I decided to get out and walk so I rode my bike downtown and did the downtown/historical volkswalk. It was cool enough that I came back to get a flannel shirt to wear under my jean coat on the ride downtown. It felt good to be just warm enough while riding a bike. I wandered a little but ended up at the main library where I locked up my bike.

Downtown seemed empty for a weekday so I guess there are a lot of people who aren't working this week besides the university. There is always such a bustle downtown during a weekday that I enjoy but it was quiet today, almost like a weekend. I noticed while riding in that there's a nice crosswalk between the library and some new sculptures next to it.

I walked over to the Clarion Hotel for the start of the volkswalk. I've done this volkswalk quite a few times so I managed to get off course right away since I wasn't really paying attention to the directions and they've changed the route a little, I assume because of the construction being done at the U of A. It's just a 10K walk but I managed to make it into a 11K walk with the detour and the walk from the library.

It was nice to get jogged out of a too well known walk. I always enjoy walking through the historic neighborhoods and they were looking good today with the clear blue sky and just a sprinkle of fall leaves. Ok, so it's almost January. We're a little slow around here when it comes to fall.

I didn't walk too fast, stopped a few times for short rests and to eat lunch and still finished in three hours. My feet were sore though. I picked up a few books at the library and then rode my bike home. It was nice to pedal instead of walking. Different muscles. I've been real lazy about exercise the last month or two.

At home I just relaxed and read a few books since there was nothing on television. I finished "Labyrinths of Iron" by Benson Bobrick. This is a history and philosophy of tunnels and subways and was very interesting. He covered them all from tunnels built by the Romans to the newest subways, including not just how they were built but why and the anxiety they have provoked ever since people started building them.

I then read a couple of mysteries. "The Oldest Sin" by Ellen Hart was interesting and involved religious cults and feminist hopes. I found the cult interesting as I knew people in groups like that. I especially understood the part where the women were invisible, though I did find the idea that being overweight was the oldest sin as eating was Eve's sin. That's a new one. I enjoyed how the plot played out.

The other mystery was "The Exile Way" by Ann Woodward which was set in ancient Japan and involved the convoluted politics of the Japanese court and nobility. I liked the main character, Lady Aoi, who worked within the highly ritualized restrictions of high society but still managed to be an individual. It gives a good look at Japanese society in the eleventh century.

The mysteries weren't as interesting as "Labyrinths of Iron". Why do I find most of what is considered entertainment boring? I no longer find most mysteries or novels as interesting as non-fiction. I would rather share a meal with someone than go to a big party. I enjoy the travel part more than the destination when I go somewhere. I like to go on 10K walks that make my feet sore. I would rather wander through town than go to an amusement park.