9 a.m. – With the sun shining and a $20 bill in my purse, I set out last Friday to explore Scarborough with the intent to have a funfilled day. My first stop was breakfast at the Food Guy on Pleasant Hill Road. Kerri Munson took my order of two eggs, homefries and toast along with a Pepsi (I needed a jolt of caffeine to propel me into my day). Owner Willy Ledoux said he gets a lot of regulars from Prout’s Neck and Higgins Beachin the restaurant. A long time Scarborough resident, Ledoux has owned the Food Guy for 11 years. Out back he also owns an aqua golf range. Interesting, I thought, I’ve never hit a golf ball in my life, but maybe I’ll come back later and try something new. He also might be putting batting cages out back soon. The Food Guy is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and on Thursdays and Fridays it’s open for happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.

Total spent at this activity: $7.15

Total spent for the day: $7.15

Money left: $12.85

10 a.m. – Breakfast was the fuel I needed for my next activity, a beginners martial arts class with Shawn Withers at Natural Motion Martial Arts. I arrived in workout gear and was greeted by Withers, who couldn’t have been friendlier. He told me he works with both disabled and non-disabled students on Broken Wing Kenpo, which incorporates traditional values with progressive thinking. He works with students 16-years-old up to 70 or older and does a lot of one-on-one work. Joining and encouraging me for my first martial arts class was Amanda Burnham of Saco and Johanna Gwynn of Naples. Withers noted everything one can gain from martial arts including a good cardiovascular workout, improved focus and concentration and reflexes and strength. He also said there’s always something new to learn or work on. Out of respect, he told me, it’s customary to bow before entering and leaving the workout area, after which we started warming up. After some stretching it was time to get down to business and practice moves with our hands. It was evident I had never done this before. Withers had to teach me how to make a proper fist. We moved on to do some kicks and punches – my favorite part. I was really feeling the workout and it was a good way to get rid of extra energy. We practiced more kicking and also worked on balance, something I’m apparently not that good at because I think I looked a little foolish trying to hit targets while jumping on one foot. I say I probably looked foolish, but that’s one thing I noticed about Withers and the others in my class, I was never made to feel uncomfortable and after everything I tried, someone was always quick to offer up a “Good job.” Time flew by and soon my hour was up. It was refreshing to try something new and I am considering making this a regular routine. Anyone can try out classes free for a week. Natural Motion Martial Arts is located at 15 Holly Street. To learn more visit www.naturalmotionmartialarts.com or call 883-6924.

Total spent at this activity: $0.00

Total spent for the day: $7.15

Money left: $12.85

12:30 p.m. – I have never swung a golf club in my life, but thought I’d be adventurous and go back to the aqua golf range on Pleasant Hill Road. $5 got me a bucket of 45 golf balls that I (mostly) successfully launched into the pond behind the Food Guy. I called my fiancé for a few tips first. I was told to keep my eye on the ball and keep my arms straight during my swing. “It’s all in the swing,” he said. I have very little athletic ability, but I did hit the golf balls hard enough to make that cool “swooshing” sound and the sound of the ball plunking in the water definitely made me feel a sense of accomplishment. It took about 20 minutes to hit them all and I left feeling pretty proud of myself for trying yet another new activity.

Total spent at this activity: $5

Total spent for the day: $12.15

Money left: $7.85

2 p.m. – Scarborough is popular for their trails and other natural activities and since I had never stepped foot on one, I decided to check out the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary on Pine Point Road. There are 1.5 miles of walking trails that offer a view of the Scarborough Marsh with 52 acres of land. It was relaxing to get back to nature and I promised myself I would try to take advantage of what Maine has to offer outdoors on a fairly regular basis.

Total spent at this activity: $0

Total spent for the day: $12.15

Money left: $7.85

2:45 p.m. – After all that activity I definitely had a rumble in my stomach so I stopped off at Chicago Dogs, my first visit to the restaurant. Todd Kerbrat was behind the counter and said business was getting busier with the better weather now upon us. He said the most popular items on the menu are cheese steaks and the Chicago dog combo – the Chicago dog combo it was, then, with tomatoes, pickles, mustard, peppers, celery salt and the most neon green relish I’ve ever seen. I accompanied the dog with hand cut fries and a Mountain Dew to keep me going. Smothered in vinegar, ketchup, salt and pepper, I dug in. As I ate I noticed that Chicago Dogs will deliver lunch or dinner by calling 799-DINE or visiting www.2dinein.com.