Ask the Realtor - Lake Mission Viejo draws a diverse crowd

Jim E. Flynn
"Experience
& Integrity"

Ask The Realtor

As printed in the OC Register / Saddleback Valley News

Written by Jim E. Flynn, Century 21 Beachside Realtors, Lake Mission Viejo

Sept. 25, 2008

Lake Mission Viejo Draws a Diverse Crowd

For decades, I have been jogging and now fast-walking/short jogging around Lake Mission Viejo.

My wife Charlene and I have been saying "good morning" to everyone we pass for the past five or six years now.

Rush Hour at Lake Mission Viejo

Young mothers - chatting and enjoying their friendships - push their "chicks" with Escalade-wide strollers three deep, but usually look up in time to avoid collisions.

And then there are the dogs. Big ones, friendly ones, tall ones, short ones and in between ones. Some walk their owners. Some are recognizable breeds, and some we have learned about - like the King Charles Spaniel, Afghan Collie and Akita Shepherd Aussie Doodle. And who could ever forget "Jack" (Brackamonte), obsequious with his masters Richard and Roberta? (Jack eventually grew nearly as tall as Roberta.)

On a recent morning I decided to meet some of these nice people who had been replying to our "good morning" greetings. So I stood at the entrance to Plaza Del Lago with a clipboard and preprinted forms in hand and talked to over 30 people, asking: Why do you walk, jog or run around Lake Mission Viejo? How much of the 5k around the lake (actually it's closer to about 3.36 miles) do you cover?

Here's what I found out:

Eddy Salibais French and Greek with a father from Texas. He spends 35 minutes about every other week and comes down from Ranch Santa Margarita. He's been enjoying the walk for about four years.

Debbie Fisher from Mission Viejo says it's convenient and the area is pretty. She walks three dogs (sometimes four) around the entire lake two or three times a week. She's been doing it for eight years.

Sean Harakeof Mission Viejo and stays in shape while enjoying the beauty of the lake. Sean is a fine example of what most of us could look like if we did a 5k or more every week.

Emma Cusack,originally from Midlands, England, likes the route and says it has a pretty nice circumference. She does the entire walk and has been for about three years.

Jerry Balseralso does the whole lake (and regularly completes it six times a week!) because it's close and safe (even at night). He started in '84 after moving here from Houston.

Martin Jensenand David Rochehave been running four times a week since 2001. Both want to have a healthy heart and were running and training for their next marathon. Martin recently ran and completed the New York marathon.

John Faduleof Mission Viejo describes himself as a Christian Lebanese Lithuianian. John recently lost his wife to cancer. Although he has been doing his exercise program for five years, he conscientiously now does five miles every day - usually while carrying 10-pound dumbbells.

Paul Rodriguezof Mission Viejo says "It feels good and I like the scenery." Paul has been at his program about a month and is here three times a week.

And finally, Jorge Palmeroand Giselaof Mission Viejo try to come down from the Evergreen community every weekend. Jorge has an electric scooter and Gisela walks fast along their brisk jaunt, which is over 4 miles long. Gisela says she is of German heritage but came here from Cuba.

I also talked to other people, for whom I don't have last names.

Like Amy from Mission Viejo, who shared that she has 3-month-old and 22-month-old babies. She began visiting the lake last month, and always completes the whole path.

And Carol from Mission Viejo, who's done two half marathons, and whose husband who is a former triathlete. Carol recently hired a personal trainer to get in even better shape and was out on a recent morning doing her "homework" - which consists of 3.36 miles around the entire lake.

It was a great way to spend my morning and I even got some constructive comments for city officials and other walkers to consider.

To city officials:

As the budget permits, please complete the repair of cracks caused by tree roots in the asphalt. Maybe ask those in the Finesterra Association responsible for downed trees to remove them in a timely manner. Perhaps provide a water station for dogs (like the one by Aliso creek trail) and another water fountain for people.

To dog walkers:

Please carry enough doggie bags to clean up after your pets.

And to moms with strollers:

Please enjoy your conversations, but remember there are serious joggers/runners competing against a stopwatch.

Original article in The Register

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Jim E. Flynn
CalBRE license #: 01215480

Phone: (949) 463-0739