Sacramento Walking Sticks New Year’s Day Walk

(UPDATED 10/19/19) Description of the 2018 Sacramento Walking Sticks New Year’s Day Walk – the theme of which was “Sacramento’s Hidden Murals”.

Over the New Year’s holiday the Sacramento Walking Sticks hold walks over two days – one on New Year’s Eve and one on New Year’s Day.  Either day participants can choose between a 5K walk (3.1 miles) or a 10K walk (6.2 miles).

I had been looking forward to the Sacramento Walking Sticks New Year’s Day walk.  It sounded like a fun way to spend the day – and I was looking forward to viewing the “hidden” murals located throughout Midtown Sacramento.

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My dog Mickey and I became members of the Sacramento Walking Sticks last year.  Our first walking event was this past summer – the annual Sacramento Walking Sticks Ice Cream Walk.  The Ice Cream Walk had not gone as I had hoped.  I had signed up for the 5K walk, and Mickey was tuckered out before we even hit the half-way mark.  Carrying him off and on so we could finish the 5K circuit was not fun.  We were both exhausted when we got home.

See related post:  Sacramento Walking Sticks Ice Cream Walk

Wanting to participate in the New Year’s Day walk, but not wanting to leave Mickey home alone when he would be welcome, I decided to purchase a dog stroller to use when he became over-tired.

I had pre-packed the stroller with water and dog treats, as well as additional outerwear like gloves and a hat for myself – so we were all set.  I also remembered to affix our Sacramento Walking Sticks name buttons.

On New Year’s Day we left the house at 9:00 a.m. and walked to the Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ at 27^th & L Streets.  Dogs were not allowed inside the building, so I filled out the required registration form outside and a nice person took it in to the registration desk and returned with the 5K route map.

I have to admit that I was more than a little self-conscious about the stroller – but I decided to just get over it and enjoy the day.

A friend that I had hoped would join me was unavailable, but the Sacramento Walking Sticks are a friendly group of people.  Check-in on New Year’s Day was from 9:00 a.m. to noon, so while those walking the route were spread out there was usually other Sacramento Walking Sticks nearby to chat with as we walked.

It turned out to be a very nice day – so I found myself removing some layers of clothing so that I did not become overheated.

The 5K and 10K walks included both murals that had been created as part of the first Sacramento Mural Festival and Wide Open Walls, as well as other murals painted by locals – many of them in alleys.

See related posts:

• Sacramento Mural Festival – A Sacramento First! 
• Wide Open Walls – Day 6 – Midtown
• Wide Open Walls, Part 2 – Day 8 – Downtown
• Wide Open Walls – Downtown & Midtown

Mickey alternated between walking and riding in his stroller.  I did not know if he would like riding in the stroller – but he did.  I was especially glad to have the stroller as the route included walking through a number of Midtown Sacramento alley’s that were strewn with broken glass.  Without the stroller I would have found myself carrying him – or skipping those parts of the designated route.

After our walk I returned to the starting point to check out.  I asked a woman who was entering to take the copy of my check-in slip to the Start/Finish table, and Mickey and I headed home after enjoying the murals, bike racks, call boxes and the weather.

Now that I know that Mickey will happily stay in his stroller when needed, I plan to attend more Sacramento Walking Sticks events.  If you see me out and about with Mickey and his stroller – just pretend that you think there is nothing strange about it (apologies to other dog parents with strollers).

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