Julie's excellent urban adventure

Along with my husband Juan, I’ve participated in marathons on all seven continents. I was an avid runner. I describe myself as a “late-in-life” athlete as I didn’t take up distance running until my mid-40s.

- JULIE CAMPOS

When my knees could no longer take the pounding from running, I re-invented myself into a fitness walking junkie. I walk for no deep, soulsearching philosophical reason other than I can. It’s also cheaper than therapy.

Walking the Apple Capital Loop Trail daily on both sides of the Columbia River since moving here in May 2019 has been my venue of choice. As wonderful as this area is, I wanted to shake up my routine so I decided to do something challenging, yet familiar.

Because I can, I am doing an urban jungle journey by walking every street within the East Wenatchee city limits including those outside the limits, just to discover all that East Wenatchee may have to offer.

I am no stranger to this kind of project.

I have walked every street in my former hometown of Lompoc, CA. In doing so, I acquired the dubious label of being Lompoc’s ultimate street-walker.

(I also walked every street in Thorne Bay, Alaska. We go fishing each year in Thorne Bay. When my husband and his friends go out in the skiff, I go walking where my only worries are bear encounters.)

With the pandemic, I am doing my trek despite the Stay Home Stay Healthy directive. Physical distancing has not been an issue since I am by myself.

Have you seen a street map of East Wenatchee? It’s an amazing mash-up of how the streets are laid out, so navigating the city was going to be one challenge. Of course, the map doesn’t show elevation gains and losses — which are seriously significant in this town.

Preparations for my daily journey start the night before when I consult the map.