Parks Along the Creek

Today was a work day.  I was up early, making coffee and getting the wood stove going.  Justin is at home and doesn't sleep well in his home bed.  At school, he has a special hospital bed with a mattress that moves the pressure around so that he doesn't get bedsores.

Normally, he is a late sleeper, but he wasn't sleeping so I went through the process to get him up as soon as the wood stove fire was stable.  Julia got him showered, and then I got him dressed and transferred to the power chair.  

Callie is carefully tuned into the process.  She jumps up on Justin's bed and lays next to Justin like Justin's service dog used to do.  She knows to stay out of the way of the Hoyer lift and jumps down from the bed just before we finish.  

The sun didn't bother to fight the clouds this morning.  It was overcast and actively snowing during our walk.  Most of the early snow melted last night because the ground was warmer than freezing, but the temps dropped enough overnight that snow was starting to collect at the edges of the road and sidewalks.

Lodi has three city parks along Spring Creek.  Today, I took pictures at Haberman Park and Goeres Park which are next to each other and separated by Fair Street.  

I rarely see anyone at Haberman, except during the summer month(s).  The shelter is used for family outings and for free music concerts.  There are grills and an outdoor fireplace along the creek, but they literally overlook the gas station.  I've never seen anyone using those.  

Across the street is Goeres Park, which is heavily utilized during the summer.  There is a free swimming pool, baseball/softball fields, a playground, and walking paths. In the winter, there is an ice skating and separate outdoor hockey area on the other side of the park.

This afternoon, despite the chilly conditions, I'll be grilling teriyaki chicken breasts and asparagus.  Julia, Justin and Gretchen (Julia's step-mom) are playing cards.  Julia baked brownies for dessert.