So what is there to see in Little Falls, MN??

Due to a little research, I can answer that question.......but of course you might be curious how (or why) I would come to find out.  You see, today is my "blogiversary", and I thought it might be interesting to see just how far I've run over the past year that I've been sharing with you:

1164 miles

So being a curious sort of a guy......who also happens to teach World Geography and US History to 95 7th and 8th graders.......I thought it might be a fun exercise to see just what is out there in America at a distance that I will now call "one year running".  So I fired up Google Maps, placed one point on Franklin, MA, and then extended lines out roughly 1164 miles in every direction (ok, I didn't go east, because that would just be out in the Atlantic Ocean, nor did I go north....sorry, Canada) to see just where I ended up.  What I discovered was really cool, so I thought I'd share my findings with you:

From North to South, here are the places I "ended up"......

Little Falls, MN - population roughly 8300, founded in 1848 (making it one of the oldest towns in Minnesota), located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the birthplace and boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh, also the home of the Minnesota Fishing Museum.

Fort Dodge, IA - population roughly 25200, founded in 1869 on the banks of the Des Moines River, county seat of Webster County.

Sedalia, MO - population roughly 21400, home of the Missouri State Fair, adopted home of composer Scott Joplin.

Marianna, AR - population roughly 4100, county seat of Lee County, on the banks of the (most lovely named) L'Anguille River.

Kosciusko, MS - population roughly 7400, county seat of Attala County, located on the Natchez Trace Parkway, birthplace of Oprah Winfrey.

Atmore, AL - population roughly 7400, birthplace of Evander Holyfield.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - population roughly 48400, home to the Professional Golfers Association of America, as well as astronaut Scott Carpenter.


So over the course of the last 365 days, I've visited some amazing places I wouldn't have known about otherwise.......I know I'm being a bit weird, but I think it's pretty cool.

But in all seriousness, I've really enjoyed sharing my adventures with all of you.......all through my training and fundraising for the Boston Marathon, and then to my most recent marathon in Hartford.  Through this blog, I've been able to "meet" some really cool people (i.e., that's YOU, my dear readers!), as well as actually meeting Jose when we both ran the Surftown Half.  Beyond that, I've been able to use this forum as a creative outlet, allowing me to share thoughts and feelings that many of you have felt, those common frustrations all runners experience from time to time.  Your comments and suggestions have helped me all along the way and for that, I thank you all.  My hope is that I can also serve you all similarly.....well, I try!

So now I begin Year 2 of my blog as I finish off my most successful running year ever.  I'm going to keep sharing my journey with all of you, and I'll continue to enjoy reading about all of your adventures as well.  This virtual running community is a really cool thing.....I'm just so glad you've all become a part of my life!