting ready to go!!

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Stairs down to the walking path.

8:40 am– 2.25 miles into my walk on this beautiful morning! Grateful for a walking path- much easier than the urban walk yesterday with its up and down curbs and broken sidewalks! I think / hope I’ll be on this for sometime.

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9:06 am First stop @3 miles- , going to eat a banana, drink some Gatorade and then be off again! (On a GPS it might not look 3 miles but I was “off road” for a ways so it added length. Up above the beach now on a path because I saw signs saying Beach trails still closed.

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Dr. Monica’s taking a much easier pace today.

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10:00am and 10,000 steps!! Away from ocean front-because the beach path is closed — I want to respect the Covid rules at all times!
So it is back to urban walking! Walking the shopping area on 2nd street: It’s really a cute little village.

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10:09 am — Still in Long Beach but making progress!!

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10:20 am 4.8 miles- Stopping to check my feet and change socks.- It’s much slower going today because of a blister that started on my right foot towards the end of yesterday’s walk. I probably should have put on my regular shoes this morning instead of the bigger ones with 2 pairs of socks. I think it let my foot do too much slipping inside the shoe. — Live and learn!
This is the first but probably not the LAST blister of this journey!
It’s a good thing it’s only 16 miles today instead of 30!

Besides the foot- I seem to be doing pretty well: legs and ankles not too sore!

So I think once I dress this up better I’ll be good!

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This morning CBS Sunday Morning has a segment at about minute 35 on Zoos in the time of pandemic. San Diego Zoo is featured in the story and talks about the challenge of feeding animals in the time of no income.

Check out the segment here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/behind-the-shut-gates-of-the-zoo/

Please share with your friends and encourage them to donate!

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Every small amount adds up to big wins for the Zoo and Aquarium animals!
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

11.30 am 6.5 miles Taking it slow today but I’m feeling good!

I’m a bit less than halfway there- stopping just to eat a bit, refill water, “empty my tank”. My foot feels a lot better since I dressed it up! 🙂
I will be getting on to Pacific Coast Highway and that will go for 2.2 miles to Pacific Ave to HuntingtonBeach bike trail- following the yellow Brick road!!

I am eternally grateful to my PR team- Andrea and my husband to keep the posts going- all I can do is keep walking!

$170 donated so far today! YAY!! 🙂
Thank you: Karl, Steve, Adam and Daisy Mae!

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1:44pm  About the 10 mile mark, I think. I’m on a beach bike path – goes for miles. I probably only have 6 miles to go (maybe 7). There was about 1.5 miles of PCH that was not safely passable on foot- would’ve been like walking on freeway shoulder. So Bill ferried me to the other side and I’ve been walking this Bike path since.

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1:51pm Only landmark for miles

2:02pm   Bill is on the highway part that parallels the bike trail- he says it’s about 4 more miles to destination but he can’t meet me before then- no where to pull over. It’s ok- got plenty of water and snacks so I’m just going to push thru til the end. Goal is a Huntington Pier!

2:12pm Bolsa Chica trail

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3:00pm Destination in sight — See that tiny pier in the background?

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2:47pm Reached Huntington Beach but my goal is the pier still a bit ahead 7 hrs so far!

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3:28 Day 2 Journey is nearly completed!

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3:30pm Huntington Beach Pier closed.

3:46pm Back in the RV — DAY 2 Exhausted but happy!!

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3:49 pm Bill is driving me back home in the RV for a long soak in a hot bath and a good night’s sleep in her bed. (Also to the RV needs to be recharged, pumped out and all of that stuff.)

I will restart journey early tomorrow morning from the pier gate where I finished today .

4:55 pm Home safely- bath already running!

Dr. Monica

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OK, Andrea, here again 11:20am Swiss time — that is uh 2:20am California time… Just trying to get a jump on today’s blogs and itinerary maps, before Monica starts walking and I get left behind!!

CBS Sunday just ran this report on Sunday 9 May.
THIS is why Dr. Monica is walking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxF4ZiQHJ1U

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Can I just put out a personal
GIANT THANK YOU to the creators of WORDPRESS?
I am BY FAR not a computer geek and they have made it incredibly EASY for me to get this website designed and blogs updated in record timE!

Andrea Dannegger
(Twin sister to Dr. Monica and volunteer PR Assistant to this fundraising project!)

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Monday May 11th: Huntington Beach Pier to Turtle Rock, Irvine

Weather Forecasts for the journey today:

Huntington beach is a bit overcast with morning temperatures around 23C/ 73.4F This afternoon in Irvine it is expected to be about 26°C / 78.8 F Cool with low clouds followed by some sun. I have been extremely fortunate!

I slept great last night and was up at 4:15 to dress up the blisters, drink my coffee and smoothies and get ready to head back to the Huntington Beach Pier to start this leg of the trek!  Feeling a bit stiff in places but overall- amazingly good! 

Dr. Monica

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I would like to address something that I’ve been asked: “Are you wearing the mask all the time on the walk?” The answer is most definitely “Yes!”If there is absolutely no one in sight, I might take it down off my nose a bit, but it goes right back up again when I see people.

This is NOT out of paranoia – It is out of respect for the law and for all the people around me.

1. Wearing a mask while out in public and potentially coming into close contact with other people is now required in most areas of Southern California: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Mandatory-face-masks-Southern-California-new-laws-15203484.php  
2. I agree 100% with Dr. Sanjay Gupta MD who says- “Everyone should assume that they have the virus and are able to give it to others.”

So, while I am fairly certain that I do not have COVID-19, I wear the mask nonetheless out of respect for and to protect other people.  I can tell you that most of the hundreds of people I saw out at the coast yesterday were NOT observing social distancing and very few were wearing masks!  ☹
As a medical professional, this is very disturbing to see, since it means that my hospital as well as all the others in the area will soon be flooded again with the next wave of COVID-19 patients in the coming weeks.

Just to be clear: the mask I am wearing on the walk is not an N-95 respirator mask – I wear paper masks or the cloth one in the photo above that my sister Veronica sewed for me with golf images on it. 🙂

Maybe being a surgeon, it just doesn’t feel as strange to me to wear a mask as it may feel to others.
In addition, I have found several other benefits to wearing the mask while walking:

1. not having to breathe the full extent of car exhaust,
2. not having to breathe all the pollen this spring (I have mild asthma / reactive airways!)
3. AND it keeps my air humidified which actually makes the breathing easier!

So, yes, I am wearing a mask outdoors on my walks – not just for photo ops, not to fuel anyone’s fears or to make any political statements — but because it is the right thing to do, legally, socially and for my own comfort and well-being!  So, even if it looks goofy, I like it and I will continue to wear it!!

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Feeling good! Starting exactly where I left off yesterday afternoon: Huntington Beach Pier heading to Turtle Rock, Irvine!

7:25am

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7:52 am First detour

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8:10 Newland Street

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8.25 am Stopped at the 1 hr mark- 8:25 am at a park in Hamilton- quick refuel with Gatorade and trail mix!

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9:36am — Crossing the bridge over the Santa Ana River. Heading uphill towards Costa Mesa — got my security vest on… Hat and mask!

https://videopress.com/v/Vo7cBRxh?preloadContent=metadata

9:40 am Welcome to Costa Mesa!!

10:03 am Second break: Snack, fresh socks and fresh bandages on the blisters!!

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11:00 am — Just about 3.5 hours into my trek at the 6 mile mark, so a bit less than halfway, distance-wise. Not sure time-wise: I think that will depend on the hills! Feeling really great today!

Now time to put my feet up and get in some snuggle-time with Reggie, our chocolate labrador, before heading out again at 11:30am. Having my feet up the wall is like having them in ice water – a numb & tingly feeling.

Dr. Monica

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1:10 pm Beautiful trail through the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve:
SO happy to be wearing my mask! The air through here is filled with pollen!

Arrived at UC Irvine Campus — going to take a longer break now.

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4:45 pm Total distance walked 14.2 miles; 34,878 steps

I had considered continuing on to Quail Hill today but finding Turtle Rock proved more difficult than I expected and by the time I actually found the rock and got up to it; then back down to the RV, I no longer felt like going another 4 miles! I’m very pleased with my progress and performance for today.
My friend, Bonnie, joined me at around 4:10pm the base of the trail up to the rock. We walked about a mile together. She says we can park in her neighborhood tonight! 🙂

Dr. Monica

Arrival at Turtle Rock! Great job Moni!!

Here is the satellite view of the route I walked today!

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and support! See you tomorrow for the next stage: Turtle Rock to Mission Viejo!

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Today, Tuesday May 12th, Dr. Monica’s journey will take her from Turtle Rock, Irvine to San Juan Capistrano: a distance of approximately 18.6 miles with substantial elevation changes!
Good luck today Moni!! 🙂

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7:03 am Leaving Turtle Rock.

https://videopress.com/v/DVJQNkoP?preloadContent=metadata

While we are waiting for Dr. Monica to take her first break, let’s take a look at how far she’s come the last 3 days!

Let’s not forget why Dr. Monica is walking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxF4ZiQHJ1U

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8:30 am, 3 mile mark

Waving to my friends at KP Irvine! Good morning, all!!! Thank you for everything you do!

Dr. Monica Metzdorf

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Pretty stuff on way to Quail Hill!

8:50 am Quick stop at Quail Hill- now moving on!

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This little guy just zipped past me about 20 minutes ago!!

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9:50 am — 5.3 miles just parallel to 133 highway but in a safe beautiful gated community! Thanks to Laguna Altura for letting me detour through so I did not have to walk on the highway! (You should have seen the look on the security woman’s face when I told her I was walking to San Juan Capistrano Mission today!)

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11:05am-11:25am — 7.6 miles completed

Yummy lunch — Grilled chicken and pesto pasta with Gatorade!

https://videopress.com/v/tVKr7Tfc?preloadContent=metadata

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All done- ate, stretched, emptied my tank, fresh bandages, fresh socks and shoes!
Starting off again at 11:25 am

https://videopress.com/v/1qU0qPL1?preloadContent=metadata

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1:50pm Walking steadily uphill since lunch!

Fitbit says I’ve gone 11.75 miles
At Nellie Gail- Might as well be called “Holy Grail for as long as I’ve been walking towards this turn! I’m going to make a left turn, a short break, then steep downhill and steep uphill!”

Dr. Monica

https://videopress.com/v/hEjdWn75?preloadContent=metadata

Break to put an ice pack on shin splints prior to tackling the most grueling terrain of the trek. The next mile to a mile & a half will be a beast.

Heading up to the last really nasty peak! Bill booked us into a motel with a bathtub for the night… What a great guy!

Wish me luck on this stretch!!

Dr. Monica

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The hardest part is behind me… I hope!

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3:15pm – 14 miles so far.

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5:04pm — Arrival at Mission San Juan Capistrano 18.6 miles!

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Last few steps!

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At one point I just ran out of sidewalks! Bill had to pick me up and bring me to the part of the street with a sidewalk (small unexpected detour)!

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She made it!!! Great job Moni! That was a rough day! You are incredible!

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Today, Wednesday May 13th, Dr. Monica’s journey will take her fromSan Juan Capistrano to San Onofre Beach: a distance of approximately 14.3 miles with a really big hill at the start of the second half!
Good luck today Moni!! 🙂

Original Plan: This is quite far enough for today and will still put Monica ahead of schedule for tomorrow!

The plan is a bit fluid today, depending on how well Monica is doing on the road. Ideally, she would like to go all the way to Las Pulgas Gate at Camp Pendelton today. That is a distance of 21 miles with the big hill!

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Monica and Bill stayed in a motel last night in San Juan Capistrano so she could have access to a bath. She soaked for an hour last night. She wanted to soak again this morning, but was afraid it would soften her blisters too much! (Wise woman, my sister!!)

OK she’s getting set to go… stay tuned!!

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Thank you SOOOO MUCH, zoogirlq!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAHZIjbFF_I/?fbclid=IwAR0_AzbC0_yjAp8M2kikx0we4Ia7SmjhpAytmRspm-P8gui4v4LwbqGciFA

Let’s not forget why Dr. Monica is walking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxF4ZiQHJ1U

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6:50 am Mission San Juan Capistrano

https://videopress.com/v/P1JAMJcl?preloadContent=metadata

Dr. Monica bids Padre Junipero Serra farewell and is on the the road again!

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Trouble finding her way out of San Juan Capistrano!

https://videopress.com/v/JSr8flP0?preloadContent=metadata

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https://videopress.com/v/eRha3YIO?preloadContent=metadata

8:10 am Short break at Dana Point

8:55am The creek doesn’t exactly look flooded, but the Tsunami sign is scary!

5.7 miles into trek

https://videopress.com/v/15CwzP8e?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/sMCdCaXE?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/BInZ33Tn?preloadContent=metadata

See you in San Clemente!!

Hi Everyone — since I have been commenting, sharing, reacting and replying on and off on Monica’s FB page as well as writing a lot of this blog in her name, I thought I might make a video introducing myself and my role in this project.

Part 1: These videos gives a whole new meaning to the concept of EYE-SHADOW!!

https://videopress.com/v/Lmz6DpNC?preloadContent=metadata

Part 2: Creating the Itinerary Maps!

https://videopress.com/v/7jAo6812?preloadContent=metadata

Part 3: How I input the videos and post to FB

https://videopress.com/v/NComuXE7?preloadContent=metadata

(It’s about 10 minutes long, so you might not want to watch the whole thing, but it gives you and idea of how I am keeping busy on this project!)

Just FYI — Computers are not really my thing — so if you are a computer wizard, please don’t laugh too hard at my video!!
I am a dog trainer and an artist: just learning by doing and doing the best I can to keep everyone updated while my amazing twin treks through southern California on foot!

Lily and me!

Just once again, neither Monica nor Bill nor I are taking money for this project. Everything donated will be split between the L.A. Zoo, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Every donation great or small adds up to help take care of these animals (IMHO they are in sort of a “double” lock down and really need our help.)

Please click below to make a donation.
Every small amount can add up to feed a lot of animals in need!!

Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities.  We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

Would you like to help?

https://givebutter.com/embed/c/docwalks4animals

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11:30am Brunch break

https://videopress.com/v/NXtolyHB?preloadContent=metadata

Made it to San Clemente before noon!!!! Should be able to make it to the gate a Camp Pendleton today- which should break up the mileage a bit tomorrow! 

Had a nice break, ate lunch, put my legs up, powdered feet and took care of the blisters on my feet. Getting on the road again!!

https://videopress.com/v/74tMjvoT?preloadContent=metadata

1:26pm — Fitbit says I have walked 12.3 miles –29,618 steps.

3:15pm Arrival San Onofre!
She made it!! 15.1 miles in 8 hours 25 minutes! Almost the entire way along the coastline and beaches!!

https://videopress.com/v/efMm6Jf8?preloadContent=metadata

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A few miles earlier:

https://videopress.com/v/1zJWfOiZ?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/TlUdZIqK?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/E7e0ZxYV?preloadContent=metadata

Congratulations Moni!! You are incredible!!

Sunset Day 5!

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Route today: San Onofre via Camp Pendleton to Oceanside.
Fortunately, Bill served over 20 years in the Army National Guard and has been able to get approval for me to cross the base but I need to go through the Las Pulgas Gate with him to verify ID etc.
Once on the base, I will follow the bike route.

Dr. Monica, Thursday May 14th

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6 am — Start from San Onofre State Beach very cool morning

https://videopress.com/v/jAOuNuaI?preloadContent=metadata

The sun is rising…

https://videopress.com/v/Mwc8h3yw?preloadContent=metadata

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6:34 am Precarious walking in traffic around the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. So grateful that Bill is here to support me in tricky situations like these!

https://videopress.com/v/DxyKNdlP?preloadContent=metadata

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6:42 am Hopefully this bike route will take me all the way to the gate! Taking quick break while I have Bill here- because I will now go on a bike path and he has to go around to get to the gate.

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Another gorgeous morning!

7:12 am Bike trail to Las Pulgas Gate

https://videopress.com/v/JAoUDsVe?preloadContent=metadata

7:50 am Fitbit says I’ve gone about 4.5 miles so far.

https://videopress.com/v/9Gaegx5L?preloadContent=metadata

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After walking about 5.5 miles: Oooops trail closed ?? Someone rolled the orange fencing back, does that mean it’s OK??

Message from Bill:

Rather than risk running into a live fire exercise on Pendleton, Monica turned around & is walking back to the Ranger station where I dropped her off. I’ll pick her up & drive her to the Las Pulgas gate. (She will still have put in her 10+ miles, just not completely in one direction! ) :-/

The ranger we spoke to at the trail head said that the trail will take you all the way to San Diego… He may not have been aware that the trail halfway to Las Pulgas Gate was closed and/or failed to mention that getting there would involve trespassing on government property!

Bill Metzdorf

9:45am 8 miles Monica just texted and sent this video:

The path here is certainly worth walking twice, especially on such a gorgeous day, but I am a bit disappointed. Also I’m just hurting a bit more today with the shin splints- would’ve met up with Bill at least once by now to drink Gatorade and rub down with my magic muscle spasm potion. I have food and water- that’s not an issue. Just the other “luxuries” I’m missing right now!

Dr. Monica

https://videopress.com/v/6DLqzvY5?preloadContent=metadata

10:07 am “Just made it back to where Bill dropped me off.! He is not here yet but I have a place to sit in the shade!”

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Well, out of an abundance of caution due to signs like this on the ground:

and like this overhead:

Dr. Monica backtracked 4.1 miles, leaving her at 10:00 am with a total of 9.1 miles to be back exactly where she was at 6:42am:

Lunch break, short siesta and a new plan.

Bill drove Monica onto the Base, they found safe roads for her to walk on and she is going to try to make her way through the base to the Main Gate.

She’s a real ninja. Took time to check out the Obstacle Course.

Bill

https://videopress.com/v/FKfqDAhY?preloadContent=metadata

Not the straight through route but much nicer and more peaceful!

https://videopress.com/v/u6jlvZ57?preloadContent=metadata

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Reggie found a friend on the Camp Pendleton Base!

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5:05pm Arrival in Carlsbad! 15.5 miles today!

Well you can’t keep her down for long! Pretty much right after I posted the photo of her lying down with ice packs, she was already up again — taping her shins and ready to take on the last leg of today’s revised itinerary: Camp Pendleton Main Gate to Carlsbad: the last 4.5 miles of the day!

Here she is — slowly but VERY determined to get to Carlsbad!

https://videopress.com/v/7BLCTnAa?preloadContent=metadata

In her own words:

https://videopress.com/v/RApxofLN?preloadContent=metadata

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See the map below for how this difficult day actually progressed.
I definitely got quite a lot of mileage walked — just not all in a continuous line!!
I am SO GLAD to have Bill close by for situations like today!
Things could have ended in disaster without this incredible man watching out for me!

Monica, May 14th

Photos from the road before: Camp Pendleton Main Gate to Oceanside:

https://videopress.com/v/TEYEUwzq?preloadContent=metadata

Another hotel with bath tonight and tomorrow we head to San Marcos!! Thanks to all of you for your healing thoughts and prayers! And to everyone who has made a donation today!

Please click below to make a donation.
Every small amount can add up to feed a lot of animals in need!!

NOTE:

Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities.  We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

🐢🐠🐆🐙🦘🦓🐟🦎🦙🦍🐐🐘🐳🦀🐋🦛🐫🐅🐊🦜🦔🦢🐦🦋

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Slept well after a long soak and food, and this morning I am feeling cautiously optimistic. I have some concerns about my left shin. My forefoot blister looks worse but it doesn’t bother me now. It is healing and turning more to a blood blister/hematoma at base of toes. This might be why my left shin has developed the really bad shin splints. I think I may have been shifting weight to compensate. Fortunately, the shin splints are only on the left leg.

Dr. Monica, 5:00am Day 7 –May 15

I think the problem yesterday was that I was on a bike trail where I could not easily meet up with Bill for breaks in the RV. I had gotten into such a great rhythm the previous days of stopping every 3 miles to powder down my feet, change socks, put my legs up, eat and re-hydrate with Gatorade.
Yesterday I was on the road for 9 miles without any of that: I believe the frustration and eagerness to make up the lost time just led to a cascade of cramping and exhaustion.

The expectations for today: after some advice from a friend who is a long-distance running coach in Thailand, I will be I will be taking teeny tiny baby steps…. “Ultrarunners have some slogans: “Start slow then taper off” and “relentless forward progress, one foot at time”  –Karl Kunz

Today the overall mileage on the map is much shorter, but my pace will be SLOW AND STEADY –reminiscent of Captain Tom – I just wish I had his walker for support – by the end of today I might need to buy one!

Dr. Monica 6am Day 7 May 15

Here is the map route plan for today. Hopefully with lots of breaks and no major changes!!

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7:00 am Leaving Carlsbad

https://videopress.com/v/fKLyilJ0?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/IQOi4AIv?preloadContent=metadata

8:31am First break — about 2.8 miles walked — teensy tiny baby steps!!!

https://videopress.com/v/jULDAucc?preloadContent=metadata

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9:00 am — On the road again… El Camino Real

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9:00 am — On the road again.

https://videopress.com/v/uC7LVJ2m?preloadContent=metadata

Pretty neighborhood! I have really had the privilege of walking through some beautiful areas on spectacular mornings!

9:41 am — moving slowly, carefully… Feeling OK!

https://videopress.com/v/uowtaABW?preloadContent=metadata

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10:10 am — Second break to ice the shin. About 6 miles walked so far!

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11:30 am — 8 miles- A quick stop to unload, refuel, ice down

https://videopress.com/v/ET1KB8IE?preloadContent=metadata

12:47pm — Taking more frequent short breaks today- just about 2 miles from last rest. Doing OK though! MUCH better than yesterday! 🙂 Only about 5 more miles to San Marcos!

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1:06 pm — Quick water over the head cool down before setting off again!!

https://videopress.com/v/QCRcxNcj?preloadContent=metadata

1:44pm – Reached the city limits of San Marcos! Not at my destination yet and I have not yet reached the limits of my energy! Feeling motivated!!

https://videopress.com/v/a7kCkmBM?preloadContent=metadata

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Daily photo of pretty flowers!

2:15pm “Fitbit says I have walked 12.2 miles !!” — Dr. Monica

https://videopress.com/v/vbns8Ip2?preloadContent=metadata

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4:30pm She made it to Escondido city! 16.4 miles in 9.5 hours!!

https://videopress.com/v/63hEBFVv?preloadContent=metadata

You astound me Monica!! I am SOOO PROUD OF YOU!!

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I really want to thank my friend, Ann Marie, for opening her home to us last night- lovely little private apartment adjacent to her beautiful home on Lake Hodges. We had a nice meal in front of an outdoor fireplace and had a heavenly soak in a Jacuzzi with foot jets! And jets for every other sore muscle too! We look forward to coming back after COVID for a longer visit!  Thank you, Ann Marie!!!

Dr. Monica Metzdorf

Lovely meal in front of the fireplace on the patio:

Long wonderful soak in the Jacuzzi with foot jets! (And jets for all my other sore muscles too!) 🙂

And off to sleep in a comfortable be!

6:47 am Start Washington Avenue

https://videopress.com/v/JWwMVVjt?preloadContent=metadata

Shin taped, ready to walk!

7:08 am Old Historic Escondido

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At 9:10 am today, Monica will be live on air on KUSI Good Morning San Diego

Tune in live if you can, otherwise, I will try to get it and post it here when she is done!

Monica will not be able to send a lot of photos or videos today, because the routes are not very “walker-friendly”.
They went to Target last night and loaded up on extra safety equipment:

https://videopress.com/v/mdzfjLRV?preloadContent=metadata

https://videopress.com/v/w1FlyVwh?preloadContent=metadata

8:47am — just about 4.4 miles to go!!

https://videopress.com/v/E0zLvu1m?preloadContent=metadata

10:25 am –She’s here!

https://videopress.com/v/VnkLqXxf?preloadContent=metadata

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Rest stop just a few miles to go!

https://videopress.com/v/PBnMlS5Z?preloadContent=metadata

A few moments before:

https://videopress.com/v/SUpTOlzB?preloadContent=metadata

Please click below to make a donation.

NOTE:
Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities.  We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

🐢🐠🐆🐙🦘🦓🐟🦎🦙🦍🐐🐘🐳🦀🐋🦛🐫🐅🐊🦜🦔🦢🐦🦋

Would you like to help?

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NOTE:
Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities.  We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

Would you like to help?

https://givebutter.com/embed/c/docwalks4animals

🐢🐠🐆🐙🦘🦓🐟🦎🦙🦍🐐🐘🐳🦀🐋🦛🐫🐅🐊🦜🦔🦢🐦🦋

Slept in to a glorious 6 am!!! Stiff and sore but otherwise feeling great! (So glad not to have a 15 mile hike on the agenda today!)

I’d love to say I was going to spend the day with my feet up and nothing else, but already have been busy unpacking the RV, doing laundry and tidying up.
I want to go back and review all the blogs from my walk that my sister worked so hard on and reflect on last week’s journey. I’m also going to update the donor list I started and try to get THANK YOU’s out to everyone I can – either in real mail or electronically. I AM OVERWHELMED BY THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT I’VE RECEIVED FROM ALL OF YOU- I couldn’t have done it without you. I look at it as a Group Effort!

I need to send a very special thank you to my Main Team: my wonderful husband, Bill, who was my wing-man for the journey (along with Reggie, our chocolate Labrador!)

Bill probably kept me from getting killed on that last leg on San Pascual Valley Road! I was walking on a very narrow shoulder because there was NO OTHER ROUTE to get to the Safari Park. He’d ride ahead in the RV and we’d be on the phone- he’d say: “ok you have 3 cars coming” I would then flatten myself to the side of the road until they passed and he told me it was clear- then I’d walk a bit further and the scene would repeat until I finally got to the Park! Scary at the time but funny to think about now! I had bought a bike helmet and 5 flashing bike lights that I zip-tied to it- trying to make myself as visible as possible but also wanting to have some head protection- just in case I got hit anyway! Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

My twin sister, Andrea Dannegger, has been amazing in being able to document my journey in real time for me while I walked. We’d talk on the phone, I’d tell her where I was, how I was doing, sent pics or videos and she put it all together to keep you all updated. She is amazing! And doing it all from Switzerland meant that she was up at 3 or 4 in the morning to do those final posts as I staggered in to my various destinations.

Lastly I want to thank 2 very good friends: Karen Aasen-Rodriguez and Carol Kashefi. Karen got up very early on my first day to see us off from LA Zoo and Carol and her husband were there to greet me at the end of the journey at the SD Safari Park! Also, I’m grateful for 2 other friends who joined me in walking different parts of the journey: Pamela Dodd Simmons (who walked me through Lynwood) and Bonnie Tam and her beautiful children who helped me find my way to The Turtle Rock!

Dr. Monica, May 17th

Dr. Monica would like nothing more than to help
ALL the animals world-wide! So she has officially registered docwalks4animals as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity whose mission is to support wildlife and environmental conservation projects.

Click here below to jump to docwalks4animals.org

“If you routinely give something to charity each year, I hope you will consider adding docwalks4animals.org to your list of supported charities. We are brand new, but I put together what I consider a very talented and dynamic board of directors, who bring diverse talents to our organization and, with your help, I am confident we can do great things for our planet.”
–Dr. Monica Metzdorf

Would you like to help?

https://givebutter.com/embed/c/docwalks4animals

🐢🐠🐆🐙🦘🦓🐟🦎🦙🦍🐐🐘🐳🦀🐋🦛🐫🐅🐊🦜🦔🦢🐦🦋