BigView
By Chris Murphy
It’s a beautiful green world out there.
Modesto is amazing this time of year. Rolling green hills, covered with almond blossoms make you want to get outside and do some exploring. The entire world knows about our amazing almond blossom season thanks to the great work of Visit Modesto. It’s nice to be in the New York Times and numerous travel journals for something beautiful that has us ranked with the cherry blossoms in Washington DC and Japan. Nice huh? You know the ViewCrew loves positive news about Modesto.
Friends, in that vein, one thing we all know, is we need to get out more, check out this big world, get your steps in, go for a hike or bike, or even train for a marathon. No matter what your preference, the word of the month is Go!
If you have a desk job, the one thing that can make you feel fresher and more creative is to go for a walk. Steve Jobs was legendary for taking a walk when he needed to think. It charges up your batteries and frees your mind to wander to let the ideas flow. You come back fresh and ready to innovate.
Fitness is one way to help make your brain work better and you will feel better, even it’s just a short walk.
Best of all, there are things for all levels of ability. We will help you find things to do, from easy to hard and will change the way you think and also make you look around. I’m sure that you will find things that need to be fixed, ways to do things better, and then come back and plan how to do something about it. You just may find that inner zen as you stroll or run and just listen to the wind. There are no rules. But whatever you do, you will feel better.
Here is a great basic way to start: Just Walk
You can walk with a purpose for a couple of things. The 3rd Thursday Art Walk on March 20 is a great way to stroll downtown and you can stop along the way and check out restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and theatres. You can stroll our local parks and trails. Measure H has really helped as there are new playgrounds, sidewalks and the Modesto Park Ranger program. As you walk around, use the GoModesto! Ap to alert the city of things that need to be improved or call the non-emergency number 209-552-2470
Easy – Walk the Cruise Route!
You can learn all about Modesto history and our classic car and rock and roll heritage in one simple walking tour. Head to 10th St Plaza where a 25-station walking tour begins on the Modesto Historic Cruise Route and the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame. Yes, this is where it was all happening when George Lucas was in high school and what he presented to the world in the film American Graffiti. It’s based on the stories from our local legends that are showcased on the Walk of Fame in 10th St Plaza. Discover the places and people that cruised along 10th and 11th St back in 1962.
www.modestocruiseroute.com<www.modestocruiseroute.com>
Easy- Go Hike a Mural
Downtown Modesto is home to many amazing large-scale murals that showcase our American Graffiti and classic car heritage. Check out the original mural at 13th and J as well as others celebrating our local agriculture, poop culture and hometown heroes like Royal Robbins. This is a really fun walking tour and you will be impressed by the quality and variety of our murals. These are great Instagram spots! There is even a new Mural tour that you can take presented by Visit Modesto. www.visitmodesto.com<www.visitmodesto.com>
Easy – Hike
Check out the new Dos Rios State Park on the west side.
This is California’s newest State Park and it is just a short drive out on Shiloh Rd from Modesto on Highway 132 and Paradise Road. Access is free during this opening phase and there are currently two hikes, one 3.8 miles and another 1.8 mile pond loop. Bring your binoculars as there is amazing bird watching at this park and a huge variety of wild life. Check out there and other State Parks. www.parks.ca.gov<www.parks.ca.gov>
Medium – Run a 5 or 10K.
This will get your blood flowing and a 5K is a great way to start. What’s nice is you can run or walk a 5K and get the feel for this length. You can support our first responders and get some fitness at the same time at the annual 10 K with a Cop on March 8. You can be right there with some of our responders, dressed in full gear as they run the full 10K. www.facebook.com/10KWithACopNorCal There is also 5K option at the Modesto Marathon as well so anyone can try.
Hard – Modesto Marathon March 23
This is the big one Modesto. But don’t worry, there is an easier 5k and 10K.
Our local Boston Marathon qualifying race course is flat and fast. This is a good place to try to set some records.
The Modesto Marathon was founded to serve the local community by providing quality marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K running events while promoting physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Proceeds benefit the Teens Run Modesto program, which challenges area youth, especially those at-risk, to experience the benefits of goal setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved physical fitness through a structured training program culminating in the running and completion of Marathon. Take some time and go out and cheer these athletes of all abilities as there are many great vantage points. One of the best is at the corner of 9th and N as they head to the home stretch.
Packet pick up at the Graffiti USA Museum on March 22. Marathon, 1/2 marathon start at 7am, 10K and 5K at 7:30. Race starts at 11th and finished at 11th and N.
Register at www.modestomarathon.com<www.modestomarathon.com>
Did you know the current Modesto Marathon record times?
Male – 2:16:45 (2019) – CJ Albertson, 25, Fresno
Female – 2:39:04 (2015) 0 Anna Bretan, 30, Berkeley
Get and Stay Active!
Did you know that you can become a lifeguard? The City of Modesto offers training to be a lifeguard. The City pool season will traditionally are open by June and trained lifeguards will be needed. Lifeguard certification classes, water lessons, tennis, softball, senior center programs, available through Parks and Rec in March and April. Get a headstart and Highlight leisure bucks program? www.modestogov.com/2268/Activities-Online-Registration
Check the Activities guide for other City of Modesto programs from Art to Zumba. www.modestogov.com/483/Activity-Guide<www.modestogov.com/483/Activity-Guide>
Watch the Water
Be careful by the rivers. We have had some pretty decent snowpack, but the rivers are running high and they are very cold. Even if they look slow, they have a lot of fast-moving deep water. Please make sure you and your kids are water-safe.
