Photober: Day 1

Today starts a new month, and I am going to issue a challenge to myself. Actually, it's a multi-part challenge, which each part interrelated and, at its core, is what Explore This City is all about.

Part 1: Walk at least 10,000 steps per day. I work at a desk staring a computer for 9 hours a day. I need to get up and move, for my sanity's sake, brainpower, and health. Not being able to run without significant foot pain (thanks, stress fracture) has caused me to gain a lot of weight over the years that this 5'2" girl can't afford to put on. Walking doesn't cause me as much pain, and this coupled with my new-found wonderful deep water group exercise class should help me get back into shape. And I want to stay accountable to more than just myself and Eric (hello, Internet!).

Part 2: Take at least 1 picture per day. This is why the challenge is called Photober. :) I haven't been taking as many pictures as I'd like, and I've always wanted to do one of those month-long photo challenges.

Part 3: Go out and explore. This is really what ETC is all about - exploring your surroundings. This part combines both walking and taking pictures. I plan on going on a walk each day at lunch and exploring around campus. IU's campus is huge and I only know a very small subset of it. I want to travel a different route each day. And I want to take photos of interesting/pretty/cool things along the way. (This is going to stay separate from the Friday Photos series...so there should be even more photos coming your way.)

Here are some photos I took on my walk today:

Bumblebees were still out by the Wright Education Building

Random stone bridge between some residence halls (I think Union)

What looked like a giant stone chair turned out to be a fountain near Ashton

There are railroad tracks in front of my building

And I am a huge sucker for anything to do with trains