Split Oak Trail

on October 24, 2009

This morning, my mom and I went on a 4.0 mile hike on the Split Oak Trail, named afterâ€¦ well, the big split oak along the trail!

The tree is over 200 years old and split apart 50 years ago due to the weight of the lateral branches. Itâ€™s still alive!

Before we left for our hike, I made my mom Pom Pancakes (just like yesterdayâ€™s breakfast!):

We drove to Moss Park and it just so happens that the Orlando Womenâ€™s Triathlon was going on while we were there. Imagine my surprise when we ran smack into Katy!

I paparazzi-ed her for a while. She was doing GREAT! :) After we watched the triathletes, we started to hike:

My mom and I saw lots of wildlife on our hike, including cranes:

And a deer! The deer was gorgeous:

It was fun. Iâ€™m so glad that BOTH of my parents have become more active and healthy. I want them to live long, happy, HEALTHY lives. I feel so proud when my mom says she wants to go on a 4.0 mile hike. Sheâ€™s 64 years old, and she even RAN 0.25 of a mile! She proves youâ€™re never too old to get back into shape. Way to go, Mom!

Then we came back home and I made us a quick and easy lunch: a hummus sammie with grapes and a pickle:

We are driving to the coast for my grandfatherâ€™s â€œCelebration of Lifeâ€ party. I canâ€™t wait to see my family and all my grandpaâ€™s old friends.

Have a great Sunday!

{ 42 comments }

VeggieGirl October 24, 2009, 12:04 pm
Gorgeous hiking sights!

Enjoy the celebration!
Allie October 24, 2009, 12:08 pm
what a fun hike! your parents are such wonderful examples good health. you are lucky that you can share such healthy pursuits with them; not everyone is that blessed.
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 24, 2009, 12:09 pm
What beautiful trails!! That’s wonderful about your grandpa’s celebration.. have a lovely day!
Olga @ Healthing It October 24, 2009, 12:10 pm
My parents have also become active lately and I love it so much. My dad calls me to tell me how he’d run on the treadmill so I can tell him how proud I am.

My mom also joined the gym with him so she can start swimming. I want my parents to run after my children! 🙂
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 24, 2009, 12:12 pm
What a lovely place to hike! I am glad your parents are on board with your healthy lifestyle and are so supportive of you! A celebration of life party sounds so nice!
Jenna October 24, 2009, 12:22 pm
i am so glad you got both your parents to be active and healthy! the hike sounds fun and i hope you have fun at the celebration with the rest of your family 🙂
jenna
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) October 24, 2009, 12:24 pm
Your mom’s quads look so strong! Does she cycle? I am always trying to get my mom to go for walks with me. There’s nothing better than doing what you love with someone you love 🙂
Bridget October 24, 2009, 12:25 pm
I love that trail, too! It’s usually so peaceful. Love Crane’s Roost in Altamonte, too-but there are always so many people there! I usually went with my aunt, who is in much the same mindset as your mom!

My dad has recently become way more active (his doctor said to slow down–that’s now very hard for him!), but my mom is content to walk maybe 1/8 of a mile per day (to the end of the driveway and back). No one can convince her that more exercise–no matter the small gains (even walking 1/4 or 1/2 of a mile) will even help. I’m so worried, but don’t know what more I can do to encourage her. She had a massive heart attack two years ago, but doesn’t want to change her ways.

I’m very, very proud of your parents, too! They truly are wonderful examples! Have a great weekend with your mom!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) October 24, 2009, 12:31 pm
It’s fun when family members are as active as you. My Dad has recently started on a weight loss journey, so I know when I go over there today to watch football we’ll have some healthy snacks and might even go for a walk later on.
Estela @ Weekly Bite October 24, 2009, 12:34 pm
wow, what a pretty hike! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 24, 2009, 12:39 pm
Beautiful! Have a great time today. 🙂
Carolyn October 24, 2009, 12:40 pm
Looks like fun! Have a good Saturday.
Sagan October 24, 2009, 12:41 pm
That’s such a lovely area! And the pomegranate pancakes sound delicious, great idea.

I feel really silly right now. Somehow I never made the connection that you’re the one who started Operation Beautiful! Now I feel especially honoured to have met you 😀
Cynthia (It All Changes) October 24, 2009, 12:46 pm
That tree is awesome. I love hiking in nice parks with awesome scenery.

Its great when mom’s want to get in on the fitness action. When my mom comes to visit we love to go walking together.
Madeline @ GreensAndJeans October 24, 2009, 1:00 pm
my mom is coming next week and you are making me so excited for her to get here!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) October 24, 2009, 1:00 pm
That’s awesome about your mom hiking with you. Looks like you two had a blast!
sarah (ghost world) October 24, 2009, 1:06 pm
when i am 64, i want to look like your mom!!! you have some fabulous genetics 🙂
Shannon October 24, 2009, 1:10 pm
Ok so your mom looks GREAT. WOW 64, I would have NEVER guessed.
Liz October 24, 2009, 1:36 pm
Totally awesome that your parents refound there healthy side. It’s really inspirational. Now I just need to get my rents on the healthy bandwagon!
Erin October 24, 2009, 1:40 pm
Hiking might be my favorite form of exercise. It’s perfect to do with family or friends and really get the chance to bond.
Evan Thomas October 24, 2009, 1:59 pm
Your mom is hysterical.
I can’t believe all the animals you stumble upon
Lizzy October 24, 2009, 2:03 pm
aw your mom is so sweet! 🙂 looks like such a fun time spent together!
healthy ashley October 24, 2009, 2:31 pm
It looks like you had so much fun! How neat you ran into Katy!
Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for The Breast Cancer Foundation October 24, 2009, 2:40 pm
Sounds like an awesome hike 😀 Well done to Katy and well done to your Mum for getting back into it!! Power to her!
Have fun at the celebration 🙂
Diana October 24, 2009, 3:11 pm
That’s awesome that both your parents are taking steps to be healthier! I’ve already convinced mine to change some of their unhealthy habits… Baby steps. :p
Again, those pancakes look yummy.
And that tree is awesome! And awww, the deer 😀

Have a good time with your family 🙂
Erin October 24, 2009, 3:12 pm
You and your mom are so beautiful! Looks like a gorgeous morning for a hike 🙂
Emily Eats and Exercises October 24, 2009, 3:12 pm
That trail looks amazing. My parents are in fantastic shape – it’s me that needs to catch up! My dad bikes about 10 miles to work (and then home) each day (weather pending) and runs the rest of the time and my mom is part of the same gym I am – she’s pretty hardcore!
Glad you had such a good visit together.
Britt (Runnerbelle) October 24, 2009, 3:38 pm
Cool trail and yay mom! I love that both my parents are very active, they both have run marathons and my mom still does…. she is 64 too!
MelissaNibbles October 24, 2009, 3:44 pm
The tree is cool. Thanks for sharing your pics!
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com October 24, 2009, 4:04 pm
Hooray for hiking! And your mom is too cute. 🙂
Emily October 24, 2009, 4:20 pm
How pretty!

POM Pankcakes….yum!
Sara October 24, 2009, 4:45 pm
Looks like a great hike!! and yummy pancakes! Have a great Saturday!
Peanut Butter Bliss October 24, 2009, 5:09 pm
yay for you and your mommy (and dad) for being so physically fit and active.
Marissa October 24, 2009, 5:36 pm
Your mom looks like she’s in great shape for being 64! That’s awesome. Hopefully, those of us who live healthy lifestyles in our youth will be like your mom when we get older.
Susan October 24, 2009, 5:39 pm
Ha! That’s too funny you stumbled on a triathlon and saw someone you knew!! I haven’t been hiking in forever, looks like a lot of fun 🙂
Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion October 24, 2009, 6:30 pm
That is so great that you parents have become active and you can do fun hikes and stuff with them!!! Looks like you guys are having a great day!!! Enjoy!
maria October 24, 2009, 6:38 pm
I wish my parents were in better shape. It’s awesome that you get to share your love for health and fitness with your family!
Angela (Oh She Glows) October 24, 2009, 7:40 pm
Your mom looks AMAZING for her age!!!!! wow. I would have guessed early 50’s! She looks great. 🙂
Glad you had some fun bonding time. Makes me miss my mom so much!
Susan October 24, 2009, 10:01 pm
Isn’t it fun to workout with your parent(s)? My dad and I completed 50 of 100 miles (2 day ride) on the bike today. Next weekend we are doing a 1/2 marathon together. My dad is 66!
Kate October 24, 2009, 10:55 pm
It’s fantastic that your parents have gotten into healthy living! And I think I may need to make some of those pom pancakes…
elliebelle October 25, 2009, 1:58 am
Wow, I am shocked that your mom is 64! She looks AMAZING! You are a lucky girl to have such fantastically healthy parents. It’s such a great trait to pass on to the next generation.
kirsten October 25, 2009, 10:10 pm
your mom looks so so young, I would think she was in her late 40’s!!

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